What To Expect From PlayStation 3

Manufacturer : Sony, Foxconn and ASUSTeK for SCEI
Type : Video Game Console
Generation : Seventh Generation
First available : November 11, 2006
System storage : 2.5″ SATA hard drive (20 GB, 60 GB, or 80 GB included)
Controller input : Up to 7 SIXAXIS controllers
Online service : PlayStation Network
Units sold : 4.28 million
Top-selling game : Resistance: Fall of Man
Backward compatibility : Most PlayStation games, Most PlayStation 2 games
Predecessor : PlayStation 2

The PlayStation 3 is the third home video game console produced by Sony Computer Entertainment; successor to the PlayStation 2. The PlayStation 3 competes with Microsoft’s Xbox 360 and Nintendo’s Wii as part of the seventh generation of video game consoles. In sales and market share, it is currently in third place. The system was first released on November 11, 2006 in Japan and shortly after on November 17 in the United States. Its primary storage media is the Blu-ray Disc, while it also supports SACDs, DVDs, and CDs. It can output high-definition video for both video games and movies via an HDMI 1.3 port, supporting up to 1080p HD resolution.

It was initially available in two configurations, the 20 GB Basic model and the 60 GB Premium model. However, the 20 GB model was discontinued in North America on April 11, 2007 due to a lack of consumer demand. While still available in Japan, it was not released at all in PAL territories. On May 21, 2007, Sony announced that it would be releasing the PS3 in South Korea in only one configuration, featuring an 80 GB hard drive and IPTV compatibility. On July 9, 2007, the 80 GB model was released in North America.

History
Sony officially unveiled the PlayStation 3 to the public on May 16, 2005, during the E3 2005 conference. A functional version of the system was not present there, nor at the Tokyo Game Show in September 2005, although demonstrations (such as Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots) were held at both events on devkits and comparable PC hardware. Video footage based on the predicted PlayStation 3 specifications was also shown (e.g. Mobile Suit Gundam). The system was initially planned to have two HDMI ports and three Ethernet ports, though this was later reduced to one of each, presumably to cut costs.

On September 22, 2006, at the 2006 Tokyo Game Show, Sony announced that it would be including HDMI on all versions of the system, and reducing the launch price on Core models by over 20%; the Premium version of the system has an open pricing scheme. Sony demonstrated 27 playable PS3 titles during the Tokyo Game Show running on final hardware.

Operating System

Sony has added the ability for the operating system, referred to as System Software, to be updated. The update process is similar to the firmware updates for the PlayStation Portable (PSP). The updates can be downloaded from the PlayStation Network directly to the PS3 and subsequently installed. Sony has also provided users with the ability to download system software updates from the Official PlayStation website to their PCs and then storage media, from which the update can be installed to the system. Updates can also be installed from game discs that require the updates to be able to play the game.

The latest version of the software is version 1.90, released on July 23, 2007. Version 1.90 adds Chinese character input options, allows the user to change the wallpaper on the XMB, and increases the speed of the Internet Browser. Also, users can now add emoticons to Chat with Friends and eject discs using the controller. Finally, controller buttons are shown on-screen to identify menu shortcuts.

Version 1.82 expanded codec support to allow for playback of AVC High Profile (H.264/MPEG-4) format video.Version 1.80 provided the ability to upscale DVDs, along with PS1 and PS2 games, to 1080p resolution, as well as the ability to downscale Blu-ray video to 720p. It also enabled users on a home network to use the PS3 to view images, listen to music, or play videos that are stored on their DLNA-compatible devices (including PCs and laptops) elsewhere in the house, on the same network as the PS3.

Software version 1.80 added support for the xvYCC color space for AVCHD-encoded media and set the stage for improvements in the PSP Remote Play function; thanks to the firmware update, PSP owners are now able to access their PS3 from anywhere in the world — as long as a broadband connection is available and firmware 3.50 for the PSP is installed. A new type of slideshow display pattern was added, along with zoom and trim functions for images.

