PS3 General Discussion

Kent
Since I can get the GTHD demo through the US based PSN, do I have to pay for it or is it still free like the Hong Kong region download?
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I have to speak for the European Version of the PSN, but I don't think it's a difference on the GTHD Demo.
-> It's FREE :)

Kent
Also, I have a normal TV with nothing special going for it. It's not progressive scan, doesn't have high def, will not anything special (but still a "good" old school TV that's only about 3 years old).
Will the PS3 look bad on that? (gosh I hope not) :ouch:
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Definitly not bad if you're playing PS3 Games. The first weeks I had to play with standard definition too, because of the NOT included HD-Cable in the PS3 Box. I played NFS Carbon and it looked good.

Later, with the Composite Cable it looked even better. Too bad, my Toshiba 32" LCD TV doesn't have a HDMI-Port. DVD upscaling is only available with HDMI! (maybe an interesting fact for Mx²)
And something bad too, my TV is 14:9 or 15:9 instead of 16:9. When playing in 720p / 1080i small parts of the picture are missing on the left and right :( I really gotta buy a new one...

Edit: I shall not work and write posts at the same time :D
 
As a follow up to my previous post, here is a link to a 37 inch, 1080p tv, 6ms response time, for just $1400. Of course you still have to pay for shipping, but still 1080p for under $1500.
 
Dead_Poetic
Also, the prices on HDTV's are dropping dramatically. And if you can wait just a little while longer, you should be able to purchase a nice 1080p set, for around or maybe less than 1500 dollars. Not to mention you could just go for a 720p set, which is almost as good, for less than 1000. Just as DN. ;)
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Actually the TV I just bought is a 42" 1080p flat panel LCD...with two HDMI inputs... excellent picture quality (except black levels)... and it was only $1,000. :)👍

So yes indeed, prices have been dropping rapidly. 👍
 
That's the thing about LCD's though is the black levels and also if you look at it from an angle you can't see the picture. I'd spend the money and get a plasma when the blacks are true and you can see it from any angle and see the picture fine. Which helps because some furniture is positioned at an angle. That's just my 2 cents. I've never really thought much of the difference between LCD and Plasma but I was convinced to go to a Best Buy to check out the difference and the difference between flat panel LCD and plasma is like night and day. Yes granted some brands of plasma look cheap but brands like Pioneer and Panasonic have very nice pictures in plasma if they're calibrated correctly. Sorry for going off-topic but I thought i'd throw in my 2 cents.
 
Blackbird.
That's the thing about LCD's though is the black levels and also if you look at it from an angle you can't see the picture.
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True about black levels, but viewing angle problems have long gone. Most have a viewing angle of over 175 degrees, 180 being the max as at that point you are now behind the screen. :D

Projection displays, especially rear projection TVs, have more restrictive viewing angles. This is particularly noticeable with RPTVs when viewing at different vertical viewing angles... but the advantages of some RPTVs and certainly front projectors often out weight this limitation. :)


I'd spend the money and get a plasma when the blacks are true and you can see it from any angle and see the picture fine.
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Don't open that can of worms! :)

Seriously, as a bonafide videophile I can list several reasons why I almost NEVER recommend a plasma, why most professional video calibrators and videphiles will tend to agree on this, and why I would never have one in my home.
  • Most Plasma's have a severe green push, and thus impossible to accurately calibrate color balance. 👎👎
  • Most Plasma's do not track D65 grayscale evenly across all IRE levels. 👎👎
  • All Plasmas are susceptible to burn-in as they use phosphors to display images. Once static images have burned into the display they will never go away. In addition, if you display a lot of 4x3 aspect images you will also unevenly wear out the luminance which causes another form of burn-in which also cannot be fixed. 👎👎
  • All Plasma's use glass screens, which are highly reflective, and so you see reflections of the things in the room on the screen. 👎
  • Few Plasmas have a resolution of 1080p, and those that do are way over priced. 👎
  • All Plasmas are very heavy due to the need for a glass screen. That can add cost and inconvenience when transporting and installing.
  • Most Plasmas also use far more electricity (per square inch of the display) than any other type of display. Not a big deal, but with rising energy costs, and more desire for greener electronics, this can certainly be considered a negative.
Yes granted some brands of plasma look cheap but brands like Pioneer and Panasonic have very nice pictures in plasma if they're calibrated correctly.
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This is why I also say "most" on some of those categories. Although frankly, even most of Panasonic's and Pioneer plasmas have all of the above problems. The plasmas that are truly better are the "Pro Series" from Panasonic and the "Elite" series from Pioneer. 👍

