Sony says base PS3 will be upgradeable
By Paul Miller 
posted May 17th 2006 7:20PM
posted May 17th 2006 7:20PM
With the recent rumors of the low-end PS3 sporting wired controllers and a non-upgradeable HDD, things weren't looking good for Sony fanboys without a whole $600 to blow on the next-gen console. Luckily, Sony has squashed those rumors, stating that both configurations will support Bluetooth controllers, and that the hard drive will be upgradeable just like a computer. A Sony representative went on to state that you'll also be able to purchase a WiFi adapter and a memory card reader for the console, leaving the HDMI port as the only feature you won't be able to match with ad hoc upgrades. Sure, it'd be nice to have it all in there in the first place, but we'll take what we can get.
sounds good, I can't wait for this to come out and specially because it looks like my Xbox 360 will be able to fit on top.
Did the Sony representative at any time say, "Yeah, yeah, that's the ticket!" during his announcement.
Lame. The HDMI port is far more important than bluetooth joysticks. Sony really seems to have their head up their arse with this release. Lets hope they pull it out in time for the release..
judging from sony's press releases... i think its an indication that the dont really have a firm plan for the ps3 and they simply judging the reaction that their announcement at e3 had.
Correct me if i'm wrong, but it seems more like they're going with the flow.
This is such an important feature that, if sony had conceived it before e3, it would have definitely been announced.
Again, this is pure speculation.
If you can afford a 3000$ HDTV you can afford the $100 HDMI PS3 upgrade
Cut A Check Or Suck A D**K
"Lame. The HDMI port is far more important than bluetooth joysticks. Sony really seems to have their head up their arse with this release. Lets hope they pull it out in time for the release.."
And the Microsoft was so great to release the 360 without HDMI at all? HDMI TV owners is currently a small segment of the gaming population. But at least with the PS3 you have the option of having HDMI, if you want it. Nothing so far announced for the 360 officially.
I guess without the HDMI, the cheap one isn't "future proof".
@LA Dave
The difference though is HDMI is integral to the whole HDCP thing and Blu-Ray. With the DRM on Blu-Ray, that could be very important in a few years when and if the studios decide to restrict Hi-Def to HDCP only
i think they are gonna keep changing their minds about what the ps3 is actually going to be until the day it comes out.
kinda like the controller, the pricing, all that jazz. everyone keep being vocal about it! sony is bleeding money out of its ass and it sure as hell doesn't want to screw this up.
I just noticed that shops here in the uk are taking preorders for the ps3. You americans think you got it bad, we always see a huge markup on everything. The ps3 60gb(which is the only version we're getting at launch) is consting £425, thats $800!
This is going to be just like the cheaper ('Core') Xbox 360. You're not really saving anything by going with the cheaper model. It's a suckers' game. Though maybe like the 360 you can only /find/ the cheaper version.
"
The difference though is HDMI is integral to the whole HDCP thing and Blu-Ray. With the DRM on Blu-Ray, that could be very important in a few years when and if the studios decide to restrict Hi-Def to HDCP only"
Yeah, I realize that HDMI is also for HDCP. I only plan on getting the high-end PS3. I am just saying if you're gonna blast Sony for not having HDMI on the low-end PS3, then you should blast Microsoft for not having HDMI nor DVI on the 360 for the same reasons.
Sony have been very clever with their wording...
"stating that both configurations will support Bluetooth controllers"
...this is pretty much what I have been hearing everywhere.
Just because the core version 'will SUPPORT' wireless controllers, doesn't mean it will SHIP with wireless controllers.
1 Wired Controller included anyone?
umm why does everyone get hard over HDMI? Isnt it just DVI and optical audio plus an obnoxious DRM/Broadcast Flag system in one cable? I would rather have seperate DVI and optical audio anyway and spare all the anti-piracy crap that comes with HDMI.
One good thing I'll say about Sony is that it does pay some attention to the uproar about the PS3 on the net (e.g., the dislike of the boomerang controller & this current topic).
Now if only the PS3 fanboys would stop defending Sony about "great value" of the $600 PS3 and start complaining about how overpriced the whole Blu-Ray "tax" is on the PS3, may be we can all get a less expensive PS3 from Sony.
