Game Consoles

Four years after the original PlayStation 2 was launched in 2000, Sony bought out a slimmer and a much more compact PS2. It was around the same time the highly popular Grand Theft Auto:  San Andreas was released which made the redesigned console liven up the PS2 franchise.  A couple of years later, Sony launched the PlayStation 3. A vast majority of these PS3 consoles sold to date were sold at a loss, even original 60 GB model. Thankfully, the guys at Sony have bought about some changes in the manufacturing procedures and the redesigned Cell processor as well as other similarly small and power efficient components reduced Sony’s manufacturing costs significantly.

Sony hopes that this trimmed version of the PS3 will similarly improve Sales of the PS3 which has not only lagged behind Nintendo Wii and the Microsoft Xbox 360 but also took some luster off the PS brand. This revamped version was launched as the PS3 slim and could well herald the start of a new profit making era for Sony. The Sony PS3 Console powered with a 45nm Cell Broadband Engine processor sports a 256MB RAM and has BD ROM Blu-ray player and a 120GB hard disk drive. The graphics adapter is a 256MD nVIDIA RSX which provides a resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels.  Lighter and smaller than the hefty 60 GB classic, how was Sony’s console evolved? Read on to find out.

What’s New?

The Sony PlayStation 3 Slim is actually pretty similar to the original PlayStation 3.  The Slim offers a smaller size, reduced power consumption and more importantly a lower price. The usage of the 45nm manufacturing process ensures a lower power usage and shrinking in the size of the unit. The PS3 Slim also allows you to bit stream Dolby TrueHD and DTS HD audio. The lift up flap housing and array of memory card are gone, so are the ability to install a different OS, play older PS 2 games and the set of 4 USB ports. Though the new matte look makes the console look less premium, it eliminates the fingerprint and dust prone-ness of the original. There is a blu-ray disc drive an inbuilt Wi-Fi as well something that the XBOX 360 does not.  This perhaps explains why it is more expensive than the 360. Mind you, if you account in the cost of a Wi-Fi adapter and a Blu-ray disc drive to the price of a 360, the PS 3 Slim is cheaper.  Overall, more practical and buyable.

Design:

A Slimmed Down ‘PS 3’:
Undoubtedly, the first thing one would notice in the PS3 Slim is the design.  The design is very similar to the original PS3 but only two thirds of its size. At 2.6 inches tall, 11.4 inches wide and 11.4 inches deep, it feels like a little brother of the original PS 3. It comes in a lifeless matte finish surrounded by a plastic casing that is neither classy or sturdy. The mirrored strip beside the opening of the disc slot and the plastic on the sides make it glamorous. It feels textured and this makes it feel inexpensive.

Stripped Down:
Remember the chrome trimming with the Silver PS 3? It is now replaced with a plain PS 3 logo on the top of the case.  The touch sensitive on/ off and eject buttons are absent and we have actual buttons that work when you push them.  The number of ports has been reduced from 4 to 2. The master power switch is removed and the newer power button present on the front has a low response time and boots up the console in 20 seconds.

Ports:
The Playstation 3 Slim 120GB Gaming Console does not have as many USB ports the original PS 3.There are only 2 USB ports around the front and behind the back is the AV multi-out, HDMI and Ethernet ports along with the optical out. The presence of a HDMI connection will satisfy most users and the optical out for connecting it to an AV receiver to take advantage of the Dolby True HD and DTS HD Master. Like the original, the HDMI connection can output 48 bit Deep colour and X.V colour. There is an AV multi connection with a cable which allows you to hook up to TVs which do not have HDMI. There is a memory card missing. And the power cable is now replaced with a slimmer 2 pin cable.

Controller:
The controller features a 6 axis high-precision sensing system that identifies fine movements in yaw, pitch and roll and also all 3 dimensional movement. This means one thing: Future PS 3 games would involve the usage of hands rather than just thumbs.  Though the PS3 controller looks akin to its Dual Shock predecessors, it is devoid of force-feedback vibrations as it would hamper the sensing system.  It runs on Bluetooth technology and is a hot swappable system.  The latter would allow you to pause your game and connect a USB cable to charge your controller while playing.

Looks Cheap:
What we did not really like about the PS 3 Slim is the fact that it looks cheap. As part of a cost cutting measure, Sony has had the choice of removing all the aesthetic design features of the original. We are not against it, but the XBOX 360 sells for cheaper and looks better than this.

Accessories:
Apart from the main gaming console, there is the Sixaxis wireless controller, an AC power cord, an Audio / Video cable and a USB cable provided with the package.

Hardware:
In terms of Volume, the Sony Playstation 3 Slim Game console with Blu Ray Player is one thirds slimmer than its predecessor and at 7 pounds; it joins a league of a more reasonable weight class unlike the original which weighed 11 pounds. It has a 45nm Cell Broadband engine processor and a 256MB RAM. The Cell processor and the co developed Nvidia graphics processor helps the system about 2 trillion calculations which makes it 350 times faster than the PS2, There is a BD ROM Blu-ray disc player and a 120GB hard drive. There is the BD ROM Drive that is responsible for keeping your discs safe in case your console moves about and if you happen to accidentally tap the XBOX 360 in any wrong way making your CD unusable, you would appreciate the feature. The 256 MB Nvidia RSX provides a resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels. Its HDMI ports boast of delivering uncompressed and unconverted digital picture and sound which enriches the Home Theatre experience. There is also support for Dolby Digital True HD and DTS 5.1 which provides a great sound experience. The wireless interfaces supported are Bluetooth and IEEEE 802.11.

Setup:
Setting up the Sony PS 3 Slim Console is easy as well. When turned on, there is a standard setup option that lets you choose your video and audio outputs, video connections and network settings. If you choose HDMI, the PS console determines the best settings according to your equipment and lets you confirm the changes.  One can further refine settings under the XMB menu.

Interface:
The PS 3 uses a version of Sony’s Xross Media bar Interface.  While the same interface was slow on the BRAVIA TVs, it was worthwhile on the Slim. It lies at the centre of the PS 3 and is more accessible than the Xbox interface. There is access provided to the PlayStation Network as well for which one does not need to shell out extra.On a machine as powerful as it, the menus were fast and responsive. The easy to use and good to look at menus also respond fast to user input. One can even download themes from the PlayStation Network to change appearance of the menus. Viewing files on a USB is weird as one has to press the triangle button and choose View all which we think is unnecessary.

Supports:
The Sony PlayStation 3 Slim supports a wide variety of formats and hence saves you from forking out for a media bridge. The support for File format is not really complete with MPEG2, MPEG4/H.264, AVCHD, AVI (MJPEG), DivX and WMV video support. This becomes all the more evident if you possess a wide range of videos, making you realize the loopholes in the codec support with some file formats. But do not worry, there are conversion software that will cure those problems and save one from the “The File is Corrupted “messages. The Music support gives you AAC, WMA and MP 3 as well. One can access BBC iPlayer directly from the XMB too. It also plays the role of a media hub and helps streaming contents from networked devices that is DLNA-compatible like hard drives and PCs connected via routers. There is an inbuilt web browser that allows you to access the Internet.

