Sony PS3

nikolas812

Can someone point me in the direction of cheap Sony PS3's?


I bought one a while back and found out I paid too much. Someone pointed out where I could have got one cheaper but I don't remember where.


I am getting ready to buy another one so any help would be appreciated.





Nick

nikolas812

Also. Is one better than the other. Do I really need 120gb of memory?


I just need it for gaming and Blu Rays...


I think I had a 40gb last time. Seemed to work fine for me.. Would a 20gb work just as well? I won't be using it for a music server or anything. Just games and Blu Ray.


I don't mind spending the extra cash on one if I no where the money is going. I just want to know if there is anything else i would be gaining except extra memory.


Nick

nikolas812

Amazon has Ps3 40gb for $299.99

and 160gb Drake Fortune ps3's package for 499.99

And regular 80gb consoles for $399.99


Are these good prices?


Nick

edossin4

Those are the standard prices. You may get a re-ferb for less but then you take a chance with something going wrong with a used unit. Get the 80g if you are gaming that should be plenty and you will not have to worry about running out of space.

prstrings

Is there any reason to get a stand-alone Blu Ray player and not a PS3? I told my wife that when Red Box starts carrying Blu Rays, we were getting a Blue Ray player. Well, I just found out that Red Box is carrying a limited number of Blu Rays, so I'm in the market.

Advice?

nikolas812

Heres a link to the 40gb PS3;)



http://www.amazon.com/Playstation-3-40GB/dp/B000XGJH1O/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&s=videogames&qid=1224807465&sr=1-4




Nick

cheddar

Unfortunately, you're starting to look for a ps3 when there really is no difference between the widely available ps3s anymore. For blu-ray playback and gaming, this means little, as all the ps3s play ps3 games and blu-rays just fine. But the earlier models of the ps3 had a lot of extra features that are missing on newer models as they take out hardware to cut costs.

While there are differences in other areas like available card readers and usb ports, the two main features everyone always looks for is backwards compatibility with ps2 games and to a lesser extent, SACD playback.

The earliest 20GB and 60GB versions had the hardware guts of a ps2 included in the console so they had the best backwards compatibility with ps2 games. They also included SACD playback.

The next up was an 80GB model that took some of the ps2 hardware out but through software emulation was able to play thousands of ps2 games. This version also had SACD playback.

Then they switched to a 40GB model that took all the ps2 hardware out as well as the SACD playback capability.

All of these models are no longer in production and will be tough to find. I believe the easiest one still appearing here and there with partial BC and SACD playback may be the MGS4 bundle that includes one of the old 80GB spec models.

Currently, Sony is just producing variations of the 40GB version without ps2 BC or SACD playback but with larger hard drives. The problem is that there really isn't any value (IMHO) in including a larger hard drive (80GB, 160GB) if they also don't bring back features like BC and SACD playback. The ps3 uses generic laptop SATA HDDs which are under $100 street for even 160-250GB versions. And they are very simple to replace with no more knowledge than how to use a screw driver. The instructions are even in the manual. So it almost always works out best to just buy the cheapest available ps3 and do the upgrade yourself if you're worried about hard drive space. Don't pay the premium at retail for a larger hard drive. You will be much happier to save the coin while getting an even larger HDD if you do it yourself.

As far as blu-ray playback goes, the ps3 was engineered to be a high-end networked gaming console, so through firmware updates, all versions have the latest features of the most recent dedicated players (including DVD upconversion) except:

No multichannel analog outs for AVRs without hdmi.

No bitstreaming capabilities for decoding lossless at the AVR. However, the ps3 decodes the lossless audio fomats just fine and sends a high bandwidth multichannel PCM signal out to the AVR over HDMI.

No IR universal remote compatibility so you have to use third party solutions if you need it.

If you bury it in a closed cabinet, you are likely to discover that the ps3 has an over drive fan setting that is audible. But if you keep it well ventilated, BR playback is not very taxing on the console's processors (compared to gaming) so you will likely never notice the fan is on unless you're sitting very near the console with no sound coming from your speakers.

shawn474

Nick,
I think that Sony is offering the $100 credit still if you sign up forthe credit card. I signed up, got the credit, paid the bill and cancelled the card. It was a really good deal and you get all of the warranty with it.

Take Care,
Shawn

BIZILL

so the newest ps3's DON'T do sacd any longer???

nikolas812

cheddar wrote: »

Unfortunately, you're starting to look for a ps3 when there really is no difference between the widely available ps3s anymore. For blu-ray playback and gaming, this means little, as all the ps3s play ps3 games and blu-rays just fine. But the earlier models of the ps3 had a lot of extra features that are missing on newer models as they take out hardware to cut costs.

