PS3 General Discussion

[FoolKiller]

Meh. I'm not that fussed at the moment - I was just surprised to see DivX files not working on the DivX-enabled PS3.

What video format works best/easiest on the PS3?

From the hard drive MP4. And if you have coughed up the crazy price to have MP4 support on your PC it will be great for streaming as well. Otherwise I stick to mpg2. I have yet to get a .mpg file that didn't work, however .mpeg files are finicky.

If you want to convert I suggest PS3 Video 9.
http://www.redkawa.com/videoconverters/ps3video9/

It's free. They also make one for the PSP. If their main download server is slow don't use the mirror site. Whoever the mirror provider is stuck me with some nasty spyware when I got PSP Video 9.

And for streaming I use Nero Media Home that came with my DVD burner. It will transcode on the fly, but I have it set to mpg2 as I refuse to pay the $80 to get an MP4 license.

 

[harrytuttle]

Honestly, after using the PS3 remote I wish all my remotes were Bluetooth.

Unless you wanted to automate it or something. I mean, not even Crestron can control the damned thing out-of-the-box, let alone a $300 Pronto. It's a really good BD player, and if you want it as part of your theater, you're sure not going to pick up another remote to control just the BD player. It just kills it, especially if you've spent hundreds (or thousands) on an automation system. And don't bother with the argument that if you can afford that control system, then you can afford a high-end player. The "high-end" players simply aren't as good (video or otherwise) as the PS3. They're clunky, to say the least. A $20 patch from some random guy on the internet sure does it for me.

And you can be sure Crestron works better than any BT remote ever could.

 

[icelt]

Looks like Japan Only... "Special MGS4 PS3 Color Revealed (Game Pricing, Too)"

http://kotaku.com/369043/special-mgs4-ps3-color-revealed-game-pricing-too

 

[GT4 genius]

Looks good why does Japan only get the limited edition colours, we never got white either?

 

[icelt]

Try again Icelt, third time lucky and you might get it into the MGS4 thread!!

"Special MGS4 PS3 Color Revealed"

I think I'm still good with the 2nd try I agree it could go either place though.

 

[GT4 genius]

"Special MGS4 PS3 Color Revealed"

I think I'm still good with the 2nd try I agree it could go either place though.

Sorry, I changed my post as soon as I wrote it because I realised it was suitable for here, I had just came from the COD4 thread and thought you done it by accident.

 

[icelt]

Sorry, I changed my post as soon as I wrote it because I realised it was suitable for here, I had just came from the COD4 thread and thought you done it by accident.

Ain't no thang. Obviously I'm prone to making a gaff or two

Looks good why does Japan only get the limited edition colours, we never got white either?

Just like the ps1, ps2, psp.... we just don't get color love out west for some reason <shrugs shoulder>

 

[Robin]

I looks like a chocolate PS3!..... which coincidentally they have done as a promotion before....

I really want one! The limited edition bit on the side it worth it alone! Would have been better if it had artwork on it or something!

Robin

 

[Joey D]

It is pretty cool, anything is better then that piano black which gets dusty by looking at it.

 

[FoolKiller]

Just like the ps1, ps2, psp.... we just don't get color love out west for some reason <shrugs shoulder>

I have a white PSP. In fact, I am so used to it that I think the black ones look odd.

Granted we don't get every special edition out there, but I don't know how well that would work in the NA market. Anytime a different looking version of something does come out at least half the people I hear comment about it say it is just X Corporation trying to get more money out of us, as if it was a requirement to buy.

 

[Robin]

Microsoft: Blu-ray 360 not being discussed
Xbox 360 group product manager ends speculation about talks with Sony

By Emma Boyes, GameSpot UK

Blu-ray winning the format war against HD DVD was a major coup for the PlayStation 3, which comes with a Blu-ray player. Microsoft, which was selling a HD DVD player add-on for the Xbox 360, promptly withdrew the extinct player from sale.

The Xbox 360 plays DVDs, but since the triumph of Blu-ray, there have been reports that Sony and Microsoft were talking about adding Blu-ray functionality to the 360, either by way of an add-on or built into a new high-end SKU.

However, Aaron Greenberg, group product manager for the Xbox 360, has dismissed these rumors. In an interview with Reuters, he said, "Xbox is not currently in talks with Sony or the Blu-ray Association to integrate Blu-ray into the Xbox experience."

