SONY PS3 [40GB]: Late but still great!

One year after the release of the first version of Sony's delayed "Wunderwaffe" -- that was supposed to settle console wars once and for all -- the price cut and updated functionality finally allowed for one of those to land under my 2007 Christmas tree. Yippie!!!


A PC GAMER PERSPECTIVE

Okay, I will come right out and confess that I was a dedicated PC gamer with an undeniable preference for the mouse/keyboard control and quicksave (where allowed). The PS3 was more or less an addition to the entertainment arsenal to (a) access BluRay videos and (b) get some of the games that never see the PC. Both demands were completely satisfied, though my dedication to PC games is still the same.

There is a lot of hype around the PS3 (and XBox360) hardware and hardcore console gamers sometimes even claim that either console provides much better graphics power. While that holds true in comparison to older PC hardware (especially basic DX9 graphics boards), it's more or less denial that a high-end PC board with DX10 graphics and hi-res monitor (i.e. 1920x1200) renders much greater detail and more impressive effects than either console. However, a large number of PC gamers apparently don't have access to such hardware. Generally speaking, the PC handles HD with ease while both consoles "cheat" with the lower of the two HD standards to allow the hardware to keep up.

While hardware is much less expensive for consoles, the games are significantly more expensive and FPS shooter games (i.e. Uncharted) relatively painful to aim and run at the same time, at least when you're used to the precision and comfort of a mouse. The limited checkpoint save for most console games is equally annoying.

Nevertheless, the ease of use and especially the abundance of jump-n-run games (like the excellent Ratchet & Clank) and other more child-friendly content certainly make the PS3 a great toy which also plays HD videos with full quality. While the graphics performance doesn't rival any high-end DX10 computer, it's often good enough to still put viewers in awe (sometimes just because of the larger TV).


CONSOLE HARDWARE

When speaking of the PS3, most people immediately think of the IBM-designed Cell microprocessor utilizing seven "synergistic processing elements" (cores). The eighth core is basically a spare to improve chip yields. The processor has access to 256 MB of XDR main memory. Graphics hardware is provided by nVidia's RSX design with 256 MB of GDDR3 video memory. The most impressive fact about the hardware is the relatively low price compared to computing power, graphics quality and HD capability. All this is housed in an attractive Black design with Silver accents. The memory card slots don't exist in the 40GB model, but can be emulated with reserving space on the hard drive. Further amiss is the PS2 hardware which would be needed to be backwards compatible to older games (for PS1 and PS2). Of course that was more important at initial release than it might be today. For me it was unimportant since I didn't own a Playstation before.

The 40GB version has one Six-Axis controller included, which is wireless and connects to the base via USB cord only to be charged. Up to 7 wireless controllers are supported, but each will cost an additional $40 as they're optional. The shape of the controller is best suited for smaller hands (typically of children), and the main innovation is the tip/tilt control which provides a spacial control that similar to Nintendo's Wii (in a basic sense). All PS3 models have user-upgradeable 2.5" SATA hard drives which allows to increase storage in case you're running out of space. (Easy access via a door in the left side of the housing.)

Included cables are limited to the USB cord and a PS3-to-Composite Video/Audio cable. Both HDMI ($50) and/or PS3-to-Component ($20) cable are not included and sold separately. Note that if you connect both HDMI and Composite/Component video, the PS3 will keep asking you if you want to switch to HDMI. It is possible to use HDMI to convert it to DVI and run audio through the PS output separately. A recent firmware update apparently fixed a documented bug that prevented audio in this scenario. This was no problem in firmware 2.10 as installed immediately after connecting the PS3 to the network (updated from 1.9x).

Unlike our TiVo set-top box, the PS3 can be easily put into the power saving standby mode by using the PS button, and that's highly recommended anyway with the up to 280W the PS3 power consumption is rated at. A potentially problematic side effect (aside from waste of energy when not in use) is the heat generated by the device in normal operation. This requires good ventilation and usage in an enclosed cabinet is not recommended (though theoretically possible due to the BlueTooth controller).


