Sony PS3 as a decent Blu-ray player

[Scrollall]

Read the below article with interest concerning Sonys entrance into the Blu-ray market. Given that the PS3 will retail for around $500 a fair bit cheaper than even the lowest priced Stand alone Blu-ray player. Considering all the multi media applications that the PS3 will be capable of what would be the incentive for buying one of the higher priced players? Will the out put quality be pared down? Doubtful since Sony have stated that "real" HD begins with them and 1080p. Get the feeling I'm missing something here with all the other Blu-ray players?

Quote
So it transpires this morning, with Sony adding further fuel to the Blu-ray versus HD-DVD fire by touting the PS3 as a cut-price solution to your future high-definition movie viewing.

Why? Well, with the announcement of some of the first Blu-ray movie players from Samsung and Pioneer (the BD-1000 and BDP-HD1 respectively) due to come to market this spring and expected to cost around 1000 USD and 1800 USD, the PS3 - which ships with a Blu-ray drive - starts to look more of a bargain.

Okay, we still don't know the price of the PS3 itself yet, but with expectations around the 400-500 USD mark, Blu-ray movie playback could be an important factor in driving initial sales, just like DVD playback was for the PS2. By contrast, the first HD-DVD players from Toshiba will also debut in March with the HD-XA1 priced at 799.99 USD and the HD-A1 costing 499.99 USD.

[Jodi]

I think I have a lot of confidence that the PS3 will be, at least, beyond decent as a Blu-ray player. Sony's current, and aggressive, ad campaign about HD and, in particular, their new SXRD line of HDTVs, truly asserts that "real" HD begins with 1080p and their company name (consumers, I think, are attracted to the name "Sony" for "real" HD).
Combine the VERY impressive "Cell" CPU technology with their awesome graphics chip set (co-developed by Sony and nVIDIA), how can you go wrong? Again, think "beyond decent" with the PS3 as a BD player.

Jodi

Originally Posted by Scrollall

Read the below article with interest concerning Sonys entrance into the Blu-ray market. Given that the PS3 will retail for around $500 a fair bit cheaper than even the lowest priced Stand alone Blu-ray player. Considering all the multi media applications that the PS3 will be capable of what would be the incentive for buying one of the higher priced players? Will the out put quality be pared down? Doubtful since Sony have stated that "real" HD begins with them and 1080p. Get the feeling I'm missing something here with all the other Blu-ray players?

Quote
So it transpires this morning, with Sony adding further fuel to the Blu-ray versus HD-DVD fire by touting the PS3 as a cut-price solution to your future high-definition movie viewing.

Why? Well, with the announcement of some of the first Blu-ray movie players from Samsung and Pioneer (the BD-1000 and BDP-HD1 respectively) due to come to market this spring and expected to cost around 1000 USD and 1800 USD, the PS3 - which ships with a Blu-ray drive - starts to look more of a bargain.

Okay, we still don't know the price of the PS3 itself yet, but with expectations around the 400-500 USD mark, Blu-ray movie playback could be an important factor in driving initial sales, just like DVD playback was for the PS2. By contrast, the first HD-DVD players from Toshiba will also debut in March with the HD-XA1 priced at 799.99 USD and the HD-A1 costing 499.99 USD.

[Alex Pallas]

actually the HD competition might scare the PS3 into being more compatible with media, keep in mind that the PS2 would not even play burnt DVDs

[Gorkab]

Originally Posted by Alex Pallas

actually the HD competition might scare the PS3 into being more compatible with media, keep in mind that the PS2 would not even play burnt DVDs

On an unmodified PS2 yes, but by today, it's really easier

[lynux3]

I think PlayStation 3 software decodes Blu-ray video.

[Gorkab]

Originally Posted by lynux3

I think PlayStation 3 software decodes Blu-ray video.

It better do, otherwise, I don't think the cinema's corps would trust SONY that way...

[Scrollall]

Well the current state of the PS3 seems to be floundering and that could seriously hurt Blu-ray. Alarming little story over on The Inquirer about the PS3's that were shown at CES

QUOTE:
THE PS3 WAS at CES after all, but it was only a mockup. It looked good, very good, but if you dug under the surface, it came up hollow. The good part is that they were shiny, and that is about it.
The problem is that people working on PS3s tell me that it is far from done. Several companies are hip deep in hardware debugging as you read this. Not that it is hugely surprising, after all, it isn't out yet, but one would expect that the hardware is nearly finalized and the bulk of the work is on the games right now.

Nope. Both are far from done. The evidence was quite clear at the keynote, there wasn't even a live demo of the box, something that Sony would kill to show right now to cut MS off at the knees. Instead they had pre-rendered video, oh yay, that is going to strike fear in the hearts of Redmond dwellers.

Now, if Sony fixes the bugs tomorrow, due to the time it takes to push a spin through the fabs, you won't see final PS3 silicon until March, April for boards and consoles in small quantities. Add another month for ramp up, and you are talking May for availability if absolutely nothing goes wrong.

