spectrum48k

Off to Vegas in a couple of weeks for short break.

Just wondering whether to take advantage of the exchange rate and pick up an Xbox360 or PS3 ?

Anyone reckon its worth it ?

56blacksti

You can't play films on the us ps3, i was going to buy one from vegas in feb go into the SONY shop in CAESARS PALACE.

AVZ

Not when you could buy my 100% Xbox360
Open to sensible offers as i want a WII

kbsub

PS3 wont play region 2 DVDs and I dont think you can log on to UK servers for online play ..might have to play with the Yanks all the time

PeteBrant

PS3 is region free for all games. Xbox360 is only region free "at the publishers discretion (i.e. not very often)"

Both PS3 and Xbox360 are region locked for DVD and for BluRay in the case of PS3 - Although importing films is hardly tricky these days.

I am not sure whether you will need a transformer for the PS3, it *should* be a switch mode power supply, in which case any old figure of eight lead will do.

You will need a UK PSU for the Xbox360 (or a transformer).

All in all, the PS3 is more import friendly than 360, but either will be ok.

kbsub

No Transformer needed for PS3

PeteBrant

Looking around, it seems that the PS3 does indeed have an SMPS, meaning no transformer required - You can plug it straight into the UK mains with any old figure of eight lead.

EDIT: Ahh - Ksub has confirmed it

bob269

The 360 HD drive is region free

messiah

and only £75 brand new at the moment in the US.

bob269

With a nice selection of cheap import movies from the US

MovieTyme DVDs

PeteBrant

Just make sure you turn the volume up, and no desire to displayat 1080p

360 - Fantastic for games, less so as a Hi Def source. If Hi Def movies were a consideration, I would go for a PS3 every time.

bob269

Or turn the volume up in the xbox settings?, since the last dashboard update the HD playback is awesome, both sound and audio. And as far as i know (my tv is only 720) the hd-drive does output 1080

spectrum48k

ok, good info - thanks all

PeteBrant

I was talking about the racket the 360 makes when it's turned on - It's terrible during quiet moments in films to hear the 360 fans going 20 to the dozen.

As for 1080p, yes, the option is there to output it. Problem you can coun the number of screens in the world that will display a 1080p image from an analogue signal (i.e. what the 360 puts out) on one hand.

Of course 720p/1080i is fine over analogue - but 99.99999% of screens need a digital signal (i.e. HDMI or DVI) to display a 1080p image.


Like I said, the 360 is utterly ace for games, but if you reason for buying is HiDef media, then PS3 is absolutely street ahead.

messiah

I've got a 1080p screen and got the VGA cable to allow for the upscaling - could I buggery get it work, I thought I was doing something wrong but What HiFi have also printed that they couldnt manage it either - if getting a 1080p from a 360 is a big thing for you, I'd definately get the Elite version of the console, hopefully HDMI will simplify things.

PeteBrant

It will, like I said, the vast majority of screens won't display a 1080p image from an analogue source - Which the 360 is (either throuhg component or VGA - both are analogue).

The Elite has a digital output in the form of HDMI, however, again, it is HDMI 1.2 and not 1.3 as with PS3, and that is whole other minefield. Regardless, if you have a 1080p set, you will be able to get 1080p with an Elite.

spectrum48k

The PS3 *DOES* seem better bolted together / through-out. I've heard both consoles and Sony's IS quieter. The PS3 is a LOT heavier though

Think I might just say sod it for now and pick one up in the UK next year, when the decent games appear (in my opinion there aren't any yet, but that's just my opinion)

*AMMENDED AFTER TYPO

messiah

but isn't 1080p from a 360 only any use to those using it with the HD DVD add-on? Got no intention of going the HD DVD route - blu-ray for me all the way.

PeteBrant

The PS3 is miles better put together far more professional job - The touch sensitive buttons and front loader scream quality. As for it being heavier, that's because the PSU is integrated into the box, unlike the 360 which has a seperate power brick.

In terms of build quality, is really is a huge difference the 360 seems cheap and plasticy compared to the sleek glossy PS3. The controllers are rechargable jobs out of the box, as opposed to battery jobs in the 360 (assuming you get a premuim). There is a little flip down hatch on the PS3 that hides a load of card reading slots for Memory stick/Compact flash etc. You can transfer PS2 saves to PS3, unlike xbox to xbox 360.

The whole thing is better thought out.

You are of course completely right on the games front, far more choice on 360. Although Motorstorm and resistance are great games.

Then there is online integration. Far far better on 360. Because it overlays rather sits inside the game as it were. You can see who is online and playng what. You can't do that on PS3. PS3 is sort of a halfway house, it is centralised, but not completely central to everything as it is on 360.

swiss scooby

If your US-Version of Xbox360 or PS3 breaks, you could be facing troubles with the European services centres. I would definitely go for a UK version. Lately, the games are released in Europe very shortly after their oversea release dates. Plus, Microsoft has just anounced a price drop for all their console versions (Premium, Core, Elite). In the end I believe that it's not worth it to get one in the US. I had Dreamcast (jp), Playstation (US), Xbox (US) at a time when I always wanted to be one of the first to get the new game releases and when you had to wait 1/2 year for PAL games.

spectrum48k

Sorry Peter, I actually agree - I've ammended my earlier post which contained a typo - when I said the PS3 *doesn't* seem to be bolted together as well - I meant to actually type it *DOES* - and it makes a lot less racket too! Much heavier though.

PeteBrant

Ah .

To be completely honest, you aren't going to be dissapointed with either. They both have strengths and weaknesses.

BigGT3Fan

But remember if the XBOX has any problems (as many have) it will be hard to return !!

spectrum48k

Here's the list of games I'll be mostly buying (I generally buy the game, then the console to play it on)

Bioshock
Resident Evil 5
MGS 4
GTA IV
Mario Galaxy
Gran Turismo 5 (sort of)
Rage
Forever Blue (for the wife)
Call Of Duty 4
Crysis

So as you can see, I'll probably need a Wii, a PS3, and an XBox360, although 'm thinking perhaps I'll not need the Xbox360 if the games are also available on PS3 (is bioshock coming to PS3?)

Not to mention I'll need to upgrade my PC (I'm about to order a Shuttle XPC SD39P2)

DJ Dunk

iTrader: (5)

Bioshock is an Xbox/Games for Windows exclusive. Looking forward to Assassins Creed too

I have a 360, a Wii and a DS and will get a PS3 when I see something worth playing.

PeteBrant

That's the idea. It's the only answer for the commited gamer.

messiah

Indeed, although I'm still getting aggro from the wife after I got an N64 purely for GoldenEye and nothing else...

spectrum48k

My N64 is sitting in it's original box with perfect condition boxed carts of Zelda Ocarina, PilotWings, Goldeneye and Super Mario64 in a time-preserve air-tight box!

Although, if anyone's got a mint condition bread-bin type Commodore 64 (boxed) I'll HAVE IT!!

mart360

Got a couple of woodies in the garage, no boxes though (at least i did last time i checked)


Mart

spectrum48k

Any Sunnyvale woodies ??