Playstation 3 40GB Reviews

• A Great Choice from an Xbox 360 Owner...

  
  By A1I2PGYMFLWUXK on 2007-11-02
  Having owned a PS3 and an Xbox 360, I can say without bias that both are great systems and we should all be excited at the competition for this generation of video game consoles.
  
  The Good:
  The 40gb Ps3 comes with increased Wireless and Bluetooth range and reliability, and new components that reduce energy by 32.5% of previous models. The heat difference between this and other models is incredible. This things runs very cool for hours.
  
  All PS3 models can connect to the internet for online gaming, shopping, web-browsing, and even medical research for Stanford when you aren't playing. It is nice that the PS3's user-base tends to be older and it doesn't come with a headset, so you don't get much of the 9-year-olds running around screaming during games. And the PS3 has better sound features and hard drive space than the entry level xbox 360.
  
  Another huge feature is that the PS3 plays hi-definition movies on a format called blu-ray. I just purchased an HDTV and the picture of Blu-Ray movies is 3D-like and incredible. Games are also played on Blu-Ray discs and several games have already maxed out on Blu_Ray's massive storage capacity. In other words, as HDTV's become more popular, this format will likely become the medium that people watch new movies on. The games on PS3 in the very near future will not fit on the DVD discs that the xbox uses. Another great thing is that the PS3 upscales regular DVD's, which means all DVD's, despite their age, look OUTSTANDING on my television.
  
  The Bad:
  But the 40gb PS3 doesn't get everything right. While the 40gb model plays 100% of PS1 games it can NOT play PS2 games like other models can. But after playing recent PS3 games like Call of Duty 4, I realized I don't want to play my old PS2 games anymore, since they just can't compare to this experience.
  
  Second, it doesn't let you keep your music playing once you launch a program, enter the store, or go to a settings menu. And you can't message friends in a game like the 360 can. What's more, Sony's store has a hideous interface (especially on Standard Definition TVs), is clumsy, and needs a serious redesign. The good news is that, it's not nearly as bad as everyone claims and it should get an overhaul this holiday season once Sony launches a new interface. Also, unlike Xbox, the service is free, which is awesome and has caused me to buy several great inexpensive games from the PS store.
  
  Another issue is that the PS3 uses new Cell processor technology so developers have to invest a lot of time to learn how to use the PS3. This has meant that the games for both the 360 and PS3 have tended to look much better on the 360 with the PS3 versions being half-hearted ports. However, developers like Midway, Capcom, and many more are starting to realize this problem, get the hang of things, and prioritize PS3 development first. So recent PS3 games like Uncharted: Drake's Fortune are looking spectacular.
  
  And finally, this model only has two USB ports and they don't include an HDMI cord OR component cables in the PS3 box. So you HAVE to buy one of them separately otherwise the picture will look terrible on an HD or digital TV. They also don't include an ethernet cable, which was a surprise.
  
  The Verdict:
  This generation of game consoles is a win-win and I was on the fence for a year before getting and then returning my xbox for a PS3. The main factors for me were quality assurance, longevity, and value. The PS3 simply feels like it is a more sleek higher end unit. It has never frozen on me like my 360, and has a 1% failure rate as opposed to the 33% failure rate for the 360. Further, the PS3 is projected by many financial analysts as lasting for a long time. The xbox 360 might be outdated by late 2009, but the PS3 has a ton of untapped potential.
  
  Several recent exclusive games like Lair, Heavenly Sword, and Ratchet and Clank have looked incredible despite the product being less than a year old. And in my opinion, they look better and have more characters and action on screen than any game I've ever played on another console. And finally, feature for feature, the PS3 is a way better deal than the xbox 360. You get a Hi-Def player, wireless capability, an optional use as a home computer, a web browser, media center, cutting-edge video game machine, and 5 free blu-ray movies if you fill out the rebate form before the January deadline.
  
  In addition, the VARIETY of games on PS3 is astounding. There are Playstation Eye Camera games that let your body movements interact with the game, Sixaxis controller games that focus on tilting your hands to steer, the whole gamut of traditional game types, arcade games you can download from the Playstation store, and revolutionary games like Echochrome, Little Big Planet, and the Home social network. There is something for everyone which I feel is a balance that isn't struck as well with the PS3's competitors.
  
  While both the 360 and PS3 are great systems, the PS3 definitely is a better long-term investment because it can do so much more than just play video games and will only get better with each firmware update. To put it in two words, the PS3 really is "future proof."
  
  

• Just like the 80GB with these differences

  
  By A2LDWYW38O4N6H on 2007-11-04
  See my 80GB review for a full and detailed look atht ePS3, it's capabilities and games. The 40GB was a very smart move for Sony. Let's first address what detracters will say is a problem. Lack of backward compatibility with PS2 titles. First, almost all people who own PS2 games currently, own a PS2. The disadvantage is they can't sell it off and have to support running two consoles. Of course, selling it won't net you the $100 price drop this PS3 gives you so financially it's still advantages. Some XBox owners will use this as a point to detract people from going with the PS3. They fail to mention that the XBox core edition also has no backward compatibility. In fact, it doesn't even have a hard drive. The XBox premium edition has somewhat poor backward compatibility as well.
  
  Really, people are buying PS3s to play PS3 games and watch high definition Blu-ray movies. For $399 you get two in one. Back to that in a second. What else in the 40GB missing? It's missing memory card readers. Rarely to people use these. Most people use USB and/or already have a USB memory card reader for their PC which will work fine for the PS3.
  
  It also has 2 USB slots instead for 4 but USB hubs are dirt cheap. Lastly, it uses a 65nm process instead of a 90nm meaning the chips are smaller and use less power. This is good.
  
  It has all the same movie and gaming capability, built in wireless internet, Blu-ray, HDMI 1.3, etc...
  
  So for $399 you get a high definition player and a next-gen console with wireless internet. The cost of this for the 360 would be:
  1. $349 for premium (20GB) 360
  2. $179 for HD-DVD player
  3. $100 for wireless internet
  Total: $628
  
  That's expensive! If you don't need wireless internet you're still paying $528! You might as well go get a cheaper HD-DVD drive on Ebay but of course now you probably have multiple consoles and movie players.
  
  Of course the PS3 upscales regular DVDs to 1080p as well so you can get rid of your old DVD player.
  
  Some people will argue the games aren't there yet. See my 80GB review for details on that. Here's some quick examples of great games for the PS3 in stores now or released before the end of 2007:
  
  I've rated each game from 1-5. I've excluded many games and tried to focus on the games I like.
  
  1. Heavenly Sword (Exclusive to PS3) 4/5, incredible game, just too short.
  2. Warhawk (Exclusive to PS3) 5/5
  3. Folklore (Exclusive to PS3) 4/5
  4. Guitar Hero III 4/5
  5. Eye of Judgement (Exclusive to PS3) 5/5 - Niche audience
  6. Haze (Exclusive to PS3) Not out yet
  7. Ratchet & Clank Future (Exclusive to PS3) 5/5
  8. Uncharted: Drake's Fortune (Exclusive to PS3) Not out yet
  9. UT3 (Maybe for this year) (Timed exclusive to PS3) - only console version that supports PC mods, and mouse/keyboard
  10. Ghost Recon ADW2 5/5
  11. Rainbow Vegas Six 5/5
  12. Ninja Gaiden Sigma 5/5
  13. Fight Night Round 3 5/5
  14. Super Stardust HD 5/5 (Exclusive to PS3, downloadable under $10)
  15. Everyday Shooter 5/5 (Exclusive to PS3, downloadable under $10)
  16. Calling all Cars 4/5 (Exclusive to PS3, downloadable under $6)
  17. Super Puzzle Fighter HD Remix 4/5
  18. Madden 08 4/5
  19. NHL 2K8 4/5
  20. NBA 2K8 5/5
  21. MLB 07: The Show 4/5
  
  And there's a lot more to come. For instance Gran Turismo 5 Proglogue is free this year, with Gran Turismo 5 coming out next year. Little Big Planet may be the biggest and most innovative title since Mario and will be out in January/February time frame. And of course there's Metal Gear Solid 4. This game looks incredible and will undoubtly be the biggest game of 2008.
  