Features:

If we talk about features on the PS 3 Slim, there is nothing new. However, as a cost cutting measure, Sony has stripped down features like the ability to add another OS such as Linux. One cannot play PS2 games and this might be a negative for some users.  The PS 3 uses an all in one remote control which is luxurious, but one cannot use a universal IR to control it.  But Omitted features aside; one can expect to achieve the same capabilities as the original PS 3 at a cheaper price. Did we mention that the console has an inbuilt browser and Wi-Fi?

HDMI:
For 1080p video HDMI is a preferred connection as the output is capped at 1080i. It does not offer multichannel analogue outputs and even the audio options are limited. The PS3 supports only multichannel PCM, hence it decodes Dolby Digital Plus Dolby TrueHD and DTS Master Audio converting them to PCM. Now the transmitter is changed to allow a raw bit stream output for Dolby TrueHD, DTS HD Master Audio etc. But secondary audio like PiP or those clicks and beeps in Blu-ray disc menus.

Blu-Ray Player:
The PlayStation 3 is not only a great gaming console, but an equally good Blu-ray device as well. The PS3 encodes its games in a Blu-ray disc format which is  capable of holding 6 times surplus data as opposed to a conventional DVD. The capacity further increases with the powerful processor and great graphics promise mind blowing fames. The PS 3 supports CD RW, CD ROM, DVD R, DVD ROM and DVD+R formats too.

The PS 3 software update version 2.20 and above includes BD Live support with which one can spin discs supporting the Profile 2.0 Blu-ray Discs and also connect the Internet in parallel to playing the discs. But the fact that the PS 3 has a BD ROM player gives it an edge over its rival the Xbox.

BRAVIA Sync:
When you connect the PS 3 Slim to the 32 inch BRAVIA L series TV, you can utilise the BRAVIA Sync and manage the system with the TV remote. To enable it, Go to System settings and select the Control for HDMI option. Once you do that, one can navigate through the XMB Menu and control video playback. You also can turn the display off and the PS 3 with the power button. But you cannot turn the pair back on. It is a neat feature, but considering the limitations, it is pretty useless as you will still need the DualShock 3 handy.

Gaming Device:
The PlayStation has always been intended to be a gaming device and in this field, it is more powerful device than the Xbox 360.  In terms of graphical fidelity, the PS 3 is good. But in terms of being an all round gaming device, the Xbox lies miles ahead of the PS 3 thanks to the ton of games available.  Sure the Xbox was launched a year early and has more titles than the PS 3 does. But the Xbox 360 has a great gaming platform and XBOX live is way better than the PlayStation network and hence it leads in sales. The PlayStation is expected to catch up with the Xbox 360 soon., let us hope it does.

New Titles:
Apart from the several games which are exclusively available on the PS 3 as well as an extensive list of major gaming titles, The PlayStation is still a gaming console. There are several top titles in high definition waiting to be released such as the Call of Duty Modern Warfare, Final Fantasy XIII, FIFA 10, Metal Gear Solid 4, Uncharted 2: Tekken 6, Among Thieves, MAG, Gran Turismo 5 and many more.

Backward Compatibility:
Other than the original 60 GB model, no other version of the PS 3 is compatible with the older and popular PS 2 games. If you own a PS2 and loads of PS 2 games and plan to ditch them to upgrade, beware. If you want to play all your PS 2 games, you will need to hang on to your old console.

PlayStation Network:
Like the XBOX Live, Sony has introduced the PlayStation Network and with 120GB storage capacity one can store downloadable games, music, photos and videos. The PlayStation network has applications such as PlayStation home, a 3D gaming community that allows interaction, communication and sharing of your gaming experience.  While connecting to the network is free of cost, the games and other content come at a cost.  Since it is newly launched, it has a couple of loop holes and as of now, the Xbox Live is much better than this.

In-built Web-browser:
There is a built in browser in the PS3. One can connect a standard keyboard to it for typing without using the tedious virtual keyboard Sony provides. The browser is fairly decent and offers limited flash support. The web browser allows accessing the XL version of YouTube as well as other media sharing sites such as Picasa etcetera. One can transfer files from your PC or other media device over the network without the need of a media PC.

NetFlix:
The PS 3 Slim 120GB allows Netflix streaming and one needs an Instant Streaming Disc that uses BD Live to stream movies and television episodes from the Netflix server.  Netflix streaming requires a membership subscription, the Streaming Disc and a broadband internet connection. For installing and title selection, a computer and a PS 3 are needed. After the Streaming Disc is inserted, your PS 3 will sync up your Instant Queue and one can hop over to their Netflix account to watch your selected titles, just like a DVD queue. While it is free and easy to use, it lacks quality and is bothersome.  Hopefully, with time, things video and audio quality would improve.

Performance:

One might wonder that whether the new slimmer processor and its stripped features might affect the performance of the PS 3 Slim. There is no need to worry as Sony has retained the internal power horse it was originally.

Blu-ray Playback:
The results surprised us and hence we had to test them over again. The Blu-ray player is in fact a wee bit slower in comparison to the 60GB PS3. The time taken in between inserting the disc and having it register in the menu was the same, about 10 seconds. Time taken for the movie to get loaded was a few seconds quicker on the classic. Not a huge difference, but considering that it has been quite some time since BD ROM technology has been around, it should have been better off.

Home Cinema:
One of the major trump cards that the PS 3 Slim has is its in built Blu-ray drive that allows you to play back Blu-ray movies in full HD 1080p. The most important home cinema feature is the ability to bit stream Dolby DTS and DTS HD Master Audio to a receiver over HDMI. To be sure we checked the console through a HD audio receiver and popped in a CD. Upon opting for bitstream from the BD/DVD Audio output format from the Video Settings, the audio output sounds phenomenal. Does it make any difference? Unless you are an audiophile, it would not make much difference to the regular users.

1080p/1080i Playback:
The PS 3 handled all video content flawlessly well. The Sharpness test showed that no edge enhancement was added to the video after decoding. The machine delivered 1920 x 1080 pixels without any sort of cropping. The machine makes sure that the images from a movie are not tampered with and the image is portrayed as it was intended to. Since it decodes video and audio well, we give it a thumbs up.

DVD Playback:
One of the key factors that determine the picture quality of the standard def content is the quality of the Film mode detection.  Though the player was not able to smooth jaggies in extreme angles, one part where PS 3 is impressive is Scaling.  These scalers do not over emphasize on things or cause things to get blurry. Instead the image is “scaled “ up to smooth edges and ensure detailed areas remain as they are intended to be.

