Sony PlayStation 3
Gaming | February 18th, 2008
Play B3YOND™ your wildest dreams with the unparalleled PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system. Featuring blistering processing speeds, eye-popping graphics and up to 7.1 channels of digital surround sound, the future of gaming has arrived. Powered by the revolutionary Cell Broadband Engine™ and featuring a built-in Blu-ray Disc™ drive, you’ll experience a whole new generation in high definition gaming and digital media. Enjoy the pristine picture quality of Blu-ray Disc™ movies featuring Full HD 1080p video and up to 7.1 channels of high resolution audio. The PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system is ready for the future with support for advanced HDMI™ v1.3 spec features such as xvColor™ and Deep Color. Plus, it will breath new life into your existing DVD collection with 1080p video upscaling.
The PLAYSTATION™3 computer entertainment system gives you unprecedented control, access and enjoyment of a full range of digital media. Stream and store your favorite MP3 music, pictures or videos from any Windows Media Center compatible PC*. Connect an optional compatible keyboard and mouse and surf the internet on your television**. The PLAYSTATION®3 80GB system also comes standard with exclusive features, including built-in 802.11 b/g wireless internet and slots for Memory Stick® media, SD (Secure Digital) cards and CompactFlash® memory.
The front of the PS3 has 4 USB slots for charging and pairing controllers. To “pair” the controllers means to associate that controller with your specific PS3, for, I guess, households with multiple PS3s…. Unlike the 360, the PS3 requires that your controllers be plugged in to the unit when you first pair them. Though a little inconvenient, you also have to re-pair them after any firmware updates. Once the controllers are paired, however, you don’t have to do it again. Next to the USB ports you’l find two LEDs, one indicating WLAN access, and the other for HDD activity. Now, let’s flip it around to the backside.
Standard, the Sony PS3 is supplied with a power supply cable, USB cable, Ethernet cable, AV adapter and an AV cable. A lot has been said and written about the lacking of a HDMI cable, but let’s just say that it is a pity that such a cable doesn’t come with the standard equipment. Besides the documentation, a SIXAXIS wireless controller is supplied, to operate the PS3.
One thing that Sony can’t be criticised for is the amount of functionality that the PlayStation 3 offers. It really is so much more than just a games console, which is fine, assuming that you want to do so much more than play games. The PS3 really does have the makings to be the hub of your home entertainment setup, while it also has the potential to expand its capabilities considerably over the months and years. Even though I consider myself a particularly cynical and jaded technology hack, I was pleasantly surprised when I got my paws on a full retail PlayStation 3 a while back. But that’s not to say that I think that Sony is set to blow away the competition, in fact I think that this third generation PlayStation will have a tougher fight than either of its predecessors.