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DLNA isn't downloadable content but the ability to network with a DLNA serving device (like a PC) to play content stored on that device. http://www.us.playstation.com/PS3/Features/DLNA The Xbox uses a SMB/CIFS scheme from what I've read.

I forgot to mention the PSP based remote play too.

Now while the other consoles may have some of these features, neither has them all.

True enough, although when you get both of them you've got almost all the features (and remember both can be had for less than the cost of the PS3 by itself). The 360 actually networks with Windows Media Center (if you have it), or with a plugin to Windows Media Player, which under the scenes probably does leverage some sort of SMB/CIFS scheme, although I'm not certain about the technical details. It also supports Netflix through live for streaming video, although in that case it's a subscription service and you're limited to whatever the service has available.

All of this shouldn't be taken to mean that I don't like the PS3, I really do, I just think they goofed badly when deciding on the price point and what features they needed or could cut in order to reduce that price point. If I could spare $600 I'd go out and buy one right now (and I was seriously tempted with the release of little big planet), but it's simply not in the budget at the moment.

On the one hand, it's a clear win for "Sony", even if it's a lose for SCEA, as it was arguably the nail in the coffin lid for the HD-DVD format. On the other hand had they opted to axe the Blue-Ray drive and knocked ~$300 off the retail pricetag I think we'd see a much tighter race between the PS3 and 360. With the inclusion of the Blue-Ray drive, and the $600 retail price, Sony has effectively branded the PS3 as a luxury console, and as is common with luxury items its got a much smaller install base. In terms of consoles that also carries with it the extra baggage of being less attractive to developers, which results in fewer exclusive titles, and a lot more poorly implemented ports that don't really take advantage of the full power of the hardware.

DLNA isn't downloadable content but the ability to network with a DLNA serving device (like a PC) to play content stored on that device.
http://www.us.playstation.com/PS3/Features/DLNA The Xbox uses a SMB/CIFS scheme from what I've read.

I forgot to mention the PSP based remote play too.

Now while the other consoles may have some of these features, neither has them all.

there's already one out.

Also good on PS3 - PixelJunk Eden (available as a download from the PlayStation store). You and optionally a friend jump from plant to plant releasing pollen to grow new plants in search of target tokens, which becomes more complicated as the environment changes in successive levels. Unique aesthetic, trance-y music, great 2-player in a low-adrenaline game.

The PS3 has firmware updates. If you read this page: http://www.us.playstation.com/PS3/About/SystemUpdate they are quite upfront about the fact that without updating there are features which may be unusable. They will have no problem changing the PS3 BD+ key and pushing it out if that means shutting down undesireable software players

Why don't console manufacturers offer games designed for a keyboard and mouse?

They did/do, ever since the PSone days (with certain PSone mouse centric games) just not many of them. Both current console MMORPG's on the PS2 have keyboard support and almost everyone had one, those that didn't were subtly encouraged to get one.

The console manufactures keep talking about their products as media centers. If they're serious, encourage people to stay on their PS3 or XBox to check email, surf the web, and play games only available on PC today.

Sony does, to a certain extent, though they don't promote or advertise such abilities to the mass market: http://www.playstation.com/ps3-openplatform/index.html

[CronoCloud@mideel ~]$ cat /etc/redhat-release
Yellow Dog Linux release 6.0 (Pyxis)
 
[CronoCloud@mideel ~]$ cat /proc/cpuinfo
processor : 0
cpu : Cell Broadband Engine, altivec supported
clock : 3192.000000MHz
revision : 5.1 (pvr 0070 0501)
 
processor : 1
cpu : Cell Broadband Engine, altivec supported
clock : 3192.000000MHz
revision : 5.1 (pvr 0070 0501)
 
timebase : 79800000
platform : PS3

And before the PS3, I did pretty much the same thing with my PS2 that had a Linux kit installed on it.

Back a few months, Sony sent out a press release, stating "Pricing for rental movies at launch ranges from $2.99 to $5.99, and pricing for purchased movies ranges from $9.99 to $14.99" I'd check the pricing on the video store, but the site requires Java to work at all.