  Good luck with your purchases!
  
  

• A Leap Forward in So Many Ways!

  
  By A22AD8M2SSOFHJ on 2007-11-07
  For all of you considering the PS3 this is one of the best choices you can make when it comes to home entertainment. Gaming and multimedia are taken to the next level.
  
  First getting my hands on the PS3 made me realize that this is the largest Playstation conosle by volume and weight they have ever come out with. I quickly realized how sturdy and well made this product is. The plastic that is used is solid and heavy duty. I also realized how easy dust and fingerprints attract to the shiny finish which is both plastic and fake chrome. Connecting the PS3 was the easy part. Unlike the Wii and 360 Sony has left the power station inside the console. Which means you only need one heavy duty plug to connect. From the back of the console you have many choices for video and audio outputs. The standard AV outlet is there which allows you to play with the cables it comes with or to buy component cables for high definition viewing. You also have a optical digital output for full digital sound. New to any video game console is HDMI output. This allows you to have the PS3 in full high definiton video and audio. HDMI is capable of a full digital signal allowing 1080p true high definition picture. It is also capable of unleashing 7.1 high definition sound. So audiophiles should be happy about what this console offers. On the front end you get two USB ports. This allows you to connect various devices like a photo camera, internet camera, mouse, or even a printer. The Sony PS3 has a feature that allows it to be on standby at all times. Which is similar to the other consoles. I will talk more about this feature on the PS3 further in the review.
  
  I would like to cover all the interface options the PS3 accompanies seperately so consumers can become aware of all the advantages this console carries. For those of you familiar with the Playstation Portable this interface is almost exactly the same.
  
  You are able to create seperate logins for anyone who uses the PS3. This allows for each person to go online with their information. Although it doesn't really have many more advantages than that right now it is rather insignificant.
  
  Next is the system settings. This allows the user to adapt the PS3 to their television and sound system. You can adjust the high defention settings to fit the maximum resolution of your t.v. You also have setting for your blue tooth devices and internet connections. The PS3 comes with built in wi-fi which seems to have a strong connection that gives you almost seamless online use.
  
  The PS3 also has a photo viewer. You can download pictures by using your camera and connecting it via USB. I haven't checked to see how viable this option is. Generally you get your standard slide shows although they have a fun feature. One of the features takes your pictures and gracefully places them onto a blank canvas. I think the slide shows are best when you set them to music.
  
  Next is the music player. You can download your pics via CD which is rather quick. I have done this numerous times putting quite a music collection on my PS3. Although Sony has talked about having downloads via the internet which I think would go over very well. You can listen to music while viewing a feature that uses colors and textures. It is your standard music viewer...nothing special there.
  
  I want to talk about one of the most notorious features of the PS3. The Bluray player. Most of you now know what a Bluray player is and does. I have viewed numerous movies on it. I have also viewed these movies on two different hdtv's. One a 1080p and a 1080i. I really did not notice much of a picture difference. After viewing a few movies on the XBox 360 hddvd player and the PS3 Bluray player I really did not notice much of a difference. One thing I have noticed about hd movies is that the ones more than a couple years older have a slightly grainy appearance since they were remastered for high definition. Newly made movies appear crystal clear with vivid colors and tremoundous definition. The PS3 does allow you to view regular DVD's which can make the transition that much easier. The regular DVD movies are upscaled on your HDTV allowing an excellent picture. For many of the new movies it is almost difficult to notice a difference in a DVD picture and Blu-ray picture.
  
  Now would be the gameplay part of the interface. This keeps track of the game disc you may have in the player or also games or demos that you have downloaded. This interface is rather simple and easy to negotiate. One feature that is sadly missing from the 40 gig is backwards compatibility. Although you can still play PSone games, PS2 games are a no go. As far as the games go I have played numerous games plus several demos. The games that are non exclusive like Madden Football are deficent on the PS3 compared to XBox 360 counterparts. The game speed is smooth and polished. The visuals on exclusive PS3 games like Heavenly Sword and Ratchet and Clank is quite impressive. The PS3 seems to create a living vivid environment with the ability to create many textures and surfaces. Game demos like Motorstorm and Gran Turismo HD show what the PS3 is capable of. Amazing graphics and sound quality will become apparent in many of the games this holiday season and beyond. I have also enjoyed the few full games that are downloadable. The games have enhanced hd graphics and are affordable at only $7.99-$9.99. What I have enjoyed is online gaming. With the PS3 you don't have to pay any added fees. The gameplay was seamless and quick and allows you to use a blue tooth headset when playing. I also believe you can use your PS2 headset via USB. The online gaming is virtually the same as the 360.
  
  Lastly I will cover the online features of the PS3. On the interface online is a big part. From the browser to having friends and checking your mail. Of course the largest feature is the Playstation store. Which is obviously not very unique. The 360 has a market which could be considered the pedigree for consoles. The Wii is limited to just classic video games. The Playstation store is decent right now with very numerous items to download. You have games, demos, and movie trailers. The store will continue to grow and has a nice feature that allows you to dowload PSone games for the Playstation Portable (PSP). After dowloading it to your PS3 then you transfer it via USB to your PSP. Also a very intriguing feature that I think is really amazing is called remote play. When your PSP is integrated into your PS3 you have the ability to view and listen to stuff on your PS3 anywhere in the world with your PSP. All you need is a wifi connection. I have tried this feature out and it's really enjoyable. I was able to view movie trailers and listen to my music on my PSP. The feature is nice although it is supposed to work when the PS3 is on standby. It did not work for me then. Only when the PS3 was on and set for remote play.
  
  There are also two features that are becoming more apparent for owners. Folding at Home is a beneficial program that works with Stanford University. The program runs when your PS3 is idle. What it does is run computations that help scientists work for many cures to diseases. A beneficial plus to the PS3. I can vouch for having my PS3 on nonstop 24 hours a day 7 days a week for many months without any problems. Secondly I want to talk about HOME. No not your real home but the PS3 program that will be available early 2008. This program will be a virtual online social interface allowing you to meet numerous other PS3 players. I have been allowed to participate on the Beta version and I must say this has extreme potential.
  
  2008 will be an exciting year for PS3 owners. The experience is already excellent with over a dozen very good games. The PS3 will have over a half dozen superb games releasing next year. Games like Gran Turismo 5, Killzone 2, Little Big Planet, Metal Gear Solid, Final Fantasy are just the beginning. If any of these games suit you it would be an excellent reason to own a PS3.
  
  In closing I will say without a doubt the PS3 has been quite an experience. I feel the $400 is well worth it for the features you get. Wifi, Bluray, HDMI, and of course the game playing.
  I believe many of you are on the fence and trying to justify a large scale purchase like this. The games are here and the experience is superb. If you want a wonderful living room centerpiece that will provide numerous hours of use the PS3 is the way to go.
  
  

• I've had all three consoles (Wii, PS3, and XBOX 360)

  
  By A7IJ88ZGGSI8B on 2008-02-21
  In fact, we just sold the Wii because we were bored with it. Because the Wii was from Santa I promised I'd replace it with a PS3--we already had two XBOX 360s in the house.
  
  So I'm not going to include the Wii in this comparison, because, IMO, this generation is a two horse race. The Wii is all hype and feel good for people who don't normally play video games.
  
  So I'll compare the two point by point.
  
  1) Hardware: The 360s problems are legendary. I have two, and they haven't broken, but I treat them with kid gloves, and know many people who have had problems with their hardware. My new Halo 3 edition had a couple of issues right out of the box that I just work around (an iffy power button and conroller indicator).
  
  The PS3, on the other hand, turns it up a notch. It's nice to look at, nice to touch (the power/eject buttons are very cool), and it is very, very quiet. Quieter than the Wii, even.
  
  Winner: PS3
  
  2) Controller: the thumbsticks as I recall were added later on the PS1 controller, almost as an afterthought in response to Nintendo's thumbstick. It was broken then, and it is still broken. Sony should have modernized the controller to be more ergonomically friendly. The triggers aren't as progressive as the XBOX's, and the distance from your fingers (on the triggers) to the thumbs is awkward, particularly for my young one with small hands.
  
