PS3 Impressions Yes Another One....

Sport73 · Post by **Sport73** » Sat May 19, 2007 12:42 am

My first 2 days with the PS3 have been pretty positive.

First, it's clearly a FAR better engineered machine than the 360; I had it on overnight to download demos (which I'll touch on in a moment) and when I woke up in the morning it was quietly purring away. I went over to feel how hot it was, and it wasn't; mildly warm but not scorch your hand hot like the 360 and it didn't have a cloud of warm air around it.

The 'built-in' aspects of Wi-Fi and Blu-ray are excellent; my 360 with the HD-DVD drive and wireless adapter looks like a pieced together mess by comparison.

HDMI is convenient, as is the lack of a 300lb. power brick. How the hell this thing can run cool with an internal power supply while the 360 burns up despite its external generator is beyond comprehension...It's like the guys at Microsoft never considered heat when designing the machine.

MLB 2007 is superb, easily the best baseball game I've ever played. The graphics are growing on me; while they lack the textures and detail of 2k7, there is something so clean and smooth about the game's appearance that you catch yourself really enjoying the subtle animations and 'depth' of vision.

The PS3 is just a damn sexy machine. Feels solid, plays solid. Nothing I've seen so far (other than perhaps the Motorstorm demo) seems demonstrably better than the 360 in the graphics department, but the PS3 has a touch of class, elegance and engineering thoughtfulness that makes the 360 seem like a 'toy'.

The controller, in part because of its light weight, is very comfortable, even in my big hands. I think the 360 is more ergonomic, but the PS3 does make the L1/L2 buttons easier to use than the 'hidden' bumbers of the 360.

The only real downside, and it's a BIG one (depending on who you are) is that the online experience is far WORSE than I could have ever expected. I had a PS2 for 2 years before selling it off in favor of an XBox (one week before the launch of XBL). After so much time on Microsoft's console, I'd taken for granted ideas like chat in every game, cross game invites, friend 'awareness', and lag-free play. I sort of presumed that the PS2 had made strides to catch up, and while not integrated offered a reasonable method for enjoying online games. I likewise presumed that Sony would've learned from the PS2 and built the basic features for making, managing, and playing with friends standard on the PS3. Wow, they're not there.

No chat in MLB? WTF? When I got into the game for the first time Rally and I agreed to meet up for a game - I couldn't find him!!! Despite being 'friends' in the Media Bar/Home, I had no way to locate him in MLB. I eventually figured out how to send a text by MANUALLY entering his 'tag or alias or whatever'. We then agreed to meet in the EAST 2 room and eventually were able to add each-other as 'buddies' within MLB.

I don't mind the idea of game-specific friends; I think it's a good thing. Too many times I've looked at my XBL Friend's list and wondered how some of those people got there - it would be easier to manage them by game, while being able to 'pick' them from the master list in the cross media bar.

We eventually turned on our 360's, set up a voice chat, and proceeded to play MLB on the PS3 - using the 360 as an expensive telephone. This illustrated the giant CHASM between MS and Sony when it comes to online. We never finished a game, every one got cut off at some point due to a 'TRAFFIC DELAY', which was OK because they were laggy anyway.

Downloading a demo or update takes FOREVER. I like the idea of a 'web-page' based store, it makes it much easier for them to re-design the layout as they add content than a Dashboard update.

The PS3 is a replacement for the gentle, unreliable 360 in every respect except it's online prowess. It's still in the dark ages, far worse than I had ever imagined. I'm holding out hope that updates and HOME will eventually adress the issue.

I have a Wii, a PS3 and the 360. for single player games, the PS3 is the champ (at this early stage). The 360 rules for online multiplayer, and the Wii owns live multiplayer.

Sony's PS3 does require the fewest compromises from the user, and if you've never used XBL you'd never know what you were giving up. Being a frequent XBL user, I have to recant my thoughts on the PS3, as it requires HEAVY compromise in terms of online play. There's hope, and the machine is worth it for its solid build, game library (MLB and upcoming), Blu-Ray playback, integrated Wi-Fi, PSP sharing capabilities etc. But Sony's got a long way to go to get the PS3 to the top of the mountain.

greggsand · Post by **greggsand** » Sat May 19, 2007 1:48 am

Nice online assesment. I work with 2 people who own both and have said the same thing for online (with more 'dirty words' thrown in). In fact, for any dual platform game (2k series, madden, shooters, etc) they say they'll always have to pick the 360 version or else they'll never play it online. Interesting.

wco81 · Post by **wco81** » Sat May 19, 2007 2:25 am

Yeah I have to admit the PS3 is even worse than the PS2 online.

