PlayStation 3

The PlayStation 3 (officially abbreviated as PS3^[4]) is the third home video game console produced by Sony Computer Entertainment, and the successor to the PlayStation 2 as part of the PlayStation series. The PlayStation 3 competes with Microsoft’s Xbox 360 and Nintendo’s Wii as part of the seventh generation of video game consoles.

A major feature that distinguishes the PlayStation 3 from its predecessors is its unified online gaming service, the PlayStation Network,^[5] which contrasts with Sony’s former policy of relying on video game developers for online play.^[6] Other major features of the console include its robust multimedia capabilities,^[7] connectivity with the PlayStation Portable,^[8] and its use of a high-definition optical disc format, Blu-ray Disc, as its primary storage medium.^[9] The PS3 was also the first Blu-ray 2.0-compliant Blu-ray player on the market.^[10]

The PlayStation 3 was first released on November 11, 2006 in Japan,^[11] November 17, 2006 in North America and South America,^[12] and March 23, 2007 in Europe and Oceania.^[13][14] Two SKUs were available at launch: a basic model with a 20 GB hard drive (HDD), and a premium model with a 60 GB hard drive and several additional features^[15] (the 20 GB model was not released in Europe or Oceania).^[16] Since then, several revisions have been made to the console’s available models, most notably with the release of a new slim model in September 2009.

Hardware

System Unit

The PlayStation 3 is convex on its left side, with the PlayStation logo upright, when vertical (the top side is convex when horizontal), and has a glossy black finish.^[69] PlayStation designer Teiyu Goto stated that the Spider-Man font-inspired logo “was one of the first elements SCEI president Ken Kutaragi decided on and the logo may have been the motivating force behind the shape of PS3″.^[70]

The PlayStation 3 features a slot-loading 2x speed Blu-ray Disc drive for games, Blu-ray movies, DVDs, CDs, and other optical media.^[71] It was originally available with hard drives of 20 and 60 GB (only the 60 GB model was available in PAL regions).^[16][72] An 80 GB model has since been introduced in NTSC regions,^[73] and a 40 GB model has been introduced in all regions.^[74][75] All PS3 models have user-upgradeable 2.5″ SATA hard drives.^[76]

The PlayStation 3 uses the Sony, Toshiba, IBM-designed Cell microprocessor as its CPU, which is made up of one 3.2 GHz PowerPC-based “Power Processing Element” (PPE) and eight Synergistic Processing Elements (SPEs).^[77] The eighth SPE is disabled to improve chip yields.^[78][79] Only six of the seven SPEs are accessible to developers as the seventh SPE is reserved by the console’s operating system.^[79] Graphics processing is handled by the NVIDIA RSX ‘Reality Synthesizer’, which can output resolutions from 480i/576i SD up to 1080p HD.^[71] The PlayStation 3 has 256 MB of XDR main memory and 256 MB of GDDR3 video memory for the RSX.^[80]

The system has Bluetooth 2.0, gigabit Ethernet, USB 2.0 and HDMI 1.3a built in on all currently shipping models.^[71] Wi-Fi networking is also built-in on the 40, 60 and 80 GB models while a flash card reader (compatible with Memory Stick, SD/MMC, and CompactFlash/Microdrive media) is built-in on 60 GB and CECHExx 80 GB models.^[71][80] The system supports up to 7 controllers that are connected via Bluetooth 2.0 technology.^[81]

The PS3′s hardware has also been used to build supercomputers for high-performance computing.^[82] Terra Soft Solutions has a version of Yellow Dog Linux for the PlayStation 3,^[83] and sells PS3s with Linux pre-installed,^[84] in single units, and 6 and 32 node clusters.^[85] In addition, RapidMind is pushing their stream programming package for the PS3.^[86] Also, on January 3, 2007, Dr. Frank Mueller, Associate Professor of Computer science at NCSU, clustered 8 PS3s. Mueller commented that the 256 MB of system RAM is a limitation for this particular application, and is considering attempting to retrofit more RAM. Software includes: Fedora Core 5 Linux ppc64, MPICH2, OpenMP v 2.5, GNU Compiler Collection and CellSDK 1.1.^[87][88][89]

On March 22, 2007, SCE and Stanford University released the Folding@home project for the PlayStation 3.^[90] This program allows PS3 owners to lend the computing power of their consoles to help study the physical process of protein folding.

