The PS3 Review Thread

[phlydude]

If by "eye" you mean the laser, no, watching Blu-ray movies will not make it go bad any more so than playing PS3 games (they are all Blu-ray discs too)

Check with Comcast on the box...they have 2 versions in my area, one with HDMI and one without. If they bring you one without, they will give you the component cabling (at least they should) with the RCA sound cables attached (decent quality cable too). If you specfiy for one with HDMI, you should get it (and you have to love 1 cable hook-ups).

For your HDMI cables, you can't beat this : http://www.monoprice.com/products/pr...seq=1&format=2
Don't ask why...just do it. You will be pleased and the price can't be beat (you don't need "Monster" cabling for digital - 0's and 1's don't care how they are getting to your tv).

As far as silent, no, it won't be completely silent but it is a lot quieter than a 360.

Putting it in a horizontal postition is fine (and actually more stable) and some have claimed it runs a little cooler this way BUT putting it in an enclosed space is iffy, even with an open front because it exhausts from the side. You will need to give it some head room for that heat to rise.

[boss]

Originally Posted by phlydude

If by "eye" you mean the laser, no, watching Blu-ray movies will not make it go bad any more so than playing PS3 games (they are all Blu-ray discs too)

Check with Comcast on the box...they have 2 versions in my area, one with HDMI and one without. If they bring you one without, they will give you the component cabling (at least they should) with the RCA sound cables attached (decent quality cable too). If you specfiy for one with HDMI, you should get it (and you have to love 1 cable hook-ups).

For your HDMI cables, you can't beat this : http://www.monoprice.com/products/pr...seq=1&format=2
Don't ask why...just do it. You will be pleased and the price can't be beat (you don't need "Monster" cabling for digital - 0's and 1's don't care how they are getting to your tv).

As far as silent, no, it won't be completely silent but it is a lot quieter than a 360.

Putting it in a horizontal postition is fine (and actually more stable) and some have claimed it runs a little cooler this way BUT putting it in an enclosed space is iffy, even with an open front because it exhausts from the side. You will need to give it some head room for that heat to rise.

I appreciate both your guy's help.

Your answers brought up some questions:


1.) We will be sitting about 7 feet away from the PS3, is that sufficient to not hear anything?



2.) I've heard that PS3's make some noises when their loading and doing other things during movie playback, is that true? Will it be unnoticable from 7 feet away?



3.) The opening for the PS3 in the open front stand is about 7 inches of open space above the PS3 and 5 inches on each side, plus 7 inches in the back, is that enough to allow proper airflow?



4.) How do you know if your PS3 is NOT getting proper airflow?



5.) This last one is a killer, it's hard for me to believe that $3 cables are just as good as $100 Monster cables (and I know there's about 50% mark up as soon as it hits the shelves), but $3 buck's doesn't buy much in todays world. Are all of you saying you use $3 cables and their just as good as Monster?




6.) I need to get 2 sets of HDMI cables? (One from cablebox to tv and one from PS3 to cable box)



7.) Can I buy cables from Ultimate Electronics or whatever, order the $3 ones online, and when the new ones come in the mail, take the Ultimate Electronic ones back to the store and get a refund?

[boss]

Originally Posted by phlydude

If by "eye" you mean the laser, no, watching Blu-ray movies will not make it go bad any more so than playing PS3 games (they are all Blu-ray discs too)

Check with Comcast on the box...they have 2 versions in my area, one with HDMI and one without. If they bring you one without, they will give you the component cabling (at least they should) with the RCA sound cables attached (decent quality cable too). If you specfiy for one with HDMI, you should get it (and you have to love 1 cable hook-ups).

For your HDMI cables, you can't beat this : http://www.monoprice.com/products/pr...seq=1&format=2
Don't ask why...just do it. You will be pleased and the price can't be beat (you don't need "Monster" cabling for digital - 0's and 1's don't care how they are getting to your tv).

As far as silent, no, it won't be completely silent but it is a lot quieter than a 360.

Putting it in a horizontal postition is fine (and actually more stable) and some have claimed it runs a little cooler this way BUT putting it in an enclosed space is iffy, even with an open front because it exhausts from the side. You will need to give it some head room for that heat to rise.

I appreciate both your guy's help.

Your answers brought up some questions:


1.) We will be sitting about 7 feet away from the PS3, is that sufficient to not hear anything?



2.) I've heard that PS3's make some noises when their loading and doing other things during movie playback, is that true? Will it be unnoticable from 7 feet away?



