Would a kind person please explain PS3 backwards compatability?

Easy Reader

Easy Reader

CAG Veteran
Hello :)

I've never owned a Playstation console, but I have various games from PS 1 & 2 that I've picked up from trades and various sales over the years.

I'm considering buying a PS3, but I have heard that backwards compatibility is no longer supported.

  1. Was the 80GB version the last model to support it?
  2. Are any models that support backward compatibility still sold in retail outlets?
  3. Is there a way to ensure that a used PS3 I might buy supports BC without playing the unit with a PS2 game?
  4. Also, what is the quality of the Blu-ray player in the PS3 on a scale of 1 to 10?

Thank you for the help!
 
1. 20gb, 60gb, and 80gb (partial)
2. There might be a few floating around here and there for new. It would have to be old stock since Sony is no longer making any of these previous units.
3. You can tell by the model #. 20 gb - CECHBxx, 60gb - CECHAxx, 80gb - CECHExx
4. As for a blu-ray player, I have been happy with my 80gb. I have mine set up with HDMI and it looks great. Granted, I have not checked it against another model.
 
1. 20 60 and carppy on the 80
2.nope
3. nope
4. very good with the right cables (HDMI, OPTICAL ) and sound system/tv.

I would suggest just getting a ps2. they are cheap and ps1 & ps2 games work on it.
Good luck my friend and welcome to CAG
 
Also:
- All models will play PS1 games. PS2 support is only included in the ones listed above.
- The 20GB version is the only version to not include WiFi (in case that is important)
- You will have a very hard time finding a new BC console. If used is an option, there are probably many people selling 60GB versions on eBay/CL in hopes of buying the Slim.
- The PS3 is one of the best BD players on the market.
 
I really appreciate such thorough answers. :)

I do have a few more questions, if you don't mind:

  1. Is there any advantage to the slim other than size and power consumption?
  2. What's the benefit of installing Linux on the older models?
  3. Is the 160gb Drake's Fortune bundle for $100 extra really a "deal"? (I missed out on the Sears.com price mistake.)

[quote name='chimpian']I would suggest just getting a ps2. they are cheap and ps1 & ps2 games work on it.
Good luck my friend and welcome to CAG[/QUOTE]


Thank you. I guess I'll bite the bullet on a PS2 slim. I joined CAG back in 2003, but I can't remember my password or the email I used. Six years of deals sure have breezed by! I miss the old forums (too many gizmos on this version), but the feedback system is much better.
 
1. Nope
2. Nothing really, its more for fun. I had installed Linux on my PS3 and in the end found it to have been a waste of time.
3. Not really since you could take that extra $100 and a new copy of the game and a buy a 320GB drive and install it your self
 
[quote name='Easy Reader']I really appreciate such thorough answers. :)

I do have a few more questions, if you don't mind:

  1. Is there any advantage to the slim other than size and power consumption?
  2. What's the benefit of installing Linux on the older models?
  3. Is the 160gb Drake's Fortune bundle for $100 extra really a "deal"? (I missed out on the Sears.com price mistake.)
Thank you. I guess I'll bite the bullet on a PS2 slim. I joined CAG back in 2003, but I can't remember my password or the email I used. Six years of deals sure have breezed by! I miss the old forums (too many gizmos on this version), but the feedback system is much better.[/QUOTE]

  1. Aside from the smaller size and less power used, the PS3 slim will also run cooler thanks to the 45nm CPU (and possibly GPU) inside. There are reports that it also runs quieter.
  2. Linux was more of a gimmick than anything else. You have a system with 512MB of RAM...not very useful for an OS these days.
  3. No, not really. You can get the game for about $30 (if not less) online and a Slim for $299.
A PS2 slim is definitely the way to go. I have one and it's been working like a champ since I got it a few years back (2005?). You can easily find one for under $100 these days (shipped and with taxes) and probably under $75 used. Check Dell, they usually have a 15% off deal. I'll be moving the PS2 slim to the bedroom (4:3 TV) once my PS3 slim arrives next week.
 
Much appreciated. I guess I'll just pick-up a PS2 slim and a PS3 slim and pop a new HD into the latter if I run out of space.

The Dell 15% off promotion was the reason I started the thread. ;)
 
One last thing to add, there are some videos floating around that show the Slim does have a faster boot time and slightly increases the load times for games. If i were to be in the market, I would probably grab a Slim and be happy with it (though not as happy as I am with my 60Gb model).
 
