DailyTech - Sony 20GB PS3 Lacking Several Features

I see the logic

By Scrogneugneu on 5/9/2006 1:24:43 AM , Rating: 2

It's quite simple.

If they priced the PS3 at 600$, everyone would have killed them. Way too high compared to the competition, the highest price ever...

So, offer a cut-down version for a "reasonable" 500$, to be like every new Sony/Microsoft console launch price. Then, offer the real PS3 at your 600$. People will have the 500$ price tag in the head, but will pay 600$.

Wait, how are we gonna make them choose the 600$ version? Just make it so the 500$ version have a ridiculously low amount of features. If the natural choice is going for the full-blown system, then you win. Consumers see "low price", but buys high price for the features, without complaining.

Great execution.

RE: I see the logic

By cookj128371 on 5/9/2006 1:39:55 AM , Rating: 2

EXACTLY what I was thinking. Good marketing by Sony and Microsoft, but as a consumer, I'm insulted. And as for technology, once again Nintendo was right--they're the innovators and others copycat and try to one-up them (eg: PS3's tilt sensor). Nintendo may very well have it right this time. The way I see it, those who want a video game console, but don't want to pay the big bucks will buy a Wii, and those who slap down the ridiculous amount of money for the PS3/X360 will likely also have cash to spare and want the unique functionality of the Wii anyway!

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RE: I see the logic

By HermDogg on 5/9/2006 1:44:30 AM , Rating: 2

I'm sorry, but even $500 is too much for a game console. Now Sony's going to have to wait 2-3 years to get my money, and I'm just going to end up with a Wii. I'm seriously considering a PS3, but somehow I just can't fathom half a grand on the red-headed stepchild of a system.

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RE: I see the logic

By hoppa on 5/9/2006 2:13:22 AM , Rating: 2

$600 is RIDICULOUS!!!
Who in their right minds would drop that much on a freakin' console?! At least your computer can do some other shit!

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RE: I see the logic

By xsilver on 5/9/2006 2:24:12 AM , Rating: 2

yes $500 is a lot of money; sony's thinking is that if you get a ps3 you wont have to buy a xbox360 + blue ray player + internet subscription..

they should add tivo/pvr features as well to make it a "real" home entertainment system

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RE: I see the logic

By Scabies on 5/9/2006 9:51:16 AM , Rating: 2

That brings up a wonderful idea. Sony blindsides us with two different launch consoles, against previous predictions/statements, who's to say that they wont get us later by saying "You want IP multiplayer? $20/month please"

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RE: I see the logic

By Johnmcl7 on 5/9/2006 7:25:31 AM , Rating: 2

Nintendo are not the company to produce a controller with a tilt sensor. Furthermore, watching that controller in action reminded me of people playing eyetoy, I don't think the Nintendo controller is as revolutionary as some people make out.

As for these two packages, it's the games that will decide it for me - everything about the PS3 seems to be about its hardware rather than the games themselves which are rather important for a console.

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RE: I see the logic

By Trisped on 5/9/2006 1:52:08 PM , Rating: 2

The eye toy software sucked, making it to difficult to use. You know you wasted you money on a game that is hard not because you need skill, but because you need luck to get the control device to work right.

Nintendo has proven in the past that they will not have this problem.

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RE: I see the logic

By Driftwood on 5/9/2006 10:35:07 AM , Rating: 2

Anyone remember the NEO GEO? That sucker was like $650 and it never took off. I remember seeing a couple stacked up on the top shelf of the video game store in the mall and thinking how many papers I'd have to deliver for that sucker.

I honestly fear that Sony and Microsoft have made a grave mistake in the pricing of their latest consoles. The majority of the market will go with the Wii because of it's family friendly price.

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RE: I see the logic

By killerroach on 5/9/2006 11:04:27 AM , Rating: 2

The NeoGeo also had $200-$300 games and graphics that weren't much better than an SNES. People will be able to notice (and rather quickly) the difference in visual quality between a Wii title and an X360 title, to say nothing of a PS3 game.

But the biggest obstacle to the Wii taking off is game support... most developers are debating how best to use its controller, and none want to take the leap of faith that Capcom did on the GameCube, considering how poorly that turned out for them (their close alliance with Nintendo almost bankrupted them).