OMGFG i hate sony fanboys and your gay posts always comparing the xbox360 to your fucking ps3 when clearly the news post had nothing to do with 360 , and to help you a little i belive ms is releasing HDMI cable.
http://www.lik-sang.com/info.php?category=319&products_id=8540&
6. "Lame. The HDMI port is far more important than bluetooth joysticks. Sony really seems to have their head up their arse with this release. Lets hope they pull it out in time for the release.."
And the Microsoft was so great to release the 360 without HDMI at all? HDMI TV owners is currently a small segment of the gaming population. But at least with the PS3 you have the option of having HDMI, if you want it. Nothing so far announced for the 360 officially.
Posted at 7:45PM on May 17th 2006 by LA Dave 0 stars
For the record, Microsoft never ruled out the HDMI output for the 360. It hasn't been announced, but never ruled out.
However, Sony says "The only non-upgradeable feature of the 20GB configuration will be the HDMI output." They're ruling it out!
That means no HDCP - and potentially no HD Blu-Ray output (if Studios implement HDCP on Blu-Ray titles). It also means no 1080p.
This is ironic, especially since Sony accused the 360 of not being "true hi-def" last year.
Personally, I think the fact that the 360 core system is *just* as upgradeable as the premium is awsome. All those people who got core systems in November won't get screwed in the long run (although they did have to pay more for the hard drive / MU).
4 years from now, not having HDMI will be a much bigger issue, once HDCP becomes standard and more sets support the input. This is a problem that's going to stick w/ Sony for a while.
I slag sony for no HDMI because part of the reason for hi expense is Blu Ray. Blu Ray with no HDMI is a waste of money on the Blu Ray drive.
As far as an HDMI cable for Xbox. That will be a trick. I think according to the specs, you need a hardware chip with key to be HDCP compliant. Doubtfull this is already in the xbox. That is going to be one expensive cable with an HDCP chip on board. Where exactly does it plug it, since it also would need access to the digital signal outs that are most likely not on the current Video out connector.
Well damn, If you can afford a $3K+ plasma/LCD tv, I really don't think that a measily 100 bucks extra is an issue. Or even a $600 console. If I had a 1080P 52" TV, I would definately put out 600 bucks to put it to it's actual potential.
Check this out, its what i'm getting in a few months. Make sure when You look for an HDTV it doesn't just say 1080P/i but the MAX res is 1920X1080, That's true HD.
Look at the price, DAMN that's good!
http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/product.do?cat=Televisions&pid=05754095000&vertical=ELEC&subcat=52+inch+%26+larger+TVs&BV_UseBVCookie=Yes
Something tells me the Engadget crew is composed 'most entirely of Sony fanboys... If I could only put my finger on it... It's... It's... Oh yeah, it's about every article they post :-0...
Seriously thought, why is everything with Sony "hopeful" and everything with MS reek of potential imminent doom? Just wondering...
I wonder if the Wireless adapter will be $100 like teh 360 one. cuz it is SUCH A RIP OFF!!!
Look guys it's going to be at least 2 years from this Christmas before either Blu-Ray or HD-DVD replaces DVD as the preferred media for movies . At that time the $600 high end PS3 is going to be $299 at the most more than likely $199...Blu-Ray players will be $250 to $300. Basically a duplication of the market conditions that made the PS2 take off.
If the PS3 can survive until then and Blu-Ray wins out, Sony will have a hugh market advantage.
A gamble on Sony's part...yes but it could pay big, big dividends
@ Andy K, You could go over to Gizmodo and chill with Sony Haterz?
Blogs are peoples opinions after all.
why sony has no market for their product, here's how their market narrows down (x means won't buy):
general population
/
hardcore gamers...
/
...willing to spend at least $560
/
owns HDTV at 1080p (anyone without 1080p won't be able to see difference compared to xbox)
/
don't already have a 360 or wii wii plans.
so that's a total of what....10 people?
Frickin great, more uprades. Pulls down pants and takes out tube of Vasoline..
"Okay Sony, please be gentle."
The Wii is already in first for the console cycle. Followed very close by the 360. And poor Sony is in last. That price point killed them.
I think of Blu-Ray as a breaking of the shackles for creativity. With all that space, developers can put their best feet forward graphics- and content-wise.
Sony's plan proves that they kind of get it with gamers. "Don't have an HDTV? Okay, then here's the $500 version. Forked over the cash for that HDTV? 600 bones gets you HDMI." Really, everyone's gonna be saving their stuff on the HDD anyways. The card reader's for those who want to get out of the house and play with other gamers outside of the 'net.