While there are differences in other areas like available card readers and usb ports, the two main features everyone always looks for is backwards compatibility with ps2 games and to a lesser extent, SACD playback.

The earliest 20GB and 60GB versions had the hardware guts of a ps2 included in the console so they had the best backwards compatibility with ps2 games. They also included SACD playback.

The next up was an 80GB model that took some of the ps2 hardware out but through software emulation was able to play thousands of ps2 games. This version also had SACD playback.

Then they switched to a 40GB model that took all the ps2 hardware out as well as the SACD playback capability.

All of these models are no longer in production and will be tough to find. I believe the easiest one still appearing here and there with partial BC and SACD playback may be the MGS4 bundle that includes one of the old 80GB spec models.

Currently, Sony is just producing variations of the 40GB version without ps2 BC or SACD playback but with larger hard drives. The problem is that there really isn't any value (IMHO) in including a larger hard drive (80GB, 160GB) if they also don't bring back features like BC and SACD playback. The ps3 uses generic laptop SATA HDDs which are under $100 street for even 160-250GB versions. And they are very simple to replace with no more knowledge than how to use a screw driver. The instructions are even in the manual. So it almost always works out best to just buy the cheapest available ps3 and do the upgrade yourself if you're worried about hard drive space. Don't pay the premium at retail for a larger hard drive. You will be much happier to save the coin while getting an even larger HDD if you do it yourself.

As far as blu-ray playback goes, the ps3 was engineered to be a high-end networked gaming console, so through firmware updates, all versions have the latest features of the most recent dedicated players (including DVD upconversion) except:

No multichannel analog outs for AVRs without hdmi.

No bitstreaming capabilities for decoding lossless at the AVR. However, the ps3 decodes the lossless audio fomats just fine and sends a high bandwidth multichannel PCM signal out to the AVR over HDMI.

No IR universal remote compatibility so you have to use third party solutions if you need it.

If you bury it in a closed cabinet, you are likely to discover that the ps3 has an over drive fan setting that is audible. But if you keep it well ventilated, BR playback is not very taxing on the console's processors (compared to gaming) so you will likely never notice the fan is on unless you're sitting very near the console with no sound coming from your speakers.

Wow!!

Nice response!! This is exactly what I was wanting to know..


Since I am not worried about ps2 playback or SACD playback. It sounds like I should just be looking for the cheapest PS3 possible. Which was a new 40gb from amazon for $299.00.

Its also nice to know that upgradeing the HD is so simple also...


Thanks for the fantastic response!


Nick

MKZ

shawn474 wrote: »

Nick,
I think that Sony is offering the $100 credit still if you sign up forthe credit card. I signed up, got the credit, paid the bill and cancelled the card. It was a really good deal and you get all of the warranty with it.

Take Care,
Shawn

+1. $150 credit now.

http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CategoryDisplay?catalogId=10551&storeId=10151&langId=-1&categoryId=6148914691233368166

I also saw Dell has 80GB for $340+tax Free Shipping 2,3 days back.

nikolas812

MKZ wrote: »

+1. $150 credit now.

http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CategoryDisplay?catalogId=10551&storeId=10151&langId=-1&categoryId=6148914691233368166

I also saw Dell has 80GB for $340+tax Free Shipping 2,3 days back.

Ummm... Do I need good credit to qualify??


If not. I could do it and get a 80gb Ps3 for $250.00


But I don't have any credit...




Nick

MKZ

The Sony cards are from Chase Bank USA, NA. I think you better not trying, it could hurt your credit score if not approve IMO. Ask somebody more expertise on these.

MikeC78

IF you have bad credit, I wouldn't even try to apply it will make it worse.

Go to www.myfico.com check your scores and accounts, and try to get them fixed.

cheddar

BIZILL wrote: »

so the newest ps3's DON'T do sacd any longer???

That's my understanding IIRC. They really gutted the 40GB to cut costs and the larger hard drives they put in them now really don't make up for what was lost. But it might be an indication of how few people really used it as a ps2 platform or for SACD. Blu-ray already has the ability to do DVD-Audio level multichannel PCM. It would be ironic if someday this was the high resolution audio solution that made it to the masses after SACD already kicked DVD-Audio to the side...

MKZ

http://www.amazon.com/gp/feature.html/?ie=UTF8&docId=1000279241


Amazon has a deal "Save $100 When You Buy a Blu-ray Player and Four Warner Blu-ray Discs Together".

Pretty good deal if you get a PS3. You could sell the movies to make it even cheaper. Sign up for a Sony CC to get another $150 off.

Enter code: AMAZONBD
Free Super Saver shipping, no tax for most.