One other difference between the Backwards Compatible PS3s and the non-BC models is that the older ones have 4 USB ports versus 2 USB ports. It can be a convenience issue and makes a difference on certain games that require more than 2 USB ports. For example since I have 4 instruments for Rock Band (2 guitar controllers, drum, and mic). There are USB hubs of course to work around that, but it is a bit of an extra hassle.

I own the 80 GB that has Software BC and most of my decent-sized PS2 library works well with it and the up-converted graphical improvements can be nice (depends on the PS2 game you're playing) The only game I had fail on me so far is Samurai Warriors: Empires, but my cousin and I managed to play a good 2 hours before it failed (more saving next time I guess)

My model also has memory card readers behind the PS3's front panel (CompactFlash, SD Memory Card and Memory Stick Duo card slots), which I'm pretty sure the newer models do not have. It's a feature I never really use :D but it's there.
 
for appearance purposes, the 20gb and 60gb PS3s also have a mirror finish on the metallic portions whereas later models have matte finish
 
Looks like every question has been answered beautifully =)

I just wanted to add my 2 cents. I own a 60GB model. While I love it dearly & will never get rid of it I have to admit that it is much louder than I expected. Apparently the 60GB models run the hottest & a couple of the firmware updates really cranked up the heat sensitivity; which means the fan kicks in more quickly, cranks up higher/faster (louder), & stays on longer than it did the first year I had it.

I would imagine the new/slim model would be considerably quieter than the older BC systems.

Also, anyone who needs to ask what the benefits of installing Linux are will never be bothered by the new/slim PS3's inability to use it. I mean this in all honest & without any sarcasm. It's just that Linux's benefits are primarily of interest to people who like to tweak & twist their electronics & bend them to their will, lol. There is a ton of info on this, so just Google it up if you want to learn more.
 
Wow, I didn't know it supported SACD's!

I'd also forgotten the 60gb model had a memory card reader...the SDHC support is nice.

One last question, if you don't mind:

Is playback of movies encoded with Xvid supported from memory cards?

I'd read that DivX would, but Xvid had to be copied to the HDD.


Thanks for your help everyone. I guess I'll track down a 60gb PS3 instead of buying two systems.

I appreciate those model numbers. :)
 
[quote name='62t']the older ps3 will also play SACD, but most people dont care[/QUOTE]

Probably since I've never heard of it, that's why I don't care... at the moment. Can someone add a little insight for those who don't know like myself? Thanks in advance.
 
Two multichannel audio ("surround sound") optical disc formats were released circa 2000. Neither caught on with the public. Most conventional music wasn't recorded in six channel audio, so the majority of releases were remastered mono and stereo recordings. They still "sound good" to most people who hear them, and audiophiles love the higher bitstreams, dynamic range, and frequency response over standard CD's.

Concerts recorded in multichannel audio sound exceptional on even a mid-range stereo system. They're also nice for having an artist's entire discography on a single optical disc.

SACD = Super Audio CD, 1999, Philips and Sony. SACD's are equivalent in storage to a DVD, coming in single (4.7 gb) and dual (8.5 gb) layers. The most common iteration these days is a hybrid audio disc that contains standard red book audio which can be played in a CD player as well as a SACD audio layer of the same content in multichannel format.

DVD-A = DVD Audio, 2000, DVD Forum. These are digital versatile discs primarily for audio, often with menus like common DVD's. Multimedia features like music videos, band information, and lyrics are often included. Many consumers own DVD players that support this format without realizing it. The disadvantage of DVD-A is that players did not support digital audio out; each channel had to have its own RCA cable into a receiver for analog conversion to speakers.

Even when the encryption scheme for DVD-A was cracked a couple years ago, nobody seemed to care. Most retail stores will have one small section dedicated to high definition audio, although many chains no longer carry the discs.
 
i think we can all agree here that you can get a slim and just go with a used ps2 fat. bet you can get a used ps2 fat for under 50$.
 
No thanks...I'm going to track down a 60 gb PS3 unless Xvid playback isn't supported from memory cards (HDD only?). I'd rather keep it to one device if possible. I guess I'm that 0.1% who cares about SACD support, even though most of my multichannel discs are DVD-A.
 
Yup, something like that, although I want to try and find one from a local seller. I don't trust anyone who uses the words "u" and "plays good" in an eBay listing. I refuse to step into a Gametop unless absolutely necessary.

Maybe I'm weird, but I was always fond of the glossy "space barbecue" design of the original PS3.
 