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RE: I see the logic

By Eris23007 on 5/9/2006 7:11:05 PM , Rating: 2

That said, the Wii development kit is way cheap - I heard it was only $2000...

I think the Wii is going to be where the independent developers go - they tend to have the most creative ideas regarding how to take advantage of interesting features like the new controller anyway.

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600$ graphics

By Hypernova on 5/9/2006 3:38:49 AM , Rating: 2

For that price you might as well get a high end DX10 card that can pump better graphics then the 1 generation behind GPU of PS3. And there's a good chance with Supreme Commander, UT2007 PC etc get more fun out of that 600$ too.

RE: 600$ graphics

By shabby on 5/9/2006 7:15:39 AM , Rating: 2

What good is a video card without a cpu/mobo/memory/case/keyboard/monitor? Did you forget to throw that into the equation?

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RE: 600$ graphics

By TejTrescent on 5/9/2006 7:54:56 AM , Rating: 2

Hey, you can build a system that can handle Oblivion and has serious upgrade potential for circa 600$.

So. PC gaming's really not very high compared to consoles anymore.

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RE: 600$ graphics

By yacoub on 5/9/2006 11:18:59 AM , Rating: 2

You mean like a PS3 without a high-end HDTV to experience it on? Oh, right.

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RE: 600$ graphics

By theprodigalrebel on 5/9/2006 7:53:52 AM , Rating: 2

A video card is usually all the difference between a regular office pc (cpu/mobo/memory/case/keyboard/monitor) and a gaming pc. A $300 video card (7900GT/X1800XT) can transform your $1200 Office PC (and who doesn't have a computer?) into a respectable gaming powerhouse.

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RE: 600$ graphics

By Johnmcl7 on 5/9/2006 9:21:35 AM , Rating: 2

You must have fairly high specced office/family PCs then - for gaming most of the ones people around me would need a heck of a lot more than just a graphics card upgrade, bear in mind some machines don't even have an AGP/PCI-E slot.

John

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RE: 600$ graphics

By Bonrock on 5/9/2006 12:37:44 PM , Rating: 2

Most people will spend $500-1000 on their primary home PC, and you can get a pretty sweet system for that price. In fact, I just visited Costco.com and custom configured a Compaq Athlon 64 3700+ system with 1GB of RAM, DVD burner, 160GB hard drive, and Windows XP Media Center Edition. And it has an available PCI Express x16 slot. After rebate, the price was roughly $475.

Equipped with the right video card, this system will be more than capable of running any of the latest games. The right video card will run you $300 or so, which is $100 less than the price of an XBox 360 with hard drive. And with a price of just $475 for the base system, can you really argue that this is an atypical hardware configuration for a home user?

Of course, there's one big factor that adds to the allure of consoles--for the most part, they just work. In terms of the level of maintenance required, there's just no computer that can match a console. And before someone says it--no, not even a Mac.

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Ripoff

By MrFezzywig on 5/9/2006 6:32:12 AM , Rating: 3

As soon as I found out about Sony's latest "reductions" to the PS3, I wanted to post stating what a ripoff it all is. NO HDMI, No WiFi, No 1080p? As well as NO dual HDMI, No Tri-Ethernet. Sony must be out of their mind.

Forget about the $499 system, the only real next-gen system with blu-ray, HDMI and WiFi costs $599. Just like the Xbox, it is pointless to buy the lesser system, as it is lacking essential features needed for long term enjoyment of the system.

Sony should have swallowed the extra $800 million ($599 - $200 = $399, $200 x 4 million units = $800 million) and released a single console version with all the features. You want to charge $499? Throw in 160GB hard drive, two controllers and a game.)

My enthusiasm is gone. If or when I buy the PS3 will depend on when the price on the "decent" $599 system drops to about $299. That will be around Christmas 2008 or 2009. In the mean time, if I need next-gen that badly, I'll get the Xbox 360. I never would have considered it before today.

RE: Ripoff

By AnnihilatorX on 5/9/2006 8:09:54 AM , Rating: 1

I wouldn't worry about the console price
IT's the games that ultimately inccurs the real cost

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RE: Ripoff

By heulenwolf on 5/9/2006 9:05:32 AM , Rating: 2

The games had better be cheap. For past consoles, manufacturers had always claimed the games were so expensive because buyers were amortizing the cost of the under-priced console. At these prices for the console, however, I don't want to hear any such excuses. If the games are more than $20 each (even for the good ones) I don't think I'll be able to talk myself into getting one. If Sony can't manufacture and deliver these things for at or under $600, they're incompetant. Additionally, unlike the PS2, this console had better be utterly silent when powered on.

