PS3 Informer

Vidzone: Finally, We Can Bust Like JT in Secret

"Wow" is the first word I would use to describe PlayStation's VidZone. To really understand it, think MTV (all of the music channels really) with full interaction and control. Playlists, Order, Genres, Artists - you are in complete control and you decide when, what and how (to an extent) they are presented to you.

Its slick, quite user friendly (after the learning curve) and best of all - it's free. On first approach I thought this was gonna be bland and short but its the complete opposite. It feels as though effort and thought has gone into this application as it works well. Great search features along with some really great titles.

Negative spots would be a cluttered screen with ads popping in and out and it does take a few attempts before the flow of Vidzone become smooth and familiar. A Graphic EQ would be good as well as we all sport different sounding HD's but as faults they are pretty minimal.

Thriller, Stronger and Virtual Insanity are a few of the awesome videos available. The PS3 finger is very much on the pulse of new music with up to date Top Ten videos at the moment. This is just a great feature which kind of helps one see the vision and direction that Sony has for the PS3: a fully integral entertainment unit that covers all areas.

Music videos have always been another way for Artists to express their sound and help steer you on the journey if any -- that the tune is meant to take you. Music as a gaming genre is growing fast with many a band -- whether it be Green Day or Take That -- getting on board with gaming. So the ideas of cross connecting and other artists seeing how they can use this to reach audiences will definitely interest the music industry.

I would say that this will gather momentum over time and eventually the library will be even more vast than it already is. This feature is something that could be used in many ways. For example, as an alternative to using the iPod Docking Station - Dead and Gone in Surround Sound whilst getting ready to town one in? Used as a pre Singstar warm up? Bit of Mr West or Britney Spears with a tasty beer or flute of wine with shutter shades in tow?

If pressed for a score for this service we would award it a 4.5 out of 5.