Noise:
Not only is the PS 3 slim power efficient, but it operates a lot more quietly as well. We are not surprised because with minimal energy being exhausted as heat, the fan is free of hardwork thereby pumping out lesser annoying noise.  The 95 mm and 17-blade fan seemed to be slightly quieter than the original even while playing games. Most of the noise produced is actually from the disc drive. The Spinning disc makes more noise than the fan and is annoyingly loud enough. The PS consoles have always been pretty quiet. When compared to the XBOX 360, the PS 3 is stealthier.

Power Consumption:
The one area where Slim shines is the electrical efficiency department.  Though the results are not as drastic as the newer fat models, the power consumption has been brought down drastically post the original 90nm CPU iterations with results remaining consistent across applications but the consumption during plugged in mode or when the unit is idle is almost as much as the original PS3 consumed.

Warranty:

There is a warranty period of one year provided on the Sony PlayStation 3 Slim from the date of purchase.

Verdict:

The PlayStation 3 Slim is an attempt for Sony to boost their dwindling sales and will it work? We guess it would. Considering that the major problem with the original PS 3 was its price, Sony guess cleverly cut down costs by compromising only on aesthetics and a few features. What they did not compromise is on quality. It is a great blu-ray disc player and its DVD and HD Playback are great. Its inbuilt Wi-Fi and browser are a great plus as well. But if Sony really wants to capture the market, they should work on the PlayStation Home concept and try adding a couple of other features to this marvelous piece. On the whole, a highly recommended model.

Sony PlayStation 3 Slim – Technical Specification Table

Manufacturer	Sony
Model Name	Sony Play Station 3 Slim
MFN	00711719183044
Dimensions (HxWxD) in	290 x 65 x 290
Weight	3.2 kgs
Colour	Black
Media Type	BD-ROM, CD-ROM, DVD-ROM
Processor type	45 nmCell Broadband Engine
RAM Installed	256 MB – Integrated
Memory Storage	BD-ROM
Hard Disk Drive	Yes
HDD Capacity	120GB
Video Output	NVIDIA RSX
Video Memory Installed ( Max )	Video adapter memory – 256 MB – GDDR3 SDRAM – Integrated
Max Resolution	1920 x 1080
Connectivity Features	Bluetooth , IEEE 802.11 and gigabit Ethernet
Input type	Game pad – External
Input Connectivity Technology	Wireless
Supported Format (Interlaced)	1080i, 480i (SDTV), 576i
Supported Format (Progressive)	1080p, 480p, 720p
Connectivity ports	AV Output, HDMI Output, SPDIF Digital Output, USB 2.0
Features	Blu-ray drive, XrossMediaBar interface, Cell processor, Nvidia RSX graphics
Controller Features	Motion Detection, Vibration, Bluetooth
Cables Included	A/V cable, Network cable, USB cable
Accessories Included	1 x Dualshock 3 controller
Power Device	Internal power supply
Warranty	One Year

The fall of 2005 marked the launch of the first “next generation” console – The Xbox 360, a year ahead of the nearest rivals – the Sony Playstation 3 and the Nintendo Wii.  Microsoft’s second venture in gaming managed to capitalize on a strong demand that translated into good sales growth.  It realized that right price is the key to winning half the battle. Keeping that in mind, Microsoft has launched 2 versions of the Xbox- the Xbox 360 Core and the Xbox Pro. Both these versions are improved versions of the original Xbox – a bigger storage capacity, improving multimedia and offering several other formats. The Xbox 360 Pro features a three CPU that runs at 3.2 GHz ATi 500 MHz graphics processor and an in built DVD Drive.  The 20GB console has an in built Ethernet port and is HDMI ready and with an HDMI output that promises to make gaming a great experience.

The following is a review on the Xbox 360 Pro; there are several different versions of the Xbox basing on the storage capacity and the A/V capabilities. Does this console promise to set newer heights or is it better to wait another couple of months for the Playstation or the Wii, read the review to find out.

Design:

Form Factor:
At 12.1 x 3.27 x 10.1 inches, the Xbox Pro Gaming Console is smaller than the original and can be laid vertically too thanks to interchangeable face plates. Microsoft has managed to keep the weight down to just 8.8 pounds because they built a laptop style hard drive which is detachable from the main unit instead of building a desktop style drive. For Data entry, there is a small keyboard accessory provided that snaps on the controller. The IR Port on the front panel allows using compatible remote controls without any external dongle. The Xbox 360 has in built Wi-Fi capabilities and can support up to 4 wireless controllers. Did we mention that the Xbox is now available in a host of colours including pink and black?

The worrying power supply and drive:
However, the design has 2 major shortfalls – its over sized power supply and extremely noisy disk drive. The power brick is very big. At 6 pounds, it is bigger than anything its rivals will have. The Cable to it is equally huge and the DVD Drive is very noisy. The fans run loudest when the GPU and the CPU go into the game mode. The system tends to get heated up soon, to avoid it, it is recommended to put it in a well ventilated area.

Ports:
The stylishly designed Microsoft Xbox 360 Pro 20GB console contains 2 memory slots on the front and the power button. One can connect any wired controllers or any USB accessories as well as cables to connect to a digital camera, Mp3 player or even an iPod. The HD Cables do not come with an optical cable so one should buy them separately. The Hard Drive is hardly noticeable when plugged in.  Two more USB ports are hidden behind a spring loaded door and one more is in the rear of the system below the adaptor. There is an HDMI port, am Ethernet port and an infrared port provided as well.

Controller:
There are 2 controller options – the wireless and the wired. The wireless controllers can be synced to the system by holding the connect button down on both the system and the control. 2 AA batteries are required for using the wireless controller.

The Controller for the Xbox Pro is not a new design however, it is much better than the original Xbox controller. They are nice and small, and the white and black buttons have been moved to the top of the controller like the double button design of the dual shock. There are the left/right joystick, a directional pad and X, Y, A and B Buttons as well. The buttons have a quick response time and the green light around the “X” symbol is a nice touch. The Type S Controller has triggers which are not as quite as deep as they were, but still very responsive. That makes playing racing games a pure joy. One feature, we have liked is the ability to switch off/on the 360 using the controller, which means you do not have to get up from your couch to switch off the console.

Setup and Installation of 360 Pro:

It is relatively easy to setup the Xbox 360 however the documentation is skimpy. To install the 360, one needs to control the AV Cable to a television or the AV receiver. Connect the Ethernet cable and the power supply to the Xbox 360 and switch on the power.  If you use HDTV you would need to flip a switch on the AV Cable that switches the display ratio format from 4:3 to 16:9 otherwise you will see only 4:3 ratios on the display. One point to note is the fact that the Xbox 360 supports only optical digital cables and there are no ports for co axial digital cables.

The Core package does not come with component A/V Cables, one of the several reasons why it is better to prefer the Pro package.