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RE: Ripoff

By Trisped on 5/9/2006 2:00:41 PM , Rating: 2

The prices will also be high because of how difficult it will be to program for the cell processor and the poor development tools from Sony.

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Game Pricing

By Master Kenobi

(blog) on 5/9/2006 11:12:23 AM , Rating: 2

I can't see this being a hit when its rumored the games will be in the $70 range. I also read an article a while back that stated if you want to play the PS3 games online, its up to the individual software developers to provide the servers and bandwidth for the games they produce, Sony is only the catalyst/hub for PS3 traffic. It also stated that there was no reason the Software Developers couldn't require a monthly fee for their product to play it online (See MMO's).

RE: Game Pricing

By tenguman on 5/9/2006 11:38:29 AM , Rating: 2

Is it just me or does anyone else think that "Blu ray" is a stupid name?

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RE: Game Pricing

By hstewarth on 5/9/2006 12:18:49 PM , Rating: 2

Blu-ray stands for type laser ray that is used to read/write to disk - its Blue. Very Logical.

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RE: Game Pricing

By Trisped on 5/9/2006 2:09:05 PM , Rating: 2

Sony online has always had problems. They follow a more open architecture, but otherwise they have nothing.

Most of the online services could be provided for free if you had game system similar to Battle.Net where they have an add banner and a few security systems. It isn't like they are hosting the games, it isn't like they are hosting huge downloads that we don't pay for or aren't basically adds for other games (see demo's and preview movies).

The only reason I would pay for an online services is if it had ZERO ads and used a large amount of their servers (like MMOs which have to host everyone on the server side).

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no HDMI?

By sweb74 on 5/8/2006 11:27:25 PM , Rating: 2

How will it play Blu-Ray movies and still be compliant with what Hollywood wanted... a digital encrypted cable that HDMI offers? Sony did say they won't down-sample if component cables are used on older T.V.s, like HD-DVD will do to 540p, but keep the 1080p and down-sample to the T.V.s ability.

Blu-Ray over analog cables sounds juicy! Pirates must be drooling.

RE: no HDMI?

By TejTrescent on 5/8/2006 11:35:50 PM , Rating: 2

That's what I was curious about.

Are one of those other outputs capable of HDCP? HDMI's the only thing I knew for sure was.

If they're trying to push this as a BDROM player, that might not end well...

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RE: no HDMI?

By shabby on 5/9/2006 7:13:41 AM , Rating: 2

I thought sony said couple weeks ago that the protection would be taken out so you can watch bluray even thru component cables.

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RE: no HDMI?

By SunAngel on 5/9/2006 7:59:02 AM , Rating: 1

Are you aware of any A/V devices the record input from component cables (have component inputs (tvs don't count, they can't record))? I am not sure if your aware of this or not, but when you output a signal with HDMI, all other output ports are disable, except composite A/V. Granted, HD over composite still look very good, just not in the native glory.

I don't consider myself a pirate, but I do like to make an digital copy of analog tv shows. Why? (Drumroll please) When dvd recorders first came out, I thought they were going to be a great invention, but quickly found out dvd were protected from copying. So, what else am I going to use my dvd recorder for? I am certainly not going to give it away to someone for free.

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I think everyone has miss something important

By ncage on 5/9/2006 10:13:34 AM , Rating: 2

I think eveyrone has just missed a very important point. Sure $600 is expensive and i think you would be crazy not to get the more pricier version if your going to be spending the money. But you get a blue-ray dvd player and if you want this rather than HD-DVD its going to save you $400 and get a console that you can play games on too. So actually compared to the 1k dvd player this might be a good deal and its only $100 more than a standalone HD-DVD player.

RE: I think everyone has miss something important

By trooper11 on 5/9/2006 10:30:45 AM , Rating: 1

but that is the point, what if we dont want a blu-ray player?

I really dont want a player that will most likely not be near as good as a standalone model and besides that, it will be a while before movie I want are released for it for HD-DVD. By the time that happens, I could get a standalone for much cheaper.

