The Playstation 3 is the third game console/media center produced by Sony Computer Entertainment, and successor to the Playstation 2. The console was first released on November 11 2006 in Japan. Its primary storage media is the Blu-Ray Disc, while it also supports DVD, and cd formats. It can output high definition video and audio for both video games and movies via an HDMI 1.3 port (as well as component cable), supporting up to 1080p HD resolution.

The PlayStation 3 competes with Microsoft's Xbox 360 and Nintendo's Wii as part of the seventh generation of video game consoles. In sales and market share, it is currently in third place. It was initially available in versions, the 20 GB cheap model and the 60 GB premium model. The 20 GB model was discontinued in North America due to a lack of consumer demand, but I think it was because Sony didn't ship many of these models to stores. I personally know many people who would have bought one if they could find one. On May 21 2007, Sony announced that it would be releasing the PS3 in South Korea in only one configuration, featuring an 80 GB hard drive and IPTV compatibility. On July 2007, the 80 GB model was released in North America, but the 60 GB models were still available for many months after.

The Differences between the two models were the lack of WI-FI, card readers, and chrome strip on the 20 GB models. In terms of hardware, the 80 GB model released in Korea is identical to the 60 GB model released everywhere else, except for the difference in hard drive size. Like the Korean and European models, the North American 80 GB model also excludes the PS2 Emotion Engine chip, instead providing PS2 compatibility via software emulation, thereby reducing the level of compatible games. Both models feature four USB 2.0 ports, wireless networking and flash memory card support can already be obtained through the use of widely available external USB adapters.

The PlayStation 3 launched in North America on Nov. 2006 with a total of twelve titles, while another three were released before the end of the year. After five days of sales it was confirmed that Insomniac's first person shooter Resistance: Fall of Man was the top-selling game, and was heavily praised by many reputable video game websites. During the Japanese launch, Ridge Racer 7 was the top-selling launch title. Some titles missed the launch window and were delayed until 2007, such as Oblivion, F.E.A.R. and Sonic the Hedgehog. The PlayStation 3 launched in Europe with 24 titles, including some that were not offered in the North American and Japanese launched, such as Formula 1, Motorstorm, and Virtua Fighter 5. Resistance: Fall of Man and Motorstorm have been the most successful games so far.

Initially, at launch, approximately 3% of PlayStation and PlayStation 2 titles had minor compatibility issues, including poor audio, system freezes or controller malfunctions. Popular games reported to have these glitches included Tekken 5 and Grand Turismo 4. Many games had also been reported to have problems with garbled or unreadable text on-screen and generally blurry image quality, but the Jan. 24, 2007 software release, which updated the system to version 1.50, has fully resolved this issue.

Sony has added the ability for the operating system, to be updated. The update process is similar to the firmware updates for the PSP. The updates can be downloaded from the PlayStation Network directly to the PS3 and automatically installed. Updates can also be installed from game discs that require the updates to be able to play the game.

Version 1.82 expanded support to allow for playback of AVC High Profile format video. Version 1.80 provided the ability to upscale DVDs, along with PS1 and PS2 games, to 1080P resolution, as well as the ability to downscale Blu-ray video to 720P. It also enabled users on a home network to use the PS3 to view images, listen to music, or play videos that are stored on their DLNA compatible devices (including PCs and laptops) elsewhere in the house, on the same network as the PS3. Software version 1.80 added support for AVCHD encoded media and set the stage for improvements in the PSP Remote Play function; thanks to the firmware update, PSP owners are now able to access their PS3 from anywhere in the world, as long as a broadband connection is available and firmware 3.50 for the PSP is installed. A new type of slideshow display pattern was added, along with zoom and trim functions for images. In addition, the Memory Card Adaptor can now be used to transfer PS/PS2 game saves from the PS3 hard drive to a PS/PS2 memory card; the update also allowed for the transferral of copy-protected PS/PS2 game saves. CD information can now be edited, and users can submit information. Finally, software version 1.80 included the ability to print photos stored on the PS3's hard drive or inserted storage media with a selection of Epson printers via USB. Users with version before 1.6 will not be able to restore their backed up data on another PlayStation 3 with 1.6 or later. The user will need to update his/her firmware on his/her PlayStation 3 before backing it up in order to restore onto another PlayStation 3.