The PS3 Review Thread

[Robert Siegel]

Originally Posted by Cinemaddict

Right. But if I just use it to watch Blu-Ray movies, will it make any difference? I have no intention of ever playing any video games.

That's exactly the way I felt, then a friend brought over the PS3 game of Uncharted: Drake's Fortune, and I just love it. I have spent hours so far, it's like being in an Indiana Jones movie....I now have 6 ps3 games. Never ever thought I would be a gamer until this machine came along and he brought over that game! It is so impressive!

[Cinemaddict]

I'll probably rent a game every few months or something just for fun, but it certaintly would not break my heart if I never played a PS3 game.

Okay then, I officially intend to make the 40GB PS3 my first Blu-Ray player! Probably in a few months. Thanks all!

I'm really surprising myself here. Just a couple weeks ago, I was convinced I wanted a stand-alone BR player, assuming that PS3 wouldn't be as good of a BR player. Now, I've done a 180.

[Robert Siegel]

Originally Posted by Cinemaddict

I'm really surprising myself here. Just a couple weeks ago, I was convinced I wanted a stand-alone BR player, assuming that PS3 wouldn't be as good of a BR player. Now, I've done a 180.

You can't go wrong. The PS3 is an awesome blu-ray player. Fastest loading times especially. You hear of disc problems with other players but I don't recall many with the PS3. One thing I noticed right away. I have had the pleasure of owning (and returning) the Sony 300 player and the Panasonic bd10a player. Compared to those 2, the upscaling on the PS3 is absolutely amazing. I think it comes very close to the gem of them all, the Reon HQV processor for upscaling dvd.

One other thing, get the blueray remote (made by Sony). It's a very well laid-out remote and works from anywhere in the room, you don't need to point at the PS3 for it to work. One other thing I love, the PS3 scan feature goes up to 120x, so if you want you can zip through a movie to a favorite scene (if you don't want to use chapters) very quickly. Finally, they announced there will be a BD2.0 upgrade, it's really the only blu-ray player that continues to accept all updates, and Sony keeps this baby well updated.

Another great feature is the menu of the ps3 which comes up when you turn the machine on. The way it is set up is just the best menu of any piece of electronics I have ever owned.

I've been enjoying the games so much that I ordered a 2nd controller, this one with the rumble feature (dualshock 3) (imported from Japan).

The only negative is the lack of support for DTS HD/MA. I have heard it is coming (hurry!), but in the meantime, it will send the DTS core track which is 1.5mbps, and compared to regular Dolby Digital, is a huge improvement in itself.

Cinemaddict, you can't go wrong. You will really love your new PS3!!!

[Zen Slug]

so i called sony customer service about my problem and the customer service guy i got was terrible. not only did he not know anything about the PS3 that was not the next thing on his checklist screen, but he was also rude to me. after i read him my serial number "CFXXXXXXX" he actually said "that's NOT the serial number... are you sure it doesn't start with a CE?" when i assured him that it was CF he said "no playstation in the world has a serial number that starts with the letters CF." wow, never had somebody be so grumpy towards me about their own ignorance before

anyway, back to the red artifact situation. i was flipping through my digital inputs last night and was surprised to see that the picture looks fine on the menu screen if i select "DVI" as the input on my monitor. it comes up as 1920x1080 (not 1080p) and looks perfect. however, when i put in a blu ray disc i have to switch back to the "HDMI" input setting or else the whole thing looks purple. my monitor is 1080p, but only has one digital input. the one input is an HDMI port but the monitor comes with adapters to attach other sources (e.g. DVI) to the port. if i set the maximum resolution of the PS3 to 1080i then the picture looks fine no matter what input mode my monitor is in... but i want 1080p!


EDIT: turns out this is a known issue with the sceptre naga X37 AND X42 1080p sets that have only 1 digital input. the workaround is to switch sources between DVI and HDMI depending on what mode the PS3 is in, as i discovered last night. if anybody else is having this problem and wants to read more about there's some good info posted HERE

[Cinemaddict]

Okay then, now that I've made my decision to get a 40GB PS3, the next question of course is...where should I get it? It appears to be the same price everywhere, so I guess the thing I'd be looking for the most is a good return policy, just in case.

Oh, and do they all come with Spidey 3?