And it's surprising to hear MLB still not integrating with the XMB/PN friends list.

But at least it has its own friends list which Madden didn't have.

I don't know how long they were developing or prototyping Home. It seems they worked on that and gave the PN short shrift.

For me, no big deal because I use AIM and/or email to arrange games. I do have a keyboard connected so I can type chat within games. Never tried using the XMB messaging thing. But to be honest, it's a lot easier and more responsive to chat with people through a computer.

Have a headset but don't like to chat during games.

MizzouRah · Post by **MizzouRah** » Sat May 19, 2007 10:00 am

Sport73 wrote:My first 2 days with the PS3 have been pretty positive.

First, it's clearly a FAR better engineered machine than the 360; I had it on overnight to download demos (which I'll touch on in a moment) and when I woke up in the morning it was quietly purring away. I went over to feel how hot it was, and it wasn't; mildly warm but not scorch your hand hot like the 360 and it didn't have a cloud of warm air around it.

The 'built-in' aspects of Wi-Fi and Blu-ray are excellent; my 360 with the HD-DVD drive and wireless adapter looks like a pieced together mess by comparison.

HDMI is convenient, as is the lack of a 300lb. power brick. How the hell this thing can run cool with an internal power supply while the 360 burns up despite its external generator is beyond comprehension...It's like the guys at Microsoft never considered heat when designing the machine.

MLB 2007 is superb, easily the best baseball game I've ever played. The graphics are growing on me; while they lack the textures and detail of 2k7, there is something so clean and smooth about the game's appearance that you catch yourself really enjoying the subtle animations and 'depth' of vision.

The PS3 is just a damn sexy machine. Feels solid, plays solid. Nothing I've seen so far (other than perhaps the Motorstorm demo) seems demonstrably better than the 360 in the graphics department, but the PS3 has a touch of class, elegance and engineering thoughtfulness that makes the 360 seem like a 'toy'.

The controller, in part because of its light weight, is very comfortable, even in my big hands. I think the 360 is more ergonomic, but the PS3 does make the L1/L2 buttons easier to use than the 'hidden' bumbers of the 360.

The only real downside, and it's a BIG one (depending on who you are) is that the online experience is far WORSE than I could have ever expected. I had a PS2 for 2 years before selling it off in favor of an XBox (one week before the launch of XBL). After so much time on Microsoft's console, I'd taken for granted ideas like chat in every game, cross game invites, friend 'awareness', and lag-free play. I sort of presumed that the PS2 had made strides to catch up, and while not integrated offered a reasonable method for enjoying online games. I likewise presumed that Sony would've learned from the PS2 and built the basic features for making, managing, and playing with friends standard on the PS3. Wow, they're not there.

No chat in MLB? WTF? When I got into the game for the first time Rally and I agreed to meet up for a game - I couldn't find him!!! Despite being 'friends' in the Media Bar/Home, I had no way to locate him in MLB. I eventually figured out how to send a text by MANUALLY entering his 'tag or alias or whatever'. We then agreed to meet in the EAST 2 room and eventually were able to add each-other as 'buddies' within MLB.

I don't mind the idea of game-specific friends; I think it's a good thing. Too many times I've looked at my XBL Friend's list and wondered how some of those people got there - it would be easier to manage them by game, while being able to 'pick' them from the master list in the cross media bar.

We eventually turned on our 360's, set up a voice chat, and proceeded to play MLB on the PS3 - using the 360 as an expensive telephone. This illustrated the giant CHASM between MS and Sony when it comes to online. We never finished a game, every one got cut off at some point due to a 'TRAFFIC DELAY', which was OK because they were laggy anyway.

Downloading a demo or update takes FOREVER. I like the idea of a 'web-page' based store, it makes it much easier for them to re-design the layout as they add content than a Dashboard update.

The PS3 is a replacement for the gentle, unreliable 360 in every respect except it's online prowess. It's still in the dark ages, far worse than I had ever imagined. I'm holding out hope that updates and HOME will eventually adress the issue.

I have a Wii, a PS3 and the 360. for single player games, the PS3 is the champ (at this early stage). The 360 rules for online multiplayer, and the Wii owns live multiplayer.