I'd like to see what "just like a computer" upgradability translates to. Does Sony expect people to start taking to their PS3's with screwdrivers just to install a hard drive, or does the hardware allow a new hard drive to be installed without opening up the case?
How will this affect their warranty?
"For the record, Microsoft never ruled out the HDMI output for the 360. It hasn't been announced, but never ruled out."
It either supports it or it doesn't. There's no "ruling it out" or "not ruling it out". It's not something you can retrofit.
MS hasn't released an HDMI *cable* for the Xbox 360. If it's possible for them to do so, then the console supports HDMI. Which makes it double-cynical for them not to release a cable, because they're using a proprietary connector to limit what you can do with the console, even though it supports a standard. But what else is new from MS? They do the same thing in IE and their Office apps - claim they support a standard, but then lock it down so you can't really do anything with it.
From what I have seen, the PS3's HDMI output is a plain old vanilla HDMI connector. That's the way it oughta be. The cheaper model is just probably missing this connector.
I don't know about you, but I want these "stars" how do we get them?
Come to think...
What about system memory. With Sony sowing rumours of a full Linux installation running homebrew applications, what is to stop one of these people attempting to upgrade system memory also.
I can't see Sony allowing this sort of change under warranty.
I don't think they are coming completly clean yet regarding upgradability. There has to be caveats. They are selling an expensive consumer device. It isn't "just like a computer" at all.
This news may sound good on the surface but underneath it all is a big problem come launch day for the PS3.
Facts and feedback about the X360 launch led to one big disadvantage, the dual versions of the X360 and accessories in order to make one similar to the other.
Not to mention the fact that the PS3 is $200 more than the X360 will only add more fuel to the fire of problems the launch is having. No one will ever want the same situation to happen to them with the PS3 that happen with the X360.
The upside on the dual versions of the X360 is that the core unit can be exactly the same as with the pro unit. Unlike the PS3, you can get all the accessories but wont have a true 60GB PS3.
It doesnt matter if HDMI is useful or not but it's having the ability to use it is what matters.
Also the PS3 is lacking the innovation for their new system. They need to think of the experience like the Nintendo system is doing and not just follow the lead of others. Focusing on power and stats will not help the PS3 stay afloat on the console market.
Also, zombies are people too!
Yey for having to buy extra crap that should have already come with it in the first place!
"Sure, it'd be nice to have it all in there in the first place, but we'll take what we can get."
No, I think I'll leave what their offering at the Sony store. $600 is too much for a console I want more gaming value in the console not a Blue Ray. How about two controllers, a game or at least the remote for the Blue Ray drive.
The price is too high, nobody is gonna buy it. Riiight, where have I heard that before? Oh yeah, I heard all that crap about the Xbox 360, but guess what, it still sold. Face it kids, when the sony console is released those of us that actually work and make good money will buy it en masse. I own the xbox, I will buy the nintendo revolution, and I will definitely buy the sony playstation 3 (I have to play my Tekken and socom in HD!) Sorry guys, but 50 people yelling "sony sucks" or "microsoft sucks" is not gonna change the fact that the majority of us are gonna go out there and support these fine companies.
@ Andy K: "Seriously thought, why is everything with Sony "hopeful" and everything with MS reek of potential imminent doom? Just wondering..."
What site are you reading? Joystiq & Engadget have been mocking the PS3 for the last two weeks straight.
Who is going to use their PS3 for a Blu-Ray player in 4 years?!
It's like saying that everyone that bought a PS2 got it for playing DVD's and never purchased a stand alone unit for their entertainment system.
This is to help the early adotion of the technology through gamers. I personally think it's a genious marketing strategy. To suplement that, I believe Rlu-Ray will overcome it's adversity. The percentage of the population that even knows avout HD-DVD and Blu-Ray is confined to the rich and the geek. Everything will be out and sailing by the time the general consumer figues out there is even a war going on.
Sorry for going off on a tangent. I was just conveying my thoughts about the similarities and that they will both make it big in their respective industries.
I am thinking that the wii is just weird enough for me to drop as much as $300 on it before I blow $600 on the PS3
#34 I think you're right. This thread and the one about the VAIO UX have numerous people complaining about MSRP. Guess what guys...Sony's not aiming for you as their core market. They are trying to rebuild themselves as a premier brand and charge a premium price. I see nothing wrong with that as long as they don't simply engage in brand engineering like GM. If they truely have features that distinguish themselves from others in the console/desktop/laptop marketplace then the strategy will succeed. And from what I've read of the PS3 and UX I think they are on the right track.
