Ask PS3 Fanboy: Volume 3
by Colin Torretta 
{ Aug 18th 2007 at 10:00PM }
Welcome to Ask PS3 Fanboy: Volume 3: The really late edition. We've had a bit of a dearth of questions recently, so if you have a question about anything PlayStation 3 related, let me know! We can't help with everything, so if we don't answer your question don't worry -- it's not cuz we don't like you, it's just that we didn't think we could adequately answer it.
Question:
Hi i was wondering if you can tell me when the silver Playstation 3 is gonna be available in the uk, the reason i ask is because im going to buy one soon and realy want a silver one and dont want to buy a black just incase the silver release is just round th corner, cheers.
-Patrick
Answer:
Hi Patrick,
As of right now, the Sony has only announced the black PS3. The silver PS3s still reside in the realm of prototype hardware from a couple years ago. Sony has come out with a silver PSP and a silver PS2 though, so it's reasonable to assume that we will get a silver PS3 sometime -- just don't hold your breath.
Question:
Hi, just a quick question about something I'm not too knowledgeable about. Is it possible to hook up a PS3 to a computer monitor without much extra trouble or equipment? I am curious because I'm without a proper TV at the moment, and a monitor is fairly affordable. A new HD TV is way out of my price range, but I wouldn't want a PS3 without the 1080p gloriousness.
-Darren
Answer:
Hi Darren,
Updated: Thanks for pointing it out guys -- I was mistaken. You can't hook up the PS3 to a VGA input unless you buy a $300+ signal converter, but you CAN hook it up via an HDMI to DVI converter/cable. So all you need is that cable and a monitor with a DVI input (any monitor made in the last couple years pretty much). For 1080p you will have to make sure to find a monitor that supports 1920*1080 though, and most LCD monitors don't support that resolution. So make sure to check the specs first!
I was just wondering if the placement of my PS3 would affect the Sixaxis and the new Guncon 3 controller's signal. My PS3 is placed directly to the right of me, and my TV, obviously, is in front. So will the Sixaxis motion sensor, and the Guncon 3 controller act a little differently because the PS3 is directly to the right of me? I was thinking that since more people would have their PS3 set up in front of them, having the controllers face directly to them, that left would be left, and right would be right. But since mine is to the right of me, facing my controll to the TV would that affect the motion sensing in any way?
-Ally
Answer:
Hi Ally,
You have nothing to worry about! The motion sensitivity of both controllers is measured internally within the controller itself. And the Guncon knows where it's pointing by a couple little sensors that you put on the top corners of your TV (kind of like the Wii). So you can put your PS3 anywhere you want (though keep in mind ventilation issues).
That's all for this week! If you got more questions, e-mail it in for next week's Ask PS3 Fanboy.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Jason B. @ Aug 18th 2007 10:14PM
About question #2, I am currently traveling so bringing my HDTv with me is out of the question. My Dell 2007WFP only has DVI inputs (along with composite) so what you must do is just buy a $35 (you can probably find it for cheaper) HDMI to DVI adapter at Circuit City or a HDMI to DVI cable for $100 (you can probably find this for less as well.). It isn't much trouble at all to connect. You just have to make sure that your monitor allows for HDCP.
Andir3.0 @ Aug 18th 2007 10:28PM
I have an HDMI->DVI cable on my 52" Hitachi which only has DVI for digital input. I can run things in 1080i and 720p with no problems.
Tree @ Aug 18th 2007 10:32PM
Unfortunately there's no real way to hook up a PS3 to a computer monitor via the standard methods (VGA/DVI).
My PS3 is hooked up to my monitor from an HDMI to DVI cable =\
You guys are tards :(
Tree @ Aug 18th 2007 10:32PM
HDMI to DVI cable:
http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=102&cp_id=10231&cs_id=1023104&p_id=2661&seq=1&format=2
secret @ Aug 18th 2007 10:33PM
The silver one looks sweet.
Tree @ Aug 18th 2007 10:42PM
*High Fives* Collin.
