Playstation 3 discussion thread

[Brandon B]

Got the PS3 all connected to the home LAN today and up to date on firmware.

Haven't tried it with the PJ and 10' screen, but ran Matrix Reloaded for a bit (I am using component out into a JVC 56" HDILA 720p set), and I have to say, it was not a world of difference from the oppo 971 we normally use.

Downloaded the Ultraviolet preview too. Looks cool. A question for the PS3 gallery here. After downloading it, it played on my JVC full (wide) screen. But when I went to replay it later, it came up as 16:9 in letter boxed into a 4:3 subset of the screen. Any idea why? In between I had watched part of Innocence on Blu-Ray (recommended BTW, although not cheap right now).

Also got the BD remote. Wife not keen on using game controllers as her playback control. Works well.

And of course downloaded the Motorstorm demo. The kid liked that. He spent about ten minutes overusing boost until his truck exploded and laughing.

Lex, Amazon is your friend, in stock there, although not discounted.

Also fired up some of the PS2 games now that I have the jaggy-fix firmware updates. Much better, on par or better than PS2 quality now.

BB

[Chris D]

B, I haven't noticed anything special about the PS3 playing SD-DVD's, either. (which your copy of Matrix Reloaded is, I assume)

There's been a couple of the firmware updates that adjusts the audio and video settings, so I wouldn't be surprised if that happened between the first time you watched the Ultraviolet trailer and the 2nd. Just to be safe, I would go back and check your settings again. The trailer still looks fine for me.

I too picked up the BD remote, although honestly, I haven't really used it too much. I consolidated all my remotes into one master universal remote, my MX-700. Since the PS3 remote is bluetooth, I can't use my MX-700, but don't like having both remotes out, so the PS3 gets put away, and then I forget to bring it out when I need to use it, so I've just been using the PS3 controllers again.

[dyazdani]

Do any of you have a keyboard hooked up to your PS3?

[Pez]

I too picked up the BD remote, although honestly, I haven't really used it too much. I consolidated all my remotes into one master universal remote, my MX-700. Since the PS3 remote is bluetooth, I can't use my MX-700, but don't like having both remotes out, so the PS3 gets put away, and then I forget to bring it out when I need to use it, so I've just been using the PS3 controllers again.

I was going to get the PS3 remote and "teach" my MX-500 to consolidate - didnt even occur to me that since its bluetooth this isnt possible. You just saved me $25 - I owe you a beer.

[Brandon B]

B, I haven't noticed anything special about the PS3 playing SD-DVD's, either. (which your copy of Matrix Reloaded is, I assume)

There's been a couple of the firmware updates that adjusts the audio and video settings, so I wouldn't be surprised if that happened between the first time you watched the Ultraviolet trailer and the 2nd.

Not that, did all the updates before I even got on line with the thing (since it INSISTED I do so!).

As I type, the kid is in the other room again doing "boost 'til it blows!" :rofl: :rofl:

It's a little glitchy, had to reboot to get it to run Motorstorm demo tonight. And I keep seeing a momentary scren of video static on black when it goes to play something.

BB

[Chris D]

I tell you what--I can't WAIT until Sony fixed the Blu-Ray "freezing" thing. I watched Superman Returns last night, and it must have frozen up 4-5 times in the movie. My PS3 never froze up until about the 1.42 update or so, like many others. During a movie, it'll just randomly freeze for about 5-6 seconds, and then if I don't do anything, start playing again all by itself. Doesn't seem to have anything to do with the movie itself, because if I rewind it to the same point, it'll play fine the next time through.

I was going to get the PS3 remote and "teach" my MX-500 to consolidate - didnt even occur to me that since its bluetooth this isnt possible. You just saved me $25 - I owe you a beer.

Cool... I'll make sure to collect the next time I'm in Danbury!

Supposedly, there's a workaround where you can get the PS2 IR receiver, hook it up to the PS3, and then program it so it can receive the PS2 remote functions. I haven't tried it myself, yet. I'm going to give Sony a chance to keep developing stuff and features for the PS3, and see if they add IR control functionality. (among other things)

[Chris D]

Dan, as for keyboards, I don't use one yet, (although you certainly can) but tomorrow's update supposedly adds increased capability for keyboards, among other stuff.

