When you go against the grain because you feel you’re right, it can be an amazing feeling when everyone acknowledges your foresight and perseverance. To have a plan and stick to it even in the fact of likely failure can be considered confidence or foolhardiness; with the distinction being made once the final outcome has been determined. We seem to be one step closer to such a distinction with respect to the Playstation 3.
One major multi-pronged criticism of the Playstation 3 has been it’s forced inclusion of Blu-ray technology. I use the term “Blu-ray technology” because I think it’s very important to distinguish the Xbox 360’s optional support of HD-DVD movie playback from the Playstation 3’s mandatory support of both Blu-ray movie playback and BD-ROM storage for games.
The inclusion of Blu-ray on the Playstation 3 was responsible (in part) for: a higher price, slower disc reading speeds than DVD, limited availability early on due to a shortage of blue laser diodes, and causing the standalone Blu-ray player market to reach the market artificially late by hogging all the limited availability blue laser diodes in the first months after launch for Sony’s flagship Blu-ray player, the Playstation 3. When you add in the fact that early Blu-ray movies (still encoded in MPEG-2) looked worse than their VC-1 encoded HD-DVD counterparts and that the Blu-ray spec was outmatched feature-wise to HD-DVD, it would seem to have beeen easy money betting against Blu-ray.
Had you made that bet then, you might be regretting it now.
This rant isn’t the “Ha ha, I told you so!” rant, I’ll save that for the day the HD-DVD Consortium officially announces they’re disbanding. This is more along the lines of asking when we change from “What in the hell are you doing Sony?! Do you even want to win the format and console wars?” to “Wow, Sony nice job beating HD-DVD (and adding significant value to your system along the way)… now that you’re improving your game library, adding some truly innovative features, and addressing some gaps in your online feature set, we’ll see what you can do about that pesky console war,” or something along those lines? They’re nowhere near out of the woods, but they’ve made it a lot further than many folks expected.
I see a lot of people not only not giving Sony props for hanging tough and arguably winning the high-def movie format war… face it people… even the “arrogant ass” can play their cards right every once in a while. Don’t they deserve recognition for their accomplishments regardless of whether you like them or not? Frankly, in my book not losing to HD-DVD yet has been an impressive accomplishment in and of itself!
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78 responses so far ↓
1 Frantik // Feb 11, 2008 at 3:39 pm
In January 2007, I bought a PS3 (20GB). At the time, it was a major disappointment. No good games were out except for the ones I already owned on 360. I didn’t have a good-enough HDTV to take full advantage of Blu-Ray movies. At that moment, I declared the PS3 a piece of sh*t and sold it 3 months later.
One year later, I’m hunting down a 60GB PS3 on Amazon.com because I believe Sony is starting to get its act together. There’s games I actually want to play that aren’t on the 360 and Blu-Ray movies are finally catching my interest (now that I have a LCD TV).
I think seeing this article was a sign for me that now’s a good time to get a pS3 (bought one last Saturday).
2 Doc // Feb 11, 2008 at 3:41 pm
I know Dave, Lono, and I are all “on the hunt” now. The time is now right. It wasn’t right before….. But now it is.
Rothbart, you’re a fanboy…. you just happen to be right this time.
3 DJ Res // Feb 11, 2008 at 3:57 pm
I never thought this time would come either…I am also “on the hunt” now…But, they still can’t compete with Live!!!
4 Larry // Feb 11, 2008 at 3:58 pm
I think that everyone now recognizes the value a PS3 brings. An original 60 GB system would be great to find. I want one but disc-based backward compatability is very important to me. Let’s hope a Gamestop has an old refurb.
5 Dzjoowie // Feb 11, 2008 at 4:35 pm
I bought a 60 GB version in March last year at the European release and am continuing to be excited about it. Recently I installed a 250 GB hard drive in it and it actually runs faster now (although I don’t know why), put in a collection of great movies in divx, some music, photo’s from my camera and run CoD4 on it for nights in a row.
It’s a great system for my entertainment addiction and now it’s fully personalised, it would be hard to do without.
6 NoneOfYourBusiness // Feb 11, 2008 at 4:38 pm
What would of happened if the 360 released the exact same day as the PS3 I wonder.
