Introducing The Sony PlayStation 3

On May 16, 2005 Sony held an exciting press conference in Los Angeles California. Sony ™ offered the world its first look of its next-generation gaming system, the PlayStation 3 ™. Sony CEO Kaz Hirai called it a “supercomputer for computer entertainment.”

The hardware of the PlayStation 3 was simply described as “enormously powerful.” Sony's new system would be capable of delivering video content in full high definition, at resolutions of up to 1080p(*), which is the most detailed resolution currently supported. The Cell processor, a joint project between Sony, Toshiba, and IBM, would be the most powerful processor ever delivered for a gaming system, comprised of 7 separate processing units, each working simultaneously.

The system would be backwards compatible with PS2 and PS1 disc format. The PlayStation 3 would also use Blu-ray discs for its media. Blu-ray is a disc format that can hold almost six times as much data as current DVDs can. Also, DVD, and CD-ROM would be supported.

The graphics chip inside the PS3 would be the most powerful chip available on the market. Based on nVidia technology, the chip would feature 512 MB of graphics memory, and 300 million transistors. In comparison, the most powerful GeForce video card for PCs could not perform even half as well.

The PS3 would also feature wireless rechargeable USB controllers, with motion detecting technology. And the system would be capable of downloading content from the internet via WiFi or ethernet connection, and storing it on a 20 or 60 gig hard drive.

The demonstration of the power of the PS3 at E3, the largest gaming convention in the world, created great anticipation for its release in the upcoming Fall. The release of such a dramatically new and complicated gaming system would demand updated knowledge and understanding from the public that would soon own it.

Many questions since then have been brought up about what the PS3's exact capabilities were, when the PS3 would be come available, how it would integrate older PlayStation games, differences between the two release versions, whether one could play games on a regular TV instead of an HDTV, and much more.

Although no guide is completely comprehensive, this guide has focused on most of the major questions that have been brought up about the PS3 and its capabilities, as well as more specific questions on hardware and software. Certainly, the PS3 is a great leap in gaming innovation, and it will serve as the latest example of what future gaming systems will be judged upon. Whether you are a dedicated gamer, or simply curious about what all the hype is for, this guide should help update your knowledge on the PS3, and give you a better understanding of all its features. This E-Book also contains numerous links to other resources where you can learn tons more about the PS3. Click Here For More Articles About: Video Games!