GAMES

The gaming industry bases much of their growth on consoles these days due to the large user base and uniform hardware which promise greater return for lower development effort. Hence, some games are sooner available for consoles than PC these days. However, some stay specific to a certain console (i.e. Halo on the XBox, but I am not a big fan of the PC versions of that franchise to be honest.) The delay in the release of the PS3 system may have mostly been a result of the related DRM issues, but it also caused the XBox360 to get almost a year head start and with that a greater game library. Not a big deal if you're not going to replay older games anyway, but sometimes annoying nevertheless.

As already mentioned, I prefer the mouse/keyboard controls on the PC, but some games are better played with a gamepad anyway. So I went ahead and downloaded virtually any driving game demo available on the online store ... with limited success and DiRT being the most promising so far. Of course March '08 is going to show the PS3's true potential with GT5 which will support full HD at 1080p. Until then I am holding back with my verdict in this category, but so far limited physics and okay graphics are accompanied by relatively shallow gameplay in this category. However, BurnOut Paradise appears to be a good candidate judging from graphics and variety when it's released in January 2008. (Grand Tourismo Concept HD is now available free of charge and certainly looks stunning, making the time 'til GT5 is released in March a long 2.5 months.)

Platform games like Ratchet and Clank are a whole different story. In this particular case, the PS3 really shines with cartoon-like graphics that are both detailed and colorful. The quality is no DX10 but pretty darn good for a console and very fluid too. The games is based on 720p and upscaled to 1080p where available. The camera angle and the typical console gamesave are a bit unnerving as some sections are very repetitive that way. However, the humor and the overall quality of the game (including excellent voice acting) makes Ratchet and Clank Future one of the best examples for PS3 gaming so far.

I have my reservations towards FPS (first person shooter) games on any console and so far this has not been changed, but RPG (role playing game) like Assassin's Creed are quite enjoyable (especially since I got it for $35). The level of interaction, physics and depth is unusual for a console and nicely demonstrates the potential of the PS3. This is a stark contrast to the less than impressive depth or controls in Uncharted.

A few gems are way cheaper than the typical $59 and both Lemmings (HD) and flOw are examples for non-violent game design that's both fun and relaxing. These games are sold exclusively from the online store and well worth the $6 or $8 respectively. Of course the free Grand Tourismo HD Concept is another great budget game.

While this is all personal preference, the software library is certainly big enough to make the PS3 very enjoyable especially for new gamers that didn't have access to a PS2 for example. Some games are truly excellent, while others are average and hampered by typical console shortcomings. Of course that's a personal preference as well.

Console games (typ. $59) are significantly more expensive than PC games (typ. $49/$39), but the difference is offset by the potential resale value which stores like Gamestop only credit towards console games and refuse for PC games.


BluRay PLAYER

Not too long ago, the PS3 was the cheapest BluRay player available at $499 compared to $900 for Sony's stand-alone player. Both numbers changed -- thankfully due to the extreme price pressure of the HD-DVD players -- and despite $100 price cut, the PS3 is now slightly more expensive than the cheapest stand-alone player. That's expected in light of the added functionality in the PS3, or the relatively high price for the first BluRay players.

So, simply put a BluRay disc in the slot and the PS3 will recognize the format and act accordingly. The included Spiderman 3 movie is packed with commercials at the beginning which can be only partially skipped. The quality of the video makes up for this annoyance, but only once or twice. Other videos (like Pixar's short films) don't go to such an extreme in advertising, but frankly that's expected. Depending on the recording, the PS3 is able to provide 720p, 1080i or 1080p (full) resolution. Upscaling of 480p content is provided and enabled by default which allows to (slightly) improve existing DVD content to semi-HD quality (in the broadest sense). However, Sony makes note that copyrighted content won't be upscaled (and which movie isn't) thanks to DRM. Navigating a movie is easy enough once you learn what the gamepad buttons do. For more detail and for those who don't remember the triangle button provides an extensive control menu. One of the advanced controls are alternative camera angles where provided, but so far I have not seen a good usage of this feature.

