Our PS3 arrives! Did we just brick it?
After spending much of the night with the Wii, and Twilight Princess, we woke this morning to a special treat: a retail PS3! We moved the Wii from the projector screen -- a display option that the system just doesn't agree with (at least in our configuration) -- to the far more manageable 24" Dell flat panel (as seen here). That means the PS3 could stretch its legs on the projector with 720p or 1080i over HDMI.
The system, as we all know by now, is on the large side, is very shiny, and (your opinion may vary) a very attractive piece of machinery. After being hooked up and running for some time, it remains completely cool to the touch, with a large amount of hot air being quietly evacuated out of the back of the unit. It reminds us that Sony can engineer just about anything.
The system required several quick updates when we popped in Resistance. First, a patch from 1.0 to 1.02. After a couple quick levels, we were back out in the XMB interface trying to connect to various network services (none of which will be online until the 17th). The system informed us we needed a software upgrade, this time to the more recent 1.10. After a lengthy download (our connection may have been slow), the system issued us the obligatory firmware-upgrade warning: turn it off or do anything else stupid and you'll brick your box ... in so many words. So it was with great dismay that we greeted a blank, black screen. The same black screen we stared at for the next thirty minutes.
"Is it upgrading?"
"Shouldn't there be a progress bar?"
We stared and stared. And stared. Do we dare turn it off, hoping to break whatever infinite loop the system was stuck in at the risk of bricking our very shiny, and barely broken-in, PS3? After about twenty minutes, my hand gingerly trembled its way to the soft power button and the system refused to recognize my command.
"Don't turn me off, idiot! Didn't you read the message? You'll brick me!"
"Bbbbut, you're not doing anything!"
"How do you know? Are you a Sony engineer? Look, I won't let you turn me off, therefore, I must be working."
"Fine."
We waited for another ten minutes before our duty was clear. Our PS3 needed to be put down turned off. I walked around behind the unit, pausing at the power switch. Flick. Is it dead? Did we brick our brand new PS3? We flipped the switch back on, and activated the soft power switch on the front and were greeted with ...
...
...
...
... a firmware upgrade screen! We followed the instructions (again) and a progress bar informed us of the firmware upgrade's progress.
Phew! After a few short (this time!) minutes, the box was running wonderfully at version 1.10.
The contents of the retail box: p ower cable (just like a computer's ... maybe they were right!); a USB-to-USB mini cable for connecting and charging the Sixaxis; AV multi-out (PSone/PS2 owners should be familiar with this); a rather generous Ethernet cord (we do have the wireless model after all); and, lastly, the Sixaxis.
Anything you want us to check out?
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
killr0y @ Nov 11th 2006 7:51PM
Maybe the 2nd patch was necessary to make sure the 1st patch didn't brick the system. Great Sony engineering, indeed.
alia5 @ Nov 11th 2006 7:51PM
I'm sorry but I still find the PS3 to be a very ugly thing...
h2c @ Nov 11th 2006 7:53PM
There's no power brick? That's awesome.
Ritz @ Nov 11th 2006 7:53PM
That would give me the chills. To turn on my $600 system and have it throw a black screen in my face for 30 minutes after warning be of the consequence of shutting it down...
Why did that happen?
terry @ Nov 11th 2006 7:55PM
yawn. let me know when there are games worth playing on it.
Shadow @ Nov 11th 2006 7:56PM
The PS3 isn't even out yet and it already needs a firmware upgrade, simply amazing, Sony.
At any rate, the fun begins!
Josh* @ Nov 11th 2006 7:56PM
-- Can't wait to see which machines will win/lose the time-honoured "Will it work after we drop heavy things on it, dunk it in water and drop it out of a moving car" tests the TV shows do.
Hunta @ Nov 11th 2006 7:57PM
Please try and play some xvid's in that sucka!
I want a full report on what resolutions and formats it plays on my desk by morning!
Don't let me down!
]-[
Baka @ Nov 11th 2006 7:59PM
I think the PS3 looks pretty nice, but not as nice as the Wii or 360. The PS3 controller looks familiar though, I think I might of seen one looking kinda like that before. :P
icemorebutts @ Nov 11th 2006 8:06PM
The only thing that gave me interest in the PS3 at all during the video was the Blu-Ray movie. I have absoluty no interest in any of the PS3 games (MGS4 is about it). I think I'll be perfectly fine with my 360 and Wii this year. When I get my HD-DVD drive here in a few days not even the movie will interest me.... oh and gears pwns.