Travis @ Aug 18th 2007 10:45PM
From what I've read, you can only use the PS3 on a computer monitor if the monitor is supports HDCP (nasty copy protection crap). So if you're monitor supports HDCP you should be able to buy a hdmi-to-dvi cable at monoprice.com and have it work. If it doesn't, you'll probably just get a big black screen or an error message on your monitor.
I could be wrong, but a friend of mine was curious about this and I looked into it for him. That's what I read on various forums at the time.
Galley @ Aug 18th 2007 11:12PM
Monitors such as those made by Gateway and Dell have both DVI and HD-Component inputs. Naturally, they support HDCP as well. The Gateway 24-incher has a 1:1 pixel mode where a 16:9 image does not get stretched to fill the 16:10 screen. Some newer monitors also have HDMI inputs.
Aaron Zanotto @ Aug 18th 2007 11:08PM
Can we see the video of Andrew with the Frogger person and Jem singing drunk? :p
Jay @ Aug 18th 2007 11:56PM
yeah you shuda answer about the silver ps3 to go to ps3center.net and go to the part where they say you can order your own custom painted ps3 any color you want, looking all shiney and everything
Whubbsie @ Aug 19th 2007 12:15AM
So can I use my PS3 on my 30" Apple Display?? yes/no?... efforts so far haven't worked.
kodai @ Aug 19th 2007 12:58AM
If you get a hdmi > Dvi connector, what do you do about sound?
Tree @ Aug 19th 2007 1:28AM
Whubb, you can.
Go to the link I suggested before.
For sound you use your component/composite cable and under audio in the system options you simply select it to output audio via those rather than the HDMI port.
Anthony Pittarelli @ Aug 19th 2007 5:06AM
the silver doesnt look nearly as good as the black, even though the black is harder to keep looking clean
Sparkblaze @ Aug 19th 2007 11:57AM
I own two of the same monitor now - a Samsung SM205BW, they were pretty affordable and, while the max resolution off a PC is 1680 x 1050 - they are actually capable of running at 1080p!?
The only niggle with them is they're 20" a piece (I'm poor) and you have to put up with the occasional error saying "Non Supported Resolution" or something - but I've been using it for a fair few months now and it's happy still.
I must say though - I adore my Black Gloss PS3... but then, I've never really liked the look of any of the silver versions.
ymmv @ Aug 19th 2007 6:16AM
If you get a hdmi > Dvi connector, you need the optical cable for (digital) sound.
Whubbsie @ Aug 19th 2007 7:29AM
Thanks for the info TREE but I've already tried something similar with a hdmi to dvi convert plug... got an unsupported format error on the disply though...then again at 5 bucks I think I could just take the risk on it just being the cable that makes the difference.
Tree @ Aug 19th 2007 11:52AM
Ymmv, you do not need an optical cable.
Whubb, your monitor may not have HDCP support, which allows it to display copyrighted high-definition content:P
Usually 22" monitors and up have it...17" and 19" rarely do.
Niels R. @ Aug 19th 2007 2:29PM
You can only hook up an LCD monitor that supports HDCP. I tried connecting a BenQ 19" using a HDMI to DVI cable, but that didn't work because the monitor doesn't support HDCP.
brett @ Aug 19th 2007 5:46PM
Anyone who's jonesing for a silver/red/whatever color ps3 can head over to colorware. For $99 you can send in your console, or for $625 they'll send you an off-the-shelf unit colored just the way you want it. They'll also color your controllers, if that sort of thing does it for you.
The process is expensive because they use a UV-cured paint and sealant to make it scratch-resistant. Here's the link for the ps3 page:
http://www.colorwarepc.com/products/select_ps3.aspx
secret @ Aug 20th 2007 1:44AM
The silver PS3 reminds me of a sleek Ferrari. Black is a good thing though. The color absorbs light, and when you have the lights turned off, you don't see the console. I think when you're playing a game or watching a movie, you want your console to blend into the night. I actually cut a small 3mm by 3mm dark window tint and tape it over the PS3's power / standby led, along with any LED from the power button on my TV and the room. This way, you'll still see the led, but it's cool and dim in a brooding way that won't glare your eyes. But silver does make the PS3 look sporty. I remember they has an iPOD white, too. Maybe even a skyblue colored one as well.