  There are people who are "used" to it but I think that's just because they adapted over time. The XBOX controller evolved--why couldn't this one?
  
  Winner: XBOX 360
  
  3) System Software: You can really tell that one company is a consumer electronics maker, where the other company is more of a software/client/server company. The PS3 system software is positively primitive in terms of its aesthetics, ease of use, and ability. The Playstation Store is hideous. What's best for the PSP isn't necessarily best for the XBOX. Everything, from friends lists, to shopping, to just generally managing everything is easier with the XBOX.
  
  Winner: XBOX
  
  4) Online Play - XBOX has XBOX Live, which, while not free, is worth it. I haven't played online yet with the PS3, but they tell me you can't message friends/chat/get invites while in the game, and that the XBOX experience is just more integrated, unified, and polished.
  
  Winner: XBOX (you might do your own research here since I haven't played online yet)
  
  5) Games - I only got two games initially: Formula 1 and Ratchet and Clank. Formula 1 is very unimpressive, and was the sole reason I considered buying the PS3 back during its launch. I know it's a launch title, but so was Project Gotham 3 on the XBOX, and it was much more impressive.
  
  Ratchet and Clank, though, shows off more of the PS3's potential. I believe the PS3, with the right programmers, could be every bit as capable as the 360, and probably more capable, we just haven't seen it yet.
  
  Right now, the XBOX has the best exclusives--I've played and enjoyed Mass Effect, Bioshock, Halo 3, Gears, etc, and so far the cross platform games have tended to work better on the 360, but that is changing for the better for the PS3 as time goes by.
  
  Winner: XBOX (so far)
  
  6) Value: outside of the games library, on paper the PS3 40GB is a better value. When you compare it, considering the blu ray player and built in wireless, and it's comparatively a steal compared to the XBOX Pro. Still, it's a lot to play for a system that doesn't yet have a lot of great games.
  
  Winner: PS3
  
  
  The PS3 has a lot of upside--the question is, will Sony exploit it? So far the winner is the XBOX, but I'd like to see both of them have great games, particularly given my new investment.
  
  
  

• The ONLY PS3 would run QUIET enough for movie viewing!

  
  By AHX0D87ZB702U on 2007-11-12
  All the news I read said 60GB was the only way to go if you wanted a PS3 with backward compatibility. Therefore, I rush into nearest BestBuy to get a 60GB when I saw online news said 60GB was sold out in most of retail stores on 11/02/2007.
  
  I was not very happy when I realized my new PS3 was running HOT and LOUD, believe me it was very LOUD. I exchanged it for another 60GB next day. This one was a little better, IMO; however, it was still running HOT and LOUD. I went to Target, and got another 60GB. This one was not any better. I told myself this had to be a design flaw but I would give it for another try. Therefore, I returned it and bought another 60GB from Target again. Four out of four, they were all running HOT and LOUD. I gave up at this point, and returned the last one purchased from Target. At this point I almost wanted to learn to live with the noise since I enjoyed the Blu-ray so much and had some fun playing those demo games.
  
  I went online and did some more research. I found 40GB should consume a lot less energy than 60GB and 80GB. IMO Energy = Heat; therefore, I was in BestBuy again on 11/10/2007 with my family and bought a 40GB. Installed it in the evening, watched a regular SD DVD and left it on over night for downloading. WOW, it ran much quieter and it was even running quieter than my HR20-100 (a DIRECTV HD DVR). Off course, I return the last 60GB I had the following day.
  
  
  My decision metrics:
  
  1. Can I watch movies with the PS3 running so LOUD?
  NO WAY!
  
  2. How important is the backward compatibility to me?
  I can keep my PS2 connected to TV, still; however, I should move on and focus on PS3 ONLY for game playing.
  
  3. Do I need two more USB ports and memory card slots?
  Not such a big deal.
  
  4. Is 40GB big enough?
  I DON'T care.
  
  
  I would buy another PS3 when it starts using 65nm processor rather than the current 90nm in the near future. Now 40GB is the only way to go IMO. I hope my journey to a 'QUIET' PS3 can help you make your decision on your future purchase.
  
  
• Careful! The 40GB version NOT backward compatible
  By A2CJSMPFASDT73 on 2007-12-25
  If you look really hard in the descriptions and reviews, you can find that the 40GB version of the PS3 is NOT backward compatible with PS2 games. Neither Sony nor Amazon go out of their way to inform the casual buyer of this important fact. After more than a year of reading that the PS3 would play PS2 games, to introduce a version without compatibility, and then not inform customers with an OBVIOUS warning is pretty low, as far as I'm concerned. A normal person would assume that the price difference between the 80GB and the 40GB was primarily due to the different sized hard drive, and not removing major features.
  
  Backward compatibility was a VERY important feature to me, and finding out that the 40B wasn't was a major disappointment on Christmas morning. At least Amazon will take this unit back for a full refund, but a more obvious warning about this issue in their product description would have saved a lot of grief.
  
  The 80GB version has reasonable PS2 compatibility, although not as good as the original 20GB/60GB versions. Otherwise, the PS3 is very nice, as you can read in other reviews. I just wanted to try to help people be aware of this major difference in the 40GB version.
  
  
• Why I chose 40GB over 80GB.
  By A2UOHALGF2X77Q on 2008-03-12
  By now, everyone knows the details of the system. I had to chose between the 40GB and 80GB system. For me, it was easy. I don't need any of the extra features of the 80GB system. (limited PS2 compatibility, extra USB, card reader, Motostorm game etc.)I also didn't need the 80GB because I upgraded the 40GB HD with a faster 120GB HD, and it only cost me an extra $55. The 40GB system also has the 65nm Cell Processor. So for less than the 80GB system, I have a faster, quieter, cooler, and more energy efficient 120GB system.
  
  
• 40 GB - Best Version available! PS3 40GB. Highly Recommended!
  By A3ODX2HCMPBUCA on 2007-11-06
  I'm writing a review based on the 2 new PS3 versions available because I'm already convinced this is way better than Xbox 360 in play and value and plenty of other people will do that for you. Some of us just need advice on PS3 vs. PS3!
  
  I think this new 40GB is the Best version available. Who cares if it cannot play PS2 games, like the 80GB version -- I didn't drop $400++ to play yesterday's technology. Save the $100 for a great game/bluray of your choice vs. the included Motorstorm included with the 80GB version which is only an okay game. Also, I don't really need the extra hard drive space and if I did, I would probably need much more space than the extra 40gb. For example, if in the future I decide to rip video to it -- I would need much more than the total 80gb and would be looking for an external hard drive solution anyway. What about 80gb having flash drive slots? I wouldn't use this and if I needed to there are usb to flash options for a few bucks. As to the old 60GB version, don't waste your time...noisy, bigger, and gets hot...this cannot be good for longevity.
  
  If you buy a game with any PS3 version, I highly recommend getting one that was made in August of 2007 or later. These 2nd generation games make much better use of the PS3's awesome power and play. Many older games were rushed to the market. The good news is that a ton of new games are coming out now and in the next few months.
  
  
  
  
  
• Very impressed by a current Xbox 360 and Nintendo Wii owner
  By AYMD77ITD15PT on 2007-12-22
  I have both the Xbox 360 and Nintendo Wii. I never thought I would buy a PS 3 but after hanging out at the stores to long during the Holiday shopping I ended up buying one. I must say, so far I'm very impressed. Its easy to see why Sony was charging a lot for this when it first came out, this thing is loaded and the fit/finish seems top notch. Compared to the Xbox 360 the PS3 seems very well thought out. The Xbox some days seems like something I built in my basement. The Xbox is so loud when you are playing a game. I can't figure out why MS would think anyone would want to watch a movie through their HD-DVD player as you would have to turn the movie sound way up to block out the 360's fans.
  
  The PS graphics are very very good, and the blu ray dvd is just an added bonus to a very good game system for the new lower prices. Also, its nice to have the on-line game play be free, compared to the Xbox $50 a year. It's not that the xbox is bad, the PS3 is just more refined. I also expect fewer problems with the PS3 than the Xbox. I have only had one issue with the xbox, the tv connector cable went bad, but I know several people who have had 2-3 360's just die on them.
  
