I don't own one yet, but there are some questions I have that I don't see answered in the faq threads. If anyone can answer these, I'd be very appreciative.

1. How does the PS3's online experience measure up to the 360's? Specifically, do you have one ID across all games, and can you send messages to people on your friends list in-game? How about inviting them to multiplayer games, or does Sony have some other easy way to get your friends to your multiplayer matches?

2. Voice chat. What kind of headset do you use, and is it a given in games like Resistance that everyone has one? I was looking in EB today and didn't see an "official" Sony headset, so I was wondering. Also, can backwards compatible games like SOCOM use this same headset? This is a biggie for me, because I would "pad out" the lack of PS3 titles this year with PS2 stuff I missed after buying my 360 like Socom 3. I LOVED the first two.

3. Does their online store have HD movies yet? I use my 360's video marketplace a LOT, so my hope is that the PS3 would have the studios that the 360 is missing. I'm looking for these two machines to complement each other. I would also utilize the BD functionality, lord knows I buy enough HD-DVDs to play on the 360. Casino Royale and the PotC ahoy!

4. Here's one specifically for long-time console gamers. Are the PS3 controllers really as bad as I hear? Everything from random disconnects to poorly designed triggers, and the thing has no heft, etc...

Thanks in advance.

1) Have not used a 360 online. From what I have read, it is more complete/polished. Sony's big online interface "Home" does not come out till the fall (kind of a second life spin for integrating PS3's online).

2) I don't have a headset

3) HD trailers. No movies/tv shows.

4) Seems to be user dependent. I have no complaints and neither do any of my friends (males 23-30).

it seems u're mostly concerned with gaming, specifically online gaming. in that regard w/o owning an xbox 360 or any ps3 games, my opinion is that xbox wins in this aspect hands down. their online service, although not free like sony's home is supposed to be, is much more mature and polished compared to ps3.

there's also just a complete lack of content as far as gaming on the ps3 is concerned. i currently don't own any games because nothing interests me enough to drop $60 on when for that amount of money i can buy 2 to 3 BD movies. i prob will buy my first game when madden08 comes out.

I don't own one yet, but there are some questions I have that I don't see answered in the faq threads. If anyone can answer these, I'd be very appreciative.

1. How does the PS3's online experience measure up to the 360's? Specifically, do you have one ID across all games, and can you send messages to people on your friends list in-game? How about inviting them to multiplayer games, or does Sony have some other easy way to get your friends to your multiplayer matches?

2. Voice chat. What kind of headset do you use, and is it a given in games like Resistance that everyone has one? I was looking in EB today and didn't see an "official" Sony headset, so I was wondering. Also, can backwards compatible games like SOCOM use this same headset? This is a biggie for me, because I would "pad out" the lack of PS3 titles this year with PS2 stuff I missed after buying my 360 like Socom 3. I LOVED the first two.

3. Does their online store have HD movies yet? I use my 360's video marketplace a LOT, so my hope is that the PS3 would have the studios that the 360 is missing. I'm looking for these two machines to complement each other. I would also utilize the BD functionality, lord knows I buy enough HD-DVDs to play on the 360. Casino Royale and the PotC ahoy!

4. Here's one specifically for long-time console gamers. Are the PS3 controllers really as bad as I hear? Everything from random disconnects to poorly designed triggers, and the thing has no heft, etc...

Thanks in advance.
1. Not yet, and I have not heard how exactly they will implement this in HOME, just that it is supposed to be.

2. USB or Bluetooth headsets work with the PS3. Practically any Bluetooth headset will work, though it seems that Motorola has the most issues. If you have a RF headset, and it connects via USB, you can use that as well. And, not everyone has a headset (probably because you don't have to buy anything to be able to play online).

3. No full movies yet. Just movie, game, and blu-ray trailers.

4. They certainly are very light. The triggers are a pain, sometimes. You just have to be aware of it's design issue and not play with the controller on your stomach. I think I've had the controller disconnect from the PS3 once, when I was playing my friend's PS3. The issue I have with the PS3 controller is that sometimes I will get stuck moving in one direction. I can usually get control back by letting go of all control and then trying to move in another direction. Hopefully the rumored rumble controllers due out later this year will be more reliable.

