How to Spend $200?

[[V]3N+47]

I'm not a real techno person but I heard the blu-ray on PS3's aren't really that great...something about them not really being all that hi-def as other bluray devices are supposed to be. So if you are going for a PS3 don't buy it to watch movies on cuz it suxors (so I heard) - I DO NOT HAVE ONE.

[Damnidge]

[V]3N+47 - thanks for the heads up. From what I understand the old versions were not preferred because of how they decoded video and audio. The slims have changed that by removing the video technology that was not liked, and also it now allows for bitstreaming of the latest high def codecs. I read about it on a web page somewhere when I was doing research. All in all I'm not getting it solely as blu-ray, however it was a nice bonus to consider.

Anyway, I got a PS3 with two free games. I also nabbed two blu rays at 7.99/ea so I can try that out too.

Thanks to all who helped with their input!

[DW_Ant]

XBox = Ring of Death with monthly fees

PS3 = Metal Gear Solid 4!

[[V]3N+47]

Schweeeet man! Tell us how it goes. I'd like to get one myself... maybe once I get a new job :P. What'd I'd love to know is what you think of the online play? I've been real turned off by the buisness model of the x-box. Pay for game, pay for going on-line, and some games - pay to play on said games servers (so I hear)... *cough* COD MW2 *cough*. Barf.

[V]3N+47 - thanks for the heads up. From what I understand the old versions were not preferred because of how they decoded video and audio. The slims have changed that by removing the video technology that was not liked, and also it now allows for bitstreaming of the latest high def codecs. I read about it on a web page somewhere when I was doing research. All in all I'm not getting it solely as blu-ray, however it was a nice bonus to consider.

Anyway, I got a PS3 with two free games. I also nabbed two blu rays at 7.99/ea so I can try that out too.

Thanks to all who helped with their input!

[Damnidge]

Well my wife and I just watched one of the Blu Rays I got and it was really nice. Now we are watching our Office DVDs and it is upconverting really well. Our Toshiba upconverting player/recorder is a tiny bit better but not enough to warrant hooking it up in addition to the ps3.

I'm on baby duty now (don't worry, she's napping) but once everyone is in bed I'm going to play online a bit and I'll let you know. The update for the firmware took only a few minutes to download and install.

[DW_Damaged]

Looks like you made a good decision Damnidge. Enjoy!!!!

[Damnidge]

[V]3N+47,

So I wanted to reply to your post more in depth now that I've played a bit (well a ton, but who's counting). I have gone online with Little Big Planet, and also with Killzone 2. So far I have had no lag issues whatsoever, and the experience has been awesome. I find the PS3 interface easy to use and navigate, and I love that every current game has a downloadable demo to try it out before I buy. The PS3 does not require a fee to play online, however the server browsing is then left up to the game developer (since their is no "middle man" service like xbox live). With both my online games they have done a great job, but I can't speak to all games of course.

I'm still getting used to the twin stick controller for FPS, but I'm starting to get the hang of it. I do admit I feel less in control due to the versatility of a keyboard, but on the plus side I played for 3 hours last night and my carpal tunnel didn't act up once, which usually hits me after 1+ hour of gaming on a PC.

I really recommend it. When I did my research on the 360 vs PS3 a lot of sites talked down the graphics on the PS3 but they really are not bad at all. I've played both and think both are excellent in terms of graphics.

Take it easy, and if anyone has or gets a PS3, my name is Damnidge there too (surprise surprise)

[DW_Pixie]

So what did you end up spending your birthday money on? :)

[DW_Pixie]

Oh, a PS3. Sorry, I had a blonde moment there. ;) I got my PS3 last September and really have enjoyed it. I mainly bought it as a BluRay player but SingStar and Guitar Hero and Rock Band are definitely fun as well. ;) It disappoints me that the Slims seem more cheaply made than the one I got. What do you think of it so far?

[Damnidge]

the Slims seem more cheaply made than the one I got. What do you think of it so far?

Pixie, that's funny because my view is the opposite. For both the PS2 and the PS3 I like the slims better in both design and sturdiness. The original PS2 seemed clunky because of the empty hard drive slot and the painted logo looked cheap to me. The slim PS2 is sleeker and feels more dense to me (I still have mine and play occasionally).

Same with the PS3 I think. The big PS3s look gimmicky/cheap to me with the reflective black finish and the bling bling chrome accents. The slim is flat and simple, feels very solid, and blends nicely with my entertainment center =) I have never physically picked up an old design PS3 though so I can't comment on the feel of it construction wise compared to the slim.

So far I love it, and that's not it. I keep catching my wife playing Little Big Planet :sinlove:. If you don't know that game, imagine the Wii Miis on steroids with way more customization and better graphics that somehow got turned into a platform game. The coolest part of LBP is that many of the levels online are all user created maps, and as you play you unlock abilities to make your own maps. Personally I'm hooked on Killzone 2 right now. The graphics and game play are actually nice. The last FPS I played on a console was on PS2, and it was clunky and crappy. This is actually done well.

I have had a sharp learning curve though with the controller vs. a KB/mouse. The first few days I kept hooking my shoulder on the corners when I was trying to round them and kept getting shot in the temple (as all I saw was wall texture). I'm learning it's about using a combo of small controlled flicks and fluid movement and am getting the hang of it. It is a totally different feel from KB/mouse.