Features:

User Interface:
The Dashboard interface of the Xbox has been redesigned. There is a vertical tab interface that you can flip through using controller’s joystick knob. The tabs are intuitive and easy to browse through. There are four major vertical tabs – the Xbox live, Games, Media and System. The Xbox Live tab allows you to log in and see your Xbox live profile information, check email and browse the Marketplace. The Games tab is where you will be able to see your achievements and play the game in an optical drive and view game demos and trailers. The Media tab is where it becomes evident that the 360 is more than just a gaming console. One can view photos and listen to audio files from XP machines on the LAN. The Settings tab is where you can modify the system settings, memory settings and network settings.

The Ring of Light and Xbox Guide Button:
The ring of light present on the front of your console is the power button and it is divided into four quadrants that can display a variety of colours depending on what’s going on. There is another button on the controller – the Xbox X., which is also divided into four quadrants. On activating the wireless controllers, the colours on the quadrants of controller as well as the console light up. If they match, it means that a wireless connection has been made.

Another prominent button present on the controller and the remote control is the Xbox guide button. This button gives access about the information on a person who has challenged you on the Xbox Live and find downloadable content for the game currently being played. This button also functions as a power button allowing you to switch on/off your console using the controller.

Xbox Live and Xbox Marketplace:
Microsoft has launched the Xbox Live feature that allows you to access special features of the game and your favourite game online. There are 2 versions of the Xbox available – The Silver version and the Gold Version. The Silver version allows you to access the Xbox Live Marketplace and communicate with other users. The Gold Version gives access to all the available features and more importantly play online.  Microsoft has promised Gold service for the first month to all new Xbox 360 owners. The market place is an area where one can download game trailers, demos and new content. They do have some pretty neat games and lots of exciting content. Thumbs up to Microsoft for doing such a great job in this segment.

Digital Entertainment:
The Xbox 360 Pro System allows you to watch DVD movies, pictures and other content on CD/DVDs. It allows you to rip music to the hard drive even if you plug a MP3 player in to a USB 2.0 part. The Remote provided allows you to control the Xbox while it behaves as a DVD/CD player. The console is compatible with iTunes and Zune as well as other audio formats.

Internet Connectivity:
When it comes to Internet connectivity, the Xbox 360 uses the very popular 0802.11 wireless model in favour of the original 100MBit Ethernet connection that the original Xbox ran on. The Xbox 360 allows you to access internet and download stuff. The appreciable feature is the fact that its performance is comparable to desktops at least in terms of cached memory and computational power. There are browser functions that allow you to watch Live TV and this gives it a strong foundation taking it beyond game play and establishing itself as a central entertainment staple.

Video and audio specs:
The Xbox 360 Pro boasts of a customized IBM Power PC CPU with 3 processing cores running at 3.2Ghz. But perhaps its most notable feature is its availability to output graphics. All the Xbox 360 games are designed to output a minimum of 720p and they can be upscaled to 1080p. The HD Component is available via the component video cable or you can use your own HDMI Cable. The other alternative is using VGA Adapters provided by Microsoft and JoyTech which allows you to connect HDTVs and PCs. There is even a fallback composite output and the system provides an output of standard 480i resolution for 4:3 sets.  The Xbox 360 offers an amazing video experience with unbelievable speed and consistency.

The Xbox Pro offers top class Dolby digital audio. The in game sound tracks are rendered in full real time surround creating an immersive effect. All the AV Cables include an optical audio output and standard analogue stereo connections for connecting to a TV or stereo. But by doing the latter, you lose the surround effect. You can use HDMI and have digital video and audio handled by a single cable. The Xbox supports the following formats – Support for DVD-Video, DVD-ROM, DVD-R/RW, DVD+R/RW, CD-DA, CD-ROM, CD-R, CD-RW, WMA CD, MP3 CD, JPEG Photo CD

Performance:

At the first look, you might wonder what all the fuss is about. The Xbox 360 does not look futuristic enough to entice interest. But once you start playing some games you would realize the huge potential that the Xbox has.

Graphics:
High Definition is a pre requisite for Advanced Gaming. For High Definition, games have to be either in 720p or 1080p. Put in a game and experience the incredible HD clarity. We played the Call of Duty 2 on the Xbox and wow! The graphics were incredulous. They were sharp and the game play was very fluid.  The high resolution details enable one to enjoy gaming and takes things to the next level.

The online networks:
Apart from Gaming, the Xbox 360 opens doors to the online network of Xbox live. With Xbox live, the possibilities are endless. The 360 is intended to make the console a centre piece of digital entertainment.  The 360 is capable of playing DVDs and CDs like before. The Dashboard interface transforms into a media centre interface when you pop in an audio CD. The Xbox has inbuilt Windows Media Centre Extender software, which is a remote desktop to your MCE Box and displays everything the MCE is capable of performing. One can stream high definition content from an MCE making it the best implementation of a media centre extender today.

Red Rings of Death:
There have been reports of hard ware failures in the case of the Xbox 360. The most infamous of them being the three flashing red lights around the 360’s power button, nicknamed as the “Red Rings of Death”. It represented an internal problem that required service, such as freeze – ups, graphical problems etc. When an error occurs, the user’s attempt to turn the console on results in the lighting up of only 3 out of 4 quadrants of the X and the console does not function. Though usually it occurs due to some internal hardware failure, it sometimes is due to the lack of sufficient power supply or power surges . The General Hardware failure results in a similar looking error warning when 4 red lights appear.  When the console is overheated,  the users are warned so by the indication of flashing of 2 red lights.

Accessories included:

Clearly, the focus has been on using wireless technology for everything from controllers to headsets. By doing so, they have eliminated the mess of cables and lines. There are host of accessories provided along with the Xbox 360. Apart from the console system, there is a headset, a wireless controller, an Ethernet cable, a Component HD AV Cable and an AC power adapter. Regarding the headset, the microphone can be adjusted for quality and noise cancelling microphone improves game response to voice commands and provides good voice communication.

Power Consumption:

The Xbox 360 is a power hog considering the fact that it draws about 160 watts of power twice as much as its rivals do. It consumes more power than most home entertainment devices. The Bulky power adapter is another dampener.

Warranty:

There is a warranty of one year on the console from the date of the purchase. There is a 90 day warranty provided for the accessories provided along with it. Microsoft however, charges for any sort of problems after that for a fee. One can access help and support using the telephone, online chat and email assistance.

Note: As of 2010, Users who face the problem of the “red rings of death “ can claim for replacing the console under the extended new warranty as it falls under “General Hardware Failure”. The Warranty for Xbox 360 models has been extended to 3 years now and it covers errors under the E74 code as well.

Verdict:

Microsoft has done it again! They have managed to launch a next generation console reaching all the expectations. The 360 has set newer targets for its future rivals – the Playstation 3 and the Nintendo Wii. It truly is the best Media Centre Extender available today. Apart from Gaming, it’s ability to read DVDs/ CDs and view pictures are a marvellous addition. The Internet connectivity is another bonus. But the Xbox Live and the marketplace have added a whole new dimension to gaming. Their amazing features will give it an edge amongst all its other rivals. However, there are a few downsides to this marvellous device. The Power adapter is too big and so is the power consumption.  The ROM Drive was extremely noisy and the console got heated in a very little time. However, these are minor irritants when compared to the joy the console offers especially while gaming. Definitely a must buy!

