Playstation 3 Information, hardware, games discussion Part II

[gschwendt]

Re: Playstation 3 Information, hardware, games discussion Part II

It's not just the HDMI (which is NOT upgradeable), I also want the Wi-Fi. I hooked up a wireless network to use with my 360, and love the fact that both PS3 and Wii will have that capability right out of the box.

everything but the HDMI is upgradable. USB Wifi off the shelf... USB Flash Media reader off the shelf (or just use USB thumbdrive)... SATA HDD off the shelf.

[CaptainZombie]

Re: Playstation 3 Information, hardware, games discussion Part II

You can too sir upgrade on the PS3.

Backbreaker, please tell us how do you upgrade to HDMI in the $500 model that doesn't even make it possible?

[JohnnytheSkin]

Re: Playstation 3 Information, hardware, games discussion Part II

everything but the HDMI is upgradable. USB Wifi off the shelf... USB Flash Media reader off the shelf (or just use USB thumbdrive)... SATA HDD off the shelf.

But are those items going to come to a total higher than the $100 more for the premium system? I'm thinking those items will be $200 at least. And HDMI is what I really prefer, the Wi-Fi just makes it that much more appealing at the higher price point.

Does anyone know how many 360's were at launch? And how many were released by the end of the year (firm numbers SHOULD be available I imagine). Just want to know my chances if I can't find a PS3 at launch.

[aholbert32]

Re: Playstation 3 Information, hardware, games discussion Part II

This is not a good look for sony and I'm a sony guy. I don't camp out for consoles either, so I will take what they are saying with a grain of salt. My other plan is to perhaps purchase it from a lower socio economic area in the hopes no one will be able to afford the $600 PS3. I know that sounds messed up but thats the plan. With Gamestop/EB taking preorders in early Oct., I can just buy it up front and wait until release date.

LOL...good luck with that. Those areas sell out just as quick as the suburbs. Also, I havent seen alot of Best Buy's or EB's in the hood.

[Jimplication]

Re: Playstation 3 Information, hardware, games discussion Part II

There was an article in today's Wall Street Journal about the PS3's launch being scaled down.

The article:

Blaming Faulty Part, Sony Scales Down
World-Wide Launch of PlayStation 3

By YUKARI IWATANI KANE
September 7, 2006; Page B1

TOKYO -- Suffering from a huge, self-inflicted blow, a chagrined Sony Corp. yesterday said that a problem manufacturing a key part of its PlayStation 3 would delay the game console's European launch by four months and halve the number immediately available in the U.S. and Japan.

The Japanese company is depending on the PlayStation 3 -- the most expensive and advanced console ever -- becoming a major source of revenue and a promoter of some of the company's key technology.

The trouble came from the very device Sony hopes will help make the console a success. Each PlayStation 3 will be equipped with a next-generation Blu-ray DVD player, which will play high-definition movies in addition to games. Ken Kutaragi, the head of Sony's game division, told reporters that the company was having trouble mass-producing a part for the player and that this would delay production.

"This became a typical result of not knowing what to expect with a brand-new component," Mr. Kutaragi told reporters. "This was a completely unexpected problem. There's nothing I can say except, 'I'm sorry.' "

It's the second time the PlayStation 3 has been delayed by a problem with the Blu-ray disc player. Sony originally planned to release the PlayStation 3 in the spring but postponed its plans due to a delay in copyright-protection technology for Blu-ray. Wednesday's announcement also came after another embarrassing manufacturing glitch linked to Sony: Laptop-computer batteries it supplied to Dell Inc. and Apple Computer Inc. were last month found susceptible to overheating and catching fire.

Success for the PlayStation 3 is vital for Sony to make a full turnaround after years of disappointing results as it lost market share in televisions and audio players. Though Sony's business has picked up because of improvements in the core electronics business, any loss of market share in game consoles -- the company's most consistent earner in recent years -- would threaten the company's long-term health.

The latest delay could hurt Sony in a number of ways. First, the meager availability toward year's end will give rivals more time to establish their consoles in the market. Microsoft Corp. released its latest model, the Xbox 360, last year, while Nintendo Co. is planning a fall release for its radical new Wii console, which comes with wireless controllers that look like television remote controls and can be wielded like a tennis racket or a sword.

PlayStation 3 is still scheduled to be launched ahead of the holiday season in the U.S. (Nov. 17) and Japan (Nov. 11). But only a little more than two million units will be available by the end of December, divided almost equally between the two countries -- about half the original plan. Just 400,000 consoles will be available on the first day of sale in the U.S. PlayStation 3 won't be available in Europe until next March.

The PlayStation 3 delay was unwelcome news for a game industry that has shown signs of improved sales after a rough holiday season last year. PlayStation 2 dominated the game market during the last generation of consoles, and publishers have been counting on its successor to provide the largest audience of gamers on a single system.

Still, game executives and analysts have become accustomed to production glitches during the rollout of new systems, particularly from Sony. "This was the piece of bad news we were all waiting for," said Michael Pachter, an analyst at Wedbush Morgan Securities in Los Angeles. "This was the elephant hiding in the room."

At Sony, more than just the game division is at stake. The company hopes PlayStation 3 will boost Blu-ray over a rival advanced DVD technology called HD-DVD. Blu-ray's success would stimulate sales of Sony's electronics division and would provide a royalty stream from other electronics companies that adopt the technology.

