PlayStation 3: The HD-DVD Killer?

[WriteSimply]

If, and at three weeks away is still a big if, the PS3 delivers on its primary promises of great HD graphics on top of great replayable games, it'll be a winner. The rest of the stuff is gravy for gamers.

For part-time gamers and AV enthusiasts, the other things are most important: BD-movie playback and media platform functionality.

Even if MS move to include a HD-DVD drive inside the 360 but only for HD-DVD playback, the first critics would be the gamers. They'd want pre-rendered 1080p HD cut-scenes, more levels, more details and 1080p. If the 360 supreme (I think the 720 moniker is just too silly - spinning around twice will make you dizzy) is to be launched, it better match PS3 in the basic specs.

Three weeks to the day folks! And news report on Japanese gamers?


fuad

[partridge]

Microsoft have shot themselves in the foot with this add on, it's a halfway measure to try and rival the PS3's HD movie playback. But it comes nowhere near matching the PS3's playback features.

MS, in my opinion, can never put the drive inside the machine - the flack they would get from their existing userbase and the gaming media would be huge. But if they did put one inside, there would be a call for the format to support games too, and that would really make the existing userbase mad! They'd end up having to re-release the add on so it supported HD-DVD games, etc.

I can't see it ever happening, what I can see is the add-on being phased out as HD-DVD gives way to blu-ray.

There is only one console that is 100% equipped for the High Definition age, and it ain't the Xbox360 or the Wii.

[Ascended_Saiyan]

Originally Posted by partridge

Microsoft have shot themselves in the foot with this add on, it's a halfway measure to try and rival the PS3's HD movie playback. But it comes nowhere near matching the PS3's playback features.

MS, in my opinion, can never put the drive inside the machine - the flack they would get from their existing userbase and the gaming media would be huge. But if they did put one inside, there would be a call for the format to support games too, and that would really make the existing userbase mad! They'd end up having to re-release the add on so it supported HD-DVD games, etc.

I can't see it ever happening, what I can see is the add-on being phased out as HD-DVD gives way to blu-ray.

There is only one console that is 100% equipped for the High Definition age, and it ain't the Xbox360 or the Wii.

I think Microsoft will do it, because they realized that the PS3 is the way to go for the best in next-gen abilities. The Xbox 360 fanboys will say support Microsoft no matter what (cause they really want a PS3 anyways). They are probably just lying about what they want because they don't have it. It is the way they make themselves feel better about their stand on the matter. Well, that's just my opinion on the matter.

[Blackraven]

Originally Posted by WriteSimply

If, and at three weeks away is still a big if, the PS3 delivers on its primary promises of great HD graphics on top of great replayable games, it'll be a winner. The rest of the stuff is gravy for gamers.

For part-time gamers and AV enthusiasts, the other things are most important: BD-movie playback and media platform functionality.

Even if MS move to include a HD-DVD drive inside the 360 but only for HD-DVD playback, the first critics would be the gamers. They'd want pre-rendered 1080p HD cut-scenes, more levels, more details and 1080p. If the 360 supreme (I think the 720 moniker is just too silly - spinning around twice will make you dizzy) is to be launched, it better match PS3 in the basic specs.

Three weeks to the day folks! And news report on Japanese gamers?


fuad

Too bad though that our PS3 won't be on sale till March of next year.

On the bright side though, you can get a 1080p TV from Sony next month. (if you had the money to do so)

The Bravia X-series will be launched in Singapore/Malaysia/Philippines by November this year. This would serve as Sony's BEST LCD TV in the region (before the SXRD Bravia units)

[PeterTHX]

(before the SXRD Bravia units)

SXRD is a projection technology only.

Do you mean XBR2/3s?

[dobyblue]

Is there a release date on the XBR3 line? Will it support HDMI 1.3?

EDIT - referring to the SXRD rear projections

[WriteSimply]

The SXRD 1080p units are already here. The other day I saw the 55" one. Too bad I'm not rich. I take solace with the fact that I'm quite happy.


fuad

[JTK]

https://forum.blu-ray.com/showthread.php?p=26861

Fox is certainly on board with the belief that the PS3 will definitely finish off HD-DVD.

[dobyblue]

Originally Posted by WriteSimply

The SXRD 1080p units are already here. The other day I saw the 55" one. Too bad I'm not rich. I take solace with the fact that I'm quite happy.


fuad

Yes but they're HDMI 1.2 no? I've seen the 1080p units from the 60A2000 to the 60XBR2 - lovely televisions - but I'm pretty sure they're HDMI 1.2.

[PeterTHX]

Actually they are only HDMI 1.1

HDMI 1.2 adds the ability to pass the SACD and DVD Audio bitstreams. This is not considered necessary in a monitor. Since HDMI 1.3 supports Deep Color, that will be implemented in 2007's TVs.

[Blackraven]

Originally Posted by WriteSimply

The SXRD 1080p units are already here. The other day I saw the 55" one. Too bad I'm not rich. I take solace with the fact that I'm quite happy.

fuad

Pardon me though but I think there is no 55 inch. The Bravia SXRD units only come in 50-inch and 60-inch models.

For more advanced SEA markets such as Hong Kong, Singapore and Malaysia, they have a 70 inch version with detachable speakers.

Too bad though that these are not yet HDMI 1.3 sets. Nevertheless, it still looks stunning.

Here's a pic:

Sony BRAVIA SXRD KS-60R200A







It's huge. A huge set and technologically-advanced TV for the poor filipino market.

Originally Posted by PeterTHX

SXRD is a projection technology only.

Do you mean XBR2/3s?

Oh I understand. So only Asia Pacific markets use the term "BRAVIA" as a name for these SXRD sets. I see I see.

In that case, the US peeps (and probably Canada & Europe) only refer to these as SXRD only while AsPac peeps (such as me and WriteSimply) recognize these as "BRAVIA SXRD" TV sets.


I understand now.

[PeterTHX]

Well here in the USA we have 2 series of SXRD sets.

The A2000 series which comes in 50, 55 and 60 inches

The XBR2 series, which comes in 60 and 70 inch sizes (the 70 has the detachable speakers)

[Blackraven]

Originally Posted by PeterTHX

Well here in the USA we have 2 series of SXRD sets.

The A2000 series which comes in 50, 55 and 60 inches

The XBR2 series, which comes in 60 and 70 inch sizes (the 70 has the detachable speakers)

Oh I see. But are these labelled under the "BRAVIA" brandname like in AsPac or are they unlabelled?
----------------------------------------------
Hey WriteSimply, I wanna ask though...

Do they already have Sony Style stores in Malaysia? (perhaps around Peninsular Malaysia areas like Johor Bahru?)

[PeterTHX]

But are these labelled under the "BRAVIA" brandname like in AsPac or are they unlabelled?

No, just SXRD.
The only Sony BRAVIAs are the direct view LCDs. The LCD projection are "Grand Wega" (pronounced "Vega")

[WriteSimply]

Originally Posted by Blackraven

Do they already have Sony Style stores in Malaysia? (perhaps around Peninsular Malaysia areas like Johor Bahru?)

There's been SonyStyles since 1998, then known as Sony Wings. There are 3 more SonyStyles since then.

There's one at AEON Tebrau City Shopping Center in Johor Bahru.


fuad