PS3 - The basics?

r3nu4l

Okay, I'm considering buying a PS3. \o/ I'm also considering an XBox 360 but let's concentrate on the PS3 here

The problem is that I see 40GB versions, 60GB versions and apparently some are backwards compatible and others aren't? I know that with the XBox there are elite versions, core versions and probably super-elite-core-basic versions too :rolleyes: What about the PS3?

Is online gaming free with the PS3 or do I have to pay, how much and how often etc?

So can someone please give me a concise guide to PS3 buying? Thanks in advance.

I have a 32" HD ready LCD TV with HDMI ports so that's okay

[btw]I'm aware that the PS3 game list is pretty poor at the moment, I'm relying on 'the future' for good games

NotorietyH

The 40GB version isn't backwards compatible and has 2 usb ports as opposed to the 60 GBs 4. It also doesn't have the memory stick, flash car slots etc, which I havent used. It still has Wireless and everything else.

No you don't have to pay for online.

You'd want to buy a HDMI lead with it as the unit only comes with the old PS2 style AV leads.

Rathchet and Clank is out tomorrow, Haze and Uncharted are out soon so you don't have to worry about the exclusive games being absent for too long.

LookingFor

NotorietyH wrote: »

Rathchet and Clank is out tomorrow

And CoD4 which might be the best FPS released this year. It's a good time to buy, with the Xmas games hitting.

NotorietyH

Sorry it's Friday they're out. The Orange Box is out next week and I think Uncharted is out that week or the week after. Assassin's Creed is out in a couple of weeks too.

The reviews for COD4 so far have been outstanding, not sure if it'll be different enough from Rainbow 6 Vegas and Ghost Recon for me to make me buy it. Got Guitar Hero III from the States today and I have Rock Band pre-ordered too so I really have to limit the amount of games I want to buy!

r3nu4l

Thanks for the replies lads. If I am getting one it'll definitely be the 60GB version so.

Has anyone used it for photo storage yet? Is the userface any good? Soes it support slide shows?

Do you only get one wireless controller with it? Any other controllers? Sorry for all the questions but if I'm going to spend that kind of money then I want to be sure I'll use every feature.

Also, with the USB ports, is it possible to plug in an external hard drive that I have at home? USB flash drives? I'm thinking about how to transfer photos that I have on a hard drive already.

mathias

Has anyone used it for photo storage yet? Is the userface any good? Soes it support slide shows?

Do you only get one wireless controller with it? Any other controllers? Sorry for all the questions but if I'm going to spend that kind of money then I want to be sure I'll use every feature.

Also, with the USB ports, is it possible to plug in an external hard drive that I have at home? USB flash drives? I'm thinking about how to transfer photos that I have on a hard drive already.

Photo storage is pretty good , yes it does do slide shows , thats why I wanted the 60GB over the other one cos it reads my compact flash cards directly. There are some brilliant effects on the slideshow menu , some not so brilliant , but new ones available occasionally online.

Yes you only get one controller , prices are cheaper online for extra controllers , all are wireless and only connect to the console for charging.
Dual shocks are on the way , might already be for sale but I havnt seen em yet.
Yes you can plug in an external hard drive , also flash drives ,

NotorietyH

The dualshock 3 is out this month in Japan but not coming to Europe until 2008 as far as I know.

r3nu4l

Very comprehensive answers mathias Thank you!

vibe666

go for the 60gb one for several reasons. I'm not sure about the 40gb one, but the 20gb one (if it's still around) has quite a few bits missing. No HDMI, no memory card slots (CF, SD etc.) no wifi etc etc. check the wikipedia page for all the specifics of what each model does/doesn't have, don't take my word for it i might be wrong on one or two counts.

another thing is the HDD. the 80gb one is something stupid like 100e more than the 60gb one is now. you can change the HDD yourself, just one screw and you can have any 2.5" SATA disk you like in it up to and including the new 320gb ones when they make it to the streets. i got my 60gb ps3 on launch day and i've already had to do a cleanup of non-essential stuff twice to make room for new demos and downloads from the PS store.

i got 2 controllers and a dvd remote, but i wasted my money on the remote, it has hardly been used. the controllers are wireless anyway so you can just use one of them without having to step over cables.

Vorrtexx

vibe666 wrote: »

but the 20gb one (if it's still around) has quite a few bits missing. No HDMI, no memory card slots (CF, SD etc.) no wifi etc etc. check the wikipedia page for all the specifics of what each model does/doesn't have, don't take my word for it i might be wrong on one or two counts.

I'm pretty sure all PS3 SKU's have the HDMI port. But you should be aware there is no HDMI cable in the box when you buy it so you'll have to get that seperately, unless it comes included with some special bundle.

I'd recommend the 60gb one too if you can still get it. you pay an extra €100 but you get 2 games with that, 2 extra usb ports, memory card readers, an extra 20gb HDD space and PS2 backward compatibility.

steviec

As everyone else said, 60GB is by far the best option. It's compatible with PS2 games and the others aren't, and that's a huge difference.

Once you buy it, you'll also need a HDMI cable. That's pretty much it. Unlike the other consoles the controller has a rechargeable battery built in and USB charger cable included so you don't need to buy these seperately. Online stuff is also all free and it's got both wireless and ethernet so you're sorted for whatever you need there. There's also obviously no need for memory cards or anything with the included hard drive.

I wouldn't recommend buying a second pad, wait until the ones with rumble come out, you should be able to import from Japan come next week or else wait till they're out in Europe in a couple of months. If you need to do multiplayer I find PS2 pads with a cheap PS2 to USB adaptor from GAME work a treat.

Connectivity wise, you can use external hard drives or USB sticks or sony memory sticks or SD cards or compact flash I believe. Plenty of options anyway. I've never really used that side of the machine so can't say much more.

If you're looking into games I would recommend Folklore and Heavenly Sword, and also Ratchet & Clank is out on Friday and been getting very good reviews though I haven't played it myself. You don't need to buy any games really though, there's a good 30+ free demos on the playstation store so you could easily spend a week or two going through those, finding what you like and buying the full games. The online downloadable games are also fantastic. You especially need to buy Loco Roco (its only £1.99 here, similar in Ireland) and Super Stardust HD, both are brilliant little games.

vibe666

Vorrtexx wrote: »

I'm pretty sure all PS3 SKU's have the HDMI port.

off i went to the wiki page to prove you wrong, but you are indeed correct. my bad.

although the 40gb ps3 doesn't have any kind of backwards compatability with ps2 games and it can't play *SACD's either! :eek:

*SACD is Super Audio Compact Disc, like anyone cares.