7 Sean "rothbart" Workman // Feb 11, 2008 at 4:46 pm
@NoneOfYourBusiness: Do you mean the PS3 launching earlier or the 360 launching later? I only ask because there’s an extreme difference… had the 360 launched later (and presumably had all the hardware kinks worked out) things would look very, very different. Had the PS3 launched earlier and still be stable, I think the first year would’ve sucked (as it did in real life) and the PS3 would be coming into its own smack-dab in the thick of the Red Ring fiasco…
@Doc: I was right all along about almost all of it, you just don’t realize the _rest_ of it yet…
Ha ha!
8 Sam // Feb 11, 2008 at 5:39 pm
Time for another song?
‘how to save a brand’?
9 Lono // Feb 11, 2008 at 5:57 pm
Right about what? As far as I know HD-Dvd players are still being sold, I’m not saying that one will win over the other, I’m just wondering who this is for? It’s not like you made Blu-Ray or work for Sony or own Sony stock and as far as I know, Sony is still getting its ass kicked by the other two consoles… So what’s the point?
10 Sean "rothbart" Workman // Feb 11, 2008 at 6:17 pm
Wait Lono… just wait…
11 thesenderof8 // Feb 11, 2008 at 6:45 pm
how is the ps3 getting its ass kicked by the other 2 consoles? last i looked it was outselling 360. and wiis just wii even though its gay. why does this say that BD discs read slower than dvds because its faster.
12 Weapwnsmaster // Feb 11, 2008 at 7:32 pm
The day the PS3 doesn’t suck in my book is the day that it has enough exclusives to make me want one.
13 NoneOfYourBusiness // Feb 11, 2008 at 10:27 pm
People dis Sony for trying to sell a console on brand name alone, but thats exactly what MS did. They cashed in on thier name and swept the little detail of reliability under the rug, AND STILL DO IT.
Reliability is a huge factor when an eletronic exceeds 100+ dollars on any equipment. Also, where the hell is all thier money going. Ill give that 360 is doing better then PS3, but not half a billion+ better.
MS nailed the online aspect, but everything else has become not based on quality, but on quantity, the quantity of benjamins in your pocket. Thats probably why Nintedo went the route they did. They couldnt compete with Sonys or MS’s wallet and went the “casual” route, just so happens it worked for them.
I have no idea where im going with this.
14 hellooo // Feb 12, 2008 at 1:35 am
@Sean (article)
“slower disc reading speeds than DVD”
since when is this true?
just so you know, bluray is more than twice as fast as dvd, check this link out:
http://www.maxconsole.net/?mode=news&newsid=6060
15 Minbad // Feb 12, 2008 at 11:18 am
Sure owned a 360
Obviously went RRoD
Needed to call hotline
Yeah it took months
It finally went back
So then DVD crashed
Two months of Wait
Hell it came back,
Eventually DVD crashed again
Dumped and traded it,
And I still feel like free
Man, for the black thingy.
Now It’s been a year,
Few games but Cell is there
Until 08 games arise.
Connects to PSP
Kicks ass online
Interrupts barely
Now just have to wait
Soon more things to come
Halo 3? No, certainly not.
Innovative gameplay?
This we will see.
-an ex-360 now Sony fanboy (sorry, I have to admit). Anyone got the same history?
16 Aether McLoud // Feb 12, 2008 at 12:00 pm
Very nice and true article. While the 360 may still have the highest amount of (good?) games out, the PS3 will really get sweet stuff this year. And of course bluray will probably come to a breakthrough this year too.
I have the Wii since launch, and basically there are only a handful of good, and extremly few really good games. Zelda of course, U R Mr Gay, Metroid, that’s basically the best 3 since launch. At the time the PS3 has a better game library than the wii probably.
17 Sean "rothbart" Workman // Feb 12, 2008 at 1:04 pm
@hellooo: Yes, I am right and your link proves it. The PS3’s Blu-ray drive is a 2x BR drive, the 360’s drive is a 12x DVD. Look at the chart on the page you linked to (here’s the chart: http://www.maxconsole.net/content_img/dvdvsbr.gif.jpg), now go to the Blu-ray graph for 2x speed. Compare that to the DVD’s graph for 12x speed. The 12x DVD transfers faster than the 2x BR. It’s true. I think you misread the graph as 12x BR is faster than 12x DVD and that’s obviously true, but that comparison would make the PS3’s drive six times faster than it really is.
18 Wolf26pack // Feb 12, 2008 at 3:12 pm
I think the PS3 has Acommplished a lot in the year it’s been out and still has some work to be done. The Games are improving and will get better and better in the Years to come. The Great thing is the diversity in the Genre’s it brings out even in it’s first year.