However, to enjoy the Pro & Elite models, be prepared to drop some serious cash!

That's more than my 2 cents... but the mere mention of Plasmas always makes me sick to my stomach. :D
 
Digital-Nitrate
True about black levels, but viewing angle problems have long gone. Most have a viewing angle of over 175 degrees, 180 being the max as at that point you are now behind the screen. :D


Don't open that can of worms! :)

Seriously, as a bonafide videophile I can list several reasons why I almost NEVER recommend a plasma, why most professional video calibrators and videphiles will tend to agree on this, and why I would never have one in my home.
  • Most Plasma's have a severe green push, and thus impossible to accurately calibrate color balance. 👎👎
  • Most Plasma's do not track D65 grayscale evenly across all IRE levels. 👎👎
  • All Plasmas are susceptible to burn-in as they use phosphors to display images. Once static images have burned into the display they will never go away. In addition, if you display a lot of 4x3 aspect images you will also unevenly wear out the luminance which causes another form of burn-in which also cannot be fixed. 👎👎
  • All Plasma's use glass screens, which are highly reflective, and so you see reflections of the things in the room on the screen. 👎
  • Few Plasmas have a resolution of 1080p, and those that do are way over priced. 👎
    [*]All Plasmas are very heavy due to the need for a glass screen. That can add cost and inconvenience when transporting and installing.
    [*]Most Plasmas also use far more electricity (per square inch of the display) than any other type of display. Not a big deal, but with rising energy costs, and more desire for greener electronics, this can certainly be considered a negative.
This is why I also say "most" on some of those categories. Although frankly, even most of Panasonic's and Pioneer plasmas have all of the above problems. The plasmas that are truly better are the "Pro Series" from Panasonic and the "Elite" series from Pioneer. 👍

However, to enjoy the Pro & Elite models, be prepared to drop some serious cash!

That's more than my 2 cents... but the mere mention of Plasmas always makes me sick to my stomach. :D
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There's two big reasons for me to not go Plasma then.
 
I also have a 720p/1080i LCD and I can view from any angle with little to no effect. I also agree that black levels could be better but they are certainly acceptable
 
Digital-Nitrate
However, to enjoy the Pro & Elite models, be prepared to drop some serious cash!
Click to expand...
Just out of curiosity I just checked to see what these are going for nowadays.

The Pioneer Elite PRO-FHD1 50" 1080p Plasma Monitor (not even an HDTV) used to sell for close to $8,000 now sells for around $4,000. Their Elite PRO-1540HD 60" 720p Plasma (not even 1080p) used to sell for $7,000, but is now available for about $5,000.

Panasonic appears to have dropped their Pro Series line of plasmas, but they now have a new 50" 1080p model, TH-50PZ750U, that retails for $3,500 but can be bought for only $2,500.

Although compared to other displays and alternative display technology, I would still consider that much too high a price to pay for what you get.
 
Kent,

Like someone had previously said, the PS3 guides you through all of the steps. If your network is password protected (like mine is), then it is just a matter of typing in a password.

It really is a rather simple task and just a matter of going to the Network Settings under the Settings menu on the PS3 Home menu. It really cannot get much easier. The PS3 automatically detects all wireless networks in the area, you pick the one that is yours, let the PS3 automatically setup everything, and if your network needs a password, you then put it in. Finally you are good to with your internet browsing, gaming, downloading stuff, etc.