3.) The opening for the PS3 in the open front stand is about 7 inches of open space above the PS3 and 5 inches on each side, plus 7 inches in the back, is that enough to allow proper airflow?



4.) How do you know if your PS3 is NOT getting proper airflow?



5.) This last one is a killer, it's hard for me to believe that $3 cables are just as good as $100 Monster cables (and I know there's about 50% mark up as soon as it hits the shelves), but $3 buck's doesn't buy much in todays world. Are all of you saying you use $3 cables and their just as good as Monster?




6.) I need to get 2 sets of HDMI cables? (One from cablebox to tv and one from PS3 to cable box)



7.) Can I buy cables from Ultimate Electronics or whatever, order the $3 ones online, and when the new ones come in the mail, take the Ultimate Electronic ones back to the store and get a refund?


Thanks for you help.

[boss]

Originally Posted by phlydude

If by "eye" you mean the laser, no, watching Blu-ray movies will not make it go bad any more so than playing PS3 games (they are all Blu-ray discs too)

Check with Comcast on the box...they have 2 versions in my area, one with HDMI and one without. If they bring you one without, they will give you the component cabling (at least they should) with the RCA sound cables attached (decent quality cable too). If you specfiy for one with HDMI, you should get it (and you have to love 1 cable hook-ups).

For your HDMI cables, you can't beat this : http://www.monoprice.com/products/pr...seq=1&format=2
Don't ask why...just do it. You will be pleased and the price can't be beat (you don't need "Monster" cabling for digital - 0's and 1's don't care how they are getting to your tv).

As far as silent, no, it won't be completely silent but it is a lot quieter than a 360.

Putting it in a horizontal postition is fine (and actually more stable) and some have claimed it runs a little cooler this way BUT putting it in an enclosed space is iffy, even with an open front because it exhausts from the side. You will need to give it some head room for that heat to rise.

I appreciate both your guy's help.

Your answers brought up some questions:


1.) We will be sitting about 7 feet away from the PS3, is that sufficient to not hear anything?



2.) I've heard that PS3's make some noises when their loading and doing other things during movie playback, is that true? Will it be unnoticable from 7 feet away?



3.) The opening for the PS3 in the open front stand is about 7 inches of open space above the PS3 and 5 inches on each side, plus 7 inches in the back, is that enough to allow proper airflow?



4.) How do you know if your PS3 is NOT getting proper airflow?



5.) This last one is a killer, it's hard for me to believe that $3 cables are just as good as $100 Monster cables (and I know there's about 50% mark up as soon as it hits the shelves), but $3 buck's doesn't buy much in todays world. Are all of you saying you use $3 cables and their just as good as Monster?




6.) I need to get 2 sets of HDMI cables? (One from cablebox to tv and one from PS3 to cable box)



7.) Can I buy cables from Ultimate Electronics or whatever, order the $3 ones online, and when the new ones come in the mail, take the Ultimate Electronic ones back to the store and get a refund?


Thanks for you help.

[boss]

Originally Posted by phlydude

If by "eye" you mean the laser, no, watching Blu-ray movies will not make it go bad any more so than playing PS3 games (they are all Blu-ray discs too)

Check with Comcast on the box...they have 2 versions in my area, one with HDMI and one without. If they bring you one without, they will give you the component cabling (at least they should) with the RCA sound cables attached (decent quality cable too). If you specfiy for one with HDMI, you should get it (and you have to love 1 cable hook-ups).

For your HDMI cables, you can't beat this : http://www.monoprice.com/products/pr...seq=1&format=2
Don't ask why...just do it. You will be pleased and the price can't be beat (you don't need "Monster" cabling for digital - 0's and 1's don't care how they are getting to your tv).

As far as silent, no, it won't be completely silent but it is a lot quieter than a 360.

Putting it in a horizontal postition is fine (and actually more stable) and some have claimed it runs a little cooler this way BUT putting it in an enclosed space is iffy, even with an open front because it exhausts from the side. You will need to give it some head room for that heat to rise.

I appreciate both your guy's help.

Your answers brought up some questions:


1.) We will be sitting about 7 feet away from the PS3, is that sufficient to not hear anything?



2.) I've heard that PS3's make some noises when their loading and doing other things during movie playback, is that true? Will it be unnoticable from 7 feet away?



3.) The opening for the PS3 in the open front stand is about 7 inches of open space above the PS3 and 5 inches on each side, plus 7 inches in the back, is that enough to allow proper airflow?



4.) How do you know if your PS3 is NOT getting proper airflow?