Instead, the company will be continuing to invest in Xbox Live Marketplace, where users can download movies, music videos, and in the US, TV shows.

Greenberg also added that the 360 had been having some supply issues in February, which left sales figures behind those of the PlayStation 3 in the US, but he said that was going to change. "By April, we will be in a very healthy inventory situation," he promised.

FACE......PALM

..... Oh well, enjoy it when your future 360 games come on 6 discs!

Robin.

 

[Joey D]

I doubt that will happen since by the time they get to that point their will be a new Xbox out which will probably be more like a PC. It's already been out 2.5 years which is more then halfway through it's life cycle. You'll probably see the next Xbox announced either late this year or early next year with a targeted winter 09 release.

 

[Robin]

I doubt that will happen since by the time they get to that point their will be a new Xbox out which will probably be more like a PC. It's already been out 2.5 years which is more then halfway through it's life cycle. You'll probably see the next Xbox announced either late this year or early next year with a targeted winter 09 release.

Yeah thats all well and good but the major problem is WHAT FUTURE MEDIA FORMAT IS IT GOING TO USE?

Yes you could say download is the future and the next Xbox could come fitted with like a 1TB HDD and you just download everything but most people want tangible games and also lots of people still don't have adequate superfast broadband to deal with 25GB downloads!

I don't know why MS wants to reject Sony's offer of Blu Ray technology, maybe its pride or maybe they have something up there sleeve but to hear from the horses mouth that they are dismissing it outright is an opportunity missed in my opinion, for both parties.....

One things for sure, it shows the the 360 is not going to have anywhere near a lifespan as the PS3 is planned to last (Sony say about 10 years). Which is bad news for gamers who may be only now buying the 360 which can be bought for as low as £150 here and its going to last a couple more years if that!...

This isnt some kind of fanboy dig BTW, Im just discussing....

Robin

 

[FoolKiller]

Yeah thats all well and good but the major problem is WHAT FUTURE MEDIA FORMAT IS IT GOING TO USE?

Good question, but as this guy is the project manager for the 360, he may not be in on whatever is coming out next. If Microsoft works like many corporations they may hand him a prototype and say, "work with this."


I have a training meeting with my staff later today to deal with this exact situation. It should be fun looking at 32 people and saying, "Starting Monday you will now use this for everything. You have two days to learn it."



I am just assuming this might be what is happening as higher ups in Microsoft had discussed Blu-Ray. So, either it will be on their next system or talks broke down. It is possible that Microsoft may be pushing digital delivery in their next go and are trying to force the issue by not supporting Blu-Ray in any way, but if they do that they may be looking at large losses in hopes of huge gains down the road.

 

[Joey D]

I've said numerous times that downloaded games are the future, hell Sony has shown that with games like Warhawk and GT5. Boxed games are a waste since you don't need packaging and you really don't need the disc, why not cut down on materials used? This would save everyone money. The next gaming systems will have several TB's of space on the hard drive, hard drive space is very easy to get now. By the end of the year we will have 20-50TB hard drives for PC's.

Microsoft rejected the offer because they don't need it. The only thing they need to do is give the 360 a bigger hard drive and it's fine until the next system comes out. You can download whatever you want on to it. If you don't have an internet connection then you are falling behind on the technology, you can't expect the industry to wait for you. Either get with the programme or be left behind.

And if Sony thinks the lifespan of the PS3 is 10 years they are nuts, 1080 will be out dated in a couple years. Not to mention increased graphics capability. If they were smart they would put the fourth generation out sometime in 2010 or with the launch of the next resolution spec TV.

 

[FoolKiller]

I've said numerous times that downloaded games are the future, hell Sony has shown that with games like Warhawk and GT5.

Both of which I have/will have on disc.

Microsoft rejected the offer because they don't need it. The only thing they need to do is give the 360 a bigger hard drive and it's fine until the next system comes out.

What about high end high-speed connections?

You can download whatever you want on to it. If you don't have an internet connection then you are falling behind on the technology, you can't expect the industry to wait for you. Either get with the programme or be left behind.

At work we are running on a 1gb fiber line and I still wouldn't want to wait on a 20+GB download. And as my connection at home is only 1mb I definitely do not want to wait on that crap.

