That's kind of been the idea for a while (how else did you expect them to offer a 40GB SKU for $100 less than the 60GB SKU?) And to be honest, the only thing that really sucks is losing backwards compatibility to PS2 games (although depending how this is treated, it may not be as bad as I thought). I've never had a use for all the extra USB ports or the memory card reader, and if for some reason I did need them, I would probably just buy/use a cheap USB adapter to get those features. Works basically the same as transferring movies/music/pictures/etc. from one PC to another if you've ever done that. Ideally, you'd have some sort of USB storage device, like the ones I mentioned earlier (USB flash drive, USB external HDD, etc.), or a memory card that the PS3 supports (MS Pro Duo, CF, SD...or really any format as long as you have a USB adapter for it). If you have media files on your PC that you want to transfer to your PS3, put those files on the storage device, then connect that to your PS3. You should then see your storage device show up on the PS3, and you can copy the files to your HDD that way (sometimes, the PS3 sorts things strangely, so you may have to individually look under each media category and look for all files on the device). Note that video files can be a little more complicated. Basically, there are different types of video files, and the PS3 can only play a few of them (w/o help anyway). If you have a video that the PS3 won't play, you'll have to convert it to a file it will play. This may sound complicated, but it isn't really. There are PC programs out there that make this pretty easy, such as this one: http://www.redkawa.com/videoconverters/ps3video9/ I haven't really messed with these options, but I'm sure this works similarly with discs and other devices as well (in fact, I think the PS3 will import music from music CDs if you have any). I'm guessing if you have a MP3/media player or a camera with a USB port, you can connect those devices directly to the PS3 and possibly copy over any media you have (for video, we're assuming that the PS3 supports it of course). If the PS3 and PC are on the same network (wired or wireless), you can also use DLNA media streaming to copy (or stream) media from your PC. This is a little more complicated to get working, but it does make things a lot easier. I can explain this in another post if you want me to. You can actually download media files from the Internet browser as well, although it won't always work (I think all picture files work). I think if you press triangle on a picture, you'll have the option to save it to the HDD.
Just because they are getting rid of the backward compatibility chip does not mean that it won't have backward compatibility. I believe they removed that chip for the 80GB system too. They are replacing it with an emulation software that will accomplish virtually the same thing for a much cheaper price.
It's funny that I have become more of a Wii champion lately being such a graphics w**** before, but I would not trade my Wii for a PS3 or a 360 although I do already own a 360. I do not think that the novelty of the Wii will wear off any time soon. Remember the A list titles for Wii are coming soon -- Super Mario Galaxy and Super Smash Brothers. Just like PS3 owners like to crow that devs have only scratched the surface of the PS3's power that holds true for all consoles and especially so for the Wii as most developers have been lazy and have not fully utilized the power of the Wii and are jsut beginning to understand better how to utilize the Wiimote. You must also remember that the developers, those who really determine the console wars will flock to whichever console sells the most. And right now that is pretty much the Wii. If the gap between the Wii and the others grow -- the good games will be on the Wii not the other systems. I would say that the Wii has been more fun than my 360 by far. But if your son wants online gaming, I wouldn't even recommend the PS3 right now over the 360. If your son wants eye candy, then the PS3 and the 360 may be the way to go (but remember that is just not techincal graphics that make a game, aesthetics and art direction play a larger factor). But if your son doesn't play online and doesn't care about if things look close to life, then the Wii is the way to go especially if he has friends over to play with him. I would say the Wii provides the most fun of all the consoles in groups and alone.
I wouldn't say bioshock came out of nowhere. It's just one of the few games that actually managed to live up to it's hype. I don't think there is an exclusive on the PS3 that would be more than just a rental for me. And as far as future titles go, MGS4 and FF are really the only ones of interest.
I don't enjoy the vast majority of first person shooters. The only one I really got into was Metroid Prime. Still skeptical regardless though, just because of the hype and mediocrity of the first game.
quick question...even though I have a PS3 myself, I've never tried this because I don't own any USB flash drives atm but when you plug in a flash drive to the PS3, can it play videos and MP3s directly off that? or do you need to copy everything to the PS3's HD?
There isn't just a single BC chip. In the 60GB PS3s, there is the Emotion Engine (the PS2's CPU), the Graphic Synthesizer (the PS2's GPU), and I believe 32MB of RAM from the PS2. The 80GB PS3s removed the Emotion Engine (resulting in the PS3 emulating the PS2's CPU), and either kept the rest or replaced it with similar hardware. I'm assuming that the 40GB PS3 gets rid of all of this (no EE, GS, or RAM) since that is probably the only way they could price it at $399 (and even then, it doesn't really add up). This is eventually how all PS3s will end up, although only when Sony is able to emulate (purely by software) the PS2 at an acceptable level. They may even be at that point now (unclear how/if the 40GB PS3 will be able to play none/some/all PS2 games), but I have my doubts (mostly want to be pessimistic). In terms of sales, it pretty much came out of nowhere IIRC. I'm actually not that different, I only own Resistance (got it cheap off of eBay) and Warhawk (mostly because of the headset, but the game is a lot better than I expected). Rented plenty of other games though (and will rent some more in the next few months). I tend not to buy a lot of games at full price though (FWIW, I would rent BioShock, Gears of War, maybe Mass Effect, Super Paper Mario, etc.). Oh yeah, I bought Super Stardust HD too, but that doesn't really count. Might have to change that in 08 though (LBP, maybe Disgaea 3, White Knight Story, MGS4, etc.). Exclusive games (Mr Boo pointed out 2), free online play (with some pluses such as mod support, seamless SP/MP integration in some games, etc.), the potential advantage in graphics (apparent in exclusives, not so much in multiplatform games yet...if ever), PS1/PS2 support (at least in the 60GB/80GB SKUs), and probably a few others I'm forgetting (PSP connectivity is pretty nice). Plus, it cures cancer. I don't do that very often, but I'm almost positive that you can do that (makes sense if you had an external USB HDD).
SCEE officially announced this for Europe (guess SCEA may follow soon?). Some info from IGN: http://ps3.ign.com/articles/825/825213p1.html
BC has always been more of a bullet/selling point to me, but it is still one that some people look for. The loss of any PS2 backwards compatibility is a bad thing when considering the success of the PS2 (and the huge library it has). If Sony is having a hard time convincing buyers to pick up the PS3 lowering the price helps, but it's kind of a shot to say you lose BC. Sony is right in that in time that feature is less important. Problem is, they need to get people to pick up the system now, not in the future. Great BC has become a well known feature for the Playstation brand. Losing that seems like a unfortunate step.
BC is not really that big of a deal... since I have a modded PS2. I can't play any of the games. Plus if I wanted to play PS2 games I would use my PS2. The memory card reader....meh... and the USB ports...well I have some stuff I would hookup to it, but I guess no wired controllers for me.
I guess some people would rather replace the PS2 than have to still have it hooked up to your tv along with all the next gen stuff. It just doesn't look as cool to have 360, PS3, and Wii... with a little PS2 sitting there looking weak and small.
Here are a few reasons I can think of: 1) Your PS2 died (or you're afraid it will die). This more or less happened to me. 2) You may want to sell (or trade-in) your PS2 to make the PS3 purchase even cheaper (EB/GS had a great deal involving trading in a PS2 a while back IIRC) 3) You get slight visual upgrades and other enhancements by playing PS2 games on the PS3 4) No need to have another piece of equipment hooked up to your TV (imagine having a PS3, a 360, a Wii, a PS2, a DVD/BR/HD DVD player, etc.)
That's me spot on...redundancy (point 4) is one of my pet peeves. Unless I'm misunderstanding something, I'm not sure what the big deal is...if I really care about BC, I'll pick up the 60 GB at its new & reduced price. If I don't care for it, then I'll pick up the 40 GB and not pay for the BC. Personally, as long as I can get BC somewhere, I'm statisfied...if you think about it, it's kinda of a good sign that Sony is releasing different price points off of different models based on features other than appended externals/games or Hard Drive space. Too bad the price difference between the 40 GB and the 60 GB isn't bigger.
