cross-media-bar
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Sony makes official PS3 theme creation walkthrough
For those with the time and ambition, the PlayStation Blog has posted a how-to guide on making themes for the PS3 XMB. Written by Noel Silvia, a graphic artist on the PSN team, the guide explains everything that users need. The required software for the task is an image editing application and extracting the files from HowToMakePS3Themes.zip.We've yet to try making a custom theme ourselves, but we'd certainly like to know how people make out. For those considerably less ambitious, themes are also available by checking the PSN Store.
In-game XMB pics were fake; let's move on
Ever wonder why we sometimes don't write about news stories that are incredibly breaking and almost too good to be true? It's because we're realists and try to keep an objective mind. Or because things are usually too good to be true. Like screenshots of in-game XMB in action. Kotaku is exactly the same way -- except they actually took the initiative to call Sony and ask about the faked screenshots. Sony replied to them bluntly that the pictures were indeed fake and nothing is planned for the next firmware update as far as in-game XMB goes. Too bad.[via Digg]
So you want to change those game backgrounds, do ya?
So, some of you might be wondering why those crazy screenshots pop up whenever you highlight a game on your XMB (that's Cross Media Bar for the uninitiated). You know, where the music plays or whatever? Seems like somebody had a little fun with their PS3, hacking into those backgrounds and giving them a little more... substance. But how did he do it? Linux? Some clever manipulation of the controls? A trick of the trade, no doubt. Check out the video, tell us what you think. Perhaps you could even take a humorous picture of yourself in a bathtub, playing with a large amount of rubber ducks and use that as the image that pops up. That would be funlarious.[Good work, Adam!]
Sony wins an Emmy for the XMB [Update 1]
You probably heard the news by now: Sony won an Emmy. In fact, they won two. One for their "revolutionary" SIXAXIS DualShock controller ... and another for the Cross Media Bar, or XMB, for short. This navigation system, first introduced in the PSX, allows users to quickly scroll through a variety of media types, like Photo, Music, Videos and Games. It was made popular by the PSP, and is currently used by the PS3, and will expand to the Bravia line of televisions.Sony's new PR head, David Karraker is pictured, undoubtedly trying to shoot a fireball at fellow Emmy-winners, Nintendo.[Via PSP-Vault][Update 1: Okay, so Sony got the award for the DualShock. Crazy, huh?]
PlayStation 3 XMB walkthroughs
Engadget and IGN hit us with some Cross Media Bar (XMB) love. These previews of the PlayStation 3 interface, which is adapted from PSP, show how strikingly different Sony's design is from its competitors'. The no-frills UI is easy to navigate, but it's also cold and doesn't invite users to spend time with it the way Xbox 360's "fun" presentation does -- it doesn't shove ads in our faces either. Still, buried within the simple row of icons and menu stacks are some valuable applications. IGN previews the slick Photo Album feature, which boasts an impressive automated layout mode that puts 360's simplified slideshow tool to shame. Early indications suggest Sony didn't lose sight of the importance of a well-designed multi-tasking interface.
PlayStation 3 on/off walkthrough
Sure, in a matter of weeks this will all be trivial, but the video gives us a good sense of how the PlayStation 3 will power on and off and sync with the controller. There's an oddity at 2:11 where the guide's hand disappears, but it doesn't seem to indicate any funny business beyond that.There's also some attention paid -- more would have been welcomed -- to the Cross Media Bar, which has been adapted from the PSP interface. Anyone else feel like there's too much dead space in its transition to the big screen?Update: Apologizes, this video was also the subject of Kevin's 'hottest game video.'
Sony reveals new 3200ES, 5200ES 1080p A/V receivers
Sony has dropped two new 1080p A/V receivers, which should go well with the new Bravia LCDs that the company also announced today. First up is the STR-DA5200ES (pictured), a 1080p upscaling 7.1 channel receiver with 120 watts of power per channel which is coming this October for $1,500. Thanks to a Cortez Advanced controller chip the 5200ES can upscale any source connected via HDMI or component inputs: the chip also supports on-the-fly color correction, picture-in-picture, and second room video sources. The other feature that Sony is keen to promote is the new menu system inspired by the Cross Media Bar (XMB) used on the company's PlayStation 2 and PSP game consoles, but the 5200ES also comes with a 30-second auto speaker calibration system and a USB port for hooking up your flash-based PMP for some spontaneous tunes. Sony has also revealed that it is shipping the $900 STR-DA3200ES this month, a receiver capable of passing-through (not upscaling) 1080p signals via the HDMI and component inputs. Like its bigger brother, the 3200ES will also pump out 120 watts over each of the 7.1 channels, although it doesn't come with the 5200ES's funky XMB-inspired menu system. Peep the STR-DA3200ES and the menu system after the break.
Watch a video of the PS3 interface, pretend it's you
This is a pretty neat video to watch. Not for the narration or the visuals, but to just picture yourself browsing through the deep blue... XMB (cross media bar). IGN got permission to show off the PS3 menu system and you know what? It's kind of bland. Bland does not mean bad, however. It is extremely user friendly and incredibly simple to navigate (both in game and out). Near the end of the video, we're told we can customize our wallpaper and whatnot. Give the thing a little more flavor. It's good, though. Some of us don't like big, flashy bubbly menus and worthless accessories in our interface. It's a man's interface! Right? Maybe not.Don't be fooled by the video -- the resolution (at least from this laptop) was pretty bad, so most of the icons seemed very pixelated. The final version we get to play with will be a lot sharper, unless you cross your eyes. Basically, ignore the visual aspect of the video and focus on the ease of navigation, which isn't necessarily hampered by the poor video quality (at least, from this laptop). Watch the video, share your thoughts, but again, it is boring visually because you haven't had the chance to spice it up and personalize it.
