I'll second that comment on good looking upscaled DVDs from the PS3.
Quite remarkable.

i posted earlier but it's not being approved all i can add now is
-If you get ps3 you're choosing sides in the format war (noo!!)
-i'm not sure if the newer, price dropped 40gb PS3 is backwards compatible at all with ps1-2 games.
- I think the xbox hardware failures are due to overheating and/or adding those fans that plug into the powersupply (which is ironic). i think if kept cool the unit is fine.

but if you're looking for game system+media player then it sounds like the ps3 is for you. also if you get what your kids want you might not get to use it at all

Yes, believe it or not, HD-DVD is a superior format to BluRay despite what you may interpret from current title selection. Do some research on this before you consider committing to an integrated HiDef video format that may not survive the format war - who still owns a Beta player? It would be faster and easier if you Google it yourself rather than me writing out the specs here.

Myth: PS3 graphics are better than XBox 360.....Not true. The 360 graphics components are in fact mildly superior, but in reality, to the naked eye the comparison is pretty much moot. It often comes down to the game developers effective use of the graphic engines in each. The problem with the PS3 is that Sony built a hybrid console to feature both gaming and new format video (BluRay - which is a proprietary format owned by Sony). Yes BluRay has a storage capacity of up to 50Gb, but the two main misconceptions people have is 1. Neither a BluRay or HD-DVD drive has any impact on the graphics...this is produced by the graphics processor in the console's hardware. 2. There is not a game in existence that exceeds the DVD-9 storage limit anyway. I'd rather have an inexpensive HD format OPTION rather than an integrated proprietary format that has yet to be decided. If BluRay does happen to win this format war, then the 360 can just release a BluRay add-on. It's nice to have a choice.

The dreaded "Red Ring Of Death" as they call it. The fact is that 90% of the issues are the result of poor placement. All next gen consoles are powerful computers when you break them down....computers naturally generate heat. When you cram your 360 into your entertainment unit and bury the power supply, you're essentially overheating the hardware....this is typically what happens. It is indeed true that Microsoft made some hardware design oversights, but have since made drastic corrections to the mainboard and chipset to rectify this - and also increased the warranty to 3 years (retroactively for owners as well). Customer service is generally a breeze, and whenever there has been a hassel, I generally hear that it is because someone lost their receipt, or didn't register their console....more or less user error yet again.

I own both consoles and prefer the 360. The PS3 is neat, and does excel in certain aspects, but to me the PS3 only wins in specific cosmetic areas, whereas the 360 wins in functionality. Free or not, Sony cannot hold a candle to what XBLive has to offer. I willingly pay my annual fee just to have the full XBL Gold Package that gives me my money's worth and more.

The game selection on the 360 is currently better than the PS3, but this will undoubtedly change....specifically because Sony pushes quantity over quality as a standard, and Microsoft has always maintained a higher game quality standard in general. Plus you can't beat Live Arcade, especially if you have kids.

Backwards compatibility? This is correct - the new price dropped PS3 does not include any BC capabilities....this is one way they were able to decrease the pricetag. All 360 consoles include BC capabilities with a BC list growing constantly.

Just a few pieces of insight that may help you make an educated decision. Neither are bad consoles, you just need to get all the facts so you can decide which one is best for your own situation.

Sorry, but from what I've read neither really offers anything significant over the other, aside from storage space (both current and theoretical limit.) Other than that, the quality of image between the two is so minute that it is not enough to sway anybody on that alone. Specs won't decide which format will win--they're so similar that it doesn't matter when all is said and done. It'll be a combination of price and content that will sway the consumer.

In the meantime, companies like LG who release hybrid players will be laughing all the way to the bank, methinks.

By the way, we happen to have an old Beta player and yes, it still works.

Not to start a format war, but according to who? Just because you say so, doesn't make it true.

There is no noticeable quality difference between the two. One has a a better compression algorithm (HDDVD) while the other has a higher bitrate (Bluray). In the end, there's really no difference (and I would argue that a higher bitrate extends the possibilities that the quality may get better down the line as the compression software matures). Plus, Bluray has a larger capacity, so it's better suited for data backups and other high-capacity uses.

As for the consoles... one "taboo" subject that hasn't been mentioned is modding. Not that I'm advocating piracy, but being able to mod a console means access to some awesome JAP games, and homebrew applications. The 360 can be easily and cheaply modded, and the PS3 cannot (as of yet).

Personally, I own a Wii because I'm not into all the "razzle dazzle look at what I can do" graphics of the new consoles. 90% of the games these days feel like technical demos. I like my games to be FUN.

A7

Do they have Bioshock and Crackdown on the PS3... these two games are just so enthralling that I can't understand why I didn't buy an Xbox 360 before. But I haven't used any other console than an Xbox 360 - I used to be a Mac gamer only.

As far as I know, Bioshock will be coming to the PS3 early next year. Crackdown... well, it's up to Microsoft, but I would say no.

If you REALLY can't decide get one on Airmiles and buy the other one (cheaper of the two). You can always sell one. It almost sounds to me like you have enough kids (including yourself) to keep both busy anyways , and money isn't an issue.

Don't buy the console from Air Miles!

It's more expensive to buy it direct from them than to buy HBC gift cards using Air Miles and buy the console locally using those, at Zellers for example.

You'll have access to all versions of the consoles (even the Wii) as a bonus!

Now there's an answer that makes sense.