Xbox 360 & Playstation 3 Summary

[Evil Avatar]

Shacknews has posted a nice bullet point list of features for both the Xbox 360 (http://www.shacknews.com/onearticle.x/37068) and the Playstation 3 (http://www.shacknews.com/onearticle.x/37061). Better start saving your pennies.



Xbox 360 will have limited backward compatability. Only the most popular Xbox games will be supported, through an emulator.
Square Enix is releasing Final Fantasy XI on the 360, with Live support. First of several Square Enix games on the platform.
More than 160 games are in development.
During a 90 day launch window Microsoft hopes that between 25 and 40 Xbox 360 games are released.
You can buy movies and music online through the 360
All games must support 720p, a 16:9 aspect ratio, anti-aliasing and 5.1 multi channel sound.


Backwards compatibility with both PSone and PS2 games.
Will use Blu-Ray discs for media; also supports: CD-ROM, CD+RW, DVD, DVD-ROM, DVD-R, DVD+R, and SACD
Cell processor at 3.2GHz
2.18 teraflops of performance
512MB total: 256MB XDR system RAM at 3.2 GHz; 256MB of GDDRVRAM at 700MHz
Slot that supports a detachable 2.5in HDD
Six USB ports; Memory Stick Duo, SD and Compact Flash support
2 HDMI outputs, 1 A/V output, 1 SPDIF optical output, and a 1 gigabit ethernet port
Video chat, Internet access, digital picture, audio, and video viewing
Capable of handling seven Bluetooth controllers
WiFi capable
Graphics:

Chip is called RSX "Reality Synthesizer" by nVidia, runs at 550MHz
128 bit pixel precision and 1080p support
300 million transistors; 90nm process
Said to be more powerful than two GeForce 6800 Ultras

[Evil Avatar]

Ok, so lets say I want a HDTV for my office that supports 720p and runs in the 19" - 21" range (smaller rather than larger). Does anyone know where to find information on which one is best? All the HDTV's I've seen at Best Buy and Fry's Electronics (Large or Small) had terrible picture quality.

[eatme]

Personally, I'd wait until Xmas time, when there are crazy sales on all this stuff (and you can't get a 360 before then anyway). Or even later. Prices are going down like crazy.

I don't have a ton of insight, but CNet's been great for me on their cell phone reviews, monitor reviews, and digital camera reviews, so I tend to trust their stuff:
http://reviews.cnet.com/Home_video/2001-6475_7-0.html?tag=cnetfd.dir

[ezzkmo]

ok, time to start saving my nickels :)

[Savok]

Same problem here in Aus with HDTVs, they always look shit in the shops. I do know the best ones are still the old tube types though (what I got, good stuff). One that small though, I've never seen in anything other then LCD, which IMO is shithouse.

When I got my TV, what I found on the Internet was a confusing mess for beginners. Best bet is to find a tech junkie you know and get them to explain it person to person, so you can ask questions and clarify things.

As for the specs, limited backwards compatibility sucks, but Live is really shaping up nicely. I just hope Nintendo has some good so I can actually buy a games machine, and not some damn media centre.

[Varsity]

It does seem that Sony have got one up on the hardware side, though that isn't exactly suprising. MS seem to want to offer a better online experience though, and that's where my interest lies. The thing to remember ther though is that online stuff can be upgraded later.

[Vandenh]

>Said to be more powerful than two GeForce 6800 Ultras

Strange... one of the 360 articles on engadget (or maybe another site) mentioned that the ATI in 360 was 4-5 times more powerful than 6800U.

Overall hardware will probably perform on a very similar level... Sony has once again ignored the sofware side of things. No demos of UI, Online,..? Just some (fake?) tech-demos like PS2. Looks like 360 is indeed a different beast.... MS has a vision, Sony just made some sexy hardware.

Nintendo could have a chance now against Sony. They need a slick 100% pure gaming machine and good 3rd party support. That could do well against PS3.

[zyzyx]

The lack of unified RAM on the PS3 is unfortunate. I like unified RAM.

[zyzyx]

Also wanted to add. The PS3 graphics chip isn't more powerful than a pair of 6800Ultras in SLI mode. It is a pair of 6800Us in SLI mode.

[MentallyInept]

Also wanted to add. The PS3 graphics chip isn't more powerful than a pair of 6800Ultras in SLI mode. It is a pair of 6800Us in SLI mode.