VOD service will launch in fall. That will be movies, music, and TV shows.

To answer number one; XMB intergration is supposed to be in the 2.0 which is theoried to happen in the fall to coincide with the launch of home.

2. I use a jabra BT headset, but the wired SOCOM headset will work and I used the original SOCOM headset for a bit. RFOM has a great voice chat system with differnt squads and to talk to the entire tem you can press L3. I haven't played in a while, but it was getting better with more people talking,

3. Answered first ;)

4. The controller; shape wise it's a dualshock. So if you have had a PS1/2 you should be used to the layout. It is lighter and this is most likely due to the lack of rumble, which is rumored to come back in the fall as well. The triggers could be better, but they are what they are.

The plastic is a translucent smoke instead of solid black, some like it and some don't.

I don't own one yet, but there are some questions I have that I don't see answered in the faq threads. If anyone can answer these, I'd be very appreciative.

1. How does the PS3's online experience measure up to the 360's? Specifically, do you have one ID across all games, and can you send messages to people on your friends list in-game? How about inviting them to multiplayer games, or does Sony have some other easy way to get your friends to your multiplayer matches?

2. Voice chat. What kind of headset do you use, and is it a given in games like Resistance that everyone has one? I was looking in EB today and didn't see an "official" Sony headset, so I was wondering. Also, can backwards compatible games like SOCOM use this same headset? This is a biggie for me, because I would "pad out" the lack of PS3 titles this year with PS2 stuff I missed after buying my 360 like Socom 3. I LOVED the first two.

3. Does their online store have HD movies yet? I use my 360's video marketplace a LOT, so my hope is that the PS3 would have the studios that the 360 is missing. I'm looking for these two machines to complement each other. I would also utilize the BD functionality, lord knows I buy enough HD-DVDs to play on the 360. Casino Royale and the PotC ahoy!

4. Here's one specifically for long-time console gamers. Are the PS3 controllers really as bad as I hear? Everything from random disconnects to poorly designed triggers, and the thing has no heft, etc...

Thanks in advance.

I own and love both systems, here is my take.

1. As of right now, you can get in games on PSN w/ friends, but it is definitely not as easy as on live. For me, I'm waiting to see what happens w/ home. My personal opinion is that live is definitely better than home, but home is probably good enough for most gamers and its free! Anyway, in sum, live is better but you have to decide yourself if its 7 dollars a month/ 50 a year better.

2. Right now, the 360 is way ahead in headsets. They ship w/ systems so a ton of people have them. You can definitely find people using them in the PSN world, but there is definitely more in live. However, PSN has a huge advantage here and thats bluetooth headsets. A ton of people already have them and for me, they are way more comfortable and friendly to use than the 360 over the head headsets. Also, I hear that Warhawk for PS3 will come w/ headsets, so I think the ps3 will get a lot more headset users there. All in all, if headsets are really important to you, live is better, but bluetooth does give the PS3 nice convenience.

3. Sony does not offer online movies. IMO: live, huge advantage for online movies. PS3: big advantage for blurays. I love my bluray player, but I also like the option of downloading movies on live. Again though, dont forget that you are paying for this. There are a lot of online rental services that you could put that money towards and get more HD movies than you will get on live.

4. I love my PS3 controller. I also like the 360 controller. Specifically, I like the feel and heft of the 360 controller, but I HATE the dpad on the 360 controller. The dpad on the PS3 is great and that alone is huge for me. Also, I've already had one 360 controller break (buttons dont respond) and have had no probs w/ sony controllers.

Thanks for the replies, much appreciated.

One other really important thing I thought of, is has anyone had issues with a HDMI -> DVI cable? This is extremely important, as my component switcher is full, and I have an empty DVI-D port on my projector just begging to get used. :)

I've heard of some issues with A/V hardware and these cables, so hopefully this isn't the case with this particular device.

Thanks for the replies, much appreciated.