At least with the 360 we can choose when and if we get an HD-DVD player. I really just want my console for playing games, as strange as that may sound.

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RE: I think everyone has miss something important

By Trisped on 5/9/2006 2:02:58 PM , Rating: 2

I have a PC capable of playing something that res, and a PC drive will probably cost about $200. Why waste my money on a console to play BD when I can enhance my PC?

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RE: I think everyone has miss something important

By rrsurfer1 on 5/9/2006 10:44:14 AM , Rating: 2

Agreed. I think Sony is making a mistake here. And I'll be willing to bet the games will still be upwards of $80 a piece.

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best TV to compliment PS3 with a decent price...

By UsernameX on 5/9/2006 1:25:49 PM , Rating: 2

This is a little off topic to what everyone else is saying but I was wondering if anyone could provide some information on the best bang for buck tv for the PS3. I would prefer 1080p? (P is the better image quality or is it I? ) But if 1080 is too expensive 780 will be just fine too. A few web links or any information off the top of your head would be very appreciative. Thanks!

RE: best TV to compliment PS3 with a decent price...

By abhaxus on 5/9/2006 1:45:29 PM , Rating: 2

best bang for the buck 1080p TV out right now are the Westinghouse LCDs, there is a 37 and 42" model with 1080P resolution AND inputs. The 37" regularly can be found for under 1800... we have one in my store for 1499 on clearance right now.

In two months there will be a lot more choices for TVs with 1080p resolution and inputs.

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RE: best TV to compliment PS3 with a decent price...

By rykerabel on 5/11/2006 4:07:54 PM , Rating: 2

I think this sums up everything. Everyone is whining about a $600 price for the console, and then boasting how cheap the TVs are now, down to $1,600.

...

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dual 1080p

By Visual on 5/9/2006 3:55:17 PM , Rating: 2

hey wait a minute... the PS3 was supposed to support TWO monitors at the highest resolution, 1080p
now i don't think how that's possible with the cutdown version, and it seems only possible with the full version if one monitor uses digital and the other analog connection. this sucks :(
especially considering that even the cutdown version essentially has all the hardware to still run two displays in it (it's the same videocard after all) but just lacks the ports. this kind of feature cutout doesn't even seem to be saving anything from the production cost of the console, it totally makes no sense.

RE: dual 1080p

By Scabies on 5/9/2006 4:58:52 PM , Rating: 2

If I might ask, what would you ever do with two 1080p HDMI outs?

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RE: dual 1080p

By Decaydence on 5/9/2006 5:15:01 PM , Rating: 2

UI on one screen, unobstructed game on the other
Two players, each with their own screen
Double wide viewing area
Communications on one, video on the other
etc. etc.

Of course this is price restrictive, but as gamers get older and make more money, it is certainly not nearly as restrictive as it once was. I already have one 56" dlp and will be looking to buy another as an upgrade within a year or two, and I'm certainly not a huge earner.

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E3?

By Clauzii on 5/9/2006 8:28:08 PM , Rating: 2

Anybody who has seen the PS3 demos at E3 (IGN) will know this machine rocks!!

RE: E3?

By dali71 on 5/10/2006 12:53:24 AM , Rating: 2

Right, they rocked so hard at their presentation that Kaz basically had to beg for applause (come on, Ridge Racer!).

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RE: E3?

By AznAnarchy99 on 5/10/2006 3:25:26 AM , Rating: 2

im buying a WEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

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Huh.

By TejTrescent on 5/8/2006 11:31:59 PM , Rating: 4

I'd like to see how they handle this, especially after saying Microsoft was wrong in the two unit approach.

At least Microsoft's difference is really easy to correct... Maybe it'll be easy to upgrade a PS3 to have the missing features, but hmm. It's just going to depend, I guess.

.. sounds like it's going to be a pain though. If you're going to drop that many features, might as well not offer the smaller model. The whole thing's way too expensive anyways.

Don't know what to think

By PitbulI on 5/8/2006 11:56:03 PM , Rating: 2

I'm a current XBox 360 owner that has been upset that MS didn't make the Hard Drive a standard option. While the PS3 will have the hard drive, will the games be using the HD to cache the games so there isn't a slowdown like on the 360?