In December 2008, a group of hackers used a cluster of 200 PlayStation 3′s to hack the security protocol SSL.^[91]

Original model

There are five original PlayStation 3 hardware models, which are commonly referred to by the size of their included hard disk drive: “20″, “40″, “60″, “80″ and “160″ GB.^[15][92] The only difference in the appearance of the first five models was the color of the trim and number of USB ports. All retail packages include one or two Sixaxis controllers and/or a DualShock 3 controller (beginning June 12, 2008^[93][94]), one miniUSB to USB cable (for connecting the controller to the system), one composite video/stereo audio output cable, one Ethernet cable (20, 60, and CECHExx 80 GB only) and one power cable.^[92][95][96] All models support software emulation of the original PlayStation,^[97][98] but support for PlayStation 2 backwards compatibility has continually diminished with later models.^[99] Compatibility issues with games for both systems are detailed in a public database hosted by the manufacturer.^[100] All models, excluding the 20GB model, include 802.11 b/g Wi-Fi. In addition to all of the features of the 20 GB model, the 60 GB model has internal IEEE 802.11 b/g Wi-Fi, multiple flash card readers (SD/MultiMedia Card, CompactFlash Type I/Type II, Microdrive,^[101] Memory Stick/PRO/Duo), and a chrome colored trim.^[102] In terms of hardware, the 80 GB model released in South Korea is identical to the 60 GB model released in the PAL regions, except for the difference in hard drive size.^[103]

Like the South Korean and European models, the North American 80 GB (2007) model also excludes the PlayStation 2 “Emotion Engine” CPU chip.^[99] However, it still keeps the “Graphics Synthesizer” GPU.^[104] Due to the elimination of the “Emotion Engine”, the level of compatibility was reduced.^[99] The 40 GB, 80 GB (2008), and 160 GB models have two USB ports instead of the four USB ports on other models, and do not include multiple flash card readers, SACD support,^[105] or any backwards compatibility with PlayStation 2 games.^[17][99] This was due to the removal of “Graphics Synthesizer” GPU, which stripped the units of all PlayStation 2 based hardware.^[106][107]

No official Wi-Fi or flash memory card readers were ever released by Sony for the 20 GB system, although Sony had plans to do so.^[108] As of September 2009 Sony have placed no further emphasis on these proposed add-ons.^{[citation needed]} Nevertheless, as the model features four USB 2.0 ports, wireless networking and flash memory card support can already be obtained through the use of widely available external USB adapters and third-party PS3-specific media hubs.^[99]

It was rumored that the Cell processors in the third-generation PS3s (40 GB, 2008 80 GB, and 160 GB) would move from a 90 nm process to the newer 65 nm process,^[109] which SCEI CEO Kaz Hirai later confirmed,^[110] and later to 45 nm. This change lowers the power consumption of the console and makes it less expensive to produce.^[111]

Slim model

Following speculation that a ‘slim’ model was in the pipeline Sony officially announced the PS3 CECH-2000 on August 18, 2009 at the Sony Gamescom press conference.^[18][112] The PS3 slim (officially called the PS3 CECH-2000) features an upgradeable 120GB hard drive and is 33% smaller, 36% lighter, and consumes 34% less power than previous models.^{[18][113][114]} The cooling system has been redesigned and Cell processor has moved to a 45nm manufacturing process.^[115] It sold in excess of a million units in its first 3 weeks on sale.^[116]

