The two aspects of PlayStation3(PS3) are contained within Blu-Ray(BR) discs and High Definition TV. Reading this will give you a better understanding of why the PS3 is going to be so expensive and what the geponents are that mki it what it is.
What is Blu-Ray? BR is a said to be next generation optical disc format meant for containing high-definition video. The name Blu-Ray is derived from the blue and violet laser it uses to read and write to the disc. Although it is far beyond current technology, this makes it even more geplex for software writers to write video games in this format. Innovative technology that is far beyond current technological capacity is sometimes dropped because of confusion and high costs. For example. you wouldn't teach an 8th grader Calculus, because they don't understand Algebra. The same concept goes with this technology and its software writters, unfortunately they don't understand it, and it will take a while for it to begee adapted into our culture. Although great, you wont see its full potential in this generation of gaming, the same goes with the XBOX 360. Sorry you'll just have to wait another 5 years for the next generation of consoles.
Why is there new media? What happened to DVDs? While a standard DVD disc can only contain one movie and limited bonus features, a single Blu-Ray Disc can hold up to the equivalent of 10 DVDs. Although 90% of the space on Blu-Ray discs will still be empty this technology is incredibly amazing. Unfortunately it will cost you more than a standard DVD, and probally preform no better than a current DVD, it does sound a lot cooler. Another down fall to having all this information on a simple disc is that the loading times will be slower, too.
This huge amount of space will be important in the future as video game's software begees more geplex and in greater detail, because High-Definition will take up much more data than previously found in existing games and movies. Although you will not see much improvement in video games, you will probally see it within in the next decade.
Hmm, this sounds good, but what are the benefits? With Blu-Ray, game developers are free to get on with creating amazing imagery and game engines. Although currently DVDs work perfectly, and will be perfect for atleast the next decade if not two, Blu-Ray is a nice Add on feature that is nice for watching movies on Blu-Ray discs.
Well can I still play my PS1 games on my PS3? You can but I don't see why you would want to.The PS3 has backward gepatibility for all PS1 and PS2 games. It will also play DVDs, and CDs too.
So how do I view High Definition movies and next generatoin graphics? The PS3 will be a HD(High Defintion) player, and use next generation graphics. To get all the benefits of HD movies and next generation graphics, you will be required to purchase an HDTV to view them on. Unfortunately this means you will be required to drop atleast a $1000, but think of the graphics. The XBOX 360 will also gee with an add on to upgrade to HDTV too.
What is an HDTV? Well, with HD ready TVs, pictures are displayed at a much higher resolution than with standard TVs, resulting in more visual information and much more detailed and realistic scenes.
So whats the catch, how does this thing work? A HD picture is more clear and sharper than current televisions because it contains more information in digital form. High Definition TVs are about 4 to 5 times sharper than Standard TVs.
The three resolutions that constitute HD are called 720p, 1080i, and 1080p. The PS3 is the only console that will support 1080p, the most expensive type of HDTV in the current market. The number refers to the amount of horizontal lines the screen displays while the i or p refers to interlaced and progressive. Unfortuantely for Video Games, this means NOTHING, yet. Since Video Games are made by humans how have to type in software encriptions to match every single detail, this will take longer and more energy for software designers to do. There is currently no video game out on the market that uses the entire memory storage of a DVD. Basically this is just something nice to have that wont prove any good until video games begee easier to write.
Hunh? Basically because video game writters would have to put more effort and time into making games more detailed this would cost more money. Unfortunately video game gepanies don't want a cut in their profits, so they will directly pass on the cost to you the consumers. This is bad enough since Blu-Ray discs are already expensive enough, they typically go for twice as much as regular DVDs.
Wait what did you mean by interlaced and progressive, your confusing me? There are two types of TV projection, interlaced and progressive. With interlaced images, the screen displays alternate lines so that only half the screen is displayed at any one time. The TV switches which lines are displayed every frame, or refresh. They are so fast that you see the whole image.
With progressive scan images, all the lines on the screen are displayed with each and every frame. This makes for a more clear and crisp image. This explains why 1080 is more expensive. It has the most lines in each frame.
So what does this mean to me, do I have to up grade my TV? Unfortuantely if you want to have the full benefit yes. Just as the transition was from black and white TVs back in the 60s. Think of the high quality, not the high costs.
So how do I know what to look for and where can I get one? There's no shortage of sets capable of displaying High Definition. Look out for an HD Ready sticker when you are buying your next TV. It must support 720p, or 1080i at either 50Hz or 60Hz(how fast the frames are). Obviously you are going to be spending more on the 1080p TV.
So how much is the PS3 going to be? Sony announced at E3 2006 that there would be two models of the PS3 like the XBOX 360, one costing an arm, $500, and the other costing a leg, $600. But considering most blu-ray players cost about $1000 your getting one great deal. Also most Blu-Ray movies cost around $35 each. Games are speculated to cost anywhere from $60 and $100, rumor has it, that the games will be priced around $75.
Well whats the difference between the two models? Its just like XBOX 360, you are going to want the premium console. Although there are two configuration for the PS3, the key elements are standard, Blu-Ray disc, cell chip, giga bit ethernet to provide an always on connection to the network, and a preinstalled hard disk drive.
The more expensive one has a 60 GBharddrive, which is a bit excesive. XBOX 360s are perfectly fine with 20 GB harddrives. I own an XBOX 360, I have a lot of music on my harddrive, and I have a lot of games, and I haven't even used half of my harddrive. Considering nano iPods are prefectly fine with 4 GB, I think 60 is a bit too much. Honestly what is the point of transfering your whole music collection to your PS3? There is no point, you cannot burn CDs on your PS3, all you would be able to do is listen to music that is already on your geputer and iPod. Its a waste of space. This verson also contains SD and memory Stick Duo, Wireless connectivity and an HEMI connection for output on HDTV.
So how much is all this going to cost me? With the PS3 and the TV, depending on the type of TV, you could be spending up to $5000 on all of this.
Oh, so when will the PS3 be launched? Sony has changed their release dates as many times as John Kerry has changed his mind durring the 2004 elections. In other words, they keep changing their minds. Although the last time they said anything was at E3 2006, and they said that it was to be due NOVEMBER 2006. Start saving now, or start selling a lot more stuff on okay to save up, like me, cause the speculated launch date is NOVEMBER 17th 2006.
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