They tout that you can copy these videos to your PSP, but that doesn't sound too hard to do yourself (check here for a more detailed how-to, if the first one sounded too easy =)

So pretty much, it's just like so many other video download sites that don't really offer much of a savings off of buying slightly discounted physical copies. And if you wait long enough, you're bound to find someone re-selling their physical copy for a fraction of retail (or download) price.

Back a few months, Sony sent out a press release, stating "Pricing for rental movies at launch ranges from $2.99 to $5.99, and pricing for purchased movies ranges from $9.99 to $14.99" I'd check the pricing on the video store, but the site requires Java to work at all.

They tout that you can copy these videos to your PSP, but that doesn't sound too hard to do yourself (check here for a more detailed how-to, if the first one sounded too easy =)

So pretty much, it's just like so many other video download sites that don't really offer much of a savings off of buying slightly discounted physical copies. And if you wait long enough, you're bound to find someone re-selling their physical copy for a fraction of retail (or download) price.

Any good guides out there?

Good HTPC guides usually aren't updated as often as the "general" system guides (bugdet, midrange, high end) and they usually aren't "cheap," but they can have useful info about what hardware to consider.

• Tech Report's April 2008 system guide: The Couch Potato Mk. 2 and The Couch Potato Mk. 2 Alternatives
• Ars System Guide: HTPC edition (April 2008)
• ExtremeTech:Build a Windows Vista Home Theater PC (September 2007)

Since the HTPC guides aren't very cheap or up-to-date, I also recommend Tech Report's and Ars Technica's "general" system guides. Tech Report has an "Econobox" section and Ars Techinica has a "Budget Box" section.

• Tech Report's Summer 2008 system guide
• Ars Technica System Guide: May 2008 Edition

I'd like to put together a small format PC for this sort of thing. Alas, I can't use a cheap tower, it needs to be one of those small form factors that can fit in an entertainment center. I'd like to spend as little as possible

I don't know if the In Win BK Series (Mt. Jade) is small enough, but it's pretty small, cheap, quiet (if you use Intel), and flexible. I'm only checking Newegg, but Newegg has the BK623 for $59.99 + $17.50 shipping and the BK636 for $59.99 + $9.99 shipping, both with 300W power supplies (Fortron Source, according to some reviews).

For your entertainment center, note that the footprint of a BK6xx case (323mm x 276mm) is "equal" to the footprint of a Sony PS3 (325mm x 274mm), but the BK6xx is about 1.7 inches taller and is not "wedge-shaped" like the PS3.

So it's not "tiny," but it's compatible with all those cheap HTPC microATX motherboards (integrated graphics, HDMI, FireWire, digital audio out, etc) and it accepts a standard 5.25" desktop optical drive, 3.5" desktop hard drive, and 4 full-height expansion slots (for HDTV tuners).

Also note that the case's unique cooling system, which uses no case fans other than the CPU's fan (intake) and the power supply's fan (exhaust), only works efficiently with motherboards using Intel chipsets and an Intel retail CPU with its stock heatsink/fan. So that eliminates good, cheap HTPC chipsets like the AMD/ATI 780G and the NVIDIA 3200. Boards based on Intel's new G45 chipset are starting to arrive at Newegg, though.

There are several reviews of the BK Series on the Googleweb and In Win's BK Series product page has a "Reviews" tab (favorable only, I'd guess).

This may cause red water to leak out of your computer and turn your neighbours into homicidal maniacs. Oh wait, that's Shibito - never mind.

Oops, not sure what happened to the link, but here's here's the correct one.

In this case it turns out backing up doesn't help since whatever causes the problem is saved in the backup data.

Someone had the problem, formatted and got things working only to have the problem again when he restored his backup data.

See comment #261 at the playstation blog entry on 2.40's delay.

"there is nothing like Photoshop, and no killer video capture and editing software, and for some, games are important too"

Photoshop under Linux

CINELERRA, the first Linux based real-time editing

For games, buy a PlayStation or Nintendo ..

The HD magazine in question is installed as a 'game' on the hard drive of the PS3 and is purchased and installed through the PSN Store via the PS3. The content _may_ be viewable elsewhere (such as on a PSP or via memory stick transfer) but there's no mention of such capabilities in their blog on the issue.

