Video Game Consoles

A video game console is an interactive entertainment computer or electronic device that manipulates the video display signal of a display device (a television, monitor, etc.) to display a game. The term "video game console" is used to distinguish a machine designed for consumers to buy and use solely for playing video games from a personal computer, which has many other functions, or arcade machines, which are designed for businesses that buy and then charge others to play.

The features introduced in this generation include using newer high-definition discs, like Blu-Ray, utilized by the Playstation 3, and HD-DVD, which has been embraced by Xbox 360 and Microsoft. Another new technology is to use the motion of the controller as input (as demonstrated by the Wii and, to a limited extent, the PS3), and understanding where the controller is pointing on the screen (as implemented on the Wii). Backwards compatibility has also become more popular with the seventh generation of home consoles, with all of the consoles employing some physical backwards compatibility, along with virtual backwards compatibility.

Microsoft's Xbox 360 was released on November 22, 2005. An HD-DVD drive is available as an accessory. The Xbox 360 was the first console with the ability to use wireless controllers out of the box. The Xbox Live service is the hallmark of the system, and the console can connect to the service via the Internet through a built-in ethernet port or a wireless accessory. The Xbox 360 is available in four versions, a "Core" version, a "Premium" Version, an 'Elite' edition, and a Halo 3 limited edition. The biggest difference between these versions was the addition of a 20 GB hard drive in the "Premium" edition, along with a standard wireless controller, a 120 GB hard drive and HDMI in the 'Elite' edition, and the use of HDMI with a 20 GB hard drive.

Nintendo's Wii was released in North America on November 19, 2006, and in Japan on December 2, 2006, Australia on December 7, 2006, and in Europe on December 8, 2006. It is bundled with Wii Sports in all regions except for Japan. Unlike the other systems of this generation, the Wii does not have an internal hard drive, but instead uses 512 MB of internal Flash memory and includes support for removable SD card storage. It also has a maximum graphics output of 480p, making it the only seventh generation console not utilizing High Definition. Along with its low price point, the Wii is renowned for the following aspects:
Features a completely redesigned controller which resembles a TV remote. The system utilizes a "sensor bar" that detects where on the television screen the controller is pointing, and the controller also detects motion and orientation.
The Wii is the first Nintendo console to be backwards compatible with previous Nintendo consoles. It can play all GameCube games and supports up to four GameCube controllers and two memory cards, and the Virtual Console allows players to play games from older systems, including those of former competitors.

Sony's PlayStation 3 was released, in Japan on November 11, 2006, in North America on November 17, 2006 and in Europe on March 23, 2007. All PlayStation 3s come with a hard drive and are ready to play Blu-ray Discs and games out of the box. The Playstation 3 was the first videogame console to support HDMI out of the box, utilizing full 1080p. Controllers connect to the console through Bluetooth (up to 7) and have tilt-sensing capabilities. Three versions of the PS3 currently exist.; a 20 GB HDD version (discontinued in North America) a 60 GB HDD (Discontinued in NA) and a new 40 GB HDD version and a new 80 GB HDD version.

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