Sony offering free PlayStation 3 with HDTV purchase

That's right, babies. We've seen Sony play this hand in other parts of our great big world, and now the S-gang is bringing this sweet bacon on home... er, to the States. According to a promotion we've caught wind of, if you get yourself approved for the Sony Visa, then promptly purchase a Sony HDTV at the Sony Rewards store (out of a pool of models from the BRAVIA and SXRD lines), the good folks at Sony will throw a free PlayStation 3 your way. Of course, there's a few hoops you have to jump through, the deal ends on December 31st, and obviously you'll need a half-decent credit score, but if the suits approve your transaction, this is a pretty solid deal. Hit the read link for all the info -- just make sure you read the fine print.

[Thanks, Stephen]

[coolbho3000 @ Dec 28th 2007 9:33PM]

Damn, just bought a Bravia and a PS3 myself.

[Beef Supreme @ Dec 28th 2007 9:35PM]

Fine Print:

Gotcha!!!!! ahhahahhahahaahhahah! You'll never pay off this card EVER!!!!!!
PS3 subject to not having fun exclusive game titles when you want to show off you brand new HDTV PS3 Combo. Boohoo You! Should have went with the other guys.

[plyx @ Dec 28th 2007 9:45PM]

Judging by your user name and comment, I'm guessing that you thought Idiocracy was a great movie for all the wrong reasons.

[Ishimaru @ Dec 28th 2007 9:40PM]

If you look closely, this is the 60gig version, with PS2 backwards compatibility. That or Sony's thinking the 40gig is $100 more than it is.

[K Hampe @ Dec 28th 2007 9:42PM]

Spend 2k on an over priced tv, get a free over priced game console without the fun. gg

[Ishimaru @ Dec 28th 2007 10:00PM]

Um, how is it over priced? $399 and you get built-in wifi, larger and REMOVABLE hard drive, built-in Blu-Ray player, built-in HDMI and optical, free online play. Yeah...that's WAY overpriced, unlike that cheap, cheap 360! Phew, you saved me $399, time to go buy a 360! Sigh. Let's see how much "extra" you have to spend to equal the $50 more expensive PS3.

Hard drive: Well since MS doesn't have a 40GB hard drive, and only an option for a $180 120GB drive, 360 loses here...
HDMI and Optical: Newer models DO have HDMI, but if you want Optical audio, you have to buy that special cable for $50. 360 loses...
Wifi: Here's the fun part, since the 360 doesn't have it, you have to buy a $90 adapter, ouch...360 loses again...
Hi-Def player: Since MS decided to release an add-on instead of it built in, there's another $179 down the drain...360 loses yet again...
Online play: Well everyone gets free Silver Live! But you can't play online against people...so you have to spend ANOTHER $50 for Gold...360 loses yet another...

Total: $369...and that's NOT including the console, OR tax. Ouch. So to get all the features that the PS3 has, you need to spend: $719. Man that PS3 is OVERPRICED! WHEW-WE! Man I just love the 360's "hidden costs"...

[ScareyJ @ Dec 28th 2007 10:17PM]

I wouldn't mind having a PS3, but I'm burned on the TVs. I have a WEGA HD (CRT) TV that dies for about 24 hours if it loses power (or turned off) ... blinks a series of error codes. Tech support/website/documentation won't disclose the codes and related circuits. They keep telling me I have to take my 240lb TV to a certified technician (that won't do pick ups for it or in house service). Thanks to the AV forums, I have it narrowed to 2 circuits on the power board. Just miffed that I can buy a $100 PC motherboard and get the list of error codes with it ... but the makers of a (then) $2200 television will only give technicians the codes and not the consumers. Hopefully soon I'll atleast know whether its worth repairing for use as a 2nd TV. Disappointed in the process though ...

[Hammond X @ Dec 28th 2007 10:52PM]

I looked up the meaning of the character in Ishimaru's avatar, and it translates to "sarcastic fellow".