The control relies completely on the gamepad which requires some adjustment if you haven't used a Playstation yet as a video player. Unfortunately, a universal remote like the Logitech Harmony 550 won't work with the PS3 due to the Playstation relying on BlueTooth technology which is ultimately incompatible with the typical IR control through virtually any remote control (universal or not).

The format war between HD-DVD and BluRay is by no means decided and some publishers still pick one or the other format. While HD-DVD is strongest in the price war for the hardware, BlueRay may just have enough technological bling to compete right now. Prices for both will end up eventually as low as DVD players today. Videos are already the same price between the two HD formats (typ. $30). Technologically, the BluRay offers more promise due to larger storage and slightly greater data stream, but the equally wide distribution of HD-DVD may keep both formats around for a while and with it the frustration that players which accept both formats are still mostly on the drawing board (for licensing issues).

[Update March-2008: With main supporter Toshiba withdrawing from the HD-DVD camp, the fate of that format is pretty much sealed and current fire sales prove the point. This came not completely unexpected but certainly sooner that I previously thought. Nevertheless, I would like to thank HD-DVD for helping Blu-Ray becoming more affordable for customers.]


INTERNET

The PS3 does also provide a full internet browser (the underlying technology is also deployed for the online store interface). Usage is surprisingly easy though at the same breath a bit slow in redrawing a page considering the underlying computing power of the Cell processor. Of course, the optional keyboard would be a great help if you intent to use the web browser any more than occasionally since the keypad isn't very effective for text entry (despite the predictive dictionary).

A few bugs made the initial setup a bit more of a hassle than expected. On Christmas day, the Sony account server simply wasn't accessible which was only a problem once so far. Of course the entered data is lost and you get the joy to type in text data as often as you try. Two bugs are directly related to the online store and webbrowser. The first is that the entry form for the wallet sometimes locks up the system, which would a problem only once if the form itself didn't have a bug that may require multiple attempts. My card was rejected everytime as invalid when I used two address lines of the three available (the second for Suite number). Putting the complete address into the first line resolved the issue after some internet search.

Once the master account is set up with the proper credit information, it's very easy to add funds as needed without having to enter payment information again. An interesting aspect of parental control is the fact that sub accounts can use the amount that's allocated in the master wallet but not authorize new charges to the credit card. However, once you're in the master account it's very easy to recharge the wallet at any time in the purchasing process.

Overall, web access is well done with only the relatively slow browser speed and the obvious handicap of limited text entry via game pad holding the online experience back. Of course the browser itself is compatible with standard abiding sites, but finds limitations with plug-ins which typically don't run (i.e. Microsoft mediaplayer).


OVERALL

Sony initially missed the boat and the DRM induced delay associated with BluRay and PS3 certainly allowed competition to grow stronger. While that's somewhat annoying in the format war between HD-DVD and BluRay, it also keeps competition alive and is partially responsible for the rather significant price drops for the hardware. So this is actually good and bad at the same time.

At any rate, the PS3 isn't as dominating as the initial pre-release notes suggested (about two years ago). Nevertheless, the provided content and quality makes the PS3 an excellent choice for today's entertainment in HD. This particular 40GB version is seemingly handicapped due to the lack of hardware for backwards compatibility (which I don't need), but also $100 cheaper. This is a good compromise for me.

There is no point in trying to raise claims which system is best, as each has its set of pro's and con's. A high-end PC is hands-down the most powerful solution but at much greater cost. Between the XBox360 and the PS3, the Playstation has the more powerful hardware, but the Microsoft box has a greater game library (which is an odd reversal of the situation between XBox and PS2). Not forgetting Nintendo's Wii which shows that innovation doesn't have to be expensive to be successful.

For my part, I love the PS3 for its design, the BluRay player and games like Ratchet and Clank Future (or Assassin's Creed). The price is right for that purpose. However, I don't see myself giving up on PC gaming for quite a while (especially FPS games).


© 2008, theuerkorn