Live coverage of Sony's Sir Howard Stringer
By Paul Boutin 
posted Jan 5th 2006 11:54AM
posted Jan 5th 2006 11:54AM
8:55am We're back at the Las Vegas Hilton already, listening to Consumer Electronics Association prez Gary Shapiro warm up the audience again with CES stats. Sir Howard Stringer should be on in a minute. No Howard Stern at CES, sorry, but Opie and Anthony are here. Meanwhile, let's join Gary and give a hand to our government buyers in the audience.
9:05 The chaiman and chief exec of Sony Corporation, Sirrrrr Howard Stringer! Mostly Howard's quotes from here on. He just told a joke about the Australian media tycoon Kerry Packer who died last week. Packer loved gambling in Vegas, he says. During one game, a gambler who felt Packer wasn't respecting him huffed, "You know, I'm worth a hundred million dollars." Packer replied [Croc Dundee accent here], "Toss you for it."
(Howard breaks for a special-effects-laden video that resembles a movie trailer but shows people around the world being captivated by supersize digital entertainment playing everywhere.)
9:15 Howard is going to describe a four-part digital media future.
1) e-Entertainment. Anywhere you want it. Cut to a demo of the W810, Sony's fifth Walkman Phone announced yesterday. You prolly know the specs: 2.0 megapixel camera, EDGE, plays Franz Ferdinand in stereo. Cyber-shot T9 camera. HDR-HC1 high-def camcorder.
Whoops, they jumped too early to a slide of the Sony Reader.
Howard: "Introducing the Sony Reader. Thousands of titles will be available. Downloading will be as easy as a digital song. You can turn over a page, adjust the size up or down ... four different sizes . You can store hundreds of titles using a Memory Stick and use the extra space in your bag for more Sony products (laughter).
Dan Brown, author of The Da Vinci Code, comes out to talk about e-books.
Dan. "In 1997, my first novel, Digital Fortress, appeared on the first e-book bestseller list. It was the number one selling e-book on the planet with about 12 copies.
"E-books offer me features that traditional books do not. If I'm on a trip for research, I can bring an enormous number of books with me. If I want a new book, I can download it even if it's two o'clock in the morning and no book stores are open.
"Soon students will be able to carry all their books ... no more 50 pound backpack ... more important, the books will always be up to date.
"E-books will be great for authors, especially lesser known authors. Companies will be able to take risks on lesser-known authors. There will be more books in print, and more choices.
"For the new generation, e-books will be as natural to them as television is to us. E-books are here. I believe they are her to stay. Welcome to the wonderful world of choice."
9:25 Stringer back onstage. "I forgot to mention that the reader is backlit, so there's no flicker."
He's talking up the PSP now, and new LocationFree. "You can watch American television from a hotel room in London -- why would you want to?" (many laughs)
LocationFree demo of watching New York local TV channels from PSP onstage in Vegas.
2) Digital Cinema. "Sony ... offers four times the resolution of most projectors available. Genesis (HDW-F900 camera) gives filmmakers the look and feel of film that they're used to." Sony 4K SXRD camera for filmmakers.
Video of Adam Sandler talking about fiming _Click_ in digital.
9:32_Da Vinci Code_ producer Brian Grazer and director Ron Howard come onstage to talk about Sony cinema tech.
Ron Howard: "The stakes are pretty high, but at this point we couldn't be more proud of the movie and the way it's shaping up."
They're pimping the movie. Yadda yadda. Ron H: "People have been inspired by Dan Brown's novel to learn more about the subject." Grazer: "Sony has been committed to bringing the best version of this movie to theaters."
Clip of unseen Da Vinci footage with Tom Hanks as Robert Langdon.
Stringer: "If you thought that clip was tantalizing, it was projected with the new system. Tom Hanks seemed larger than life. But here he is, larger than life, Tom Hanks."
Hanks walks on and gets huge laughs by pretending to squint at the teleprompter: "Thank you, Howard. It's a great honor (SQUINTS) to be here today (SQUINTS) to deliver (SQUINTS) these heartfelt comments about Sony's new SXRD High-Definition Television."
Stringer says something about the intellectual movie.
Hanks (FEIGNS BAD TIMING, SQUINTS) "You know Howard, it doesn't take an intellectual to figure out the interface on the... yadda yadda ... over 80 percent of Sony products!"
Stringer says something else. Hanks squints again : "... that are easily affordable for almost every home!" (this is best part of show so far)
Glazer: "There are five or six movies every year that are a social experience ... I only want to see them by driving to a theater."
Ron Howard: "Nothing's going to replace the shared social experience of going to a theater."
They talk about embracing the new technological opportunities.
Hanks: "I'll do podcasts."