The thing the Xbox 360 has on the PS3 is it has a larger quantity of better games and a better Online Experience. In the end though none of that matters when you have faulty Hardware because when your 360 dies on you can you play your games and go play them online on XBL? No you can’t. So the games and online experience become useless without the hardware to run it on.
Now Sony has Blu-ray in the Bag and all they need to do now is get there Blu-ray Players to profile 2.0 and if they want to go the 2 SKU strategy they should have the 40GB version at $299.99 and whatever the future PS3 will be at $399.99. They could stay at that price for like another 2-3 years. The better games are coming and I think Sony’s Biggest hurdle ahead of them is getting there online service up and running the right way.
I do hope the 360 improves one day so instead of being a PSWii Owner I can be a PSWii60 owner and also enjoy the games the 360 has to offer.
19 FaMiCuS // Feb 12, 2008 at 3:27 pm
@hellooo
Maybe you should reread your facts.
20 FaMiCuS // Feb 12, 2008 at 3:32 pm
@Wolf26pack
Actually the 360 is improving with it’s hardware, I only wish this was take care of sooner. Here is a little to get the new Falcon 65nm 360.
http://www.xbox360fanboy.com/2008/02/05/how-to-spot-a-falcon-65nm-360-in-the-wild/
21 TOO KINGS // Feb 12, 2008 at 3:35 pm
WOW!! more insights from the fanboys. I love this site, but recently the rants are driving me insane. If I have to look at another bash of a console for the sake of what, rothbart, another knotch in your fanboy utility belt? I know you love playstation I do too, but do you love games? Sounds like you have somthing to prove, I just don’t know what it is.
22 Wolf26pack // Feb 12, 2008 at 3:41 pm
@ FaMiCuS
Thanks for the Info. I know of the Significant Improvments made by Microsoft for the 360 but I am waiting for the Motherboard that has not only the 65nm CPU but also the 65nm GPU as that is what I have read is where most of the heat comes from. Once that occurs I too will own a 360.
23 Sean "rothbart" Workman // Feb 12, 2008 at 3:44 pm
@Too Kings: Did you _read_ the article? It’s almost entirely focused on the PS3, not bashing other consoles… the questions were completely valid.
I generally find when people protest too much over anything pro-PS3, there’s a much deeper reason for that. Another key distinction is when someone’s quick to whip out the fanboy accusations…
So I can’t ask when Sony’s going to get credit for decisions being passed around without it being a veiled 360 bash?
You made me laugh. Sheesh. Glad I can “get” to ya…
24 TOO KINGS // Feb 12, 2008 at 3:55 pm
Nice. Yes I read the article/rant. It’s not that it’s pro-ps3 it’s that it’s only pro-ps3. I have all the consoles and I believe I said “I love playstation too”. And on the fanboy accusation; 1st, are you denying it? 2nd, I don’t believe I’m alone. Giving cred to ps is already happened on many occasions by many people, guess I just like to play devil’s advocate, and by the look of this article/rant so do you.
25 Mark // Feb 12, 2008 at 4:07 pm
“Will it take total and complete annihilation of HD-DVD for people to openly admit Sony made a smart move including Blu-ray in all Playstation 3s?”
No, any way you look at it, it’s a dumb move. It added cost and delayed the system to fight over a small percentage of the media disc market. HD-DVD + BluRay = 7% of media discs. DVD has 93%. So it’s a bad move… even if HD-DVD is dead.
26 Sean "rothbart" Workman // Feb 12, 2008 at 4:20 pm
@Too Kings: IMO, fanboys will stick up for their affection in the face of facts proving them wrong… I will ALWAYS look at facts and never claim otherwise. I prefer my PS3 to my 360 and Wii… I’ve said that on MANY occasions. There’s nothing wrong with being a fan and speaking positively about what you like. I always challenge readers to prove my writing wrong when they make the fanboy accusation. Always. So if you can, do so… otherwise, save your accusations for someone else.
