Playstation 3 discussion thread

[Chris D]

Yes, I use HDMI, and all my equipment in the HDMI path is 1.3 compliant, FWIW.

[Alloroc]

Rumour has it that Sony are about to launch a new update - 2.40....

No real info other than it's going to finally fully support in game chat for all games.

[Chris D]

'twood be cool.

Here's a funny article I just found... Air Force is buying 300 Playstation 3's... for "use of the cell processor"... yeah, right.

http://www.psu.com/US-Air-Force-seeks-300-PS3s--a0002962-p0.php

[H.T.C]

2.17 update now online at psn...i believe it corrects browser issues.

It's for online games.

[Chris D]

Sweet... I should be home in a few days, and I'll check it out. Sony has said that they are going to make firmware upgrades less often, but they'll be much more robust and packed with features, so we'll have to see what all this includes.

[Alloroc]

BTW, new hdd arrived today to install in PS3 tomorrow.

Went for a 300gb fujitsu - reported to be super quiet, smooth and v. low heat. A buddy put one in his last weekend and works a treat. It's so easy to do by all accounts.

[Alloroc]

Well a big PS3 weekend for me. HDD installed a treat. Backed up my current config onto an external hdd, removed the 60gb, installed the 300gb. It formatted it, and then I restored all back to it using the backup util. All worked a treat and was so easy. If you need more space, it's the way to go.

I also got my copy of Burnout Paradise over the weekend. It's a riot! My kind of car game. It's decent online but my favourite feature is the 'showtime' feature. Daft but really great fun.

[Chris D]

Interesting, Vincent. I've been wondering how you format and re-install the OS when you put in a new HDD to a PS3, since it's not like it comes with an OS disk or anything. How do you do it?

[H.T.C]

The next update for ps3 v2.20,will include bd live functions,downloadable content,phone ringtones,resume play even if disc is pulled out,psp being used as remote to ps3 for music and the browser wii be enhanced and faster,divx and wmv over 2 gig will be playable and mosquito noise reduction added for movies.

For release later this month,news comes from psu.com.

[Chris D]

Sweet...

[H.T.C]

Firmware 2.20 has now been released for download.

[Alloroc]

Interesting, Vincent. I've been wondering how you format and re-install the OS when you put in a new HDD to a PS3, since it's not like it comes with an OS disk or anything. How do you do it?

The OS is stored on an eprom. It's not on the hdd so no reinstall! So, to change the hdd, you can simply whip it out and replace it with a bigger one. A few things to observe.... Choose a disk that's quiet and generates little heat. Also, if you've stuff you want to keep on the existing disk, use the backup and restore feature in the system menu. Use an external hdd for that. In any case, it's a cinch and I've now transfered about 200gb of my lossless CD rips (WAVs) onto it and it sounds decent enough to me.

[Chris D]

Awesome... I'll have to do that sometime.

HTC, the new Firmware's out? Sweet! I'm off to try it...

[georgev]

Help with Software Update

I live in South Africa and bought my PS3 outside of the States.
I see some updates available on the websites, but there is also a warning that these may not work in PS3's not bought in North America.
Is this really the case? Is there a reason that they will not work in other units?
Thanks.

[Alloroc]

I live in South Africa and bought my PS3 outside of the States.
I see some updates available on the websites, but there is also a warning that these may not work in PS3's not bought in North America.
Is this really the case? Is there a reason that they will not work in other units?
Thanks.

I'm in Ireland and I think we're in the same 'region', if you catch my drift. I've never had any issue with updates - that said, I tend to allow the PS3 download them direct....

[georgev]

I went onto another website and downloaded the 2.2 version. Had to do it via a memory stick. And it worked.
Thanks.

[Alloroc]

So GT5 Prologue arrived over the weekend. Haven't had much time to play with it. Only had a few races so can't really tell much. However and as I dived straight into a race on the London circuit all I can say is the graphics are fantastic in 1080p. Really incredible. The attention to detail is sublime - right down to the shops on the street! Anyhow, I'm on a Focus ST and that's a neat enough car although I need to put plenty of time in to acquire something special. It's cheap enough if you shop online - not from the PS Network shop mind you - and although not the complete game, it's much, much more than a demo. I see a few late nights cropping up....

[Chris D]

Oooooh, I gotta check that out, especially with my Momo force feedback wheel.

[Chris D]

Going to be a big week for Playstation 3 owners. New firmware 2.3 is coming out in a few days with neat stuff, including DTS-MA decoding. Probably will see a release of the new Playstation Store the same day, with new downloads like GT5 Prologue on April 17th.

[Pez]

Going to be a big week for Playstation 3 owners. New firmware 2.3 is coming out in a few days with neat stuff, including DTS-MA decoding. Probably will see a release of the new Playstation Store the same day, with new downloads like GT5 Prologue on April 17th.

The DTS-MA has me very exicited. I dont know why anyone looking for a BR player would get a stand alone player over the PS3. I rarely use mine for games and still feel its worth every penny. If prices for a stand alone were under $200 then I could understand but BR isnt there yet.

When I got the PS3 I had no idea the firmware updates could add so much functionallity.

[Chris D]

I gotta tell you--they've really been great about doing some good firmware releases, and stuff that adds some very nice features! You can't say that Sony isn't putting any effort into the PS3!

[H.T.C]

2.30 is now online for download.

[Marzen]

Lucked out last nite and got the 2.3 update on Wed as well as the Metal Gear Online Beta downloads.
PS3 Firmware Page

Blu-ray Disc Statistics
DTS Master Audio - Titles to Test on Your Playstation 3
Here

[Alloroc]

Any thoughts on the new PS Store?