Originally Posted by mntwister

One other thing, get the blueray remote (made by Sony). It's a very well laid-out remote and works from anywhere in the room, you don't need to point at the PS3 for it to work.

Thanks for the advice! If I'm not comfortable with the controller, I'll look into that for sure.

[rwl04]

Hey guys, I just got my PS3 on Saturday and I absolutely love it, however I do have a couple of questions. Three different times now when I have either been watching a blu ray or playing a video game and i return back to the home screen it will be green. Does anyone know why that is? It was also pink at one time also. My second question is about the on/off switch on the back. Now from the controller you can turn the system off, do I still need to manually turn the switch on the back off. I have been manually turning the switch off and Im wondering if Im having problems because I have been flipping the switch whenever I start using it or am done with it.

Thanks,
Rob

[Robert Siegel]

Originally Posted by rwl04

Hey guys, I just got my PS3 on Saturday and I absolutely love it, however I do have a couple of questions. Three different times now when I have either been watching a blu ray or playing a video game and i return back to the home screen it will be green. Does anyone know why that is? It was also pink at one time also. My second question is about the on/off switch on the back. Now from the controller you can turn the system off, do I still need to manually turn the switch on the back off. I have been manually turning the switch off and Im wondering if Im having problems because I have been flipping the switch whenever I start using it or am done with it.

Thanks,
Rob

Rob: Congrads on your PS3 purchase. Mine is a little under 2 months old and I couldn't be happier. I have not been using the switch on the back, I have been shutting the unit off in the front of the machine, by holding down the power button until it beeps. The light then turns to red. I havn't used the controller or my new blu-ray PS3 remote (which by the way is great) for power.

I would suggest if you are getting colored screens like that, and since your unit is new, to exchange it for another. My first one did the same thing but instead of colors, it turned to a snow effect. I replaced it and this one works beautifully. You might want to call Sony as well but considering it is brand new, I would exchange it.

It's funny. I bought this strictly for movies, and a friend talked me into buying 2 of the most popular PS3 games, Ratchet and Clank and Uncharted: Blake's Fortune. I have never been much of a gamer, but I am having a ball and have turned into a gamer now too. I am stunned how real these seem, Drake's Fortune is like playing through an Indiana Jones movie in high-def with 5.1. Enjoy your PS3 (also remember to hook it to the internet and update the software under "system", it's the first selection "system update" as most of the ones shipped don't have the latest firmware.

[fertacrit]

I am about to leave for Gamestop now!!!! I just got a refurb XBOX 360 back from microsoft after mine died, and getting a PS3. I also will be returning my Samsuck 1200 to Best Buy since it can't play half my movies a firmware update still has not appeared. I am pretty fired up to gat back and set it all up. I will have to eventually get an HDMI rec, prob the Onkyo 605, but for now it is all about the visuals for me.

HI-OH SILVER....AWAY!!

[Crono]

Originally Posted by rwl04

Hey guys, I just got my PS3 on Saturday and I absolutely love it, however I do have a couple of questions. Three different times now when I have either been watching a blu ray or playing a video game and i return back to the home screen it will be green. Does anyone know why that is? It was also pink at one time also. My second question is about the on/off switch on the back. Now from the controller you can turn the system off, do I still need to manually turn the switch on the back off. I have been manually turning the switch off and Im wondering if Im having problems because I have been flipping the switch whenever I start using it or am done with it.

Thanks,
Rob

First off, no need for worry about the different colored home screens! Don't return your system! The PS3 simply changes colors according to different times of the day.

There's nothing wrong with flipping the back switch, but make sure you turn it off with the front 'touch' button first. Basically, you should touch the I/O button so it starts flashing green, then turns red; and then you can flip the power switch at the back. There shouldn't be any problems if you do it in that order.

[Robert Siegel]

Originally Posted by Crono

First off, no need for worry about the different colored home screens! Don't return your system! The PS3 simply changes colors according to different times of the day.

There's nothing wrong with flipping the back switch, but make sure you turn it off with the front 'touch' button first. Basically, you should touch the I/O button so it starts flashing green, then turns red; and then you can flip the power switch at the back. There shouldn't be any problems if you do it in that order.

oops sorry I had earlier posted to return the player because of the changing colors, I did not read careful enough...you meant the menu screen, thought you meant when the disc starts. sorry.

