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Still quite new so pardon the ignorance on my part.

I took a look at CC and BB today and found few PS3 systems, none with 80G package. I saw a driver's wheel and pedals for both PS3 and XBOX 360 so these are available.

Here's my thinking and tell me if it is a bad idea-

Both stores told me the newest PS3 system I saw on the web site won't be out until June or so. Today, I can get the XBOX 360 with a cheapo HD DVD drive $49 that is supposed to play many of the troubled DVD's, like Bourne Ultimatum ( I can't play on my A30)
So if I get started now with XBOX 360 and buy from a local BB with return policy it would be the way to go to get started. If I am happy, I stop there and have a solution to my A30 bug troubles. (I'm not worried about HD DVD demise right now)
Then in June or July, if the gamer obsession gets me, I'll spring for the PS3 system that is state of the art.
I'm thinking about $1000 budget for 2 systems and some accessories.

Don and others- I see some of you have multiple systems, like 2 XBOX's why would anyone want or desire 2 or more of the same thing? Multiple rooms?


Earlier, I sort of lied about games. I do have a couple on my cell phone I play when I have a few minutes time to kill. Celeris, Pool, a pinball machine, and PacMan So computer games are not totally new to me.


I see I can get a BlockBuster membership like my Movie Pass that is a flat rate per month. Is this realistic? I would think it is a good thing to sample many games before you buy. Unlike Movies, Games are better the more you play them, right? So the Game Pass is really only good for sampling at a lower price.

Don Landis said:

Still quite new so pardon the ignorance on my part.

I took a look at CC and BB today and found few PS3 systems, none with 80G package. I saw a driver's wheel and pedals for both PS3 and XBOX 360 so these are available.

Here's my thinking and tell me if it is a bad idea-

Both stores told me the newest PS3 system I saw on the web site won't be out until June or so. Today, I can get the XBOX 360 with a cheapo HD DVD drive $49 that is supposed to play many of the troubled DVD's, like Bourne Ultimatum ( I can't play on my A30)
So if I get started now with XBOX 360 and buy from a local BB with return policy it would be the way to go to get started. If I am happy, I stop there and have a solution to my A30 bug troubles. (I'm not worried about HD DVD demise right now)
Then in June or July, if the gamer obsession gets me, I'll spring for the PS3 system that is state of the art.
I'm thinking about $1000 budget for 2 systems and some accessories.

Don and others- I see some of you have multiple systems, like 2 XBOX's why would anyone want or desire 2 or more of the same thing? Multiple rooms?


Earlier, I sort of lied about games. I do have a couple on my cell phone I play when I have a few minutes time to kill. Celeris, Pool, a pinball machine, and PacMan So computer games are not totally new to me.


I see I can get a BlockBuster membership like my Movie Pass that is a flat rate per month. Is this realistic? I would think it is a good thing to sample many games before you buy. Unlike Movies, Games are better the more you play them, right? So the Game Pass is really only good for sampling at a lower price.

Click to expand...

The 80 GB package does not exist. The 60GB was also eliminated a while back (trust me early adopters were THRILLED after spending that $599 for that gem.)

If you plan on using the 360 with a lot of downloadable content you really should get the Elite. The 120 GBs are very handy for games and demos and movies. Its either that or a 20 GB, and considering a standard HD movie can fill up around 3 GB, space will fill up rather quickly. Then again if you don't plan on downloading or using the marketplace much then the standard 360 will do fine. Course you could just get the Arcade package with the 512 MB card.

It is not THAT uncommon to have multiple systems. I personally would really like to have another 360 so that I could mod it and customize and play backup games with it. Its not much different than having more than one computer. You have one that you use for your standard stuff, and another you just play with and modify and experiment with. Also if you have a lot of friends who come over, sometimes a networked 360 setup is good for multiplayer (LAN parties anyone?) I would not modify my Elite that I have now because I don't want to get banned from LIVE and given the high problem rate for 360s my box would not have a valid warranty if modded.

As far as games go, I don't know much about the Blockbuster Game Pass, but I use Gamefly myself. It's basically Netflix for video games. The prices are slightly cheaper for Gamefly, but there is the issue of turnaround time for games. I live in CT and the nearest distributor is in Pennsylvania, so the time between when they get the disc and I get a new one is usually around 4 days. If you live close to CA, FL, or PA you will likely get it quicker. Of course if you live next door to a blockbuster or price is not an issue then that may be the better choice.

