Hassling with batteries and charging, and worrying about losing power during a game is one of the reasons why I never had any interest in wireless controllers. I always use wired, and extensions for when the PS2 is connected to the home theater. I'm sure there will be wired controllers available for the PS3.... hopefully.
Hassling with batteries and charging, and worrying about losing power during a game is one of the reasons why I never had any interest in wireless controllers. I always use wired, and extensions for when the PS2 is connected to the home theater. I'm sure there will be wired controllers available for the PS3.... hopefully.
October 18, 2006 - Leading up to the 11/11 Japanese PS3 release, the Japanese gaming press has taken delivery of PS3 demo units. Included in the lucky bunch is the multimedia division of Impress Watch, whose editorial staff was good enough to put together a feature detailing the PS3's multimedia playback.
We previously described most of the functionality available from the PS3's Cross Media Bar (XMB) interface. Impress offers a few new details. Selecting the "Display Settings" icon from the settings menu gives you access to a menu for chosing your display connection. You can select from "Component or D Cable," "Composite or S-Video," and "AV Multi or SCART." The system displays clear images indicating which plug is which, so beginners shouldn't have too much trouble in getting set up.
The PS3 is capable of selecting resolution for you automatically. However, if you want to select your own resolution, you can chose from 480p, 1080i, 720p, 1080p and "custom." We're not sure what the last one is just yet.
You also have full control over the form of audio that the PS3 outputs. From the Audio Output section of the menu, you can select from Dolby Digital 5.1, DTS 5.1 and AAC, as well as Linear PCM with 2ch, 5.1ch and 7.1ch available in 44.1kHz, 88.2kHz, 48kHz and 192kHz. You can also set this to automatic in case you're not interested in the details. You have three audio cable options available: HDMI, optical and AV Multi.
To set up Blu-Ray playback, you go into the BD/DVD section of the settings menu. Here, you can select the disk's menu language and the default audio and subtitle languages, which isn't anything new if you've used a PSP or one of the Japanese-only PSX systems before.
Good news for those worried about the slow start-up times with current next generation optical disc players. The PS3 loads up a Blu-Ray movie fast. Impress sampled the US version of Fifth Element (Japan won't take shipment of its first commercial Blu-Ray movies until early November) and found that the PS3 took less than 10 seconds to start up the disc after it had been selected from the video section of the Cross Media Bar.
Incidentally, there seems to be a slight difference between when you insert a game disc and a Blu-Ray disc into the PS3. When you put in a Blu-Ray disc, you have to select the disc from the video menu in order to begin playback. With game discs, the system automatically starts playback. The Impress article didn't make mention of a menu option for switching automatic playback for game discs off.
Startup as a whole seems to be pretty quick for the PS3. Impress reports that the time from powering up the system to the appearance of the Sony Computer Entertainment logo is about 10 seconds. Following that, it's another 2 to 3 seconds before the XMB appears. You only see the PlayStation logo when playing games.
Impress describes the PS3's Blu-Ray playback as "simple." The site reports no problems with pop-up menus and other Blu-Ray disc features.
The PS3 is capable of more than just Blu-Ray playback. It's also capable of playing back video directly from the hard disk. Impress was able to play a 1920 x 1080 MPEG2 from hard disk. It's unclear at this point if users will be able to play back VC-1 and H.264 encoded files from the hard disk, although these high powered codecs are, of course, playable from Blu-Ray discs.
In addition to video playback, Impress was also able to sample the PS3's music features. The system can rip CDs to MP3, AAC and ATRAC3 formats, allowing for bit rates of up to 352 kbps. The PS3 is also capable of going online to read into the AMG music database in order to get track information.
One of the cool things about multimedia playback is that the PS3 can play back external files. By connecting a PSP to the PS3 via USB, the music, movies and images that are on the Memory Stick loaded into the PSP become accessible from the video, music and photo menus on the PS3. It's unclear if this is the case when the two systems are communicating via Wi-Fi.
Impress wasn't able to get details on the mysterious "Remote Play" icon from the XMB menu. It's believed that this option will allow you to enjoy your PS3's movies and music on your PSP. A PSP update is set to coincide with the launch of the PS3, and should make this area a bit clearer.