"I want more gaming value in the console not a Blue Ray."
You ARE getting HUGE gaming value out of the BLU-RAY!! Don't ever watch a Blu-Ray movie and you will still be justified to buy it.
CONTENT!! Think of HUGE games with AWESOME graphics and mini-storyies and side games!
This is a NEXT-GEN console! It's going to be expensive. THIS THING WAS MADE FOR GAMES, IT JUST ALSO PLAYS GAMES! Think back very recently in history to the PS2. What would it be if it didn't store it's content on DVDs?
Sorry again, KD started it...
Steve, the hard drive will be replaced by using clips on the bottom of the system is what has been reported. This would make me believe that it is easy and will not void a warranty.
To me it seems that SONY purposely made the PS3 situation seem worse... This way when they came up with new ideas it would seem all so great and make people want to buy it.
Sony's screwed the pooch on this one.
1) Blu-Ray will not result in better graphics. Why? The drive won't be fast enough to take advantage of the larger textures that the storage space affords.
2) $600 is too high for the average gamer. The PS2 came out at $300, so the $400 Xbox 360 was reluctantly accepted. There's no justification for having a system be twice as expensive as the last generation's, and the loss-leader strategy only works when the item actually sells.
3) The market doesn't give a damn about high definition right now. HDTV is only in 1 of every 10 homes right now and even HDTV owners aren't exactly eager to replace their DVD collections. VHS was long overdue for a replacement; DVD has barely even peaked.
People will buy PS3s, but the Wii and the 360 are going to find far more success this generation. Sony's overconfidence (just look at Ken's comments) will be their downfall. It's a shame, too; I loved my PS2.
Also, If you remembered in the Betamax(sp?) vs VHS war, Betamax has better qualities to it's format but ultimately people sided with VHS because it cost less to manufacture thus resulting in lower prices for VHS tapes & movies. The quality was marginally lower than the Betamax. So if you think about it, it's the same situation with the HD-DVD/BluRay war. And if history repeats itself, people are going to side with HD-DVD just because it will be cheaper in the long run & only be barely any to no difference in quality.
upgradable baseline ps3 that features bluetooth controllers is a good news for the cheap hardcore gamers who are not willing to spend 600 dollars on the premium ps3. However 500 dollar ps3 is still bad for sony's two intial demographics the casual gamer and the soccermom, two groups who were responsible for ps1 and ps2 to do extrmeley well in America. Casual gamers and soccermoms still wont be able to afford a 500 dollar ps3 anyway, this still is bad news, even bad news for hardcore sony fanboys who want the ps3 to be number1 again. Upgradble ps3 is going to attract casual gamers to buy a ps3 it wont work.
can't they release an HDMI cable for the AV MULTI OUT like the 360 likey will?
27. I think of Blu-Ray as a breaking of the shackles for creativity. With all that space, developers can put their best feet forward graphics- and content-wise.
Sony's plan proves that they kind of get it with gamers. "Don't have an HDTV? Okay, then here's the $500 version. Forked over the cash for that HDTV? 600 bones gets you HDMI." Really, everyone's gonna be saving their stuff on the HDD anyways. The card reader's for those who want to get out of the house and play with other gamers outside of the 'net.
Posted at 9:39PM on May 17th 2006 by Brian 0 stars
You make it seem all nifty Brian but in reality things are quite different. Blue-Ray and HD-DVD now (or soon) is only going to benefit the earliest of adopters and not the mainstream. The mainstream WON'T upgrade to HDTV for another 4-5 years. Your beloved PS3 and the Xbox 360 will have a 4-5 year console life. We can conclude that mainstream consumers won't be buying next generation media players in droves until the next generation of game consoles. This is why Microsoft was smart and Sony was stupid in insisting that the console have a Blue-Ray player in the first place and then charging an arm an a leg for it. In otherwords they want to get their players out at any cost to win the format war and they are using the PS3 as sort of a trojan horse to do it. Unfortunately this is going to backfire for them, as the other 90% of mainstream console buyers want a console gaming machine and not a Blue-Ray or HD-DVD player. If this is the case your still talking about a $200 and maybe more discrepancy between low end PS3 and Xbox 360. For you this may not be a lot of money but then again most these people (like others have stated over and over and over and over again) don't have a $3000 HDTV yet nor do they plan on buying one anytime soon. If both consoles are going to support a majority of titles then it makes absolutely NO sense whatsoever to buy a more expensive machine like the PS3 for console gaming (unless you are a diehard sony fan and or if you have lots of money to blow). Remember its mainstream consumerism that will drive console sales, not people like yourself where a few hundred dollars doesn't make a damn bit of difference. Economics NOT magic will bring hold down the PS3 and Blueray...simple as that.
