Sony takes the Lead

[unkoricky]

Console wars heat up for 2008: Sony impresses, Microsoft surprises, Nintendo disappoints

by Mike Smith

In the two days leading up to the year's biggest video games trade show, E3, it's become something of a tradition that the competing console manufacturers face off in a series of lavish press conferences. Now that 2008's round of announcements, demonstrations, trailers, and posturing are over, which console came out on top?

Despite rumors of price cuts, Microsoft opted to expand the hard drive of its mid-range offering instead of delivering any real savings to consumers. All the same, the 360's Dashboard interface is undergoing a serious overhaul this year, and looks to be coming out cleaner, with more downloadable games, and including custom avatars that are, not to mince words, a complete rip-off of Nintendo's Miis. ("Where else could you get an avatar creation system but on Xbox Live?" one developer commented. We have no idea.) On-demand movie and TV programming courtesy of Netflix will expand the 360's already bulging video abilities, and a new motion-sensing microphone controller will deliver new horrors to the terrifying world of karaoke games.

Sony put together a similar performance, shuffling its PS3 package offerings to little real effect (although you might pick up a bargain as retailers clear stock of the older lines). It's also expanding its video offerings by offering online movie rentals from an impressive portfolio of studios -- and you can take them on the road on your PSP, too. Unlike Microsoft's offerings, which have a vague "fall" ETA, Sony's new online features should be available by the time you read this.

That wasn't all, though. Sony's press conference rolled out a set of game trailers that had fans cheering: a new God of War game on PS3, a vast-looking massive action game named MAG, and a couple of promising superhero games: one massively-multiplayer title based on the DC superhero universe, and one futuristic, open-city game from the Sly Cooper studio. It's a great selection, and one that leaves Microsoft's roster of Gears of War 2 and Fable II looking a little tired.

WATCH RESISTANCE 2 TRAILER
http://videogames.yahoo.com/events/e3-2008/e3-2008-videos/1227325?cid=8828663



Mind you, that wasn't the end of the software story. Although the Sony execs weren't visibly injured, Microsoft's press conference delivered them a metaphorical punch to the gut: the absolutely huge Final Fantasy series is no longer a PlayStation exclusive. Final Fantasy XIII will be coming to the 360, and unless you count the oddball, massively-multiplayer XI (we don't) it's the first time any of the modern Final Fantasy games have gone cross-platform. If nothing else dropped jaws at the Microsoft do, this announcement sure did.

In contrast, it was hard to dodge the grumbling on the way out of the Nintendo event. Where were the classic franchises we all know and love? Where, for that matter, was Mario? Nintendo fans had to make do with a new Animal Crossing title, and an oh-so-vague mention of a Grand Theft Auto game on the DS handheld. Accessories like the MotionPlus controller plug-in and the WiiSpeak microphone (pictured below) are all very well, but don't we have enough bits of plastic cluttering up our houses already?


Which, naturally, is Nintendo's modus operandi since the release of the Wii. For every disgruntled Nintendo hardcore fan, there's a whole houseful of delighted non-gamers enthused at the thought of getting together to play music without needing a bunch of instruments or, you know, any skill. But can Nintendo really deliver a music game experience that's as compelling as Rock Band?

Perhaps, perhaps not. Either way, this year's E3, so far, belongs to Sony -- and if you're still on the fence about which new system you're going to spring for, your decision just got a whole lot tougher.
http://videogames.yahoo.com/events/e3-2008/e3-2008-blogs/1227326

[90GT50]

Godmagnus to tell us an excuse for why 360 sales are down in 3..2..1..

[unkoricky]

[QUOTE=90GT50]Godmagnus to tell us an excuse for why 360 sales are down in 3..2..1..[/QUOTE]
He is as homer as for 360 as SVTVenom was for Texas in the Sportsection.

[poopnut2]

[QUOTE=90GT50]Godmagnus to tell us an excuse for why 360 sales are down in 3..2..1..[/QUOTE]

Probably because everyone bought one when they first came out? While people were hesistant on the PS3 because of price and lack of quality games at it's release date. :confused:

[GSXRK5]

It's a great selection, and one that leaves Microsoft's roster of Gears of War 2 and Fable II looking a little tired.

Bull MotherF**kin Sh*t!! Gears of war looking tired my ass!! Gears 1 owned and i'm sure Gears 2 will own even more!! That article is BS!!