[thethirdmoose @ Dec 29th 2007 12:23AM]

Ishimaru:

Hard drive: Hardly a fair comparison. The PS3 needs the 40 GB to hold game data because the blu-ray drive is so slow. The 360 doesn't. Why don't we do this - divide the cost of the 120 GB drive by 6 - $30
HDMI and Optical: I, like most people, don't have anything that takes optical audio. I doubt most people can hear the difference.
Wifi: True, but if you want you can use any wifi-ethernet bridge - much cheaper.
Hi-Def player: Technically correct, but if blu-ray loses the format war, you're up the creek without a paddle again - and we all know how successful sony formats usually are.
Online play: Yes, but Live is really, really good.

[Steven @ Dec 29th 2007 12:35AM]

K Hampe = pwned

[xplaytendo @ Dec 28th 2007 10:18PM]

OVERPRICED TV through SONY'S website.... same purchase paid, if both were BOUGHT elsewhere... WITH A BETTER TV from Samsung.

THAT DEAL SUX!

[ChrisG @ Dec 28th 2007 10:39PM]

Actually the deal doesn't suck that bad. I mean if you were gonna spend a few thousand on a tv, would you be some what happy that the manufacturer is giving you a free console? Sure the playstation 3 may not have the best games but atleast you can enjoy some blu-ray movies. Honestly, isn't it the value of the item and thought that counts. Most people when they buy high def tv's hate having to spend an extra $500 or so on equipment needed to enjoy the high def quality of the television.

[Izzy @ Dec 29th 2007 10:50AM]

I thought Sony's LCD screens were made by Samsung!?

[daaper @ Dec 29th 2007 11:03AM]

haha...better TV from samsung. LED hotspots FTL

[battlefox721 @ Jan 13th 2008 3:13AM]

FYIO, for those of u who think they know of da PS3 and 360 compared this is for u. Da PS3 has a better CPU and the leading Graphics Card, more memory on GC, other than da Xbox 360 Elite. An HDdvd player goes for $300 which PS3 has, can't see y peeps complain about that really, especially when Blu-Ray has HD-DVD on da ropes. Warner and another major companys switched to BRD. Da Xbox 360 has a better interface tho, PS3 doesn't trail far behind by any means. Da PS3 can be used like a Wii controller in some respects. U can stream stuff from ur PC to PS3 and Xbox look it up on how. Xbox has da rings of death and elite has da same motherboard that causes it tho Xbox said it would make a change in Mobo's, so expect problems w/ it. Xbox has more games due to da fact X came out first and da PS3 format cost developers too much to obtain and da developers don't know where to start w/ da PS3 BC it's so advanced. So expect graphics to be better when they figure out how to use its full potential. PS3 is FULL HD. Oh, and free ONLINE, and can change out hard drives, what?! Up to 200GB hard internal and 750GB external. U can use da PSP w/ your PS3 in many respects and use it as an xtra video screen and do transfers. U can load Linux onto PS3(an operating System that kicks Microsoft's ass out of da water). Do da research deeply and you'll see…(for those who disagree) it's ridiculous. There is a learning curve for it, but you'll see, Bad Ass. U can use a keyboard + mouse to browse and for Linux and games that support it in PS3. PLUS you can play some other games on Linux like Xbox, PS, Nintendo, and PC games on it, old and new! And you don’t have to pay to play online. So, now, HOW DO DA REST HOLD UP?!

[Jason Cox @ Dec 28th 2007 10:27PM]

Sign up for CC, get TV and free PS3, keep TV and sell PS3 on eBay to help pay off TV... I'm in!

[Joe @ Dec 29th 2007 12:55AM]

Or just buy the television for $400-500 less from another retailer and skip all that ebay nonsense.

[daaper @ Dec 29th 2007 11:06AM]

Exactly, I saved enough online to almost buy a PS3 and 360. It's a nice deal for those that shop at big box retailers or don't know how to shop around...

[bdawg @ Dec 28th 2007 10:56PM]

Wait, if you look st the models available for the free PS3 giveaway, one of the models isint listed on sonys website...Weird...

[bdawg @ Dec 28th 2007 10:58PM]

Crap, its the 70" rear projection TV that isin't listed on sony style.