Note: out of the two models, Xbox  Core and the Xbox Pro; we suggest you to choose the Pro because it offers component A/V Cables, hard drive memory and HD output. Something that the core lacks and hence will deprive you of the pure pleasure the console offers.

Check 2010 latest Game Consoles, other Microsoft console reviews in this website.

Microsoft Xbox 360 Pro Console – Technical Specification Details

Manufacturer	Microsoft
Model Name	Xbox 360 Pro
Type	Game Console
Dimensions	12.1 x 3.27 x 10.1 inches
Weight	8.8 lbs
Colour	White
Max Resolution	1920 x 1080
Product Specifics	20GB External hard drive One HDMI port Processor Type is IBM PowerPC with 3 cores at 3.2 GHz Ethernet port MS Windows XP Media Centre compatible
AV input and output	ATI Xbox 360 – 256-bit – 2D/3D graphics acceleration and a Video adapter memory of 10 MB – integrated 16-bit / Surround Sound at Rate 48 kHz
Accessories	1 x HDMI cable 1 HD AV cable, 1 Ethernet network cable, wireless controller, a Xbox Live headset, a20GB external hard drive
Power	Internal power device
Warranty	One year

The mobile gaming arena sure does seem to be a clearly distinct giant in comparison to its stationary- thanks to its lengthy life cycle, fluctuating sales together with the aesthetic improvements that are normally more pompous. While some may still consider the Sony PSP 3000 as the second banana to Nintendo nearly ubiquitous DS Lite, it has managed to sell about more than about 55 million units from the time it hit the market in 2005. Sony tweaked its original PSP in 2007 by getting it a little slimmer and lighter chassis, improvement in speeds along with the ability to output straight to a TV screen, with the name Sony PSP 2000.

In 2008, the PSP has got yet another minor makeover with changes like a built in microphone in order to increase the usability of its on-board Skype functionality and also with a better video output support which allows you to play games on the non HD hook-ups. The other improvements include in the display, which is said to be having reduced glare with better colour reproduction and diminished ghosting. Apart from these changes, the PSP 3000 is a complete replica of its predecessor..

Design:

Where is the difference?
Starting with the casing, top to bottom and side to side, it looks virtually identical to the PSP 2000. The Sony PSP-3000 Game Console has got the same wiry measurements of its predecessor which is, (H X W X D) 71 x 168 x 16 mm and weighs a light 200 grams with all the batteries, game disk and the in-built memory stick. Have a closer look, you will find some subtle changes. The Sony moniker has been moved from the right of the screen to left where the PlayStation logo used to be. So where is the PSP logo? Look down at the former Home button that aligns the PSP with the PS3 with a similar master control button bang amidst the wireless gamepad. Yet another thing that is noticeable is that the, PS, Select and Start buttons along the bottom of the PSP are now fully oval and no longer the oblong half circles. When you run your fingers along the tops and they will also feel flush to the case model, not protruding as they do on the PSP 2000. Overall, the casing’s ABS plastic thankfully has more of a metallic feel to it.

A better display:
Only the 4.3″ size of its luscious LCD display is retained as it has got a complete make-over which results in better colour reproduction and is less prone to glaring. The colour vibrancy has been improved a lot and the difference was very evident, but as far as the glaring is concerned, the difference is not huge. Do not dream that you will be able to play in direct sunlight, but we assure you that you will have better luck with lesser distractions from the indoor light sources. You are given the option to toggle between wide and standard colour options and by doing so, can clearly see the difference with the colours.

The layout:
The Sony PSP 3000 is available in two common colours: Black and Silver. The silver model has a matte finish, while the black model has a glossy finish. Hence, you can have a smudge and fingerprint free handheld if you choose the silver model and vice versa if you opt for the black one. Unfortunately the displays of both the models are the smooth and shiny ones that remain to attract dust and fingerprints. Apart from these very minor cosmetic changes of the console, the button layout is basically the same as its predecessor. The display is fully surrounded by the buttons and the layout is derived from the traditional PlayStation Controller layout.

Navigation:
The four way directional pad is on the left and the square, triangle, cross and circle keys are in the right and you will find the two shoulder buttons along the top edge of the console.  In the bottom left of the facia is an analogue thumb stick for precise movement. It would have been great to have a second thumbstick on the right of the device that mimics the design of a PlayStation controller. The array of media controls, select, start, volume, brightness and  home button are lined up just after the display.

Built-in Mic:
While the 4-way directional pad is on the left, you will find the triangle, square, cross and circle keys on the right along with 2 shoulder buttons along the top edge of the console.  In the bottom left of the facia is an analogue thumb stick for precise movement. It would have been great to have a second thumbstick on the right of the device that mimics the design of a PlayStation controller. The array of media controls, select, start, volume, brightness and  home button are lined up just after the display.

Ports in PSP-3000:
The headphone or AV jack towards the edge at the bottom of the Sony Playstation Portable 3000 Handheld is compatible with any conventional 3.5mm headphones and also works with the unique PSP only, AV out cables that connects the console to a TV. The USB port is retained in the centre top edge of the console. Sony has not included a cable in the package, but since it is a standard mini USB connector, you might have one lying around. You will find the USB connector sandwiched between 2 screw holes that helps accessories be securely attached to the frame. Nevertheless, users utilize the connectivity mainly to make rapid connections to the system to enable transfer of games, digital media and demos that can be obtained from the PS store.

Features:

The Graphical User Interface:
If you own any gadget of Sony’s, you must certainly aware of its Cross Media Bar interface. The original PSP was the first product to use it and since then, it has been incorporated in to the Play Station 3 and many of the other television sets and AV receivers of Sony. Upon switching “On” you are welcomed by the well-known logo together with the XMB interface, only that it has gotten a bit more colourful with improvised edge distinctiveness by way of lights and darks. The menu system is fairly slick and is easily navigable via the control buttons and the D pad. However, with some of the applications, you will find that the simplicity of the system is lost. The web browser was not as well designed as the overall XMB menu system.

Firmware:
The PSP 3000 arrives running the version 4.20 firmware which has been updated to 5.01, so we were immediately set to be grabbing about it. It takes only a few seconds to configure the device to work with a home WiFi network, about a minute to download the patch and another couple of minutes to install, all in a wireless manner. Since the debut of the prior model, dominant updates seem to have smartly exploited the harware’s abilities together with couple of welcome features namely the Shoutcast powered free radio internet streaming, LocationFree videos from chosen exclusive Sony Electronics together with Remote Play access.

The Media:
The Sony PSP 3000 is designed to play movies and games out of a new kind of media calledUniversal Media Disks (UMD), and this media is certainly not universal as its name indicates as Sony’s PSP is the only device that uses them. The UMD is a kind of combination of the mini CD and the old MiniDisc which holds only about 2.2GB of data. To load them, there is a snap open door on the rear of the device. The duo memory stick slot is retained still on the left edge.