[musclestang89]

shit I like the console war. Just means both of them will just keep updating getting better and better. So I'm all for the Sony vs Microsoft battle. i own both so I'm all good. :D

[The Punisher]

how again did sony pull ahead? last time I checked they were 9 mil behind in sales..
LOL... Its an opinion column, of coarse the guy favors Sony... So what?
PS3's sold
10,372,849

360's sold
19,360,847

Sony has a way to go to catch up

[Magnus]

[QUOTE=The Punisher]how again did sony pull ahead? last time I checked they were 9 mil behind in sales..
LOL... Its an opinion column, of coarse the guy favors Sony... So what?
PS3's sold
10,372,849

360's sold
19,360,847

Sony has a way to go to catch up[/QUOTE]
QFT.


This is like acting surprised that CNN doesn't favor Mccain.

[ceyko]

That article SEEMS biased. They don't talk one bit about the XB360s media streaming and media center extender capabilities.

Also...
-who gives a damned about avatars? Oh noes.
-Everyday there are more and more vids via XB Live
-Netflix? That's news to me, good if it is true though

Still, the competition from Sony/Nintendo will keep MS honest and striving to be better. However, some people have no place writing articles about things that boil down to a technical article. Dude probably can't even defrag his drive via cli.

Yahoo article, so a bunch of impressionable folks are going to be reading it to. Glad I don't have stock in either MS or Sony. :)

Take care,

[ceyko]

The Punisher - Where did you get those stats anyway?

This little Sony/MS console thing is an interest of mine. Now that HD-DVD is dead, I also think Blu-Ray will die. Granted there are other Blu-Ray players out there, but with only 10.3M PS3s sold it's not looking good. That's probably why both companies are focusing on downloadable content.

As the rumors fly, one was that MS paid folks to use HD-DVD just to handicap blu-ray long enough for downloadable content to take off. Granted, a lot of people still don't have decent Internet connections. But a lot of people do - whole countries in some cases. I'd guess their margin on downloadable content is huge compared to cranking out players/consoles and disks.

Take care,

[The Punisher]

[QUOTE=ceyko]The Punisher - Where did you get those stats anyway?

This little Sony/MS console thing is an interest of mine. Now that HD-DVD is dead, I also think Blu-Ray will die. Granted there are other Blu-Ray players out there, but with only 10.3M PS3s sold it's not looking good. That's probably why both companies are focusing on downloadable content.

As the rumors fly, one was that MS paid folks to use HD-DVD just to handicap blu-ray long enough for downloadable content to take off. Granted, a lot of people still don't have decent Internet connections. But a lot of people do - whole countries in some cases. I'd guess their margin on downloadable content is huge compared to cranking out players/consoles and disks.

Take care,[/QUOTE]
stats came from http://www.nexgenwars.com/
I'm kind of in the same boat thinking will Blu-Ray be a success? Being that the economy is not the best and many I talk to are perfectly content with their DVD's and up-scaling DVD players. I just don't think the case is being made successfully why people should switch from DVD to blu-ray. And now, down loadable content is easily available. If MS would have put in HD-DVD inside the xbox with every sale, Blu-Ray would be dead. Only reason Blu-ray won is because of the PS3 and Time Warner. But if HD-DVD would have won the battle, would it succeed DVD? I'm not to sure of that either. My opinion anyways

[Sgt Beavis]

I enjoy my PS3, I just wish it didn't sound like a mother fuckin jet engine on afterburners raging in my livingroom. At least my old XBox 360 was quiet half the time.

BTW, has anyone seen the new XBox 360 dashboard? Pretty kickass IMO. I might have to consider buying another 360.

[jluv]

[QUOTE=Sgt Beavis]I enjoy my PS3, I just wish it didn't sound like a mother fuckin jet engine on afterburners raging in my livingroom. At least my old XBox 360 was quiet half the time. [/QUOTE]

That's strange. My PS3 doesn't really make any noise.

[FATHERFORD]

[QUOTE=Sgt Beavis]I enjoy my PS3, I just wish it didn't sound like a mother fuckin jet engine on afterburners raging in my livingroom. At least my old XBox 360 was quiet half the time.

BTW, has anyone seen the new XBox 360 dashboard? Pretty kickass IMO. I might have to consider buying another 360.[/QUOTE]


There is a new dashboard? I haven't got onto live in such a long time I wasn't aware.