Another mysterious icon in the PS3 Cross Media Bar is found in the system settings section. The menu has an option labeled "Other System Install," whose function is currently unknown.
These are just a few of the PS3's features that remain in the dark at this point. We hope to get clarification leading up to launch or, at the very latest, once we've sampled retail units for ourselves on 11/11
Thanks, that is good to know. I assume there is no problem keeping them plugged in. I know many rechargeable batteries can be dammaged by keeping them plugged in. I hope this is not the case with the PS3 controllers.
I suspect the video processor allows for other resolutions so that you can do 1:1 pixel matching for your specific display. This is one of the advantages of HTPCs vs most standalone DVD players.
Long load times aren't really bothersome for me, but I know this was one of the big complaints from owners of Toshiba's HD DVD players that can take more than a minute to play. The firmware updates from Toshiba did improve this over time.
👍 👍
I read that the PS3 also plays back SACD's. I hope this has not been dropped...
👍Digital-Nitrate - The PS3 will support Firmware updates, just like the PSP
As an owner of over a hundred SACD's and a member of a group of audiophiles, I can tell you that from my experience, most purists don't even bother with the gimmicky multi-channel audio for musical recordings.
As far as use goes, I would even guess that fewer than that will, but not because of RCA cables. RCA cables are very inexpensive, and even so you don’t need them. There have been SACD players that output the 6-channel DSD signal via firewire for some time now, and would be very easy for HDMI to output it as well. Regardless, most SACD fans appear to be primarily interested in stereo recordings, based on sales of SACD titles, and discussions with fellow SACD collectors… so it makes the whole cabling choice rather insignificant.
...If you can find one.I guess ill have to go and buy one like the rest of the people
Duċk;2457854
Sony Gamer's Day 2006
Live update from the event.
by David Clayman
October 19, 2006 - Sony's PlayStation 3 Gamer's day is here, and we're live from the even with complete coverage of what's going down. Remember to refresh this page regularly for constant updates, news, and more from the craziness.
1:31pm: Sony representatives let us in the door and we take our seats -- Sony's auditorium is packed with press, photographers, and more.
2:05pm: Kaz Hirai opened the presentation by saying that5every question left concerning the new console would be revealed at this event. The session is covering the following areas:
Whats in the box at launch
Launch titles
Peripherals
PS Network
PS Store
Downloadable Content
The retail box was revealed along with the launch lineup of 22 games including:
Genji
NBA 07
Resistance: Fall of Man
Blazing Angels Call of Duty 3
Fight Night Round 3
Oblivion
F.E.A.R.
Full auto 2
Madden 07
Mobile Suit Gundam: Crossfire
NBA 2k7
NBA Live 07
Sonic
Kaz made fun of he E3 presentation by yelling "Ridge Racer!" () at the end of his speech. A video was shown and then the podium was handed over to Jack Tretton who talked about what to expect at retail. The basic features of the PS3 $499 and $599 model were shown. It was stressed that the only major differences between the two are hard drive space and the compact flash memory slot. What about the Wi-Fi?
Tretton then spoke about the importance of Blu-ray. Effective Nov. 17 the first 500,000 units of PS3 will ship with Talladega Nights on Blu-ray (cool 👍 ) before it is available to the public on December 12. We were then shown an extended trailer for the movie.
The next item up for discussion was the SIXAXIS. It was a 20 meter wireless range, 30 hours of battery life for one charge, and a tool that the community is just starting to fully harness. It will come with an AC cord, USB mini-cable, ethernet cable, Multi-AV cable with composite connectors. Tretton said that there is no power brick - only a cord. He slammed the competition for being noisy and having a large external power brick.
First party titles will retail at $59.99. The controller with be $49.99 (what the hell Sony.) , and the memory card adapter will be 14.99, and the Blue Ray remote will come in December for $24.99.
We were then shown the Retail Channel Interactives, or those lovely game kiosks that can be found at your local EB or Gamestop.
