All About Playstation 3

All About Playstation 3
By: Roberto Sedycias

Fasten your seatbelt and get set for the ultimate entertainment explosion!

Playstation-3 is a gaming experience that is beyond anything known today. It is a computer entertainment system that unleashes a brilliant, high-definition entertainment experience which is incomparable. It delivers the next generation of interactive entertainment.

Playstation-3 is the third home video game console produced by Sony Computer Entertainment. A major feature, that sets it apart from its predecessors, is its unified online gaming service, the PlayStation Network. Other main features of the console include its huge multimedia capabilities, connectivity with the playstation portable and its use of a next generation optical media, blu-ray disc, as its primary storage medium.

There are models of four types that are usually referred to by the size of their included hard disc drive; 20, 40, 60 and 80 gigabyte models. All retail packages include one or two six axis controllers, a video/stereo audio, a power cable, a USB cable, output cable, and an ethernet cable(20, 60 and 80GB only).

Numerous accessories for the console have been developed for the system, including the wireless six axis controller, the BD remote, the playstation eye camera and the upcoming play TV DVB-T tuner/digital video recorder. The system has bluetooth 2.0, gigabit ethernet, USB 20 and HDMI 1.3a built-in on all models. Wi-Fi networking is also built-in on the 40, 60 and 80GB models while a flashcard reader (which is compatible with memory stick, SD/MMC and compact flash/micro drive media) is built-in on 60 and 80GB models.

The playstation-3 version of the `Xross Media Bar` includes nine categories of options. These include users, settings, photo, music, video, game, network, playstation network and friends. Also it includes the ability to store various master and secondary user profiles, manage and explore photos with or without a musical slide-show, play music and copy audio CD tracks to an attached storage device, play movies and video files from the hard-disk drive, an optional USB mass storage or flashcard, or an optical disc (blu-ray disc or DVD-video), compatibility for a USB keyboard and mouse and a full web browser supporting in/compatible file download function.

The friends menu allows mail with emoticon and attached picture features and video chat which requires an optional playstation eye or eye toy webcam. The network menu allows online shopping through the playstation store.

The 80GB playstation-3 provides ample hard drive storage space for games and other entertainment content from the game network. The free membership in playstation network allows you to play free games online, allows downloading of special content and be in touch with your friends. The inbuilt Wi-Fi allows for flawless connection with your network. It includes hard drive for all photos, music and personal videos.

The six axis wireless controller gives more precision and freedom during game play. The picture quality is pristine with the capability of full high-definition resolution at 1080p. The built-in blu-ray disc drive provides for high-definition games and entertainment.

Sony has also announced the dualshock3, a controller with the same design and function as the six axes, but with vibration capability included. It was released in Japan in november 2007, while a spring 2008 release date has been scheduled for Europe and North America.

The playstation-3, at first, received generally unfavorable reviews like late, expensive and incompatible, but after a series of price drops and the release of several quality titles, the system has begun to garner better reviews. Their motor sport game is wildly popular and their list of games is getting larger and longer.

With its cutting-edge technology, the high-end Sony playstation-3`s larger hard drive and ability to play playstation-2 games makes it a worthwhile alternative to cheaper models.


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About the Author:
This article can also be accessed in portuguese from the Article section of page Roberto Sedycias works as IT consultant for