Re: 42 (Jake)
With that much data compressed onto a disc the same size as a DVD, throughput of data access will naturally increase. And still possibly true, it might not be able to handle larger textures right off the disc, but oh, what is this, an upgradable 60 gb hard drive that hmm.. perhaps can have textures installed on them? (and don't even try to counter that unless you're saying PC's are doomed as gaming rigs as well) That's a novel thought that i'm sure Sony game development or 3rd party developers never thought of.
To the greater general responding public pissed at sony's price. Sony's console is friggen expensive, I agree 100%, but there's value there that the xbox 360 doesn't offer. Aside from all the back and forth blitchin' people are saying about specific hardware, specs, lost in the jumble, I feel, is the fact that sony's online service will be free. To fully experience the 360, one would be inclined to sign up for a year of Xbox Live. The 1 year subscription to fill the gap of the two console's release dates is about 50-60 bucks. Full 360 now looks more like 460 or so dollars. (oh wait, then you have to renew after that year -- that is a bummer now isn't it? And to someone else's point earlier -- it's market forces -- the prices will drop, fast. With so many companies backing blu-ray and increasing the overall supply of the drive exponentially over the next couple of years, the ps3 price will drop. Just hold out and get the ps3 for the holidays in 2007, or 8 (oops, there's another 60-120 dollars in Live subscription fees).
Back to (Jake) #42 -- yeah... the market doesn't give a damn about High Definition -- that's why in 2009, it is becoming mandatory that all television signals be digital. "We don't give a damn, thats why we're making you have it!" - US & European Governments.
People need to shutup about HDMI and HDCP. You know what's going to happen when BluRay, or HD DVD comes out.
Some hacker in Denmark is going to rip that HDCP a new one, and then we'll be making copies of that shit daily via bittorrent and blockbuster unlimited rentals.
And when you can make a BluRay or HDDVD copy through your BluRay/HDDVD combo burner, you won't need HDCP. You can enjoy all 1080P goodness through normal component wires.
The HDCP thing was the same thing people were saying about DVD's when they took over for VHS. They said, VHS is too easy to copy, you just put a little paper in the lock slot, DVD will have much better protection.
The interesting thing to note about the PS3 controllers is that Sony has not announced there even being a wired version of it. By deduction my dear Watsons, there is only the bluetooth version.
This amongst other things are available in plain form through their press releases. But ig guess doing a fact-checking-run is far too much too ask, and instead relying on rumors is far better for traffic.
SWEET! I can upgrade my half grand console with accessories that should have been coupled with the system at that half grand price. Morons.
Its like the king has come down on high and offered the peasants a chance to kiss his ring for the low low price of [insert the price of the WIFI and media card reader here.]
You guys do know what the PS3 is right? Its primary goal isn't to be a gaming console. Its goal is to win the HD media war by saturating the market. Thanks but when I buy a gaming console I don't want ulterior motives.
I still can't believe there are people that still support this company. The walk all over you and you take it like good little drones saying please sir can I have more.
The PS2 will be the last Sony console I buy. Frack the king. Kick dirt in his face at this point and hang ?em high. The overbearing arrogance of that company really does astound me.
This is stupid. I wish Microsoft hadn't started the trend of selling a lame-ass version of your console. You know, it doesn't matter if it's upgradeable or not. The point, according to MS and now Sony, is that some people don't want to spend that much money. But if it costs MORE to buy all the crap they leave out in the cheap version, then what's the point of even being able to?
Why bother with a cheaper version? Is it just to say "hey look, we care about the consumers, we made this other one for a lower price"?
I don't care if you can upgrade it. I'm not so eager for next-gen gaming that I'll buy a half-crippled console now and buy the rest of the crap later. I'll just save up another $100, thanks.
