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General discussion

Here are the true costs of next generation consoles.

Nov 2, 2006 5:52AM PST

Everyone knows the Playstation 3 is the most advanced of the next generation consoles. However, very few people realize how much it costs. If I wanted to buy this console I need a new television, speakers and equipment to support it. I am not going to include the equipment in this estimate so it will be a bit low. First I would buy the Sony KDS-R60XBR1 TV. This is about $2,900. It took me a while to find 7.1 surround sound speakers, but
Cambridge SoundWorks Newton HD 7.1 Home Theater System costs $4499.92. Finally I need an A/V receiver to make sure everything works properly, the Denon AVR-4306 costs $1999.00. TOTAL $9398.92. That sounds expensive, but without the best audio and visual equipment, the Blueray DVDs would just look like regular DVDs. I could buy a $20 DVD player to do that. Now I understand why fans of the Playstation 3 argue the price is not significant. Lets add it in $9398.92+$599.99 equals $9998.91. No thanks, I am going to stick with my Nintendo Wii that looks and sounds like crap regardless of the TV. Total costs $22 TV plus $250 Wii =$272. I think $9998.91 is greater than $272. Remember, this does not include games and equipment. The same idea can be applied to the XBOX 360, but it is much cheaper. You can throw out the 7.1 surround sound speakers, the over priced A/V receiver and replace the 1080p TV with a more affordable 720p TV. It will break $1,000, but it will not come close to $10,000. In conclusion, you might be able to afford the $600 console, but can you buy the $9,000 in equipment to run the console properly?

Discussion is locked

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true
Nov 2, 2006 6:38AM PST

it is funny that such a small % of people actually have the capability to utilize the PS3 (not to mention its games willnot take full advantage of this for a while either).

it really is a system too early for its own good

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Not really realistic
Nov 2, 2006 7:03AM PST

You can easily get a great 1080p LCD tv from local electronic stores for under $1500 that have plenty of hookups (HDMI, DVI, VGA) that all support 1080p input. I know I have one. I wouldn't be surprised if that would be down to $1000 by the time the PS3 comes out! As far as sound goes 7.1 isn't much more than the 5.1 systems. You can get a good 5.1 system for under $300. If you want better then there are several decently rated 7.1 receivers for under $800 with the speakers. So looking at this way if you buy for the holidays spend $2300 for a really good setup that can handle what the PS3 can dishout. Or you can wait until the spring (probably when most of will actually be able to get PS3) and get the same thing for $1500!

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You are right, PS3 equipment probably will not cost $10,000.
Nov 2, 2006 8:23AM PST

However, good 1080p televisions cost more than $1500. They might drop to that price with a good sale or in a year or two. Westinghouse 37" 1080p LCD HD Monitor is the only television I found at www.bestbuy.com for $1499.99. It did receive an excellent review from users. Westinghouse televisions are cheap because they do not have brand name recognition yet. It might be a great television, but I prefer to buy products from companies with years of good customer service. I am willing to pay more money for RCA TVs because of its history. (This sounds dated because my RCA TV still works.) Then again, some companies do not have name brand status, but they make good products. These products are cheaper and almost as good. I might be wrong, but if I spend over $1000 on a TV, I want it made by a company with years of good customer service. Other than the TV, speakers are only good for certain games and movies. I know $4500 is too much for speakers. However, even $300 is 5 PS3 games. In the end you can probably get by with about $1500-$2000. However, it will be closer to $3000-$4000 to buy everything needed for the PS3 to run at its best.

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Here is an example of a "no name" manufactureer.
Nov 2, 2006 8:31AM PST

I found a 1080i television for $390.00. It is an Insignia? 27" Flat-Tube HDTV. Something tells me this is not a quality product.

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VIZIO
Nov 3, 2006 4:05AM PST

i got a vizio 42" plasma that runs 1080p for 1399.99 on sale at costco. vizio isnt the most well known name but they ake really good products so...