For now UMD stays to be the primary means of delivering the games to the PSP 3000 Handheld console, but Sony has been expanding the options that are available in the online PlayStation Store as well. This store allows the users to rent and buy movies and downloadable games and all these downloadable content is stored on the MemoryStick Duo.

WiFi functionality:
Though the PSP 3000 is primarily a gaming system, it has got some very notable media functionality as well, such as the built-in WiFi capability. The WiFi feature in the console allows you to connect it to any wireless service, including the WPA and WEP encryptions, but sadly not the WPA2 encyrption. One of the greatest disappointments with the WiFi feature is it still lagging behind with the slowest possible version of 802.11b with an 11n or 11g upgrade being a long overdue.

Built-in Skype Client:
The Sony PSP3000 is equipped with the built-in Skype client that can be used for the free Skype to Skype calls as well as the calls to and from the regular mobile phones, only if you have the paid Skype add-ons. Though this might not threaten to be the serious competition to the iPhone or any of the other dedicated mobile phones that are available in the market, the ability to make use of Skype, without the need of a headphone can certainly prove to be very useful.

Remote Play in PSP-3000:
Yet another unique feature of the PSP 3000 is the “Remote Play” which allows the PSP to log on into the PlayStation 3 either via home network or net and stream any video, audio and images that are stored in the PS3.

The Web Browser:
As we had mentioned earlier in the review, the PSP 3000 has a web browser, but you will end up desperate for a touch screen or a numeric keypad. The browser is not well designed and you will find that a lot of the graphically rich pages will be cramped or broken on the screen. This is basically because of the fact that there is very limited flash support and that it is not very robust. Said that, you will be able to control the cursor using the analogue and it is a very nice touch. Most of the people will find that the browsing experience in this Sony PSP is much better than their mobile browsing experience that they get via their phones.

Apart from the web browser is a RSS reader which could use an overhaul to make it easier to use and add your own feeds. There is also a very handy dedicated Google search icon and in addition to all these, the PSP also features a dedicated Shoutcast client that helps with free internet radio streaming. It is nothing but a plug-in that works via the browser, but since it is over designed, it is not as straightforward and easy to use as it should be otherwise.

The Gaming Features:
Though the PSP 3000 has a very impressive set of media and online features, most of the consumers tend to put the console secondary when it comes to gaming on the go. The Nintendo DS remains to be the king of portable gaming and we say this only based on the units sold. But you will find that there are lots of teens who are looking for a more sophisticated and less kid-friendly games than what the DS offers. And for the rest who are looking for some real killing, fighting and stuff and not great fans of, the cute stuff of Mario, Pokemon, Zelda, Cooking Mama and Animal Crossing games, the PSP sure does seem to be a welcome change.

Portable version of PS2?
Initially with the early stage of the PSP, it was knocked down just as a portable version of the PlayStation 2 as so many titles were simply the ports from the PlayStation 2 games. The hit list for the most part is franchise standby dominant, which includes SOCOM, Grand Theft Auto, God of War and Tekken  too. It has to be noted majority of these phenomenal titles have been designed exclusively for the PSP 3000 from the scratch. For those who like some speeding and racing, there are sports, action, racing and shooter games, but all is not sweat and blood as there are abundant quirky puzzle games like Puzzle quest, Lumines and LocoRoco. The list does not end here as the console has a range of family-friendly favs including Ratchet and Clank and Daxter.

Online Multiplayer Component:
You would be delighted to know that most of the popular games have an online multiplayer component. While some of the games feature ad hoc multiplayer, the rest features Internet play or both. The online game play service is completely free; but the performance of these varies from title to tile and is also dependent on the network speed. The whole experience will be just as fun and fulfilling as playing on a home console.

The store:
The PlayStation store can be accessed via a single PlayStation Network account and you can also have a PS3 and the PSP on a single account. Hence, you will also have the PS3 movies purchased on the system offloaded to be viewed on the PSP.

Performance:

Video:
As far as video is concerned, the PSP3000 is capable of playing them from a variety of sources. Though it is very easy to just buy the pre-recorded UMD video discs, trust us that would be the most rotten idea. One of the best way out would be to transfer your videos from your PC onto a Memory Stick and simply pop it into the PSP. You can also download a wide range of freeware and commercial software products that can readily convert files into PSP friendly formats and resolutions which are MPEG or H.264-AVC and up to 720 x 480 pixels. If you are ready to invest on an add on cable, you will also be able to output the PSP’s audio and video into a TV. One of the most annoying limitations of the PSP 2000 has been corrected in this model which will allow you to have video and game playback on pretty much any TV. In the case of the previous model, the game play had been limited to progressive scan only via the component video that limits you to the HDTV hook-ups. The PSP3000 also has the built-in capability to stream live television from any Sony LocationFree TV device, which is basically Sony’s version of the Slingbox. As long as the PSP is in a Wi-Fi hotspot, the device will be capable of streaming video and change the channels on the LocationFree box, even if you are half way around the globe.

Issue with the resolution:
One of the biggest disappointments with the videos is that, the videos of the UMD disks that have pre recorded videos and from that of a Memory Stick with videos that are home-ripped will be displayed at a DVD level of 720 x 480 pixels resolutions, but note that the quality will differ depending on the way the videos are compressed. They will fit into the widescreen display of your television set but since the games are locked to the native 480 x 272 pixel display, if your TV does not possess a robust zoom function, you will be stuck with just window boxed experience for gaming.

Audio:
The audio features of the PSP-3000 console are so good, that it can even toggle to be a fairly decent MP3 player. It can play a wide range of formats which includes DRM-free MP3, AAC, WAV, WMA and ATRAC3 files together with support provided for album art; exciting! Is it not? In addition to this, it has a visualiser function and support for the Repeat and Shuffle modes. Its support for the images is equally good. The PSP3000 supports the JPEG, TIFF and GIF formats and it displays the ones stored in the MS Duo card both as a slide show or individually. Then again, you might have to compress larger images prior to viewing.

Graphics:
We have to appreciate Sony for its kind of graphics in the games as they are much better than what you get out of the DS. In fact, the games are at the level that you can expect from a Play Station 2.

Microphone and Speakers:
The microphone is well and alright when it is used to chat across the pond and bug family and friends via the Skpe, but there are complaints that there is some echo. In terms of noise cancellation, well there is still no word on it, but for now the mic is not compatible enough still for neither a smack talk in some noisy surrounding. If you opt out the headphones, you have always got the external speakers which produces decent amount of volume for the games and UMD movies. But the volumes of the videos that are copied over to the memory stick have very less potential.

Power:

For the sake of power, the PSP 3000 has a 5 volt AC power adaptor and the console can be charged via USB too. The only issue is that, charging via USB is a little bit time consuming when compared to the time consumed by the power adaptor to charge the device.