You think the, "Get with the expensive top-of-the-line service program or buh-bye" philosophy will resonate well with consumers? You are asking people to pay massive monthly rates so they can conveniently use a service. To me a one-time storage cabinet is cheaper and a 5 minute run to the store is more convenient than a 24+ hour download.

And if Sony thinks the lifespan of the PS3 is 10 years they are nuts, 1080 will be out dated in a couple years. Not to mention increased graphics capability. If they were smart they would put the fourth generation out sometime in 2010 or with the launch of the next resolution spec TV.

The PS2 is on a ten year lifespan too. That ten years does not mean before the next system comes out, but that is how long it will have continued support.

And by the way, 1080p is the standard set by the FCC. I have heard nothing of new and better stuff coming out. If you have that information I would love to see it. Right now, as far as I can tell only PC monitors are breaking the 1080p grounds.

 

[Robin]

.

 

[Joey D]

Both of which I have/will have on disc.

The thing is you don't have to though, I downloaded Warhawk and I will probably download GT5 mainly because I don't want to have to drive to the game store to get it and risk them not having it in stock. With all the pre-orders on it I'm guessing there will be a short supply for a while.

What about high end high-speed connections?

I'm not sure what you mean?

At work we are running on a 1gb fiber line and I still wouldn't want to wait on a 20+GB download. And as my connection at home is only 1mb I definitely do not want to wait on that crap.

This is right now, give it 2 or 3 years. Technology, especially internet technology, advances stupidly fast now and even more so if there is a demand for it. My computer here at home has a 6mb connection and I download all sorts of things is a pretty resonable time that are several gigs.

You think the, "Get with the expensive top-of-the-line service program or buh-bye" philosophy will resonate well with consumers? You are asking people to pay massive monthly rates so they can conveniently use a service. To me a one-time storage cabinet is cheaper and a 5 minute run to the store is more convenient than a 24+ hour download.

Yes I think that will fly. Look at games like Crysis, how many PC's can play it? Not many I would wager but people still buy it and it was still 2007 game of the year (according to the box). You just update your technology if you want to have the next big thing. Look at how many people are going to spend several hundred dollars to just play GT5 on this site alone.

Digital downloads will probably be the next big thing, and for those who can't be bother with it I'm sure they will offer disc games that you install on the system like a PC. These consoles are so close to a PC already why not just make them that. Microsoft could just do that if they didn't want to go Blu-Ray.

The PS2 is on a ten year lifespan too. That ten years does not mean before the next system comes out, but that is how long it will have continued support.

Ah, I suppose I misunderstood Robin.

And by the way, 1080p is the standard set by the FCC. I have heard nothing of new and better stuff coming out. If you have that information I would love to see it. Right now, as far as I can tell only PC monitors are breaking the 1080p grounds.

And how long ago was 720 standard? As long as there are people wanting bigger and better things companies will be producing them. At Best Buy they have a 70" 1080 HDTV which looks like crap because the resolution can't go that high. People are going to want TV's like that. The only bits and pieces I have heard about the next generation TV's are from a friend who sort of works in the field, which is hardly creditable.

 

[Robin]

Good question, but as this guy is the project manager for the 360, he may not be in on whatever is coming out next. If Microsoft works like many corporations they may hand him a prototype and say, "work with this."

I suppose employees come and go and as you said what this guy is saying now may not even be true a few months down the line.. A good example was Phil Harrison and rumble... it happened and he had to eat his words and now hes gone!

MS may very well have some sort or mega strategy for this and there LIVE branding seems to be where they are heading i.e. a non physical distributor of everything!

I have a training meeting with my staff later today to deal with this exact situation. It should be fun looking at 32 people and saying, "Starting Monday you will now use this for everything. You have two days to learn it."

Hope you dont go too hard on them!

I am just assuming this might be what is happening as higher ups in Microsoft had discussed Blu-Ray. So, either it will be on their next system or talks broke down. It is possible that Microsoft may be pushing digital delivery in their next go and are trying to force the issue by not supporting Blu-Ray in any way, but if they do that they may be looking at large losses in hopes of huge gains down the road.

Yeah, loose the battle but not the war mentality, big gamble but having said that Sony to a huge gamble with Blu Ray and it payed off..