To get Qore, simply log onto PSN and go to the PLAYSTATION Store, as you would purchase any other form of downloadable content. Once the single Episode or annual subscription is purchased, that month's episode will be downloaded under the "Game" heading on the Cross Media Bar (XMB). Users who purchase the "Qore Annual Subscription" will notice only that month's episode is available to download. The following month, the new episode will automatically appear in your download list.

Augmented Reality Goggles May Offer Mere Mortals X-Ray Vision

Currently, it is used for Eye of Judgement, a somewhat bizarre PS3 game.

Not to mention the PS3 has at least 2 USB ports (with 4 on the "upscale" models).

You can already use an external USB drive to store music, video and picture, there is no reason that they couldn't store DRMed video content on one also.

They already store DRMed content on "removable" media by allowing you to download purchased content from the PSN Store via the "PC Store" or PS3 to PSPs. Since all PSPs use MemoryStick Pro Duos for their persistent storage, there is no real difference between using a MS Pro Duo and using a USB drive.

http://boardsus.playstation.com/playstation/board/message?board.id=ps3&thread.id=2534367

You're probably thinking of the semi-recently released PS3 game Eye of Judgment that uses an overhead camera to read the cards you place on the game mat.

Out of the 4 PS3 models so far, 20, 40, 60 & 80 the 40 gig is the only one that doesn't play PS2 games. The 20 & 60 have a built in PS2 "emotion engine" and play PS2 games perfectly. The 80 gig model (also 60 gig pal version) uses software emulation and currently plays ~55% of PS2 games without problem (check here), the other 45% have problems of some sort or another, although future software updates may increase compatibility. Here is the Wiki link, explaining it all.

Good points, although I'd start by pointing out that there are a number of games that are unique to each console.

- Saint's Row 2 is due out for both consoles at the same time. If you've loved the first one so much that you've "played it to death", the second might be enjoyable.

- I'd suggest getting Viva Pinata for Windows. You'll have no problems with this DRM download nonsense, and be ale to use your existing controllers if you have to send your 360 in for repairs, or decide to upgrade the model. I'd also suggest checking out Snakeball and PixelJunk Monsters on the PS3. I'm not offering these as "apples to apples" replacements for Viva Pinata. Both just seem like they might fit the bill for "fun, quirky, multiplayer" that you're looking for.

- Halo3 is a fun game. You're right, it is an MS exclusive. I'd look at Warhawk for fun "battlefield" type play, or Resistance:Fall of Man for more gritty multiplayer. Both support 32 players per match (with Resistance 2 announced to support 40). VideoChat, and Multiplayer gaming are also thrown in "free".

- The XBox 360 Pro retails for $350 and includes a free headset, a 20GB HardDrive and one month of Gold (VideoChat and Multiplayer Gameplay).

- The 40GB PlayStation 3 retails for $400 and includes a 40GB HardDrive, built-in WiFi, a "lifetime" of Gold features, and a Blu-Ray drive. So I'd hardly call the $50 bucks a huge difference.

- As for choosing sides in a "format war", according to an article from the Hollywood Reported even Toshiba is just about ready to admit HD-DVD is dead and Blu-Ray is the winner, so I don't see how getting a Blu-Ray drive, essentially for either $50, or "Free" with the console.

You're more than welcome to pass, and I appreciate that you spent the time to consider your options.

You certainly have the right to

Good points, although I'd start by pointing out that there are a number of games that are unique to each console.

- Saint's Row 2 is due out for both consoles at the same time. If you've loved the first one so much that you've "played it to death", the second might be enjoyable.

- I'd suggest getting Viva Pinata for Windows. You'll have no problems with this DRM download nonsense, and be ale to use your existing controllers if you have to send your 360 in for repairs, or decide to upgrade the model. I'd also suggest checking out Snakeball and PixelJunk Monsters on the PS3. I'm not offering these as "apples to apples" replacements for Viva Pinata. Both just seem like they might fit the bill for "fun, quirky, multiplayer" that you're looking for.

- Halo3 is a fun game. You're right, it is an MS exclusive. I'd look at Warhawk for fun "battlefield" type play, or Resistance:Fall of Man for more gritty multiplayer. Both support 32 players per match (with Resistance 2 announced to support 40). VideoChat, and Multiplayer gaming are also thrown in "free".