  The Wii shouldn't be compared to the PS3 or the Xbox. Its a great game system with the innovative controlers and the easy to play games. Its the only system my wife will play and she never played games before. That is the beauty of the Wii, it truly is a game system for everyone.
  
  So far I see a lot of pro's for the PS3 and a couple of cons.
  
  Pros
  
  Graphics
  Blu Ray DVD
  Wireless internet connectin built in
  Rechargeable wireless controler
  Very quiet
  Doesn't run very hot
  build quality
  free on-line game playing
  
  Cons
  
  Not many games yet
  No hdmi cable included.
  
  
• A Very Awesome System
  By ATL4T8POTEI50 on 2008-03-02
  Watch Video Here: http://www.amazon.com/review/R2J4LWYWJXVDUD A hands-on review, going over:
  -What's included in the package and their purpose
  -Actual PS3 performance and load-times
  
  Note: This review was for the outdated 60-gig version, but the functionalities and features demonstrated in this video do not differ from those of the 40-gig version, except the extra USB ports and Memory card drives)
  
  
• PS3 not a good choice for home theatre
  By A12PL8UJWARGNX on 2008-03-30
  I had chosen the PS3 to be the DVD player for my home theater system despite some known limitations:
  - You can't control it with your universal remote. It receives Bluetooth not infrared. Almost all universal remotes send only infrared. My Harmony remotes are infrared only.
  - It is a game system primarily
  
  The reasons I did pick it:
  - Good quality output reported for blu-ray and upconverting regular DVDs
  - Ability to upgrade across the internet the blu-ray firmware to stay current
  
  Well the benefits were definitely there - really good picture quality and the latest firmware. The separate Sony Bluetooth remote was indeed a hassle but livable and its gaming system nature required some extra setup and configuration.
  
  But where the system fell down for me was the quality of the box. After successfully playing two blu-ray disks, it just quit recognizing any DVD. Sony support was fine. They indicated I had to mail it in for a replacement. I did so, but it took three weeks from my first call to support until the replacement system arrived - over two weeks of that time I had no player at all. The straw that broke the camel's back was that the replacement system they sent had such a loud fan that it was unusable for my home theater set up. The original system I had gotten did not have any noticeable noise. I believe that the replacement system was a previous generation PS3 box. I had heard that fan noise was an issue at times for them.
  
  I have returned the PS3 and am getting a traditional blu-ray DVD component player (the Panasonic DMP-BD30K).
  
  DJR
  
  
• Playstation 3
  By A3D2VR8N2PYE4M on 2007-11-30
  I have been looking forward to upgrading my Playstation 2 to the Playstation 3 ever since it was announced some time ago. I finally was able to purchase the system and recived it just before Thanksgiving. The system is sleek looking and pretty quite, quieter than my ps2 for the most part (note that the 40GB unit is supposed to run quieter and cooler than the 60GB and 80GB units).
  
  Setup was very easy. I already had an up-converting DVD player and I essentially pulled it out and put in the PS3. Power, HDMI to the TV, Optical for audio to my receiver. The interface came right up and is simple and intuitive. It was easy to connect the system to my wireless internet and download the latest firmware. Signing up for Playstation network was a breeze also(Note that you can plug any old USB keyboard in and do all the typing that way. Saves a lot of time.) Most of the system settings were already configure optimally for my set-up so there was not much tweaking needed.
  
  Games are easy to load and look and sound GREAT. The sixaxis is very similar to the ps2 controller so there was not much to get used to. At this point I have not noticed the lack of the rumble feature, but it would be nice to get that in the future. I was impressed that the FPS games I tired controlled pretty well compared to many of the games I tried on the PS2.
  
  There are opinions that there are no games to play on the system, but as far as I am concerned there is plenty to keep me busy, and I do not see my PS3 collecting dust anytime soon. Right now I have Ratched & Clank, Oblivian, and Call of Duty 3. I am looking to pick up Drakes Fortune, Call of Duty 4 and Assassin's Creed this holiday season.
  
  There is a lack of backwards compatibility and anyone considering purchasing this product should know that before going forward. We do play a lot of PS2 games still (Guitar Hero, Singstar, Katamari) so I will have to keep that older system hooked up as well. If you want to play PS2 games and don't want to keep your older system hooked up look into the 60GB or 80GB units.
  
  I was vary impressed with the DVD and Blu-Ray capability once I purchased the remote. I agree with some that the romote should have been included with the system since Sony is pushing this as a movie player as well as a game console. The PS3 actually seems a little smarter than my other DVD player (also a Sony) when it comes to detecting the aspect ratio as 4:6 or 16:9. With my old player I would have to adjust it myself with the TV remote. PS3 does it for me. I never see a stretched or squashed image. The Spiderman Blu-Ray that comes with the system looks amazing! Also Pixar movies just pop out of the screen. There is a real difference with Blu-Ray and my TV only supports 720p. I am excited to try out more Blu-Ray disks from Netflix.
  
  The Playstation 3 also allows you to stream music and videos from your PC over the network. So it acts like a Slingbox or the Apple TV. I have access to my complete mp3 library from my living room now. You can even create play lists. I have not tried the video yet though.
  
  Other features include web browsing, message boards, and the Sony Store, where you can download demos for free and classic games for a low price.
  
  My only gripe is a big one, and forces me to take off a star even though I hate to. After playing the system for about three days the disk drive failed. It would not read any disk at all. No games, no movies. Nothing. After talking to Sony they said it was defective and told me to send it in and it would take about 3 weeks to get a new one. Instead I worked with Amazon and they sent me a new one in a few days (Amazon's customer service is amazing). So I am back up an running and enjoying every minute. From my research the PS3 is supposed to have a very low failure rate compared to most consoles. I was just unlucky I guess.
  
  Overall I love the system and am very happy with the features it offers.
  
  
• Excellent system
  By A36Y6O6893JQAT on 2008-01-01
  Like many people, I bought this primarily for Bluray playback, but have found myself buying games too. The Bluray features are excellent, and we've had a blast watching "300" and "Spider-Man 3". It also makes our standard def DVD's look great by upconverting them.
  
  I did not consider myself a console gamer, but this system is changing my mind. We love Uncharted: Drake's Fortune and Ratchet & Clank. Both games are extremely well done and thoroughly addictive. The supposed "lack of games" really doesn't bother me, because these two will probably keep me engaged for many months.
  
  The main issue I have with the system is the lack of an IR port, like many other reviewers. I bought the Blu-Wave remote to compensate for this and get an IR port so I could tune my Harmony remote. I'm still in the process of getting all that set up, and the irritation factor causes me to ding the system a couple stars. Those who aren't picky about how many remotes they have laying around (last count, 7) won't be as upset by this omission.
  
  
• Execellent Choice For Gamers
  By A35CLAXRXUA60T on 2007-11-02
  I just got this and its an excellent choice for a lot of gamers. I think people are getting too much worked over about the Backwards Compatibility. I have my PS2 so I really don't need the BC. However if you do, the 80 GB is still around. Plus I bought this system to play PS3 games. I got Ratchet and Clank with this, and so far I can see why the reviews are stellar. Just an awesome game. Plus the blu ray player is unbelievable. I have a 720p tv so not the greated HD tv but the clarity is really good. The spidey movie with this really showed off the special effects.
  
  Now some critics. They removed some USB and memory card readers but for me its not a big deal. I only need one to charge my controller and another one for a wireless keyboard. All though I never planned on using it, some of the other buyers might and should again look to the higher model. But I feel as if this model is perfect for a lot gamers who want to play PS3 games and watch BD movies on the side. Plus its 100 bucks cheaper which I used to get Ratchet and Clank and Rainbow Six Vegas which was on sale.
  
  All in all I think this is good model for gamers who are in a similar situation as myself. Who need this to play PS3 games and BDs. I definitely recommend this to any one looking into it.
  
  
• 60GB is the way to go
  By A361U4SXK7FCQE on 2007-11-21
  Pros:
  - Blu-Ray on the cheap (but this is a game machine folks)
  - Free Online play (but matchmaking needs improvement)
  - Cheaper
  
  Cons:
  - No Ps2 games will play on this (get the 60gb version)
  - Less ports than the other version
  - No good exclusive games yet except drakes and ratchet
  - Motostorm is still $59 everywhere... huh???
  
