Chicken bald back

[clootie]

I've found that there is also a PS3 with 160GB HDD - would I be better going for that one rather than the 80GB?

[chickencam]

Wow this place is a mine of useful info

 

My OH has been looking at getting a Wii or PS3 between us all for Christmas because we will be at home for all of the festive season this year we are doing all the visiting beforehand.

 

We would really like a Wii because of all the family fun stuff, but we use our dining room as a lounge and it is only small therefore we only have 1m32cm between the table on which the tv sits and the sofa, the tv sits back another 20cm or so. We are doubtful if there is enough room to play Wii games. Has anyone else got a Wii in a small space?

 

We also have not gone flat screen or HD with televisions as yet because we prefer the picture quality of CRTs. Do Wiis and PS3s work ok on older televisons?

[Phonix]

Do Wiis and PS3s work ok on older televisons?

 

Ive got a wii and an old tv and it works lol!

 

Not sure about the space thing - im sure someone who's tried it will be along soon!

 

xXx

[Mutrix Farmers]

Sorry guys but it's neither for me. I think they are horrible things and wish they had never been invented!!

[MattBeale]

I've found that there is also a PS3 with 160GB HDD - would I be better going for that one rather than the 80GB?

 

More space is always useful with the PS3.

 

Unlike the XBox 360, the majority of the games on PS3 require some kind of installation to the HDD. This is generally done out of necessity because the Blu-ray drive on the PS3 is quite a bit slower than than DVD drive on other consoles and without installations the loading times between levels on games would be drastically increased.

 

The average install space of a game is likely to be less than 3GB, but if you happen to install several games, make several saves for each of those, and also download extra content for them from the PlayStation Store you'll quickly find yourself running out of space.

 

The XBox 360 is getting an system update this month which will completely overhaul the interface to the machine and allow installation of games to it's HDD as well, but unlike the PS3 it will be entirely optional.

[MattBeale]

Do Wiis and PS3s work ok on older televisons?

 

The Wii doesn't do HD at all, it's purely "old skool" scart connection. You can get a component cable for connection to an LCD / Plasma TV, but you won't get much improvement over a normal (older) television.

 

The PS3 and XBox 360 are both targeted at the HD generation but they will also work fine on a normal TV as well. The XBox 360 Pro and Elite both come with a dual format Scart / HD Component cable in the box so you can switch and change as you require.

 

As mentioned earlier, to do HD on a PS3 you need to buy an additional HD video cable separately.

[MattBeale]

HD = High Definition (LCD, Plasma screen television)

 

HDD = Hard disk drive.

 

In case that wasn't clear

[Geoid]

Matt, Im confused over the xBox 'branding'. There is arcade, Premuim(I think thats what its called) and Elite. Whats the diffrence apart from HDD size?

[Paola]

Thank you Matt, I had to read your first post about three times before I got it

 

We have a Wii and have just brought a HD tv, so another good reason for it to be in DD1's room

[MattBeale]

Matt, Im confused over the xBox 'branding'. There is arcade, Premuim(I think thats what its called) and Elite. Whats the diffrence apart from HDD size?

 

That's about all there is to it Fred. I'll summarise the differences here for everyone.

 

The Xbox 360 Arcade is your no frills basic pack and includes a wireless controller, 256MB memory card and standard Scart cable. It has no HDD to speak of and comes in white.

 

The Xbox 360 Pro (previously: Premium) is your middle tier pack and includes the same wireless controller, but also comes with a dual format Scart / Component HD cable and a 60GB HDD. It is also only available in white. This is the model I'd recommend to most people, unless of course you must have a black machine to match your black TV. It should be noted that the Pro was previously available with a much smaller 20GB HDD, which although should now be discontinued some retailers may still have it available, so if you plan to buy a Xbox 360 Pro be sure to check you're getting the 60GB model.

 

Finally, the Xbox 360 Elite is your top-spec all encompassing home entertainment system. It has a wireless controller and the same dual format Scart / Component HD cable as the Pro, but also a much larger 120GB HDD and is also a rather fetching matte black colour. If you have every intention to make full use of Xbox Live's online features, which include HD films, music, demos and full games and are worried about the availability of free disk space, budget permitting, the Elite is the machine to go for.

 

Now, you must excuse me, now I'm going to sound like a salesman

 

If there is one accessory you must buy to go with your Xbox, it is the Play and Charge kit. Unlike the PS3, the wireless controllers on the Xbox 360 come without rechargeable battery packs. As it's name implies the Play and Charge kit allows you to continue to play games while the battery recharges. Should be around £15 for the official Microsoft pack and £10 for 3rd party solutions. Don't get one of these and you might as well be buying shares in Duracell.

[hillfamily]

 

Now, you must excuse me, now I'm going to sound like a salesman

 

If there is one accessory you must buy to go with your Xbox, it is the Play and Charge kit. Unlike the PS3, the wireless controllers on the Xbox 360 come without rechargeable battery packs. As it's name implies the Play and Charge kit allows you to continue to play games while the battery recharges. Should be around £15 for the official Microsoft pack and £10 for 3rd party solutions. Don't get one of these and you might as well be buying shares in Duracell.

 

didn't know you could get one of these - could be an ideal Xmas pressie for DS :D

 

He spends most of his time going "?@£$@$%&$%^&* controller".......whilst running down the stairs continuing to mutter under his breath about failing batteries, critical point in online match, always happens.........and then proceeds to rummage through kitchen drawers (disorganising them as he goes ) searching for batteries