The PS3 Review Thread

[blu-eyes]

Just became a PS3 owner. Hooked it up tonight...WOW, awesome!!!!
No games yet, but got the Spidey 3 with it!...Looks incredible!
Ran HDMI in to receiver, then HDMI from receiver to TV....Just received HDMI cables from monoprice today!...Great deal!

Took me a little time to figure out how to alter the HDMI 1 input on the receiver to V-Aux so it would recognize the signal, but other than that it went fairly smooth. I used the wireless internet connection to download the latest version (2.10). It came with 1.97. Worked flawlessly.

[WriteSimply]

Originally Posted by blu-eyes

Took me a little time to figure out how to alter the HDMI 1 input on the receiver to V-Aux so it would recognize the signal, but other than that it went fairly smooth. I used the wireless internet connection to download the latest version (2.10). It came with 1.97. Worked flawlessly.

Good to hear. Just make sure that you're getting the full multichannel input to your receiver. Some receivers will matrix a two-channel signal via DPLII on HDMI until you set it to receiver multichannel.

Hopefully you'll enjoy the PS3 like the rest of us.


fuad

[boss]

Originally Posted by WriteSimply

Good to hear. Just make sure that you're getting the full multichannel input to your receiver. Some receivers will matrix a two-channel signal via DPLII on HDMI until you set it to receiver multichannel.

Hopefully you'll enjoy the PS3 like the rest of us.


fuad

How do you know when this is happening?



When I hit the "input" button on mine, it goes from: HDMI 1, to Cable 3, to HDMI 2.

I want to get rid of the Cable 3 in the selection. How do I do that?

I only use HDMI 1 and HDMI 2.

[WriteSimply]

Originally Posted by boss

How do you know when this is happening?

Some older receivers default to 2.0 channel audio when HDMI is connected to an AV device. UNTIL YOU TELL IT SO, it won't change it. So check your manual about audio settings on HDMI.

When I hit the "input" button on mine, it goes from: HDMI 1, to Cable 3, to HDMI 2.

I want to get rid of the Cable 3 in the selection. How do I do that?

I only use HDMI 1 and HDMI 2.

Check your manual. I don't have the receiver you have. Once you know, you can teach others here how to set it up.


fuad

[syncguy]

Originally Posted by susanrc

Newbie here. I'm pretty settled on getting a PS3. I will not be using it as a gaming station. I'm into movies. So can any of you give me a list of accessories that I will reasonably need to buy along with it. I already know about the remote control. And probably an extra HDMI cable. Anything else?

In addition to the previously mentioned points, wish to note the following.

The standard PS3 remote that you could get is blue tooth. This is okay unless you wish to program PS3 remote to one of universal remotes. You will require an IR remote with USB dongle if you wish to program it to a universal remote controller.

[Blinkman987]

The PS3

Pros:
Cheap
Upgradeable
1080p resolution
Game system to boot

Cons:
Remote $25 extra
No HDMI cable included (Spiderman 3 Blu is sooooooo good on RCAs! =/)
No PS2 backwards capability on 40gig even though emulation is now software-based
Must purchase dualshock 3 controller for $60 in April for some games
Small library of games
Online marketplace is poorly organized, has little content in comparison to other competing brands, and is awful to navigate

Most of the cons come from the game-side of things, so it won't affect your blu-ray enjoyment. However, in regards as a system as a whole, I felt they should be addressed.

[blu-eyes]

I did have a question though. Does anyone have their PS3 with HDMI to the TV, then a Digital Optical to the receiver? I was wondering if I would lose any quality by routing the HDMI thru the receiver rather than going direct to the TV. I can't imagine it getting any better, but was wondering how others were set up. Thanks

[Krandor]

Originally Posted by blu-eyes

I did have a question though. Does anyone have their PS3 with HDMI to the TV, then a Digital Optical to the receiver? I was wondering if I would lose any quality by routing the HDMI thru the receiver rather than going direct to the TV. I can't imagine it getting any better, but was wondering how others were set up. Thanks

I tried this to start with and wasn't getting surround sound. I was informed that most TVs (and when I looked up mine did this) only send 2 channel sound out the optical if the signal is being received from an external source (i.e. not the TV tuner). I ran the cable straight to the receiver and the 5.1 started working fine.

So in most cases you will drop 2 channel audio if you do what you are talking about.

[boss]

Is it ok to leave the main power switch on a PS3?


I know there's two power buttons:

1.) "Main Power Switch" in the back.

2.) "Power Button" (which isn't really a button) in the front.



