View Full Version : PS3 BC... which to get... please? [Backwards Compatible]
scaleworm
08-20-2008, 04:41 PM
I am in the market (finally) for a PS3.
Which version is Backwards Compatible for PS1 and PS2 and has a SACD player as well please?
I know that the initial 80 gig unit did.
Do all PS2 games work (or not).
Thank you.
GnawRadar
08-20-2008, 04:43 PM
I believe the original 20 and 60gb models are fully backwards compatible with all PS1 and PS2 games and they are the only versions that are fully backwards compatible.
scaleworm
08-20-2008, 04:53 PM
I thought that only the 80 gig was BC...
Is there a certail model number on the early launches then that one can use to ID whether it is fully BC or not (when I am in pawn shop shopper mode)?
Thanks!
p.s. Thom is a genius!
diskoboy
08-20-2008, 05:07 PM
Find a 60GB model, if you can.
Full PS1 & PS2 BC, Wi-fi, Memory card slots, and you can always upgrade the HD whenever you feel like it.
scaleworm
08-20-2008, 05:11 PM
Why the 60?
I have read that one can easily change a hard drive out for a larger one...
Thanks!
Sergeant Sega
08-20-2008, 05:12 PM
Why the 60?
I have read that one can easily change a hard drive out for a larger one...
Thanks!
Yeah, that's no problem to put in a bigger drive, the thing is that the 60GB is the best with 4 usb ports etc.
CosmicMonkey
08-20-2008, 05:17 PM
It's nothing to do with the actual size of the HDD itself, it's just an easy way of referring to the different SKUs. Original 20GB and 60GB NTSC systems had the Emotion Engine and Graphics Synth from a PS2 in them. That is, 99% hardware compatibility with ps2 games and also SACD support.
All new versions of the PS3 are exactly the same, whether it's the 40, 80 or 160GB units. No PS2 comaptability or SACD support.
Princess-Isabela
08-20-2008, 05:19 PM
20gb or 60gb is the only way to go in my opinion, though 20gb are even tougher to find because they got canned shortly after release, 60gb was going for about year longer.
80bc will become tough to find too seeing how sony rolls with cutting ps2 chips off of it.
Frankie_Says_Relax
08-20-2008, 05:23 PM
For the record, and before anybody mis-represents the feature (it hasn't happened yet in this thread, but it almost always happens in these discussions)
All PS3's have PS1 backwards compatibility. (And far superior compatability than the PS2 ever had at that.)
scaleworm
08-20-2008, 05:46 PM
20gb or 60gb is the only way to go in my opinion, though 20gb are even tougher to find because they got canned shortly after release, 60gb was going for about year longer.
80bc will become tough to find too seeing how sony rolls with cutting ps2 chips off of it.
So, the 20 and 60 gigs are not made any more. And they are the ones to look for then (pawn/craigs).
60 is best because of USB input (4).
So all 60s out "there" are sacd and full (99%) PS@ and PS1 BC then.
This is my assumption then from you all's (Thank you all) feed back then.
skaar
08-20-2008, 05:50 PM
What's SACD?
Wait, my lazy ass will ask google.
scaleworm
08-20-2008, 06:01 PM
What's SACD?
Wait, my lazy ass will ask google.
Super Audio CD... a sony invention for high bit rate music replay (surround audio)... sounds pretty good too if you have the discs to play. I am a bit of an audio freak so a combo games music blue ray player is a nice toy to have.
MrSparkle
08-20-2008, 06:16 PM
wow really they bothered to put sacd support into the 20 and 60 gigt models? what the hell is the point what are there like 15 sacd's in existance might as well have thrown in betamax, 8-trac, and minidisc while they were at it. the only sacd i can think of off the top of my head is the lion king sound track. I'm pissed they pulled the emotion engine but damned happy they cut out the sacd support as thats just a waste of money.
scaleworm
08-20-2008, 06:29 PM
wow really they bothered to put sacd support into the 20 and 60 gigt models? what the hell is the point what are there like 15 sacd's in existance might as well have thrown in betamax, 8-trac, and minidisc while they were at it. the only sacd i can think of off the top of my head is the lion king sound track. I'm pissed they pulled the emotion engine but damned happy they cut out the sacd support as thats just a waste of money.
Spoken as someone who has Not listened to a SACD on a great mulit or even better two channel system....
If one has a high end audio system... SACD (plenty made and still being made... Dead Can Dance box set hybrid 2 channel sacd by MFSL just cm eout this past month) then one Knows that Sacd is very nice...
http://www.sa-cd.net/
Peace!
evil_genius
08-20-2008, 06:58 PM
Wait a minute. The 80's don't have PS2 BC?
Edit: I just checked Marvel vs Capcom 2 and it played on my 80 gig fine. Also my 80 has 4 USB ports. I got mine in the MGS4 bundle. Good deal if you ask me.
CosmicMonkey
08-20-2008, 07:22 PM
Original 80GB systems have limited software-based BC. Like I said, newer 80/160GB systems are the same as the initial 40GB system: no BC or SACD, 2 USBs and no mem card ports.