[umm....hello??? @ Dec 28th 2007 11:14PM]

....of course, if you buy from Sony's website you pay full retail for their TVs, so it IS overpriced.

[xplaytendo @ Dec 28th 2007 11:26PM]

This Sony deal is FULL HYPE. Shop at amazon.com for the same size TV (try Samsung, with similar specs), then add the PS3 40gb... and YOU STILL GET A CHEAPER DEAL than what this sony website is offering- with FREE SHIPPING & ZERO TAX. Also consider that the Samsung HDTV LCD TV's are EVERY BIT a GREAT QUALITY (if not better) as the Sony HDTV's.

All illusion... with strings attached. BRAVO SONY!

[epsilon343 @ Dec 28th 2007 11:52PM]

The fact that Sony is GIVING the PS3 away aside...how long before they flaunt December as some stellar month for the console and BD because they tossed them at anyone who had good enough credit to buy an overpriced TV?

[energyvortex @ Dec 29th 2007 12:01AM]

No one buying your precious blew ray?
Haven't been able to pull off a blockbuster online game?
No one buying your ps3?

The desperation is in full swing...

How delicious.

[Deluxe @ Dec 29th 2007 12:46AM]

Ah, ignorance is bliss - right?

[K Hampe @ Dec 29th 2007 12:49AM]

Haha, Steven=fanboy. Take a look around smart guy, those tv's are less everywhere else, even taking into consideration the console.

[tom @ Dec 29th 2007 1:18AM]

I would choose getting a ps3 over a free blu-ray player!

[shelterpaw @ Dec 29th 2007 1:34AM]

Just bought a Samsung 61" HDTV, so can't do this deal.. Would have been nice.

[3boos @ Dec 29th 2007 8:33AM]

I noticed that, and correct me if I am wrong, some of the TVs offered in the promotion are not gonna be prduced namely:
60" & 70" SXRD Rear Projection Television KDSZ60XBR5 & KDSZ70XBR5.

[pigfister @ Dec 29th 2007 9:06AM]

now thats desperation from the MPAA to push their orwellian, propertarian, format of choice for movies DRM-RAY.

The MPAA Are: SONY, UNIVERSAL, WARNER GROUP, DISNEY, PARAMOUNT, FOX.

The RIAA Soundexchange Are: SONY, UNIVERSAL, WARNER GROUP, EMI.

[Boyd @ Dec 29th 2007 11:50AM]

Okay, none of the SXRD TV's are currently available and Sony has discontinued that line all together. You can get a free PS3 if you can purchase a TV we don't sell any more. That's a great hoop to jump through to start with!

[Jason @ Dec 29th 2007 12:09PM]

The only thing this tells me is that Sony is still overstocked on PS3s after the holidays and finds this as a way of helping them find their ways into consumer homes.

Catch me if I'm wrong, but didn't both the PS3 and the X360 spank the PS3 in holiday sales numbers?

[pigfister @ Dec 29th 2007 12:21PM]

i take it you meant wii and 360!

[Jason @ Dec 29th 2007 12:50PM]

Damn early morning lack of caffeine! :) Yes, I meant Wii and Xbox 360 substantially outsold PS3 throughout the holidays. PS3 goes into 2008 firmly in last place. Maybe if Sony can get PS3 down to $299 with backwards compatibility for all the PS2 owners then they can start to move some units.

[Greg @ Dec 29th 2007 2:59PM]

Sony needs to beef up the advertising for bluray and PS3, pointing out things like "No hidden costs with the PS3", "more features, more power", "true HD", "HDDVD is not a high def dvd, it's a completely different format... it WON'T play in your dvd player!"
I was working electronics in a Target last summer. You have no idea how many people asked me that. -_-

[Ig @ Dec 29th 2007 3:25PM]

Bought the KDL-40S3000, a 40" 720p bravia at PC Richard on black friday for 799.99, they are selling it for 1499.99, ill take a 700.00 savings over a ps3 any day.