@Mark: Jesus dude, what part of “trying to form a new market for high def movies” don’t you understand? When DVD started out VHS was whipping it’s ass up one side and down the other. As it is right now, all these people buying these 1080p TVs are looking for 1080p sources… in terms of movies and TV shows, the only 1080p sources available are HD-DVD and Blu-ray. It _will_ catch on. Were you expecting total market domination in the first 18 months? It doesn’t work like that… HDTV adoption will continue to rise, HD content prices will continue to fall. When HD movies reach the $20 mark, I’m guessing people will _really_ start buying them. Until then, keep track of your 7% figure because it’s only going to grow from here… also keep in mind that a lot of people wanted nothing to do with a format war and aren’t buying ANYTHING until a clear winner emerges.
27 thesenderof8 // Feb 12, 2008 at 4:55 pm
no seriously bluray processes information faster than dvd. stated in an interview in gamepro with the producers of GT5 polydigital.
28 NoneOfYourBusiness // Feb 12, 2008 at 6:16 pm
Bluray processing speed is probably not a 1 to 1 with DVD. But the fact that it is 12x DVD and 2x Blu-ray makes Blu-ray slower.
For arguments sake, say bluray processes twice as fast as DVD, that would mean a 2x Bluray = 4x DVD in processing, but it is 12x DVD.
I could be way off base there but it seems that is the issue.
29 Sean "rothbart" Workman // Feb 12, 2008 at 10:04 pm
@NoneOfYourBusiness: If you’re going to make the point, take the time to learn something about what you’re talking about. Instead of just “making up” values, 2x Blu-ray is 9 MB/s while 12x DVD is 15.84MB/s. That’s a very real difference.
30 NoneOfYourBusiness // Feb 12, 2008 at 11:46 pm
My values were off by a large margin yes, but it still follows the general pattern I said..?
31 Danji // Feb 13, 2008 at 1:15 am
This was probably the best persuasive editorial on the PS3 I’ve read since it’s damn launch. I guess it takes a price cut and a victory in the format war for people (in even small numbers) to side with the PS3.
Interesting fun-fact: I asked both of my co-workers why they got an HD-DVD player. They said, in both cases, “Sony sucks.” I noted that the Blu-Ray Consortium was comprised of many companies and not just Sony but they then wanted HD to win the format war because Sony “are assholes”.
I, much like you Rothbart, just look at the facts, trends, values, and other factors when I judge things. The truth of the matter is that I still don’t have a next-gen console and am in the process of getting a PS3. The Wii came in a close second with Smash Bros. but I want more than one game for whatever system I buy (and I already beat Mario Galaxy).
*prepares for the flaming to continue*
32 Vote4Drizzt // Feb 13, 2008 at 10:44 am
I am a 360 fanboy to the core, but still, to foist a HUGELY expensive proprietary fromat on people is not fair, I NEVER watch movies on my gaming system, and I certainly am nevr going to pay $500 to watch expesive movies for a little more clarity, that is my issue.
I don’t WANT Blue Ray, I will NEVER use Blue Ray, and I will never get a PS3 because that stupid player jacks the price to beyond my interest( no game on the PS3 can be good enough to warrant the price for me)
I like MS and the option to ignore the HD stuff, I can afford their system and the games they have because I don’t have to pay for Microsoft’s little attempt to become a movie company, Unlike Sony.
Ps3 is missing a lot of functions, Voice chat requires a Bluetooth, no Rumble for 2 years after launch, a barely functional online system, Forget that, Ilike Live.
33 Pojut // Feb 13, 2008 at 10:47 am
Screw that. Blu-Ray didn’t come out on top because of it’s superior technology…it came out on top because Sony was willing to pay off the various movie studios more than their competition. Plain and simple. Movie studios go where the money is, and that doesn’t just mean sales figures.
http://www.livingwithanerd.com
34 alex // Feb 13, 2008 at 10:50 am
my beef is not with sony paying off movie studios to win the format war - my beef is that they are going to recoup their losses out of the pockets of every consumer and we’ll be over-paying for it for years.
35 Joseph Lite // Feb 13, 2008 at 10:54 am
“Credit?” Credit for sacrificing their lead in the console wars in exchange for winning the format wars? Sure that’s good money sense for the company, but gamers got hosed. Credit for locking us into their DRM-laden formet? Again, good for Sony, bad for everyone else. Credit for winning the format war by including Blu-ray in the PS3? The PS3 had almost nothing to do with it. Sony bought their way to the top, period.
Sony gets no “credit” from me. They win the format war? Fine, whatever. Doesn’t mean they did it in a good way, and it doesn’t mean any of us will benefit.
