PRNewswire…
http://media.prnewswire.com/en/jsp/latest.jsp?resourceid=3205261&access=EH
May 8, 2006 21:53 ET
PLAYSTATION(R)3 Launches on November 17, 2006 in North America
Equipped With Blu-ray and Pre-Installed HDD United States: US $499 (20GB HDD) and US $599 (60GB HDD) Canada: CAN $549 (20GB HDD) and CAN $659 (60GB HDD)
LOS ANGELES, May 8 /PRNewswire/ — Sony Computer Entertainment America (SCEA) announced today that it would launch PLAYSTATION(R)3 (PS3) in “Clear Black” in North America on November 17, 2006, as part of a worldwide simultaneous launch.
PS3 is the most advanced computer system that serves as a platform to enjoy next generation computer entertainment content in the home, realized through the combination of Cell and RSX(TM) processors, in addition to the playability of a vast catalog of PlayStation(R) and PlayStation(R)2 software titles.
Having Giga-bit Ethernet and a pre-installed hard disk drive (HDD) as standard in PS3, users will be able to download a variety of content as well as access on-line games and services over the network.
Equipped with basic input/output ports, PS3 supports a broad range of displays from conventional NTSC/PAL standard TVs to the latest full HD (1080i/1080p) flat panel displays, offering the joy of the most advanced computer entertainment content to homes around the world. For use in living rooms, maximum heat and noise reduction has been achieved with a noise level equivalent to that of the current slim-line PlayStation 2.
With the overwhelming computational power of the Cell processor, PS3 is capable of playing back content from Blu-ray (BD) disc at a bit rate of multiplex 48Mbps with ease, the maximum bit rate defined in BD standards.
The new controller for PS3 has been created by refining and improving the world’s most popular PlayStation controller which has shipped more than several hundred million units worldwide. The controller for PS3 employs a high-precision, highly sensitive six-axis sensing system that is capable of processing all parameters within the controller itself, thereby eliminating the need for any additional settings on the display system. By applying this technology, it will become possible to freely control the PS3 system over the network.
While further enhancing the joy of entertainment on PlayStation 2 and PSP(TM) (PlayStation(R)Portable), SCEA will vigorously promote PS3 as the next generation computer entertainment platform.
About Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc.
Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. continues to redefine the entertainment lifestyle with its PlayStation(R) and PS one(TM) game console, the PlayStation(R)2 computer entertainment system, the PSP(TM) (PlayStation(R)Portable) system and the upcoming, much-anticipated PLAYSTATION(R)3 system.
Recognized as the undisputed industry leader, Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. markets the PlayStation family of products and develops, publishes, markets and distributes software for the PS one game console, the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system and the PSP system for the North American market. Based in Foster City, Calif. Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. serves as headquarters for all North American operations and is a wholly owned subsidiary of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. More information can be found online at http://www.us.playstation.com/.
NOTE: PlayStation and PLAYSTATION are registered trademarks and RSX and PSP are trademarks of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. All other trademarks are property of their respective owners.
PLAYSTATION(R)3
Product name PLAYSTATION(R)3
CPU Cell Processor
GPU RSX(TM)
Sound Dolby 5.1ch, DTS, LPCM, etc.
(Cell-based processing)
Memory 256MB XDR Main RAM, 256MB GDDR3 VRAM
HDD 2.5″ Serial ATA O(20GB) O(60GB)
I/O USB 2.0 O(x4)
MemoryStick / – O
SD/CompactFlash
Communication Ethernet O(x1/10BASE-T, 100BASE-TX, 1000BASE-T)
IEEE 802.11 b/g – O
Bluetooth 2.0 (EDR) O
Wireless controller O
(Bluetooth)
AV Output Screen size 480i, 480p, 720p, 1080i, 1080p
HDMI OUT – O(x1/HDMI NextGen)
AV MULTI OUT O(x1)
DIGITAL OUT O(x1)
(OPTICAL)
BD/DVD/CD Maximum BD 2x (BD-ROM)
Drive Read Speed
(Read Only)
DVD 8x (DVD-ROM)
CD 24x (CD-ROM)
SACD 2x
Dimensions Approximately 325mm (W) x 98mm (H) x 274mm
(D)
Weight Approximately 5 kg
* Storage media (“Memory Stick”, SD memory card, and CompactFlash) are
sold separately.
* “Dolby” is a trademark of Dolby Laboratories.
* “DTS” is a trademark of Digital Theater Systems, Inc.
* “CompactFlash” is a trademark of SanDisk Corporation.
* “HDMI” is a trademark of HDMI Licensing LLC.
* “Blu-ray Disc” is a trademark.
* “Bluetooth” is a trademark of Bluetooth SIG, Inc.
* “Memory Stick” is a trademark of Sony Corporation.
* “PLAYSTATION” is a registered trademark of Sony Computer Entertainment
Inc.
* All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
Design and specifications are subject to change without notice.
Source: Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc.
CONTACT: Kimberly Otzman of Sony Computer Entertainment America,
+1-650-655-7524, or kimberly_otzman@playstation.sony.com
Web site: http://www.playstation.com/
Oh yeah! $500 for a PS3 with 20GB drive – which is also a Blu-ray player, and SACD apparently. Or $600 for one with a 60GB drive, and 802.11b/g built-in. And backwards compatible with the PS2 and PSX, of course.
I’m looking forward to it. 