[quote name='Easy Reader']
Maybe I'm weird, but I was always fond of the glossy "space barbecue" design of the original PS3.[/QUOTE]

Me too. It's like a shiny jet black George Foreman Grill.

Anyway, I love playing PS2 games on my 60 gig. It's the little things that make it so... nice.

A single console, so fewer cables / config issues. Heck, with HDMI, it's just a SINGLE cable for movies, PS3 games, and PS2 games. Also, since I actually calibrate inputs for contrast, brightness, and audio signal DB a single console doing multiple things means less time fiddling.

The capacity to create virtual memory cards on the hard drive. I'm able to keep multiple cards for myself and The Wife, and gone are the days of plopping a game in and having to decide which saves to delete to create space.

However Slim PS2s are cheap and easy to find. I'd still get /most/ of the enjoyment I have now with my 60 Gig with a PS2 and a new Slim PS3. /Most./
 
[quote name='SynGamer']
  1. Aside from the smaller size and less power used, the PS3 slim will also run cooler thanks to the 45nm CPU (and possibly GPU) inside. There are reports that it also runs quieter.
  2. Linux was more of a gimmick than anything else. You have a system with 512MB of RAM...not very useful for an OS these days.
  3. No, not really. You can get the game for about $30 (if not less) online and a Slim for $299.
A PS2 slim is definitely the way to go. I have one and it's been working like a champ since I got it a few years back (2005?). You can easily find one for under $100 these days (shipped and with taxes) and probably under $75 used. Check Dell, they usually have a 15% off deal. I'll be moving the PS2 slim to the bedroom (4:3 TV) once my PS3 slim arrives next week.[/QUOTE]

Actually, the PS3 slim runs warmer than my fat model did. The case gets very, very warm over 3/4's of the top of the console. The only location on the console that doesn't seem to get warm is the portion by where the disc drive is.

As for it running quieter than other PS3's, I also would like to debate that since it gets seriously loud after an hour of playing. Although, it might not be noticable if you sit across the room from the system, as opposed to me sitting about 3-4 feet from my PS3.

It sounds as loud as my fat model PS3 used to after playing it for a while, so the reports may be a tad bit skewed.

[quote name='kevlar51']for appearance purposes, the 20gb and 60gb PS3s also have a mirror finish on the metallic portions whereas later models have matte finish[/QUOTE]

Actually, the other models besides the 20 and 60 had a dull metal finish by the disc slot, while the rest of the case was an annoyingly shiny(and dust attracting) black finish.

The PS3 slim was the one to start with the matte finish all over the console(save for by the disc slot and the PS3 logo on the console itself).
 
Since no one else is going to tell you:

All models of PS3* (and all outputs), whether playing PS1 or PS2 games, automatically buffer 3 frames of video. Thats 50 ms of input lag for you. Things may feel a little sluggish, particularly during games that require precision timing, like rhythm games, fighting games and shoot'em ups.

The vast majority of people dont notice though.

*hasnt been confirmed in Slim PS1 playback yet.
 
[quote name='Dr Mario Kart']Since no one else is going to tell you:

All models of PS3* (and all outputs), whether playing PS1 or PS2 games, automatically buffer 3 frames of video. Thats 50 ms of input lag for you. Things may feel a little sluggish, particularly during games that require precision timing, like rhythm games, fighting games and shoot'em ups.

The vast majority of people dont notice though.

*hasnt been confirmed in Slim PS1 playback yet.[/QUOTE]

Of course, if you hook up a PS2 to HDTVs that we mere mortals can afford (without an 300 dollar plus converter,) you'd probably get comparable lag, right?
 
[quote name='Easy Reader']

  1. Was the 80GB version the last model to support it?
  2. Are any models that support backward compatibility still sold in retail outlets?
  3. Is there a way to ensure that a used PS3 I might buy supports BC without playing the unit with a PS2 game?
  4. Also, what is the quality of the Blu-ray player in the PS3 on a scale of 1 to 10?[/QUOTE]
1. That's a really complex question to answer actually. Only some 80gb versions support BC. The Metal Gear Solid 4 80gb PS3 bundles all had the software/hardware backwards compatibility, but after that, there weren't any systems that Sony was making with backwards compatibility.
2. Only if it's old inventory in some out of the way K-Mart somewhere.
3. Receive assurances???
4. It's really good at playing Blu-rays, and Sony constantly upgrades it with software updates. You won't be disappointed.
 
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