PlayStation 3
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
  | |
|---|---|
 (Counter-clockwise from top) Original logo, new logo, original model, controller, newer slim model design. | |
| Manufacturer | Sony EMCS, Foxconn, ASUSTeK and Logitech for SCEI[1] |
| Product family | PlayStation |
| Type | Video game console |
| Generation | Seventh generation era |
| Retail availability | November 11, 2006 |
| Units sold | 24.6 million (as of August 5, 2009)[2] (see below) |
| Media | Blu-ray Disc, DVD, CD (all models) Super Audio CD (20 GB, 60 GB, 80 GB [CECHExx models]), Digital distribution |
| Operating system | XrossMediaBar system software version 3.00[3] |
| CPU | 3.2 GHz Cell Broadband Engine with 1 PPE & 7 SPEs |
| Storage capacity | 2.5" SATA hard drive (20 GB, 40 GB, 60 GB, 80 GB, 120 GB, or 160 GB included) (upgradeable) |
| Graphics | 550 MHz NVIDIA/SCEI RSX 'Reality Synthesizer' |
| Controller input | Sixaxis, DualShock 3 |
| Connectivity | |
| Online services | PlayStation Network |
| Backward compatibility | PlayStation (all models) PlayStation 2 (20 GB, 60 GB, and CECHExx 80 GB models) |
| Predecessor | PlayStation 2 |
The PlayStation 3 (marketed as PLAYSTATION 3[4] until September 2009[5] and officially abbreviated to PS3) is the third home video game console produced by Sony Computer Entertainment, and the successor to the PlayStation 2 as part of the PlayStation series. The PlayStation 3 competes with Microsoft's Xbox 360 and Nintendo's Wii as part of the seventh generation of video game consoles.
A major feature that distinguishes the PlayStation 3 from its predecessors is its unified online gaming service, the PlayStation Network,[6] which contrasts with Sony's former policy of relying on video game developers for online play.[7] Other major features of the console include its robust multimedia capabilities,[8] connectivity with the PlayStation Portable,[9] and its use of a high-definition optical disc format, Blu-ray Disc, as its primary storage medium.[10] The PS3 was also the first Blu-ray 2.0-compliant Blu-ray player on the market.[11]
The PlayStation 3 was first released on November 11, 2006 in Japan,[12] November 17, 2006 in North America and South America,[13] and March 23, 2007 in Europe and Oceania.[14][15] Two SKUs were available at launch: a basic model with a 20 GB hard drive (HDD), and a premium model with a 60 GB hard drive and several additional features[16] (the 20 GB model was not released in Europe or Oceania).[17] Since then, several revisions have been made to the console's available models.[18]
Contents[hide] |
History
Sony officially unveiled the PlayStation 3 to the public on May 16, 2005, during the E3 2005 conference.[19] A functional version of the system was not present there,[20] nor at the Tokyo Game Show in September 2005,[21] although demonstrations (such as Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots[20]) were held at both events on devkits and comparable PC hardware.[20][21] Video footage based on the predicted PlayStation 3 specifications was also shown (notably a Final Fantasy VII tech demo).[22] The initial prototype shown in May 2005 featured two HDMI ports, three Ethernet ports and six USB ports;[23] however, when the system was shown again a year later at E3 2006, these were reduced to one HDMI port, one ethernet port and four USB ports, presumably to cut costs.[16][24] Two hardware configurations were also announced for the console: a 20 GB model and a 60 GB model, priced at $499 (€499) and $599 (€599), respectively.[16] The 60 GB model would be the only configuration to feature an HDMI port, Wi-Fi internet, flash card readers and a chrome trim with the logo in silver.[16] Both models were announced for a simultaneous worldwide release: November 11 for Japan, and November 17 for North America and Europe.[25]
On September 6, 2006, Sony announced that the PAL region (Europe and Oceania) PlayStation 3 launch would be delayed until March 2007, due to a shortage of materials used in the Blu-ray Disc drive.[26]
At the Tokyo Game Show on September 22, 2006, Sony announced that it would include an HDMI port on the 20 GB system, but a chrome trim, flash card readers, silver logo, and Wi-Fi would not be included.[27] Also, the launch price of the Japanese 20 GB model was reduced by over 20%,[28] and the 60 GB model was announced for an open pricing scheme in Japan.[28] During the event, Sony showed 27 playable PS3 games running on final hardware.[29]
Launch
The PlayStation 3 was first released in Japan on November 11, 2006 at 07:00.[12] According to Media Create, 81,639 PS3 systems were sold within 24 hours of its introduction in Japan.[30]
Soon after its release in Japan, the PS3 was released in North America on November 17, 2006.[13] Reports of violence surrounding the release of the PS3 include a customer shot,[31] campers robbed at gunpoint,[32] customers shot in a drive-by shooting with BB guns,[33] and 60 campers fighting over 10 systems.[34]