Anyone see Blu Ray going the way of UMD?(A format that will only be used by Sony products) Look at the price point of the PS3 compared to a Blu Ray player $600 vs $1000. What manufacturer in their right mind is gonna keep making Blu Ray players when they know they have to sell them for $400+ over the cost of a PS3 just to turn a profit. This never happened with DVD as there was no competing format, all of a sudden the (relatively) low cost of HD DVD may be all the more appealing to the manufacturers that were doing Blu Ray. Just my 2 cents.
Blu-Ray and other HD-formats are in their infancy so to speak at present time. Anyone buying such devices for the movies will be early adopters. But since this console as with previous playstations will be on the market for something like 6-10 years, it's a smart move by sony to take an initial hit and in two years time or somesuch have it available "dirt cheap" in relative terms. By that time i would guess that the next Xbox will be released in just a years time (ie, three years from now, welcome our new Xbox 720 overlords) which of course will include a HD-Disc-format (hd-dvd or blu-ray). This will of course cost as much as the present xbox 360. Personally, i'll stick with my PS3 for 499.
Its funny how every gets on here and speculates on what they "think" they know about these systems. No one knows anything. These systems are not even out yet(except for X360). Sure, get mad and rant and rave because you cannot afford the PS3. But why would you call someone stupid for buying something they can afford...So I guess the people who buy Mercedes and BMW's are "stupid" because in your reality they should have just purchased that Honda or Suzuki because they are cheaper and they are "fun" to drive....
good lord people, these flame wars are so, ummmmm 7th grade!
46. "can't they release an HDMI cable for the AV MULTI OUT like the 360 likey will?"
Unless the console outputs a digital signal, converting to HDMI wont help as the HDCP tagging will have been lost and "protected" discs wont give you the full res signal. The whole point of HDMI/HDCP is to "plug the analog hole" hence there's really not much point to a component-to-HDMI adaper/cable - like Lik Sang appear to be selling (?). The path from disc to display must remain digital.
Which suggests that the Xbox 360 is incapable of outputing a proper HDCP feed over HDMI - what possible reason do they have for not providing an HDMI cable right now, let alone at launch? HDMI televisions and HDMI cables have been around for at least a year.
i dont know what your all complaining about, xbox360 really doesnt seem all that big a jump from the original xbox however looking at the ps3 and having played a test you unit (im not a fanboy i just work in the industry) i can tell you the ps3 will be well worth the price the blue ray drive being used is of high standard unlike the crappy drive used for dvd playback on ps2 the unit itself is almost twice as powerful as xbox 360 the only reason sony is offering two price brackets is so they give all gamers a chance to own ps3 then they can upgrade over time.
i can also tell you the online service is fantactic it is very similar to xbox system but will offer back catalogue of ps2 and ps1 games plus alot of retro games and exclusive extra's for games you purchase sony is aiming at 1 million online users in 3 months.
also expect the boomerang controller to be released by a third party company. and there will still be changes to the current official look of the ps3 controller.
the price for ps3 will be well worth it, instant on broadband, two wireless controllers, hard drive, media control panel, possible remote inclusion, upgradeble cell technology. and atleast 15 games on release with further 20 games within 3 months costing £49.99 each.
@50. Oh, Come off it. Every product every where has the ulterior motive of making the company that produces it money. Where the hell have you been these last 200 years that capitalism has driven American society?
And I'm of the viewpoint of #56. I don't have inside info like he claims to have, but I see everyone whining and complaining now, but when the PS3 actually drops, and you find those cut-scene like parts of games that you've been watching trailers of aren't really cut scenes at all, they're playable, look gorgeous, are intricate and detailed and run at a rock solid 50 fps, and a quiet will descend on the peanut gallery as you all think of the fastest way to scrounge up 600 big ones.
But hey, that's just my speculation. Feel free to complain as you see fit.
All this talk about how the capacity of Blu-Ray over DVD-9 will result in games with better graphics, content, etc misses out one crucial point... The VAST majority of titles on the PS3 will be multi-platform. Considering the fact that the X360 is "limited" to DVD-9, all that wonderful extra capacity on BR will be wasted for these games. Sure, a few developers will make extra HD assets for the PS3, but they will be in the minority. Coupled with the, frankly, extortionate price of the premium PS3 and resultant lower-than-hoped-for sales, few developers and publishers will find an acceptable business model for making PS3 exclusives. Hence, the (arguably) one major advantage the PS3 has over X360 is effectively nullified.
@#49
Yes, if this was coming from any other source than Sony, I would agree with you whole heartedly. However, the world and his concubine knows that Sony are hardly what one would call "reliable" when it comes to announcements, and lack thereof, of anything to do with the PlayStation brand. That's not a rumour, Mr Holmes, but plain demonstrable fact.