And to all,

I probably should have mentioned that I recently purchased a PS3. It was sometime last week. I traded in my 360, PS2, and all that went with them. I was tired of having to worry about the 360 constantly going KABLAMO. It does not have to deal with the customer support or swiftness of service, as both times I sent my 360 in, both were very, very good. It also did not have to do with the gaming experience, as the gaming was great on the 360. I just did not feel like having to ship my 360 off every three to six months.

I traded in the 360, PS2, and all the accessories and games I have for both, save GT4, MGS2, and MGS3, and got $440 of trade-in value for it all at GameStop. It also helped that I knew one of the workers there and him giving me a couple coupons to help my trade-in value. While I was at it, I traded in some books and DVDs to Hastings and got a little over $100 for them. With that, I bought RFoM, F1:CE, and a memory card adapter. Now I need to take the PS2 memory card and memory card adapter and trade them in and get whatever I can for them.

Finally, I just need to think of a PSN-ID so I can start gaming with everyone and downloading stuff of the PSN.
 
VashTheStampede
And to all,

I probably should have mentioned that I recently purchased a PS3. It was sometime last week. I traded in my 360, PS2, and all that went with them. I was tired of having to worry about the 360 constantly going KABLAMO. It does not have to deal with the customer support or swiftness of service, as both times I sent my 360 in, both were very, very good. It also did not have to do with the gaming experience, as the gaming was great on the 360. I just did not feel like having to ship my 360 off every three to six months.
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+1 added to my PSTriple conversion crusade :sly:

Glad you pulled the trigger.

Finally, I just need to think of a PSN-ID so I can start gaming with everyone and downloading stuff of the PSN.
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VashTheStampede
<real name>
Duck_Is_The_Greatest_Guy_Ever

...
 
After reading vash's comments I feel confident I could get a PS3 on the net. The next question is, what is everyone playing online right now?
If I was to get a PSN-ID, I'd certainly want to do some kind of online gaming with the people from the GTP. So with that in mind, feel free to sound off your online game for the time being. 👍

Btw, I checked my TV. :(
3 video inputs, 1 S-video (I think that's what it was) and nothing else. :ouch:
(glad I've got three inputs though, helps with all the systems. :P )
 
Well as far as online gaming goes, there are a definitely a few good titles that I think you should check out.

You obviously like racing games, or you wouldnt be a moderator at a Gran Turismo forum, I suggest you try F1: Championship Edition. Everyone around here that plays it swears by the fact that it is a good game, although, I personally have only played the demo, which I love, So I am confident that it is a good game. Also on the racing side of things, Motorstorm is a good off-road racer, not to mention Dirt is coming. (Although I dont know if it has online or not).

If you are in to some shooting games, there is Resistance, which is an awesome game all around, and very fun online. Also there are two new maps available from the PS Store, which adds up to many many online maps. All of which are HUGE. Also, they support up to 40 players!! Its very fun, and doesnt get old very easily.

Also, there is Rainbow Six: Vegas. I love this game, its very fun single player and has several online modes. Some modes arent traditional, which keeps them fun. One such mode is Terrorist Hunt, in which you work with others to find and kill terrorists. Also, I find the Co-op to be pretty tactical and fun.

Also, although GTHD isnt playable online, there are online leaderboards, so you can test your skills against others, and even download the video of their run, to see if they cheated or not.

Hope this helps.
 
I would definitely recommend Rainbow Six Vegas. Before I traded the 360 in, I had played RSV all the way through one on Normal and was working through it a second time on Normal.

My impression of Resistance at first was not all that great because it was a little different than what I was used to FPS wise. I had been playing games like GoW, RSV, and GRAW and all three of those stress using cover a whole bunch, while Resistance is a little more run and gun. Once I understood that, I adjusted easily and it is a lot more fun, though I am barely into the game.

My first impression of F1:CE was it is difficult. The speed of the cars is fast, the brakes are amazing, and on Time Trial, the lighting conditions are about as hard as they could possibly be. I am still adjusting to the speed of the cars and the braking. It really is going to take me a bit to get used to the game, especially the 200 degree mode on the DFP. Every little input is sensed by the wheel and put into the car on the game. Much different than the 900 degree mode.