I've said numerous times that downloaded games are the future, hell Sony has shown that with games like Warhawk and GT5. Boxed games are a waste since you don't need packaging and you really don't need the disc, why not cut down on materials used?

As I said there are many people who do like physical things, they want an extravagant games and DVD collection, they want to see the box, the box art the disc etc... it feels like they have actually bought something.. I never really buy stuff I can't hold, if its on PSN and disc I will buy the disc version...

This would save everyone money.

Not necessarily, If anything I see it being a monopoly! You wouldn't be able to shop around if it was only on offer from XBL... this brings me to the major flaws with downloadable content available from one place...

1. What are all the media stores going to do? HMV, Virgin, GAME etc... a huge percentage of their profits are from games, they now wont be able to sell anything.. are they are all going to go bust? And don't forget online retailers.

2. No competition so your going to pay the horrible full RRP on the XBL site and there is nothing you can do about it...

3. The second hand market, your not going to be able to buy games for cheap off ebay or off your friends... even the brand new games market, games are half the price abroad due to VAT and other taxes... so now they are all going to be a standard price?

4. System failure, you already loose your XBL arcade games, now your going to be loosing everything if xbox reliability is anything to go by!

Now you could say that donwloadble content it already the way things are going with music films even software etc but there is one difference... THERE ARE MANY COMPANIES OFFERING THESE SERVICES which means its better because there is competition.

The next gaming systems will have several TB's of space on the hard drive, hard drive space is very easy to get now. By the end of the year we will have 20-50TB hard drives for PC's.

That may well be true but in my eyes discs (if looked after) are far more reliable than any HDD's especially large ones...

Microsoft rejected the offer because they don't need it. The only thing they need to do is give the 360 a bigger hard drive and it's fine until the next system comes out. You can download whatever you want on to it. If you don't have an internet connection then you are falling behind on the technology, you can't expect the industry to wait for you. Either get with the programme or be left behind.

Saying that 'oh technology has moved on.... deal with it' is not the way to get sales in a console war... Both 360 and PS3 have tried as hard as possible to accommodate people who may not be up to todays technologies in the hope to secure more sales (BC is a good example of this).

For example, I still only have an SD box TV... I would be mighty pissed off if the PS3 was HDTV only and therefore I probably wouldn't buy it and buy another system or buy it when I can afford a new TV... either way its a loss in sale right now.

Not everyone has broadband (even in the UK there are lots of rural areas which cant get it other than through satellite which is madness!). And even those who have BB most don't have super fast speeds.... most have somewhere between 2 and 10MB which is not fast enough to download 25GB! A song yes, a film, yes... but not a huge game..

And if Sony thinks the lifespan of the PS3 is 10 years they are nuts, 1080 will be out dated in a couple years. Not to mention increased graphics capability. If they were smart they would put the fourth generation out sometime in 2010 or with the launch of the next resolution spec TV.

The PS2 has lasted nearly 10 years..... it came out in 1999 and its still going now (ok it has seen some changes) but it still runs on the same core parts...

I see the PS3 being totally able to last 10 years if not more... as for 2010 there is no way that we would see the PS4 that early in my eyes..

Robin

 

[Joey D]

Since I hate massive text walls:

I suppose this is why I prefer to game on the PC more then anything else, they aren't barred by technology as much as consoles are. If your rig won't play it then you either don't bother getting it or you spend a couple hundred bucks and upgrade. I was having an issue playing FSX on my GeForce 6600 so I ditched it and got an 8800GT, now I'm set for a couple years.

One thing I will never understand is why people don't have broadband, don't companies realise that they should have it everywhere by now? And there is no reason to have broadband this slow, look at Japan or Korea, they are significantly faster.

And I see no reason why we wouldn't see the fourth generation PS by 2010, especially if MS puts out a new console. Sony would sell a next next gen system without an issue.

 

[land sea air]

And I see no reason why we wouldn't see the fourth generation PS by 2010, especially if MS puts out a new console. Sony would sell a next next gen system without an issue.

I'm sorry but I think it's silly to think they will bring something out that soon.

 

[MagpieRacer]

My dad has just upgraded our AOL account, and they are sending us a free PS3.

YAYAYAYAYAY!