36 Jamie // Feb 13, 2008 at 11:00 am
It really feels like people are starting to get on this whole Sony bandwagon thing. At first all we were hearing was about how much better the 360 is but now it really is starting to sound like things might be going the other way.
37 Tyler // Feb 13, 2008 at 11:01 am
HD-DVD can still win the war … if they have the balls to make a serious change in the rules.
If HD-DVD can release a sub $200 burner and low cost media, the PC market will fly and thus …
all it will take is one guy to buy the Blue-Ray disc, rip and torrent the movie …
… then everyone can play any movie in HD-DVD on their lower cost players and avoid the EVIL SONY EMPIRE …
So, if HD-DVD plays their cards right … it is not too late.
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These are the web’s most talked about URLs on Wed 13th Feb 2008. The current winner is …..
39 Mike Gregoire // Feb 13, 2008 at 11:05 am
Considering that Sony sits on the Board of Directors at Blu-Ray, I think that it wasn’t so much foresight as it was pushing their own product.
40 Chat Marchet News Digest » Blu-ray in the PS3 - When Is Sony’s Credit Due? // Feb 13, 2008 at 11:17 am
[...] Get the whole story… This entry was posted on Wednesday, February 13th, 2008 at 7:11 am and is filed under le Chat Marchet. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site. [...]
41 Mark // Feb 13, 2008 at 11:20 am
@rothbart: Yeah, I understand that 7% is only going to increase, but what I’m saying is that it’s never going to go above DVD. Even if everyone decided to go buy an HDTV, which they won’t, and they all decided to buy BluRay players, it’s not going to outsell DVD. Why? Because parents aren’t going to buy HD sets for their kids or their min-vans. So why spend $20 (which it will be at some point) on a BluRay disc when it won’t work in your mini-van entertainment system? VHS was dropped because DVD offered extra features, multiple languages, subtitles, no rewinding after you watch it, smaller size. The only thing that HD-DVD and BluRay offer above that is image resolution, which a lot of people (excluding me ofcourse) don’t find worth spending money on. That’s the mainstream market that will make BluRay beat DVD.
And how is losing at one business for 26 months (assuming they could have launched with the 360 if they didn’t use BluRay) to do well in another business that won’t be widely adopted for another 12 months or more (I’m giving aggressive estimates on that) a good move? By the time that BluRay starts to be ready to hit the masses it will be time to ship the PS4 and that Sony should have waited for.
So again, it’s a bad move by Sony.
42 Sean "rothbart" Workman // Feb 13, 2008 at 11:34 am
@Mark: Why won’t Blu-ray eventually surpass DVD? We have absolutely nothing to base that on… the format is still extremely in its infancy. The same could’ve been said about DVD when it released or even Beta/VHS when they released (who’s going to pay money to own a movie?!) I don’t expect this to happen now or anytime soon, but Blu-ray could very easily take a HUGE bite out of DVD sales as time passes (and HDTV adoption increases.)
Also, OMG you didn’t just mock a company for taking a loss in one division to profit in another did you? What in the hell do you think Microsoft’s Gaming division has been for the better part of a decade?!?! Ha ha… that one made me laugh.
@Mike Gregoire: That’s a short-sighted way to look at it. I wasn’t saying “hey look, they chose their own tech!” It was more the inclusion of the tech from the ground up in the PS3… no split userbase, _all_ PS3s have it. They made a call Microsoft wasn’t willing to do with: hard drives, wireless networking, wireless controllers, high-def movie playback, etc. When you have something in ALL your systems, it can be effectively leveraged across the entire install base.
43 McLovin // Feb 13, 2008 at 11:45 am
I really don’t understand the people who claim Sony is more evil than any other corporation out there… I mean seriously there isn’t a format WAR unless there is more than one company trying to foist it’s format on you. I believe if you check your history Toshiba won the DVD war last generation. The REAL evil empire this generation was Microsoft who disliked blu-ray because they use JAVA!! There is a java vm in every blu-ray player, microsoft hates this because it means they don’t get their proprietary software footprint into every living room. The hardware is a non-issue to them, it will become cheaper and cheaper until it is just a commodity. I truly believe this whole format was because of under the hood software and microsoft trying to foist it’s HDi onto everyone. For what it’s worth I prefer java… but then I’m a programmer by trade.
44 HeavenlyYeti // Feb 13, 2008 at 11:47 am
OMG Digg Effect!
