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My father wants to purchase a Blu-Ray player and for the price range of 400 dollars the Playstation 3 is by far the best option IMO.

Now I am stuck with figuring out which of the four current versions in existence right now would be the best choice for him so I have come to you for help.

Also does anyone know any dates or for sure information on the rumored new version that is coming out?

If it's just for blu-ray, it doesn't matter.

Is firmware upgradable.

Otherwise, wikipedia has a chart.

Yeah I found this http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PlayStation_3#Retail_configurations


Do they have optical audio out on the PS3?

Of course.

I'd call it pretty much a given at this point, rather than rumored, and since the 80GB is already being phased out, I'd expect it sooner rather than later since Sony is saying that they want to stick to a 2 SKU strategy.  The exact release date is unknown, as is the hard drive size (either 120 or 160 GB is most likely), and in what capacity it will have BC (the same software emulation as the 80GB I'd suspect).  It's also rumored that the system will come with two rumble enabled controllers.

Prices on CE Blu-ray players are coming down. I've seen them in the $300 range. I have no idea if they're any good. I personally don't give a shit about this format.

The PS2 had optical audio out.

I read somewhere recently people complaining that the PS3 was a lousy Blu-ray player because it's too noisy - less of a problem with games, but noticeable with movies. I don't have one myself, so am just repeating...

Lol.

Maybe the 40gb, but not the 60gb. That thing might as well be silent. I have it about 18 inches from me when playing games and watching movies and once it starts up it's unnoticeable. In a home entertainment center, you wouldn't even know it was there.

I have an 80g, and I don't think I've ever even heard the disc spinning in it, ever.  I don't keep it right next to me or anything, but I'd call it less noisy than my 360 by far. 

I can echo for the 20 gig, it's quiet.

No sounds here either (60gb). Other than size/weight, there's not much to worry about the ps3 hardware-wise in general. Really solid.

Well, new users will panic like crazy if they handle the thing after it's been on for extended periods.  PS3's casing gets pretty fucking warm.  After awhile I stopped worrying, it really is a solid piece of machinery.

That's odd, I have mine in a reasonably ventilated area, but it never gets beyond mildly warm.

It has variable-speed fans so maybe that's causing the comments.  I don't hear the fans kick up to high unless I'm doing something like playing a PS2 game or running Folding@Home, but this depends on room temperature.  I have a hard time believing that the PS3 has to work hard to play a movie, though.