The PS3 is a bit out of my price range due to a baby being on the way, I'm scared though that a game like Raw vs Smackdown 2007 while be too slow when loading new characters. I hope Microsoft ends up making the Hard drive something the devs can include when making a game. I know it will piss off the core gamers but I think the HD was something the 360 needs.

Back to the topic. I'm not sure what to think. The graphics will end up being the same, the speed? I'm not sure, BluRay is the big thing here for Sony if it becomes standard. The price is high but not as high as I thought.

RE: Don't know what to think

By Link on 5/9/2006 1:47:35 PM , Rating: 2

Price seems out of many people's range, but you do get BluRay player. Considering the price of HD-DVD player alone, which costs $500 now, and P3 with 60GB is a bargain.

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Outputs

By ND40oz on 5/9/2006 12:13:05 AM , Rating: 2

It does say it has a Multi AV output on the 20 GB version. They could be using a HDCP DVI output and forcing you to use coax, toslink or analogue audio cables instead of getting your all in one HDMI cable. Just a thought...

Although, wasn't it supposed to have Dual HDMI outputs for two screen support?

RE: Outputs

By dome1234 on 5/9/2006 12:24:54 AM , Rating: 2

they probably killed the idea, to reduce the cost. Too many customed made parts = pricy.

Personally I have the idea of multiple sku(s). Console gaming shouldn't be like this.

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Sony and its future?

By Cunthor01 on 5/9/2006 5:09:00 AM , Rating: 2

Is it just me, or Sony seems to be digging itself deeper and deeper as each day passes by?

I know there are billions of people out there, that have absolutely no clue about DRM, proprietary stuff, overpricing, and somewhat poor quality control (new Bravia screens come to mind), and will continue to buy Sony branded stuff purely on brand basis... while rest of us Daily Tech readers are making out Sony to be the 'new' Microsoft of pre XP era.

Somewhere, sometime ago good ol' Sony had died in my heart.

RE: Sony and its future?

By Trisped on 5/9/2006 1:58:29 PM , Rating: 2

Good point, especially since THE sell factor is the ability to play Blue-Ray disks and yet cost less then the $1000 players on the market.

Sony did that on purpose, as if they lowered their royalties to a reasonable level the players would sell for around $700 and quickly drop bellow the cost of the PS3. Then no one would buy the system but extreme zealots.

The PS2 success was because of PS1 zealots, but mostly because there were hundreds of thousands of PS2s sitting in peoples houses because they were cheep DVD players. Since everyone had a PS2 already, game makers made games for the system, no matter the cost or difficulty.

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Its still about the games......but that is a hefty price

By rushfan2006 on 5/9/2006 9:07:37 AM , Rating: 2

The only thing I can say right now without knowing anything more than what this article provides...

Its about the games....if they are hawking systems for $500 and $600, they better have some *damn* good games or else people are going to go apeshit and rightfully so.

Anyone can say any excuse for the high prices like well its targeted to be more than just a game console....yeah well its first and foremost purpose is a game console and the younger audience (read 20 and under crowd especially) will view it first and foremost as a game console.

I think anyone who buys one of these at launch is insane if they have the cash to blow on this and they do, and if you can barely afford one but you still buy one...you are downright crazy and completely out of your mind nuts.

My personal approach -- wait and see first. See if there are any problems with the first generation of this product, see the games that come out and see the price drop (as it will eventually do -- it has to, or else Sony would be killing themselves...as I doubt at $500 - $600 per box you are going to have record shattering sales to warrant the decision to keep the price high 6 months after launch).

I'd also like to check out what Wii will offer.

Finally, you know what is probably even more pathetic -- I bet these systems don't even include a game....$600 and you still need to buy a game.

RE: Its still about the games......but that is a hefty price

By hstewarth on 5/9/2006 12:22:48 PM , Rating: 2

Games are not the only thing that attract people to PS/3.

I have had original PS, PS/2, XBox and PSP. One thing I notice over the years.. I purchase games ( over 20 for XBox ) and rarely use them.

Yes I will likely purchase games for PS/3, but what is attracting to me is the Blu-Ray suppport. Likely to be its primary purpose of the unit - once the exitement of the games will wear down.

Maybe I just getting older, or its just me.. but thats my opinion.