One other really important thing I thought of, is has anyone had issues with a HDMI -> DVI cable? This is extremely important, as my component switcher is full, and I have an empty DVI-D port on my projector just begging to get used. :)

I've heard of some issues with A/V hardware and these cables, so hopefully this isn't the case with this particular device.
HDMI is buggy. That's the best way to sum it up. Some will have a flawless experience, others definitely will not. The more devices in the chain, the more potential problems you introduce. It’s a standard with a lot of potential, which is seeing an ever increasing presence in CE devices, but its still far from perfected. It should work with your projector as long as its (your projector's) DVI port is HDCP compliant (and if you can find an appropriate HDMI to DVI-D cable, check Monoprice).

In regards to Live vs PSN, I thought I should clarify a few things. I do own a PS3 and a 360 (Darthrawn for both accounts). First, you do have 1 user ID throughout all games. However, everything else from there varies from game-to-game. There are currently few standards set by SCE for the online experience (at least not for the currently released games), due to them not having everything ready in terms of libraries and SDKs for developers to use. What this mean is that there is not always a consistent friends list across games. Nor always consistent online features across them, either. Live is a unified experience, while PSN is a far more of an open, PC style approach (no standards across games).

Which brings us to Home, and the future of PSN. Home is not going to be Sony's answer to Live. Home is intended to be a social community that unifies the features that will then be standard across PSN (which is, or will be, SCEI's answer to Live). Meaning, all of the features discussed in Home, such as game invites, launching into multiplayer games in a group, voice chat, unified friend's list, etc will all be available outside of Home, from the XMB. Home is not how you'll have to launch into a multiplayer session of SOCOM with your friends, you'll be able to do that from the XMB using your friends list. Home just gives you a 3D social interface to do it with if you choose to.

It should also be noted that the features discussed in Home (and the future PSN) will be game dependent. Games developed and released before SCE releases the appropiate SDKs will not magically be fixed. Home just marks the point where most games after it should have a far more unified, intergrated, and feature rich online experience. Here's a good overview over at IGN (http://ps3.ign.com/articles/771/771763p1.html).

HDMI is buggy. That's the best way to sum it up. Some will have a flawless experience, others definitely will not. The devices in the chain, the more potential problems you introduce. It’s a standard with a lot of potential, which is seeing an ever increasing presence in CE devices, but its still far from perfected. It should work with your projector as long as its (your projector's) DVI port is HDCP compliant (and if you can find an appropriate HDMI to DVI-D cable, check Monoprice).

In regards to Live vs PSN, I thought I should clarify a few things. I do own a PS3 and a 360 (Darthrawn for both accounts). First, you do have 1 user ID throughout all games. However, everything else from there varies from game-to-game. There are currently few standards set by SCE for the online experience (at least not for the currently released games), due to them not having everything ready in terms of libraries and SDKs for developers to use. What this mean is that there is not always a consistent friends list across games. Nor always consistent online features across them, either. Live is a unified experience, while PSN is a far more of an open, PC style approach (no standards across games).

Which brings to Home, and the future of PSN. Home is not going to be Sony's answer to Live. Home is intended to be a social community that unifies the features that will then be standard across PSN (which is, or will be, SCEI's answer to Live). Meaning, all of the features discussed in Home, such as game invites, launching into multiplayer games in a group, voice chat, unified friend's list, etc will all be available outside of Home, from the XMB. Home is not how you'll have to launch into a multiplayer session of SOCOM with your friends, you'll be able to do that from the XMB using your friends list. Home just gives you a 3D social interface to do it with if you choose to.

That pretty much sums it up.

The XMB (and upgrades to it) is sony's answer to live. Whether or not it will become as good or better than live, we'll have to see.

HDMI is buggy. That's the best way to sum it up. Some will have a flawless experience, others definitely will not. The devices in the chain, the more potential problems you introduce. It’s a standard with a lot of potential, which is seeing an ever increasing presence in CE devices, but its still far from perfected. It should work with your projector as long as its (your projector's) DVI port is HDCP compliant (and if you can find an appropriate HDMI to DVI-D cable, check Monoprice).

In regards to Live vs PSN, I thought I should clarify a few things. I do own a PS3 and a 360 (Darthrawn for both accounts). First, you do have 1 user ID throughout all games. However, everything else from there varies from game-to-game. There are currently few standards set by SCE for the online experience (at least not for the currently released games), due to them not having everything ready in terms of libraries and SDKs for developers to use. What this mean is that there is not always a consistent friends list across games. Nor always consistent online features across them, either. Live is a unified experience, while PSN is a far more of an open, PC style approach (no standards across games).

