Russ1974

I went online this evening to buy a 2nd PS3 for another room. I knew that Sony had launched a new "budget" version of the PS3, with 40Gb hard-drive, no WiFi, and no backward compatibility for PS2 games, but intended to purchase the "premium" 60Gb version. But no. I find out that Sony has not _added_ the 40Gb budget version to the line up, but _replaced_ the 60Gb version with the 40Gb version. That means that the only PS3 you can now buy in England will NOT play PS2 games !! This is suicide for Sony, and I have no doubt this is the beginning of the end for BluRay, as so many people with PS2's will avoid "upgrading" to the PS3 as they will have huge PS2 collections which will no longer be playable.

This is a ridiculous move - the 60Gb versions are selling for up to ?1000 on eBay as people are desperately trying to get hold of one of the last ones, as Sony have stated that once current stocks of the 60Gb's are gone, no more will be coming.

So now for the 2nd room I don't know what to do ... xbox 360 elite with HD-DVD addon?? I've only got one bluray title so far that came free with the PS3 so I am not committed to either format.

BetterMakeWay

Get a Sony Blu-Ray player and play on "only" one playstation at a time?!

sideeffects

The 40gb ps3 should have emulated ps2 backwards compatibility. The 60gb version had hardware in to to read ps2 games instead of software (emulator).

The 80gb ps3 has not been released in the uk? It came out months ago in the states, and the 40gb just hit the market for $399.

The 80gb is a replacement of the origional premium 60gb, and the 40gb is a replacement of the origional 20gb ps3.

Check a local electronics store for a release date of the 80gb ps3 it should be out soon? if not already in stores!

And Blu-Ray is still killing HD-DVD in sales! even through Black Friday with the release of a $99 HD-DVD player!

Check it out!

Russ1974

Sony announced that it will NOT be launching the 80Gb version in UK, probably nowhere in Europe. So the only version we can get now is the 40Gb.

"A Sony spokesperson has confirmed to GamesIndustry.biz that an 80GB PlayStation 3 is to go on sale in Korea - but said there are currently no plans to launch the model in Europe. "

"And just so you don't get your hopes up about the Europe-not-getting-it thing, here's some official word from a Sony spokesperson posted on the same site: "At this moment in time, there are no plans to introduce the 80GB version of PlayStation 3 in Europe.""

"Sony has broken many a European heart by confirming earlier rumours that the 80GB PS3 won?t be available on this continent. "

etc etc etc

sideeffects

hmm.. thats really weird I wonder why they made that decision? If there is a demand for the 80gb maybe they will release it eventually.

Russ1974

The point is that in our living room we have our main TV with all the consoles, media centre PC, etc etc hooked up to it in an AV cabinet. We are getting our garage converted in to a "second living room", which will also have couch / plasma / AV cabinet. I'm not going to kit it out quite as well as the main living room, but wanted to put a PS3 in there so the kids (or me!) can play PS2/PS3 games or watch BluRay in the new room if somebody else is using the other room.

I'm just glad I bought a 60Gb PS3 when they first came out, so atleast I have one!

JetBlack5OC

Get another 60gb PS3 on Ebay.

Russ1974

Yeah they are only about ?500 with no games

On that note however, I have just ordered one from an online catalogue store ... I'm not 100% convinced it's the 60Gb version, so I've taken screenshots of the advert ready to dispute it if they post me a 40Gb version. At ?480 with 2 games, it's priced like a 60Gb, but we'll see what comes!

HotLap

Russ, I was just looking at the PS3's today at Wal Mart. $499.00 (IIRC) for the 80G PS3 with Blue Ray, etc...want me to send you one...PM me!

Russ1974

Thanks for the offer ... if the UK purchase doesn't work out I might take you up on it !! I believe the PS3 is region free for games, not sure about for films though.