[WisdomWolf @ Dec 29th 2007 10:42PM]

This is what leads me to believe Sony TV's are over priced. I picked up a 42" 1080p LCD TV before thanksgiving for $700. I would never have gotten any deal like that from Sony.

[Xiru @ Dec 29th 2007 7:43PM]

Wrong to all those saying 360 outsold the PS3. You guys are ignorant. PS3 is beating 360 in worldwide sales on a weekly basis. 360 is only beating PS3 in the US. Stop buying into all the negative media, and do some research. PS3 is doing great even with no real blockbuster games. Guess having hardware that doesn't die 33% of the time matters...

[Xiru @ Dec 29th 2007 7:49PM]

@Jason,

You are so wrong. :( PS3 is on the up and up and 2008 will be the year of the PS3. It frustrates me when uneducated people steer others off of a good product because they don't know what they are talking about. Let me give a current example:

For the week of Decemeber 22, 2007 according to vgcharts.org we have:

PS3 Worldwide sales: 619,388
360 Worldwide sales: 594,520

This should prove to be the "trend" from now on. 360 has released almost all of its huge blockbuster games. The PS3 has launched none... But go ahead and keep telling people your opinions, thats what the Internet is for. :)

[xplaytendo @ Dec 29th 2007 8:36PM]

Hey Sony fanboy, you're the UNEDUCATED IDIOT here. The thread is about the sony website giving away FREE PS3 if you buy a Sony HDTV retail, on sony's site. Total expense IS STILL TOO MUCH if offer was purchased on sony's site! Both items (Sony HDTV of same model, and PS3) ARE SOLD CHEAPER ELSEWHERE, like amazon.com, combined.

To BLOW UP THIS SONY HYPE and allow people to believe that the FREE PS3 offer is a good deal... IS DOWNRIGHT STUPID.

For you (yeah, YOU SONY FANBOOB) to believe that the PS3 is SELLING STRONG is DOWNRIGHT STUPID.

If the PS3 is selling well (based on your idiotic numbers), Sony wouldn't offer this deal!!!!

FACE IT: Sony's HDTV line of expensive, overhyped TV's -along with it's overhyped expensive PS3- are no match for what's driving the consumer wallet all this time: CHEAPER COST.

[James Richards @ Jan 1st 2008 11:27AM]

I came across this site looking for a free PS3, but it appears to be US only! :(

I've found www.gifts-4-free.co.uk open to UK residents - it looks legit, but I'm not sure!!

Cheers,
James.

[battlefox721 @ Jan 13th 2008 3:13AM]

FYIO, for those of u who think they know of da PS3 and 360 compared this is for u. Da PS3 has a better CPU and the leading Graphics Card, more memory on GC, other than da Xbox 360 Elite. An HDdvd player goes for $300 which PS3 has, can't see y peeps complain about that really, especially when Blu-Ray has HD-DVD on da ropes. Warner and another major companys switched to BRD. Da Xbox 360 has a better interface tho, PS3 doesn't trail far behind by any means. Da PS3 can be used like a Wii controller in some respects. U can stream stuff from ur PC to PS3 and Xbox look it up on how. Xbox has da rings of death and elite has da same motherboard that causes it tho Xbox said it would make a change in Mobo's, so expect problems w/ it. Xbox has more games due to da fact X came out first and da PS3 format cost developers too much to obtain and da developers don't know where to start w/ da PS3 BC it's so advanced. So expect graphics to be better when they figure out how to use its full potential. PS3 is FULL HD. Oh, and free ONLINE, and can change out hard drives, what?! Up to 200GB hard internal and 750GB external. U can use da PSP w/ your PS3 in many respects and use it as an xtra video screen and do transfers. U can load Linux onto PS3(an operating System that kicks Microsoft's ass out of da water). Do da research deeply and you'll see…(for those who disagree) it's ridiculous. There is a learning curve for it, but you'll see, Bad Ass. U can use a keyboard + mouse to browse and for Linux and games that support it in PS3. PLUS you can play some other games on Linux like Xbox, PS, Nintendo, and PC games on it, old and new! And you don’t have to pay to play online. So, now, HOW DO DA REST HOLD UP?!