Desperately seeking Guidance & Wisdom from PlayStation Gurus.

[bvar22]

I've reached the point of diminished returns in upgrading my PC. It is not feasible to continue to upgrade my PC to keep up with the system requirements demanded by this generation of games.
It makes more sense to buy a console, and I have decided to do so. However, I have exactly ZERO knowledge about consoles. I have never played on one.

I have done some online research, and am still baffled.


My personal requirements:
My INet connection is a slow dial-up....no online play
I will never buy a HD TV, and have no need for HD output.
I always play in single player mode, though I would like the ability to add another controller if the opportunity presents itself.
My favorite games are 1st Person Shooters, though Flight Sims and Racing Sims are cool.

My questions are:

*How much PlayStation do I need to comfortably play GTA4 in single player/non HD mode?

*Can the PlayStation video output be connected to a PC digital Monitor?

Thanks!

[CabalPowered]

1. A couple things

Does the monitor have a dvi input? In theory you should be able to use an hdmi cord and then buy a hdmi>dvi converter. These can get kinda expensive. And a good hdmi cord is also expensive compared to the old rca stuff. You also need to be careful with this route as many of the converters are too bulky to get attached to the monitor input. If this is the case, you'll also have to buy a short dvi cord from the converter to the monitor. Also, if you have a standard resolution monitor and not a widescreen, there will be some distortion.

I'm not up on the latest ps3 skus but the cheapest one will be just fine. I'm on the first generation and have plenty of room left on the 20GB HD.

[bvar22]

3. Thanks.

The adapter route sounds like a nightmare.

I suppose I could add a TV adapter card to my PC and plug in the video feeds there.

[jayfish]

2. I'm Right There With Ya On The PC Treadmill.

I gave up on it a couple years ago. That being said, and you may not like this, I'd pass on the PS3 and get an XBOX 360. Other than Blu ray, the hardware is very close between the two boxes. When it comes to games however the 360 simply destroys the PS3. Especially in the genres you like. I'm not even sure the PS3 has a proper racing sim and GT5 is vaporware. There's also a substantial price difference between the two. You can get a 360 arcade unit a 20GB HDD and VGA cable for $260 plus tax. The lowest price SKU for the PS3 is $399. That' s2 1/2 games at full price or 4-5 from the bargain bin. The 360 bargain bin is chocked full too. Don't let the RROD dissuade you either. Those problems have been ironed out with a smaller cooler process and heat management revisions.

Just my .02

Jay

[bvar22]

4. LOL. Had to Google "RROD".

Red Ring of Death.

I'm taking another look at XBOX 360, and yes, it appears that that problem is solved.
Thanks for the tip.

[enki23]

5. problem solved my ass. mine just died tonight. second repair.

now on to the third, i guess. don't know if it's still under warranty now. do not underestimate the power of microsoft to fuck everything up. the ps3 is a significantly better chunk of hardware. the online service isn't quite as slick (though there's no subscription bullshit, which (if you want to play online at all) will make up the price difference before you know it. there are a couple exclusives for xbox that are pretty tough to miss, that's true. but i find myself devoting more and more of my (dwindling) gaming time to the black box rather than the damned white one. and now the thing's fucking bricked again anyway. coincidentally, happened the same day i found the retarded new menu system was implemented.

[bvar22]

6. Thanks, enki23.

I remember you....Been at DU since god made dirt.
After 7 years, I trust your opinion.

I've run across many, many stories about the XBOX like yours.

My dilemma is this:

*The XBOX certainly has a hardware problem, but there is a report that the new XBOX manufactured after August has a new chip (Jasper) that will solve the problem. As a long time XBOX owner, does this sound like a solution, or more of the same BS.


*I will never use my console for anything other than single player games, primarily 1st person shooter/racing or flight sims. The XBOX seems to hold a performance edge in this category. There also seem to be many more games of the type I enjoy available for the XBOX.

(Is this true? I'm not absolutely certain, but have synthesized this opinion from 2 days of online research. If you disagree, please let me know.)


*My console (XBOX/PS3) will never be connected to the InterNet, so I have no need for the connectivity features.
(Question: I remember that HalfLife2 on my PC had to be authenticated through an InterNet connection. Is this going to be a problem with either the XBOX or PS3?)
I have a slow and erratic Dial-Up connection. No cable or DSL connection will be available here for a long time.


I'm leaning toward PS3, but may wait for a couple of months to see if the hardware problem with the XBOX is solved.

What do you think?

Bob
Ouachita Mountains, Arkansas

[enki23]

7. eh. could be that the new chip really has solved the problem.

though i remain skeptical.

i only play single player games too. as far as performance in shooters and sims go, i really don't see how one could say the xbox is better. then again, i don't do racing or flying sims, apart from motostorm on ps3(which looks and plays amazingly). for what i do, the ps3 is rock solid. the online service is slower, though the web browser is occasionally handy (particularly for using hulu to watch daily show episodes, since i canceled cable). the xbox, even apart from the death rings, is simply less stable. doesn't come in to play all *that* often, but annoying as hell when it does.

as for performance, i think it's about even for the most part. ps3 performance for the exclusives seems pretty damned good. for non-exclusives, i can't really say, because i don't buy anything for both systems.

[jayfish]

8. I'm sorry your unit went bad again...

but the problem really has been mitigated with the newer units. Your unit was repaired; it was not new. The silver subscription to XBox Live is free and since bvar isn't interested in online play the point is moot anyway. You find yourself devoting more of your time to the PS3??? For what games? There are precious few exclusives on the PS3 and most of the multi-platform games either play better, are released first or have additional content on the 360.