@#52
This will only happen if other CE manufacturers cease to support the medium. With UMD, I don't think Sony ever planned for the format to be adopted by other manufacturers. To Sony's credit, they have managed to create a solid following for Blu-Ray from the other CE companies, but I think this has in large part been due to the assumed dominance of the PS3 in the Next-Gen war. As we are beginnning to see, however, this is FAR from a foregone conclusion. Indeed, that prospect is looking increasingly improbable with each passing day and every over-hyped-yet-underwhelming-or-not-delivered "promise". Those companies supporting both BR and HD-DVD have the right idea, methinks.
It's not the biggest deal in the world for sony to release two version of the PS3. If it is so important for people to buy the premium PS3 with HDMI just make sure you can get one at launch, if there is only core PS3's left don't be impulsive and buy it. If you were unlucky not to get the premium at launch wait until they increase supply of the premium version or wait for a price drop or two. It's not like system seller games like MGS4 will be launched with the system. If you don't buy it on day 1 you won't be missing much. That's what I learned when I bought the X360 last November.
Sony actually did something right...
The price point of 100$ and lack of hdmi is just for your averege gamer.(they wont care for the BlueRay or drm implecations)
From the developer perspective they included the minimum of everything they need for the system at both the low and the high end. The developer wont have to worry about a segmented market with or without a HD they also wont need to worry about what format to release the game in DVD or BD since the low and the high end has it. Long tearm thats all that really matters.
Where the 360 may come down to the point where the developer is torn between leaving out a % of the audience or downgrading the quality of their vision...
I for one would not be surprised if Sony used the price points as a way to lower demand at launch.
Only the truly rich or completely hardcore fans are going to buy it for $500/$600 at launch.
It is launching around the holidays.
Think how many people bought ridiculous 360 bundles or 360s off eBay just to have one?
Not saying this won't happen with the PS3 either, but the reluctance of the widespread gamer community will decrease the chances more.
After the holiday season, they can easily drop the price once their production increases.
Sony is taking a big financial hit from the sale of each PS3 at these price points, so why lose even more money to picky people when they can get the people who love Sony or who don't think money is an issue.
Sony in general has never been a cheap brand. They have released cheaper products into the mass market recently to appear to the general population, but they have also always had their higher end products. They believe the PS3 is a higher end product.
you can buy a 720p or 1080i 32"-37" TV set for $1,000 -$1,500, why are people throwing $3000+ figures around for HDTV, and why are people talking about plasmas since almost ALL of them dont support any HD resolutions (HD Ready means nothing).
The only resolutions that mean anything are 720p, 1080i,1080p.
No HDMI = no Blu-Ray movies = why bother to put the drive in the cheaper version in the first place, I dare someone to say because developers are keen to be using 15 gb instead of the normal 3-5 gb that even the most intensive console games are.
Sony needs blueray and is pushing blueray in the ps3 to win the format war. As a studio they want a new format with new security. DVDs are long hacked and any kid can make a great copy. Games don't and will not require 10x space of current DVDs. The best games only use half a DVD and many times they pad the dvd to take up additional space.
pfft, once you buy all those accessories for the gimp version, it might add up to being more than the $600 version. might as well save up those $100 extra bucks and get the version that's better like the premium 360 over the core. hdmi is a must-have for hdtv owners.
I know many of you can't fathom having an under-utilized PS3 that doesn't sport all the features of the bigger, better PS3. But, understandably, there will be a small percentage of players who don't want or need HD resolution from their PS3 units. For these players, having the ability to save $100 on a PS3 will be good. These aren't hardcore gamer types that I'm refering to. These gamers may typically play 1-5 hrs per week or less.
HDTV is awesome (I have one myself) but not everyone has one yet. If you don't have one yet, are you really going to care about HDMI? Probably not. Many of the non-hardcore types will still appreciate the "crisp" visuals of an interlaced 1080 line resolution. To them, that's good enough.
I think having choices is a good thing, to a point. It gives Sony a longer reach to the consumer.
Now, will I be buying the gimped version? Nope.
its rediculous that you people are ragging sony for not including the HDMI. I love high quality sound and video as much as the next guy, but I know for a fact there is no way I am going to justify buying 1080p TV in the next ten years. and if the do restrict HD content they you will still watch the DVDs, it'll just downsample it slightly to 720 at the lowest, which is probably the best TV i can really see myself getting anyway.
