Sony Playstation 3

Sony Computer Entertainment, the company that redefined the entertainment lifestyle with its release of the PlayStation2, is set to launch its long-awaited next-generation platform.

The PlayStation3, as it is now officially called, will unleash an exceptional high-definition entertainment experience. The core of its system is called the Cell Broadband Engine, which has up to eight Synergistic Processor Units (SPUs) that tops the processing speed and efficiency of traditional “single-core” processors like its predecessor the PS2.

It boasts a graphic chip from NVidia called a RSX (Reality Synthesizer) which operates at 500 MHZ, with high definition output of up to 1080p. And according to Nvidia, it is more powerful than two GeForce 6800 Ultra graphic cards put together.

The media format the game is stored on is called the Blue-ray. A Blue-ray disc is five times more in storage capacity compared to the conventional DVDs, where a single-layer disc can hold up to 25 GB and 50 GB on a dual-layer disc. Also, its Blue-ray drive has backward compatibility with current CD and DVD formats. That means PlayStation and PlayStation2 titles can be played on this drive, as well as ordinary CDs and DVDs.

The PlayStation3 controller is aesthetically the same as the PS2 DualShock controller except for a new multi-axis motion sensing system that enables users to move the controller with high-precision just like an extension of the body. The PS3 also supports wireless Bluetooth technology that can accommodate up to 7 players. Plus, there are the USB 2.0 slots where additional controllers can be connected. In addition, PSP owners can connect using a Wi-Fi port that can be used either as an additional screen or a controller.

The PS3 comes in two system configurations where the price and several feature varies. The basic system costs $499, while the system with a 60 GB hard drive, 1080p video, Memory Stick/SD/CompactFlash Slots, Wi-Fi and HDMI slots costs $599. It will be available on the 17th of November 2006 in North America and Canada.

SPECIFICATIONS

CPU: Cell Broadband Engine
GPU: RSX

Memory: 256MB XDR
Main RAM 256M
GDDR3 VRAM

HDD: 2.5” Serial SATA 20 GB (or 60 GB – available only for $599 configuration)

I/O: USB 2.0 x 4
Memory Stick/SD/CompactFlash Slots (available only for $599 configuration)

COMMUNICATION:
Ethernet (10BASE-T, 100BASE-TX, 1000BASE-T)
IEEE 802.11 b/g Wi-Fi (available only for $599 configuration)
Bluetooth 2.0 (EDR)
Wireless Controller Bluetooth (up to 7)

AV OUTPUT:
Screen size: 480i, 480p, 720p, 1080i (and 1080p – available only for $599 configuration)
HDMI: HDMI out – (x1 / HDMI) (available only for $599 configuration)
Analog: AV MULTI OUT x 1
Digital Audio: DIGITAL OUT (OPTICAL) x 1
Blue-ray/DVD/CD Drive (read-only)

DIMENSIONS:
Width: 325mm
Height: 98mm
Depth: 274mm
Weight: 5 kg