[Magnus]

[QUOTE=FATHERFORD]There is a new dashboard? I haven't got onto live in such a long time I wasn't aware.[/QUOTE]
<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/XNA0fNUpWjA&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/XNA0fNUpWjA&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>

[Sgt Beavis]

[QUOTE=FATHERFORD]There is a new dashboard? I haven't got onto live in such a long time I wasn't aware.[/QUOTE]

Yea, and there are a ton of other improvements. Like downloading your games from the DVD to you hard drive for faster load times. You can also rent videos from netflix. However I don't know when it will be available..

[Sgt Beavis]

[QUOTE=jluv]That's strange. My PS3 doesn't really make any noise.[/QUOTE]

I dunno why it does it man. It generates a ton of fuckin' heat even if I'm just playing DVDs or blueray disks. It gets hot even if i'm just streaming music or videos from my Macbook. I've read that a PS3's energy consumption can be as high as a refrigerator.

Here is a pic of the storage cabinet. Does anyone thing I need better ventilation or something. I didn't think it was in there too tight. Here are some pics. Please excuse the dust. I'm in the middle of remodeling.


http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3055/2676727213_31344c09f1_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3063/2677540830_156c826cf9_b.jpg

[90GT50]

[QUOTE=jluv]That's strange. My PS3 doesn't really make any noise.[/QUOTE]Mine neither, and mine sits on my windowsill behind some curtains. I leave the thing on for weeks at a time, too. Still no problems. The 360 I had was pretty loud though :confused:

[jluv]

[QUOTE=Sgt Beavis]I dunno why it does it man. It generates a ton of fuckin' heat even if I'm just playing DVDs or blueray disks. It gets hot even if i'm just streaming music or videos from my Macbook. I've read that a PS3's energy consumption can be as high as a refrigerator.

Here is a pic of the storage cabinet. Does anyone thing I need better ventilation or something. I didn't think it was in there too tight. Here are some pics. Please excuse the dust. I'm in the middle of remodeling.


http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3055/2676727213_31344c09f1_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3063/2677540830_156c826cf9_b.jpg[/QUOTE]

Since it doesn't appear to be open to the back, I bet you are getting little air flow. Obviously it is the fan making all that noise if it's also getting hot. Mine gets a little warm, but never what I would consider hot, at least not from watching movies or the limited gaming I do.

If it is less than a year old, watch the dust issue in case something does happen and you need warranty work. I have read stories where Sony loves to find reasons to deny warranty claims and they have blamed it on dust, even in cases where the owner swears up and down that it could not have been all that dusty. I clean mine while dusting the entertainment center every week, but you can't get up inside of it and some dust should be considered normal. Perhaps there is a way you could use compressed air and blow some of the dust out of it, and maybe it would perform quieter/cooler? I really don't know. Good luck!

Mine runs quiet, but I have had other issues with it. It likes to make a popping noise in the menu screen and sometimes it even does it while watching regular DVDs. Never on Blurays or games, though. It freezes up from time to time and just won't respond to anything other than powering it off with the switch on the back. Also, that button in the front that turns it on, is it also supposed to turn it off? If so, mine is jacked, because that button has never worked for turning the unit off. I just use the remote.

[Sgt Beavis]

I'll try pulling it forward a few inches. I'll also try putting it on top of the cabinet as a test.

[Rafa]

Mine is not loud at all. I keep mine on top of center. Since there's no hole in back, it's probably just recycling all that hot air since there is no ventilation.

[Lason]

That story is so biased its not even funny. The 360 is still leaps and bounds better than the PS3. I loved my PS2 and still play it but the PS3 was/is a disappointment. Mostly due to the cost, but also all the damn versions available is enough to make your head spin. Im just not sold on it. Untill then Ill keep wooping ass on my 360.

[bcoop]

[QUOTE=Lason]That story is so biased its not even funny. The 360 is still leaps and bounds better than the PS3. I loved my PS2 and still play it but the PS3 was/is a disappointment. Mostly due to the cost, but also all the damn versions available is enough to make your head spin. Im just not sold on it. Untill then Ill keep wooping ass on my 360.[/QUOTE]



Two versions is enough to make your head spin? Wow...

[Avery'sDad]

[QUOTE=GSXRK5]Bull MotherF**kin Sh*t!! Gears of war looking tired my ass!! Gears 1 owned and i'm sure Gears 2 will own even more!! That article is BS!![/QUOTE]

I just got Gears of War for the PC and played about 2 hours into it. I don't see what the hoopla on graphics and gameplay is all about. Plus it's almost like your playing in black and white. Maybe it will get better and grow on me later.

[5.0_CJ]

ROTFL AT THE TITLE OF THE POST.