Sony Pictures could also benefit from Blu-ray as a source of future sales growth, as conventional DVD sales slow. Further, Sony's semiconductor business is counting on sales of the Cell microchip, a powerful new processor in the PlayStation 3 that it developed with Toshiba Corp. and International Business Machines Corp.

At issue is a part in the Blu-ray player called the laser diode, which generates the laser light necessary to read Blu-ray discs. This was manufactured without incident in small quantities during testing. But problems were encountered when trying to mass-produce it. The delay pushed back production of the game console until late September, making it impossible for Sony to ship enough units to its three key markets in time for a global launch planned for November.

Even with all the problems, Mr. Kutaragi said the company was sticking to its global target of shipping six million PlayStation 3 units by the end of March 2007. It plans to launch the PlayStation 3 in Europe in the first half of March. Mr. Kutaragi assured reporters that preparation of the other parts of the console were on track.

Article can be found HERE.

[23]

Re: Playstation 3 Information, hardware, games discussion Part II

I honestly wonder if people are counting the Wii too lightly in this situation.

Gamers just arent buying as much, and the success of the Nintendo DS tells a tale. New creative games with fun gameplay instead of rehashes for dual systems may go a long way.

[gschwendt]

Re: Playstation 3 Information, hardware, games discussion Part II

But are those items going to come to a total higher than the $100 more for the premium system? I'm thinking those items will be $200 at least. And HDMI is what I really prefer, the Wi-Fi just makes it that much more appealing at the higher price point.

Flash Media Reader - $5.99
D-Link USB 2.0 Wifi - $25 before $15 MiR.
Maxtor 80GB SATA HDD (no 60GB) - $50
Grand total (before MiR) $81.

As well, if you want to just jump up in HDD size just go ahead and get the Maxtor 300GB SATA HDD - $90

For me, the Wifi will wait until its a necessity for me (right now its not at all) and the flash reader will not be necessary because I already have a large thumbdrive. I will probably end up getting a larger HDD but will just wait and see what the 20GB will let me do and how much I have a need for it.

[backbreaker]

Re: Playstation 3 Information, hardware, games discussion Part II

Backbreaker, please tell us how do you upgrade to HDMI in the $500 model that doesn't even make it possible?

I was resonpding to his the PS3 isn't upgradeable, some other poster already corrected him with the info. I Know the $500 model HDMI isn't upgradealbe.

[backbreaker]

Re: Playstation 3 Information, hardware, games discussion Part II

LOL...good luck with that. Those areas sell out just as quick as the suburbs. Also, I havent seen alot of Best Buy's or EB's in the hood.

In SoCal, their are plenty of EB Games and Gamestops in several lower socio economic areas. With the rebuilding after the riots and re investment, EB games and Gamestops have popped up all over urban areas as well as those little mini mall places.

[ExtremeGamer]

Re: Playstation 3 Information, hardware, games discussion Part II

Flash Media Reader - $5.99
D-Link USB 2.0 Wifi - $25 before $15 MiR.
Maxtor 80GB SATA HDD (no 60GB) - $50
Grand total (before MiR) $81.

As well, if you want to just jump up in HDD size just go ahead and get the Maxtor 300GB SATA HDD - $90

For me, the Wifi will wait until its a necessity for me (right now its not at all) and the flash reader will not be necessary because I already have a large thumbdrive. I will probably end up getting a larger HDD but will just wait and see what the 20GB will let me do and how much I have a need for it.

If you think that USB WiFi and HDD will work, I have a bridge in Brooklyn to sell you.

[Ice Cream Truck]

Re: Playstation 3 Information, hardware, games discussion Part II

Maxtor drives work for PS2.

[gschwendt]

Re: Playstation 3 Information, hardware, games discussion Part II

If you think that USB WiFi and HDD will work, I have a bridge in Brooklyn to sell you.

no... I dont have direct links to articles (although they are buried somewhere in this thread) but...

It has already been stated by several at Sony that off the shelf addons will be usable. Sony has also stated they have no intention to release their own PS3 specific addons, not even the HDD.

So... how much you want for that bridge? Can I put my own toll booth on it?

[ExtremeGamer]

Re: Playstation 3 Information, hardware, games discussion Part II

Sure, good luck with it.

Basically, then Sony is saying, if you buy the $600, you are a fool.

[backbreaker]

Re: Playstation 3 Information, hardware, games discussion Part II

no... I dont have direct links to articles (although they are buried somewhere in this thread) but...

It has already been stated by several at Sony that off the shelf addons will be usable. Sony has also stated they have no intention to release their own PS3 specific addons, not even the HDD.

So... how much you want for that bridge? Can I put my own toll booth on it?

You're correct sir, this was known after the E3 press conference and it is also in a FAQ over at PS3 portal. I don't know why its an issue now. It was in an IGN article where Phil Harrison said it and a 1up article with Kaz Hirai.

[gschwendt]

Re: Playstation 3 Information, hardware, games discussion Part II

Sure, good luck with it.

Basically, then Sony is saying, if you buy the $600, you are a fool.

Actually its more like them saying "if you want HDMI and not mess with add-ons". Plus not everyone knows the goodness of newegg... some people think that BestBuy is the best place for deals and will see the $40 USB Wifi, the $30 flash reader, and the overpriced SATA drives and think thats as good as it gets. Therefore would see the included accessories with the 60GB and see it as a bargain.