5.) This last one is a killer, it's hard for me to believe that $3 cables are just as good as $100 Monster cables (and I know there's about 50% mark up as soon as it hits the shelves), but $3 buck's doesn't buy much in todays world. Are all of you saying you use $3 cables and their just as good as Monster?




6.) I need to get 2 sets of HDMI cables? (One from cablebox to tv and one from PS3 to cable box)



7.) Can I buy cables from Ultimate Electronics or whatever, order the $3 ones online, and when the new ones come in the mail, take the Ultimate Electronic ones back to the store and get a refund?


Thanks for you help.

[boss]

Originally Posted by phlydude

If by "eye" you mean the laser, no, watching Blu-ray movies will not make it go bad any more so than playing PS3 games (they are all Blu-ray discs too)

Check with Comcast on the box...they have 2 versions in my area, one with HDMI and one without. If they bring you one without, they will give you the component cabling (at least they should) with the RCA sound cables attached (decent quality cable too). If you specfiy for one with HDMI, you should get it (and you have to love 1 cable hook-ups).

For your HDMI cables, you can't beat this : http://www.monoprice.com/products/pr...seq=1&format=2
Don't ask why...just do it. You will be pleased and the price can't be beat (you don't need "Monster" cabling for digital - 0's and 1's don't care how they are getting to your tv).

As far as silent, no, it won't be completely silent but it is a lot quieter than a 360.

Putting it in a horizontal postition is fine (and actually more stable) and some have claimed it runs a little cooler this way BUT putting it in an enclosed space is iffy, even with an open front because it exhausts from the side. You will need to give it some head room for that heat to rise.

I appreciate both your guy's help.

Your answers brought up some questions:


1.) We will be sitting about 7 feet away from the PS3, is that sufficient to not hear anything?



2.) I've heard that PS3's make some noises when their loading and doing other things during movie playback, is that true? Will it be unnoticable from 7 feet away?



3.) The opening for the PS3 in the open front stand is about 7 inches of open space above the PS3 and 5 inches on each side, plus 7 inches in the back, is that enough to allow proper airflow?



4.) How do you know if your PS3 is NOT getting proper airflow?



5.) This last one is a killer, it's hard for me to believe that $3 cables are just as good as $100 Monster cables (and I know there's about 50% mark up as soon as it hits the shelves), but $3 buck's doesn't buy much in todays world. Are all of you saying you use $3 cables and their just as good as Monster?




6.) I need to get 2 sets of HDMI cables? (One from cablebox to tv and one from PS3 to cable box)



7.) Can I buy cables from Ultimate Electronics or whatever, order the $3 ones online, and when the new ones come in the mail, take the Ultimate Electronic ones back to the store and get a refund?


Thanks for you help.

[boss]

Originally Posted by phlydude

If by "eye" you mean the laser, no, watching Blu-ray movies will not make it go bad any more so than playing PS3 games (they are all Blu-ray discs too)

Check with Comcast on the box...they have 2 versions in my area, one with HDMI and one without. If they bring you one without, they will give you the component cabling (at least they should) with the RCA sound cables attached (decent quality cable too). If you specfiy for one with HDMI, you should get it (and you have to love 1 cable hook-ups).

For your HDMI cables, you can't beat this : http://www.monoprice.com/products/pr...seq=1&format=2
Don't ask why...just do it. You will be pleased and the price can't be beat (you don't need "Monster" cabling for digital - 0's and 1's don't care how they are getting to your tv).

As far as silent, no, it won't be completely silent but it is a lot quieter than a 360.

Putting it in a horizontal postition is fine (and actually more stable) and some have claimed it runs a little cooler this way BUT putting it in an enclosed space is iffy, even with an open front because it exhausts from the side. You will need to give it some head room for that heat to rise.

Thanks for your help. However, it leads me to more questions:


1.) I will be about 7 feet away from the PS3, is that far enough to make it quiet?



2.) The PS3 will have about 7 inches in height, 7 inches to the rear, and 5 inches on each side of room from the open front stand, is that enough for proper airflow?



3.) How do you know if your PS3 is getting proper airflow?



4.) I am planning on getting HDMI cables, but their expensive, some people have said get them from www.monoprice.com, however, how can $3 cables be of any quality, and that's not even comparing them to more expensive high end cables. (Yes, I know they add about 50% the moment they hit the shelves.)



5.) People have said the the cheaper cables have the problem of falling apart, is that true? Can I really expect great quality from $3 cables? So skeptical, lol.