[dyazdani]

Nice, I just hate typing anything with the controller - even things as simple as prfile names in games. Nevermind the WEP key and all the settings for my wireless network :banghead:

[Brandon B]

Found out why it's shrinking my preview. When you are in playback of a movie preview there is a little palette of options/controls you can pop up. One is a "screen mode" that toggle among a few choices, one of which I was seeing. Evidently the second time I played it, and was trying to stop it, I must of toggled that and then quit out of the preview without realizing I'd done so.

BB

[Chris D]

Well, today's the big day. If you haven't done so already, go download the new PS3 update. This is one of the bigger updates so far. For one, now you can do downloads in the background while you play a game or do other stuff, instead of tying up your PS3 just while you're downloading something.

When you're done with the download, some new stuff is on the Playstation store, like a new Shrek the Third movie trailer.

[dyazdani]

I got it last night, but didn't play around with anything after it was finished. Does the background downloading slow the gameplay down at all?

[Alloroc]

Well maybe us Euros will get a chance to participate properly here now as to today is the days it's launched over here. :roll: I wonder why on earth they do that....

It'll be interesting to measure the take up on it.

I'm really in two minds as wether to get one or not.

V.

[Chris D]

Well, no, the background downloading didn't at all slow down my operations in the Playstation store, watching a movie, or playing a game last night. I also downloaded the latest update to Resistance: Fall of Man. The only thing I noticed is that it seemed like the downloading took longer, even when I left my PS3 completely idle and watched TV for a while.

I started the Folding@Home program going last night too. Thought it was pretty neat to see all the people around the world on the rotating map who were using it too. I haven't completely figured out how it works, but it looks like in order for you to actually help the project, you have to start up the program and then just let your PS3 sit. I was hoping it would be the kind of thing where you could opt to just leave your PS3 on when you're not using it, and the Folding@Home project would automatically kick in while it's idle instead of having to boot up the program.

I haven't checked my PS3 since last night. Since it said that it was going to take something like 7.5 hours to process one unit for Folding@Home, it should have done about 3 units by now.

Perhaps we should start an HTGuide group for Folding@Home and see how much work we can get done? Personally, this sounds like a worthy cause.

[dyazdani]

I noticed that the download took longer too, it seemed to pick up though when I wasn't doing anything else.

Picked up God of War yesterday, great game so far...

[Pez]

What is the Folding@Home program? I havent heard much about it.

[dyazdani]

What is the Folding@Home program? I havent heard much about it.

It lets other people use the processing power of the PS3 for a good cause. Stanford University is using the project to study diseases.

The Stanford Folding at Home site

[Brandon B]

Specifically, the folding part refers to doing the calculations to determine how protein molecules fold upon themselves when other molecules bind to specific receptor sites on the protein. Big parallel computation intensive stuff, perfect for the Cell processor.

Saw a post on Ars to the effect that 7500 PS3's were outdoing about 150,ooo PCs (of various CPU strength) in output.

BB

[Brandon B]

Oh, and finally watched blu-ray with the PS3 hooked to my projector.

:B :B :B

BB

[Chris D]

... and?

[Brandon B]

Well, my projector is a 5 year old Sanyo LCD (1366x768), and I had been feeding it 1:1 from a Bravo D1, so between its internal scaler doing a less than optimal job with the 1080i component (PLV70 doesn't play the HDCP song on its DVI) feed, and its dated performance, the resolution difference was noticable, but not jaw dropping. Now the complete lack of artifacting and nice smooth motion and pans was nice!

And Casino Royale is a good movie. Kid was bummed I only let him watch the foot chase at the beginning though.

Once I get a new JVC projector, there will be a more noticable impact I would guess.

BB

[Chris D]

I saw today that Guitar Hero is being released for the X360 this week. While I'm not caught up in "Playstation games can't be transferred to other consoles, they need to stay unique", I'm very disappointed.

