Game consoles, in today’s market, offer more than just a place to store and play games. Most of them offer online communities and multimedia functionality. Sony’s PlayStation 3 fits right in with the rest of today’s game consoles with new technologies and multimedia advances.
The PlayStation 3, like other game consoles, comes with a variety of hard drive sizes. The larger the drive, the more functionality the drive has. Offering different consoles gives consumers the ability to choose how much they want to spend and what exactly they want with their console.
The 80 GB console supports some PS2 games, while the 60 GB console supports most of the older games. If you have old PS2 games that you’d like to play on your new PS3, you’ll need to get the one that supports most of the games. (The 60GB has been discontinued, but other options are available.)
You can connect your new PS3 to your home network via Ethernet or Wi-Fi In addition to an Ethernet port, the PS3 also has an HDMI output, SPDIF output, and Playstations AV output (for analog audio and video).
The PS3 measures 12.8 inches x 3.8 inches x 10.8 inches, making it the perfect size for almost anywhere in your home. You can easily stand it up or lay it on its side for more comfort. Whichever way it’s stored, the optical drive is easy to access since it’s front-loading. There’s no need to press an eject button, just slide a disc into the slot and you’re on your way to entertainment.
The front of the box has a hidden compartment. In this compartment, you will find slots for CompactFlash, SD Memory Card and Memory Stick Duo cards. Additionally, also on the front of the console, there are four USB ports. These USB ports are for your convenience as you can connect any USB device.
Like other game consoles, the PS3 now has wireless controllers. The only reason to connect them to USB ports is to charge them. The only downside to these controllers is that the batteries are not replaceable. When battery life is depleted, the entire controller will need to be replaced. (Other game consoles have replaceable packs.)
One thing these controllers have that some others don’t is motion sensitivity. The technology isn’t as advanced as that found on the WII, but it’s still there. There are different actions that occur, depending on your movements and the game you are playing. Also, unlike the WII, the motion sensors can be turned off, allowing you to play without disturbing your movements.
In addition to new gaming technologies, the PS3 offers a host of multimedia features. Images can be presented in albums or slideshows, like no other game console offers. Your favorite music can be stored and played endlessly. DVDs, Blu-ray discs, and even other video formats can be viewed through your new PS3.
PS3 consoles can be found anywhere from $300 to $500; it all depends on the size of the hard drive you are looking for. Regardless of the price, the PS3 offers you a whole new world of entertainment. From movies to games to online communities – it’s today’s console.