6.) If I run the 3 cable (red, white, yellow), instead of HDMI from the PS3 will it look worse?


Thanks.

[PeterTHX]

Don't ask why...just do it. You will be pleased and the price can't be beat (you don't need "Monster" cabling for digital - 0's and 1's don't care how they are getting to your tv).

Yes, but bandwidth & shielding are important. I've also seen cheap HDMI cables do nasty things like *fall apart* after a while.

HDMIs shouldn't require ferrites either.

Try Blue Jeans cables.

[boss]

Thanks for your help. Your answers raised more questions, so:


1.) My open front tv stand will leave the PS3 with about 7 inches above it open, 5 inches on each side, 7 inches behind it of area for airflow.



2.) How do you know if there is sufficient airflow?



3.) Cables: I've heard from others that you can get cheap cables. I just have a hard time believing that $3 cables are good (not even saying comparable to better cables). What do you get for $3?

Is it really ok to use cables this cheap?



4.) Is there any type of "Set-up" or upgrade I need to do once I have the PS3 hooked up?



5.) If I buy a new one, it will be a PS3 40GB. So relatively new, do I still need to download the new firmware? Or should it be ok.


It will be a PS3 40GB. Thanks.

[D]

What happened to the PS3 firmware version listing in the Sony column on the firmware page?

[Devildog151]

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?

You might need an extra long usb cable to charge your controller while playing games. I picked up a 15ft from monoprice.com for about seven bucks.

[WriteSimply]

Originally Posted by boss

2.) How do you know if there is sufficient airflow?

Your PS3 will make a lot of noise from the fan overcranking if there's enough airflow. And if that is not enough, it'll auto shutdown.

3.) Cables: I've heard from others that you can get cheap cables. I just have a hard time believing that $3 cables are good (not even saying comparable to better cables). What do you get for $3?

Is it really ok to use cables this cheap?

For a typical home theater setup, sure. If you have a high end setup and the equipment requires long cables to connect to each other, you can pay more for the cables.

4.) Is there any type of "Set-up" or upgrade I need to do once I have the PS3 hooked up?

You need to setup your PS3 for the equipment it'll be used with. And you do need to do a firmware upgrade right out of the box.

5.) If I buy a new one, it will be a PS3 40GB. So relatively new, do I still need to download the new firmware? Or should it be ok.

You need to install the new firmware regardless which PS3 you're going to get.


fuad

[boss]

Originally Posted by WriteSimply

Your PS3 will make a lot of noise from the fan overcranking if there's enough airflow. And if that is not enough, it'll auto shutdown.

For a typical home theater setup, sure. If you have a high end setup and the equipment requires long cables to connect to each other, you can pay more for the cables.

You need to setup your PS3 for the equipment it'll be used with. And you do need to do a firmware upgrade right out of the box.

You need to install the new firmware regardless which PS3 you're going to get.


fuad

Thanks for your help. I just purchased a PS3, and when I turned it on, it said it needed to do some "stuff". I think that was the update of firmware. Is this correct?


How long do you charge your wireless remote for? Someone said about 2 hrs. They said you shouldn't charge it too long, b/c u can hurt it. Is this correct?

[BrentAspinwall]

I recently purchased a 42inch Sharp Aquos 1080P. I have a Xbox 360 and prefer it for gaming over PS3, mostly because of the better game selection. I really need a BD player to take full advantage of my TVs capabilities. I've been researching Blu-Ray players and it seems the PS3 is the best available, in the $400 or less range. I couldn't find a stand-alone BD that matched up. Is this true? Is PS3 the best?

[landry_p2000]

Originally Posted by boss

Thanks for your help. I just purchased a PS3, and when I turned it on, it said it needed to do some "stuff". I think that was the update of firmware. Is this correct?


How long do you charge your wireless remote for? Someone said about 2 hrs. They said you shouldn't charge it too long, b/c u can hurt it. Is this correct?

You should remove it when the red led on the front of the controller goes off. That means that you have a full charge. Yes it does take about 2 to 2 1/2 hours to do so.

[landry_p2000]

Originally Posted by BrentAspinwall

I recently purchased a 42inch Sharp Aquos 1080P. I have a Xbox 360 and prefer it for gaming over PS3, mostly because of the better game selection. I really need a BD player to take full advantage of my TVs capabilities. I've been researching Blu-Ray players and it seems the PS3 is the best available, in the $400 or less range. I couldn't find a stand-alone BD that matched up. Is this true? Is PS3 the best?

