Slim PS3 announced

[mjb]

The new smaller, thinner, cheaper PS3 has just been announced. From September, for 300 bucks/euros.

http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/18/sony-debuts-slimmer-ps3/

[Chris D]

Very interesting, thanks for posting! It also says there that Sony will be releasing firmware 3.0 at the same time, which should be good for all us PS3 owners. Very cool.

[Hdale85]

Hmm, supposed to run cooler and quieter. My biggest complaint of the PS3 as a BD player was noise. I like the fact that its not glossy anymore as well. Also comes with a 120gb hard drive now.

[kmcheng]

I also do not like the noise coming from the PS3. Very distracting when watching a relatively quiet movie.

Is it just me or do other people also think the new slim design actually looks uglier than the original?

Also, are there only 2 USB ports available on the current and new versions of the PS3? Mine is an older batch and it has 4 USB ports. They are very handy when I am playing Guitar Hero.

[Hdale85]

Yes 2 USB ports, and yes it's not as flashy but I prefer it that way because the gloss would always scratch and scuff real easy I hated it.

[audioqueso]

I like the new design more. Slim, sleek... not as bulky. I really don't like the gloss top of the PS3. Looks nice, but sooooooo hard to keep scratch free. Anything scratches it.

One thing... where are the card readers? From the looks of it, the top is one piece... so there are no flip-like sections.

[Hdale85]

Probably ditched the card reader.

[Kevin D]

Hell they ditched the card readers when they ditched SACD, PS2 support, and the other USB ports.

Kevin D.

[kmcheng]

Hell they ditched the card readers when they ditched SACD, PS2 support, and the other USB ports.

Kevin D.

Is the PS3 the only product to come up with newer versions that are dumbed-down from its original version? Card readers, SACD, PS2 support, USB ports all seem like pretty significant features to me.

Well, I used to tell people just get a PS3 if they want a blu-ray player. After I got the Oppo I am not so sure anymore.

[audioqueso]

Is the PS3 the only product to come up with newer versions that are dumbed-down from its original version?

ha ha.. that's funny (and unfortunately true)

What version had SACD support??? I didn't even know any version had SACD support.

[Kevin D]

The original 60gig version and the 80 gig version before the current 80 gig version. I believe if there's 4 USB ports it has SACD support.

Kevin D.

[audioqueso]

Wow... I have the original 60GB version. I didn't even know. I'm gonna have to try that out (don't have any SACDs though. ha ha).

[Chris D]

Yeah, my 80 GB with 4 USB ports plays SACD.

[Alloroc]

My euro 60gb model does too. But bear in mind that you will need to output via analogue for SACD stereo and HDMI for SACD multi channel. Optical won't work.

I like the size of the new player and while the noise from my existing player does not bother me too much - as in I've not have the urge to replace with a dedicated BDP - I'd consider it if it was not lacking in those few departments.

I reckon they've gone out of their way to make it look more 'consumer' and less console. It's nothing special design wise but it does not offend me.

[krips]

It doesn't look significanly smaller, but if it runs cooler and quieter that's a big plus. I might be looking to sell mine and get a new slim one, but I'd miss the option to try out a sacd sometime.

[audioqueso]

My euro 60gb model does too. But bear in mind that you will need to output via analogue for SACD stereo and HDMI for SACD multi channel. Optical won't work.

Wow... that's retarded. They can output the surrounds over HDMI... why didn't they just do the other two channels as well.

I reckon they've gone out of their way to make it look more 'consumer' and less console. It's nothing special design wise but it does not offend me.

Yeah, it almost looks like they were influenced by the Apple TV to have a small, slim unit. I like it though.

[Hdale85]

The PS3 does not have multi channel analog outputs. That's why you can't do the other channels. Personally I'd get an Oppo player if I were worried about BD playback. The PS3 does a nice job though I will agree and if the new unit is indeed much quieter (like my newer 360) then it certainly is still an option but if you don't play many games I think the Oppo is the better deal and gives you much more flexibility.

[Alloroc]

Nah, I reckon I missled. You can get 2 channel via HDMI too - just not multi over analogue. I think. Never tried but read somewhere...

[audioqueso]

Yes, I know they don't have multi analog outputs. What I'm questioning is why send SACD over 2ch analog and the rest over HDMI instead of just sending everything over HDMI? HDMI allows it.
I am currently only using an HDMI connect from my PS3 to my system. So if I wanted to listen to a SACD disk, I would have to connect my 2ch analog cable as well???

[Kevin D]

I think he meant if you didn't have HDMI you were limited to 2ch only. With HDMI you can have both.

Kevin D.