Also you should not just view the Game Pass/Gamefly plans just for playing as many games as possible. You could view it like Netflix or the Movie Pass where you can just keep the movie for as long as you want until you are done with it. Think of it this way: If you buy a game, a new one will cost you $60, and if you get one used the cheapest you will likely get it is for $30 (and that is VERY rare.) If you play a game and then have no more use for it, if you try to sell it you will NOT get a lot of money in return, especially if you go to a Gamestop or something like that. You could always try eBay and things like that, but that pool is so large it may not even be worth it. I use my Gamefly to play through games and then return them. I got Assassin's Creed, and I played it through once and then shipped it back. I did not have much desire to go back and grab all the flags or kill all the special soldier or go through all the conversations, etc etc. I used to have a large number of games, and then when I went to sell them to get new stuff I'd have to sell like 3-5 games to get a good deal on a brand new game. Of course the age of the game you return has a lot to do with it as well, but just remember: If you're done with a game in 1 month that you purchased and then you try and sell it, odds are you will only recoup 30-60% of your cost. One last thing is that, and I don't know if this is true with Game Pass, but with GameFly you can choose to keep the game, like purchase it if you so please (so that you can move on to the next game in your queue), and you get it at a good discount (and more can be applied because the longer you stay a member the more discounts you get) and then they send you the case and the instructions for it.

One thing though: If you do choose to go with Gamefly can you PLEASE let me know so I can get a referral credit? Trust me when I say that it is a very good service.

Great choice Don. I think you will be amazed at all of the things you can watch off XBL Marketplace.

mwgiii said:

Great choice Don. I think you will be amazed at all of the things you can watch off XBL Marketplace.

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Thanks, but I didn't really make that choice alone. Everyone's help here made, hopefully a wise choice for the first system. Maybe this summer, I'll add the PS3 too.

yourbeliefs said:

The 80 GB package does not exist. The 60GB was also eliminated a while back (trust me early adopters were THRILLED after spending that $599 for that gem.)

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bought it the day it came out and i would do it again...still the best ps3 imo

Both!!!

Don Landis said:

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Thanks, but I didn't really make that choice alone. Everyone's help here made, hopefully a wise choice for the first system. Maybe this summer, I'll add the PS3 too.

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I'd recommend that course of action, Don, if you can.

As a pleased owner of both systems, I can vouch that they both have significant strengths over the other in very defined areas and, in fact, compliment each other quite well. I love them both for different reasons.

XBOX--Upsides: strong library of testosterone titles; XBox Live/Marketplace is fantastic (from online multiplayer to HD downloads, unparalleled); streaming media from both Windows and iTunes is slick. Downsides: weak 'range' in gaming compared to PS, imho; no built-in HDMI and, for now, only HD-DVD available as disc playthrough format; small and outrageously overpriced HDD system; noisy and runs hot; not the most reliable.

PS3--Upsides: well-deigned, runs quiet and cool; hard drive space is cavernous and easy to upgrade by comparison to others; HDMI and upgradable through software to advanced Blu-ray profiles as they release; if you get the 60/80GB you get access to lots of great PS2 content; very broad range of keystone games/gamestyles (from stellar platformers to shooters and RPGs etc); uh, I did mention, Blu-ray, right?; and the online services are free. The BIG pluses via online aren't even here yet--Home and Little Big Planet are going to be fantastic, just you wait and see.

In Summary--So, as an A/V enthusiast, I get great rental solutions with the XBOX and great disc playback w/ the PS3. As a gamer, I get the paragon of online and hardcore w/ the XBOX and the broadest range of gameplay with the PS3 (with the future holding some significant online treats in store for the PS3 as well).

Like you, Don, I bought into the XBOX 360 first, then a while later got the PS3. Aside from my 360 dying a month in (which, I'll admit, gave me pause--I'm not used to such in my well-researched car/computer/AV purchases), I haven't regretted either purchase at all.

shanewalker said:

I'd recommend that course of action, Don, if you can.

As a pleased owner of both systems, I can vouch that they both have significant strengths over the other in very defined areas and, in fact, compliment each other quite well. I love them both for different reasons.

XBOX--Upsides: strong library of testosterone titles; XBox Live/Marketplace is fantastic (from online multiplayer to HD downloads, unparalleled); streaming media from both Windows and iTunes is slick. Downsides: weak 'range' in gaming compared to PS, imho; no built-in HDMI and, for now, only HD-DVD available as disc playthrough format; small and outrageously overpriced HDD system; noisy and runs hot; not the most reliable.