- The XBox 360 Pro retails for $350 and includes a free headset, a 20GB HardDrive and one month of Gold (VideoChat and Multiplayer Gameplay).

- The 40GB PlayStation 3 retails for $400 and includes a 40GB HardDrive, built-in WiFi, a "lifetime" of Gold features, and a Blu-Ray drive. So I'd hardly call the $50 bucks a huge difference.

- As for choosing sides in a "format war", according to an article from the Hollywood Reported even Toshiba is just about ready to admit HD-DVD is dead and Blu-Ray is the winner, so I don't see how getting a Blu-Ray drive, essentially for either $50, or "Free" with the console.

You're more than welcome to pass, and I appreciate that you spent the time to consider your options.

You certainly have the right to

... a console that has free downloads of demos and previews and other content? ... a console that has free online services? ... a console with free online multiplayer? ... a console that has a built-in backup feature to let you back up all of your content, including DRM'd content to an external drive? ... a console that lets you install a 3rd party OS onto it legitimately? ... or maybe a console whose online multiplayer games include 1080p and 4 player split-screen with simultaneous online play with up to 32 players (40 for other games).

Naw, that'd be too good to be true.

... a console that would let you download your DLC as many times as you wanted to up to five 'registered' consoles, with the same rights on each download.

... a console where almost all of the DLC can be played by any Profile on the console as long as a Profile that purchased the content was on still loaded on the console.

... a console where you can upgrade the hard-drive yourself maybe, instead of requiring a costly, proprietary drive.

... a console where you can use a standard (cheap) USB drive you have to transfer save games, instead of expensive proprietary memory cards.

... How about a console that simply DOESN'T suffer from the RRoD hardware failure rates that the XBox 360 has seen?

It really is too bad there isn't an alternative.

... a console that would let you download your DLC as many times as you wanted to up to five 'registered' consoles, with the same rights on each download.

... a console where almost all of the DLC can be played by any Profile on the console as long as a Profile that purchased the content was on still loaded on the console.

... a console where you can upgrade the hard-drive yourself maybe, instead of requiring a costly, proprietary drive.

... a console where you can use a standard (cheap) USB drive you have to transfer save games, instead of expensive proprietary memory cards.

... How about a console that simply DOESN'T suffer from the RRoD hardware failure rates that the XBox 360 has seen?

It really is too bad there isn't an alternative.

As another crusty old high-school-turned-grown-up, I heartily recommend you try "D&D Tactics" for the PSP if you're looking for the real "tabletop RPG on the computer". It's much more legalistic than WoW - more precisely, its complexity is transparent. The systems takes on the role of DM, and the game plays just like a well written tabletop campaign. A key advantage of the game is that it takes care of all rules, roles, and effects, so you can focus on play - because of this, you can control an entire party in turn-based combat. Much like its inspiration, there are nearly limitless variations - races, classes, weapons, spells, items, and more are turned like a firehose onto the player almost immediately. The one thing this entire paradigm loses, of course, is social interaction. Thankfully, the PSP's ad hoc WiFi allows multiple players to game together on separate PSPs.

Like you, I was yearning for a walk down D&D memory lane. For the past two years, I've been buying up a full set of AD&D 2nd Ed. books from the worldwide garage sale that is eBay. (Let's face it, 2nd Ed. AD&D is the only real D&D... Gygax rules!) I've been trying to get friends on-board but everyone else is more interested in WoW and other MMORPGs. This game was a great way for me to get the D&D fix I was jonesing for.

I really wish Sony would release some of the tech demos they are making for the EyeToy. Being able to have the camera capture your drawing and interact with them in the games would be great for kids. You can see Lunar Lander and Tanks with custom scanned objects in the videos here: http://blog.us.playstation.com/2007/11/14/video-of-new-research-conducted-with-playstation-eye/comment-page-2/

I have high hopes for Little Big Planet as well as this will also allow easy creation of game content to play around in.

Any chance for the Everyday Shooter route, get an agent, make something that shows off well, and convince the console folks that they want to offer it for download? http://blog.us.playstation.com/2007/10/10/from-igf-to-ps3-everyday-shooters-backstory/
http://www.shacknews.com/featuredarticle.x?id=503

Sheesh, if they can add Divx playback to the XBXO 360, anything is possible.