Sony's PS3 does require the fewest compromises from the user, and if you've never used XBL you'd never know what you were giving up. Being a frequent XBL user, I have to recant my thoughts on the PS3, as it requires HEAVY compromise in terms of online play. There's hope, and the machine is worth it for its solid build, game library (MLB and upcoming), Blu-Ray playback, integrated Wi-Fi, PSP sharing capabilities etc. But Sony's got a long way to go to get the PS3 to the top of the mountain.

Well written and informative, thanks.

sportdan30 · Post by **sportdan30** » Sat May 19, 2007 1:06 pm

Agree with your sentiments for the most part about the PS3 online. However, I think it's all what the individual wants out of the console. No way would I have traded the 360 for a PS3 if I was a rabid online gamer. I'm not in the least. I just want the ability to download updated rosters. Plus, I'm optimistic that their online service will only continue to improve with "home".

LAking · Post by **LAking** » Sat May 19, 2007 1:28 pm

question for the PS3 owners. I've heard conflicting information on the consoles ability to up convert regular DVDs. Can it do this or not? If i get one i will probably replace my DVD player with it. I want to make sure i'm getting a good quality regular DVD player as well as a Blue Ray.

How about those of you who have harmony universal remotes? Have you tried hooking up the old PS2 IR remote to the PS3? How well does that work? One of the biggest deterrents for me is the fact that i won't be able to use my harmony 880 to control DVDs and Blue Ray.

wco81 · Post by **wco81** » Sat May 19, 2007 1:52 pm

It does not upconvert DVDs. Speculation that it will with a future firmware upgrade though.

I've heard of people using workarounds on AVS. Never tried it myself.

Nozzleman_216 · Post by **Nozzleman_216** » Sat May 19, 2007 8:20 pm

I thought it didn't even play dvds???? I am not sure where I got this idea or read it.

Post by **ScoopBrady** » Sat May 19, 2007 9:27 pm

SEMINOLE wrote:I thought it didn't even play dvds???? I am not sure where I got this idea or read it.

That's true of the Wii. It was negative so you probably naturally assumed it was the PS3 that was being talked about.

Post by **ScoopBrady** » Sat May 19, 2007 11:26 pm

Being a 360 owner since launch and a Xbox owner from the beginning of Xbox Live all I can say is that the PS3 online sucks ass. Rodster has sent me challenges the past 2 nights in MLB and I keep missing them. My nephew and I were playing a game together last night so I couldn't have played anyways but tonight when I finally noticed I had a challenge it was too late. A little sound notification would be nice. Very frustrating to say the least.

Danimal · Post by **Danimal** » Tue May 22, 2007 12:30 pm

Is anyone else experiencing freezes with thier PS3? While playing the Show and watching some Blue Ray movies occasionally my system will freeze for 20-30 seconds and then continue.

It's too late to go back to the store and return it for another, so anyone have an idea who I call to find out what is going on?

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Tue May 22, 2007 12:44 pm

Danimal wrote:Is anyone else experiencing freezes with thier PS3? While playing the Show and watching some Blue Ray movies occasionally my system will freeze for 20-30 seconds and then continue.

It's too late to go back to the store and return it for another, so anyone have an idea who I call to find out what is going on?

Nope, no problems so far.

sportdan30 · Post by **sportdan30** » Tue May 22, 2007 2:16 pm

None at all this time Danimal.

Because the downloads have been so slow for me, I kept my PS3 on the other day for three hours while I was out. Came back and the system wasn't any warmer than when I left. I just feel a great sense of peace of mind with this system.

Danimal · Post by **Danimal** » Tue May 22, 2007 2:32 pm

My systems not hot at all, the problems are sporadic. Last night I was playing for 3 hours and it didn't happen once. The day before it happened several times.

I'll try and find a support number to call.

wco81 · Post by **wco81** » Tue May 22, 2007 3:30 pm

I've had to force quit some games once or twice since getting the system in early December.

AVS has lots of posts claiming freezes during Blu-Ray movies. There are claims that you have to turn off networking when you watch movies? But I don't think that was widely reported.

Danimal · Post by **Danimal** » Tue May 22, 2007 3:39 pm

It happens so sporadically I'm not overly concerned, but the warranty is only 90 days right?

grtwhtsk · Post by **grtwhtsk** » Tue May 22, 2007 4:08 pm

Danimal wrote:It happens so sporadically I'm not overly concerned, but the warranty is only 90 days right?

It's a year.

http://www.us.playstation.com/Support/PS3/Warranties

sportdan30 · Post by **sportdan30** » Tue May 22, 2007 11:55 pm

Danimal wrote:Is anyone else experiencing freezes with thier PS3? While playing the Show and watching some Blue Ray movies occasionally my system will freeze for 20-30 seconds and then continue.

