Nyko Charge Base PS3
Manufacturer: Nyko
Site: Buy from Amazon
Price: $16.98


Overview : Rapidly charge and stores 4 SIXAXIS™ controllers for the Playstation®3 with the Charge Base PS3. The Charge Base plugs into any standard wall outlet and is compact enough to fit in any home entertainment setup. Once plugged in, the Charge Base is able to store and charge up to 4 SIXAXIS™ controllers for the PlayStation 3. Utilizing Nyko’s patent pending technology, all 4 controllers will be charged simultaneously through the Mini USB ports, leaving all 4 of the console’s USB ports free while eliminating the need for cumbersome wires. The Charge Base is the ultimate charging and organizational accessory for the SIXAXIS™ controller.

Features :

• 4 Controller Ports: With 4 built-in USB ports the Charge Base can simultaneously charge 4 SIXAXIS controllers
• AC Powered: The Charge Base plugs directly into the wall, leaving the USB ports on the PS3 free and the console tangle free.
• Compact: Sleek compact design fits in any home theater set up
• Convenient Storage: Easily and conveniently stores and charges 4 SIXAXIS controllers with no additional wires
• Rapidly charges 4 SIXAXIS controllers simultaneously
• Store and charge all your controllers in one place
• Conveniently place in any home entertainment center
• Powered by a standard wall plug, no USB port required
• Compact design
• Keep your controllers fully charged and ready for use

Quality/Usability : To charge your SIXAXIS controllers, you have to plug them into a USB port whether it be on your computer or PlayStation3. But in order to charge, there needs to be power and you have to have your computer or PS3 turned on.

With the Charge Base, it doesnt need to plug into a USB port. It actually plugs in to the wall outlet. So you can charge your controllers anytime you want. To charge up to four SIXAXIS controllers simultaneously, simply insert your controllers on to the mini USB ports on the Charge Station and it will automatically charge your controllers. On the top of the Charge Station are four LEDs. These LEDs will let you know when the controllers are being charged. Red means it is currently charging and green for when it is ready.

Charging takes approximately 2 hours to fully charge your SIXAXIS.

Conclusion : Overall, the Nyko Charge Base PS3 is a convenient charger. It doesnt require any USB ports or cables and can charge up to four controllers at a time. Charge time is about 2 hours to fully charge. But if you dont have four controllers, you have two empty, useless spots.

Nyko has released a new Charge Base for those who only only two SIXAXIS controllers. They have released a Charge Base 2. Instead of four controller ports, it has two.

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PS3 Memory Card Adapter (Official)
Manufacturer: Sony
Site: Buy from Goldenshop
Price: $20.00-$26.00


Overview : With the PLAYSTATION®3 memory card adaptor, game save information from PlayStation® and PlayStation®2 Memory Cards can now be transferred onto the PLAYSTATION®3 hard-disk drive. This allows players to access all of their old games without starting over, keep earned scores and items, and continue where they left off on their PlayStation® and PlayStation®2 games.

Features

• Official Memory Card Adapter
• Enables PlayStation™ and PlayStation2™ memory card data transfer to PlayStation3™ HDD
• USB Connection

Quality/Usability : When the PlayStation 3 launched, it had backwards compatibility thanks to the 20GB and 60GB. Of course, everyone wanted to try out the backwards compatibility whether it be PS1 or PS2 games. But how can we continue from where we left off without having to start all over? Sony has released an adapter that lets you insert your original PlayStation and PlayStation 2 memory cards into the PlayStation 3 using a little USB Memory Card Adapter.

With this adapter, you no longer have to start from scratch. The adapter consists of a small black box that measures approximately 2.25" x 2" x 0.75". On one end, is one slot where the memory card goes into and on the other end is where you connect the USB cord. Unfortunately, no USB cord is included so you'll have to use the USB cord that came with your PlayStation 3.

Once the adapter and memory card is connected to the PlayStation 3, the memory card shows up under Game section of the XMB and you'll find a Memory Card Utility. When you press "X", a message will pop up telling you that the selected memory card will copy to the hard drive and do you want to continue?. Choosing "YES" will prompt you to give the internal memory card a name. It will then copy over your game saves. Copying of game saves takes a couple of seconds to a couple of minutes depending how many saves you have on your PS1 and PS2 memory card.

As of version 1.80 firmware, you can copy saved data from PlayStation or PlayStation 2 format software stored on their PS3 system to a Memory Card (15 blocks) or Memory Card (8MB) (for PlayStation 2), using your PS3 system and a Memory Card Adapter.

The adapter will not work with cards that have more than 8MB (PS2) or 15 blocks (PS1) of storage space. So if you have a 3rd party manufacturer memory card such as HORI or MadCatz, that has more storage space than Sony's, you wont be able to copy them over.