 

[ROAD_DOGG33J]

This is right now, give it 2 or 3 years. Technology, especially internet technology, advances stupidly fast now and even more so if there is a demand for it. My computer here at home has a 6mb connection and I download all sorts of things is a pretty reasonable time that are several gigs.

I think you're overestimating this a tad bit. I think internet technology is at more of a stand still in America. The future for residents is fiber optic connections that go all the way to everyone's home. And that is pretty expensive. Verizon has installed a couple (maybe thousands) of those over the past year. You may have heard about them digging into gas pipes and other stuff on the internet.


The one thing I don't like about downloading games is that you can't sell or trade them off. So if you don't like the game or you get bored, you are stuck with it.

 

[FoolKiller]

The thing is you don't have to though, I downloaded Warhawk and I will probably download GT5 mainly because I don't want to have to drive to the game store to get it and risk them not having it in stock. With all the pre-orders on it I'm guessing there will be a short supply for a while.

But I DO have a choice. If the next XBox doesn't worry about a new media format then your choice will be buy a 6-disc game or download a 20gb file. I just don't think it works.

I'm not sure what you mean?

You said they only had to provide a big HDD, so I was saying what about a big Internet connection, because a lot of people will still need that too.

This is right now, give it 2 or 3 years. Technology, especially internet technology, advances stupidly fast now and even more so if there is a demand for it. My computer here at home has a 6mb connection and I download all sorts of things is a pretty resonable time that are several gigs.

I download a few several gig files too, but lets define several gigs. Up to 50gb is quite a several.

Yes I think that will fly. Look at games like Crysis, how many PC's can play it? Not many I would wager but people still buy it and it was still 2007 game of the year (according to the box). You just update your technology if you want to have the next big thing. Look at how many people are going to spend several hundred dollars to just play GT5 on this site alone.

It is one thing to spend a few hundred once every few years to upgrade a PC. I'm looking at that right now. But that is not the same as asking us to pay as much as $50 a month (based on my cable company's rates) for a higher speed broadband connection.

But then people (not me) pay to use Live, so maybe I am wrong.

Digital downloads will probably be the next big thing, and for those who can't be bother with it I'm sure they will offer disc games that you install on the system like a PC.

Now, here you make a good point. The PS3 already does a HDD install on games, so I guess this would be a feasible idea.

And how long ago was 720 standard?

I guess I misspoke there. 1080p is not standard either, nor will be. HD is (will be) the standard. And we only did that because the FCC forced them to. HD has been around for decades.

At Best Buy they have a 70" 1080 HDTV which looks like crap because the resolution can't go that high.

Are you sure it isn't because Best Buy, at least in my experience, doesn't know crap about setting up the TVs to get the best picture? I've seen 19" that look like crap. It has been my experience with all the big electronics stores that they just put them up out of the box for display and only the showcase models with the surround setup and Blu-Ray drives connected look truly good.

Plus, any TV that size will have issues with digital signals unless you go projection.

People are going to want TV's like that. The only bits and pieces I have heard about the next generation TV's are from a friend who sort of works in the field, which is hardly creditable.

With digital signals the resolution will have to increase or anything over 60" may need to be projection, but as all the broadcast stations have just replaced, or are in the act of replacing, all their equipment to at most 1080p I don't see anything higher being used outside of gaming.

Hope you dont go too hard on them!

Actually we had another delay and so I ended up having to go hard on my boss to tell him to back up the roll-out for testing and training. I got him to agree to 4 days after whatever the finalization is. It was supposed to be ready a month ago.

Yeah, loose the battle but not the war mentality, big gamble but having said that Sony to a huge gamble with Blu Ray and it payed off..

Actually I think Sony had to find a way to boost them in a war that was coming whether it was in the PS3 or not. As they had the perfect delivery device it was a synergy play.

Now if Microsoft pushes DD on movies, music, etc then I think they may be working, but for gaming needs I think it may be a bit much yet.

Now you could say that donwloadble content it already the way things are going with music films even software etc but there is one difference... THERE ARE MANY COMPANIES OFFERING THESE SERVICES which means its better because there is competition.

PSN is already a competition. And if Microsoft jumps on it others will too. Netflix allows instant viewing where connection speed determines video quality (and they have Red Dwarf 1-7 👍 ) iTunes is getting into the movies thing too and some independent things on iTunes are already hi-def.