PS3--Upsides: well-deigned, runs quiet and cool; hard drive space is cavernous and easy to upgrade by comparison to others; HDMI and upgradable through software to advanced Blu-ray profiles as they release; if you get the 60/80GB you get access to lots of great PS2 content; very broad range of keystone games/gamestyles (from stellar platformers to shooters and RPGs etc); uh, I did mention, Blu-ray, right?; and the online services are free. The BIG pluses via online aren't even here yet--Home and Little Big Planet are going to be fantastic, just you wait and see.

In Summary--So, as an A/V enthusiast, I get great rental solutions with the XBOX and great disc playback w/ the PS3. As a gamer, I get the paragon of online and hardcore w/ the XBOX and the broadest range of gameplay with the PS3 (with the future holding some significant online treats in store for the PS3 as well).

Like you, Don, I bought into the XBOX 360 first, then a while later got the PS3. Aside from my 360 dying a month in (which, I'll admit, gave me pause--I'm not used to such in my well-researched car/computer/AV purchases), I haven't regretted either purchase at all.

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All models of produced 360s now have Built in HDMI.

Just a heads up. My arcade unit (being used to replace my broken launch pro) and my Elite both have HDMI.

As the OP, I'd have to admit I don't know enough about gaming with these things to know what to complain about yet. So, keep the debates rolling, just be accurate. I still plan to do the PS3 later. Not sure when. For now, my Samsung BD1400 works fine for blue ray disks and I now have so many games to try and so little time, I may be satisfied for quite a few months with the 360. I did pay extra for the exchange warranty as you guys recommended I do so I'm not too worried about the failure rate.

Couple questions, though- Doesn't the 360 use Blue Tooth too?

Wifi is nice but my equipment rack has a wired switch so I really didn't need it.

I'm curious about the Blue Ray player option for the 360 that is rumored in the works. We will probably hear more about that at CES2009.


FYI- the vibration feedback works on the steering wheel too, in case you all didn't know that.

Don Landis said:

As the OP, I'd have to admit I don't know enough about gaming with these things to know what to complain about yet. So, keep the debates rolling, just be accurate. I still plan to do the PS3 later. Not sure when. For now, my Samsung BD1400 works fine for blue ray disks and I now have so many games to try and so little time, I may be satisfied for quite a few months with the 360. I did pay extra for the exchange warranty as you guys recommended I do so I'm not too worried about the failure rate.

Couple questions, though- Doesn't the 360 use Blue Tooth too?

Wifi is nice but my equipment rack has a wired switch so I really didn't need it.

I'm curious about the Blue Ray player option for the 360 that is rumored in the works. We will probably hear more about that at CES2009.


FYI- the vibration feedback works on the steering wheel too, in case you all didn't know that.

Click to expand...

I thought M$ denied the rumors about blu-ray addon.

IcEWoLF said:

I thought M$ denied the rumors about blu-ray addon.

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They denied the existence of the elite SKU for 6 months. They had photo's of the black Cases being manufactured, And MS still denied it.

LOL, just one of those things.

akodoreign said:

All models of produced 360s now have Built in HDMI.

Just a heads up. My arcade unit (being used to replace my broken launch pro) and my Elite both have HDMI.

Click to expand...

Gotcha. Didn't know they'd made that move...Microsoft was very adamant for so long that HDMI wasn't 'necessary for a robust HD experience' that I'm actually surprised they moved the feature into the full lineup (figured it would remain Elite-only). Good to know though.

My replacement 360 will hopefully last me full through this generation--I don't see the merit of upgrading for a port config, esp. when the downloaded HD isn't full rez and HD-DVD is a dead format now. Still looks good, its just not 'the best it can be.'

shanewalker said:

Gotcha. Didn't know they'd made that move...Microsoft was very adamant for so long that HDMI wasn't 'necessary for a robust HD experience' that I'm actually surprised they moved the feature into the full lineup (figured it would remain Elite-only). Good to know though.

My replacement 360 will hopefully last me full through this generation--I don't see the merit of upgrading for a port config, esp. when the downloaded HD isn't full rez and HD-DVD is a dead format now. Still looks good, its just not 'the best it can be.'

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I agree. The lack of a PC/VGA/DVI connection/port on a HDTV is more of a sign of a lower end HDTV rather than the sign of them fazing out the input and should be the case for quite some time.

hpman247 said:

bought it the day it came out and i would do it again...still the best ps3 imo

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I think that title may be lost once this edition comes out (which will be the one I shall get.)

PS3 with Profile 2.0. Yes, that was my final plan. I felt the XBOX 360 with the HD DVD player was a smart move before those $49 drives with King Kong Disk all dried up was the best option for a first system and then get the PS3 when the upgrades are complete. Presently, I'm enjoying the xbox now.