Natiahs

$199 for either the 360 or PS3 now. Looks like the deal's over.

I buy them day one every year. 2009 was great and remained solid online for the entire year, not 4-5 months. 2010 is a much more difficult system, but somehow I have my first ever winning record despite feeling like I'm rarely in control online.

THQ sucks when it comes to DLC, though. Neither the current WWE champion or Intercontinental champion are available for download? And I should get the arena as a bonus with any PPV I buy.

JET

The japanese version of Trash Panic is $15 (1500 yen), making the $1 version appealing.

JET

"Interesting that Sony is the only company here still talking about last-gen hardware, though."

Wait, didn't Nintendo just talk about Wii?

I keed, I keed.

JET

No, it won't catch on. The portability issue that others here have mentioned is key. That, and most audiophiles just like vinyl better. Jump over the Quadraphonic Forums sometime and check the sniping between the vinyl and surround stalwarts - they put Sony and Microsoft fanboys to shame!

That said, please note that SACD and DVD-A have not died. There are quite a few releases trickling out for both formats, and they have been very good to smaller bands. No Man just sold several thousand copies of their new album in a DVD-A/CD double pack, and Bass Communion sold out of 1000 copies of their new DVD-A/CD combo in a day. There also still a lot of jazz & classical SACDs being released as well. The formats are viable, just not for albums that need to make a sales splash.

BD-A will receive support, but not mainstream support.

JET

Here are the best PS3 console exclusives, IMNSHO:

Eye of Judgment
Uncharted: Drake's Fortune
Super Stardust HD
Metal Gear Solid 4
Dark Mist
Pain
flOw
Everyday Shooter
Unreal Tournament 3 (360 version doesn't support user-created content or mouse/keyboard control, does it?)
Warhawk
Hot Shots Golf: Out of Bounds
Heavenly Sword

Not a big Gran Turismo fan myself, but I guess a lot of people like it.

JET

Wow, they really didn't get it, did they? It is a PROGRAMMABLE ROBOT, not a freakin' iPod. They wrote a review of a programmable robot after spending less than half an hour programming it? They mentioned the ability to download choreographed routines from other users but didn't try it? I swear I have never used this phrase in my entire life, but AP = EPIC FAIL!

JET

Nope, you're certainly not the only one buying new records on vinyl. I'm buying quite a bit, simply because the audio quality is usually vastly better than MP3. I download an album on MP3 and then, if I like it, buy it on vinyl.

A few things to consider:

1. 45rpm records almost always sound better than 33rpm records. It may seem silly that R.E.M.'s new album is on 2 records despite being barely half an hour long, but the enhanced sound quality is worth it.

2. Heavier vinyl usually sounds better than lighter vinyl. A standard record is generally 130 gram. I have new records as heavy as 220 gram. The heavier, thicker records are less likely to wobble as they play and are less likely to bend or warp.

3. Colored vinyl is usually, although not always, a lower gauge than black vinyl. The reasons for this are purely financial: most pressing plants charge more for 180g colored vinyl and require larger print runs. Unless a colored record specifically states that it is heavyweight, it is likely 130g.

That said, there are some fantastic record labels pressing really cool stuff, both on vinyl and on SACD or DVD-Audio. Equation Records released a DVD-A by Bass Communion that will shake your house to its foundation. Burning Shed releases No-Man and Porcupine Tree in DVD-A format. Mobile Fidelity is reissuing Pixies and Dead Can Dance on SACD. Aural Exploits and Vinyl Collective release really nice, extremely limited colored and splatter vinyl sets. Matador Records continues to be a source of really nice sounding 180g records. And Warner Brothers has recently re-launched their audiophile label Because Sound Matters and is really worth checking out. Yes, even corporate whores still care about music! And finally, check out Classic Records for their series of HDAD discs, a format even more obscure than XRCD24!

JET

I own all 3 consoles, and I'm buying GTA4 for Ps3. Here's why:

1. The fan in my 360 is Sofa King loud, I prefer to play any cross-platform games on the much quieter PS3.

2. I don't want to support M$'s BS $50m exclusive content purchase. Besides, does anybody really think "exclusive" means anything other than "exclusive for 6 months?"

JET

The grey PS3, according to Sony, will be "very VERY" limited. That leads me to believe that it won't actually be released for sale (it would make a fine prize for the top MGSO beta testers, though). If it is released for sale, don't expect to see it at a store - keep your eyes fixed on SonyStyle and Konami.com.

Sweet price on the bundle. $399 40GB or $499 80GB w/MGS? Not much of a question there.

JET