Sony has the lead nowhere.

I've been listening to the E3 coverage this entire week, and EVERY syndication is talking about how Microsoft KO'ed Sony this year. TONS upon TONS of new badass titles, netflix support, etc.. etc.. on Xbox. Clearly the person who made this thread didn't even read his own damn story, where it states Sony took a punch to the gut. G4 reported Sony's press conferences paled in comparison, and were a disappointment.

[Sgt Beavis]

Honestly I like my PS3. I enjoy the games on it but everything else I do with it, I can do with an XBox 360 EXCEPT play blue ray disks. That is the main reason I bought a PS3 and the main thing I use it for.

If the XBox 360 had a blue ray drive, I would buy one tomorrow and ditch my PS3. As it stands now, I plan to buy an XBox 360 in a couple of months and put it next to the PS3.

[The Punisher]

whats funny... this article just came out... :p
[SIZE=4]
Analyst: Xbox 360 Best of Show at E3[/SIZE]
http://www.technewsworld.com/story/63839.html?welcome=1216321907

so where does the bias lie? decide for yourself

[ceyko]

My problem is zero exposure to the PS3....

...which means I can't make the best educated opinions sometimes. Just what I read about.

Bluray is Bluray though. Another aspect is that the players are still fairly expensive.

Lets not forget too, that you can convert your whole DVD collection (or download it) to .avi or various other formats and proceed to just watch all those movies via HDD space that you have off a computer. No more swapping DVDs, DVD changers or any of that shit any more....with the XB360. Not sure if that is possible with the PS3.

Take care,

[ceyko]

http://www.gametrailers.com/player/36411.html

If half that is real, I'm excited.

[momo stallion]

it seems everyone on here is in love with FPS games, namely gears of war and COD4. go build a computer, its much better.

keyboard + mouse > controller (doesnt matter if its ps3 or 360)

[jluv]

[QUOTE=momo stallion]

keyboard + mouse > controller (doesnt matter if its ps3 or cod4)[/QUOTE]

Why is it better? I'd much rather use a controller, personally. In fact, that's the only reason I don't play any games on my computer. I can't stand using the keyboard and mouse.

[momo stallion]

[QUOTE=jluv]Why is it better? I'd much rather use a controller, personally. In fact, that's the only reason I don't play any games on my computer. I can't stand using the keyboard and mouse.[/QUOTE]

mouse-look is 100x better and more accurate than dual analog stick. thats why online gaming is so big for the computer and it's what most gamers prefer. i'm not saying im one of them cause i only play counterstrike on the computer if anything these days. i just cant play those fps games on a console. i absolutely HATED resistance fall of man. Halo, gears of war and COD4 are no better.

i cant wait till they start making ps3 games compatible with mouse and keyboard cause my ps3 is a better machine than my computer. then i will join in on those games and SLAUGHTER everyone like n00bs.

[jluv]

[QUOTE=momo stallion]mouse-look is 100x better and more accurate than dual analog stick. thats why online gaming is so big for the computer and it's what most gamers prefer. i'm not saying im one of them cause i only play counterstrike on the computer if anything these days. i just cant play those fps games on a console. i absolutely HATED resistance fall of man. Halo, gears of war and COD4 are no better.

i cant wait till they start making ps3 games compatible with mouse and keyboard cause my ps3 is a better machine than my computer. then i will join in on those games and SLAUGHTER everyone like n00bs.[/QUOTE]

Interesting. I loved Resistance. To each his own I guess. I'm not a serious gamer by any means, but I just can't stand trying to do stuff with the mouse and keyboard.

[The Punisher]

[QUOTE=momo stallion]mouse-look is 100x better and more accurate than dual analog stick. thats why online gaming is so big for the computer and it's what most gamers prefer. i'm not saying im one of them cause i only play counterstrike on the computer if anything these days. i just cant play those fps games on a console. i absolutely HATED resistance fall of man. Halo, gears of war and COD4 are no better.

i cant wait till they start making ps3 games compatible with mouse and keyboard cause my ps3 is a better machine than my computer. then i will join in on those games and SLAUGHTER everyone like n00bs.[/QUOTE]
Just an FYI.. there is an adapter for Xbox 360 that supports mouse and keyboard support ;)

[Magnus]

[QUOTE=momo stallion]mouse-look is 100x better and more accurate than dual analog stick. thats why online gaming is so big for the computer and it's what most gamers prefer. i'm not saying im one of them cause i only play counterstrike on the computer if anything these days. i just cant play those fps games on a console. i absolutely HATED resistance fall of man. Halo, gears of war and COD4 are no better.