Hammer @ Nov 11th 2006 8:07PM
That thing is giant.
I'm starting to want one though. It's just to pretty and shiney.
KBrew @ Nov 11th 2006 8:09PM
Now that you have a retail PS3 with backwards compatibility, how about we find out if Guitar Hero still works? That PS2->USB adapter you showed before has really got my hopes up.
Josh @ Nov 11th 2006 8:20PM
Same here, Hammer (#11). I've started to look at it in a different light, thinking I might buy one down the road, then I remember that apparently it is a computer, which also apparently means it will have all the software glitches and hardware problems that one can experience on a PC. That's not exactly what I think of when I imagine a good console experience...
Oh, and nice job with the composite cables, Sony! Way to start the HD Era!
bogsnogger @ Nov 11th 2006 8:30PM
It would be a shame to brick something so expensive on the first day...although, it would make a very shiny brick.
kian @ Nov 11th 2006 8:30PM
Can you try using Google Reader and browsing articles and see if it works with the PS3 browser?
eric j. @ Nov 11th 2006 8:33PM
....does it float?
lets just put the gun down and we go get me those fries @ Nov 11th 2006 8:41PM
complaining about size man please, like im going to be playing it on a plane or something, if im going to my friends house all i need to take is my hdd and some bdrs (games), and maybe a controller. the update, oh brother, the wii as Notbobdole said comes with an update disk, to update it day one. sick of all these noobs around here talkin mad shit.
troc 59 @ Nov 11th 2006 8:42PM
Nice! Looks like one of those little Farfisa organs rock bands used to use back in the 60's. They shoulda left it on the floor for awhile, I think kitty was ready to mount it! lol.
Burnt Meatloaf @ Nov 11th 2006 8:53PM
Oh for heaven's sake... all these years and all these PC firmware updates gone awry, you'd think someone would have the damn sense to make a tiny, 64K ROM just to do an emergency BIOS recovery, or just mask out the front addresses of the EEPROM.
And, yes, both the XBox360 and Wii need firmware updates to actually *play games*. The Wii needs ot on launch day, too. There was a time when you could just put a disc into a console and go. I don't like where this is headed.
Ah, well, three years or so and I'll be ready to buy one... maybe.
Captain @ Nov 11th 2006 8:53PM
I really, really want a PS3, i think its years of Sony fanboy denial finally coming to the surface. the problem is, I'm a poor Sony fanboy in denial, and as much as i want right now (your not giving it to me fast enough!) i think i will just save $200 for now and get a 360, which already has a nice selection of games, not to mention Gears of War. I'm pretty sure i heard someone talking of getting me a Wii for Christmas, oh happy day.
Lex @ Nov 11th 2006 8:54PM
How about running some PS1 and PS2 games to see how the console handles it or can't handle it.
Josh @ Nov 11th 2006 8:56PM
The disc that comes with Wii is not a firmware update, it's just a start-up disc. However, the Wii DOES need to download a firmware update on day one to access the Wii Channels that use some sort of online feature.
levi @ Nov 11th 2006 9:00PM
@notbobdole:
No, my Wii did not come with nor need a firmware disc. It was ready to go right out of the box.
Velirno @ Nov 11th 2006 9:01PM
Towards the end of the video when he's just holding it with one hand I'm sitting here thinking "drop it! drop it!" just out of jealousy.
Elrando @ Nov 11th 2006 9:06PM
The PS3 is a nifty piece of kit.
The only game on it I'm interested in is Resistance though.
I'll wait for a price drop, then I may get a 20gb version (and a cheap-ish 2.5 SATA drive to put in it!)
I can only imagine how I would react to what happened with the Joystiq PS3, tears and screaming no doubt.
Dingo @ Nov 11th 2006 9:09PM
Haiku of circumstance:
"Sony and PS3 haters are attracted to Joystiq as %$^% flies are attracted to %$^%."
Tyler @ Nov 11th 2006 9:12PM
hilarious, when asked for the zelda "i found something music," someone hummed the final fantasy music...and i always do the same thing! haha
Charlie @ Nov 11th 2006 9:15PM
"Um, yeah, doesn't the Wii ship with a firmware update disc?"