Which brings us to Home, and the future of PSN. Home is not going to be Sony's answer to Live. Home is intended to be a social community that unifies the features that will then be standard across PSN (which is, or will be, SCEI's answer to Live). Meaning, all of the features discussed in Home, such as game invites, launching into multiplayer games in a group, voice chat, unified friend's list, etc will all be available outside of Home, from the XMB. Home is not how you'll have to launch into a multiplayer session of SOCOM with your friends, you'll be able to do that from the XMB using your friends list. Home just gives you a 3D social interface to do it with if you choose to.
Great response and something many people don't realize about home.

Something else I've noticed about the servers between XBox Live and PSN. PSN has dedicated servers for games, while XBox Live seems to be peer based. The advantage for PSN is if the person running the game for XBox Live is all laggy it will affect the game. I haven't had this problem with PSN while playing Resistance.

Something else I've noticed about the servers between XBox Live and PSN. PSN has dedicated servers for games, while XBox Live seems to be peer based. The advantage for PSN is if the person running the game for XBox Live is all laggy it will affect the game. I haven't had this problem with PSN while playing Resistance.
This is also game dependent. Resistance just happens to have dedicated servers (most likely due to its extremely high importance for SCE). Part of PSN's openness is that it allows developers to:

Use dedicated servers from SCE.
Use their own dedicated servers.
Use a peer-to-peer structure.
Use a hybrid structure.

Although this open structure has its disadvantages, it should also help attract MMO developers.

Although this open structure has its disadvantages, it should also help attract MMO developers.


Similar to how the ps3's open structure leads to lack of standardized features for online play. I'm guessing this will also have advantages & disadvantages.

Early game disadvantage would be lack of mic support.

Similar to how the ps3's open structure leads to lack of standardized features for online play. I'm guessing this will also have advantages & disadvantages.

Early game disadvantage would be lack of mic support.
Yeah, the curse of being open and not forcing standards is that things can get messy, and feel disjointed. The blessing is that this opens up certain opportunities. For example, developers are free to support the PSN Friend's List and other list like Xfire, as Dark Kingdom does (it supports both). It will be interesting to see what's done, and not done with PSN. There's a lot of possibilities and opportunities out there, but its up to developers to take them, and up to Sony to encourage and support them in doing so.

This is also game dependent. Resistance just happens to have dedicated servers (most likely due to its extremely high importance for SCE). Part of PSN's openness is that it allows developers to:

Use dedicated servers from SCE.
Use their own dedicated servers.
Use a peer-to-peer structure.
Use a hybrid structure.

Although this open structure has its disadvantages, it should also help attract MMO developers.
lol you got to that before me.

From past play with my PS2's online, it seems that although Microsoft is strictly peer-to-peer, they seem to have a better methodology for choosing the host. SOCOM would get HORRIBLE lag at times, but honestly on my 360 most games are solid. It could also be that as people get higher bandwidth from services such as FiOS, your odds greatly increase of having someone in your game with a stellar connection.

I do have the component cable from my PS2 and the HDMI/DVI cable isn't terribly expensive, so hopefully I get lucky and my projector (Mits 300U, I think) works well.

Now, I just have to start poking around for a deal on this hoss. The one thing that really annoys me is the lack of an IR port for my Harmony, but I'll deal.

From past play with my PS2's online, it seems that although Microsoft is strictly peer-to-peer, they seem to have a better methodology for choosing the host. SOCOM would get HORRIBLE lag at times, but honestly on my 360 most games are solid. It could also be that as people get higher bandwidth from services such as FiOS, your odds greatly increase of having someone in your game with a stellar connection.

I do have the component cable from my PS2 and the HDMI/DVI cable isn't terribly expensive, so hopefully I get lucky and my projector (Mits 300U, I think) works well.

Now, I just have to start poking around for a deal on this hoss. The one thing that really annoys me is the lack of an IR port for my Harmony, but I'll deal.
MS is not strictly peer-to-peer or so I've been told.

Good Luck
;)

1. It depends on the developers and games.
Yet, as far as pure online gaming experience, it tends to support more simultaneous players, with no lag.
If you are more interested in extra features, they are not all there yet.