You get an excellent BD player for $400, and the option to game in hi-def as well. It was a no brainer for me. The PS3 is a top notch Blu-ray, dvd, and game player. Why pay $400 for a player that does so much less? Just my 2 pennies.

[boss]

Originally Posted by BrentAspinwall

I recently purchased a 42inch Sharp Aquos 1080P. I have a Xbox 360 and prefer it for gaming over PS3, mostly because of the better game selection. I really need a BD player to take full advantage of my TVs capabilities. I've been researching Blu-Ray players and it seems the PS3 is the best available, in the $400 or less range. I couldn't find a stand-alone BD that matched up. Is this true? Is PS3 the best?

I just bought my PS3 from Best Buy, if you just bought your tv from Best Buy, they have a deal going on right now, where if you buy a HD TV and a PS3 at the same time, you get $100 off the PS3, which brings the price of the PS3 down to $300. Can't beat that. If you did in fact buy yours from Best Buy, I'd go back with my receipt, show them your recently purchased it and ask for that deal.

The guy's on the forum were right, the PS3 works great and loads much, much faster then a regular DVD player (I have no experience with regular Blu Ray players, but my Toshiba DVD player took forever too load.)

I'm not sure about getting the 15 ft extension for the controller. I usually have my laptop in my living room and just charge my remote from the laptop's USB port. Because it's way too short to reach the couch from the tv. I just charge it and then unplug it. (I didn't know it was wireless when I bought the system.) That's a pretty cool feature. Really like that. No more cables.

I did buy the remote, because when I had my Xbox, it pissed me off that I always had to use the controller. So the remote at $24 wasn't so bad.



Now, since most of you guy's seem to have HD TV's, I have a few more question....for now. I really appreciate all of your help.

1.) With your tv did you have the Best Buy or whoever else guy come out and "Calibrate" your tv for about $200?


2.) Is it worth it?


3.) What type of calibrating can you do yourself with your TV to make it better (without spending any money)?

[zxvfrr41]

Originally Posted by boss

Now, since most of you guy's seem to have HD TV's, I have a few more question....for now. I really appreciate all of your help.

1.) With your tv did you have the Best Buy or whoever else guy come out and "Calibrate" your tv for about $200?


2.) Is it worth it?


3.) What type of calibrating can you do yourself with your TV to make it better (without spending any money)?

I had my TV professionally calibrated by Jeff Meier who is well known in the AVS Forum. It was quite expensive ($500) but the guy utilizes $20,000 worth of equipment when he's calibrating your TV and spent 3 hours doing so. He'll print out graphs to show how your TV is currently calibrated and then the same graphs after the calibration to show the improvement. I spoke to him about Best Buy offering calibration and he said that they were not really competition for him because they don't do the same type of work. He said for what they do, you would have just as good success with a calibration DVD.

Calibration makes a ton of difference. I was skeptical at first because I thought the picture already looked good but decided to get the TV calibrated to get the most out of the picture. The picture (Sony KDS-R70SXRD) went from what I thought looked good to pretty amazing.

Here is Jeff's website if anyone is interested.

http://www.accucal.org/

[boss]

Originally Posted by zxvfrr41

I had my TV professionally calibrated by Jeff Meier who is well known in the AVS Forum. It was quite expensive ($500) but the guy utilizes $20,000 worth of equipment when he's calibrating your TV and spent 3 hours doing so. He'll print out graphs to show how your TV is currently calibrated and then the same graphs after the calibration to show the improvement. I spoke to him about Best Buy offering calibration and he said that they were not really competition for him because they don't do the same type of work. He said for what they do, you would have just as good success with a calibration DVD.

Calibration makes a ton of difference. I was skeptical at first because I thought the picture already looked good but decided to get the TV calibrated to get the most out of the picture. The picture (Sony KDS-R70SXRD) went from what I thought looked good to pretty amazing.

Here is Jeff's website if anyone is interested.

http://www.accucal.org/

Thanks. Too bad, $200 bucks is a lot right now. But I can understand how if you can afford it, it's worth it.

[Zen Slug]

Originally Posted by boss

3.) What type of calibrating can you do yourself with your TV to make it better (without spending any money)?

there's a bunch of threads at highdefforum and avsforum about monitor calibration, including a trick to get into the hidden calibration screens available on most blu-ray discs (e.g. the spiderman disc that comes with the 40GB PS3).

LINKY


i'm thinking about buying a real calibration disc soon, though... one that walks you through the steps of what to adjust when each calibration screen is up. this one looks promising.

LINKY