Why can't I download content to my portable through my existing home PC and Wifi network?

You can. It's a fairly recent development, but it exists.

Rob

• A commodity x86 computer running Windows is a PC because it has Visual C++ Express and MinGW.
• The PLAYSTATION®3 game console is a PC thanks to Open Platform for PS3. Of course it runs Linux.
• A router that can be re-flashed with custom firmware (like WRT54GL) is likewise a personal computer.
• A Pocket PC is a handheld PC,
• as is a Nintendo DS thanks to the homebrew community.

• The iPhone is not a PC, but it will become one if and when Apple's iPhone SDK is released to the public.
• Wii is not a PC because Internet Channel can't run JavaScript programs from the SD card, nor are signing keys for other kinds of code distributed to the public.
• For the same reason (code signing), TiVo is not a PC; in fact, the name "Tivoization", referring to the use of code signing to make free software on a device not modifiable, references this.

Of course there's that competitor to Nintendo with the 120Hz webcam for its system, but I'm sure that doesn't count since its not hackable yet for this type of use.

Note that its "capable of capturing standard video with frame rates of 60 hertz at a 640x480 pixel resolution, and 120 hertz at 320x240 pixels" (see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PlayStation_Eye).

"I just can't imagine anyone making a rack mount enclosure for the PS3." I can. http://blog.us.playstation.com/2007/08/08/behind-the-curtain-the-warhawk-servers/

Read: It sucks, but it's pretty (Because it sucks). And we pay our PR guys well.

When are Sony's developers going to realize that open areas, and/or varied encounters through intelligent AI = successful FPS? Halo 2 wasn't THAT pretty, and it still sold through the nose.

Some of the near-term PS3 exclusives:

Lair, Warhawk, Drake's Quest, Ratchet and Clank Future: Tools of Destruction, Heavenly Sword all of which are either out now, or due out over the next month or two (those are just the titles off the top of my head, I'm sure there are a few more).

There are also a few PSN games (similar to Live! Acade), such as Super Stardust HD, and Calling All Cars, which are already out and have been helping build quite a following. The only problem with most on-line distributed games is that you don't see as much coverage of them in magazines.

Check out http://boardsus.playstation.com/playstation/board/ message?message.uid=27804779#U27804779 for a list of upcoming exclusives.

Obviously no details have been released yet, but we can at least speculate (I reorganized your questions):

Is it an additional add-on? (I'd assume it is, with a remote.) If so, how much does it cost?

Seeing as this would be a huge marketing thing if it was built in, I think we can assume that this would have to be an add-on. The PS3 has USB ports, so I'm thinking that's an obvious connection method.

Does it support CableCard?

I don't think we can answer that definitively, but seeing as they already make a digital entertainment product with a CableCard slot, it's possible that this could happen. At least we know they have the infrastructure in place to produce devices with CableCard slots, and are aware that this might be a good thing to include.

Does it support HD? (I'd assume it does.)

Obviously we don't know, but we could go either way here - to support digital and HD cable subscriptions you'd think they'd definitely have to include it. But I have to speculate what their content protection would be on any recorded content. Of course, seeing as the PS3 supports HDMI 1.3, I think it's safe to say this device, if it comes to fruition, definitely would support HD content.

How does it compare to other DVRs? Specifically, does it require a subscription? Offer TV listings? Offer suggestions?

I can't answer that, but my link above to the Sony Vaio XL3 gets a pretty decent, but not perfect, review from CNET. I imagine it won't be a Tivo, but for people like me who don't want to own a Tivo, I'm hoping that this will be an adequate solution. Particularly if you can access the device from within the PS3's linux distro...

Can it record while a game is playing? While a movie (DVD/Blu-Ray) is playing?

If we follow through with the assumption that the device is external, I don't expect it to draw too much power from the PS3 itself. Given that you currently can download content from the web while watching a movie or playing a game, I think that this feature is a must-have, but maybe not available initially. As with the PSP and PS3, I see them following the trend of releasing good hardware with limited features and patching with firmware releases as time goes on.