::gets out his pwning stick::

Not according to Anandtech.com:

"The GPU itself can process 136 shader operations per cycle, compared to 53 shader ops per cycle of the current GeForce 6 GPU. In terms of shader performance, the RSX is clearly more powerful than even two GeForce 6 GPUs."

http://www.anandtech.com/tradeshows/showdoc.aspx?i=2417&p=4

[ReaverX]

Ok, so lets say I want a HDTV for my office that supports 720p and runs in the 19" - 21" range (smaller rather than larger). Does anyone know where to find information on which one is best? All the HDTV's I've seen at Best Buy and Fry's Electronics (Large or Small) had terrible picture quality.
Yeah, there isn't much to choose from in that size. If you're talking about a tube tv, you don't really see that many decent HD displays until you hit 27"+. Your best bet will probably be to go with a Flat Panel (http://www.circuitcity.com/rpsm/catOid/-12869/N/20012866+20012867+524+20012869+107/link/ref/rpem/ccd/categorylist.do). That being said, CNET (http://reviews.cnet.com/4502-6475_7-0.html?tag=pick&orderby=&qt=&100021id=&1000036id=&500961id=&500963id=9060986&501490id=10847&500965id=) is a good place to get reviews and comparisons on HDTVs.

[bapenguin]

Ok, so lets say I want a HDTV for my office that supports 720p and runs in the 19" - 21" range (smaller rather than larger). Does anyone know where to find information on which one is best? All the HDTV's I've seen at Best Buy and Fry's Electronics (Large or Small) had terrible picture quality.

The problem is, you can't trust what you see at the retailers because the signals they use are so friggin crappy. They take one signal and split it 50 ways, and it simply kills the quality of HD at the stores. Your best bet is to find a few that look decent and check out online reviews.

[Crispy951]

oh god now the choices really set in *sigh* i wish i wasnt poor...

[Wadmaasi]

Xbox 360 will have limited backward compatability. Only the most popular Xbox games will be supported, through an emulator.
Halo 2
Counter-Strike
Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory?
????

[Rommel]

What this all comes down to, so far as I can decipher, is which processor is stronger and which video card pumps more. Since the cell is still out of our hands for testing (It could work, it could not. They've been talking about this thing forever) and we don't have samples of the card yet, we must assume that both fricken roxxor.... but whose cuisine reigns supreme?

Normally I would give over the element of trust to the numbers, but the cell is *so* different I want to remain undecided. May make the blow softer or surprise greater when a 3rd arty gets their hands on one.

[Cupelix]

Xbox 360 will have limited backward compatability. Only the most popular Xbox games will be supported, through an emulator.
Goddamnit. Screw you, Microsoft. I'm already out of plugs around my entertainment center. Stop making me have to plug in more things.

[crashedout]

What about backwards compatibility? Sony had to include a PS1 on a chip in the PS2 to get that to work. Are they doing the same thing again, a ps2 on a chip? or are they emulating? At least MS tells the truth, that when you emulate you don't get 100% that is why they are only saying top titles. The only one who should be able to do full backward is the Revolution due to its design.

[TRiLoGY]

Im extremely excited about the PS3, especially after watching some of the videos on Gamespot..

[bapenguin]

Im extremely excited about the PS3, especially after watching some of the videos on Gamespot..

I'm stoked about all the consoles. I just hope I can find the time to enjoy them all!

[feeble]

Its all about the games.

Show me a solid collection of games, and Ill buy that system, till then i don't care about how powerful the thing is.

Then again, I am very excited about seeing what the the cell architecture and blue ray is capable of.

[Blue]

I don't get why (or how, even) MS can't support backwards compatability. Aren't they supposedly a collection of tech gurus sitting around drinking coffee in some remote mountain lab? This makes me lean closer towards Sony than it does the big box. I'm sure a good chunk of my Box games fall into the "not as popular" catagory. Lesse, I have Halo, Halo 2, and Splinter Cell...all the others? Fodder for the MS fire. Yeah, that's totally worth it.

[Plac1d]

My PC days are over. Why does the next gen consoles benchmarks in three times the improved performance over most gaming rigs at 1/5 the cost?

[Justin_McElroy]

I find the backwards compatability thing very disturbing. I think, and have always felt this way, that not supporting it shows a lack of respect for gaming heritage. To me, this is THE most important feature of the new consoles. PS3 and Revolution both support backwards compatabilty, so much so that Nintendo apparently fucking flipped out and answered my prayers by making their machine backwards compatible to the beginning of linear time or something.

OK, that out of the way...is this a business strategy? Is it possible that they plan to market a streamlined Xbox that they can actually turn a profit on? Sort of like what Sony did, but in Microsoft's case, you'll be forced to buy this new Xbox 1 when your old Xbox poops out.

I don't know, just a thought.

[PotatoNinja]

Limited backwards compatability?

Limited?

I call shenanigans!

[Mrbunchypants]

FTW

Backwards compatibility with both PSone and PS2 games.
Will use Blu-Ray discs for media; also supports: CD-ROM, CD+RW, DVD, DVD-ROM, DVD-R, DVD+R, and SACD

Sony once again will have my moneys.

[hideouslywrinkled]

I don't get why (or how, even) MS can't support backwards compatability. Aren't they supposedly a collection of tech gurus sitting around drinking coffee in some remote mountain lab?

I've heard it's because they're switching from an Nvidia gpu to an ATI gpu.