The PS3 slim also includes support for CEC (more commonly referred to by its manufacturer brandings of BraviaSync, VIERA Link, EasyLink and others) which allows control of the console over HDMI. The PS3 slim also runs quieter and cooler than previous models due to its 45 nm Cell. The PS3 Slim no longer has the ability to install third party operating systems such as Linux, and also no longer has the “main power” switch, like the previous PS3 models, which was located at the back of the console.^[18][113] The PS3 slim was officially released on September 1, 2009 in North America and Europe and on September 3, 2009 in Japan, Australia and New Zealand.^{[18][113][117][118]} However, some retailers such as Amazon.com, Best Buy, and GameStop started to sell the PS3 slim on August 25, 2009.^[119][120] A 250GB Final Fantasy XIII-themed PS3 Slim which was white in color with pink designs, was officially announced on September 24, 2009 at the Tokyo Game Show as part of a bundle in Japan for Final Fantasy XIII, it was initially revealed in FCC filings as the PS3 CECH-2000B.^[121][122] Sony Computer Entertainment Australia also announced later that day that it would be bringing the 250GB PS3 slim to Australia which would be bundled with other games and will not feature the Final Fantasy XIII theme. Although no American bundles has been announced for the 250GB PS3 slim, it will be sold as a stand-alone console.^[123]

System Software

Sony has included the ability for the operating system, referred to as System Software, to be updated.^[150] The updates can be acquired in several ways:

• If the PlayStation 3 has an active Internet connection, updates may be downloaded directly from the PlayStation Network to the PS3 and subsequently installed. Systems with active Internet will automatically check online for software updates each time the console is started.
• Using an external PC, a user may download the update from the official PlayStation website, transfer it to portable storage media, and install it on the System.
• Some game discs come with system software updates on the disc. This may be due to the game requiring the update in order to run. If so, the software may be installed from the disc.^[150]

The PlayStation 3 also includes the ability to install other operating systems,^[151] such as Linux.^[152] This ability has been removed with the introduction of the new slim model and will not be available in any future hardware revisions.

Graphical user interface

The standard PlayStation 3 version of the XrossMediaBar (pronounced Cross Media Bar, or abbreviated XMB) includes nine categories of options. These are: Users, Settings, Photo, Music, Video, Game, Network, PlayStation Network, and Friends (similar to the PlayStation Portable media bar). A tenth TV category is displayed between Music and Video if PlayTV is installed or if the console meets certain criteria to access select catch-up television services. By default, the What’s New section of PlayStation Network is displayed when the system starts up. The PS3 includes the ability to store various master and secondary user profiles, manage and explore photos with or without a musical slide show, play music and copy audio CD tracks to an attached data storage device, play movies and video files from the hard disk drive, an optional USB mass storage or Flash card, or an optical disc (Blu-ray Disc or DVD-Video), compatibility for a USB keyboard and mouse, and the web browser supporting in/compatible file download function.^[153] Additionally, UPnP media will appear in the respective audio/video/photo categories if a compatible media server or DLNA server is detected on the local network. The Friends menu allows mail with emoticon and attached picture features and video chat which requires an optional PlayStation Eye or EyeToy webcam.^[154] The Network menu allows online shopping through the PlayStation Store and connectivity to the PlayStation Portable via Remote Play.^[154]

Photo Gallery

Photo Gallery is an optional application to view, create and group photos from the PS3, which is installed separately from the system software at 105MB. It was introduced in system software version 2.60 and provides a range of tools for sorting through and displaying the system’s pictures. The key feature of this application is that it can organize photos into groups according to various criteria. Notable categorizations are colors, ages, or facial expressions of the people in the photos. Slideshows can be viewed with the application, along with music and playlists.

VidZone

VidZone is an online music video download service, accessible from the Music category on the XMB, which allows for free streaming of music videos from the VidZone.tv website. The VidZone catalogue encompasses over 1.5 million tracks, 25,000 music videos and 15,000 realtones,^[155] including full access to catalogues from Sony BMG^[156] and EMI.^[157]

On June 11, 2009, VidZone’s service was extended to the PlayStation 3 video game system in Europe and Australia, allowing users to watch music videos for on their PS3 or streamed to their PSP via Remote Play.^[158]

PlayStation Network

PlayStation Network is the unified online multiplayer gaming and digital media delivery service provided by Sony Computer Entertainment for the PlayStation 3 and PlayStation Portable, announced during the 2006 PlayStation Business Briefing meeting in Tokyo. The service is always connected,^[159] free,^[160] and includes multiplayer support.^[161] The network enables online gaming, the PlayStation Store, PlayStation Home and other services. PlayStation Network uses real currency and PlayStation Network Cards as seen with the PlayStation Store and PlayStation Home.

