Sony PS3 game console
Those who grew up in the time of the Sinclair, Atari and Commodore gaming consoles, where games were the order of the day, or those who entered the gaming world solo or online with their PC, but who chose digital photography as a ‘serious and responsible’ hobby, will reminisce, with melancholy, about last March 23rd 2007 when the Sony PS3 was introduced officially in Europe. Nevertheless, it doesn’t have to remain nostalgia. I found the perfect excuse to account for the purchase of a Sony PlayStation 3; the PS3 console has a few built-in card readers that make it possible to play your digital (family) photos in large format in a digital photo album! All right, I have to admit that the PS3 is too expensive to purchase just for this purpose, but the way it shows digital photos has given a lot of admiration by friends and family. Therefore, the Sony PS3 is not only a game console, but can be considered as a high-tech media center!
PlayStation 3 - Design
Those who pick up the box of the PS3 for the first time will immediately notice the weight of the console. With a weight of about 5 kilogram, it will be clear right away that the Sony PS3 is not a lightweight. You can take this literally as well as figuratively. The PlayStation 3 is a magnificent piece. The shining deep black material and the nice design ask for a striking and prominent place in the living room. You don't even have to be a high-tech freak for this; even those who do not have a clue as to what kind of device they have in front of them can appreciate the design. With measurements of 32.5 (W) x 9.8 (H) x 27.4 mm (D), the PS3 takes up a reasonably modest spot. The many connections, which the PS3 has, are remarkable but are not immediately visible because of the fine design.
PlayStation 3 - Connections
Standard, the Sony PS3 is supplied with a power supply cable, USB cable, Ethernet cable, AV adapter and an AV cable. A lot has been said and written about the lacking of a HDMI cable, but let’s just say that it is a pity that such a cable doesn’t come with the standard equipment. Besides the documentation, a SIXAXIS wireless controller is supplied, to operate the PS3. Those who are only interested in the PS3 for its built-in Blu Ray player can purchase an optional Blu Ray remote control. The non-gaming freaks will have to get used to operating the SIXAXIS and will need the proper practice to be able to use it blindly. The wireless controller will have to be connected to the PS3 physically in order to be recognized and for wireless operation.
PlayStation 3 - Memory support
When we look at the front side diagonally from above, it contains two halves, on the right the Blu Ray player and on the left the flap that hides a series of built-in card readers. The card slots support CompactFlash type I & II, Microdrive, Secure Digital, miniSD, Memory Stick and Memory Stick PRO Duo flash memory cards. Strangely, the SDHC (SD High Capacity) is not being supported; it seems to me that it is time for a firmware update. Below the left side there are four fast USB 2.0 Hi-Speed connections with besides them two LEDs that serve as indicators for the hard disk and WLAN access.
PlayStation 3 - Backside
The back of the PlayStation 3 accommodates four interfaces and the connection for the adaptor with above it the main switch to turn the PS3 console on or off. A connection with which the reproduction’s quality is guaranteed is the HDMI connection; besides this there is a LAN interface, a (optical) Digital Out connection and a so-called AV Multi Out connection. The large airstrips at the back show clearly that the Sony PS3 can discharge a substantial amount of heat. The PS3 can be placed horizontally as well as vertically.
PlayStation 3 - SIXAXIS
The PS3 has standard been provided with a wireless controller, the so-called SIXAXIS. The SIXAXIS is a futuristic looking controller with a large collection of buttons with which games can be played, but also the virtual keyboard can be operated or the menu of movies that are played by means of the Blu Ray player. The operation is a little getting used to and those who have never worked with such a controller will need a bit of practical experience before it becomes logical.
PlayStation 3 - Installation
The PS3 system can produce two different kinds of video resolutions, HD (High Definition) and SD (Standard Definition). Those who own a HD ready or Full HD LCD screen will connect the PS3 with a HDMI cable; the PS3 will then automatically set the highest quality HD resolution. This consists of 1080p (16:9), 1080i (16:9) or 720p (16:9); the SD resolution consists of 576p (16:9/4:3) or 576i (16:9/4:3). Moreover, the i stands for Interlace, the p for Progressive. Progressive is preferred, for it results in a high video quality with the least flashing in the screen.
PlayStation 3 - Design
Those who pick up the box of the PS3 for the first time will immediately notice the weight of the console. With a weight of about 5 kilogram, it will be clear right away that the Sony PS3 is not a lightweight. You can take this literally as well as figuratively. The PlayStation 3 is a magnificent piece. The shining deep black material and the nice design ask for a striking and prominent place in the living room. You don't even have to be a high-tech freak for this; even those who do not have a clue as to what kind of device they have in front of them can appreciate the design. With measurements of 32.5 (W) x 9.8 (H) x 27.4 mm (D), the PS3 takes up a reasonably modest spot. The many connections, which the PS3 has, are remarkable but are not immediately visible because of the fine design.
PlayStation 3 - Connections
Standard, the Sony PS3 is supplied with a power supply cable, USB cable, Ethernet cable, AV adapter and an AV cable. A lot has been said and written about the lacking of a HDMI cable, but let’s just say that it is a pity that such a cable doesn’t come with the standard equipment. Besides the documentation, a SIXAXIS wireless controller is supplied, to operate the PS3. Those who are only interested in the PS3 for its built-in Blu Ray player can purchase an optional Blu Ray remote control. The non-gaming freaks will have to get used to operating the SIXAXIS and will need the proper practice to be able to use it blindly. The wireless controller will have to be connected to the PS3 physically in order to be recognized and for wireless operation.
PlayStation 3 - Memory support
When we look at the front side diagonally from above, it contains two halves, on the right the Blu Ray player and on the left the flap that hides a series of built-in card readers. The card slots support CompactFlash type I & II, Microdrive, Secure Digital, miniSD, Memory Stick and Memory Stick PRO Duo flash memory cards. Strangely, the SDHC (SD High Capacity) is not being supported; it seems to me that it is time for a firmware update. Below the left side there are four fast USB 2.0 Hi-Speed connections with besides them two LEDs that serve as indicators for the hard disk and WLAN access.
PlayStation 3 - Backside
The back of the PlayStation 3 accommodates four interfaces and the connection for the adaptor with above it the main switch to turn the PS3 console on or off. A connection with which the reproduction’s quality is guaranteed is the HDMI connection; besides this there is a LAN interface, a (optical) Digital Out connection and a so-called AV Multi Out connection. The large airstrips at the back show clearly that the Sony PS3 can discharge a substantial amount of heat. The PS3 can be placed horizontally as well as vertically.
PlayStation 3 - SIXAXIS
The PS3 has standard been provided with a wireless controller, the so-called SIXAXIS. The SIXAXIS is a futuristic looking controller with a large collection of buttons with which games can be played, but also the virtual keyboard can be operated or the menu of movies that are played by means of the Blu Ray player. The operation is a little getting used to and those who have never worked with such a controller will need a bit of practical experience before it becomes logical.
PlayStation 3 - Installation
The PS3 system can produce two different kinds of video resolutions, HD (High Definition) and SD (Standard Definition). Those who own a HD ready or Full HD LCD screen will connect the PS3 with a HDMI cable; the PS3 will then automatically set the highest quality HD resolution. This consists of 1080p (16:9), 1080i (16:9) or 720p (16:9); the SD resolution consists of 576p (16:9/4:3) or 576i (16:9/4:3). Moreover, the i stands for Interlace, the p for Progressive. Progressive is preferred, for it results in a high video quality with the least flashing in the screen.
