PS3" redirects here. For other uses, see
PS3 (disambiguation).
PlayStation 3
 |
(Counter-clockwise from top) Original logo, new logo, original model, controller, newer slim model design. |
| Manufacturer | Sony EMCS, Gradiente, Foxconn, Lanix, ASUSTeK for SCEI[1] |
| Product family | PlayStation |
| Type | Video game console |
| Generation | Seventh generation era |
| Retail availability | November 11, 2006 |
| Units sold | 24.6 million (as of August 5, 2009)[2] (see below) |
| Media | Blu-ray Disc, DVD, CD (all models)
Super Audio CD (1st & 2nd generations only),
Digital distribution |
| Operating system | XrossMediaBar
system software version 3.01[3] |
| CPU | 3.2 GHz Cell Broadband Engine with 1 PPE & 7 SPEs |
| Storage capacity | 2.5" SATA hard drive
(20 GB, 40 GB, 60 GB, 80 GB, 120 GB, 160 GB, or 250 GB included) (upgradeable) |
| Graphics | 550 MHz NVIDIA/SCEI RSX 'Reality Synthesizer' |
| Controller input | Sixaxis, DualShock 3 |
| Connectivity | Flash memory input Audio/video output Other - (2 × in 40 GB and all later models)
* 60 GB and CECHExx 80 GB models** Included in box*** All except 20 GB model |
| Online services | PlayStation Network |
Backward
compatibility | PlayStation (all models)
PlayStation 2 (20 GB, 60 GB, and CECHExx 80 GB models) |
| Predecessor | PlayStation 2 |
The PlayStation 3 (marketed as PLAYSTATION 3[4] until September 2009[5] and officially abbreviated as PS3) is the third home video game console produced by Sony Computer Entertainment, and the successor to the PlayStation 2 as part of the PlayStation series. The PlayStation 3 competes with Microsoft's Xbox 360 and Nintendo's Wii as part of the seventh generation of video game consoles.
A major feature that distinguishes the PlayStation 3 from its predecessors is its unified online gaming service, the PlayStation Network,[6] which contrasts with Sony's former policy of relying on video game developers for online play.[7] Other major features of the console include its robust multimedia capabilities,[8] connectivity with the PlayStation Portable,[9] and its use of a high-definition optical disc format, Blu-ray Disc, as its primary storage medium.[10] The PS3 was also the first Blu-ray 2.0-compliant Blu-ray player on the market.[11]
The PlayStation 3 was first released on November 11,
2006 in Japan,
[12] November 17, 2006 in
North America and
South America,
[13] and March 23, 2007 in
Europe and
Oceania.
[14][15] Two
SKUs were available at launch: a basic model with a 20
GB hard drive (HDD), and a premium model with a 60 GB hard drive and several additional features
[16] (the 20 GB model was not released in Europe or Oceania).
[17] Since then, several revisions have been made to the console's available models, most notably with the release of a new slim model in September 2009.
[18][19
Enhances the performance of LCOS, producing high sharpness, high brightness and high contrast images, while minimizing the weight, bulk and high costs normally associated with LCOS projectors 