Stringer: "I think you just did."
3) High(er) Definition
Stringer: "In 2006 sales of high-definition television sets will eclipse standard sets. It will put the shift from black and white to color to shame. I know people who would rather watch grass grow in HD than watch a football game in standard definition."
"I'm pleased to announce the today that Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune will be the first game shows available in HD this fall. It doesn't mean the prizes will be any bigger."
(montage of HD TV shows, including Letterman asking Shafer, "I wonder if high definition will help the jokes." )
Greg Gumbel (CBS sportscaster) comes onstage to talk about it.
"With HD you're able to view the entire field of play, instead of the director's cut. When I'm in the booth I can't see the expressions on the players' faces, which HD viewers at home are able to see. When you watch golf you can actually see the texture of the green. Putts that look relatively easy in standard definition acquire a whole new level of complexity in HD. When the ball stops a few inches short of the hole, you know why."
Stringer: "You missed."
Gumbel (sarcastically): "Can I thank you for the positioning today? It's great to follow Ron Howard and Tom Hanks. Now, people are wondering (gestures to himself), 'who the hell is *this* guy?'"
Stringer; "Yeah, but you have a contract."
Stinger says CBS stations will begin doing news with Sony HD cameras early this year. Shows 40" Bravia flat panel. (Check out the H264 ad at www.bravia-advert.com for which a crew dropped 250,000 superballs down the hills in our cozy San Francisco neighborhood.)
Stringer is explaining the benefits of "BD" aka Blu-ray Disc.
Michael Dell comes onstage to talk about what BD means for the IT industry.
Dell: "Our customers told us they wanted a new standard that would last at least a decade ....
"We're going to be showing a new display later today that shows 1600 vertical lines of resolution. "
Stringer explains the difference between Sony and Dell's PC lines: "If you want a really expensive laptop, buy a Vaio."
4) Playstation
9:20 Kaz Hirai (prez Sony America) comes out and does LOONNNNG boilerplate clearly designed to give us time to clear the memory stick on our camera for ... yes, a Playstation 3 demo trailer! Our photos come nowhere near doing it justice.
Stringer gives a short EFF-compatible posiitioning speech on marriage of consumer and producer cultures. "Sometimes we misunderstand each other, but after all isn't that the definition of marriage?"
That's it! On the way out Sony cranks Audioslave to remind us they own Tom Morello, too.
Any and ALL PS3 information would be greatly appreciated. Thanks and keep up the good work!!
some playable PS3 would be nice, but i'm definitely more interested in what they have in store for PSP.
any video livefeed in here a la ms presentation?? one would be greatly appreciated
Any live streams for this one?
Does the 4-part digital media future involve spray-painting graffiti in all world capitols?
Yeah, a live video feed would be appreciated. I searched, but can't find one ...
Not from the Stringer keynote, but here's a bit of new PS3 info.
1080p/60 Blu-ray movie playback via Cell software decoding and RSX is confirmed, and being demoed at their booth. Some pics are here:
http://internet.watch.impress.co.jp/cda/static/image/2006/01/05/cessn04.jpg
http://www.watch.impress.co.jp/av/docs/20060105/ces04_11.jpg
please post all ps3 info i really want that the most. psp too but not as much. good work!
A worldwide lauinch on March 1st with a free blu-ray trailer of spiderman 3 for each ps3!(what we are all waiting for Stringer to say)
opie and Anthony was there now thats a party
OandA Party Rock...........................
Eh... I think he expects everyone to jump in and buy that ebook thing...
DUDE thanks for all the great information your the best.
Wait a moment, he says the e-book reader will be backlit. Does that mean that it does not use e-ink, but a regular LCD screen?
Tell me something about the PS3 or PSP... I don'care about an Ebook reader. God, my PSP is an ebook reader (I think...)
Sony and Dell partnering up? That's like having Starbucks and McDonalds join forces.
#4 is Playstation according to Sony's website (sony.com/ces2006).
#7, where's the PS3 in that pic? And why would they be doing 1080p/60 when the standard is 1080p/24?
That's it???
What??!?! Now way!
omg all they showed was a ****ing demo for ps3...geezz
Oh boy, look! Another movie of PS3 target spec footage. Show some freaking real gameplay, already.
Wait a minute. After their rootkit fiasco, aren't we supposed to boycott everything from Sony?
Well at least we got a new video demo of what seems to be Gran Turismo.
Well sony products used to be good,But not any more the elecronics are weak and fail easly.Ive got burned for the last time on sony products.I will not buy sony JAP junk anymore and suggest that you do the same unless you like to get ripped off and the warrany SUCKS! BAD jap crap!!!!
