Why wait for the limited edition PS3 160GB??

[admin_exported]

I'm looking to buy a PS3 (to connect to my home cinema set up) and predominantly play Blue-Ray movies, but will use as a media server as well (so memory will be important).

Having read the review of the limited edition 160GB PS3 (on this site), I'm wondering why I should wait until October to buy?

I understand that I could buy the 40GB version now and a 250GB hard drive (about £50). Apparently, changing the hard disk takes 5 minutes.

Is there any additional functionality to the 'limited edition 160GB PS3' (more USB ports, SACD, etc..).

If there's anymore functionality, I'll wait a few weeks, if not I'll buy the 'older' version now.

 

[Gozaradio]

I'm in the same position as you and as I understand it, I don't think the hardware will be any different (save for larger HDD) but there will be some sort of voucher for Playstation Network content. Depends on whether that is important to you.

Value wise, I reckon it doesn't work out much different cost-wise, as you say, you can have 250Gb for £50 (500Gb can be had for under a hundred at the likes of Dabs and Scan).

The only other thing to note is that the PS3 now comes with 80Gb, not 40 (although there are still a few of these knocking around).

 

[Anonymous]

Dropping in another HD in the PS3 is indeed very easy BUT be SURE to use a 5400RPM S-ATA 2,5" drive... The PS3 isn't exactly a 'cool runner' as it is so just use a -relatively- slow HD (the standard one is 5400RPM as well by the way).

100 Pounds for a 500GB drive that meets the above mentioned requirements? I got to know where, since here -in The Netherlands- they are not THAT cheap if you can get one at all...

 

[Anonymous]

You could just get the 80GB version and buy a portable USB HD like I have done. Works fine for storing all my movies and music and means I can take them with me on my travels. There's nothing to suggest the 160GB version will be different other than the bigger HD and vouchers so you can get some content off the PS store. Either way, it's a great unit, runs quiet, upgrades its features every few months and has plenty of great games to keep you occupied.

 

[Anonymous]

Hmm: that's the only thing that slightly dissapoints me in the PS3. I have a 40GB external harddrive and it contains about 300 music albums, but when I connect it to the PS3 it takes minutes before the PS3 has read all the content on it...

I hope that won't be the case once everything is stored on the internal drive...

 

[Anonymous]

Ive not try'd my external drive in my ps3 for a while! Is it still the case that you cant add mps3's to the playlist from an external drive or play lossless.

 

[Anonymous]

Hi all,

Quick question for the WHF team. Do you have the technical specs for the new 160Gb PS3 model? ...and if so, does it have the same functionality as the original 60GB model?

Also, is the picture of the PS3 on your news article the 160Gb model or is it an archive shot of the older 60Gb. I only ask as it shows it having 4 USB ports.

 

[Anonymous]

vineetpatel69:Is there any additional functionality to the 'limited edition 160GB PS3' (more USB ports, SACD, etc..).

No, the 160GB edition has no USB and apparently just 2 USB ports, as has the new 80GB model. If you want SACD, you'll have to find a 60GB version or the earlier 80GB type.

There's a detailed overview in the PS3 SACD FAQ.

 

[Gozaradio]

WilcoL:
Dropping in another HD in the PS3 is indeed very easy BUT be SURE to use a 5400RPM S-ATA 2,5" drive... The PS3 isn't exactly a 'cool runner' as it is so just use a -relatively- slow HD (the standard one is 5400RPM as well by the way).

100 Pounds for a 500GB drive that meets the above mentioned requirements? I got to know where, since here -in The Netherlands- they are not THAT cheap if you can get one at all...

Hitachi 500GB 2.5" 5400rpm drive for £89.26 here - http://www.scan.co.uk/Product.aspx?WebProductID=802975

And for £88.61 here - http://www.dabs.com/productview.aspx?quicklinx=55G1&tduid=1d7a34ae107b9e0b5530acd0ae08aa2b

 

[Anonymous]

Thank you very much! I highly appreciate it!!!

 

[professorhat]

Gozaradio:WilcoL:
Dropping in another HD in the PS3 is indeed very easy BUT be SURE to use a 5400RPM S-ATA 2,5" drive... The PS3 isn't exactly a 'cool runner' as it is so just use a -relatively- slow HD (the standard one is 5400RPM as well by the way).