2. Many Bluetooth headsets work fine. I have a Jabra that works great. It's standard-based, so you are not forced to buy one from Sony.

3. The store for movies, TV shows and music does not exists, yet.

4. I used to prefer the Xbox 360 controller. After using the SIXAXIS for some time, I tend to prefer it. It's much lighter, less bulky. Yet, it does not fit in the palm of your hands as nicely.
The build quality is excellent for something that will get obsoleted in November.

The build quality is excellent for something that will get obsoleted in November.
lol

2. Many Bluetooth headsets work fine. I have a Jabra that works great. It's standard-based, so you are not forced to buy one from Sony.

Thanks for the specific recommendation - I've been far too spoiled by my 360's wireless headset to go back to the old-school SOCOM USB headset. :)

Thanks for the specific recommendation - I've been far too spoiled by my 360's wireless headset to go back to the old-school SOCOM USB headset. :)
The one that works pretty well is the Jabra BT125. I have both the BT125 (for the PS3...got it for $7 after sale and rebate) and BT350 (for the cellphone).

Though, I don't get any audio out of my ear piece like I'm supposed to, from what I've been told. I hadn't messed with the volume on it, so that might be the reason for that.

I was stuck in a Best Buy today for over an hour (long story), so I played with a PS3 extensively.

Good: The crappiness of the controller is WAY overblown. I actually liked all aspects of it, except I really did miss the rumble playing Motostorm. I initially didn't like the triggers, but I can see where they'd grow on me. I was fine with them after playing a bit.

Bad: I'm shocked that I haven't heard more disappointment with the NASTY aliasing. I mean, it was really bad. I'm probably spoiled by my 360 or something, but wow.

Thanksfully, the game that had the most acceptable aliasing (F1) was my favorite game of the lot. Unfortunately, they didn't have a Resistance demo.

Also, kind of a bummer I couldn't browse the Sony store. I would have liked to see how much games/content is on there, that is by far one of my favorite abilities as a 360 owner.

All in all, it was a lot of fun. I look forward to picking one up this year.

Bad: I'm shocked that I haven't heard more disappointment with the NASTY aliasing. I mean, it was really bad. I'm probably spoiled by my 360 or something, but wow.


The reason you have not heard disappointment about this is because the demo's on those BB-CC units are flawed..they are nothing like the demo's in the PS store..and alot of people know of this issue with the demo units at those stores. If the owners of ps3's had that aliasing you are seeing you would hear about it here..for SURE.

The reason you have not heard disappointment about this is because the demo's on those BB-CC units are flawed..they are nothing like the demo's in the PS store..and alot of people know of this issue with the demo units at those stores. If the owners of ps3's had that aliasing you are seeing you would hear about it here..for SURE.

So is the issue with how it's hooked up then? I actually tried to go into the system setup, but it was locked out on the demo unit.

So is the issue with how it's hooked up then? I actually tried to go into the system setup, but it was locked out on the demo unit.

No..it is not a issue with how it is hooked up. Those units are hooked up thru component..which is fine. When they set up those demo units..way back..some of the game demo's image quality was not right..I have no idea why. The ps3 has the same image quality as the 360. The motorstorm demo is the perfect example..it is like night and day between those early demo's of motorstorm installed on the demo units at bb,cc...and the demo of motorstorm you can download from the ps store now.

So is the issue with how it's hooked up then? I actually tried to go into the system setup, but it was locked out on the demo unit.
Just an old build of the game. I would have guessed they would have the PSN Motorstorm demo in all of the kiosks by now, but I have not played a store unit in months.

Of course if you are used to playing on a PC with 16xMSAA than you will be a bit disappointed, but what can I say.....PC always trumps console. There is aliasing in the final game, I wouldn’t call it terrible, but I also haven’t been spoiled by super AA on those high end GPUs.

I was playing the Motostorm demo last night with the motorcycle I was looking around while racing and I forgot how impressive it was to see the other cars racing next to you. Motorstorm probably would be seen in a much better light if it weren't for the people that bash on it because of the CGI E3 05 trailer. That and the lack of content are the biggest complaints. Still, it’s one of the few demos I still play.