The console was originally planned for a global release through November, but the European and rest-of-the-world's release was delayed "until March" at the start of September.[35] With it being a somewhat last-minute delay, some companies had taken deposit-based pre-orders, to which Sony informed customers that they were eligible for full refunds or could continue the pre-order.[36] On January 24, 2007, Sony announced that the PlayStation 3 would go on sale on March 23, 2007 in Europe, Australia, the Middle East, Africa and New Zealand.[14][15] The system sold about 600,000 units in its first two days.[37] On March 7, 2007, the 60 GB PlayStation 3 launched in Singapore with a price of S$799.[38] The console was launched in South Korea on June 16, 2007 in a single version equipped with an 80 GB hard drive and IPTV.[39]
Models
Original model
There are five PlayStation 3 hardware models, which are commonly referred to by the size of their included hard disk drive: "20", "40", "60", "80" and "160" GB. [16][40] The only difference in the appearance of the first five models was the color of the trim. All retail packages include one or two Sixaxis controllers and/or a DualShock 3 controller (beginning June 12, 2008[41][42]), one miniUSB to USB cable (for connecting the controller to the system), one composite video/stereo audio output cable, one ethernet cable (20, 60, and CECHExx 80 GB only) and one power cable.[40][43][44] All models support software emulation of the original PlayStation,[45][46] but support for PlayStation 2 backwards compatibility has continually diminished with later models.[47] Compatibility issues with games for both systems are detailed in a public database hosted by the manufacturer.[48] All models, excluding the 20GB model, include 802.11 b/g Wi-Fi. In addition to all of the features of the 20 GB model, the 60 GB model has internal IEEE 802.11 b/g Wi-Fi, multiple flash card readers (SD/MultiMedia Card, CompactFlash Type I/Type II, Microdrive,[49] Memory Stick/PRO/Duo), and a chrome colored trim.[50] In terms of hardware, the 80 GB model released in South Korea is identical to the 60 GB model released in the PAL regions, except for the difference in hard drive size.[51]
Like the South Korean and European models, the North American 80 GB model also excludes the PlayStation 2 "Emotion Engine" CPU chip.[47] However, it still keeps the "Graphics Synthesizer" GPU.[52] Due to the elimination of the "Emotion Engine", the level of compatibility was reduced.[47] The 40 GB, 80 GB (2008), and 160 GB models have two USB ports instead of the four USB ports on other models, and do not include multiple flash card readers, SACD support [53], or any backwards compatibility with PlayStation 2 games.[18][47] This was due to the removal of "Graphics Synthesizer" GPU, which stripped the units of all PlayStation 2 based hardware.[54][55]
No official Wi-Fi or flash memory card readers have yet been released by Sony for the 20 GB system, although plans for such add-ons are in place.[56] As of September 2009 Sony have placed no further emphasis on these proposed add-ons.[citation needed] Nevertheless, as the model features four USB 2.0 ports, wireless networking and flash memory card support can already be obtained through the use of widely available external USB adapters.[47]
It was rumored that the Cell processors in the third-generation PS3s (40 GB) would move from a 90 nm process to the newer 65 nm process,[57] which SCEI CEO Kaz Hirai later confirmed,[58] and later to 45 nm. This change lowers the power consumption of the console and makes it less expensive to produce.[59]
Slim model
Following speculation that a 'slim' model was in the pipeline Sony officially announced the PS3 CECH-2000 on August 18, 2009 at the Sony Gamescom press conference.[60][61] The PS3 slim (officially called the PS3 CECH-2000) features an upgradeable 120GB hard drive and is 33% smaller, 36% lighter, and consumes 34% less power than previous models.[60][62][63] The cooling system has been redesigned and Cell processor has moved to a 45nm manufacturing process.[64]
The PS3 slim also includes support for BRAVIA Sync allowing control of the console over HDMI and runs quieter than previous models but no longer has the ability to install third party operating systems such as Linux.[60][62] The PS3 slim is priced at $299 United States/€299 European Union/£249 United Kingdom/AU$499 Australia/NZ$629 New Zealand/MXN$3,999 Mexico/ P 10,000 Russia/¥29980 Japan and was officially released on September 1, 2009 in North America and Europe and on September 3, 2009 in Japan, Australia and New Zealand.[65][60][62][66] However, some retailers such as Amazon.com, Best Buy, and GameStop started to sell the PS3 slim on August 25, 2009.[67][68] FCC filings also reveal a second slim model, the 250GB CECH-2000B.[69]
