The Sony Playstation 3 incorporates the latest revolutionary technologies, in the form of a Cell processor – the result of collaboration between Sony, IBM and Toshiba – NVIDIA RSX graphics processor and Rambus XDR memory architecture, not to mention Blu-ray disk technology – a next generation, optical disk format – to deliver a powerful, high-definition gaming and multimedia experience.
Blu-ray disk technology allows up to five times more data to be stored, on a single disk, than traditional DVD technology, allowing games developers, and film makers, for that matter, to take advantage of 1080p (progressive scan) resolution picture quality, to create rich, realistic visual effects, which, due to the raw processing power of the Playstation 3, can now be rendered in real-time. A Blu-ray drive is included, as standard, in both the “basic” and “premium” configurations, as is an HDMI (“High Definition Multimedia Interface”) connection, allowing all-digital, loss-free data transfer to, for example, an HD television set.
The Playstation 3 is more than just a games console, too – Internet access, for example, to the “Playstation Network” and “Playstation Store” can be achieved via Ethernet, or WiFi connection – with the option of downloading (free or paid) games, video and music, and free web browsing.
Playstation 3 Accessories
The Playstation 3 “Sixaxis” controller, now with Bluetooth wireless capability, is a refinement of the earlier “Dual Shock 2” controller – universally accepted and, indeed, acclaimed – and now employing the latest motion-sensitive technology, to respond to a player’s bodily movements, for more intuitive and intricate game play. Power to the Sixaxis controller is supplied by rechargeable batteries, with a life of 30, or so, hours, on a single charge, but the provision of a USB port and cable means that the controller can be connected to the Playstation 3 console, for recharging, at any time, even during game play. The Sixaxis controller, unlike some other gaming system controllers, requires very little configuration, and up to seven controllers can connect, wirelessly, to single Playstation 3 console, at the same time. The inclusion of the new motion sensors does, however, mean that the force feedback, rumble feature has, by necessity, been dispensed with.
On the downside – although maybe only slightly, depending on your personal preference – the inclusion of motion sensors means that forced feedback, “rumble”, is no longer a feature of the Sixaxis controller.
If you have a Playstation, or Playstation 2, memory card, and you wish to transfer data from the card to the hard disk of your Playstation 3, you should consider a Playstation 3 Memory Card Adaptor. The adaptor connects to the USB port of a Playstation 3 (via the USB Mini cable, supplied with the Playstation 3 console) at one end, and has a Playstation 2 memory card slot at the other, allowing straightforward transfer of saved games, and profiles, with no need to start again.
Depending on the type of television set that you have, and the input connections that it has, you may also need an additional cable to connect your Playstation 3 console. If you’re lucky enough to have an HD (“High Definition”) TV, with HDMI, you can experience the full potential of the Playstation 3 – via an HDMI cable – with excellent video (up to 1080p resolution) and sound (from stereo, to eight channel digital surround sound) quality. If not, you may need a component AV (“Audio Visual”) cable, which also supports true HD playback, or, failing that, an S-video cable, supporting SD (“Standard Definition”) picture quality, with 576i (interlaced) resolution. You do, obviously, need to check which input connections are supported by your television set, before you buy a cable, and go for the highest quality connection available – in order of preference, HDMI, component, and then S-video.
From more of a “hands on” gaming perspective, you may also find that a Bluetooth headset for Playstation 3 is a useful, and entertaining, acquisition, keeping your hands free, and allowing you to communicate with other players during game play. The wireless Bluetooth headset has a range of up to 30 feet from the Playstation 3 console, with a microphone that eliminates extraneous noise, and is designed to fit comfortably in either ear, depending on your preference.
You may also like to consider protecting your Playstation 3 Sixaxis controller – from the dirt, grease and general wear and tear of everyday use – with an elasticated, silicon skin Sixaxis controller case, specially designed for comfortable, non-slip use, while still providing access to all of the Sixaxis controller slots, without removing the case.
Similarly, if you’re an especially intensive gamer, and your Playstation 3 console is likely to be in use more often than not, a Mini USB powered cooling fan may help to lower its working temperature, and prolong its life. A powerful, yet small and unobtrusive, cooling fan of this type, “plug and play”, and taking its power direct from the Playstation 3 console, means that the console, itself, will run more efficiently and that your game play will be less hindered, and more enjoyable.
Conclusion
Many of the available Playstation 3 accessories are either “essential” items (for example, you cannot play games without a controller, or a means of connecting the Playstation 3 to a television set, or monitor), or add significantly to the gaming experience, but, as the popularity of the Playstation 3 continues to increase, more accessories, of a more “gimmicky” nature are likely to appear on the market. Try to avoid these – just because you can have a certain accessory, doesn’t necessarily mean that you should have it – and remember that the overall success and popularity of any games console – and the Playstation 3 is no exception – is due, largely, to a wide selection of innovative, entertaining games, not one-off, novelty marketing ploys. Spend your accessory budget wisely, and the Playstation 3 will provide you with a truly next generation gaming environment, one that you will definitely not have experienced before.
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