How is Super Stardust HD? I have heard about it, but know absolutely nothing about it.
 
VashTheStampede
I probably should have mentioned that I recently purchased a PS3. It was sometime last week. I traded in my 360, PS2, and all that went with them. I was tired of having to worry about the 360 constantly going KABLAMO. It does not have to deal with the customer support or swiftness of service, as both times I sent my 360 in, both were very, very good. It also did not have to do with the gaming experience, as the gaming was great on the 360. I just did not feel like having to ship my 360 off every three to six months.

I traded in the 360, PS2, and all the accessories and games I have for both, save GT4, MGS2, and MGS3, and got $440 of trade-in value for it all at GameStop. It also helped that I knew one of the workers there and him giving me a couple coupons to help my trade-in value.
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Oh what a year makes... you'll have to submit an epitaph to your X360 thread.

I am sorry to hear about your problems with your X360, but I think you'll really enjoy your PS3. 👍

Sony still has a ways to go to exceed the XBL experience, but they are certainly moving in the right direction, and in some ways, like how you pay for things, and of course the fact that the service is free for everyone, already exceeds those elements of XBL. 👍

Also, while it is true that in XBL it is very easy and quick to join your friends in a game, if you know what to do, it can also be relatively easy and quick to do the same in PSN.

For instance, when ever you are logged in, it will show you a list of all your friends. At the top of the list will be the friends that are also currently logged in. It will also tell you if your friends are currently playing a game or running F@H. If they are running F@H then you'll know they are not actually available. For those that show they are online but have no activity listed under them, then they could be browsing, chatting, shopping, or may have simply left and forgot to turn off their PS3. :)

However, if you want to quickly start a game with friends and that particular game doesn't have a "Send Invite to Play Game" feature built-in, all you have to do is send them an IM through the PS3 and ask them if they are interested in a game. Unless they have turned off the "Message Alert" option, they will be alerted of your IM even during a game. Once you have your "crew" you can all meet in a decided upon "room". One person can then create the game and invite only those you all wish to play with you.



While I was at it, I traded in some books and DVDs to Hastings and got a little over $100 for them. With that, I bought RFoM, F1:CE, and a memory card adapter. Now I need to take the PS2 memory card and memory card adapter and trade them in and get whatever I can for them.

Finally, I just need to think of a PSN-ID so I can start gaming with everyone and downloading stuff of the PSN.
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I tried out RFOM, and while it looks impressive, it just isn't my kind of game, but who knows one of these days I may just have to give it a shot. I'm certainly not board of the games I currently have so it may be a while. :)

F1:CE on the other hand I simply cannot recommend enough! Brilliant choice on a brilliant game! 👍👍


Finally, I just need to think of a PSN-ID so I can start gaming with everyone and downloading stuff of the PSN.
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Well it says you like Golf in your profile and you obviously like speed and "driving"… so how about:

GripItAndRipIt :)👍
 
Kent
what is everyone playing online right now? If I was to get a PSN-ID, I'd certainly want to do some kind of online gaming with the people from the GTP. So with that in mind, feel free to sound off your online game for the time being. 👍
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From the games I own, here are my favorites to play online:
Of games I don't own, here are ones I have heard are popular online:
Here are other games for the PS3 that offer online play, but I have no idea how popular they are:
Here are ones coming out very soon that will likely be very popular:
There are several more games with online play coming up, but the one I suspect most are anxiously waiting for is Warhawk.

Lot's of online games to consider and choose from. 👍👍





Dead_Poetic
Hey duck, do you know if Dirt has online play? I dont feel like researching, Im playing Super stardust HD!!
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I don't know what kind of online options there will be on the PS3 version as there have been some improvements over the X360 version, but here is what the IGN review said about the X360 version regarding online game options:

Unfortunately, one feature that isn't quite so welcome is McRae's online mode. Despite the fact many of the single-player challenges pit you against multiple opponents, the online experience is a solitary one. Players compete against the clock along point-to-point rally stages rather than fight for first place against each other, with the only indication that you're going up against other racers being the times appearing on screen. Admittedly it's surprisingly enjoyable, trying to beat the times of 100 other racers, but it's still not as exciting as actually racing against a load of other cars on the same track.
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WARNING!