[Big Daddy]

Even a red PS3 plays Blu.

http://www.psxextreme.com/scripts/nl/nl.asp

[Blu-Beard]

I want a Blu one

[RoboCop2001]

My PS3 died last week! I have been the proud owned of a 60GB PS3 since August of '07. I have been using my PS3 as a BD player since November '07. It stayed in the box til then. I bought this PS3, an Xbox360 and a Toshiba HD DVD player all at the same time and have been using all since November '07. Wouldn't you know it. The last one that I thought I would ever have any problems with DIED! Thank god I opted for both formats. Sony tells me there is a 10 to 15 work day turnaround for repairs and/or replacements, and that's once they get it. The thing won't ship til tomorrow. At least I can still enjoy Hi-Def on the HD DVD player til my PS3 and I are reunited. Someone say a Blu-ray prayer for me.

[Beta Man]

o.k. I've been reading all I can, but I have a couple quick questions, as I am planning on getting a PS3 for its Blu-Ray playing capabilities.

1) I have about 1000-1100 standard DVDs, does the PS3 upconvert my standard DVDs??? This is a big selling point for me.

2) I have a lot tied up in regards to home-theater, and sound quality is of utmost importance to me, does the PS3 compare with the other stand-alones in that regard?

3) for movie-only (I may play a game once a month I guess) use, should I stay away from the PS3? I was told they have one of the fastest load rates etc. due to their processors, and also the PS3 is upgradeable for the newer formats, and other players (Sony s300 I think) doesn't support upgrades.

Alright, I think that's the majority of my questions.... I have the connection issues taken care of with my audio/video equipment.

thanks,

[Scorxpion]

Originally Posted by Beta Man

o.k. I've been reading all I can, but I have a couple quick questions, as I am planning on getting a PS3 for its Blu-Ray playing capabilities.

1) I have about 1000-1100 standard DVDs, does the PS3 upconvert my standard DVDs??? This is a big selling point for me.

2) I have a lot tied up in regards to home-theater, and sound quality is of utmost importance to me, does the PS3 compare with the other stand-alones in that regard?

3) for movie-only (I may play a game once a month I guess) use, should I stay away from the PS3? I was told they have one of the fastest load rates etc. due to their processors, and also the PS3 is upgradeable for the newer formats, and other players (Sony s300 I think) doesn't support upgrades.

Alright, I think that's the majority of my questions.... I have the connection issues taken care of with my audio/video equipment.

thanks,

1 and second questions:

YES IT DOES upconvert your DVD collection and the result is very good.

SOUND QUALITY is outstanding as if you have a standalone player except for one thing which is DTSHD master audio (promise around to get updated through firmware update to decode it and output as LPCM).

Your 3rd question is not understood can you elaborate more please...

[Beta Man]

3rd question.....

Sorry... didn't finish asking it!!!!

I've heard that PS3's have a history of running hot/loud. is this true? Do stand-alone players not have this problem?

thanks.

[Scorxpion]

Originally Posted by Beta Man

3rd question.....

Sorry... didn't finish asking it!!!!

I've heard that PS3's have a history of running hot/loud. is this true? Do stand-alone players not have this problem?

thanks.

This is false

Every electronic equipment can be hot and loud all it depends on the specs..
even standalone have low temperature ,but the PS3 depends on its cell processor which demands a higher fan speed to keep it cool for processing power.Even this i cant hear it or feel it too hot or loud as i'm sitting away,when i come to my PS3 near it and i have to bring my ear beside it in order to hear the Fan.Its not a problem with me and it never bothered me.

[Beta Man]

excellent, thank you for the help. I plan on picking up the unit, with the 5 free dvds, as I have searched high and low, and it seems that there are rarely deals on these. Any rumor to what will happen after Jan. 31st when the 5 free by mail offer expires?

thanks,

[Brian Cash]

I just bought a ps3 about a month ago and its been one of the best purchases ive made it never over heats, its never loud and the picture and sound is amazing xbox better step it up cause ps3 is the next gen

[hayzink]

my ps3 runs quite hot however its not noisey and i have never had any playback issues.

not the best games console, as it stands!!(xbox 360 is)

but its a dam good blu ray player and if your looking for a blu ray player why not get one of the best on the market with a free games console inside thats what i did