As we all thought, this is the battle of the biggies, Sony Computer Entertainment versus Microsoft Corp. The Sony Playstation 3 against the Microsoft Xbox 360 in gaming, movies, and online services, while Nintendo quietly sits back and enjoys their own market share which seems to be the families. Ultimately, most believe that the PS3 is worth the cost for the combination of the Blu-ray player and also for the high-quality graphic gaming.
Most of us video gamers know that the PS3's delay was caused by its Blu-ray drive, and many suggest that the Blu-ray advantage isn't worth the price or the wait. Sure, movies on Blu-ray have a picture quality six times higher than a standard DVD, but the vast majority of so-called high definition TVs don't even have the 1920 x 1080 pixel resolution, 1080p, to show Blu-ray's full glory. From a home-theater point of view, though, the PS3 was not only the first Blu-ray player to be priced well under $1,000, but the first to be introduced from Sony, the mother of the Blu-ray initiative. In other words, for anyone who already has a sweet 1080p TV, or is planning to spend $2,500 or more to get one, the PS3 is almost a requirement, being one of the only reliable sources of full HD video. Additionally, Microsoft will be making available an add-on of the HD DVD format player that will also allow Xbox 360 users to play games and watch movies in 1080p, again IF you have the HD TV to do so.
The real beauty of the PS3 are the graphics and the controllers. This is what really sets it apart from the crowed. Yes, the Microsoft has the graphics but not quite on a scale of raw computing power that the Playstation 3 has. And as for the wireless 6-degrees-of-motion controllers, need we say more? But the real judge of whether or not the PS3 is worth the price tag is only the buyer. Judging by the chaos of fights, robberies and stampedes surrounding the launch of the PS3, many customers believe that it is worth the price.
Indeed, the PS3 and Xbox 360 have talent beyond their ability to give gamers what they long for. Where the PS3 has a remarkable aesthetic elegance, the Xbox 360 has a rugged connectedness. Photographers should lean towards the PS3, while music lovers will want to stick with the Xbox 360. For movie buffs, the confusion is greater: while the Blu-ray format boasts more available titles, the new Xbox Marketplace movie and TV store may well become a paragon of convenience. The one thing I do know for sure is that you better be ready to pay. While both are expensive, they come with even pricier hidden costs: to maximize your enjoyment, you need a really nice TV. Then again, if you've already got a really nice TV, you can probably afford them both.
Most of us video gamers know that the PS3's delay was caused by its Blu-ray drive, and many suggest that the Blu-ray advantage isn't worth the price or the wait. Sure, movies on Blu-ray have a picture quality six times higher than a standard DVD, but the vast majority of so-called high definition TVs don't even have the 1920 x 1080 pixel resolution, 1080p, to show Blu-ray's full glory. From a home-theater point of view, though, the PS3 was not only the first Blu-ray player to be priced well under $1,000, but the first to be introduced from Sony, the mother of the Blu-ray initiative. In other words, for anyone who already has a sweet 1080p TV, or is planning to spend $2,500 or more to get one, the PS3 is almost a requirement, being one of the only reliable sources of full HD video. Additionally, Microsoft will be making available an add-on of the HD DVD format player that will also allow Xbox 360 users to play games and watch movies in 1080p, again IF you have the HD TV to do so.
The real beauty of the PS3 are the graphics and the controllers. This is what really sets it apart from the crowed. Yes, the Microsoft has the graphics but not quite on a scale of raw computing power that the Playstation 3 has. And as for the wireless 6-degrees-of-motion controllers, need we say more? But the real judge of whether or not the PS3 is worth the price tag is only the buyer. Judging by the chaos of fights, robberies and stampedes surrounding the launch of the PS3, many customers believe that it is worth the price.
Indeed, the PS3 and Xbox 360 have talent beyond their ability to give gamers what they long for. Where the PS3 has a remarkable aesthetic elegance, the Xbox 360 has a rugged connectedness. Photographers should lean towards the PS3, while music lovers will want to stick with the Xbox 360. For movie buffs, the confusion is greater: while the Blu-ray format boasts more available titles, the new Xbox Marketplace movie and TV store may well become a paragon of convenience. The one thing I do know for sure is that you better be ready to pay. While both are expensive, they come with even pricier hidden costs: to maximize your enjoyment, you need a really nice TV. Then again, if you've already got a really nice TV, you can probably afford them both.