I looked in the manual and couldn't find anything about this.


a.) Is it ok to leave the rear "Main Power Switch" on all the time, 24/7?

b.) If I leave the "Main Power Switch" on all the time, do I try to turn it off (or go into standby) from the front by using the "Power Button"?

Because I have tried to turn it off (or go into standby) by touching the front "Power Button" but nothing happens. It just stays bright green.

[Krandor]

Originally Posted by boss

Because I have tried to turn it off (or go into standby) by touching the front "Power Button" but nothing happens. It just stays bright green.

You need to hold it down a few seconds. They don't wait it to turn off if you accidently hit that area while putting in a disc or something.

[Elandyll]

Just sharing the week end experience, as a brand new PS3 owner

Got the PS3 friday night at the local BB, with Blutooth remote (Wife gave me the evil eye when we totalled at $460, when I told her it'd be $399 ).
Got back home around 9:30pm after taking her out to a restaurant (to appease the evil eye ) and couldn't resist, I had to hook it up and check some settings.
I had previously bought 2 HDMI cables at monoprice.com (thanks for the tip guys), so everything went smoothly. Hooked my gool ol' Pioneer Amp with optical (maybe one day will go for an upgrade, for now it does its job well).
Just to see if it works, I plug in Blade Runner (for 2 minutes) before going to bed and .. no sound.
Gah .. I then remember I chose to have all signals go through HDMI during setup, which I easily rectify. Sound 's up ! Beautiful. And the XMB is extremely intuitive, never had to go fiddle in the manual.

Next day, I start by signing up on the PSN network (screen keyboard is a bit of a pain, but option is nice to have ), and setup the wireless access.
2 minutes later, I am online !

First thing first, I do the update to get the 2.10 version.

Later same day, Wife and I decide it's time to view some movies, so off we go. 300 first, then Blade Runner. Gorgeous pic, a good step above the HD cable I installed a few days before, which was already a major step up compared to SD. Bit bothered by the unnatural aspect of that grain in the mid/ dark scenes though. It's like millions of mosquitos. I calm myself, as I know there is grain in 300, it was already there in the theatre.
About mid movie, I decide .. no, something's wrong here, the grain was never that bad. I then remember the TV is still in Factory default on this HDMI port. DOH !
I check, and get the Sharpness back to 0 (from 50), and adjust color tones, contrst and brightness. THERE! 300 in all its picturesque glory, with natual looking grain!
Blade Runner is also stunning, and as good a movie as I remembered, although it looks far more beautiful now.

I end the day by fiddling with the PSN store, downloading a game demo (Drake's Fortune, nice, just not my style. I'm more of a Racer / RPG person. And the occasional shooter, like HL2) and a few trailers, still amazed at how easy online access is (and my wife definitely appreciates the wire-less part).

On Sunday, we're out, but I have read stuff about "DLNA servers", and definitely want to check that when we come back. Back home, I check this online, find TVersity, and install it. I put some files as shared, and lo and behold, Immediately I find that "TVersity Media Server" is now a choice on the PS3 XMB, for both video files and MP3s...

Just .. F'in' ... Amazing. I try a video, and sure enough, I am streaming wirelessly from my PC.

That's my first week end with a PS3

Still have Ratchet & Clank to try out, and to see how it upscales DVDs


Conclusion: One amazing piece of electronic...

[STARSCREAM]

Just wondered if anyone else that uses the onkyo 805 with a ps3 thinks that the ps3 is doing something with the tracks to sound low and alittle muddied. After using a HD-a35 for a few months and bitstreaming everything I got used to the great sound by having the 805 decode everything. After selling my Hd-a35 and HDDVD's and now solely using the ps3 it just doesn't sound near as good. Even with PCM tracks they don't sound as good to me as they used to (or so I think). I'm not sure what the heck is going on but I have checked all my settings and everything looks fine but the sound is just not seeming up to par. Any tweaks, suggestions?

[syncguy]

Originally Posted by Blinkman987

The PS3

Pros:
Cheap
Upgradeable
1080p resolution
Game system to boot

Cons:
Remote $25 extra
No HDMI cable included (Spiderman 3 Blu is sooooooo good on RCAs! =/)
No PS2 backwards capability on 40gig even though emulation is now software-based
Must purchase dualshock 3 controller for $60 in April for some games
Small library of games
Online marketplace is poorly organized, has little content in comparison to other competing brands, and is awful to navigate

Most of the cons come from the game-side of things, so it won't affect your blu-ray enjoyment. However, in regards as a system as a whole, I felt they should be addressed.

IMHO, I do not consider PS3 backward compatibility issue as a con. We use a PS2 for PS2 games. I feel it is better that way rather than using PS3 for PS2 games. I really do not want to wear off relatively expensive blu-ray drive to play PS2 games. However, this could be an issue for some people. For example, when there is no room to keep two consoles.

