Argh! Not sure what to buy.

[JackBauer87]

Well.... I do not have any next gen systems. Im looking for something to play to relax the little time I have between work and school.

I have eleminated the Wii as ill be to lazy to play that.

The 360 is getting Final Fantasy but doesn't have MGS, Socom or Grand Turismo. I dont have a HDTV and cant afford one so im stuck in a rut!

Can anyone even attempt to give a non-biased pros and con list? Im really struggling trying to decide.

Naturally since the PS3 has all the games I like, id get that, but having no HDTV ruins it a good bit.

[splicer707]

I would vouch for the PS3. Because you also get Blu-ray blayback.

Your TV not being HDTV should not be a problem. The PS3 support Standard Definition output at 480i through S-Video or Component. I think Composite too.

This should help. Happy gaming.

[ambushed]

A ps2? Cheap and an abundance of quality games. But otherwise HDTV or not either the ps3 or 360 are still worthwhile getting. My 360 is currently on an SDTV (fingers crossed ill have the cash for good 40"+ HDTV in the next few months) and gameplay i don't think is any less fun. Can you see yourself having the cash in the next year or two? Regardless either particularly the 360 is still worth getting.

[Smigit]

Well either console will work on the SD tv just as well as one another. PS3 has bluray too but that'll be a waste for the time being I guess if you can't run anything in HD anyway.

Personally, I say go with the one that has the games you want and if thats the PS3 then thats the one to get. I personally think the XBox has the much stronger lineup but for you the PS is the way to go. Seriously besides game lineup theres nothing huge feature wise besides maybe the Blu Ray differentiating the consoles. I guess alot of people think Live is better than PSN too but again, that will mean nothing to you if the games you want aren't on the XBox anyway.

edit: Actually theres one other difference that could be major besides the games + bluray + online services and thats cost. XBox is a fair bit cheaper, at least in Aus where you can get them retail for starting at half as much as a PS3. Duno about the US but I imagine the 360 is still attainable for alot less. That may be one to consider but honestly as above, I'd still go the PS3 if in the long run it will have the franchises you want.

[Smashing Pumpkin]

Personally I would recommend the 360, but that's just cos I'm biased towards it.

It sounds to me like all the games you want are on the PS3, and since there really isnt that much different between the 360 and PS3's ability it all comes down to cost, obviously with the PS3 you get Blu Ray aswell but you're probably not bothered about that since you dont have a HDTV.

I have a 360 but no HDTV, however I DO have a 17 inch CRT computer monitor with 2 PC speakers thru a VGA cable. This looks IMMENSELY better than on a portable SDTV and I think you should definately look into this because people just give away CRT monitors these days.

So maybe a PS3 with a CRT monitor?

[Coldgunner]

going by the titles you mention, I'd say go for a PS3. As smigit said, its got the franchises you appear to be interested in. There is nothing wrong with PSN connectivity as far as multiplayer goes. You'll also have a bluray ready device should you upgrade to a HDTV.

Divx playback and media streaming is also a nice little extra.

Does any of the consoles support HD on a 4:3 CRT screen? I hope its not squashed 16:9!

[Smashing Pumpkin]

As say I use a 17 inch 4:3 monitor, but I've made it widescreen with black bars at top and bottom, this looks better than 4:3 I think even though the display is a little smaller it still looks magnificent compared to a wee SDTV.

[Coldgunner]

Ahh I see, you've got it letterboxed.

[Pupik]

Naturally since the PS3 has all the games I like, id get that, but having no HDTV ruins it a good bit.

Seems like you made your choice already. Why bother with this thread, and what's stopping you from purchasing a PS3?

[TEX4S]

buy a used, but working one -- save as much as possible - you desparately need an HD TV nowadays...

hell ! my grandmother even has a plasma - and she cant see 2 feet in front of her !

[Corris Veteran]

Just go where the games you want to play are.

People can rattle off numbers, say what they think is best, but no one else is you.

So buy what system you want that has the most games you want, if the system you want a bit more expensive and you really do want it, then you should be willing to wait longer to save up that much more for it.

And you might not have a HD TV either, but that's ok, nor did I for a while, but I saved up and bought some 19" HD Wide-screen thing with free view for my personal use.