  
  
• My Xbox can be purchsed used on Amazon now!
  By A21RJHY8BM4MZ on 2008-03-02
  My Xbox system is now available for purchase used here on amazon!
  
  Why?
  
  1.) I finally got some serious time in on a PS3 when a friend went on vacation and let me borrow it for a few weeks. My conclusion is that the systems are near identical in game performance.
  
  2.) There is significantly less network lag when online gaming with the PS3 compared to the Xbox. And no, its not just my location because I am using both systems from the same location on the same connection.
  
  3.) No online gaming fees!
  
  4.) The amount of 12 yr. old smack talk is all but gone in the online games. So refreshing not to have people yelling into their headset all game long for no good reason (note to Xbox parents- get your children some exercise and a prescription for that ADD).
  
  5.) Blu-Ray has apparently won the HD player wars. Since blu-ray comes included (not as an add-on) this is huge. It upscales all my old dvds to 1080p and they all look amazing now.
  
  The bang for the buck is so much greater with the PS3 that I have to switch. Also when you look at the system potential of the hardware provided, the PS3 will be performing at a much higher level in terms of gaming than the Xbox360 when the game developers start doing their jobs. My only complaint is that the games available for PS3 are not as extensive as the Xbox360....yet. But as it seems most new system buyers are going with the PS3 just because of the blu-ray player (it is about the cheapest blu-ray player you can get at the moment and you get an ultimate gaming system included at no extra cost) this should rapidly start to change as the numbers start to balance out between Xbox 360 and PS3 owners.
  
  Just my $0.02 hope it helps.
  
  
• Sold my XBOX 360 and bought the 40GB PS3
  By A1TW9ZGRDQQZ2Y on 2007-11-11
  My XBOX 360 had good games and all, but the PS3 is getting all the better upcoming games. I was also worried about the hardware failing and getting the three red lights of death. No worries now. This system is much more quiet than the XBOX, has a sleek look (unlike the bulky 360) and the blu-ray player looks so good on my 1080p LCD. With most of the good games (Assassin's Creed, Call of Duty 4, etc.) coming out for both systems, and the great Ratchet and Clank, as well as, the soon to be released Uncharted, you can't go wrong.
  
  I was a huge supporter of the XBOX and the XBOX 360, but now I have joined the "dark side" and I'm glad I did. The dark side is just so much cooler.
  
  
• Coolest and quietest version of a great system
  By A2QDQI4DD8325U on 2007-11-16
  I've had the 60GB, the 80GB, and now the 40GB PS3. The 40GB is best for two reasons: heat and noise. It is the coolest and quietest version of a great system, but it is also cheapest than either (because of the smaller chips it uses).
  
  You also save money on power to run the PS3 and electricity to cool off your room with AC. I ran it folding for Stanford all night last night, never got nearly as warm as the 60GB or 80GB did. But I thought those were both very quiet and didn't think they got that hot either.
  
  Sure, once the 80GB gets the new chips (could be coming soon), I'd buy that for the USB and larger hard drive and Motorstorm. But you can later attach a USB hub, for about the same additional cost of the 80GB if you need to. As far as backwards compatibility, don't you have a PS2 if you have all those games? And I don't know who would ever buy PS2 games once they have a PS3.
  
  
• Very happy with our PS3 - A review by an over 50 game player
  By A2SPST0EVA5YDA on 2008-01-12
  I think that I fall into a minority of gamers .. gamers over 50. No kids.
  
  This is not the first game console we've had. In the past we've had Super Nintendo, N64, PS1, Xbox and PS2.
  
  I thought it might be time to upgrade and step up to the next generation.
  
  At first I was not sure I would get a PS3. Certainly a year ago, when it was released in late 2006, the price was too high and downright silly for a game system.
  
  Recently I had started looking at the Xbox 360 which on the surface, appears to be cheaper than the 40 GB Playstation 3. However, on further analysis, I realized that the PS3 came with more features "standard," such as wireless network connectivity. Once I started added on the "extras" that would be required to bring the Xbox 360 on par with the PS3, the price of the PS3 seemed much more reasonable.
  
  I was surprised that the 40 GB PS3 is not backwards compatible with PS2 games, but that was not a showstopper for us. We don't tend to hold onto games after we play them. We tend to trade them in. We also still have our PS2 which we'll hold onto for a little while.
  
  I have to say that now that I have the PS3, I love it. I am using it with a Samsung 40" LCD HD TV. It is fantastic. I have it connected via HDMI.
  
  I also have to say that connecting it to my wireless network, a Mac Airport network was incredibly easy. Updating the PS3 firmware via download couldn't have been simpler.
  
  I also downloaded and installed Medialink software from a company called Nullriver and am now streaming music from iTunes and viewing photos from iPhoto both from our Macs. The software was only $20 and again, everything was very easy.
  
  Right now we are playing "Ratchet & Clank Future: Tools of Destruction" and "Uncharted: Drake's Fortune" and loving both of them.
  
  It is amazing to play games in HD and we really love the wireless controller.
  
  So, if you are considering a PS3, we would highly recommend it. We're glad we upgraded and are very happy with it.
  
  
  
  
  
• Why I bought this over the Xbox360
  By A3NQPVGGOS59Z3 on 2008-05-17
  I am not a huge gamer, I have not bought a gaming console ever, I always played PC games (because the graphics are generally higher resolution and I like Real time strategy games) but this "next gen" series of consoles, i.e. Wii, PS3, and Xbox360 drew my interest. So this review is from the perspective of not being a "fanboy" of any of the systems.
  
  My first foray into the gaming consoles led me initially to the Wii. I had an NES as a kid and had a soft spot for Nintendo having spent hundreds of hours playing Super Mario Bros and Zelda. I ended up buying a Wii back in December 2006 because it was innovative, cheap, and good for playing with friends or at a party. No doubt the Wii is fun to play and has a lot of potential, but its full potential still seems to be untapped even as of May 2008, which is disappointing. Sure, there are some new games that are capitalizing on the motion control system, but it seems like at this point, there should be some excellent sports games that take full advantage of the wii remote, and having played many of them, it doesnt seem like developers have really figured out what to do with the wii remote yet.
  
  In any event, eventually I wanted a system that would allow me to use the full potential of my HD TV and the Wii was not it (max resolution 480p in 16:9 format). The Wii's doesnt' cut it, it just doesn't have the horsepower. (Not that the lack of horsepower doesnt make it fun.) So with that in mind, one is left with two choices, the Xbox360, and the PS3.
  
  Why I chose the PS3 over the Xbox360
  
  1. Two Words - Blu Ray. Now that Blu Ray is the winner of the High Def movie war, the PS3 appears to be a much greater value in comparison to the Xbox 360. Here is a list of things you get with the PS3, that you do not get with the Xbox 360 Elite (the top o' the line 360) Blu Ray Player - stand alone blu ray players are still $300 right now. So for $100 more you get a top of the line gaming console. If you want a blu ray player, I really dont know why you would buy a standalone player instead of the PS3, especially since the PS3's firmware can be updated regulalry, and is now Blu Ray 2.0 compliant. The PS3's Blu Ray player is very good, I am sure there are better, but there are none better for $400. The 360 supported HD-DVD, and had a add on peripheral drive, but since no one is producing movies in HD-DVD anymore, it isnt really going to help for the future.
  
  2. Built-in wireless networking - the PS3 has built in wireless, the Xbox360, even the Elite, requires a $80 wireless adapter. I still can't believe the Xbox360 doesn't have built in wireless, even the $250 Wii has that.
  
  3. PS3 uses bluetooth technology. You can use any bluetooth headset with the PS3 instead of buying a proprietary headset (although the Xbox360 does come with a headset).
  
  4. Sixaxis controller - senses tilt movement, so in games in which you are flying, you tilt the controller in the direction you want to go, very cool.
  
  5. Plug and play hard drive. The PS3 comes with a 40GB hard drive. However, if this is not big enough, you can easily replace it with any standard notebook hard drive with the same specs. It is plug and play, very simple. The 360 uses a proprietary hard drive that cannot be replaced.
  
