Sony Playstation 3 (80GB) - Is it big in Japan? (Sony Playstation 3 80 GB)

Member Name: Jazzy09

Product:	Sony Playstation 3 80 GB
Date:	22/06/09 (153 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Sixaxis Dual Shock Controller, Blu-Ray player and lots of storage space

Disadvantages: The price is quite high

Console: Playstation 3
Product Family: Playstation
Brand: Sony
Version: 80GB (Gigabytes)
Retailed: 2007 in Europe

~ Overview ~

This has to be one of my favourite consoles of all time and especially as it is jam packed with an 80GB (Gigabytes) storage capacity which is required for future gaming as the 40GB version was not enough for what I need as I found out.

~ Price ~

The price of the console comes at around £260 - £280 and is one of the highest priced consoles but worth it in my opinion. The price is as lofty because it comes with an inbuilt blue-ray disc player which is the state of the art disc technology which plays DVD discs a few times the size of an ordinary DVD disc.

You can play blue-ray movies on your PS3 which I did quite a lot due to being a big movie fan. If you have an HDTV then you can maximise the visual graphics you get on your television using the blue-ray player.

The PS3 console can come in all types of bundles and you just have to shop around to get the best deal and would recommend you look online as you tend to get the best prices and offers. You will have to pay more if you want the super duper console which has multimedia card slots but is worth it when transferring data to and from your computer or multimedia device.

~ PS3 Console Shell Colours ~

My PS3 was black but if I bought it again I would probably go for the stylish Satin Silver but can be more expensive trying to get pads and other peripherals to match. You can actually get ceramic white for the 80GB PS3 but I think this would be a bit to much for me. The only other colour I know of is the Metal chrome look.

~ Features on my console ~

**Blue-Ray**

As mentioned previously, this is a nice addition to the console and great for playing your blue-ray movies with.

** CPU (Central Processing Unit)**

Mine came with a 3.2 GHz (Gigahertz) processor which by today's computer processor speeds is quite quick. It also comes with a Cell Broadband engine which helps to process instructions quicker.

** Graphics **

550 MHz (Megahertz) NVIDIA Reality Synthesizer technology.

** Storage type **

You will get a 2.5" SATA hard disk which will store around 80GB or 80,000 MB (Megabytes).

** Operating System **

The system used for the PS3 is called XrossMediaBar and the most recent version which I have upgraded to is 2.76 which can be downloaded from the Playstation website. You must have an internet connection to your console to do this or use a USB pen and download and transfer across and then install manually which I have done successfully many times and just takes a bit of getting used to.

** What files will it play on the console **

I tend to use my console to view pictures from my digital camera, other times I use it to play compressed videos using the DivX software which uses codec's to play compressed AVI computer extension files.

Summary of file types I used on my console:-

.Avi
.Jpg
.Wma
.Png
.Gif

After using lots of file I did notice that it does not play all video files and one of which is .mpg files. There are probably ways round this by installing your own software on the PS3 but you do so at your own risk e.g. viruses.

~ Interesting facts about the PS3 console so far ~

So far the console has sold over 22 million versions of the PS3 and all range from 20GB to the most recent version 160GB. During the first launch in Japan there were reports of violence and even someone being shot and also campers were being robbed on the spot. There are actually five different Playstation 3 versions on the market which I didn't actually know but there is.

The best selling game to date is Motorstorm and sold over 3 million copies.

~ My Favourite three games for the PS3 console ~

{Call of Duty: Modern Warfare}

This is my favourite game to date for the console and there is supposed to be a sequel to this and just hope it is as good. This is my number one game mainly because of the wonderful graphics and excellent gameplay not to mention the fabulous online gameplay which is very addictive.

{Motorstorm}

This is a nice little game and was first released along with the first PS3 console and showed off the potential of the new console. I like this mainly because it uses the power of the PS3's graphics and really does feel like your getting muddy and dirty especially in HD.

{FIFA 2009}

This football simulation brand has massively improved over recent years and if im being honest is better than the Pro Evolution Soccer brand mainly because of the potential of newer consoles and also that the PS3 beautifully produces the graphics and detail or every player and also the flight of the football in the air.

~ Accessories ~

You tend to get the usual cables for power and also from SCART cables for the connection to the TV but you will be required to purchase an HDMI cable if you have an HDTV and can cost around £10 and are not told this when you buy it unless you ask. I asked for it to be included when I bought my PS3 at no extra cost so this is a useful tip!

You can now purchase a dualshock controller which gives you a better gaming experience. For example if a grenade lands near you the pad will shake and rumble as if you were stood near the explosion. The same happens if you are playing sports games and any game which has the dualshock logo on the box. The pads are wireless and stops of those annoying wires getting tangled up.

You do receive USB cables which plug into the PS3 as well as the control pad and lets you charge while playing and no batteries are ever required which is tremendous.

Sony is planning to unveil a new product called the motion controller but is only going to be released in 2010 sadly and will rival the Wii Remote.

~ Playstation Network ~

If you have an internet connection then you will love this section. Here you can download FREE demonstrations of games and also pick up all sorts of freebies may it wallpapers (backgrounds) for your PS3 or even themes which change all the fonts and design of your main menu on the PS3.

In my opinion this is an excellent addition which no other console provides yet and I know that Microsoft make you pay to access Xbox live and you don't get any freebies or at least they didn't last time I used the Xbox 260.

~ Playstation Home ~

This is a lovely little piece of software and has only recently been added to the PS3. Here you are able to network with other PS3 users over the internet. It is set in a 3D world and is the future of gaming and also the future for social networking.

Here you can play chess, draughts, pool and allsorts of different activities which will amaze you. You even get your own penthouse near the sea which you can invite friends over.

~ Conclusion ~

If you are trying to decide which console to buy I would recommend the XBOX 360 for cheapness, the PS3 console for good value for money even though it is a bit high and the Nintendo Wii for those who like wacky. The PS3 is more to purchase but you pay for quality and you do get lots of freebies which other consoles do not offer.

The menu systems are easy to use and playing games has never been so fun, especially with the addition of online gaming. Setting up the internet connection can be a bit tricky but once your setup then that is it.

I think that there are more games to choose from compared to other consoles and I know lots will disagree with me but that's my opinion from what I have experienced. You don't get Gran Turismo on the Xbox 360 whereas you will on the PS3. I think the PS3 control pads are easier to use compared to other consoles and the sixaxis function which allows you to drive in racing games as if you were Michael Schumacher in an F1 car.

This is a wonderful console and if you're a kid or even a big kid then this will feed your addictive gaming needs.

~ My Rating ~
5/5

Summary: This is a beautiful machine and great fun for family and friends!