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

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Microsoft’s Xbox360

The Xbox360 is Microsoft’s much-awaited follow up to the almighty Xbox first released on November 15 of 2001 in North America. Described by most console enthusiast as a PC disguised as a gaming console, armed to change the way you look at your gaming console, as ‘just’ a gaming center. Beefed up, equipped and poised to be the center of your home entertainment system. The Xbox’s newest incarnation has been set up to out match any PC out there in the market today in terms of performance.

Initially released on November 22, 2005 in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico before Europe and the rest of the planet soon got their first view of the new Xbox360. Along with its launch was Xbox Live, where users can download free previews, game trailers, game demos and even chat with fellow Xbox360 aficionados. Gamers can go online and purchase gaming-related items thru this new online merchant module using Microsoft points.

Done with the chunky-clunky design of the previous Xbox, the design team of Microsoft gave it a concave shape and an all around excellent redesign to its packaging enough to make the entire wait for any ‘serious’ console lover awaiting its release worthwhile. Capable of handling four wireless controllers, solves the problem of wires all over the place while in the heat of your gaming experience. You can mount it in two different ways, on its side or flat on its belly. Three USB ports ready to connect wireless network adapters, wired controllers, an ethernet port and support for 802.11a, b, and g flavors of Wi-Fi for your networking needs. Supporting progressive-scan DVD movies and a number of DVD/CD formats. Additional features are streaming media capabilities from portable devices or Windows XP PCs, as well as ripping and storing music to the 360's detachable, upgradeable 20GB hard drive. Along with different faceplates, that you can customize your console with by snapping on or unsnapping these plates to whichever look you desire makes the 360, aesthetically amazing. Oh! And they added a glowing green on and off switch, cool!

However, as retailing strategies go they released two versions of the 360 in the market, the Core System that sells for $399, which has one wired controller, a faceplate and a composite A/V cable and the deluxe system. The Deluxe system retails at $499, includes a 20GB hard drive, a wireless controller, and a wireless headset, Ethernet cable, component HDAV cables, and, for a limited time, an Xbox 360 media remote. Full access to Xbox Live can only be gained with a hard drive. Though both versions come with a Silver membership to Xbox Live, to actually play head-to-head online, upgrading your membership to the Gold at $5.99 a month or $50 a year is the only way you and your friends will enjoy the online capabilities.

With 200 hundred titles out now, this will definitely keep you busy. Amazing graphics, great add-on capabilities, top of the line design and personalizing options. Overall, the Xbox360 is one good buy. Moreover, the online services offered by Microsoft is unmatched by their competitors which, I for one as a consumer or any other would always like to have in my disposal.

Xbox 360 Specification

CPU

Custom IBM PowerPC

Cores: x3 symmetrical

Clock speed: 3.2 GHz each

2 hardware threads per core

1 VMX-128 vector unit per core

Memory

Custom ATI

RAM 512 MB GDDR3 (Shared with GPU)

VRAM 512 MB UMA (Shared with CPU)

eDRAM 10 MB

Memory Bandwidth

Main 22.4 GB/s

eDRAM 256 GB/s

FSB 21.6 GB/s

L2 Cache: 1 MB

Graphics: Custom ATI @ 500 MHz

Hard drive: 20 GB Removable

Max Resolution: 1080i

Audio: 5.1 Digital

Game Format: HD-DVD

Controllers: Supports four 2.4 GHz Wireless

Wireless Connectivity: Wi-Fi-ready IEEE 802.11 a/b/g (needs adapter)

Input/Output

3 USB 2.0 ports

Ethernet (RJ45)

2 Memory Slots

Other Features

Interchangeable Face Plates

Media Center Extender

Xbox LIVE

Eye-Toy like camera

www.pcworld.com

www.products.howstuffworks.com

www.whatconsole.co.uk

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