What’s New

What’s New was announced at Gamescom 2009 and was released on September 1, 2009, with PlayStation 3 system software 3.0. The feature was to replace the existing [Information Board], which displayed news from the PlayStation website associated with the user’s region. The concept was developed further into a major PlayStation Network feature, which interacts with the [Status Indicator] to display a ticker of all content, excluding recently played content (currently in North America and Japan only).

The system displays the What’s New screen by default instead of the [Games] menu (or [Video] menu, if a movie was inserted) when starting up. What’s New has four sections: “Our Pick”, “Recently Played”, latest information, and new content available in PlayStation Store. There are four kinds of content the What’s New screen displays and links to, on the sections. “Recently Played” displays the user’s recently played games and online services only, whereas, the other sections can contain website links, links to play videos, and access to selected sections of the PlayStation Store.

The PlayStation Store icons in the [Game] and [Video] section act similarly to the What’s New screen, except that they only display and link to games and videos in the PlayStation Store, respectively.

PlayStation Home

PlayStation Home is a virtual community-based service for the PlayStation Network, announced during the 2007 Game Developers Conference.^[162] Home allows users to create a custom avatar, which can be made to suit the user’s liking.^[163][164] Users can decorate their avatar’s personal apartment (“HomeSpace”) with default, bought, or won items.^[163] Users can shop for new items to express themselves more through their avatars or HomeSpace.^[164] Users interact and connect with friends and customise content in a virtual world.^[165] Home also acts as a meeting place for users that want to play multiplayer games with others.^[165]

A closed beta began in Europe from May 2007 and expanded to other territories soon after.^[166] Home was delayed and expanded^[167] several times before initially releasing.^[168][169] The Open Beta test was started on December 11, 2008. Home is available directly from the PlayStation 3 XrossMediaBar. Membership is free, and only requires a PSN account.^[164][165]

Home is the host to avatars, a virtual economy, personal spaces and clubs. It features places to meet and interact, dedicated game spaces, developer spaces, company spaces, and events. The service undergoes a weekly maintenance and frequent updates. Xi, a once notable feature in Home, is the world’s first console-based Alternate Reality Game. Adventures, puzzles and spaces were set up to continuously puzzle those who participated in finding clues. The meaning of Xi and the mysterious character “Jess” were the objects of study in this game. At TGS 2009, Kazuo Hirai announced that Home has been downloaded by 8 million users.^[170]

PlayStation Portable connectivity

The PlayStation Portable can connect with the PlayStation 3 in many ways, including in-game connectivity. For example, Formula One Championship Edition, a racing game, was shown at E3 2006 using a PSP as a real-time rear-view mirror.^[171] In addition, it is possible to download original PlayStation format games to the PlayStation 3 from the PlayStation Store. These games were not originally playable on the PS3. They could only be sent to a PSP, and played using the PSP’s PlayStation Emulator. Sony added support for playing original PlayStation format titles on PS3 on April 18, 2007, with the update to firmware revision 1.70.^[172][173]

Sony has also demonstrated the PSP playing back video content from the PlayStation 3 hard disk across an ad-hoc wireless network. This feature is referred to as Remote Play located under the browser icon on both the PlayStation 3 and the PlayStation Portable. Remote play has since expanded to allow remote access to the PS3 via PSP from any wireless access point in the world.^[174]

Life with PlayStation

On 18 September 2008^[175] the PlayStation 3′s Folding@home application became Life with PlayStation. Life with PlayStation shows Earth’s light at night in locations where it is night time and shows cloud patterns to reflect recent weather patterns (if zoomed out far enough). Along with the existing Folding@home functionality, the application also provides the user with access to three other information “channels”, the first of which being the Live Channel which offers news headlines and weather through a 3D globe. The user can rotate and zoom in to any part of the world to access information provided by Google News, The Weather Channel, and the University of Wisconsin–Madison Space Science and Engineering Center, among other sources.^[176] The second channel is the World Heritage channel which offers historical information about historical sites. The third channel is the United Village channel. United Village is a project designed to share information about communities and cultures worldwide.^[177]