From what I've heard and seen myself, Guitar Hero is a very fun game. But even though it was specifically developed for the PS2, you can't play it on the PS3, because it doesn't have the important "PS" button on the controller that the PS3 uses for multiple things. They may figure this out in the future, but this is a game I want to play on the PS3! And now it's available on the X360 before Sony's own PS3? Grrrr...

[dyazdani]

Yeah, I'm with you - I thought (at first) that it would work, but then I read about the issue with the controller :M. I wonder if you could mod it somehow, it can't be that big a deal...

[Chris D]

News story here abou the first Blu-Ray demo disc for the PS3.

http://www.psu.com/node/9511

Too bad it's with a UK magazine. Maybe there will be a way for us Yanks to get our hands on it too.

[Chris D]

Spiderman 3 trailer is now posted in the Playstation Store.

If you don't have your PC hooked up to a TV, this could be the first Spiderman trailer to download and watch on your big screen, if you have a PS3.

It's in high-def, but I wasn't too impressed with the PQ. The SQ at the start of it is a little scratchy, too, with some distortion. Looks to be a similar trailer to what we've watched before.

Lots of other new stuff in the Playstation store too--I'm pretty happy that they keep putting new stuff in there--new movies, trailers, games, etc. The only category that hasn't been growing is the "Blu-Ray Disc trailers".

[Pez]

When doing the system update does the PS3 ask you to plug in the cable for the controller after it downloads the file?

[Chris D]

Yes, it says "connect a controller via the USB cable, and press the PS button".

[Pez]

Yes, it says "connect a controller via the USB cable, and press the PS button".

Bummer.

I thought I was getting the message because one time when I unplugged the USB cable the controller wouldnt work until I plugged it back in. Was a one time thing but I just figured something got screwed up and I had to plug it in for the updates.

[Chris D]

Ah... yeah, other than charging, that's the only time I know of that you have to plug in the controller, and it does make you do that for sure, to initiate the update install.

[Chris D]

I don't think we've mentioned that Sony is discontinuing the 20GB model. Cool, now everybody can have the good model.

[Pez]

I don't think we've mentioned that Sony is discontinuing the 20GB model. Cool, now everybody can have the good model.

I saw that other day - if they are discontinuing it so soon why did they even make it in the first place? To squeeze out a few more sales during the launch period?

[Chris D]

Well, I'm guessing that they're seeing a need to change their marketing. Probably influenced by the Xbox 360, with two different model options to choose from. Basically one option as "entry-level", for those who want to save money and get basic features, and the top model, with more functionality. Apparently, there just isn't the interest in the 20GB model that they thought there would be, at least enough to justify the extra costs in production of making two models. I guess they think they can make more money this way.

[Chris D]

Couple of new PS3 news stories--first, rumors of an 80GB model. Personally, I doubt it. But if they do, it should definitely be bigger and better than just 80 GB.

http://www.psu.com/node/9788

Guitar Hero 3 being developed for the PS3 and other platforms.

http://www.psu.com/node/9790

[Pez]

I finally got my PS3 to stay online and work for wireless for more than a few minutes. Turns out I tried replacing my wireless router and now all my internet problems are fixed. I knew my last wireless router was old but didnt realize it was a piece of junk as well. Can finally download stuff from the PS Store.

Speaking of which I tried the baseball game demo but couldnt swing the bat for the life of me. Anyone have problems playing this demo?

[dyazdani]

I was able to swing, but the pitching seemed "off," almost like it was in automatic or something. I didn't feel like I had control of what the pitcher was doing. I figured if it was that much trouble, I didn't need to worry with the rest of the game.

[Chris D]

Pez, I tried the baseball demo too, and found that the little pop-up hints are really useful. One says that to swing the bat, you actually do it through the motion sensors. Hold the controller level, and then jab the controller forward when you want to swing. If you tilt the controller up or down, you angle your swing, too. I couldn't really get a hang of it, and I'm not really a baseball fan anyway, so I don't think I'll be playing it again.

The hint did say that you can reconfigure the controller options in the game to choose two other ways to swing.

