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Playstation 3 40GB
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| Price: | $399.99 & eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25. Details |
Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
Ships from and sold by Amazon.com
46 new or used available from $360.00
Average customer review:
Product Details
- Amazon Sales Rank: #9 in Computer & Video Games
- Brand: Sony
- Model: 98007
- Released on: 2008-02-12
- Platform: PLAYSTATION 3
- Dimensions: 30.00 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
Advantage: Sony
First off, I should say that I am a total novice gamer. My son brought over his X-Box 360 and hooked it up to my Hi-Def Panasonic projector and we played "Grand Theft Auto IV" on my 106" diagonal Da-Lite HDTV screen. Let's just say I was hooked. We were up until 4AM. Must've been all the time we spent in that strip bar...
So, with that experience fresh in mind -- but with it also constituting my entire gaming career -- I ventured forth into the mall.
I quickly decided on the Sony PS3 for one BIG reason: It has a built-in Blu-Ray player. So, what you get for $399 is an awesome Blu-Ray player (my unit also came bundled with the 'Spiderman 3' Blu-Ray disc!) and a state-of-the-art gaming system with free online access to Sony's gaming website and store, where you can download Blu-Ray movie trailers and PS3 game demos. I've only scratched the surface there. Plus, you can download system and game updates direct from Sony. I'm on a freebie Wi-Fi connection (thanks, mysterious neighbor!) and this unit pulls it in just fine.
My son tells me that, strictly gaming-wise, X-Box is far ahead of Sony (at this time) in terms of the number of titles available and the online gaming aspect of things. But, for me, this is not too important, since I'm still trying to figure out which button to push on the controller to make the car move forward :) . I am also certain that any gaps will eventually be filled as game designers begin to take advantage of the PS3 engine, and that Sony will come up to speed with the online gaming stuff.
So, for me, the PS3 is just a huge bargain. Where else can you get even a Blu-Ray player this nice so cheaply? I have it hooked up to my Panasonic PT-AE900U (720P) projector via Sony's proprietary component video cables* and to my 5.1 Denon preamp via optical digital output (where I'm running two NAD THX amps and my beloved Dynaudio speakers :) - OH YEAH!). Add to it the gaming aspect and it's a steal, really.
One more thing: I have been using an Oppo upscaling DVD player. The PS3, when combined with my Panasonic PT-AE900U, puts out a very fine upscaled picture when using standard definition DVDs. However, after extensive A/B testing on numerous discs, the Oppo is still clearly superior in this regard, so I will continue to use it for watching all standard definition DVDs.
What more can I say, except that I am bleary-eyed as I write this from having stayed up last night until the wee hours, watching Spiderman on Blu-Ray and learning how to to drive with cousin Roman. ;)
* There is NO difference using component video inputs vs. HDMI insofar as Hi-Def picture quality, so don't let anyone tell you otherwise. If they do (usually salesmen of expensive HDMI cables), ask them to show you the double-blind test data that proves it. Hi-Def is Hi-Def, period. HDMI is required, however, if you want to use the PS3 to output a 1080P signal to a 1080P monitor. Otherwise, component video cables work equally well. (Audio-wise, I don't need to feed the signal through an HDMI cable).
Great System!
I really love my PS3. I originally bought it to watch Blu-ray movies but once I started playing games on it I realized how great of a value it is. I haven't touched my xbox 360 in two weeks now. The only reason I still have it is for Gears of War 2. I really don't have one complaint about my PS3. If I could change one thing though, I would add the backwards compatibility feature. Not a critical function I need but I just miss playing the old ratchet and clank games. Hopefully, Sony will offer them on the PSN. It was a rough start for the PS3 but it seems like 2008 will be a great year for it and 2009 will be even better.
Fair Blu-ray player
Why in the world would they put the only power button on the rear of this unit?? A real pain to reach in the back of this player to turn it on & off.