i cant wait till they start making ps3 games compatible with mouse and keyboard cause my ps3 is a better machine than my computer. then i will join in on those games and SLAUGHTER everyone like n00bs.[/QUOTE]
I used to be the same way . . . . until i actually started playing them and got used to the controller. Now it's flip-flopped. keyboard and mouse are not as accurate for me as the controller is. It also helps that you have everythingin your hand, and don't have to wave you hand over a keyboard for multiple shortcuts. My pinky won't get tired from crouching, and my hand won't fall asleep on a desk. I won't have to press a key to talk, and i don't have to minmize/end programs/serives for game play.

[QUOTE=The Punisher]Just an FYI.. there is an adapter for Xbox 360 that supports mouse and keyboard support ;)[/QUOTE]


Yea, but you loose pressure sensitivity. It's all or nothing.

[momo stallion]

[QUOTE=jluv]Interesting. I loved Resistance. To each his own I guess. I'm not a serious gamer by any means, but I just can't stand trying to do stuff with the mouse and keyboard.[/QUOTE]

probably how i grew up i guess. games like quake and doom. i think i just cant handle the lack of strafing on controller. i never use left/right on a keyboard, i strafe crawl/crouch/walk/run!

[Magnus]

[QUOTE=momo stallion]probably how i grew up i guess. games like quake and doom. i think i just cant handle the lack of strafing on controller. i never use left/right on a keyboard, i strafe crawl/crouch/walk/run![/QUOTE]
Same way here. Quake, Doom, Wolfensein. Doom on SNES wasn't bad, since you never had to look up or down. With games now allowing you to control the sensitivity of moving/looking, the controller has REALLY come a long way.
Join that with the actual layout of the xbox controller, and it makes a perfect FPS controller.

[The Punisher]

whats nice though, you can spend $299 plus the keyboard mouse adapter, and you have a high end gaming machine vs. $700 to $1000 having the same for a computer?

[momo stallion]

[QUOTE=Godmagnus]Same way here. Quake, Doom, Wolfensein. Doom on SNES wasn't bad, since you never had to look up or down. With games now allowing you to control the sensitivity of moving/looking, the controller has REALLY come a long way.
Join that with the actual layout of the xbox controller, and it makes a perfect FPS controller.[/QUOTE]

haha, yea the lack of LOOK/AIM on the old school systems made it easy.

but now with the kids that grew up with halo 1 on xbox and only know the analog stick method will straight up decimate me online. once they start making the option of using keyboard + mouse then i will be buying those multi-player games for console too looking for blood.

[jluv]

[QUOTE=momo stallion]probably how i grew up i guess. [/QUOTE]

I was thinking the same thing. When I was a kid, my friends and I all had video games, but zero exposure to computers. I'm 31, and didn't own a computer until probably 5-6 years ago. My mom didn't get one in her house until around the same time. We had a computer lab in junior high and high school, but in elementary computers were just something I'd seen on TV. I grew up on Coleco Vision, Atari, NES, Sega, etc.

[bullitt54]

controllers have gotten much better for FPS games but I still can't do it. I'm a mouse/keyboarder all the way.

With the mouse I can be looking straight ahead and instantly turn 90 degrees left or right or completely turn 180 degrees. with a controller you have to hold your control stick down and wait for the screen to pan around to that direction.

that isn't such a big deal if everyone else playing has to do the same thing. everyone has the same turning speed essentially (or the same rules for turning speed if it's adjustable for the game) with a controller on a console.

Unreal Tournament 3 is the only game i know of on a console that natively supports keyboard/mouse. i'd be interested to see if that game has a ranking system and whether or not the top players were slanted more towards k/m or controller. i think the safe money is on k/m but i could be wrong.

i hope more k/m games come to the ps3. i have both a xbox 360 (flashed firmware) and a ps3 but I'd be more willing to buy FPSs for the ps3 if they supported k/m, but for now i'll stick to my computer for those games.

[ClockwrkOrangeS4]

What do you 360 guys watch Blu Ray movies with?

[ceyko]

[QUOTE=ClockwrkOrangeS4]What do you 360 guys watch Blu Ray movies with?[/QUOTE]

No need to. Download HD content via torrent or XBLIVE Market place.

For the previous posts - don't forget that they make controllers for the PC too.