It might not be a 32" or a 50" like some people like and prefer to play on, but it works just as well for me, and I don't have the room for a bigger TV where I am currently anyway, lol.

[Richard Hammond]

So maybe a PS3 with a CRT monitor?

PS3 doesnt have a VGA lead also CRT monitors are Analogue only therefore dont support HDCP so all you would get out of the PS3 is a black screen since it requires HDCP to display anything.

[MMaster23]

It's pretty easy if you're just going to game .. which games do you like?

Both Playstation and Xbox have some great games on their platform so look into which ones you prefer.

Do you like Project Gotham Racing or do you like Grand Turismo?

Do you like Resistance or Gears of War?

Also allot of games are multiplatform so for those it don't really matter...

Ps.. don't like possible red-ring-of-death stories scare you. Most issues have been fixed. Should you still have issues, there is a 3 year warranty .. what more could you ask for?

[Smigit]

PS3 doesnt have a VGA lead also CRT monitors are Analogue only therefore dont support HDCP so all you would get out of the PS3 is a black screen since it requires HDCP to display anything.

Surely it doesn't require HDCP for games or SD content or something? How would people use them on old SD Tv's given HDCP is relatively recent when all is said and done. I wasn't aware studios had begun to enforce hdcp use yet.

[Smashing Pumpkin]

PS3 doesnt have a VGA lead also CRT monitors are Analogue only therefore dont support HDCP so all you would get out of the PS3 is a black screen since it requires HDCP to display anything.

Oh dear.

[Kushan]

PS3 doesnt have a VGA lead also CRT monitors are Analogue only therefore dont support HDCP so all you would get out of the PS3 is a black screen since it requires HDCP to display anything.

That's complete misinformation right there.

HDCP doesn't just STOP content from being displayed, the whole point of HDCP is to stop people copying films by directly copying the source output. If HDCP isn't available, a Blu-ray or whatever HD content gets downscaled to SD IF the publisher demands it, but as of yet I don't think a single title released yet actually does this (although a few are due out soon) and even at that, it's just Blu-ray titles that are affected.

It doesn't make sense to do it to games because why would anyone want to stop you copying a direct gameplay stream?

Anyway, getting back on topic...

You seem to be leaning towards a PS3 and that's fine, don't let the fact that you haven't got a HDTV put you off, both consoles work fine on SDTVs.

However, in saying that, the reason you're leaning towards the PS3 is because it's got titles on it you know you'll like due to previous generation titles of the same franchise. The 360's only real noteworthy franchises from previous generations are Halo and Fable, but this generation it's got a fantastic array of great titles that I'm sure you'd enjoy just as much as those titles you mentioned, so keep that in mind when you make your choice.

So if I were you, I'd go on a site like metacritic and order the games on both consoles by their metacritic scores so all the best games are displayed at the top, then make a note of all the ones you'd like to play. Make 2 lists - one for 360, one for PS3 (in theory, any "bad" ports will not get listed on the respective console's list). Once you feel you've read enough, pick the console with the most games. It's as simple as that, because the other differences between them are marginal at best.

[JackBauer87]

I wont deny im leaning towards PS3 but there are several titles on 360 that also pull me back in that direction (Halo 3 and being able to play Shenmue 2 *ok its an xbox game but still*.

The 360 is also cheaper both currently and in the long run IMO.

Its funny, I did as Kushan suggested and came up tied. LOL

[DrunknMunky Veteran]

The 360's only real noteworthy franchises from previous generations are Halo and Fable

Opinions, opinions :p

There is many more noteworthy titles from Xbox last gen :yes:

[Smigit]

I wont deny im leaning towards PS3 but there are several titles on 360 that also pull me back in that direction (Halo 3 and being able to play Shenmue 2 *ok its an xbox game but still*.

The 360 is also cheaper both currently and in the long run IMO.

Its funny, I did as Kushan suggested and came up tied. LOL

Well theres enough content on both however the only one of the four PS3 titles you listed thats actually out now is MGS4 with Final Fantasy also going the 360 later on. Would it be possible maybe to go a XBox now and once a couple more of the PS3 games you want gets released look at purchasing the PS3 then?