No gameplay? Is there any chance PS3 ships before Christmas?
you got to be kidding me sony come on nothing is that all you got then how do we beleive that launch still.
I thikn this is some kind of joke, #4 is supposed to be playstation. Either the site gothacked, or sony got a big surprise for us and is pulling our chains.
Sure Dave, the site got hacked just so Engadget wouldn't reveal Sony's REAL #4. Right.
The PS3 is buggy, delayed, and is facing a monumental challenge from the 360. No playable games yet? The US will be lucky to get the PS3 by December of 06...by that time, the 360 will have 75+ games out including many blockbusters.
It is too bad though that Stringer didn't say ANYTHING of note about the PS3...it would put to rest a lot of the Fanboy Fantasy's like "the PS3 will come out with a surprise launch in March - WORLDWIDE - and will debut for $399." Right. Try $599 on for size.
Wow, this is probably the most inflamatory comment i've ever left. But I believe it.
#23: Sorry... but I think the 360 isn't going to give anyone a challenge until "Halo 3" and, with the Revolution around the corner and the huge adoption of the DS, I wouldn't count Nintendo out of the race right now. I know I, for one, am buying a Revolution on launch. I don't plan on buying a 360, and I won't buy a PS3 for at least a year or two after its launch. And, when I count the dozen or so hardcore gamers I know, only two bought a 360 at launch and one of them hasn't even unpacked the box yet. Remember: The Dreamcast was an excellent system with a great games library... and then it died when the PS2 came around. The 360 could have the same performance (though I suspect MS would try one last time and release a third console before finally throwing in the towel).
My predictions for the PS3?
1) We'll see more at E3, and the laucnh will probably be in the fall in Japan, but possibly worldwide (I doubt that somehow);
2) No more that $399 at launch. Even if they lose another $399 per box, they won't price the console any higher than what the Core 360 goes for.
3) I suspect, and some of Rockstar's comments seem to follow this idea, that there will be a "Grand Theft Auto" launch title (if that happens, I will be buying a PS3 at launch... I guarantee it).
Guess we'll just have to wait and see, hmmm?
Thanks for the fact fixes, Entrance and dave.
#24: "2) No more that $399 at launch. Even if they lose another $399 per box, they won't price the console any higher than what the Core 360 goes for."
By your logic, the PS3 will be launching at $299, because that's the price of the Core 360 package. And if you think that's going to happen, you're living in a dream world.
The only reason there would be a delay in PS3 launch would be due to games not being ready for launch, Sony said so far everything is set to go for a Spring 2006 launch.Sony does not want to launch with crappy games like on the 360, and 360 is not a "monumental challenge"there are so many problems with it and it doesnt have a next gen data format. MS said they will sell 2-3 mill in 90 days now they say 4-5 mill by Summer, Bill Gates himself said on CNN that if u didnt get a 360 this christmas just wait till next christmas becuase then we will have it in stores.
And I also agree that Sony's Ps3 will launch for about 399 but no more than 499.
Best example look at the PSP when they showed it at E3 everyone said "omg how much will it cost $500?,its gonna be soo expensive...: Yea well it launched with the VALUE PACK w/ a bunch of stuff for $250. And it was a smash hit for Sony, its still a Must have gadget even after almost 1year, "http://reviews.cnet.com/4520-8900_7-1008327.html"
jeezus Xrist.. please tell me that you have more or a better pic than that. for the PS3 Demo.
HDTV in 1080p is defined as both 24 and 30 fps. Running at 60fps is NOT part of the HDTV spec... and it doesn't matter for movies anway. Film is converted from 24 to 30 fps, then each frame is simply doubled to give you 60fps.
With games, however, 60fps is important (duh). I think that's why Sony is showing it off from the PS3. If games can actually run at 1920x1080p/60fps, that will be a major step indeed! (And besides, Sony is showing off "HighER definition" so they're pushing past the max of the HDTV spec.)
There's one problem though: you need to purchase a 1080p TV that (a) can take 1080p input and (b) can display 1080p/60. Those ain't easy to come by right now.
-Pie
nothing was mentioned about sonyericsson products? p990?
Is the Press Conference over?
the reason why the PSP debut at $250 is becasue sony just like there PS2 model have a TEN YEAR plan for it the PSP will start turning a profit after ten years, just like the PS2 is now, Enagdget it would help if you guys screened these retarded comments out.
PEOPLE A DIGITAL ENGINEER say that it would be impossible from a mathmathical stand point for the PS3 to push out 1080p native, the RSX is a 7800 GTX bulit to talk to a cell chip instead of a Intel chip
sony took a shit a long time ago, now there just sucking up air.