NEVER play Nucleus with your sub-woofer on! If you do, it will blow you off the couch, through the wall and into the hallway. You've been warned. Carry on.
 
Kent
After reading vash's comments I feel confident I could get a PS3 on the net. The next question is, what is everyone playing online right now?
If I was to get a PSN-ID, I'd certainly want to do some kind of online gaming with the people from the GTP. So with that in mind, feel free to sound off your online game for the time being. 👍
Click to expand...
My current on-line range of games is as follows

  • Resistance Fall of Man
  • Rainbow 6 Vegas
  • Motorstorm
  • F1:CE

All are great fun on-line (even if R6:V can be a bit glitchy) particularly Resistance, its a great stress reliever and has a lobby system that I find very easy to use (as does Motorstorm now).

Kent
Btw, I checked my TV. :(
3 video inputs, 1 S-video (I think that's what it was) and nothing else. :ouch:
(glad I've got three inputs though, helps with all the systems. :P )
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In regard to the SD;TV bit, I am still using my 32" Sony vega and am more than happy with the picture quality. Yes I would like a HD;TV, but with my wife spending money on the house that one is on the back-burner for a while yet (but I did finally buy myself a PSP at the weekend to make up for it).

On the whole PS3 thing, I did have my own doubts about getting one, I didn't pre-order until a week before launch (thank you Sony for huge over-supply in Europe) because I was still considering a 360. I have to be honest and say since day one with it I have not regretted it (and remote play with my PSP is great - I can access videos, music and pictures stored on the PS3 and my PC from work - very cool).


Regards

Scaff
 
Kent
what is everyone playing online right now?
Click to expand...

For a long time it was nothing but Resistance, which IMO has one of the best online lobbies/structures for the PS3 right now. Its easy to set up a group and just go out on a killing spree together, and has its own IM and friends/clan list on top of what the PS3 already has to offer.

Right now though I just finished playing F.E.A.R. online after finally completing it. The game play was actually pretty decent for online multiplayer and I found myself climbing to the top in kills after just a couple games. Yesterday I just put Motorstorm back in though and did a few quick races, not a huge difference over before, but atleast I noticed little to no cheating this time around.
 
SRV2LOW4ME
Yesterday I just put Motorstorm back in though and did a few quick races, not a huge difference over before, but atleast I noticed little to no cheating this time around.
Click to expand...

The 1.2 upgrade put a stop to the use of the boost trick, so its now far cleaner on-line than before. I also find the lobby a big step forward in that you can actually see the status of a race before entering and the host is forced to start in a reasonable time.

Regards

Scaff
 
Kent
Also, I have a normal TV with nothing special going for it. It's not progressive scan, doesn't have high def, will not anything special (but still a "good" old school TV that's only about 3 years old).
Will the PS3 look bad on that? (gosh I hope not) :ouch:
Click to expand...
I was concerned about this as well. I have a 48" projection and was worried that I would miss out on the full PS3 experience without HD.

One run on GTHD told me I was wrong, oh so wrong. Then F1:CE looks beautiful as well, and I am still awe struck by the quality of visuals in Super Stardust HD. It far exceeds what I expected for a $10 game. Also the fun factor in Super Stardust is amazing as well.

I have yet to take F1:CE online because I wanted to make sure I was decent at first. I think I will be venturing online very soon. My only issue seems to be turn 1 pile ups. I keep getting caught up in these accidents. Most of the time I get away with a messed up wing or cut tire, but occasionally I find I make a mistake or brake too hard for the guy behind me and get a DNF. Usually, if I can get past the first turn unscathed, I can do pretty well so I shall soon go online to find I don't actually do so well. I think if I had FFB I would do better as it is just one more sensory input, but I have adapted.

Once you get things up and going let me know. I've only had mine for a month and haven't done any online gaming yet, so we should be evenly matched.
 

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