Sources have told us that this rosy scenario is at odds with the work going on right now, expect debugging to go on for quite a while yet. Add minimum 4 months to the end date, and you have a possible release time. The long and short of it is, don't expect a PS3 before E3, and even that is a very long stretch.

[Gorkab]

Originally Posted by Scrollall

Well the current state of the PS3 seems to be floundering and that could seriously hurt Blu-ray. Alarming little story over on The Inquirer about the PS3's that were shown at CES

QUOTE:
THE PS3 WAS at CES after all, but it was only a mockup. It looked good, very good, but if you dug under the surface, it came up hollow. The good part is that they were shiny, and that is about it.
The problem is that people working on PS3s tell me that it is far from done. Several companies are hip deep in hardware debugging as you read this. Not that it is hugely surprising, after all, it isn't out yet, but one would expect that the hardware is nearly finalized and the bulk of the work is on the games right now.

Nope. Both are far from done. The evidence was quite clear at the keynote, there wasn't even a live demo of the box, something that Sony would kill to show right now to cut MS off at the knees. Instead they had pre-rendered video, oh yay, that is going to strike fear in the hearts of Redmond dwellers.

Now, if Sony fixes the bugs tomorrow, due to the time it takes to push a spin through the fabs, you won't see final PS3 silicon until March, April for boards and consoles in small quantities. Add another month for ramp up, and you are talking May for availability if absolutely nothing goes wrong.

Sources have told us that this rosy scenario is at odds with the work going on right now, expect debugging to go on for quite a while yet. Add minimum 4 months to the end date, and you have a possible release time. The long and short of it is, don't expect a PS3 before E3, and even that is a very long stretch.

Ok... So we're going to wait E3 for two consoles now...

[markw]

I was shocked to see how CES played out. I saw Blu-Ray getting very much the upperhand before CES but then HD-DVD came out of nowhere. I know we haven't heard pricing on all the players. As well, if I'm right I am seeing mostly players, not recorders but I can imagine recorders will be released shortly after. I heard unlike with DVD the recorders won't take so long to come out. As well, I am guessing around $499 for the PS3. I have never owned a game machine but have decided I'll get a PS3. I don't think we'll see it until at least June, probably more like Aug-Sept. I wouldn't be shocked if it's like the XBox 360, the hot gift next Christmas, coming out at Thanksgiving. Anyway, I feel good knowing that with the PS3 likely Blu-Ray will come out just as cheap as HD-DVD. I do see that the B&M stores as well as online stores (Crutchfield, etc) are starting to do preorders for HD-DVD. Let's hope within a month or less the same happens for blu-ray.

[Alex Pallas]

considering HD-DVD players are going for $499, that would be a good price for the PS3. here's my reasoning:
HDPlayer: $499
Xbox 360: another $400(?)
total for HD gaming and video technology: $899
then when you consider the quality involved (Xbox graphics are only slightly better than the previous gaming generation), the PS3 is really a steal anyway you look at it

[AV_Integrated]

I would look at things a bit differently as there are rumors of a HD-DVD add on drive for X-Box...

X-Box + HD-DVD drive: $600.00
increase in performance for gaming over $400.00 X-Box on its own? Nothing.

Just get $400.00 X-Box 360 and have a nice day. No sale for HD-DVD or Blu-Ray.

Get a PS3 for $500.00 - Once again - no sale of a standalone HD-DVD or Blu-Ray player. Heck, most people (including myself) aren't going to buy standalone players until some dest settles. But, like 5 MILLION other people, I will likely get a PS3 in the first year (actually I will get one on the first day).

I think that works out to 5 million players in people's homes and when the industry and studios are trying to figure out what will give them the best sales they will look at the available players in homes. Their market base. This is where PS3 doesn't just tip the balance, but flat out sinks the ship for HD discs in favor of Blu-Ray.

Yeah, PS3 must play Blu-Ray discs out of the box no matter what. A LOT is riding on it. I know I will pick up a movie or two when I get my PS3 just to see how they look. If they look awesome, then I will buy more movies pretty quickly. I just think this will be a general mentality... "Oh, I have a PS3 so I will try out a Blu-Ray movie... WOW! That looks awesome, I want more!"

[Alex Pallas]

i wouldn't jump to the conclusion that Blu-Ray will only win if included in PS3, but when you consider it, if you do spend money on a blue ray movie, there will definately be AT LEAST one player around for several years. and when you consider the playstations history of backwards compatibility, that is likely to extend into the next generations, unless sony decides to scrap using discs, and sells games on harddrives (such as flash, et cetera).

