The latest of the next-generation gaming consoles. The Playstation3 is not just a games machine but a fully-fledged complete home entertainment system.

The current model that is widely available is the 40GB hard disk entry level model. Released in October of 2007, the RRP of this model is £299. Sony has pared back some of it's 60GB predecessor's features in favour of a lower retail price. One of the features removed was the backward compatibility with PS2 games.

PS3 40GB Console Prices Sony Playstation 3 Console (40GB Version) £279.99 In Stock Price Checked 29/02/2008 PlayStation 3 40GB with FREE Eye of Judgement game £299.99 In Stock Price Checked 29/02/2008 Sony Playstation 3 PS3 Console with 40GB HDD £289.99 In Stock Price Checked 29/02/2008 Sony Playstation 3 PS3 Console with 40GB HDD £299.99 In Stock Price Checked 29/02/2008 Sony PlayStation 3 40Gb Games Console (PS3 40Gb) £279.99 In Stock Price Checked 29/02/2008

The system features a state-of-the-art cell broadband engine™ processor, a 40GB hard disk drive and a blue-ray disc drive. The disc-drive is capable of playing blue-ray movies but also being able to read/play almost all formats of DVD and CD'S including DVD movies (which can be output in 1080p HD). Blue Ray would appear to be becoming the more popular of the High Definition formats being prefered by the some of the movie industry. The blue-ray disc format allows for storage of up to 3 hours of HD quality video and upto 9 hours of standard definition video.

For outputting your movies and games to a TV, the system has 3 types of connections. These connections are a HDMI connector, an optical digital out and a Playstation AV multi out connector. Suppied with the system is a lead to connect from the AV multi out which terminates in a 3-plug red/yellow/white AV connector which then can be plugged into a convertor (also supplied with the package) to convert those 3 plugs into a scart connection. If you which to connect to a HD component or HDMI socket on a HD TV then you will need to purchase an additional lead.

Music, photos, video files and downloaded games can all be saved onto the PS3's hard drive. Your music CD's are easy to copy onto the drive. JPEG, TIFF, BMP, GIF and PNG image file formats are all supported by the PS3 and the system software allows you to view your images in the form of a slideshow. Movie file formats supported are MPEG-1, MPEG-2 and MPEG-4, though this may expand with future system software updates. If you own a PSP you can also view/listen to many of your PS3 files using the PSP Remote Play feature.

The machine comes with wired and wireless network capabilites allowing you to connect to the internet (internet connection required) and access the PLAYSTATION®Network where you can access online game content and play some of your PS3 games online with other Playstation users. The PLAYSTATION®Store is an online virtual store from which you can download free movie trailers and game demos. Full games are also available for purchase and download via the PLAYSTATION®Store. The system software includes an inbuilt internet browser for surfing the rest of the internet. There is one SIXAXIS™ controller supplied with the package. This is a wireless controller which works via bluetooth. The controllers have an integrated rechargeable battery that is charged by connecting the controller using the supplied USB cable to one of the Playstation 3 USB ports. However any powered USB port can be used to charge the controllers.

There are over 80 games currently available for the Sony PS3 with many more due for release this year. The machine is a sleek shiny black unit, which can be stood vertically or horizontally and runs fairly quietly and wouldn't look out-of-place with the living room video units.