Playstation 3 Preview

As the one of the top selling gaming consoles, the Sony PlayStation has impressed gamers worldwide with its amazing graphics, built-in DVD player and easy-to-use controllers. This year, Sony is seeking to top themselves with the new Playstation 3, which is speculated to be released in November 2006, boasting a new CPU, multi-platform capability and Blu-Ray laser technology. This is the year of the gaming revolution. With the Xbox 360 release in November 2005, and Nintendo unveiling details of its new “Revolution”, gaming is moving into a exciting new level.

What's New with the Playstation 3?

There are a couple of groundbreaking new features of the new PS3. First, the new console utilizes a “Cell” processor, which can simultaneously run multiple tasks at 3.2 GHz, allowing the console to display finer detailed graphics (ideal for an HDTV) and greatly improve gameplay performance. This blows away the PS2’s single processing 128-bit CPU that runs at a 294.912 MHz. The new “Cell’s” powerful design also allows it to draw additional processing power from other consoles in a network, giving it the ability to complete complex tasks like delivering streaming video, music or surfing the web.

The next hot feature of the PS3 is the use of the Blu-Ray laser. The new blue/violet laser will be able to read Blu-Ray discs capable of holding 25GB on a single layer, and 50GB on dual layer disc. With this new technology, game designers are no longer limited by the amount of space on a standard DVD (approximately 4.7 GB on a single layer). How many times have you played a game and thought it was too short or too easy? With the massive amount of space available on the Blu-ray discs, game designers can let their creativity flow into directions they may not have thought of before. I’m looking forward to seeing what they come up with.

The Blu-Ray laser and optical drive is fantastic, but it may drive the cost of the new console at a higher price than consumers are expecting to pay. The new Blu-Ray optical drive alone is estimated to cost about $100. Ouch! The PlayStation 2 disc reading error problems (DREs) were related to the quality of the laser. Hopefully by using this new technology, they won’t skimp on this important feature.

Another interesting feature is that the new PS3 does not have a disc tray. Instead, discs are inserted into a slot in the front of the console like a CD player in your car.

Other Notable Features

• Able to support 7 wireless Bluetooth controllers
• Backward capability of PS1 & PS2 games with quicker loading times
• 2 HDML outputs that allow hookup of 2 HDTV’s that can project a widescreen of about 32.9”.
• A removable disc drive will be available (it is not determined if it may come pre-installed)
• Online gaming capability
• Region-free games? If implemented, it will allow players to try different games from around the globe without worrying about incompatibility
• Linux/GNU operating system (Is this a game console, or a computer?)

Playstation 2 vs. Playstation 3- some comparable differences

Summing it up

Gamers will be drooling over the new Playstation 3 with its use of the new “Cell” processor, which can handle a workload of intense graphics, downloading video/music clips or just surfing the web. The use of Blu-Ray technology will open the door for larger, more intense games with its disc capacity of 25GB on a single layer. With multiple features including a LINUX platform, the ability to handle 7 wireless Bluetooth controllers, backward capability, ports to support 2 HD TVs and a possibility of region-free games, the PS3 seems almost too good to be true. It’s countdown time. Get ready, the gaming revolution is about to begin.

Also check out our article Best PlayStation 3 Video Games on our sister site, LoveToKnow Best.