Does it use the same hard drive that games use? Will they be competing for available space?

Seeing as the ability to connect external devices is built into the current Sony firmware, I don't see how they can not allow you to use an external hard drive or memory card. Of course, the content will be encrypted, so mobility will be an interesting issue...but the ability to take recorded content on the road with your PSP is very intriguing.

At the moment PS2 backwards compatibility on the PS3 with emulation software is approx 80% to 90% compared to the Xbox360's 38% as per last week. To put this in perspective from the time of the EU/UK/Aust/NZ released on the 23rd of March 2007 and with firmware 1.8 (23rd May 2007) the PS3 was able to play without issues over 80% of all PS2 games was approx 2 months while for the Xbox360 to get to 38% took over two years. Read in to that what you may.

It is difficult to determine what PS2 games don't play since that to me this would be much more useful, however between 10% to 15% of games do play but they have issues varying from "artifacts" (ie. triangles, intermittent whiteouts/blackouts ... etc) to CGI scenes freezing or being jerky, sometimes this is annoying to easily skipped making the game acceptably playable. From my own perspective I have over 50 PS2 games and only one does not play (Wizardry) while another two (The Bards Tale and Musashi) have artifacts. The rest play perfectly although we did have a minor issue on GT4 (skip the intro and the game plays fine).

What makes it difficult to accurately determine which game is compatible is the product code of a game since some games have two or more product codes for the same game name and on some occasions a game may play fine but a later or earlier release my not play well if at all.

Of course the whole compatibility thing is mute if the game you like does not play. Check out the following PS3 website http://faq.eu.playstation.com/bc/. Still video upscaling does make a great PS2 game even better and very much more enjoyable in replay or if you are like me a new PS2 game while you are waiting for PS3 games you would like. A bad PS2 game still sucks no matter what the graphics looks like. For anyone considering buying a PS3 or Xbox360 a HDTV should be part of your budget consideration (the bigger the better) and while a PS3 or Xbox360 do display well on a SDTV what a waste.

With regard to the 80GB model to the 60GB model, 20GB is not much now and in Australia we can get a 60GB drive for AU$55 (approx US$48) to 80GB drive for AU65 (approx US$56). Actually you are better of with the 60GB model and upgrading the disk to 160GB and keeping the 60GB disk as a potable backup or transfer device.

I have not covered the PS1 backward compatibility but I do have over 20 PS1 games and they all play without issue. Upscaling for PS1 games does make for acceptable graphics on a HDTV but like I have said before a bad game is still bad no matter what the graphics look like but a good game with improved graphics is still a treat.

Incorrect.

The North Americian Playstation 3 (which contains the Emotion Engine) does support 1080p output.

Okay, I admit it. I'm pissed off at Sony, and perhaps I used some harsh language. I'm mad because they have just announced that they will no longer make a product that I was considering buying someday, and that they are replacing it with a model that, at the same price, removes a feature that I considered very important. And this makes me a "FanBoy" and, worse, a "dick". Yeah, real nice. Who's the fanboy here?

One look at Sony's own compatibility list puts the lie to "90% compatible". A lot of games work well, but many of them don't. I don't want to have to guess which games will play perfectly, which will play with "some issues" (which is frankly unacceptable to me), and which won't work at all.

Of course, if they someday improve their software to perfectly run all the PS2 games I want, then I will gladly eat my words. But I really don't see it happening, and IMHO anyone that claims that this will ever be as compatible as having the PS2 hardware is fooling themselves. I could see emulating a PS1, but for PS2 games, they're going to have to do some Xbox360-style "emulation", and even if they put more effort into it than Microsoft did, there will always be problems with that.

And why should I stay out of PS3 discussions just because I don't own one and no longer intend to buy one? The "fucking problem" is that I wanted one. Now I don't, at least not until there are enough good PS3 games that I'm willing to replace one of my other consoles.

And, by the way, the reason I didn't care about the 360's horrid "backward compatibility" is because I never owned an Xbox. If Xbox720 (or whatever) has the same problems the 360 did, I'll react the same way.

The only problem with using the PSP as a video player is that it only supports a single video format: MPEG-4.

http://www.us.playstation.com/Support/PSP/Movies/s _psp_mv_CF.html

Unless you are encoding your own content everything on a.b.tv and on torrent sites uses Xvid so you are stuck re-encoding every single piece of content.