You're right it did! In fact, wasn't there a story on here that talked about that? Shadow, you did a great job at being an ignorant fanboy.
Scott @ Nov 11th 2006 9:25PM
LOL! That is absolutely hilarious!!
I've experienced that SAME EXACT feeling when saving games in the past and the screen just freezes. Do I turn it off?? My finger trembles too.
NoBullet @ Nov 11th 2006 9:38PM
Wait,is it required for you to have internet access to run the PS3? You cant just start playing games?
Triforceowner @ Nov 11th 2006 9:42PM
That was writing worthy of Dave Berry. Christopher Grant, you're a good writer.
Jedi Galvatron @ Nov 11th 2006 9:56PM
Ok you asked if we wanted you to try anything so I figured I'd give it a go as I've heard conflicting theories on the subject. If I have a TV that has a DVI connector and not and HDMI can I use an HDMI-DVI cable and still watch Blu-Ray movies at 720p and 1080i?
I assumed it would work but someone told me that any HDMI output from the PS3 would shut down Blu-Ray playback if not connected to an HDCP enabled set and my DVI conenctor on my TV doesn't do HDCP.
C. Grant @ Nov 11th 2006 10:03PM
Triforceowner: Thanks! Barry's an incredible writer! /blush
Alfarif @ Nov 11th 2006 10:07PM
Today I got to experience both the Wii and the PS3. It was rather interesting, honestly, because until today I have only watched other people experiencing them (but not in real life). My local EBGames and Target had Wii and PS3 set up for demo, respectively, and, luckily, they were both playing "launch" race games (Excite Truck and MotoStorm).
In terms of looks, the Wii wins. The PS3... is ugly. It is an aesthetic nightmare. I can't see how ANYONE who knows good design doesn't see this thing as a hideous monstrosity. The "chrome" and the "shine" on it look tacked on. Almost as if Sony got some new spray paint from their local craft store and went to town. The Wii is very nice looking but other than a brief glance, I wasn't interested in the systems themselves, but more in the games.
I'm glad I got to try out two racing games because racing games aren't my forte (I only like FZero, oh no, fanboyism, and a few other SELECT titles) and I was never going to purchase Excite Truck. When I saw the graphics online, I said "They look ok" and the play mechanics sounded all right but I wasn't plopping down money on it. I think I will now. Once I got into the racing aspect of the game, I was into the game. I've never been that way with racing titles... and especially not in a crowded game store on a Saturday night. People kept lining up behind me waiting to play (last headcount was about 6 people) and some even busied themselves playing XBox 360 while they waited. For that reason, I didn't get a chance to play for more than 5 or 10 minutes but what I played had me HOOKED.
I got to play Motostorm for much longer (30 to 45 minutes) because my girlfriend was downloading DS demos and playing with the cameras while I tried it out. PS3, graphically (at least that game)... is ok. It's not better than XBox 360 and, honestly, I don't think it ever will be BETTER. They will be neck and neck and there will be games that look different on whatever system (for whatever reason). It definitely isn't the end all that people make it out to be. With that said, Motostorm was fun. The problem I ran into is that within about 10 minutes of playing... it became the same racing game I played last year, the one the year before, and the one two generations ago. I put it down, came back to it to give it another whirl, and walked away again with the feeling that I hadn't really experienced anything I haven't done before.
Long story short, Wii has me remembering what I did, PS3 doesn't.
stuffed cow @ Nov 11th 2006 10:12PM
I'd like to get a PS3 in a year or two. Same with the Wii. I always fear getting any systems at launch because something could go wrong.
Oh, who's cat is that? It's cute.
Can you show more of the cat, please? Thanks.
ERrrr @ Nov 11th 2006 10:16PM
Uhh hey Alfarif, Shut up.
nick @ Nov 11th 2006 10:23PM
The people in the video were slightly annoying (save the cat who just walked through and said nothing), but overall I found it informative.
How was the firmware update obtained and why was your connection slow if the network is not yet available? Did it come from a Sony website outside of using the PS3?
ill trooper @ Nov 11th 2006 10:40PM
Still obsessing over size?
