PS3 Plays Blu-ray

Sony PlayStation 3: Games plus Blu-ray

In late August, the Sony PlayStation 3 was refreshed as the Sony PlayStation 3 Slim (*Est. $300), with the biggest news being significant cuts in both the console's girth and its price (*Est. $300). Though some reviewers now give the nod to other Blu-ray players as the best choice overall, at least for those who are not interested in the PS3's abilities as a gaming console, it remains among the most powerful Blu-ray players available. Reviewers say the PS3 Slim delivers excellent HD image quality, speedy performance and a complete set of features. Additionally, for those who are interested in video gaming, the PS3 Slim is still an almost-slam-dunk choice. (For more information on gaming consoles, see the ConsumerSearch report on video game consoles.)

The PS3 Slim now ships with a 120 GB hard drive (up from 80 GB in the previous version). In addition, a PS3 Slim with a 250 GB hard drive (*Est. $350) is available. While the greater storage capacity means that the 250 GB PS3 Slim can hold a larger library of downloaded materials such as games, photos, music and movies, the bigger drive has no real impact on Blu-ray Disc playback.

In reviews, the PlayStation 3 Slim still draws raves for its picture quality with Blu-ray Discs. The PS3 Slim is also called both feature-rich and fast. However, the competition has caught up in both regards, with some top Blu-ray players now clocking in with load speeds that meet or beat the best that the PS3 Slim can muster, even when handling discs chock full of interactive menus and features. In addition, Endgadget.com reports that the PS3 Slim is just a small fraction pokier than the PS3 "fat" it replaces, albeit the difference is not that much. Thomas Spurlin at AudioVideoRevolution.com concurs. He says that discs take about five extra seconds to spin up and load than they did in the previous model, and adds that the process is both noisier and less smooth than before.

The PlayStation 3 Slim has Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio decoders, so you only need a home theater receiver capable of processing audio via HDMI to enjoy those HD audio formats. However, the PS3 lacks multichannel analog audio outputs, which means it can't pass decoded HD audio to older receivers. The ability to bitstream undecoded high-resolution audio via HDMI is one of the added features of the PS3 Slim. Though that's something that lots of fans clamored for, whether using the HD audio decoders in the player rather than the ones now incorporated in many mid-grade and better home theater receivers is better is the subject of much dispute. For what it is worth, most experts say there's really no difference in sound quality in almost all cases.

While playback of Blu-ray discs continues to be first rate, some experts are taking potshots at the PS3 Slim's handling of other disc types. DVD performance has long been judged as good enough for noncritical viewing. However, reports at AudioVideoRevolution.com and especially Britain's Home Cinema Choice magazine say things have backslid a bit. AudioVideoRevolution.com says that DVD performance is perhaps "just a hair worse," and reviewer Spurlin adds that the PS3 Slim "just doesn't handle fine detail and film grain extremely well" when called upon to upscale DVDs. Home Cinema Choice magazine also picks on DVD performance, and adds that CD playback has also taken a notable step backwards.

The Sony PlayStation 3 Slim has wireless Wi-Fi networking support (as well as an Ethernet jack), so you can connect to the Internet. In addition to being useful for BD-Live support, online gaming and surfing the web using the included browser, Internet connectivity makes fetching the many firmware upgrades Sony has issued for the player much easier. Sony and Netflix are also teaming up to bring Netflix streaming to the PS3 Slim (and earlier PS3 models). That addresses a major shortcoming the PS3 had compared with some other well-regarded network-capable Blu-ray players, such as the LG BD390 (*Est. $275).

One other issue worth noting is that the PlayStation 3 uses Bluetooth to communicate with its controllers and remotes. That means it is generally not possible to control the player with a universal infrared remote -- you'll need to use the PS3 controller or a Bluetooth standard-layout accessory remote (*Est. $20). Most critics recommend springing for the optional remote, because operating the PlayStation 3 Blu-ray functions via the game controller can be an interesting experience. "Watching a non-gamer like me attempt to navigate Sony's console with the game controller was a sight not to be missed -- picture a confused baboon fondling a Rubik's Cube," writes Al Griffin of Sound & Vision.

One work-around is to spring for a third-party remote, such as the Nyko PlayStation 3 Blu Wave Remote (*Est. $20). With that, you can then control the PS3 via the Nyko remote, or a Harmony or other programmable remote. Though it's an imperfect solution because some commands -- including eject and power -- can't be accessed via remote, most users report good results and are generally pleased. Also, Logitech offers the Logitech Harmony Adapter for PlayStation 3 (*Est. $55) for use with that company's Harmony remote controls. According to reviews, the adapter gives Harmony owners full control over their PS3s.