Batman Begins
Speed Racer
Natural Born Killers
Superman Returns
Constantine
10,000 BC
Batman Gotham Knight
Syriana
Michael Clayton
V for Vendetta
Corpse's Bride
The Perfect Storm
Goodfellas
Blood Diamond
Kiss KIss Bang Bang
Superman The Movie
The Phantom of the Opera
Blazing Saddles
Full Metal Jacket
Music And Lyrics
Rumor Has It
ATL

nikolas812

Sweet!!


For a new Sony PS3 80gb and four Blu Ray movies. The total comes to $377.95 shipped...


Not too bad..



Nick

nikolas812

MKZ wrote: »

http://www.amazon.com/gp/feature.html/?ie=UTF8&docId=1000279241


Amazon has a deal "Save $100 When You Buy a Blu-ray Player and Four Warner Blu-ray Discs Together".

Pretty good deal if you get a PS3. You could sell the movies to make it even cheaper. Sign up for a Sony CC to get another $150 off.

Enter code: AMAZONBD
Free Super Saver shipping, no tax for most.



Batman Begins
Speed Racer
Natural Born Killers
Superman Returns
Constantine
10,000 BC
Batman Gotham Knight
Syriana
Michael Clayton
V for Vendetta
Corpse's Bride
The Perfect Storm
Goodfellas
Blood Diamond
Kiss KIss Bang Bang
Superman The Movie
The Phantom of the Opera
Blazing Saddles
Full Metal Jacket
Music And Lyrics
Rumor Has It
ATL

Thanks for the promo code!!


I just ordered a new Sony 80gb + 4 Blu Ray Movies + Elder Scrolls IV for $408.00!:eek:

I think thats a hell of a price IMO...

I plan to sell my Oppo 981HD to off set the price even further. And maybe a couple pf the Blu Rays also..

Thanks again. This place rocks. I knew you guys could find me a good deal. If I had better credit I would have did the card thing also. But I don't.:( Anybody with good credit and thinking about getting a PS3. Should jump on this. Seems like a no brainier to me.


Peace.


Nick

organ

That's strange. There is an option on my PS3 to turn on "Bitstream" on both optical and HDMI. Did I get a special unit or something?

cheddar

You can bitstream vanilla dolby and DTS to an AVR for decoding. But you can't bitstream lossless Blu-ray TrueHD and DTS-HD MA. The ps3 decodes these internally and sends out a high resolution multichannel PCM signal to the AVR via HDMI. Works the same, just decodes in the player instead of the AVR.

organ

Cheddar,
Phew.. I did some research and thought I'd have to buy a dedicated blu ray player. Your post cleared it up for me. Thanks.

Just a question, is Dolby HD strictly 7.1? Can you still get the HD at 5.1? I'm working on my HT right now and can't do 7.1, won't work out in the room.

BIZILL

organ wrote: »

Cheddar,
Phew.. I did some research and thought I'd have to buy a dedicated blu ray player. Your post cleared it up for me. Thanks.

Just a question, is Dolby HD strictly 7.1? Can you still get the HD at 5.1? I'm working on my HT right now and can't do 7.1, won't work out in the room.

dolbyTRUEHD is both 5.1 and 7.1 depending on the source recording. hardly any movies are recorded in 7.1. there are a handful, but most remain 5.1 soundtracks. you're fine.

cheddar

organ wrote: »

Just a question, is Dolby HD strictly 7.1? Can you still get the HD at 5.1? I'm working on my HT right now and can't do 7.1, won't work out in the room.

Bizill is correct about the scarcity of 7.1 remasters at the moment. Even top tier releases tend to have 5.1 tracks from the major studios. However, even with 7.1 discreet channels, a 5.1 system should still be able to produce a good surround field. I wouldn't worry about not having those rear surrounds. It's certainly not a good reason to not get into blu-ray.

You should also be looking for DTS-HD MA and uncompressed PCM offerings on blu-ray disks as there are three lossless formats and all of them can be processed by the ps3 and sent out to an AVR via HDMI.

shepx2

OK, I just want to make sure I am getting this right:

If I have an older receiver, and all I want to get is regular DD and DTS, I can get that from a PS3 via optical out?

Conradicles

Yes. It sounds great.

cheddar

And remember, all blu-rays have older compatible DD and DTS (also called DTS-HD MA core) tracks. But they are recorded at the maximum bitrates of the old DVD standards. (640kbps and 1.5 mbps IIRC). DVDs are typically recorded at half that bitrate to save space on the disk. So you're usually getting a higher quality track on blu-ray even if you're listening to the DD and DTS tracks via optical.