Engadget has the 360 and the PS3 sitting next to one another at the bottom of the post... Of course, they put the HD-DVD drive there too, so that throws off the size argument a little, and they don't show the 360's powerblock either.
http://www.engadget.com/2006/11/09/xbox-hd-dvd-hands-on/
Josh @ Nov 11th 2006 10:41PM
Someone give ERrrr -1 stars.
Pulse @ Nov 11th 2006 10:46PM
Alfarif, you wasted time writing that, I didnt even read more then 2 lines, the rest was just fanboy nonsense :P Something about ugly la di da.
PS3 fans, why do you even listen to what 360 fans have to say? Its kinda pathetic seeing you argue back to defend it, just ignore em, lol. You know that most of these sites are flooded with nerdy 360 fans anyway, although they are the ones bigging up the 360, yet they still have time to come online and look for PS3 articles to slam on :P
scoobydiesel @ Nov 11th 2006 10:49PM
I like shinny....but i just havnt gotten into the look of the PS3, seems odd lookin...but cool anyways
SlickBack @ Nov 11th 2006 11:00PM
Does one side of the PS3 open up to a george formen grill?
SlickBack @ Nov 11th 2006 11:01PM
Does one side of the PS3 open up to a george formen grill?
shmahat @ Nov 11th 2006 11:02PM
hey how about getting some linux on that and then trying out second life for linux?
oh and while your at it you could try vlc player for linux to see if it will play more video formats.
man that would be sweet as!
Yuki~Summer Ver.~ @ Nov 11th 2006 11:02PM
"Anything you want us to check out?"
How feasible would it be to check it with an import game? I'm guessing you don't have any import PS3 games, but I know they were originally talking about how North America and Japan would now be in the same region. Did they include something in the firmware to allow you to even play imports on backwards compatibility?
Re-online @ Nov 11th 2006 11:19PM
Imagine if you could emulate pc games using linux on that hideous but powerful monstrosity...
Pulse @ Nov 11th 2006 11:24PM
Viscious black shiny grill or curvy white box with X on it? Hmmm. Join the dark side, I'll take the grill.
Graham @ Nov 11th 2006 11:28PM
In the greatest battle of them all, the 360 wins by a landslide, wii second, and the 3 miles behind. Totally.
By greatest battle I mean the quality of the product packaging :P
Mike @ Nov 11th 2006 11:45PM
You haterz are hilarious! How can you talk about the size of the PS3 when the Wii is about the same size as the 360 HD-DVD drive? And how can some of you guys talk about the PS3 being a grill when the 360 still cant keep cool. Even with the intercooler! The PS3 is going to be the supreme being of next gen gaming. The graphics may look identical or maybe even a little down from the 360, but remember, the 360 has a year head start. By this same time next year, we will see who has the better graphics or system. And last but not least, the only reason the Wii is getting some many fans is because of the orignality for the "wiimote". If it had the same ugly gamecube controller, you guyz would be clowing nintendo non-stop. I mean, it is still using memory cards!
It wont but if Xbox 1.5 wins, it wont be because of them having the better system, its because they keep breaking and people keep buying new systems instead of calling MS or using service plans with retail stores.
It wont but if the Wii wins, it will be mainly due to the price.
When the PS3 wins, its because of the graphics with the CELL and RSX. Its because of the 1-time price of the system you will have to pay for the next 10 years (unless you want to upgrade your HDD). And also, it will win because of Blu-Ray because of everything that technology brings to media as a whole. And it will win because it is PlayStation and no matter what, even if we dont understand what they are doing at times, they have dominated with consoles for more than a decade (thats 10 years for you idiots) and they are geniuses in entertainment.
When its all said and done, and when the smoke clears, everybody will read the PS3 will win. Even if the font is still the same title font they used in the SPIDER-MAN movies!
fiasco8 @ Nov 12th 2006 12:21AM
#41 Perhaps you would like to enlighten us about your PS3 experiences. What have you played? Give us your contradictory experience rather than just saying someone is saying fanboy nonsense. If you haven't played anything on PS3 or Wii than STFU.
#50 Don't let the haterz bother you. The Foreman Grill crap is only to try and get people riled up. All the consoles will have their good points and bad points. We all know that. As far as your opinions about how things will turn out, well they are your opinions and what is important is that you've at least acknowledged that it's anyones game. Any console could win at this point.