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Must be a mistake

By hstewarth on 5/9/2006 9:49:05 AM , Rating: 2

I think it must be a mistake about the HDMI - why because the document clearly stated 1080p is supported by both units and for 1080p support, HDMI is required?

Its really too early to know.. We have to find out in Novemeber.

RE: Must be a mistake

By The Cheeba on 5/9/2006 1:46:45 PM , Rating: 2

You can have DVI-HDCP but you can't have HDMI-non-HDCP

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Bah.

By Visual on 5/9/2006 3:43:54 PM , Rating: 2

And so, this is how Sony will trick me into paying $600 for their console. :(
That's sad, but serious - I will indeed buy it. And it'll be the full version - cutting out HDMI and wifi is just no good.

I was hoping for the rumored at some places $400 price though...

There's plenty of time to November, so nothing is final. The prices announced now can just be intended to study the public's reaction, and may very well be lower at launch to make everyone think they're getting a good deal. Especially if MS lower their top config of xbox to $300, I don't doubt Sony will drop prices too. Problem is, with PS3 so expencive MS will have no reason to reduce their price too.

One thing is certain - if that price holds, I'll have to wait till next year to get mine. I still will get one, just will be a while later. And I imagine I'm not the only one. So long with the expected 2mil sales at launch...

RE: Bah.

By Decaydence on 5/9/2006 5:16:33 PM , Rating: 2

There is also the possibility that they are blowing more smoke up our asses to try to curb the success of the 360, just like they have done at every step of the way. Like you said, nothing is final; the price could still go up.

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Still going to sell out

By ghost101 on 5/9/2006 5:35:07 PM , Rating: 2

Everyone is complaining about high prices, but the fact is the 2 million units will sell out, getting Sony higher revenues. Only when demand starts diminishing, do they need to cut prices. By then they should also have larger efficiency improvements.

RE: Still going to sell out

By ViperROhb34 on 5/9/2006 6:40:35 PM , Rating: 2

Agree whole heartedly.. they'll sell out, but there wont be more revenue.. it cost Sony around a Grand to make those things.. just like Microsoft they're taking a big loss on consoles and hoping to make more later.

The 'everday' consumer is the one who wont' be buying a PS3.. the PS2 was cheap and most could afford it..

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For $100

By AnnihilatorX on 5/8/2006 11:27:56 PM , Rating: 2

Right, it seems that the $100 extra is worth it then. I thought the only difference was the extra HDD capacity, which does not worth the extra.

Need clarity

By PitbulI on 5/9/2006 1:13:36 AM , Rating: 2

Consumers need clarity. This tells you right now what the two big companies are doing. They're making a entertainment system for adults and older children. Nintendo has the younger audience but there are the yuppie parents out there that will have to one up the neighbors and make sure their kid has the latest and greatest. A problem in that is that it teaches kids to be very materialistic. Many of us now have the need to get the latest and greatest but some of us want that as a good deal as well.

So, what I'm saying is that with all these difference sku's, it will allow parity in a world that shouldn't have to deal with parity in the console world. Ok, you got a 360, ok you got a PS3, have fun. BUT NO, now you have to get different skus so you can either be broke and have it all or save some money for more meaningful things but have a useless box once the consoles get more mature.

Gaming

By goku on 5/9/2006 5:07:52 AM , Rating: 2

Console gaming is cheaper than PC gaming how??? I mean $600 is seriously getting pricy, it's pretty bad that it's $600 and it's worse than you can't even upgrade the dang system..

The "low priced" system makes sense to me

By jebo on 5/9/2006 9:08:39 AM , Rating: 2

As long as the lack of HDMI doesn't cripple its ability to play games at 1080p and show blu-ray DVDs at their highest resolution, I think I'm going to grab myself a "cheap" blu-ray player for $499, that happens to play games on it as well. Again, as long as this isn't a "non-high def" model.

I don't need wifi since I will probably be hard wiring it anyway, I can live with a 20gb hard drive, and if needed, I'm sure there will be available upgrades, and why would I really need card readers on my playstation/dvd player?

I absolutely love this!

By Decaydence on 5/9/2006 1:34:29 PM , Rating: 2

Sony has misrepresented their product at every single turn. Dual HDMI 1080p outputs, remember that? Prerendered video presented as gameplay. Claims of hundreds of HD feeds rendered at once. Now Sony has to come out with its tail between its legs and admit they were blowing smoke.