(2:25pm PST)Phil Harrison
Phil introduced Ted Price who gave us a demo of Resistance: Fall of Man. He gave us a weapon demo that showed off the shield, the rocket launcher (the Laark), and the ability to lock-on to enemies. The Hailstorm rifle was shown firing its bouncing projectiles and tossing out a small turret.
He then paused the game and flew the camera through the battle. Advancing the game frame by frame to show how each of the projectiles launched by his grenade acting with individual physics. He then showed The Reapers: independently targetting pistols that can cross and shoot more than one enemy at a time.
There will be 40 players online at once with 6 different modes. Buddy lists, parties, clans, stat tracking, and off-line split screen will all be available at launch.
(2:33pm PST) More Blu-ray
Phil returned and introduced a demo of Genji: Days of the Blade. An alternate dimension action event system was shown off as well as three of the playable characters.
Harrison then stated the importance of true HD gaming. NBA 07 will have the first 1080p, 60 frames per second gameplay, (nice) and it is a launch title. The game was shown in action looking very complete. The game was paused and the camera zoomed in to show sweat running down the player's faces, rendered in real-time.
(2:35pm PST) Lair Demo
The main point of the Lair demo was the use of the SIXAXIS controller and how intuitive it is. The demo from the TGS preview event was shown along with the way the controller is slightly tilted and how the dragon reacts.
(2:38pm PST) PS3 at Home
Harrison then turned on a PS3 with the controller. The system launches with the sound of an orchestra tuning and goes directly to the Cross Media Bar. He logged in to the system as Phil H and went into the menu system.
He went to "settings" to change the display settings, sound, security, chat, music, and the Blu-ray settings. He then went to the photo settings and scrolled through date stamped image folders. He then showed 1080p photographs that were incredibly clear. He then showed off the ability to impose pictures on falling post cards that floated to the ground in a 3D slide show.
Music was briefly played, and then the video icon was shown. The video clip thumb nails were running in real time as Phill scrolled through them. He also had some previews for movies (Spider Man 3) that were played for the audience. He then played the trailer for Casino Royale which will launch the same day as PS3.
(2:45pm PST) Network
The networking features was then shown off which is all free and all standard with the console. He went into his icon based friends list and used a predictive text tool to write to someone. You can also use the USB keyboard. This is also where voice chat will be controlled. Harrison then scrolled to the web browser which can display multiple windows. Phil then showed the PS3 E3 Conference in One Minute from YouTube in one of the windows.
(2:50pm PST) Remote Play
Harrison then picked up a PSP and wirelessly ran the Casino Royale trailer on the handheld system. Streaming the media on PSP can now be done in your living room but Harrison said that it will soon be possible from any hotspot in the world. Streaming your PS3 content on the PSP anywhere certainly opens some amazing possibilities. Streaming movies anyone?
John Smedley
John then showed off the PlayStation Store. The interface included featured items, demos, downloadable games, top downloads, and what's new. The system has integrated X-Fire which allows current users on the PC to see who's online with PS3.
The store can be built directly into the games. This means that you can make purchases like episodic content within the game. The store has a top story that features the latest content. Downloadable games featured PS1 content that is playable on the PSP and in the future playable on the PS3.
(2:50pm PST) The Store
The downloadable game Blast Factor was highlighted then selected and taken to the store. He proceeded to checkout where there was a wallet and a total. Gamers can either use a credit card or a PlayStation card that can be purchased at retail stores. Parents can set rating limits for downloads to censor material for their children and set allowances in the PS store.
The demo was performed live over the internet to the PS store. This was not a set demo, but actually connected to Sony's online service. The games will be around $14.99 and less. The store also included trailers and will eventually have full movies. The games that are downloaded can be played on up to 5 additional PS3s so you can share with your friends.
The Motorstorm demo will be available through the store at launch and it was then shown on the big screen. Blast Factor was then shown. It was developed by 5 people and has online rankings and dynamic difficulty levels. It looks exactly like Geometry Wars. You can turn objects over by shooting a wave at them which plays into the strategy later in the game.
I can get 36 batteries (a year and a half supply of batteies for my 360 controller) for $10 at Costco, so the AA battery life isn't a big deal to me.