In addition, the Memory Card Adaptor can now be used to transfer PS/PS2 game saves from the PS3 hard drive to a PS/PS2 memory card; the update also allowed for the transferral of copy-protected PS/PS2 game saves. CD information can now be edited, and users can submit information to All Music Guide.

Finally, software version 1.80 included the ability to print photos stored on the PS3’s hard drive or inserted storage media with a selection of Epson printers via USB. Users with version before 1.6 will not be able to restore their backed up data on another PlayStation 3 with 1.6 or later. The user will need to update his/her firmware on his/her PlayStation 3 before backing it up in order to restore onto another PlayStation 3.

Graphical user interface

The PlayStation 3 version of the XrossMediaBar (pronounced Cross Media Bar, or abbreviated XMB) includes 8 categories of options. These include: Users, Settings, Photo, Music, Video, Game, Network and Friends (similar to the PlayStation Portable media bar). The PS3 includes the ability to store different user profiles, explore photos, play music and movies from the hard drive, compatibility for a USB keyboard and mouse, a full web browser and a Friends menu.

Also, the PlayStation 3 adds the ability to multitask in ways such as listening to music while surfing the web or looking at pictures. The PlayStation 3 XMB supports a variety of file formats (audio, image, video). Because the PlayStation 3 is capable of running Linux, other formats can be played through the operating system, assuming the correct codec is present. In a separate demo Sony presented the “Marketplace” where users can buy and download music.

The PS3 reserves 64 MB of RAM at all times for XMB functions. The XMB’s default background color changes depending on the current month of the year, and it changes brightness depending on the time of day. However, a later firmware revision (1.90) lets users change the background of the XMB to display anything saved under “Image” in the XMB. This was released on July 23, 2007.

Q-Games Ltd, a small development company based in Kyoto, Japan, developed the graphics technology behind the XMB, its stylized background, and the built-in music visualizers. The PlayStation 3 uses a version of the NetFront browser by Access Co. as its internal web browser.

It is the same browser used in the PlayStation Portable (Sony-branded NetFront 2.81) with the same interface, menus and virtual keyboard. Sony has also worked with Stanford University to bring the Folding@home project to the PS3. Once downloaded, the program can be configured to run when the system is idle or executed manually from the XMB.

In a recent blog entry made by Sony in their Playstation. Blog, confirms that there will be an in-game XMB overlay in their next major firmware release. The next major firmware update will be update 2.00. There is no date given as to when this update will be released.

Hardware
The PlayStation 3 itself is convex on its right side (when vertical, top side when horizontal) and has a glossy black finish. It features a slot loading 4x speed Blu-ray Disc drive for the loading of games and DVD or Blu-ray movies. It originally was available with hard drives of 20 and 60 GB. The 20 GB has since been discontinued, and an 80 GB model introduced in some regions (see above).

Inside, the PlayStation 3 uses the seven core IBM designed Cell microprocessor as its CPU. While graphics processing is handled by the NVIDIA RSX which can output resolutions up to 1080p, the PlayStation 3 has 256 MiB of main memory and 256 MiB of video memory for the RSX.

A range of accessories for the console have been developed for the system, including the wireless SIXAXIS controller, the BD Remote controller, and the upcoming PlayStation Eye camera and PlayTV DVB-T tuner/digital video recorder accessory. The system has Bluetooth, Gigabit Ethernet, USB 2.0 and HDMI built in on all models. Wi-Fi networking and a flash card reader are also built in on 60 and 80 GB models.

Source : http://www.gametrailers.com/

Similar Posts:

• Video Game Console : Fifth Generation
• Finding Xbox Game
• Video Game Console : Sixth Generation
• What Is Xbox Elite?
• PlayStation 2

Random Posts:

• Video Game Console : Fifth Generation
• A Guide To Buy Game Systems
• The Basic Facts Of The Evolution Of Video Game
• Sega Mega Drive – Genesis
• Most Noticeable Famous Game Systems
• Playing Your Favorite Games While Traveling
• First to Latest Video Game Console
• Video Game Console : Second Generation
• A Guide To Xbox For Home Theater
• Atari Video Games – The Story