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.
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.