100 Pounds for a 500GB drive that meets the above mentioned requirements? I got to know where, since here -in The Netherlands- they are not THAT cheap if you can get one at all...

Hitachi 500GB 2.5" 5400rpm drive for £89.26 here - http://www.scan.co.uk/Product.aspx?WebProductID=802975

And for £88.61 here - http://www.dabs.com/productview.aspx?quicklinx=55G1&tduid=1d7a34ae107b9e0b5530acd0ae08aa2b

Hey folks - do not get this drive to upgrade your PS3! I've just got one and unfortunately it's 12.5mm high which is too big for the PS3, the one you want is 9.5mm. Unfortunately there is no information on this from what I can see on any of the sites I've looked so I'm now having to send mine back to Dabs and lose £10 in the process for courier charge. Just make sure you get a SATA-150 or SATA-300 2.5" drive (recommended speed is 5400 RPM as this is the same currently in the PS3, but apparently 7200 RPM works okay - personally I'm not taking the risk) and finally, make sure it is only 9.5mm high. No slur at all on the poster of the above info, as I say, I researched this quite a lot and it's only when I came to fit the damn thing today I found it didn't fit!!
I've just ordered this one from dabs - looks like I've got everything covered this time and even reviews on there saying people have used it for the PS3 so all looks good. It's only 320Gb but apparently there is only one 500Gb drive available which is 9.5mm high by Samsung and this is pretty hard to come by at the moment so I've just gone for 320Gb. I'll reply when I've got it to confirm this one is okay!

 

[Anonymous]

I think I'll go for that WD one too. Looks like a decent buy and I don't know if I want to wait for 500GB drives to come down to my budget. I'm hoping the restoring of old data is as easy as people say it is!

 

[professorhat]

Should have mine Wednesday (fingers crossed!) so can let you know how it goes if you like.

 

[timwileman]

excellent man profhat!

mods...is it worth asking profhat to write a quick 'how to' guide and making it a 'sticky' post?

 

[aliEnRIK]

Its actually really easy to do. The only downside is if you want to carry the information you already have on your internal hardrive you need an EXTERNAL hardrive formatted with FAT32 to backup to first!

Either way its just unscrew the old one and screw the new one back in its place (Though I had REAL problems with the screws on my 60gb model and ended up grabbing onto the sides of the casing screws with some long nosed pliars! ~ id like to think the later ones are not as tight). Boot up, it formats it and you either use like that or install the BACKUP from the external hardrive.

 

[professorhat]

Yup, as aliEnRIK says, it's very simple but happy to put a post up with step by step if it'll be helpful. There are quite a few guides up around the internet already, though none of the mentioned the 9.5mm gotcha!!

 

[Anonymous]

Yeah, i'll be watching out for your update professorhat, put on a post about this awhile back where you and frog give me some advice but upgraded all my cables instead, will get one later this month.

Alan

 

[professorhat]

HD arrived - correct size this time! All installed now and just restoring the backup. Have taken photos along the way so expect a new post soon with how it's all done (was very, very easy I'm happy to say).

 

[Anonymous]

@professorhat: congrats! 320GB right? Am I right that there is the possibity to create playlists when mp3's are stored on your local HDD? For some strange reason it is greyed out with music played from an external drive connected to one of the USB-ports...

Enjoy your extra storage!

http://whathifi.com/members/professorhat.aspx

 

[professorhat]

Hi there, yup - 320Gb drive, 300Gb available to use once the drive was formatted.
Funnily enough I was just looking at playlists as I noticed a .m3u8 on my USB drive after backing up a playlist. Unfortunately you can't do anything with this on the external drive, it only works when on the local hard drive. So you can create playlists for any music stored on the local drive, but not external drives.
One way round this is to create folders on the external drive (under the "Music" folder so the PS3 can see it) and put all the songs you want in that folder. Unfortunately this does mean you have to duplicate songs if you want them in more than one playlist so it's not ideal.

 

[Anonymous]

Hey Prof,

Just seen your 'How to' guide for replacing the PS3 hard drive.

Will let you know, how I get on when I decide to do the install.

Great guide!

 

[professorhat]

Thanks, hope it's useful!