I think they both have their uses, I just recently bought a new desktop even though I don't game on it much anymore. (Time not due to preference)

[NeedleSharp]

[QUOTE=ClockwrkOrangeS4]What do you 360 guys watch Blu Ray movies with?[/QUOTE]
i dont... just upconverted DVDs for me and my non-HD TV :)

[The Punisher]

[QUOTE=ClockwrkOrangeS4]What do you 360 guys watch Blu Ray movies with?[/QUOTE]
why buy a gaming system just to watch movies? I bought mine to game. If I want HD content, I can just download it and save the trip to the store.

[ClockwrkOrangeS4]

Download it to where, and watch it on what? Not trying to be an asshole, just curious. I have never looked into d/ling anything like that and wouldn't know where to look.




A stand alone Blu Ray player costs around $399, and not everyone wants to download content. Blu Ray format is pretty much here to stay, it's not like it's a fad. You'll need a player eventually, one would think. Of course some of you more stubborn, hardcore gam3rz will disagree.

My PS3, which is arguably (per this thread) at least as good as a 360, plays Blu Ray movies. It also upscales my entire standard DVD library and allows me to have a single player for all my movies and games. It's pretty much the perfect Home Theater video source. It was a no brainer for me.

[GSXRK5]

[QUOTE=ClockwrkOrangeS4]Download it to where, and watch it on what? Not trying to be an asshole, just curious. I have never looked into d/ling anything like that and wouldn't know where to look.




A stand alone Blu Ray player costs around $399, and not everyone wants to download content. Blu Ray format is pretty much here to stay, it's not like it's a fad. You'll need a player eventually, one would think. Of course some of you more stubborn, hardcore gam3rz will disagree.

My PS3, which is arguably (per this thread) at least as good as a 360, plays Blu Ray movies. It also upscales my entire standard DVD library and allows me to have a single player for all my movies and games. It's pretty much the perfect Home Theater video source. It was a no brainer for me.[/QUOTE]

People with 360's only want a reason to say their 360 is better than ps3 because they don't have one. So they say downloadable content is better blah blah blah. But i don't even think xbox live has 1080p downloadable content. So imo ps3 wins in that department. And ps3 is allowing to download movies at 1080p so it wins there as well? Now i'm not saying the ps3 is better because i have both and w/e comes out that i want i'll buy it for either system. Granted 360's marketplace is way user friendly than ps3's. Also i could be wrong as to weather or not you can download 1080p content on marketplace as i've not been on xbox live for months.

[ClockwrkOrangeS4]

I just looked it up, the 360 downloadable stuff is pretty cool.

[The Punisher]

[QUOTE=ClockwrkOrangeS4]Download it to where, and watch it on what? Not trying to be an asshole, just curious. I have never looked into d/ling anything like that and wouldn't know where to look.




A stand alone Blu Ray player costs around $399, and not everyone wants to download content. Blu Ray format is pretty much here to stay, it's not like it's a fad. You'll need a player eventually, one would think. Of course some of you more stubborn, hardcore gam3rz will disagree.

My PS3, which is arguably (per this thread) at least as good as a 360, plays Blu Ray movies. It also upscales my entire standard DVD library and allows me to have a single player for all my movies and games. It's pretty much the perfect Home Theater video source. It was a no brainer for me.[/QUOTE]why is playing blu-ray movies make a GAMING console better than the other or at least as good? Its a GAMING console. We buy it to game. Xbox live owns the PS3 network, game side by side comparisons show to favor the 360 also(just look at GT4 for example). You know, the only reason it took GT4 so long to come out due to the delay on the PS3. Yes, google search it, its true. GT4 release was delayed to the PS3. So yes, I guess if you want a blu-ray player that can game, the PS3 may be a good choice for you. But if you want to game online and have a great online experience with friends, Xbox 360 owns the PS3. ;)

[The Punisher]

[QUOTE=GSXRK5]People with 360's only want a reason to say their 360 is better than ps3 because they don't have one. [/QUOTE]
why would I want to spend more money on a gaming console for a worse online experience? LOL

[ClockwrkOrangeS4]

[QUOTE=The Punisher]why is playing blu-ray movies make a GAMING console better than the other or at least as good? Its a GAMING console. We buy it to game. Xbox live owns the PS3 network, game side by side comparisons show to favor the 360 also(just look at GT4 for example). You know, the only reason it took GT4 so long to come out due to the delay on the PS3. Yes, google search it, its true. GT4 release was delayed to the PS3. So yes, I guess if you want a blu-ray player that can game, the PS3 may be a good choice for you. But if you want to game online and have a great online experience with friends, Xbox 360 owns the PS3. ;)[/QUOTE]

I guess I don't have enough online loser friends to play.