What I wonder, though. Is if X360's backwards compatibility isn't going to be the "killer app" for Xbox Live microtransactions. Imagine, having to pay $2.99 for each top Xbox game you want to play on your X360.

From a business stand point it makes sense. Getting an emulated version of a game to run new hardware isn't free. But as a gamer, that would suck...

[Wadmaasi]

People around the Shack who ought to know these things (?) are saying that the backwards-compatibility is a matter of recompiling the Xbox .EXEs for the 360 hardware, which will then be made available as downloads via Live!. Were they to do an overall emulator to be native to the 360, nVidia would apparently have MS by the balls for buckets o' cash. If this is true, the "limited" and "popular" parts give MS an out if any given developer\publisher decides not to re-compile and make available their .EXEs.

[Savok]

Well why didn't they just say so?

[MosBen]

Well, it always comes up in these sorts of discussions and it looks like it's up to me to do it this time. While everyone will complain about the limited backwards compatibility for the next 6-12 months, after the 360, PS3, and Revolution break 100 games released for the system those complaints will drop down to a few intense zealots. Is it a neat feature? Sure it is, but I think anyone that's being truly honest with themselves will admit that at a certain point it becomes a largely irrelevent feature. How many people still play PS1 games on the PS2? Yeah, I know there are some (and in all likelihood they'll let me know about it here), but most people don't.

Really, I think this isn't such a bad solution. Games like Fable, Halo, and Splinter Cell are games that lots of people are going to want to keep playing for years to come, but NHL 2k4? How 'bout Outlaw Golf 1? I know, they're good games, but the number of people that are going to really be upset about not being able to play them on the 360 are going to be rather small.

[Savok]

How many people still play PS1 games on the PS2? Yeah, I know there are some (and in all likelihood they'll let me know about it here), but most people don't.

I'm letting you know.

And no one wants to play Fable for years to come.

[Mrbunchypants]

How many people still play PS1 games on the PS2? Yeah, I know there are some (and in all likelihood they'll let me know about it here), but most people don't.

Really, I think this isn't such a bad solution. Games like Fable, Halo, and Splinter Cell are games that lots of people are going to want to keep playing for years to come, but NHL 2k4? How 'bout Outlaw Golf 1? I know, they're good games, but the number of people that are going to really be upset about not being able to play them on the 360 are going to be rather small.

Another thing to look at is that fact that many small dev house can now make games for the PS3. Getting a new PS3 Dev machen will cost Big bucks.
However getting a PS2 or PS1 will be next to nothing. Lots of child games have come out for the PS1 and yet they will work on the PS2 and PS3. That make it worth your while to produce these types of games knowing that Parents (like my self)who own a PS2 can play these game.

Bob the builder anyone? :D

[Savok]

Did you know some work safety people bitched about Bob here in Australia? Apparntly he doesn't follow the strict safety laws here.

[Rommel]

I got my PS2 at launch, and for a long time all it did was sit there, look pretty and run the backlog of RPGs for the PSX I had waiting, albeit with better picture quality from my new S-Video cable over the A/V.

[WileE.Coyte]

Just to let you know I went out to my mailbox this morning and had a nice surprise waiting for me. The new issue of TIME, has Bill on the Front and a 6-7 page article about the 360. Have'nt read it yet and I'm sure it's biased. Time is pretty cheap though if you want to check it out.

[benson]

I certainly could care less about backwards compatibility. I think I played one PS1 game on my PS2 back when it first came out. I never played any GB or GBC games on my GBA. In fact, I haven't touched my PS2 since I "upgraded" to my Xbox.

However, in this round I think I'll be picking one console and sticking to it. And currently I'm leaning towards the PS3. I like the fact that my Xbox Live account would carry over, and all that, but overall the PS3 looks better. Of course that could all change, and probably will, but as of right now, the PS3 has the better specs, and Sony will have a huge lineup of games/developers on board. I know that MS has a large group of developers, but Sony will have the same and then some, though probably not as one-sided as this generation.

Plus it'll be my first Blu-Ray player (as the PS2 was my first DVD player). Can't beat that (unless HD-DVD becomes the standard...).

[Kelegacy]

Just to let you know I went out to my mailbox this morning and had a nice surprise waiting for me. The new issue of TIME, has Bill on the Front and a 6-7 page article about the 360. Have'nt read it yet and I'm sure it's biased. Time is pretty cheap though if you want to check it out.

If by cheap you mean it gave the 360 a 6-7 page article and put Bill's mug on the cover, then yup you are correct my friend.

Did they say that it was going to change entertainment FOREVER?? Idiots.

[mister_slim]

The problem is, you can't trust what you see at the retailers because the signals they use are so friggin crappy. They take one signal and split it 50 ways, and it simply kills the quality of HD at the stores. Your best bet is to find a few that look decent and check out online reviews.
Or maybe a laptop with the right video-outs. And a taser.