PS3 Blu Ray capabilities

DUBISAK

Hi Everyone,

I am looking at buying a PS3, most likely I will get a 2nd hand one.

Upon looking into it the 3 models available are 40/60/80Gb. The size of hard dive does not really concern me, I just want a console that can play Blu Ray DVDs aswell as be WiFi compatible. I want to link onto my wireless network at home to access internet etc.

Do the 40 and 60gb versions play Blu ray discs in full HD, and will they play ordinary DVDs?

Are the 40/60Gb versions both WiFi compatible?

When I look at specs for consoles people are selling, it is not very clear and I am confused as verbally people have told me all PS3's play Blu ray, however some specs i read say optical drive is Blu ray and some say DVD Rom.

Any help received would be greatly appreciated.

TheIrishGrover

DUBISAK wrote: »

Hi Everyone,

I am looking at buying a PS3, most likely I will get a 2nd hand one.

Upon looking into it the 3 models available are 40/60/80Gb. The size of hard dive does not really concern me, I just want a console that can play Blu Ray DVDs aswell as be WiFi compatible. I want to link onto my wireless network at home to access internet etc.

Do the 40 and 60gb versions play Blu ray discs in full HD, and will they play ordinary DVDs?

Are the 40/60Gb versions both WiFi compatible?

When I look at specs for consoles people are selling, it is not very clear and I am confused as verbally people have told me all PS3's play Blu ray, however some specs i read say optical drive is Blu ray and some say DVD Rom.

Any help received would be greatly appreciated.

Yes, all PS3s models play Blueray discs in full HD. They all also upscale normal DVDs. All models also have built in Wi-Fi to connect to your network. If you install streaming software like TVersity on a PC on your network you can also stream media (AVIs, music etc) to your PS3 (Good with music, not great with video)
They all also have HDMI ports for your HD tele. The only difference between the 40 and 80 gig machines AFAIK is the had drive size (Which can be replaced) and that the 80gig machine has the controllers with rumble feature (The 40 and 60 gig ones have the controller without rumble). The initial 60gig machines had backward compatibility with PS2 games and a couple of more USB ports and a memory stick slot (I assume Sony's memorystick duo) but these are not available anymore and are difficult to find, even second hand

Yakuza

I would recommend you pick up one of these. Using the normal game controllers to watch movies is a bit fiddly, in my opinion. There are cheaper (the native one uses bluetooth) ones out there that use a USB dongle, but I went for the original as it has a PS button that you can use to power down the system with

DVD upscaling is excellent, and DIVX files look great too. I have yet to find a BluRay that it can't play, you just might need to update the system's firmare. My original Sharp player has had problems with any that have come out in the last few months (even updating its firmware); Wall-E, Casino Royale, Kung Fu Panda to name but a few.

I wouldn't worry about the size of the HD, the built in one is easily replaceable. I have a 320GB beast waiting in the wings, should I ever need it.

In short, the PS3 will be a great addition to your home entertainment - it was for me, at least

DUBISAK

Thank you both very much, extremly helpful.

Changing hard drives seems easy which is good.
Could put a very large drive in an keep the films which currently stored on external hard drive conected to PC onit, might offer better quality than wireless connection via WiFi.

Just wondering 2 tings, I have a a unit with shelves which holds sky box etc, was planning putting PS3 there. The shelf is approx 10-12 inches tall, do you think this would leave the console enough room to breath. I dont want it over heating. There is no back or front to unit.

The other thing is, if you wouldnt mind looking at the below links. You will see console specs for each size drive. the 40Gb does not mention anything about Blu ray or Wifi, where as the others do.
Specs are at bootom of each link, and are the same for numerous searched.





40Gb
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Sony-Playstation-3-40-GB-Console_W0QQitemZ180316996606QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_VideoGames_VideoGameConsoles_VideoGameConsoles?hash=item180316996606&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1297%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318

60GB
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Sony-PlayStation-3-60-Gb-Console_W0QQitemZ250348967700QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_VideoGames_VideoGameConsoles_VideoGameConsoles?hash=item250348967700&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1297%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318

80Gb
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/SONY-PS3-PLAYSTATION-3-80GB-CONSOLE-UK-PAL-NEW-BOXED_W0QQitemZ230316064318QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_VideoGames_VideoGameConsoles_VideoGameConsoles?hash=item230316064318&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1297%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318

Unregistered.

Go for the 60GB if ya can. Although the oldest, it has the widest range of capabilities, should you need them (e.g. it's the most backward compatible version, has extra USB slots as well different flash cards and memory-stick slots!)

DUBISAK wrote: »

I just want a console that can play Blu Ray DVDs aswell as be WiFi compatible....

However if you know you will only ever use the PS3 for Blu-ray, DVD's and Wi-Fi then get the cheapest one ya can as they are all the same in this regard - no need in spending anymore than you need to! And as somebody already mentioned, the HDD is fairly straightforward to replace or you can add an external via USB.

DUBISAK wrote: »

The shelf is approx 10-12 inches tall

Perfect. Assuming you're gonna lie it horizontally, make sure there's at least 5/6 inches to the right (the side of the Blu-ray drive) as a lot of heat exhausts there.