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Playstation 3 40GB
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44 new or used available from $344.26
Average customer review:
Product Details
- Amazon Sales Rank: #15 in Computer & Video Games
- Brand: Sony
- Model: 98007
- Released on: 2008-02-12
- Platform: PLAYSTATION 3
- Dimensions: 13.30 pounds
Features
- Internal 40GB HDD for storing your games, music, and photos
- Built-in Blu-ray player
- Cell Broadband Engine advanced microprocessor
- SIXAXIS wireless controller
Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
As DVD playback made the PlayStation 2 more than just a game machine, hefty multi-media features make the PlayStation 3 an even more versatile home entertainment machine. Features such as video chat, internet access, digital photo viewing, and digital audio and video will likely make it the central component of your media set-up. Still, it is first and foremost a powerful gaming console.
Under the Hood
The PS3 features IBM's "Cell" processor and a co-developed Nvidia graphics processor that makes the system able to perform two trillion calculations per second. That makes the PlayStation 3 40 times faster than the PS2. Along with the traditional AV and composite connections, it also boasts an HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) port, which delivers uncompressed, unconverted digital picture and sound to compatible high-definition TV and projectors. The system is capable of 128-bit pixel precision and 1080p resolution for a full HD experience. This console also provides for a sound experience by supporting Dolby Digital 5.1, DTS 5.1, as well as Linear PCM 7.1. A pre-installed 40 GB hard disc drive allows you to save games as well as download content from the internet. Unlike the other models of the PlayStation 3, the 40GB does not offer backwards compatibility.
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Blu-Ray Is the New Way
Sony's PlayStation 3 games are encoded onto the Blu-Ray disc media format, which can hold six times as much data as traditional DVDs. This increase in capacity, combined with the awesome power of its processor and graphics card, promises mind-blowing games once developers have learned how to fully harness the new console's power. The PS3 will also support CD-ROM, CD-RW, DVD, DVD-ROM, DVD-R, DVD+R formats.
Sensational Controller
New gamers intuitively move the controller while playing, even though that movement has traditionally had no relation to what's going on in the game. Sony has picked up on this tendency and is using it to bring a new level of control to the PS3. Inside the controller is a high-precision sixaxis sensing system that accurately detects fine movements in pitch, roll, and yaw, as well as three dimensions of movement. This means that future PS3 games will be controlled by the movements of your hands rather than just your thumbs. For example, you might be able to steer a car by holding the controller like a steering wheel.
While the PS3 controller looks much like its Dual Shock predecessors, it will lack the force-feedback vibration since that would only interfere with the sensing system. It uses Bluetooth 2.0 wireless technology and can support wireless controllers. It's a hot-swappable system, so if your controller is running low on power, just pause your game and connect a USB 2.0 cable. You can continue playing while your controller recharges automatically.
A Slew of New Games
A whole host of game publishers back the PS3. Current and future titles for the system, include The Eye of Judgment, Ratchet & Clank Future: Tools of Destruction, Final Fantasy XIII, Metal Gear Solid 4, Devil May Cry 4, Tekken 6, and Heavenly Sword.
Online
Sony has stated that the PS3 will have similar online connectivity and services as the next generation of Xbox Live. Calling it "an always on, always connected device," SCEI's chief technical officer Masa Chatani said the PS3 would be constantly in touch with a "PlayStation World" network "fundamentally based on community, communication commerce, and content." Technically, the infrastructure is there to make that connection. The PS3 supports 10BASE-T, 100BASE-TX, 1000BASE-T Ethernet, as well as IEEE 802.11 b/g wireless networking protocols.
What's in the Box?
- Game system
- Sixaxis wireless controller
- AC power cord
- Audio/Video cable (HDMI or Component cable sold separately)
- USB cable
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Customer Reviews
The best value for Gaming and Movies.