Microsoft had a superior product in the xbox/ps2 generation; yet people blindly followed Sony out of some misconception that this wasn't true. I wonder if this same mindless idea will pervade the next generation; even though it is now obvious that Sony has a product that will perform at almost the same level yet will cost quite a bit more.

Finally, I'm glad to see that MS's decision to release a next-gen format drive an addon was a very good one. We will see if the product will help either camp (the HD-dvd format and MS) when the price is announced. It better be around a hundred bucks.

Just don't see the PS3 cheep lacking...

By Trisped on 5/9/2006 1:50:02 PM , Rating: 2

All you lose is:
1. Smaller hard drive. As we have seen with the 360, the mod community will find a way to hack the system so you can copy stuff to your computer hard drive if you need more space.
2. The card reader. If it accepts typical USB devices this problem can be solved for $10-14
3. Wireless internet. I have never been a fan of Wireless internet, slow transmission speeds, limited range, everything causes interference, people can hijack it from you. The system includes 10/100/1000 Ethernet and with cat5e at let then $.10 a foot you could run a wire to your router for probably $5. And the bonus, faster, more dependable network connection.
4. HDMI. This one could be a problem, but as long as you can get the same res out of the system using some other cable I don't think people will care. It doesn't say if it has DVI or not, so for all we know you could just buy a DVI to HDMI adapter and get the same effect.

It isn't like the 360 where you got a laptop hard drive, HD video cables, a wireless controller (instead of the wired one), a media remote, and a head set for $100.

Not Impressed

By akugami on 5/9/2006 2:58:26 PM , Rating: 2

$500 for a cripped system. How is the Sony Hype Machine going to spin this one? And the $600 "full featured" version says one HDMI port only? Sony probably realized it was a stupid idea and only added cost for a feature 95% of the population will never use. Sony over hyping it's products is nothing new, anyone with the least bit of intelligence knows it. So for these new more realistic specs to be released is nothing earth shattering.

And everyone knows that in order to get the initial consoles you'll have to buy a "bundle" that is sure to cost $700-1k.

Tilt motion sensors have been around for a long time. The question is what type of technology you're using for the motion sensors. Nintendo seems to have this built from the ground up for high sensitivity and precision. Sony seems to have this slapped on because Nintendo is doing it. As I said in the other Sony article (with the pic of the controller), the six degrees of sensitivity is extremely vague and seems to be a "me too" response. So while it remains to be seen how well Nintendo's controller is, my outlook is that Sony's implementation will be nothing more than another way of pushing up, down, left and right. Also, Nintendo's is not simply a tilt sensing but from what I understand it also acts like a pointer. This is what have lots of FPS and RTS fans excited.

Someone mentioned the NeoGeo. That thing rocked. Expensive as all heck but Samurai Shodown 2 on an authentic arcade controller was awesome. We ripped off an arcade controller from it's cabinent and spliced the wires onto the NeoGeo home controller. We played that thing so much, we had to get some of the buttons replaced.

HD-DVD Vs Blu ray

By ViperROhb34 on 5/9/2006 6:31:59 PM , Rating: 2

It seems like both are good formats.. the blu ray has more storage space.. but for the price I'm not sure its worth it.

1st off lets consider more people here are tech types.. both my cousin and I are pretty avg Americans.. we're both around mid 30k a year incomes.. This war is going to be won by the masses.. most people didnt buy VCR's until they hit 500 dollars.. I have a Toshiba HD widescreen.. and out of my entire family only my uncle ( who has a Mitsubishi Widescreen ) even has a TV that supports High Def.. Most Americans don't even have cable tv that supports High Def.. and if they do most Americans at this point don't want to pay the extra cash for the extra 6 channels that will give you that High Def.. Now lets not discount the fact that the average mom and dad have a 27 to 32 inch tv at home that doesnt support high def so why would that care about recording in High Def ?

My cable box/ DVR has a built in 30 gig hardrive.. I have 3 HD movies off HBO taped on it and 30 percent free space. I know my dad and alot of other avg working class people who won't be interested in HD DVD much, let alone Blu ray. Who needs to record in high def ( let alone worry about 50 gigs versus 30 gigs recording on a single disc ) when most of America probably wont have HD cable for another 3 or 4 yrs.

