PS3 FAQ Part One

Q: Will you be able to play PS2 games on the PS3?
A:Yes you can currently play PS2 games on the PS3, however there might be some games which are not compatible and Sony has not revealed if there would be any specific games that would not work.

Q: How Do I Hook Up the PS3? A: Since there are numerous video outputs for the PS3, there are many ways of hooking it up. Basically, if you do not have an HDTV, the PS3 hooks up the same way that the PS2 did using standard component cables. For a very detailed article on how to hook it up numerous ways, see http://www.ps3blog.net/2006/10/09/5-ways-to-connect-your-ps3/

Q: Will PS2 controllers work on the PS3?
A: Yes. IGN recently tested and found that a PS2 controller could connect to the PS3 using a PS2 to USB adapter that can be found on the market. Every game they tested worked, however that does not mean that future games will necessarily work. Use http://www.froogle.com to search for PS2 to USB adapters. Otherwise, without such an adapter, the controllers will not work on the PS3.

Q: How is the SIXAXIS controller different from the PS2's controller?
A:Although the controllers do look similar, there are many differences. The SIXAXIS controller is wireless and uses Bluetooth 2.0 technology. The PS3 can support up to 7 SIXAXIS controllers at one time. The L2 and R2 buttons are triggers now. The main difference is the SIXAXIS tilt technology. The controller will detect tilting in 3d space, which allows interaction with games by moving the controller itself. For instance, in Madden 07, you can try to jump the snap on defense by moving the controller forward with both hands. Or in Warhawk, you can fly the plan by tilting the controller left and right. But, the PS3 SIXAXIS controller does not have the rumble technology that the PS2 controller has.

Q: What is the battery life on the SIXAXIS controller and how do you recharge it?
A:The controller is charged with a mini-USB cable, the kind that most digital cameras accept. The PlayStation 3 comes with one of these cables in the box. The controller has a non removable battery that lasts approximately 30 hours. When the battery runs out, you can keep playing while recharging it simply by plugging in your controller to the PS3 with the mini-USB cable.

Q: How far is the controller's wireless range?
A:20 meters, or about 65 feet.

Q: How many controllers can the PS3 support?
A: Up to 7 using Bluetooth 2.0 wireless.

Q: What kind of disc drive will the system use?
A:PlayStation 3 will come with a Blu-ray disc drive.

Q: Besides a hard disc and Blu-ray drive, what other sorts of storage options will be supported?
A:In the 60 GB version only: Memory Stick (standard and Duo), SD and CompactFlash, and in both versions: USB flash drives. The 20 GB version can add this capability with a memory reading USB adapter found on the market.

Q: How will PS2/PS1 saves be converted to the PS3?
A:Sony has an adapter that allows users to copy their PS2/ PS1 saves from a Memory Card to the hard drive, and back again if they wish. The hard drive has space for "Virtual Memory Cards" and this will basically mimic Memory Card, and users will save PS2 and PS1 games here. The Memory Card adapter costs $14.99.

Q: What is the Cell Processor?
A:The Cell processor which has no relationship to Intel's “Celeron” processor, is an innovative console processing designed by IBM, Toshiba and Sony together. The Cell processor is like 7 separate computers working together to process information. One computer might process controller input and another might process physics. Each computer has a specific task, just like a specific cell type, hence the name. This allows for multiple calculations to be done at one time, making this one of the most powerful game processors ever created.

Q: What is the clockspeed of the Cell processor?
A: 3.2 Ghz

Q: Which companies supply the PS3's hardware?
A:IBM, Toshiba and Sony are produce the Cell processors. NVIDIA has selected to design the graphics processor.

Q: How much RAM will the PS3 have?
A:256MB of XDR Main RAM specifically for the RSX graphics chip @ 3.2GHz and 256MB of GDDR3 VRAM @ 700MHz for the system, for a total of 512MB. The RSX graphics chip can use all 512MB of system RAM, if it needs to.

Q: What ports and external connections will the PlayStation 3 have?
A:On the 20GB system, you'll find four USB 2.0 ports on the front of the system. On the back there are connectors for gigabit Ethernet, an optical audio output, HDMI output and an AV multi-out (which appears to be exactly the same as on the PS2). The 60GB system will also include inputs for Memory Stick, SD and Compact Flash cards inside a flip-up door on the front.

Q: Will the PlayStation 3 put out 16:9 or HD video?
A:Yes. In fact, the system will support resolutions up to and including 1080p, 1080i, 720p, 480p and 480i are all supported. Click Here For More Articles About: Video Games!