[ceyko]

In this case the down loadable content is 3 fold.

-XBOX Live Market Place. Fairly standard here.
-MCE Extender - So if you have a Media Center PC...Technically not downloaded per se - but it is from the streamed from the MCE PC.
-Plain old streaming stuff. So similar to the MCE Extender - just a little more simple. Movies, music, and pictures are stored on a PC or PCs and simply viewed on the XB360 (ranges from crappy video to HD).

Now, this is neat stuff and makes it a nice A/V addition and it is a solid gaming platform. However, as the one poster said - I'm just touting what the XB360 does above and beyond a solid gaming platform. I don't own a PS3, so I don't KNOW what it does. I just know what I read and make conclusions off that.

That one link I posted stated the XB360 will also get a netflix addition and some other junk that is pretty slick.

The fact that the PS3 upscales is pretty nice though, although upscale DVD players are dirt cheap.

I think it boils down to preference. I did not buy the XBOX360 thinking to buy a HD-DVD player. However, I like its interoperability with Windows and other features. If all the PS3 has going for it above the gaming platform is a Blu-Ray player and upscaling...

I'd be willing to bet that...

1. Most people don't know how to fully utilize their PS3.
2. They are developing similar stuff for the PS3 as they are for the XB360.

Blu-Ray has defeated HD-DVD, but that's not saying much since Blu-Ray itself has not taken off very well. 400 dollars for a player?

So, to back up that online distribution is taking off -

http://news.softpedia.com/news/No-Blu-ray-Player-for-the-Xbox-360-90182.shtml

Remember, not everyone has to want it. Just enough to blow away a Blu-Ray/HD-DVD player. Profit margins can go up exponentially with downloadable content when you eliminate the player and disks.

I'm honestly interested in hearing technical reasons why the PS3 is a better overall platform than the XB360. Other than blue ray, I've not heard a thing and I don't think the investment is worth it for ONLY Blu-Ray. Well, the PS3 does look cooler too on a shelf. :)

[BP]

[QUOTE=ClockwrkOrangeS4]
My PS3, which is arguably (per this thread) at least as good as a 360, plays Blu Ray movies. It also upscales my entire standard DVD library and allows me to have a single player for all my movies and games. It's pretty much the perfect Home Theater video source. It was a no brainer for me.[/QUOTE]

And it'll stream from your PC just like a 360. In stock form it could be a PC replacement for a good portion of users and with a Sony supported update you can put Linux on it and run any applications you want. The hard drive is a standard laptop drive and is easily replaceable meaning you could have 250+ gigs of storage in the device. It has a built in memory card ready and even reads SDHC cars, something hardly any PC on the market will do.

Oh yeah the biggest difference, the PS3 has Blu Ray. Meaning games like MGS4 (over 30 gigs!) will never be available on the 360. Well not without having 4 CDs and a burning up a good portion of your hard drive.

[BP]

[QUOTE=ceyko]
Blu-Ray has defeated HD-DVD, but that's not saying much since Blu-Ray itself has not taken off very well. 400 dollars for a player?
[/QUOTE]

I paid $450+ for my first DVD player and it was a demo unit. The thing still works even! No DTS support though so I sold it to a relative years ago. If you want to be on the cutting edge it costs money.

[ceyko]

[QUOTE=BP]I paid $450+ for my first DVD player and it was a demo unit. The thing still works even! No DTS support though so I sold it to a relative years ago. If you want to be on the cutting edge it costs money.[/QUOTE]

Yeah, I hear ya. I think a lot of people really wanted to see the Blu-Ray prices drop after it defeated HD-DVD, but they've only come down a little bit.

The easy hard drive replacement is a good feature on the PS3 - MS was a bitch about it on the XB360. (AFAIK, it is not easily replaced with a standard drive from frys) It would also be slick to surf the web on the console, so that's kind of neat with the PS3 as well.

You mention MGS4 on the Blu-Ray disk and I think that is one aspect that is overlooked. Unless downloadable games become viable, I think Blu-Ray will find a niche there since it does allow for larger file sizes. Also, as an archiving/backup solution. Just not sure that it'll reign champ for video. However, I once heard a rumor the the XB360 will allow the game to be copyed to the drive for "faster load times." Maybe that's their counter for not having Blu-Ray?