[Scrollall]

Originally Posted by Alex Pallas

considering HD-DVD players are going for $499, that would be a good price for the PS3. here's my reasoning:
HDPlayer: $499
Xbox 360: another $400(?)
total for HD gaming and video technology: $899
then when you consider the quality involved (Xbox graphics are only slightly better than the previous gaming generation), the PS3 is really a steal anyway you look at it

Not true by any stretch of the imagination. Xbox 360 GFX are on a par with the best a high end PC can throw out when seen on a HD TV at 720p. And = on a par with the PS3 since tech wise they are much of a muchness. However if Blu-ray takes off and Sony are including a true Blu-ray player in the PS3 then they will for sure have an upper hand. Gates mentioned yesterday that MS were open to supplying a Blu-ray player for the 360 if it beat HD-DVD.

[Alex Pallas]

you can talk about specifications all you want but when it comes right down to it, the game play that I have seen, although only a few games really didn't have a major 'next generation' feel to it. and if a certain consensus agrees it does, i have a feeling the ps3 will be voted a full generation above that.

[James Morrow]

Going 'Round in Circles ...
Note that a typical PC currently has a screen resolution of 1280 by 1024 - 42% greater than a 360, whilst a "Gaming" PC can easily support a resolution of 1600 by 1200 with full AA/AF, etc. - 108% greater than a 360. At 1080p, PS3 will support a gaming resolution 125% greater than a 360. Of course, current "High End" PCs can run 2560 by 1600 - 344% greater than a 360. Then again, if both 1080p outputs are used simultaneously (for ultra-widescreen gaming, for example) PS3 will support a gaming resolution 350% greater than 360 ...

Give Me Five
... That's nearly five times the resolution of 360 - perhaps it's time to put the X back in the box ... ;^>

[Gorkab]

Originally Posted by James Morrow

Going 'Round in Circles ...
Note that a typical PC currently has a screen resolution of 1280 by 1024 - 42% greater than a 360, whilst a "Gaming" PC can easily support a resolution of 1600 by 1200 with full AA/AF, etc. - 108% greater than a 360. At 1080p, PS3 will support a gaming resolution 125% greater than a 360. Of course, current "High End" PCs can run 2560 by 1600 - 344% greater than a 360. Then again, if both 1080p outputs are used simultaneously (for ultra-widescreen gaming, for example) PS3 will support a gaming resolution 350% greater than 360 ...

Give Me Five
... That's nearly five times the resolution of 360 - perhaps it's time to put the X back in the box ... ;^>

This makes me laugh for the X-BOX 360 but as usual the consumer will choose

[Alex Pallas]

see, i know i wasn't totally crazy

Originally Posted by James Morrow

Going 'Round in Circles ...
Note that a typical PC currently has a screen resolution of 1280 by 1024 - 42% greater than a 360, whilst a "Gaming" PC can easily support a resolution of 1600 by 1200 with full AA/AF, etc. - 108% greater than a 360. At 1080p, PS3 will support a gaming resolution 125% greater than a 360. Of course, current "High End" PCs can run 2560 by 1600 - 344% greater than a 360. Then again, if both 1080p outputs are used simultaneously (for ultra-widescreen gaming, for example) PS3 will support a gaming resolution 350% greater than 360 ...

Give Me Five
... That's nearly five times the resolution of 360 - perhaps it's time to put the X back in the box ... ;^>

[killermmn]

wtf

[kmillard92]

Originally Posted by Alex Pallas

considering HD-DVD players are going for $499, that would be a good price for the PS3. here's my reasoning:
HDPlayer: $499
Xbox 360: another $400(?)
total for HD gaming and video technology: $899
then when you consider the quality involved (Xbox graphics are only slightly better than the previous gaming generation), the PS3 is really a steal anyway you look at it

hey...u kno that an add-on hd-dvd player has been announced 4 xbox 360 which could cost only $100

aslo, WHAT THE HECK do you mean when you say that 360 graphics are only SLIGHTLY better that the previous gen.. Xbox 360's graphics support 720p and 1080i.. that is not only SLIGHTLY better than the orig. xbox . it only supported 480p.. THINK BEFORE YOU SPEAK MAN

[Shadowself]

Originally Posted by kmillard92

hey...u kno that an add-on hd-dvd player has been announced 4 xbox 360 which could cost only $100

What company has made this announcement? Can you provide a link to that announcement? I find it difficult to believe someone will provide a drive for 20% of the price of the lowest end player currently announced.

Originally Posted by kmillard92

aslo, WHAT THE HECK do you mean when you say that 360 graphics are only SLIGHTLY better that the previous gen.. Xbox 360's graphics support 720p and 1080i.. that is not only SLIGHTLY better than the orig. xbox . it only supported 480p.. THINK BEFORE YOU SPEAK MAN

1080p will be noticeably better for fast moving games than either 720p or 1080i -- not slightly better. While it is true that IF you played a game like Myst on a game machine 1080p would be only slightly better than 1080i very, very few people play very slow moving games like that on their game machines (in fact I personally know of no one who does).