At $400 dollars, one might think this system is still expensive. But, when you break it down, it is the best value. First, this is a playstation, based off of the best selling PS and PS2, gaming systems just got better going high def on this system. Drawback, this system is not compatable with PS2 games and not all PS1 games, so hold on to that PS2. But, you'll have a hard time beating the graphics. Second, this system has the built in blu-ray player. Now that the format war is over, blu-ray is the way to get that HD fix of movies. This system plays blu-ray discs flawlessly and does an excellent job at upscaling the old DVD collection. I do have an HD-DVD player as well, and it can be touchy at upscaling, and often I need to adjust the settings to get it to work properly. The playstation is flawless, upscales easily. Looks great on my 1080p plasma. Finally, my biggest reason for the PS3, wirelessly upgrades software from my wi-fi home network. One problem of early Blu-ray and even HD-DVD players is that they have to have their software updated periodically or some of the movies would not play properly or at all. In fact, early blu-ray models dindn't even have a LAN line input, so upgrading was difficult having to wait for a software upgrade disc if possible. The playstation was easy to set up with my wireless network and in 20 minutes it downloaded and upgraded to the latest software version, no dragging it to the router to hook up a LAN line like my HD dvd player. So, this is my recommendation for anybody who wants a true home entertainment system, PS3 is the wave of the future.
PlayStation 3 -- a different take
Unlike most others, I bought the PlayStation 3 almost exclusively because of the Blu-Ray capabilities. Many reviews (CNet, etc) cited the PS3 as the best deal where Blu-Rays are concerned, so I bought it rather than the Panasonic Blu-Ray I was looking at originally.
Pros of PS3
- Cost. The PS3 was quite a bit cheaper than other players with similar ratings.
- The PS3 is a two-for-one deal. You get a game console plus a Blu-Ray in a single unit.
- Easy installation. One power cord and one HDMI cord. That's it.
- Resolution on games and movies is top notch. I have not noticed any audio/video synchrony problems as has been reported with other players.
Cons of PS3
- All controls with the exception of Eject are on-screen functions. In order to turn the unit off, I have to change the input source on my home theater receiver to the PS3 in order to see the screen and manipulate the functions.
- Using the PS3 as a Blu-Ray player without the Sony Bluetooth remote control ($[...]) is very cumbersome. You can use one of the game controllers (at least in theory), but I found it impossible to do. Having to purchase a remote control separately also made the PS3 less of a deal than I originally thought.
- The "memory" function where by the player "remembers" the last scene watched on a given movie drives me nuts. I hope there is a way to turn this off. The problem is compounded by the fact that it is difficult to override this feature. If I try to watch a movie that I watched previously in the PS3, the unit begins playing the disc where ever I stopped it on the previous occasion. On most units, pressing Stop twice will allow you to return to the beginning. Not so here. I end up having an argument so to speak with the PS3 via the remote control.
PS3: "I'll begin the movie here."
Me: "I want to watch it from the beginning."
PS3: "No you don't. You should begin here."
Me: "Really, I would like to start at the beginning."
PS3: "This is where you stopped it last. I think it's best to pick up where we left off."
- The PS3 runs hot. Way hot. All of my home theater equipment is in a stand with glass doors in the front and two vents in the back. Even though all of my other equipment is adequately ventilated with the doors shut, I have to keep the front doors open if I use the PS3 at all. Otherwise, it will almost certainly overheat.
Bottom line
I'm neither satisfied nor dissatisfied with this unit. If I had it to do over again, I would have gone with the Panasonic over the PS3. Am I using the PS3 as originally intended? No. Do I realize this? Yes. Still, there are reviews all over the place touting the PS3 as a great (some would say the best) Blu-Ray player out there. From a technical point of view, this is probably true. From a functionality standpoint, I find it more cumbersome to operate than a traditional Blu-Ray unit. My plan is to make do with this until other players come down in price. At that point, the PS3 will migrate to my son's room and I will replace it with a Panasonic.
Great Decision
Truly a entertainment System, from listening to music in my room to beating my opponents online. Great, especially when the friends come over!