As mentioned in a link I just posted above, MS has officially stated that there will be no Blu-Ray support on the XB360. MS are a bunch of assholes, but they are not necessarily dumb - so they probably have a plan. Granted, it might rape my wallet - but it is a plan nonetheless. :D

Take care,

[The Punisher]

[QUOTE=ClockwrkOrangeS4]I guess I don't have enough online loser friends to play.[/QUOTE]
Glad you think so well about your friends ;)

[DarkWolf]

[QUOTE=Sgt Beavis]I dunno why it does it man. It generates a ton of fuckin' heat even if I'm just playing DVDs or blueray disks. It gets hot even if i'm just streaming music or videos from my Macbook. I've read that a PS3's energy consumption can be as high as a refrigerator.

Here is a pic of the storage cabinet. Does anyone thing I need better ventilation or something. I didn't think it was in there too tight. Here are some pics. Please excuse the dust. I'm in the middle of remodeling.[/QUOTE]

Side room is about the same as mine, but I've got about 3x the room above the PS3.

Mine's both silent and cool, even playing games.

[DarkWolf]

[QUOTE=The Punisher]Just an FYI.. there is an adapter for Xbox 360 that supports mouse and keyboard support ;)[/QUOTE]

No acceleration on the mouse though. Basically it doesn't provide any speed/precision advantage over a normal controller ... just makes it more familiar for someone used to mouse/keyboard control. All it's doing is translating mouse/keyboard commands into the standard controller commands.

The PS3 natively supports mouse and keyboard. Either bluetooth or usb. It's up to the game developers whether they want to use them for game control. I believe Unreal Tournament 3 has the option (not sure if the 360 version does too).

[quote=ceyko]Lets not forget too, that you can convert your whole DVD collection (or download it) to .avi or various other formats and proceed to just watch all those movies via HDD space that you have off a computer. No more swapping DVDs, DVD changers or any of that shit any more....with the XB360. Not sure if that is possible with the PS3.[/quote]

Yep, you can do it on the PS3 too.

If all the PS3 has going for it above the gaming platform is a Blu-Ray player and upscaling...

It's got a solid online store as well (granted no netflix integration, kudos to MS for sealing that deal, and fuck you Netflix... when you announced the Roku you said you were going to have a client for all the consoles. Bitches.)

Also, you can install various flavors of Linux on it. Paired with a keyboard and mouse, you've got yourself a full fledged computer.

Upgrading the hdd is a snap, and since it just uses any standard 2.5" drive, you don't have to pay a proprietary tax like you do for the 360's hdd add-ons.

However, I once heard a rumor the the XB360 will allow the game to be copyed to the drive for "faster load times." Maybe that's their counter for not having Blu-Ray?

Not a rumor, it's coming probably in the fall dashboard update.

But, with a 20 gig drive, only 13 of which are available once you clean all the demo crap off out of the box (on the majority of 360's), that doesn't leave much room for copying games to the drive.

Then again, maybe they're planning on brisker "Elite" sales, and more people ponying up $180 for that 120gig drive upgrade.

Me, a cynic? Nah!

[ceyko]

Hmmm...I had way more than 13 when I cleared out my junk. However, "way more" is relative when talking about 20Gb. That's part of why I like storing all my shit on the network and playing it via the network as opposed to directly attached media (cd, hdd and/or usb drive...etc).

When I did my research into the XB360, the elite was not actually a BAD buy if you shopped around and I liked the black facade a lot better. :) I may need to re-research these PS3 things since when I was making my decision (less than a year ago) none of these things were talked about as possible.

I'm probably gonna have to stop by Chili's house and jack his so I can demo it for research purposes. :)

[DmDakota]

I researched both and what it boiled down to was talking to people who had both and I got a ps3 it doesnt have the "rlod" mod built in like the 360.
I played with a 360 at best buy and it red lighted on me and froze.
I thought fluke and went to target a week or so later and guess what same
thing happened. ps3 for me , dont get me wrong the 360 has alot of cool stuff on it that the ps3 doesnt its the failure rate that got me.

[Tx Redneck]

[QUOTE=DmDakota]I researched both and what it boiled down to was talking to people who had both and I got a ps3 it doesnt have the "rlod" mod built in like the 360.
I played with a 360 at best buy and it red lighted on me and froze.
I thought fluke and went to target a week or so later and guess what same
thing happened. ps3 for me , dont get me wrong the 360 has alot of cool stuff on it that the ps3 doesnt its the failure rate that got me.[/QUOTE]
Get to work SLACKER!