If HD DVD disc only cost 10 percent more to manufacture.. you could be talking an HD-DVD disc would be 8 to 10 dollars if you could get Two or three of those disc for the same price as One Blu ray disc then the whole storage point becomes Moot worthless.. after we are talking about disc you'll be able to buy in bulk..

Seriously the two formats are going to be so close in quality most everday people won't care.. they'll simply buy the cheapest and it won't hurt that the everday person will be happy that old DVD's will play on new players and that New bought HD-DVD movies would play fine on your current DVD player until you can afford to buy a 500 dollar HD DVD..

I had a PS2 until it broke, but Im not sure I'll get PS3 because the low end one is 500 dollars..and I'd only opt for the high end and I cant see spending 600 .. I currently have a XBox360 which I have set at 1080 on my Toshiba and the games look awesome .. honestly though.. in movies its hard tell the difference between 720 and 1080 on my 54 inch HD..

More then once a format has succeeded if only do to its price point and whom it reaches. Beleive this.. less people will buy a 500 dollar PS3 no matter what features it has then people who bought the $299 PS2.. We all can't be well off people with unlimited resources so many of us know several moms who will not likely buy an Xbox 360 ( maybe the cheaper one ) let alone the PS3 for their kids.

This war will be one not by the 30 million who buy the more expensive product.. but by the 100 million who can afford the other...

.. Even so.. most of those people still have to go buy HD TV's and get HD cable before they worry !!

HD-DVD VS. Blu Ray

By ViperROhb34 on 5/9/2006 6:46:00 PM , Rating: 2

It seems like both are good formats.. the blu ray has more storage space.. but for the price I'm not sure its worth it.

1st off lets consider more people here are tech types.. both my cousin and I are pretty avg Americans.. we're both around mid 30k a year incomes.. This war is going to be won by the masses.. most people didnt buy VCR's until they hit 500 dollars.. I have a Toshiba HD widescreen.. and out of my entire family only my uncle ( who has a Mitsubishi Widescreen ) even has a TV that supports High Def.. Most Americans don't even have cable tv that supports High Def.. and if they do most Americans at this point don't want to pay the extra cash for the extra 6 channels that will give you that High Def.. Now lets not discount the fact that the average mom and dad have a 27 to 32 inch tv at home that doesnt support high def so why would that care about recording in High Def ?

My cable box/ DVR has a built in 30 gig hardrive.. I have 3 HD movies off HBO taped on it and 30 percent free space. I know my dad and alot of other avg working class people who won't be interested in HD DVD much, let alone Blu ray. Who needs to record in high def ( let alone worry about 50 gigs versus 30 gigs recording on a single disc ) when most of America probably wont have HD cable for another 3 or 4 yrs.

If HD DVD disc only cost 10 percent more to manufacture.. you could be talking an HD-DVD disc would be 8 to 10 dollars if you could get Two or three of those disc for the same price as One Blu ray disc then the whole storage point becomes Moot worthless.. after we are talking about disc you'll be able to buy in bulk..

Seriously the two formats are going to be so close in quality most everday people won't care.. they'll simply buy the cheapest and it won't hurt that the everday person will be happy that old DVD's will play on new players and that New bought HD-DVD movies would play fine on your current DVD player until you can afford to buy a 500 dollar HD DVD..

I had a PS2 until it broke, but Im not sure I'll get PS3 because the low end one is 500 dollars..and I'd only opt for the high end and I cant see spending 600 .. I currently have a XBox360 which I have set at 1080 on my Toshiba and the games look awesome .. honestly though.. in movies its hard tell the difference between 720 and 1080 on my 54 inch HD..

More then once a format has succeeded if only do to its price point and whom it reaches. Beleive this.. less people will buy a 500 dollar PS3 no matter what features it has then people who bought the $299 PS2.. We all can't be well off people with unlimited resources so many of us know several moms who will not likely buy an Xbox 360 ( maybe the cheaper one ) let alone the PS3 for their kids.

This war will be one not by the 30 million who buy the more expensive product.. but by the 100 million who can afford the other...

.. Even so.. most of those people still have to go buy HD TV's and get HD cable before they worry !!