The competition is there, but I don;t think the overall market base is yet.

Since I hate massive text walls:

I love them, apparently.

One thing I will never understand is why people don't have broadband, don't companies realise that they should have it everywhere by now? And there is no reason to have broadband this slow, look at Japan or Korea, they are significantly faster.

When I was in college studying telecommunications in 2001 we were shown that 2000 data showed that only 80% of American households had a telephone and had never exceeded that number. You don't see them because we like to avoid those places, what with their banjo playing and pig squealing and all.

And I see no reason why we wouldn't see the fourth generation PS by 2010, especially if MS puts out a new console. Sony would sell a next next gen system without an issue.

I don't see them charging for a new system only four years after people bought one for $600, and three years after most were bought for $400-$500.

 

[Joey D]

I thought the PS3 came out in 2005 which is why I thought 2010, I guess it came out in 2006 so a system in 2011 would probably be more on schedule. It's pretty much been a 5 year interval between releases. Electronics will have doubled in power over the next three years so it makes sense for Sony to keep with the times if they want to stay on top.

As for TV's, I really think you will see the next step in resolution in a few years. 1440 would be the next right? Sony seems to be on top of the latest technology so I see no reason why they wouldn't stay with it.

As for the next games, I still think companies will push digital downloads since we are basically an iTuned, downloading, "sharing is caring" civilisation now. Internet connections will be able to cope, I mean only two years ago I could get 1mps internet, now I have 6mps and I'm guessing I'll see 20mps sooner rather then later. Technology always seems slow to get going but once it does it puts the hammer down and I really do thing Sony can be the leader in this.

 

[Robin]

PSN is already a competition. And if Microsoft jumps on it others will too. Netflix allows instant viewing where connection speed determines video quality (and they have Red Dwarf 1-7 👍 ) iTunes is getting into the movies thing too and some independent things on iTunes are already hi-def.

The competition is there, but I don;t think the overall market base is yet.

I meant for console specific games only..

What I was trying to say was that, for example, if the xbox went totally download only the ONLY place you would be able to get your games from is xbox live.

If you want a song you can go to many providers offering different prices, quality, drm free etc etc... The same goes for movies and thats a good thing, more competition

So in a way with games there would be no competition, the xbox live service would be the only place to get xbox games.... so no more great store deals or second hand games.

This would mean it would be a monopoly...

Playstation could also go download only but seeing as they have invested heavily in Blu Ray I doubt that will happen.

Does everyone really want to pay full RRP for games from an MS run download service? I dont!

Robin

 

[Joey D]

It's bound to happen though, we are becoming a more and more digital society. I would wager over the next 15 years you will see the irradiation of CD's and DVD/Blu-Ray movies. Futurist say we will all be connected to the internet soon so I don't see why games wouldn't follow in that exact same trend.

 

[Robin]

It's bound to happen though, we are becoming a more and more digital society. I would wager over the next 15 years you will see the irradiation of CD's and DVD/Blu-Ray movies. Futurist say we will all be connected to the internet soon so I don't see why games wouldn't follow in that exact same trend.

I just hope the digital society has the same levels of consumer choice as the real world!

Also I don't think an EMP can wipe a CD but it could wipe a hard drive.... something to think about in preparation for world war 3...

Robin

 

[Joey D]

I just hope the digital society has the same levels of consumer choice as the real world!

Also I don't think an EMP can wipe a CD but it could wipe a hard drive.... something to think about in preparation for world war 3...

Robin

Sure why would there be choice? The internet is a huge place and every company would try to get on board with these downloads and out do every one else. There would probably be increased competition between companies. And think about game rentals? Just put some sort of DRM on the game that makes it expire after a given time.

Backing up data would be quite easy as well, just run a RAID set up and everything is backed up....which leaves me with this question, can I do that on the PS3?

 

[GT4 genius]

I just hope the digital society has the same levels of consumer choice as the real world!

Also I don't think an EMP can wipe a CD but it could wipe a hard drive.... something to think about in preparation for world war 3...

Robin

EMP=Electro Magnetic Pulse? If a big one does ever happen I think we need to worry about more than just our PS3 hardrives!