It's too late to go back to the store and return it for another, so anyone have an idea who I call to find out what is going on?

Well, tonight I experienced three freezes while playing The Show. Each time I thought I was going to have to restart the system. The first time actually froze on the main menu screen. The next two occurred during gameplay. One was when my pitcher was in the windup. 8 seconds later, he pitched the ball.

The only thing I can think of is that I had left the system on earlier in the evening to download 2K7, and accidently shut the cabinet where the PS3 is housed. When I came home, the fan was at full blast. I shut off the system to cool it down and watched a show on t.v. Came back 45 minutes later and that's when the freezes occured.

Do you think it's the game or the PS3 itself? I just purchased it, so I can still take it back for a replacemen I'm assuming.

Danimal · Post by **Danimal** » Wed May 23, 2007 10:19 am

Dan I don't really know, I starting to think it is a caching issue with the game. Last night I had no issue again after playing for hours. The Show is the only game I have so I can;t compare it to anything else.

I've watched 6 or 7 Blue Ray movies and only one froze and that was a netFlix movie so it may have been scratched. I'll keep watching it since the warranty is a year,not 90 days like the EB guy told me. But I did some research and I haven't seen this reported anywhere.

Post by **ScoopBrady** » Wed May 23, 2007 11:47 am

New firmware update should be available at midnight central time tonight. Sounds good, especially to PSP owners and DVD collectors.

http://www.scee.presscentre.com/Content ... sAreaID=2

Danimal · Post by **Danimal** » Wed May 23, 2007 11:51 am

Can someone give me the readers digest version of what I can do if I connect my PSP to my PS3 and how it is done.

Blublub · Post by **Blublub** » Wed May 23, 2007 9:13 pm

sportdan30 wrote:Do you think it's the game or the PS3 itself? I just purchased it, so I can still take it back for a replacemen I'm assuming.

Dan, try disabling the Internet connection and see if that helps. The Show does periodically hits the servers to download scores and the like and can cause some problems.

The McAfee night game bug does seem to be disc-related, so if you have that too it might be worth swapping for a new copy. Strangely enough I'm among those with the McAfee bug but no in-game freezing.

sportdan30 · Post by **sportdan30** » Wed May 23, 2007 9:26 pm

Thanks for the suggestions Blu!

Diablo25 · Post by **Diablo25** » Thu May 24, 2007 12:21 am

ScoopBrady wrote:New firmware update should be available at midnight central time tonight. Sounds good, especially to PSP owners and DVD collectors.

http://www.scee.presscentre.com/Content ... sAreaID=2

Its out. It has alot of superb upgrades. You can now stream video, music, pics from a media server (PC with WMP, etc.) The PS3 now upscales DVDs. Some very cool stuff.

Diablo25 · Post by **Diablo25** » Thu May 24, 2007 12:26 am

Sony Computer Entertainment Europe (SCEE) announced today availability of the latest version of the PLAYSTATION®3 (PS3™) firmware. Version 1.80 features upscaling of PlayStation® and PlayStation 2 games, and DVD movies up to full 1080p HD resolution when viewed on a compatible HD TV set.

The capability to upscale DVDs to HD quality is a feature normally only associated with top range DVD players, and its inclusion in the latest firmware upgrade now allows PS3 owners with an existing DVD collection to dramatically enhance the viewing pleasure of their DVD collection when viewed through a compatible HD TV set1. Not only can DVD movies be enhanced to full 1080p HD quality but so too will PlayStation 2 and PlayStation games be upscaled to provide much improved gaming pleasure.

In a comprehensive update to PS3’s already impressive capabilities, Version 1.80 also allows users to enjoy Remote Play on their PSP across the internet, allowing them to access their PS3 anywhere in the world where a broadband internet connection is available2.

Version 1.80 also allows users on a home network to seamlessly view and play rich media content such as images, music and video on their PS3, that is stored on their DLNA3 enabled devices such as PCs and laptops elsewhere in the house, reinforcing PS3’s credentials as a home entertainment hub that truly deserves pride of place in the Living Room.

A host of other enhancements include the ability to print photo images stored on PS3’s hard disk or inserted storage media to a selection of Epson printers.

PS3 owners will be able to upgrade their PS3 with the latest Version 1.80 firmware from 24th May 2007.

The PSP stuff is pretty cool.