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The cheaper televisions are OK.
Nov 3, 2006 11:24AM PST

However, the cheaper LCD and plasma televisions ofter have inaccurate color. This includes the Vizio televisions. I tolerate my cheap television's inaccurate color, but I will not tolerate a $1500 television with it. The reviews that criticize color go away with the more expensive ones. I know there is a reason for that difference. I am going to wait until the technology improves and the 26-27 inch televisions produce 720p resolution and clear pictures for about $500.

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This is an example of a good television.
Nov 3, 2006 11:35AM PST

However, it is the most expensive 20-inch television out there. The Sony MFM-HT205 received the highest rating of all televisions. The editors gave it an 8.8 and users gave it a 9.2. It is only 20-inches, costs $850 and users still recommend it. Something tells me its picture quality is near perfect. If I could get that in a 27-inch display, I might spend $700 for this one.

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true, but is it?
Nov 3, 2006 8:48PM PST

Now I don't know much about the PS3 but do you really need a HDTV to run it? I know you need one to run it at its full capabillities, but I'm sure that they would make it possible to run on a standard TV.
The way you say that give the impression that you are REQUIRED to spend $10000 when really all you need to spend is $600.
I'm going to point out now that the $10000 still wouldn't be the cost of the console as you put it, but infact the cost of the console+TV+sound system dosn't seem that much now when you consider that the PS3 will still look better than an xbox 360 when on a standard TV

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Not really.
Nov 4, 2006 5:37AM PST

On a standard 480i TV, all systems will look similar. The XBOX 360 and PS3 will look identical. The difference in picture quality between the PS3 and Wii will not be significant. However, once plugged into a 720p TV, the Wii will look like crap compared to the XBOX 360 and PS3. The XBOX 360 and PS3 will still look similar on this TV. Once the consoles are plugged into a 1080p TV, the differences are clear. If someone owns a standard TV, you can use a PS3. However, buy the PS3 because you like the games and not for the graphics. The games will still work fine, but the picture quality will suffer.

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PS3 is one of the most future proof devices
Nov 5, 2006 3:17PM PST

Say you spend $599 on the 60gb PS3. Now, a lot of people who are prepared to spend that money will already have a HD ready TV - that will handle at least 720p - which is more than double the pixels of a non-HD TV.

Most people already have a digital 5.1 surround sound system. I for one, am in no hurry to uprade the sound element of the experience.

So for most people, the cost is only going to be the price of the console plus the HDMI or component cables and the remote control. You are looking at something like $700.

In the future, the cost of 1080p displays and new 7.1 receivers will plummet in price.

You know the PS3 is going to be around for some time given how next gen it is. It opens up your options for using the new display and sound technology.

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What IF...
Nov 7, 2006 7:23AM PST

What if you have already invested in all the best HD equipment that money can buy? is it worth the buy then?! I'm sure the wii wouldn't look good on my HDTV.

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PS3
Oct 31, 2009 1:19AM PDT

My friend has a PS3 that will be a year old this christmas. He is a gamer and spends a lot of his time on it. He hasn't had any problems with it that I have heard of and he uses it with a Sony 22 inch standard tv with a VHS system in it. The tv is probabally 5-6 years old at least and he didn't have to change anything. The Sony worked find. Now I'm thinking of getting a Insignia - 32" Class / 720p / 60Hz / LCD HDTV from Best Buy. I plan to also get a wall mount with it along with having an Xbox 360 Elite hooked up to it. The Xbox game with a HDMI cable so I wouldn't have to buy that. I was wondering if anyone has any feed back on Insignia tv's. Are they reliable and will they work with the plan that I have?

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Three things
Oct 31, 2009 2:26AM PDT

Three things:

1: Hijacking a thread is rude

2: Why did you revive such an old thread?

3: I cannot understand why you would buy a 32"+ TV that's only 720p no matter who made it