  6. Low hardware failure rate. The Xbox 360 is notorious for extremely high hardware failure rates (some say more than 30%) although most people I know that have one have had their hardware fail.
  
  7. Free online gaming. Microsoft charges for Xbox live, I believe the price is around $50 year. Sony's online gaming is free. Granted the xbox360 has the most established online gaming community in its Xbox Live and is the gold standard for online console gaming For a non hard core gamer, the lack of the well established online community was not a big deal, especially since Sony's is free.
  
  Cons of the 40 GB PS3:
  
  1. Online gaming community and online service not as established as Xbox Live.
  2. Doesn't have the same exclusive titles as the 360 such as the Halo franchise.
  3. Smaller game library (although this is getting better by the month).
  4. Not backwards compatible with Playstation2 games. (Not an issue for me since I didnt own any.)
  5. Only 2 USB ports.
  
  
• HD and next gen gaming in one
  By A6EKTPVKZ41DJ on 2007-12-07
  Just received my new 40 GB PS3 12/6/07. I'm 36 and I feel like a kid again with this new toy. I have a 52" Sony LCD to utilize the full potential of this system on. My first impressions are that it is surprisingly quiet and looks very much like a high quality product in its design. I went with the 40 GB because I was looking mainly to use this for HD movies and next gen games, and cared zero about backwards compatibility. I ordered Call of Duty 4 with this system.
  The game looks and sounds incredible. You really get immersed in the experience when playing, in a way I never got with the PS2. It's in those fine details. Graphics and sound, that has to be seen and heard to truly appreciate how far we have come to get us to this level of gaming and movie experience. My first Blu Ray movie experience is with the Spiderman 3 included in this package. I am amazed at the level of detail in this format. WOW!!! That sums up my review here.
  
  When this was delivered I tore through that box like I was 10 years old on Christmas morning, and I'm a little excited right now so that may be clouding my opinion, but It's hard for me to think that anyone would feel disappointed with the 40GB PS3. No buyer's remorse here.
  
  Work will be very torturous tomorrow... but I guarantee you that I will be whistling and singing all day knowing that I have a great experience waiting on my return. Cause when I get home the world is all right...My life is all right. And new fun times have just landed.
  
  PS: even though Amazon lists that "in the box" has Ethernet cables as being included, they are not. I Hope those of you that are making the plunge into the PS3 have a similar experience... Best wishes and have a Safe, Fun, Happy holiday season!
  
  
  
  
  
• By far... the best Next-Gen Console.
  By A2W5S2DQP2SVEL on 2007-10-26
  If you have been waiting on getting a PS3 for whatever reason, now its time. The new lower price and Spider-Man 3 BR-D are two great recent additions, making the PS3 a better value Console. The PS3 is the only Console powered by the Cell Broadband Engine, a revolutionary microprocessor; its trully a HOME-CPU with 218 GFLOPS, a super-computer-like performance.
  
  Well, many of the software companies are simply not writing for exclusive Consoles. So, be sure the PS3 is more powerful, but if you read some reviews, you will find out that games look as good and run smoother on the Xbox360. This may change as Developers learn how to optimize games for the PS3, but in the meantime... the Xbox360 have a greater list of games.
  
  This Console is amazing! im an old-school player of video games since Nintendo and i never could imagine that the technology would progress like this. It has great graphics, great frames/second, great colors, great brightness, etc. I recommend this to everyone who wants to buy something really powerfull!.
  
  Finnaly take advantage of the FREE SHIPPING! that Amazon gives to you. You could probably save about $20-$30 compared to others retailers. Just trust Amazon, they won't let you down.
  
  
  
  Aramis Veras
  Tech Support IT
  SMA
  
  
• SONY'S KNOCKOUT, IS IT WORTH IT?
  By A3NYGKAX06A4FS on 2007-11-04
  The answer is a certified, yes. i own an x box 360, a nintendo wii, and now i have added the sony ps3 to my arsenal of next gen power houses. I'll start off by saying this to all the fan boys out there, please do us all a favor and shut the hell up! You will never prove that one system is better than the others and your pointless belly aching will never stop the production of any one system, they will all be around for ever, the councel war will never cease and that's just the way it is, so stop bi#$#ing! Well, now that i got that off my chest, i'll start with the review. The playstation 3 is a visual power house, the amount of things that can be going on at once during a given action is just plain overwhelming, i was playing ratchet and clank and you could swear that your playing a pixar movie, it looks just that good! I do have to say though, for anyone with an hd tv, make sure you buy the hdmi cable with it, the visual difference is ridiculous. I just got the ps3 so i haven't had a big chance to test the waters yet, but i do know that there are at least 6 different titles that i can't wait to try out. Amongst these there are folklore, warhawk, lair, time shift, uncharted and ofcourse grand theft auto IV. Now the big question, does the ps3 have stronger visuals than the 360, i don't know the specs of either system and i don't care, all i care about is what looks better to my eyes, the answer is simple, neither. It all depends on the game your playing, each game uses different levels of detail and so it is impossible to compare them, in my opinion, each councel has games that bring new levels of power to the next gen war. Halo 3 looks absolutely amazing, and oblivion launched the x box with epic environments and stunning effects, and for the ps3 you have heavenly sword which looks absolutely stunning, the way the protagonists hair waves and the epic feel of the wind rustling her clothes with the trees bristling lightly in the distance, or what about about warhawk, with so many players on at once that it feels as if your in an actual war!
  400 bucks! An increddible system with blue ray capabilities for 400 bucks!? Pinch me i'm dreaming, the only downside to this system is that it lacks backwords compatability, but i'm keeping my ps2 and if i ever feel like playing a ps2 game on it all i'll have to do is reconnect it to my tv, so who cares!
  The games that are out right now aren't the best but there are still some great titles out there and the controls seem as leniar as any other councel, I don't think there is any system who delivers the fun factor that the wii has to offer but how well will the ps3 make use of its censored controller? Well that remains to be seen.
  There is one thing that kinda bugs me about the ps3 though, and that would be it's online network, The x box 360 does have the clear edge in terms of online playability, however, the ps3 is still young with its online network, so we will just have to give it time.
  Over all the Ps3 delivers the solid package, breath taking visuals, Blue ray and dvd compatability, fun action packed titles, good internet network, and a very competative price tag, it does seem that there's no limit to this councels potential.
  
  fun factor: 4.5/5
  Graphics: 5/5
  Price: 5/5
  Functions: 5/5
  Internet: 3.5/5
  Overall: 4.8/5
  
  Happy gaming!!!
  
  
  
• Journalist's Review
  By A2VT9ZBPJKSQD2 on 2007-11-08
  The PlayStation 3 (PS3) is a great console and with every firmware update Sony adds new features and modifies others making the overall console better and better. There are many people questioning the console wondering why it costs so much and is it worth it. Each and every feature grants its users functionality, entertainment, and experiences that is beyond what is expected from PlayStation Branded product. There are many thing that make the PS3 a must have console and here are some of the reasons why.
  
  The online function for the PS3 is made using Sony's idea of keeping it a free user based network. Even though it is limited currently you can send messages to other users keep a buddy list, browse the internet using Sony's own internet browser, download music, movies, game demos, arcade games and more. Sony is currently working on a social networking game, if you will, called Home that will be accessible both on your PC though a standard webpage similar to MySpace and the PlayStation 3 to enter the virtual world of Home.
  
  There are a good amount of games available for purchase at retail or for download off the PlayStation Network Store. Prices for downloads range from 3.99 to 39.99. There are also PS1 games that can be played on both the PS3 and the PSP, if you own one, available for download. There are even specialized media available for download like custom Cross-media Bar themes, backgrounds, and game trailers. After major media events Sony will release mostly all content shown for their consoles.
  
  If you want to make yourself feel good you can use the Folding@Home feature that helps the medical branch of Stanford University study protein stains from diseases in hope of finding a cure from everything ranging from the common cold or AIDs, cancer, and herpes. Recently thanks to the PlayStation 3's contribution a new protein was discovered that folds at the speed of one nano-second.
  
  The price for the PS3 might seem to be a bit pricy but with the features and amount of games available it does justify spending 399 (40GB model) or 499 (80GB model/bundle) bucks but just to farther clarify the reasons to purchase this great piece of hardware here is some more features and explanations on the console's price point and functionality.
  