I give my hat off to nintedo for keep the industry afloat with inovations, but agian MS will win out, they have all the money and the support behind them.
p990i info all u could ever want is here!!!
warning hot girls:
http://www.bengalboy.com/modules/newbb/viewtopic.php?topic_id=316&start=0
As an e-book seller, I am anxious to see how the new Sony reader - with it's electronic paper - will impact readership of e-books.
Our site, www.DPPSTORE.com, offers the best in e-books from independant authors and publishers...and all of our books are offered in .pdf formats, which the new Sony reader will support.
I would love to see an affordable E-book reader for all school children.
Happy Birthy Lil' Jimmy!
Sony know the deal with there console products. The place they are falling down is with there electronics, due to korean cheaper made, quality products from companies like samsung & co.
The longer they hold off, the longer we get to play some of the top titles that have only been around for 6mths or so.
PS3 will be the console to own. And any moron that thinks that nintendo are the only one that innovate, then too bad for you. As you've obviously never experienced some of sony's great games like Ico, Shadow Of Collossus, God Of War, Socom 1-3, etc,etc.
Then theres there peripherals like eyetoy, singstar & buzz. Comon I was a big nintendo fan in the snes 16bit era, but if anyone got too greedy & dropped the ball, it's ninbendo.
Why do you think nintendo hated giving up the catridge thing so bad, they were making developers pay through the teeth to use there patented catridge system, & thats why when sony came along with the playstation & disk format, 95% of developers could not get away from Nintendo quick enough. & this isn't even mentioning how ninty screwed sony over on a deal to make the earlier version of playstation, an add for the snes.
MS have only copied everyone else, I understand comments on there originality, as if sony didn't smash there way onto the console market with such ease & dominance, then Bill would have stuck to windows, he's finding out that sony won't fold as easily as sega & ninbendo did. & if sega hadn't been the innovator of online console gaming, then bill wouldn't have come up with that one either.
Sony will lead again, due to there marketing skills, business sense & fan loyalty. Every company is in it for the money.
But lets look at how the beloved sega, nintendo & Ms have treated us different.
Who gave us game backwards compatability straight out of the box first........ Sony
Who let us use the original ps1 duel shock on the ps2....... Sony
Who gave us a online service (when they didn't even need to).......... Sony
Who is trying to drag there consoles lifespans out for a decent ammount of time, instead of cutting it by another 2 years, like our friends MS........Sony
Who gave us the 1st console with straight out of the box dvd playback functions & were also responsible for leading the charge on the mass consumerism of dvd's......Sony
Who in this console generation released there console 1st allowing the competition to get a technology leap on them, that the competition failed to capitalise on due to superior playability & more fun games.....Sony
Comon everyone, I have been playing games for a long time now, & anyone who doesn't think sony has stood high above the pack for the last ten years, is a dreamer & has been living on another planet.
I will be buying my PS3 on launch day, & that could be a while since I live in Australia.... But I don't care as I have plenty of excellent PS2 games to finish.
Before you yell fanboy, I have an xpox (no fun) & I just sold my Cube with resi evil 4 (top game), so I have experienced all three. I just chose my personal favourite, as it has the titles I most enjoy.
Get over it all, you'll here PS3 news when you need to, not when you want to. Enjoy what you got or save & wait for a 360, they should have enough stock for you, around the same time the PS3 & Revolution launches.
#41 --> You obviously have no idea what you're talking about.... I have some alternative (and more accurate) answers to your questions.
Who gave us game backwards compatability straight out of the box first........ Sony
You're right, but only because it was the very first time that the exact same medium was being used in two different generations. Previously, the cartridge sizes and speeds were changing from one generation to the next, so different cartridge add-on slots were necessary. Sega was actually the first company to offer backwards compatibility between the Genesis and the Master System. As explained, however, this required an add-on cartridge converter.
Who let us use the original ps1 duel shock on the ps2....... Sony
Yippee. However, you forgot to mention the fact that the PS1 controllers lacked certain functionality that the PS2 ones offered. Therefore, what was even the point?
Who gave us a online service (when they didn't even need to).......... Sony
What online service? PS2 DOES NOT HAVE ONE! The online functionality for PS2 games is provided by the individual game developers. There is no singular online service. The ONLY systems with a cohesive, defined online service have been the Dreamcast, Xbox, and Xbox 360.
Who is trying to drag there consoles lifespans out for a decent ammount of time, instead of cutting it by another 2 years, like our friends MS........Sony
Only because they were caught off-guard and did not have enough time to thoroughly research/develop their next-gen machine in time..... The PS3 will not launch until Fall 2006 in Japan ONLY- you won't see the PS3 in the US/Europe before 2007.
Boo... Get off the stage you limey.