For me, I like that it's much faster and seems to be organised in a more logical fashion. Easier to see your download history too....

[Chris D]

Yeah, seems more intuitive, where circle is now used to go back, not exit the store. I only used it the first night of the new format, so far, where apparently all the icons were slow to load. Should be better now.

[borderdad]

USB out of PS3?

Does anyone know if I can use the PS3 USB connected to my DAC to play music? I figured the PS3 is pretty much a computer but I've searched for awhile and can't find anything on it. :thanku:

[wettou]

Can the new PS3 play SACD (DSD) through HDMi?

[wettou]

I heard Sony is planning to update the design of the PS3 by Fall any ideas!

[Dmantis]

Can the new PS3 play SACD (DSD) through HDMi?

Yes if you own the 80g version. You lose that with the 40g version.

[H.T.C]

I heard Sony is planning to update the design of the PS3 by Fall any ideas!

Could be a new sku like the 160 gig or 200 gig systems especially if its true about the new movie downloads or if its a totally revamping in design what ps3 blog did that come from?

[wettou]

Could be a new sku like the 160 gig or 200 gig systems especially if its true about the new movie downloads or if its a totally revamping in design what ps3 blog did that come from?

I think they are looking to make it much smaller and increase hard drive for movies and game download this holiday season should be interesting!!

[Alloroc]

Don't forget you can easily replace the harddrive with a much larger SATA 2.5" yourself.... I did it and it's a cinch! Just try match one with the same speed and heat generation as the original.

[wettou]

I am not electronically inclined so I would not dare

[Alloroc]

You don't have to be! It's really is ridiculously simple. In fact, I believe made it so, so anyone could do it. You see none of the OS is stored on it - that's on a chip on the system board and that's the key.

If anyone is interested in upgrading (and not replacing their machine), buy a 2.5" SATA drive and follow this video....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BkM9wiZePfs

[Chris D]

Awesome, good video, Vincent!

[Alloroc]

GTA 4. Out now. Buy it, play it... love it!

[H.T.C]

GTA 4. Out now. Buy it, play it... love it!

I am surprised that some of the (adult ) situations haven't made there way onto the mainstream media yet.? :roll:

[Alloroc]

I am surprised that some of the (adult ) situations haven't made there way onto the mainstream media yet.? :roll:

It's been touched on here but no 'outrage!, all games are the work of satan and must be burnt' rants yet.....

[Chris D]

Firmware 2.35 is now out. Supposed to fix some "game playability". Minor update.

[PewterTA]

GTA4 is awesome, I'm having way too much fun with it. Definitely worth playing if you liked any of the others.

Story line is pretty darn good with it, much better than any of the other ones.

[Hdale85]

http://feeds.engadget.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/325214909/

[Chris D]

Yeah, weird! I got the notification yesterday that firmware 2.40 was out, which is a big one with in-game XMB and other stuff. I just got home from work and was going to go download 2.40, but then saw that it's been pulled. That's a first. Guess I'll have to wait, but maybe it's better that I didn't brick my unit. (so to speak)

[Hdale85]

Well it appears its a pretty isolated event. I'm pretty sure in a few days it will be back up.

[Hdale85]

I just got a PS3 that needs a new laser assembly for 100 bucks. It actually comes with everything 40gb PS3 all wires and controller and even the Spider Man 3 Blu-Ray The laser is like 40 bucks shipped so pretty good deal I think. Have any of you tried the new Dual Shock 3 controller? I've heard there are a lot of issues with the Sixaxis controller. The Dual Shock 3 has the same motion sensing and everything of the sixaxis but it also has the rumble and all that and is supposed to work a lot better. I think I'll grab a DS3 controller and save the sixaxis for the second controller.

[Ken49r]

New PS3 member

I have been keeping an eye on this thread and doing a bit of extended research on the PS3 for Blue-ray, SACD, and of course games. Thought how cool to have a 3 in 1 player, and for the $ it seemed like a good bang for the buck system. Well this past January I learned that the 80 gig model that was the only remaining model to play SACD was pulled by Sony. Then a few weeks ago learned that the 80 gig was being brought back for a limited time in a Metal Gear4 bundle pack costing $499.00 This past week I was ready to buy one only to find out all the stores were sold out and on back order online.

So then I started doing some more research on the Oppo players and found that the $169.00 Oppo DV-980H had great reviews and was built from the ground up with a lot of emphasis on audio.
The 42 in 720p/1080i plasma I have fit's in perfect with it's recommended screen size and it offers SACD, DVD-A and HDCD playback. Where as the PS3 only plays SACD.

I decided to go with the $399.00 PS3 40 gig without SACD and the Oppo DV-980H. For about $50.00 more than the PS3 80 gig bundle cost I now have a Universal player/Blue-Ray,Game player. Both players are great and I couldn't be happier. I do hear the fan on the 40 gig PS3 but it doesnt draw attention to itself on Blue-ray playback. The Oppo is quiet and thats more important for music.

One problem I did have with the PS3 initial setup was syncing it with my wireless router. I read alot of threads where people had the same problems but no solid answers. What I finally did was to reset my router and leave it unsecured so the PS3 was able to handshake with the router and upgrade it's firmware. I then set the security settings on the router and PS3 and all is well.

Oh and by the way....the Blue-ray video/audio playback is outstanding. I'm not much into games yet, but I am looking forward to the Madden 09 coming out next month. 49er's! :T