Warranty:

Sony PSP3000 comes with one year limited warranty.

Note:
Though Sony has released its latest model the Sony PSP GO, they have decided to sell the PSP 3000 together with its expensive sibling.

Conclusion:

If you ask us if PSP 3000 will be able to replace your iPod, iPhone or even a portable DVD player; for the die-hard media lovers, the answer is no. But then if you wish to travel and look forward for a couple of hours of entertainment (TV soaps or music) then the unit sure does look to be a good diversion from gaming and also saves you the hassle of lugging another device behind you. Though you will not be getting a bigger display as you would get with a DVD player, on the positive side, the PSP is less bulky and you will have a bigger display than the iPod or iPhone. We all are aware of the fact that a small but growing library of games is available on the iPhone and iPod Touch. In addition to this, they also offer far better web browsing, communications and media options and this means that Apple is as big rival to the PSP as the Nintendo currently is.

If you already own a PSP 2000, then we do not think that you need an upgrade unless you are looking to enjoy the minor tweaks like better video and microphone. Well if you are someone who is skipped owing the PSP 2000, the differences you will note with upgrading would be phenomenal.

Check 2011 Best Game Consoles in this website.

Sony PSP 3000 Handheld – Technical Specification Table

Manufacturer	Sony
Model Name	PSP 3000
Form factor	Handheld
Dimensions (H x W x D)	71 x 168 x 16 mm
Weight	200 grams
Display Type	4.3 inches / 10.9 cm (16:9) full-transparent type, TFT drive
Display Colour Support	Approximately 16,770,000 colours
Available Enclosure Colours	Black, Silver
Colour Support	Yes
Media Type	Read-only Universal Media Disc drive
Compatible Codecs	Universal Media Disc Video: H.264/MPEG-4 AVC Main Profile Level 3. Universal Media Disc Music: H.264/MPEG-4 AVC Main Profile Level 3, Linear PCM, ATRAC3plus™. Memory Stick™
Significant Features	PlayStation Store Bluetooth
Processor Type	333 MHz
Built-in Speakers	Yes
Sound output mode	Stereo
Connectivity Features	Headphones , USB , Composite video output
Interface	DC IN 5V connector. Video out/headset connector. Hi-Speed USB. DC OUT connector. Memory Stick Duo™ slot. Wireless LAN (IEEE 802.11b)
Total Expansion Slots(Free)	1 Memory Stick Micro (M2)
Battery	Rechargeable – Lithium ion
Battery life	3 to 6 hours
Package contents	Sony PSP Go, AC adaptor, a USB chord, Media GO software and an instruction manual
Power	AC Adaptor DC 5.0 V
Power Consumption	Approx. 6 W
Manufacture Warranty	One year limited warranty

Everybody is trying to slim down for this summer and the Nintendo game console is not an exception. In our review of the original Nintendo DS handheld reviews, we had mentioned that, the only characteristic of the console that we did not like is its bulkiness and Well, Nintendo heard us! They have addressed this issue with a signature Nintendo remodelling. In fact, it has been given an extra dosage of style, not only has it slimmed down, it has brightened up too. Called the Nintendo DS Lite, it improves upon its predecessor in almost every conceivable way. The launch of the DS back in the year 2004 was limited success; with the release of the DS Lite in the year 2006 giving it a new lease of life and driving the UK market crazy.

We are reviewers, so it is really hard for us to go past without saying the cons of the model. As far as the Nintendo Lite is concerned, the downside is that the enhancements in the console are only cosmetic than anything else, just offers the gamers a light weighed and much more stylish way of getting their latest Magnetica and Super Mario Bros on.

Design:

The Nintendo DS Makeover:

The tangible weight and size reductions, repositioned buttons, sharper visual performance, repositioned stylus holder, everything is a welcome addition to the Japanese giant’s celebrated family of pocket friendly gaming console, the Nintendo DS. Aesthetically the Lite looks absolutely terrific.

This Nintendo DS Lite Handheld console that has got a very notable make-over efforts in order to build the identical fashion statement for videogames that the iPod had done for the MP3 players. As in the case of iPod, the Lite too comes in a wide spectrum colours. It is also available in a limited edition Pink supported by the female artist with the same name. But at the time of its release only the black and white models were available. With the DS Lite being available in various colours, it’s probably the lacquered white finish, which shows Nintendo’s new offspring in its best effect and hence the evident Apple comparisons. As in the original DS, the DS Lite too comes with 2 upright tiered displays. The bottom touch screen is the one that you will be using on finger or a stylus to perform operations like selecting the moving options and moving characters. If you are not very comfortable with the touch screen operations, a regular button layout is also available and it gives you a more usual way of control.

It is really lite:

As the name indicates, the console has shredded a lot of weight and is not an even more compact system, measuring (H x W x D) 133 x 72 x 21 mm and weighs just 217 grams. These figures show that the DS Lite  console is about 39% tinier and 21% less weighing than its elder brother. In the original model, the bottom half was oversized, but this model has the bottom and top halves symmetrical and rounded corners that are more tampered. Despite the overall size reductions, the marque twin displays have similar dimensions. With these changes made to the design, the DS Lite is now a even more of a compact console.

Finger print and scratch magnet:

The single biggest problem with the DS Lite is that, it comes in a high gloss finish and so is a magnet of fingerprints. Nintendo has also failed to include the rudimentary cleaning cloth in the package. The Black coloured Lite is the device that is most affected by this characteristic of Lite. On the positive side, the clamshell ensures the Lite travels well, minimizing the marks and scratches on the exterior with the dual-touch displays staying completely fully protected.

Some repositioning:

The layout of Lite is mostly identical to that of Nintendo DS along with some additional advantages. The speaker retains its place in the top half, taking the centre position and in spite of being tinier than the previous gen DS, it sounds as loud as its predecessor. The bottom part of the console feels more flimsy, maybe because we got used to the bulkier model. To the left of the touch screen, you will find the D-Pad that is about ¾ the dimensions of the original, but not reductions in the efficiency. Though the four X, Y, A and B fascia buttons are fundamentally identical, they feel more distinct than the original DS. You will no longer find the semi ovals on the top, as the start and stop buttons are now small circles and you will find them on the bottom.  Even the power button has been moved to the right side of the controller, a re-location from just above the D-pad. This change is one of the most welcome changes as the original looks accurately akin to the select and start buttons, and had been placed in the same area on the reverse side; this led to infrequent turn off instead of pausing.

The facia of the DS Lite Console system has been left untouched, you will find the volume control, the in-line enabled headphone port and the GBA game slot. You will find the microphone in the hinge between the screens. The rear of the unit too is essentially the same and the only difference you will notice is that, the stylus holder is moved from the rear of the system to the left of power switch. Though the right and left triggers have been miniaturised, as in the case of the fascia buttons, they are more distinct and much simpler to operate.