Wikipedia has the answers (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PlayStation_3#Retail_configurations).
scaleworm
08-20-2008, 07:41 PM
Original 80GB systems have limited software-based BC. Like I said, newer 80/160GB systems are the same as the initial 40GB system: no BC or SACD, 2 USBs and no mem card ports.
Wikipedia has the answers (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PlayStation_3#Retail_configurations).
So, "out of production" 20 and 60 gigs are the ones to look for... with 60 being the best of the two.
I am a lookin now.... cool as the 60s in Pawn shops tend to be cheaper (even 20s are cheap)
Thank you Cosmic Monkey!
May a banana truck crash in your front yard soon spilling its goods all over the street!
*sigh* the deal with the BC is that this:
I dunno about any SACD but the 20 and 60 gig models use hardware emulation; They have a copy of the ps2 processor or whtever it was (emotion engine or something?) and is compatible with pretty much everything.
The 80 gig is software emulation and is more prone to problems/outright failure with the backwards compatibility.
The 40gig is not BC with ps2 games.
So, "out of production" 20 and 60 gigs are the ones to look for... with 60 being the best of the two.
I am a lookin now.... cool as the 60s in Pawn shops tend to be cheaper (even 20s are cheap)
Thank you Cosmic Monkey!
May a banana truck crash in your front yard soon spilling its goods all over the street!
the 20s are hard to find, and the 60s are better anyway (the slots, also integrated wifi card). They're quite expensive off of ebay thoug, craigs is your best bet. I got mine for 250, which was broken and got refunded 50 and had it fixed for 35+20ship+20return. So payed like 270 for a 60gig ps3 :P
scaleworm
08-20-2008, 09:36 PM
Thanks!
I'll dig around for a 60 then...
Thanks all!
Peace!
Cornelius
08-20-2008, 11:08 PM
For me it was really the built-in wi-fi that makes the 60 better than the 20. I still haven't used the memory card slots. I do like the 'all black' look of the 20GB (the 60 has a chrome strip).
The Seventh Taylor
08-21-2008, 02:41 AM
Which version is Backwards Compatible for PS1 and PS2 and has a SACD player as well please?
Check the PS3 SACD FAQ (http://www.ps3sacd.com/faq.html#_Toc180147566).
What's SACD?
Wait, my lazy ass will ask google.
Check the general SACD FAQ (http://www.ps3sacd.com/sacdfaq.html) (in case Google didn't give this).
EricRyan34
08-22-2008, 10:38 AM
I bought the MGS4 bundle, and so far I have no no issues at all with the PS2/PS1 BC, they all work great
skaar
08-22-2008, 11:11 AM
I had some timing problems on the PS3 BC - Space Channel 5 and Umjammer Lammy both seemed to be off on timing... was driving me nuts.
Anyone tried DDR?
Oobgarm
08-22-2008, 11:17 AM
Original 80GB MotorStorm and MGS4 bundles are 75% backwards compat.
The 'new' 80GB is the neutered 40GB with a larger HDD. Most, if not all future system will likely be the same way.
norkusa
08-22-2008, 11:49 AM
I had some timing problems on the PS3 BC - Space Channel 5 and Umjammer Lammy both seemed to be off on timing... was driving me nuts.
Anyone tried DDR?
Yeah, this is the big question for me since I play DDR regularly. But at least in DDR you can adjust the timing if there is any lag. I'm more concerned with games like Parappa and any other games that have strict timing (like pinball) and don't allow you to make adjustments.
Will a 60GB & 80GB PS3 produce the same amount of lag? Also, I remember someone saying in the forums here recently that the PS3 hooked up with HDMI will create a a few extra frames of lag. Is that true?
Cobra Commander
08-22-2008, 12:13 PM
As I'm reading this I can't help but chuckle. I mean, does this issue bother anyone?
I walked into a Gamestop, and an employee was explaining this to a customer. Just listening to it pissed me off. Why does this have to be so damned complicated?
heybtbm
08-22-2008, 01:38 PM
I walked into a Gamestop, and an employee was explaining this to a customer. Just listening to it pissed me off. Why does this have to be so damned complicated?
It's not complicated to most people. If any of us worked at Gamestop (shudder) I think anyone could explain the BC issue in two or three sentences.
[points to 40 gig PS3] - "This one won't play PS2 games"
[points to 80 gig PS3] - "This one will play a few PS2 games"
[points to 20 and 60 gig used systems] - "These will play all PS2 games".
The end.
scaleworm
08-22-2008, 01:56 PM
It's not complicated to most people. If any of us worked at Gamestop (shudder) I think anyone could explain the BC issue in two or three sentences.
[points to 40 gig PS3] - "This one won't play PS2 games"
[points to 80 gig PS3] - "This one will play a few PS2 games"
[points to 20 and 60 gig used systems] - "These will play all PS2 games".
The end.
Nicely summed up!