  The reason for the price currently being so high is because of the Blu-ray Disc drive installed in the console. You might be wondering why Sony would jam their format into a gaming console. It's for two reasons for this. They are making it so that you can watch movies High-Resolution all the way up to 1080p, and make it so that game developers have enough space to make a huge game without having to worry about discs changing or being limited by the amount of space.
  
  So what can Blu-ray Disc do that rival High-Definition (HD) format HD-DVD or standard DVD's can't? HD-DVD has mostly everything Blu-ray Disc does but doesn't offer nearly as much space which can cause movie studios to limit the amount of HD content or special features on the disc. Blu-ray Disc also has a new feature available called Blu-ray Java which will allow the menus to look even better and enable HD picture in picture if a studio feels imposed to include the feature. Another key detail is that 6/8 Hollywood studios and most hardware manufacturers support Blu-ray Disc.
  
  Some people might consider the 40GB a rip-off because it currently can't play PS2 games, has 2 USB ports, and has no card readers. If playing PS2 games is that important to you, either purchase a PS2 when it gets its price drop winter 2007 or buy the 80GB model. PS2 games aren't going to be made as much as current generation games now so truly there is no real worry and Sony should be working on remaking their software anyways so the ability to play PS2 games should be brought back.
  
  Another great feature is the internal Wi-Fi Adapter. This allows you to not have to either buy an external Wi-Fi adapter to make your gaming console have wireless internet and saves money on Ethernet Cables.
  
  The HDMI port built in to the console is rated to run HDMI 1.3. It supports 7.1 lossless-audio which is currently the best audio quality available, and it also supports up to a 1440p resolution so once TVs manage to obtain the Ultra-High-Definition levels the PS3 will be able to at least play some of its smaller PlayStation Network Store downloadable games at that resolution.
  
  Now finally the key advantage, the Cell Broadband Engine, the heart of the console. This processor is designed by Sony, Toshiba, and IBM. The Cell is currently the most powerful processor to date, and basic desktop processors are expected to take another 4 or 5 years to match its power. The Cell has been rated to be 12 - 15 times faster than Intel's Core 2 Quad-Extreme.
  
  There's a good amount of titles released and going to be released this Holiday season. Each of the titles bring something to each of their specific genre making it so that if you're a fan of the genre it's a must buy. Here's a list of some of the major titles out and coming out. I'll do some quick reviews on these games as to show how much I personally enjoy the ones released and have played. All reviews out of 10.
  
  
  Folklore 9/10
  Uncharted: Drake's Fortune
  Eye of Judgement 7/10
  Ratchet & Clank Future: Tools of Destruction 10/10
  SingStar
  WarHawk Bundle with Bluetooth Headset 8/10
  Heavenly Sword
  
  There's also a few PSN titles that are must haves, including one that is a bowling game with motion controls. Reviewed these too.
  
  High Velocity Bowling 10/10
  Super StarDust HD 9/10
  Blast Factor 7/10
  LocoRoco Cocoreccho! 6/10
  Toy Home
  flOw 8/10
  Pain 9/10
  Operation Creature Feature 6/10 (needs PS3 PlayStation Eye or The Eye of Judgment (includes PlayStation Eye Camera))
  
  and to many others to remember all their titles.
  
  With this amount of content and games being released, and features abroad there is no reason to not buy a PlayStation 3.
  
  
  
• Blu-ray wins!! PS3 will upgrade with newer versions!
  By A1E4G2ZIZXBCPQ on 2008-02-16
  This is a great unit, with amazing graphics. Hands down. I agree with the many 5 star reviewers here but wanted to add some comments about the blu-ray playing capabilities of the PS3...
  
  Recent news has revealed that Toshiba, creator of HD DVD will back down from this media war (most movie studios and now even Walmart are making the switch exclusively to Blu-ray). This is great news for anyone looking to buy this unit.
  
  Others have commented that even if you have a blu-ray player, later versions (ie 1.1,2.0) may make it obsolete. Your player will require a hard drive (1G of space for v2.0) and internet connectability to use the new features. Well, this is exactly what the PS3 is, pretty much the only blu-ray player you can buy confidently.
  
  So, not only are you getting the top gaming console, you are also getting an upgradable blu-ray player. Very nice.
  
  
• Best Blu-Ray Player Without Excessive Lag Time
  By A1R5TRJI8ALCVJ on 2008-04-09
  If you are in the market for a Blu-Ray payer then I would highly suggest a PS3 and also the Sony PS3 Blu-Ray remote! I recently purchased a Sony Blu-Ray player that took 2-3 minutes to load movies and when using the PS3 the same disks only took 5 seconds to load!! Besides the PS3 has SO much more to offer like gaming and WiFi for latest firmware updates and content downloading. You can also upload photos via the USB connector and select from one of many templates for viewing your photos! Connecting a USB keyboard for Internet browsing is another option! The internal HDD is a Serial-ATA which can be easily removed if you want to purchase a larger drive for expansion.
  
  
• One weeks worth of play and then it crapped out
  By A2RL9M1POESFRM on 2008-05-20
  Right now I am looking at the two greatest gaming components from my computer desk. One is the GTA IV game; a game that I, and many others, have waited to play. Next to it is the PS3, the first blue-ray capable video game system. Quite an upgrade from the PS2 and is about to enter its prime with the new games coming out this year. However, right now all they are to me are two paper weights, because my PS3 decided to not work. I purchased the PS3 specifically to play GTAIV. When the game arrived I got 50% through the game only to have the system lock up. Now it doesn't even read other discs.
  I then submitted the system to Playstation 3 support. The mailing process takes time, but I figure if they are going to fix the system its worth it. However they did not. In fact its quite possible they didn't even look at it and they just sent it back without even opening the box. Upon return I opened up the system plugged it in and was greeted with the same problem that occured before. The game froze up and locked up. When I called the playstation support, they could not even tell me what they exactly did to fix it and suggested I send it back to exchange with a new one. This process has clearly sucked for considering this process takes 2-3 weeks for them to recieve it and then mail it back. I hope not too many more people have expierenced this. Overall the system was great. And GTA IV is definately worth purchasing...it just sucks that I was teased so well.
  
  
• Don't wait for the Panasonic DMP-BD50 or the Sony BDP-S550; Just Get a PS3!!!
  By A6FSHTCEPSVR2 on 2008-05-24
  I'm a highdefinition enthusiast. I bought a first generation blu-ray player, as well as an hd-dvd player. They were both great and got me in the game. After about a year or more I decided that I wanted to get two fully functioning high def players and move on to just focusing on movies to buy. So, before they were gone I got the HD-DVD A35 and now the PS3 40gb.
  
  Regarding the PS3 40gb. I really was hesitant to buy a "gaming machine." I waited and waited as long as I could too for the release of either the Panasonic DMP-BD50 or Sony BDP-S550, but after finally testing a PS3 out at a friends house I realized that why waste my time and aggravation.
  
  While there are a number of perks that could be said about those upcoming stand-alone players, the bd-java enhanced blu-ray discs are way ahead of the hardware, except for the PS3. There will always be updates down the road to the specs for blu-ray and its extra features. I knew when investing in the PS3 that I'd be safe and could enjoy anything and everything right now.
  
  It's cost effective and efficient at doing just about everything. The blu-ray playback performance continues to be refined, and while people may argue night and day between bitstreaming their high-def audio through their receiver it really isn't worth the aggravation. Just get a yamaha 661 I believe, the $399 model, along with the PS3 and go hdmi pcm. It's uncompressed, regardless. And it sounds amazing.
  
  Also, with the PS3's most recent update the DTS-HD Master Audio decoding is remarkable, and if you don't get one of those new receivers for bitstreaming you won't have to worry about all of the decoding issues and popping noises that a lot of those most current receivers are experiencing.
  
  I can't stress enough how glad I am that I went the PS3 route; those fearing a "gaming machine" and blu-ray quality between the two need not worry. I'm coming from the Sony BDP-S1 and the PS3 is better in performance, especially with the black levels. Sure, I'd like my analogue audio connections for 5.1, but the hassle-free hdmi to hdmi is not only conveniant but far more practical as far as wires go.
  