The cartridges:

The DS Lite Console from Nintendo has its own cartridges that have a size that is in between SD and CompactFlash cards. It is almost fully backward compatible with the GameBoy Advance titles; we had to use “almost” there because the unit does not play multiplayer modes of the GBA games. Though the cartridges of DS are much smaller in capacity than the Sony PSP’s UMDs, the good news here is that they can be played without the wait for the unbearable load times of this proprietary format of Sony.

The GBA slot:

The GBA slot itself has gone through a makeover. Instead on an bare cartridge slot, Nintendo has now included a plastic cover looking like a half size GBA game. It looks as though you will lose it for sure, though it is quite sleek it also put itself in the place of our criticism. The GBA games stick out of the cartridge slot by about a centimetre; the original DS fits the cartridges perfectly. There is nothing very serious to worry about though, as it does not impede the game playing even in the slightest way. And when you consider the fact that the DS is backwards compatible with tons of GBA games, it is really a very small price to pay.

Features of DS Lite:

Forget what the DS Lite does not offer: major interactive feature upgrades, improved quality of games, better software performance or ace out the PSP in terms of whiz bang 3D graphics technology. Instead concentrate on the strides that the system makes like enhancement in the overall quality of gameplay, improvement in visibility and of course more pocket friendly.

Excellent WiFi service:

Being introduced just after a year after the game had launched, the WiFi compatibility on the DS is quite solid. As in the case of the original DS, the WiFi setup is extremely simple and efficient in the DS Lite too. The WiFi system recognises most of the wireless connections.

Play with your buddies nearby:

If you wish to create a friends list, just enter a 12 digit friends codes for each game that you would like to play with your buddies. But if you wish to play against the non-friends, it will either be a hit or a miss as you will not be finding a game to join as fast as you will on an online console like the Xbox 360, but as long as you are playing a fairly popular game in a reasonable hour, it will not be long before you locate your competition. You can even have a voice chat using the offered microphone. With the GBA multiplayer games, you will not be able to play head to head over a wireless connection and with the absence of a link cable port, you will not be able to have a wired bond with the older version GBAs or Nintendo GameCubes. This is not possible at least until Nintendo releases an additional adaptor that can be interfaced with the main power port of the DS Lite.

Graphics Quality:

The quality of graphics of the DS Lite games is pretty decent. They are better than the PS1/N64, but were nowhere near the quality of Xbox or PS2 or the Nintendo GameCube. And they are no better when compared to the games of PSP. One area in which the DS Lite over powered the other consoles is in its pioneering characteristics of titles. While the PSP games were much like the games of its siblings, while the touch screen set-up of the DS-Lite that allows the designers to create some really unique game play. It is quite disappointing that the DS Lite does not have the audio, video and browsing features of the PSP.

Games for all:

Nobody can deny the fact that a console is only good as its games and equally it manages to get games that it is worthy of. As far as the Lite is concerned, Nintendo has led by example with its range of touch generations by producing some groundbreaking titles that not just appeal to veteran gamers, but has also managed to entangle few new audiences who are absolutely new to the gaming world.

For instance, the Nintendogs is essentially a pet simulator having some unique features that will allow you to interact with your digital mutt like never before. With the help of the stylus you will be able to actively stroke and tickle your pooch, throwing Frisbees for it to fetch and much more. With voice recognition, you can call the pet and even teach him to obey command and teach tricks by speaking directly into the console.

Improved brightness:

Nintendo has made some real improvements in the brightness settings by upgrading it to four, whereas the original DS had only two of them. At the lowest setting, the Lite is just as bright as the original DS, but at the brightest setting, it is simply brilliant and is as bright as the GBA SP. But the GBA game’s colours look very much washed out while played with the lite, whereas the good quality backlighting of DS makes the graphics of the games stand out.

Software:

For testing the battery performance of the Nintendo DS lite against the DS original, we played an exact same game at the brightest setting and max volumes of each of the systems. The Lite lasted for about five hours whereas its predecessor came out as the winner with about six hours and forty five minutes. It takes about three hours to get the system fully charged and as in the case of the DS original, Lite to goes into sleep mode when the system is closed.

Power Supply:

One thing that is annoying about the DS Lite is that it uses a different power supply to the original DS. Given, it is the same PSU as the GBA Micro, but that is not going to help current DS owners that want to upgrade and fancy having a PSU at work and at home.

Warranty:

Nintendo offers its DS Lite with one year manufacturer’s warranty.

Verdict:

If you still do not own a portable gaming device, the Nintendo DS Lite is worth having a consideration especially with its list of peculiar and original titles. So, if you have not yet got the hip to the dual screen diversion’s charms; the touch sensitive titles experienced through top and bottom mounted visual displays using stylus or d-pad and button based front end, this is just the perfect chance. But if you already own the original model, then we would say that the improvements are not very noteworthy enough to shell out another 100 more pounds, unless you are really desperate to get rid of the bulk of the handheld console. If you like to own a portable console with more mature titles with decent multimedia capabilities and web browsing, the Sony PSP is a best buy.

Nintendo DS Lite Console – Technical Specification Table

Manufacturer	Nintendo
Model Name	Nintendo DS Lite
Console type	Handheld
Dimensions(H x W x D)	133 x 72 x 21 mm
Weight	216 grams
Game Media type	Cartridge
Sound Output Mode	Stereo
Display	2 Backlit, 260,000 colour, 3? diagonal reflective TFT LCD screens. Lower one is a touch screen. 2D and 3D video acceleration
Display resolution	256×192 pixels
Input Device Type	D-pad; four buttons plus shoulder buttons and select and start buttons; stylus on lower touch screen
Features	One ARM7 processor and One ARM9 processor. 4 megs memory.
Audio	Built in stereo speakers with virtual surround sound, mic and headphone jack
Software bundle	PictoChat wireless messaging application. Clock and calendar. Metroid Prime: First Hunt (first person shooter) demo included.
Game Cartridges supported	Two slots: one for Game Boy Advance games and another for DS game cartridges. The DS is not compatible with Game Boy Color and earlier games.
Modem	No
Ethernet	No
Bluetooth	No
WiFi	Yes
Maximum data transfer rate	11 Mbps
Controls	Touch screen, embedded microphone for voice recognition, A/B/X/Y face buttons, plus control pad, L/R shoulder buttons, Start and Select buttons. The stylus is 1 centimeter longer and 2 millimeters thicker than the stylus of the original Nintendo DS.
Input/Output	Nintendo DS game cards and Game Boy Advance game paks, terminals for stereo headphones and microphone
Languages	English, Japanese, Spanish, French, German, Italian
Battery	Rechargeable lithium ion
Battery Life	Five to 19 hours of play on a four-hour charge, depending on use; power-saving sleep mode
Box contents	Nintendo DS Lite with battery installed, two styli, wrist strap with “thumb stylus” attached at the end, instruction booklet and charger
Warranty	Limited 1 year warranty