Conclusion : Overall, the PS3 Memory Card Adapter is great for those who own a backwards compatible PlayStation 3 such as the 20GB, 60GB and 80GB and want to transfer their game saves from the PS1 or PS2 memory card to the PS3. No USB cable is included, so you'll have to use the USB cable that came with the PlayStation 3. You're unable to use any memory cards that are bigger than 8MB or 15 blocks. So you'll have to go and purchase a PS2 memory card or borrow someones card in order for you to transfer from your 3rd party card to the Official Sony card to the PS3 via the adapter. As of version 1.80 firmware on the PS3, you're able to copy saves from PS3 to memory card. But I see this adapter not being used often.

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PS3IR-X1 IR Receiver Remote Adapter
Manufacturer: Schmartz
Site: Buy from Schmartz
Price: $35.00


Overview : This is the original snazzy looking version that plugs into a PS3 USB port. The look is sleek. It follows the contours of the front of the PS3 and has the same shiny black surface. When installed, it looks just like it is part of the PS3!

This device accepts PS2 compatible IR commands and converts them to PS3 game controller key presses via USB.

Plug it in and... It just works!

For best results, program your universal remote control for Sony PS2 mode.

Do not mistake this device with other competing products. This one actually works. This device is specially tuned for trouble free operation. It will work flawlessly right away, even when navigating using the arrow keys.

Note: This model will not Power ON the PS3 since the PS3 firmware doesn't enable this function for USB devices. It supports the same functionality as a game controller with the exception of the PS key.

Features

• Supports basic set of 31 commands
• Compatible with all universal remotes
• Uses PS2 infra-red codes
• Attractive form-factor

Quality/Usability : Having purchased a Logitech Harmony Advanced Remote to eliminate the amount of remotes laying around, the PlayStation 3 failed to help the cause. The PS3 does not use infrared (IR) but instead, uses bluetooth. If you are using a IR universal remote, there are different methods of using it.

Sony released their own DVD remote for the PlayStation 2 (model SCHP-10150). When the PS2 first launched, the DVD remote included a IR receiver. As newer PS2's were released, the IR was built in and the dongle was no longer being packaged in. For those that is able to find one or still have the original PS2 DVD remote, you can use IR receiver and a PS2 to PS3 controller adapter, since the PS3 doesnt have PS2 controller port.

Another option is to buy a 3rd party DVD remote that uses IR such as Nyko's Blu-Wave Infrared Remote but you spent all that money for a IR receiver and a remote you wont be using?

Schmartz is here to solve your problems. The PS3IRX1 is a IR receiver that connects to the USB port of your PS3 and allows you to use your universal remote. As mentioned above, I tested this nifty device with my Logitech Harmony Advanced Remote. To set up the PS3IRX1, simply plug it into any of the USB ports on the front of the PlayStation 3.

Now, to setup the Logitech Harmony Remote, I simply connected the remote to my computer. Set up an "Activity" and "Device" and chose "Sony PlayStation 2". The reason I didnt choose Sony PlayStation 3 is since the universal remote does not use Bluetooth, choosing the PS3 wouldnt work and even Logitech says that the remote would not work. Choosing the PS2 also gives that message but ignore this message as their database is a bit outdated. If you are using a more complex and advanced controller, you are able to enter HEX codes to your controller.

Choosing the PS3 instead of the PS2 only caused problems since none of the buttons really worked for me. Choosing the PS2, all the buttons were mapped. FF, RR, Chapter Skips, Play, Pause, Menu, etc. all worked without problems. Unfortunately, there is no eject and most importantly, ON/OFF. The ON/OFF is however, available on the PS3IR+PWR IR (review).

Conclusion : Overall, the PS3IRX1 IR Remote Adapter works great. Installation is easy...then again, its plug and play. Setting up your universal remote is very easy and will work. Have problems or questions? the support that AVSForums as well as from Mike Muecke (owner/designer), provide excellent customer support. People are willing to help, give tips and Mike is there every step of the way until you get your problems fixed.

However, $35.00 is a bit pricey considering Mike is a one-man show designing, building, testing, packing and shipping the PS3IRX1 all by himself. Not to mention customer service all from the US of A! Now that Mike has a manufacturer mass producing it to keep up with the demand, hopefully this will lower the price.

What I love about Mike is that he's honest and is upfront...


You can get the Nyko Blu-Wave IR Remote for approximately $15.00, but you'll end up with a extra remote that you wont use and the IR dongle will stick out like a thumbdrive. The product is very sturdy, blends in with the PS3 very well, but is a dust and fingerprint magnet like the PS3. For an extra $20, I dont need the fancy packaging. So as long product works and if I need help, I know that a person with knowledge of the product can help me.

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