If finances isn't an issue, and obviously it can be, there is a lot of reason to consider owning both in the long run. By then maybe you'll be in a position to utilise HD media in a better manner too which might make the PS3 more meaningful in regards to the Bluray capabilities.

[Pc_Madness]

All of the games you like are on the PS3, so get a PS3. 360 has better games (in my opinion), but the PS3 is better for media (in my very uninformed opinion), and I'm sure it has a few games that are quite good as well. I dunno, the 360 is where its at this generation, I haven't really heard of any amazing games for the PS3 that has got all gamers talking.. but maybe I just haven't been listening in the right places. :)

[Lex224]

I'm in the same situation. Would a PS3 be able to use my laptop monitor? I've only got like a 14'' SDTV and my laptop is 15.4''.

I can admit that I'm a PS fanboy and the PS3 is the one I actually want, BUT... The 360 IS cheaper, does have good games and with the amount of money I'm saving, I could get a 17'' monitor to play it on.

Still, I'd like to play online and with the 360 charging ?40 a year for Live, I wouldn't be saving much in the long run. Actually, I think it's safe to say the PS3 would be cheaper for me in the long run.

It may seem I'm destined to get a PS3 for my diddy tv but I'm sure not ruling out the 360.

[+Audioboxer Subscriber²]

I bought the TV first then the console.

But that's just because I couldn't stand to play HD consoles on SDTVs :p

You can get HDTVs pretty cheap nowadays if you're not going for massive sizes, or top top brands.

So my recommendation would actually be to get the TV first, then get the console nearer Christmas?

As for the console choice, wherever the games are you like. Buy on your own tastes, not other peoples, it is your future console.

[Kushan]

Still, I'd like to play online and with the 360 charging ?40 a year for Live, I wouldn't be saving much in the long run. Actually, I think it's safe to say the PS3 would be cheaper for me in the long run.

Don't be so sure, one thing I've noticed is that 360 games tend to be cheaper than PS3 games, particularly older titles. Plus, as a rule of thumb for just about anything, never ever pay RRPs. Live for ?40 a year? Ha! Try ?22. I know it's still an expense that you'd rather not pay, but still nearly half the price isn't too bad (what's that, ?2 a month?).

Getting back to the price of games, here's a rather unscientific comparison (i.e. I randomly picked some cross-platform games and used find-games.co.uk to compare prices):

Soul Calibur 4:

360 - ?32.99

PS3 - ?36.99

Hellboy: The Science of Evil:

360 - ?32.98

PS3 - ?35.49

Rock Band: Solus:

360 - ?37.99

PS3 - ?44.89

Grand Theft Auto IV:

360 - ?29.95

PS3 - ?37.78

Red Faction: Guerilla (Pre-order):

360 - ?34.99

PS3 - ?39.98

Of course, there are always exceptions to this rule (Such as Fallout 3, which is currently the same price on both) but if you just walk into any retail game store, you'll see what I mean.

The whole "the PS3 is cheaper in the long run" thing isn't true at all, it's easily the 360 that's the cheapest providing you spend 30seconds googling around for the best deals (or just use that site, although it does often miss good deals here and there). At the very worst, they break even.

[Dc'1]

If you can afford a PS3 then get it, a HDTV doesn't make that much difference, you can still play the games and enjoy them.

[Richard Hammond]

That's complete misinformation right there.

HDCP doesn't just STOP content from being displayed, the whole point of HDCP is to stop people copying films by directly copying the source output. If HDCP isn't available, a Blu-ray or whatever HD content gets downscaled to SD IF the publisher demands it, but as of yet I don't think a single title released yet actually does this (although a few are due out soon) and even at that, it's just Blu-ray titles that are affected.

It doesn't make sense to do it to games because why would anyone want to stop you copying a direct gameplay stream?

Excuse me?

Im WELL aware what HDCP is and what it does, i suggest you do a tiny bit of research before you make yourself look stupid, PS3 has HDCP at the system level on by default, if you use HDMI or HDMI to DVI and your monitor doesnt have HDCP support all you will get is a black screen, i should know because it happened to me.