[Chris D]

Firmware 1.7 just got released; I'm downloading it now. Sounds like it's a good update, as it lets you play PSOne games on the PS3, and transfer games vice-versa or something.

Also, it says that you can now use PS1 and PS2 accessories with vibration features. So it looks like you can fully play PS1 and PS2 games including vibration, and I wonder if vibration is coming for the PS3.

Hmm... we'll have to see how this update turns out!

[dmcgowan]

The Playstation store down here in Aus has none of these demos One lap in GranTurismoHD and Ridge Racer 7 does not cut it!!!!

I think I know the answer to this, but is it possible for the PS3 to output both composite video and HDMI at the same time? Would be great if I could see the composite view on the RSP-1098 at same time as HDMI view on my Plasma. Given I can't find a quick answer and the FAQs all talk about either SD or HD output then I can guess the answer is "NO" but anyone else tried / failed / succeeded.

Cheers

[Marzen]

...but is it possible for the PS3 to output both composite video and HDMI at the same time? Cheers

I would just guess no. I know I can't run simultaneous HDMI and component video (AV multi cable). I still have to switch my projector back to the component input to use the receivers OSD for changing my sound settings. There is no PS3 video signal present at that input when I'm using HDMI output.

[dyazdani]

Firmware 1.7 just got released; I'm downloading it now. Sounds like it's a good update, as it lets you play PSOne games on the PS3, and transfer games vice-versa or something.

Also, it says that you can now use PS1 and PS2 accessories with vibration features. So it looks like you can fully play PS1 and PS2 games including vibration, and I wonder if vibration is coming for the PS3.

Hmm... we'll have to see how this update turns out!

I tried getting it too, but the server was down or something, busy maybe.

I was reading that Immersion and Sony came to an agreement ($$) on the vibration technology, so hopefully we'll start seeing vibration enabled on PS3 games.

[Bmac]

Is PS3 worth it...yet

I think the PS3 is going to be great, but is it worth the money. should I wait until fall...... I'm guessing there will be Christmas releases, and maybe a price drop?

[dyazdani]

I didn't think it was going to be worth the money when it first came out. Now that I really looked at its capabilities and eventually bought one, I like it quite a bit. I had a 360 before and I'm glad I made the change.

[Chris D]

A price drop has been rumored, but Sony firmly denies it. (not that you'd expect them to do otherwise) I would doubt a price drop until at least next year, if not later.

Some really cool updates about to come out--a video camera for the PS3, a game that uses the camera, (Eyetoy) Folding@Home update, new PSOne games for the PS3, F.E.A.R being released, etc. I can't wait for Calling All Cars, myself. And give me Guitar Hero on PS3!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Pez]

Its funny, a couple of people at work get on my case for owning a PS3 saying there are hardly any games. I cant really argue that statement but its very short-sighted. I use the PS3 often, for blu ray movies, downloading trailers, and downloading demos. I have just as much fun doing that stuff as playing the couple of games I have. Of course when more games come out that will be a big plus.

[Chris D]

Big news for the PS3:

Version 2.0 is coming out! List of info contained in the update. Notice the one about changing the way video resolution is set. Hopefully this means we can now select whether the PS3 outputs 720p or 1080i, instead of the PS3 automatically deciding that 1080i is better.

http://www.psu.com/node/10962

Good news, that Guitar Hero is now playable on the PS3 with this new adapter. Still can't do one feature, though, hammer-ons. I think I'll wait until GH3 is released for the PS3, as I'm guessing they'll also release an all-new guitar with it. Hopefully it will have 100% functionality and solve once-and-for-all these problems, so we can fully play GH 1, 2, and 3 all on the PS3.

http://www.psu.com/node/10926

Here's a rumor, that Blu-Ray is coming for the X-box 360. Based on what I've learned lately, I would HIGHLY doubt this one, and even if it happens, you'll still have HDMI problems.

http://www.psu.com/node/10948

[dyazdani]

I'm waiting on GH3 as well, looking forward to it!

Haven't gotten the new update yet either. I had some networking issues on the PS3, wouldn't connect to the server for some reason. I'll have to try again, that was a couple weeks ago.