I think you misposted -- you should be at http://blog.us.playstation.com/

Software emulation on the PS3 works just as well as the hardware emulation!!

Not according to Sony's own compatability list for the EU PS3. While many games work fine, there are also a significant number in the lowest-score "noticeable issues" category. Also note the caveats, like how you should skip optional FMV sequences and how you shouldn't use network modes due to graphical corruption.

The fact is without even the specifics it should be obvious that software emulation will not work just as well as hardware emulation. Which isn't emulation at all, it's hardware compatability, it's physically utilizing the original PS2 hardware that the game was originally designed to run on. With the hardware "emulation", you basically have an actual PS2 to run your PS2 games on. The Emotion Engine is not simple, and creating a perfectly compatible software version that exactly matches not only every bit of functionality but also the relative timing of operations which many games depend on is very difficult and not something that is going to be made perfect. They will necessarily have to go on a case-by-case basis finding games that depend on a particular quirk of the Emotion Engine and fix them and issue patches.

I'm not saying the software emulation is crap, and if the games you want to play are well supported according to the compatability list then you should be good to go. I am saying that the switch from hardware compatability to software emulation has hurt backward compatability. That's not FUD, it's a fucking fact. Which should be obvious, because before the EU PS3 release they didn't even have a compatability list because there was no point.

In other words expect a full video / music download service and possibly IPTV to be announced at E3. It's been a long time coming seeing as it was such an obvious and natural feature for the PS3 to have.

Why wouldn't I want to buy one now that not only supports HD games, but I can also get the advantage of HD movies

If you're looking for something to play games, you have to compare what's available for the system and what will be out in the short term (in the long term, you can wait for another price drop). That's the biggest problem with the PS3 right now -- there's no system seller game that makes any price worth it. If you're buying it as a Blu-Ray player, $500 is competitive to stand-alone Blu-Ray players and may be worthwhile. If you just want generic "HD movies" rather than following certain studios to one of the two formats, the Xbox 360 without HD-DVD is a better deal (online downloads of HD movies, streaming video and media center functionality at a lower price than PS3) or you'd wait until the HD-DVD vs. Blu-Ray issue sorts itself out.

With bad press on Xbox 360 system reliability right now

A 3 year warranty for ring of death issues is pretty generous. Reliability would not be my biggest concern about buying a 360 right now. If I was in the market for a 360, I'd be wondering whether or not Microsoft will respond to Sony's price drop with a cut of their own. Sony might succeed in making some people wait on 360 purchases to see if there's a price drop coming, but I doubt they'll convert many of those people to PS3.

Sony willing to at least listen a little from it's consumer base about price issues

This feels more like Sony being pressured into a price drop due to poor sales more than anything else. If it was a "listening to the customer" deal, Sony would be shouting it loud all over the place. As it is, there's no mention of the price drop on the official PS3 blog, which would be the first place I'd expect this to show up if it was Sony "listening to customers".

while MS after having their system out for 2 years now almost only was willing to drop their price because a competitor forced their hands (that is if they are even wiling to drop the price).

Why should MS drop their price? They're still priced below the PS3 even with their top offering (the Elite at $480). People are still buying, there's no credible threat from PS3, and there's no way for MS to drop prices into Wii territory. Maybe this Sony price drop will cause enough of a stir to force MS to drop prices as well. Maybe not. At this point, it's pure economics -- if demand at the current price is too low, Microsoft will drop the price. If it's not, they won't. There's nothing "good" or "bad" about it.

I will admit that I briefly considered buying a PS3 with this new price drop, but I've ultimately decided against because $500 is still too much for the available games and I don't care about Blu-Ray yet (I'll wait for a clear winner to emerge). Another $100, bringing the 60GB down to $400, and I'd probably buy it. For now, I'll wait until there's a system seller that I have to have. From here on out, I can only save money by waiting.

Ahem.

All the Linux you can handle, and even without the GPU it's more power than you'll ever need for a homebrew game. If you're a small developer, the Wii devkits are fairly cheap ($5000 or so, but I'm probably wrong here).