The only feature i would ever miss on the base is the wireless controllers, oh yeah and the chrome logo.
Its funny hearing people talk about Sony trying to make the PS3 "future proof" and they made a real mistake with no HDMI port on the core PS3.
Will you guys be playing with a PS3 5 years down the line if Microsoft or Sony releases a new console? I hardly doubt it. Sure the machine will still be selling for 7-10 years down the line much like the PS1 still being sold in the stores.
And with the changes in so called "cable standard", I wouldn't be surprised if the industry came out with another cable in a year or so. This way, the industry makes you buy new dvd players and tv sets because you want to have the "best" equipment available.
I still want to get the PS3 but probably a year after it goes out. I'd love to have it on release date but I'd think it as if I'm buying a car, first production will have some flaws just like x-box and xbox 360 had issues on their system when they released it. I do hope for the best on any system because I like variety and having only one type of system sucks, I'm sure some of you wouldn't want everyone wearing the same shirt as you would everyday.
About pricing, I notice if you know someone in retail and you're buying accessories to match up the premium of x-box 360 with your core 360, you can get good discounts as if you're buying the premium same price. So if I buy the basic PS3, I just got to find that one special friend of mine to buy accessories and add-ons to match the hi-end of PS3. ^_^ Not gonna tell where I buy my stuff.
I HATE RUMORS!!!!
They try to take our hopes away. :(
Rumors are evil!
I agree #66. It's funny how the extra space of bluray is supposed to "unleash developers creativity." WTF is that? I don't see shackled creativity in God of War. Maybe that's why the sequel is coming to the PS2 instead of the PS3. I guess the motto for the next gen will be "a game isn't great if it's not bluRay HiDef." 500 is too much for a gaming console, period. It' TOO MUCH. Even though HD will be standard in the US in 2009, that's still 2009, it's 2006. I would be happy to pluck down the cash for a PS3 if Sony just took out the Bluray drive and sold the console for 299. I would moan and bitch if it were 399 but I'd still get one.
I don't care how great the resolution is at 1080p. I just came from tower an hour ago and saw no DVD worth buying for my DVD collection (I own too many to count). Now Sony wants me to support bluray and buy these movies over again? At what price at retail...$30 maybe $40? Are you serious? No way. Even if the prices dropped for the disks and the player to say, $200 for the a bluray player and $25 per movie, I still don't want to buy all those movies over AGAIN.
There is no justification for a 600 game console. None. NONE. i'm tired of hearing how "it's not that much for the value you get in return." Bullshit. I don't need Linux, I don't need BluRay and The Cell is still unproven. It burns me that Virtual Fighter 5 is exclusive to PS3 but damnit, I'm sitting this one out. Sony won't get my money in the next gen.
@25 -"Frickin great, more uprades. Pulls down pants and takes out tube of Vasoline..
"Okay Sony, please be gentle."
...Wow. You're really pathetic. No. I mean seriously. You show everyone how ALL Sony fanbitches really are.
This whole HDMI thing is as issue for me because my LCD TV (as do 99%) on has one set of analogue component inputs and they are taken up with the XBOX360. So my future PS3 MUST have HDMI regardless of whether I want movies or not.
That is unless Microsoft ever get round to announcing their own HDMI cable.
damn guys think logically
an xbox 360 without HD-DVD costs = 400
+ HD_DVD = 100
+ wifi = 100
+online subscription (5-6years) = 250-300
Total expenditure =850-900
wht happens is u end up paying way more than the ps3
+ xbox 360 doesnt even have an HDMI output
Food for thought people. No console in History that sold at launch for $499 or greater survived when competing consoles sold for less. Not a one. MS will fund the HD-DVD add on to bring it under the price of the $499.99 PS3.
http://www.theinquirer.net/?article=31778
"MICROSOFT WILL go gunning for Sony to ensure that it can sell a XBox 360 together with a HD-DVD for less than the cost of a PS3.
Sony plans to go the Blu-ray route with its upcoming console but, according to a report, Microsoft has told retailers that it will trounce the PS3 on price even with the add-on drive included in the price."
I can't see the PS3 being successful at that price.
Sony never learns. BETAMAX:FAILED...Mini-Disks:FAILED...UMD:FAILED
These formats all failed becuase once again, competing products sold for less.