All other listed cons are not structural to PS3 design. That means they can be easily fixed at Sony's discretion.

One structural con I can think of is the inability to support all audio formats. If you are willing to put up with this shortcoming, PS3 is a very good value for money. While it is a good gaming machine, it delivers an excellent picture for blu-ray content.

Another potential structural issue is lack of front panel display. Although this is not an issue for me, someone else might consider this as a showstopper.

[BlackLightShark009]

If your leaving the main power switch on you'll go into stand by only when turning it off in the front. I don't leave mine on stand by 24/7. Just a waste of electricity IMO. I've not heard of stand by doing anything bad to the ps3. Dont see why it would since pcs have the function.

[rox addict]

Okay I decided to trade my Sony BDP-S300 in for a Playstation 3 since I am so tired of all the problems with my s-300. Now I just want to make sure that the PS3 will decode True HD if your receiver does as well. Any help is appreciated, thanks

[WriteSimply]

Originally Posted by Blinkman987

Cons:
Remote $25 extra

You said it yourself. The PS3 is cheap. A one-time US$25 investment does not matter in the long run.

No HDMI cable included (Spiderman 3 Blu is sooooooo good on RCAs! =/)

Monoprice has HDMI cables that are less than US$10. The reason SCE didn't include all of this stuff is because people already complain about the "high" price of the console. If SCE added these accessories, they'd have to jack up the price. There's only so much they can do. They're not running a not-for-profit organization there.

No PS2 backwards capability on 40gig even though emulation is now software-based

The 80GB requires an additional hardware on the PCB to get PS2 games to run. The 60GB has two pieces of hardware that lets it get near 100% backward compatibility. The 40GB has no PS2 hardware at all hence no BC.

Must purchase dualshock 3 controller for $60 in April for some games

Applies only for gamers. If people are not buying PS3s to play games, this doesn't come into play. Also, there's every indication that DS3 may be a standard item in future PS3s.

Small library of games

It launched later than the 360. That's what happens when you launch later.

Online marketplace is poorly organized, has little content in comparison to other competing brands, and is awful to navigate

The Playstation Store will be revamped soon from what we hear. It might coincide with the release of Home. So it's coming.


fuad

[WriteSimply]

Originally Posted by syncguy

One structural con I can think of is the inability to support all audio formats. If you are willing to put up with this shortcoming, PS3 is a very good value for money. While it is a good gaming machine, it delivers an excellent picture for blu-ray content.

I'm sure if SCE feels that their user base can support it and they can support the royalties, they'd do that. Minor squabbles.

Another potential structural issue is lack of front panel display. Although this is not an issue for me, someone else might consider this as a showstopper.

For AV enthusiasts who like to watch movies in total darkness, the lack of a front pane display is a great feature! The Bluetooth remote helps too. You could always press the SELECT button.

Originally Posted by rox addict

Okay I decided to trade my Sony BDP-S300 in for a Playstation 3 since I am so tired of all the problems with my s-300. Now I just want to make sure that the PS3 will decode True HD if your receiver does as well. Any help is appreciated, thanks

The PS3 can decode TrueHD since launch day.


fuad

[Robert Siegel]

Has anyone heard anything about DTS MA and the PS3? I was reading some threads over at Playstation.com and one insider was saying that Sony has been working with DTS to make this happen as fast as they can, which makes sense since Sony has to please Fox and New Line. He said since there is no internal decoder, it would have to be implemented with software, thus the delay. I would assume it would be converted to PCM as Dolby True is. I just wish it would happen, whenever I watch one of Fox blu-rays, I get bummed because I know there is a lossless track, although the core DTS track is very nice in itself.

[boss]

Write Simply - You seem to be very knowledgeable about this. So, these questions are directed to you. (Although I appreciate everyone else's help too.)


Is it ok to leave the main power switch on a PS3?


I know there's two power buttons:

1.) "Main Power Switch" in the back.

2.) "Power Button" (which isn't really a button) in the front.



I looked in the manual and couldn't find anything about this.


a.) Is it ok to leave the rear "Main Power Switch" on all the time, 24/7....

....... If I leave the "Main Power Switch" on all the time, and just turn it onto Standby by holding down and depressing the front "Power Button"?

[syncguy]

Normally we keep our PS3 on stanby mode. However, time-to-time we switch it off from the main switch in the back. Some people may think that leaving it on stanby mode is waste of electricity. This is true and better to sw off from the main sw. Also, if you are concered about lightning thunderstorms and power spikes, it is better to sw of from the main sw or even better if power is fully disconnected when not used.