  If you must wait for those new stand-alones because of wanting the latest and greatest or you have the money to spare for the perks then by all means, but if you want to focus on what movies you want and don't want to worry about Profile this or Profile that, as well as the loading times for first generation blu-ray players then jump on the PS3 bandwagon. I don't play games, am a film enthusiast and am glad that I can move on as far as hardware is concerned.
  
  The PS3 is everything I wanted and more, and Amazon is amazing with shipping information and delivery time.
  
  
  
• Breathtaking and Powerful Media Centre System
  By AD0J5KK4WQXNS on 2008-06-18
  The console market was always about that one exclusive title that was a make or break deal for buying a console. Things have changed and these transformations are important. Brand names in technology used to mean quality but in today's world the same companies get their components from the same parts of the globe that are using the same factory workforces. It is not about components any longer, it is all about architecture, design and implementation.
  
  When games developers announced that the 360 was about to get games that were once exclusive to the PS2 console it seemed that the Playstation 3 would be a hard sell especially at its announced price. When Sony revealed delays that amounted to a year and dropped the new design of the controller many thought it would be the end of the PS3 with the sale of HD-DVD format through an early 360 release crushing Blu-ray out of the market. However it didn't happen like that and if anything the tables have turned dramatically. The 360 had two drawbacks. The first was that the hardware architecture was causing overheating problems and the second was that it didn't ship with a HD-DVD drive. That was all the news Sony needed to deliver on a solid gaming rig with Blu-ray... and then much more.
  
  It is hard to call the PS3 a games console. It is more like a media centre. In fact it is the media centre that Microsoft wanted us to have, so in many ways Bill Gates has been given a double whammy by Sony. If you want a games console with a highly sophisticated media centre, then the PS3 is the one to get. Let me explain how good it gets. I have a PC upstairs with a lot of DivX, Xvid, DVDs, MP3s, AVIs and WAVs I would like to play on my television. With the PS3, a wireless router and a little time to configure a setup with the free Tversity media server on my PC (you may have to search on the Internet for the right configuration but it goes like this - set PS3 to Wireless with automatic connection, write down the IP and DNS Servers, then change to manual and enter these in manually and disable UPnP. Port forward in the router with the new assigned IP (Ports: 80(TCP), 443(TCP),5223(TCP), 3478(UDP), 3479(UDP), 3658(UDP)). Also in router UPnP check disable. This solves any disconnection issues and your media centre is now up and running). You can watch or listen to virtually anything through this system. I was blown away by how good these files looked over the 54G wireless. It was like watching it on normal television and without any artefacts or frame skipping. The PS3 is also Internet ready with a browser and you can download and install software that runs on the internal hard drive. Then you have social features such as the PS3 community, chat (needs a bluetooth headset), friends and email. There is a way more under the bonnet than just a game's engine. Microsoft has been left standing by what should have been their thing.
  
  The controller is more robust than the PS2 controller and has lots of new features. The first is that it is wireless and charges directly from the system (no batteries). There is a new middle button that activates system functions. It comes with motion sensor `Sixaxis' and the L2, R2 buttons have a lovely downward curve feature. You can easily see if your controller needs recharging by the front flashing red lights and having lots of controllers is an effortless affair now. You can also run these wired through USB if you want.
  
  The graphics are up there with a high end PC. Playing GTA IV on this machine was a jaw-dropping on the sticky popcorn floor experience. You can download and watch/play trailers/demos from the Sony store. The quality is simply super. Let the best games speak for themselves.
  
  The PS3 menu and interface is a substantial improvement from the PS2. It is virtually a feature rich operating system. There are extensive settings for audio and display and networking. It can network with the PSP. You can download updates and patches online including upgrades for the BD player. It makes you feel like part of a PS3 community with a commanding media system in your hands. All of this even before you have started to play a game or watch a Blu-ray makes the PS3 worth it alone. That is why this is a knockout system. The PS3 has done away with the concept that one exclusive title is the make or break deal for buying a console. You buy the PS3 for the PS3. That says it all.
  
  Pros:
  Much more than just a games console
  Full blown media centre
  Blu-ray
  Wireless everything
  Playstation community online
  Updates
  Hundreds of games in development
  Some really good games already out (GTA IV, MGS4)
  Online manual is deep
  The technology is outstanding
  
  Cons:
  Not compatible with all PS2 games
  It's big and heavy
  Networking requires some tinkering
  Book manual is lacking
  
  
• Not Xbox or PS3, Xbox AND PS3
  By A1Q4MTUQTTHH8U on 2008-06-22
  Much is made of the decision of whether to get the Playstation 3 or the Xbox 360, as if nobody in their right mind would own both. If you're on a budget and can truly only afford one of the systems, then yes you have a tough decision to make. But very often, people spend $1500+ on their HDTV and hundreds more on a decent surround sound setup, and then get to the PS3 vs Xbox 360 decision as if now is the appropriate time to skimp. If you are into both videogames and movies, it is appropriate to buy both. The Xbox justifies its ~$400 cost with its lineup of exclusives that any self-respecting videogame enthusiast would be sorry to miss, as well as its superior online multiplayer system (Xbox Live). The PS3 justifies its ~$400 cost with its own strong exclusive titles, as well as, and this is very important, its utility as a Blu-Ray movie player.
  
  If you have spent a lot of money on an HDTV, it is all going to waste unless you have the high definition content to display on it. An HDTV does not necessarily make standard definition television or DVDs look any better. In fact, play a DVD on your old 32" tube and then on your new 56" HDTV, it probably looks better on the smaller screen, because DVDs are only encoded at 720x480 resolution. HD content, in comparison, is encoded at up to 1920x1080 resolution. Its about 6x the number of pixels, and a day-and-night difference on larger screens.
  
  So understanding that you need HD content to actually take advantage of all that money you spent on your HD television, look to what the possible sources are:
  
  -HD television: where your local television stations send HDTV free over the air. Also, Digital Cable and Satellite, where for an extra fee you can get your local channels in HD, as well as HD versions of many cable and premium channels such as ESPN, Discovery Channel, HBO, etc. These are all usually broadcast in either 720p or 1080i. Either of which is a HUGE improvement over the old 480i signals.
  
  -Xbox 360 and PS3 videogames: these are usually programmed at around 720p (1280x720) resolution, which is again a huge improvement that is very noticable.
  
  -Blu-ray disk movies: the successor to DVD movies, these are all encoded at 1080p "full HD". If you want to be able to take advantage of all that money you spent on your HDTV display while watching home movies, a Blu-ray disk player is a must. And a Playstation 3 is probably the best overall Blu-ray disk player in the market.
  
  Why is the Playstation 3 the best? Because at $400, its equal in price to the very cheapest stand-alone Blu-ray players, while offering generally superior performance in terms of compatibility, speed, and picture quality. Of those other Blu-ray players you can buy for the same price as a PS3, some will only output 720p resolution, while the PS3 supports full 1080p. Some Blu-ray players will take MINUTES to load disks with complex interactive features, while the PS3s powerful processor will allow it to load the same disk in SECONDS. As far as I know, NONE of the standalone Blu-ray players available for $400 support the Blu-ray 2.0 specification which adds support for online features of disks, including streaming movie previews and content downloads. The PS3 does.
  
  So basically, my argument for the PS3 goes as this:
  -All that money you spent on your HDTV was wasted if you don't have HDTV content to play on it.
  -Blu-ray is the only way to get HD home video content
  -Standalone Blu-ray players start in price at $400, but those entry-level models are far inferior to what you get in the PS3.
  -So in the end, the PS3 more than justifies itself as an excellent Blu-ray player that is also an excellent videogame system. Even if you have an Xbox360 and prefer to purchase most games for it because of the superior online support (such is the case for myself), the PS3 is still easily justified because of the Blu-ray functionality and because it has its own strong lineup of exclusive titles.
  
  

• Sony PlayStation 3 Blu-ray Disc Remote
• PlayStation 3 Wireless Sixaxis Controller
• Playstation 3 Dualshock 3 Wireless Controller
• Playstation 3 HDMI Cable
• Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare