I'm surprised the upscaling capabilities of the PS3 haven't been mentioned as a benefit (or the full backward compatibility, for that matter). Both PS2 games and DVDs look considerably better on the PS3 due to upscaling.

In that case, then, I shall mention them now! :rolleyes:

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After the 1.8 firmware update, the PS3 can now output EVERYTHING at 1080p, 24Hz - DVDs and PS2 games being the ones most affected by this as Blu-ray is already outputted at that resolution.

I don't quite fully understand how the PS3 allows a 24Hz output, but I do know it's important for films (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moving_image_formats) - films are iflmed at 24fps. However, TVs operate at 50Hz, 75Hz 100Hz, etc, numbers which it takes no genius to recognise are not divisible by 24. To solve this problem, every twelth frame of film is held on slightly longer, to make it 25fps. With such high quality film as Blu-ray, this can cause a stutter, which is sometimes quite noticeable. As the PS3 can output 24Hz, this allows film to be played as it should.

As for backwards compatibility... get the 60gb PS3 while you can. It's $100 cheaper than the 80gb version, and it contains the PS2 Emotion Engine and GPU, which allows for almost 100% backwards compatibility. PS3s in the rest of the world do not have the EE or GPU, and so rely on software emulation, much the same as the 360 (except that the PS3 software emulation is being constantly updated, and works for a hugely extensive games library).

Sorry to dig, but I'm contemplating getting a PS3 for Christmas, just need to make sure and get Gran Turismo 5 and i'll be set :)

Any updates on the game's release?

There's no set release date as far as I know, although I can tell you that it will probably be sometime in 2008.

Prologue is out soon, though, but it's only a sort of demo version of the full game. I think the same has been done with all GT games.

Which version of the console are you thinking of getting?

If you want to play PS2 games, then DO NOT get the 40gb, for the sole reason that it has no backwards compatibility at all.

Even if you don't want to play PS2 games, the 80gb console is still the better deal. At least, I think it is - I'm not too up to date on the American bundles, though I can guess that the 80gb will be better value for money.

I don't get the whole 40GB PS2 incompatibility thing. It was my understanding that except for the 60GB US and JP and the 20GB US models, all PS2 compatibility was firmware only. If that's the case, then this is just a soft lockout to encourage people to buy the 80GB version, and someone is sure to put out a workarround.

I'm suprised that there hasn't been a firmware update to correct this already, probably just Sony trying to get more dough. I was planning on getting the mid-grade (I suppose it's 60gig) but who knows, it may not even happen.

60GB is top of the line, 'cause it has everything. 80GB is missing some hardware.
That's the way I see it, anyway.

Ok, that's how I seen it from the begenning, I'm sure i'll wait for another price drop, unless they're staying put for a long while, maybe go Ebay shopping or Pawn shop shopping for one..

I don't think the 60GB is ever going to drop in price again. It is discontinued and has the PS2 hardware. If anything, the price will go up for an unopened unit once they become harder to find.

The 60gb has all the hardware... and the Emotion Engine has been disabled by a previous update. The best bet is the 80gb.

At the moment, there is no software-only emulating for PS2 games. Every PS3, except the 40gb models, still have the PS2 Graphics Synthesiser built into the motherboard, giving a mix of hardware emulation, and some software emulation.

I doubt that Sony will bother with software-only emulation for the 40gb models, simply because they want to focus more on upcoming games, and future PS3 features.

You sure? My PS3 still resets whenever I tell it to start a PS2 game, then again when I tell it to quit.

And why does it do that? :confused:

I've always assumed because it's switching processors.

all i know is Unreal Tournament is fuckin ballin on ps3