45 DeejayKnight // Feb 13, 2008 at 11:49 am
Regardless of the console argument, I picked up a 60GB PS3 after E3 because of the price drop/clearance sale and I’ve been fairly happy with it since.
Regardless of how it got to where it is, Blu-Ray is definitely a benefit to the PS3, and when I finally get an HDTV I’ll likely buy a couple considering I don’t have to spend extra for a player.
Bottom line is that the PS3 is on a comeback, which makes the console wars more beneficial for us gamers. Where’s the problem there?
46 Doc // Feb 13, 2008 at 12:00 pm
Hey Digg users! Thanks for checking out Sarcastic Gamer. We’re glad you dropped by!
47 James Thomas // Feb 13, 2008 at 12:02 pm
Credit? For what? Making the system cost 3x what it should have? I wanted a gaming system out of the PS3, not a multimedia entertainment center that happens to play games.
They won the format war, yes. That’s the only credit they get. They lost MAJOR credibility with the gaming arena because they won the format war at our expense.
And for the record, I didn’t buy a PS3 and I will not.
48 HeavenlyYeti // Feb 13, 2008 at 12:08 pm
Hey, Digg users! Subscribe to the Sarcastic Gamer Podcast! It’s guaranteed to be the funniest podcast you’ll ever hear.
-Yeti
49 Sean "rothbart" Workman // Feb 13, 2008 at 12:10 pm
@Vote4Drizzt: Voice chat does NOT require bluetooth, you can use USB if you want. I’m not saying that’s ideal by any means but people do it and you’re clearly wrong.
Also, you do know that there are PS3 models that cost less than 360 models, right? How you can afford a 360 but not a PS3 is a bit perplexing to me… do you own a 360 Arcade model? Ever look into adding a hard drive to it? Ouch! Pricey!
50 Ralph // Feb 13, 2008 at 12:44 pm
The availability of games for the PS3 is finally catching up to the console’s ability and feature set. One good session with Assassins Creed, Ratchet and Clank -Future Tools of Destruction or Drake’s Fortune-Uncharted will convince you. These games (and many more coming soon) are written on Blu-Ray discs and the rendering is awesome. I agree, the biggest knock against the PS3 has been (up until now) the lack of available games.
51 FlintSteelton // Feb 13, 2008 at 2:47 pm
@McLovin: Did you just say that Microsoft hates BlueRay? They don’t, they actually wanted to support it, and still don’t mind if the public wants it. I’ll give em the thumbs up for putting a BlueRay attachment on.
@Tyler: So HD DVD could win if people pirate data of BluRay and burn it to HD DVD? The hell si that?
I bought a PS3 when it had it’s first price drop. I’ve done nothing but rent a few games and play PS2 stuff on it (and a few linux experiements). i haven’t gotten the chance to really use it, but that looks like it’s gonna change. If BlueRay is the chosen format, people will buy more PS3s. Then, develoeprs will see that PS3 is a viable market to make games for and give us what we’ve been waiting for.
I hate fanboys who are closed minded. So another system is doing better and becoming a “threat.” Who cares? Are you talking up your own system to make it seem like you’re not missing out? Just admit that you’re not gonna get everything with one console, cause you ain’t. Only way to play both 360 and PS3 is to have a 360 and PS3, then you’ll never feel left out.
I’m glad the PS3 got some boost. We need the competition in the industry, and frankly I’m glad that I might get some use outta my PS3.
52 gamerz // Feb 13, 2008 at 3:24 pm
As an owner of all the consoles I just have to say that I never criticized Sony for including a BluRay player. Truth be told, the BluRay player is the only thing I ever use the PS3 for. It’s a good BluRay player, no doubt about it.. but for anything else, it’s a POS!!!! Seriously, any game you can think of is MUCH BETTER on the 360. Not a little better, but off-the-charts better.
The PS3 STILL CAN’T SCALE to 1080i… it downscales almost all games to only 480p. What a piece of crap!!!!
The PS3 in only good for watching BluRay movies - nothing else. For games it’s an utter joke, a POS3. It’s crap- not good for anything but watching bluray movies.
53 Matt // Feb 13, 2008 at 4:01 pm
gamerz calm down there buddy jeez, your the exact fanboy everyone hates… capitlized letters, exclamation marks, exagerating each point
PS3 vs X360 is like comparing a Ferrari vs Lamborghini… Who cares which one you get, they are both real nice so pick the one you prefer, no need to talk smack on the other one to make your look better
I cant stand the negativity in this whole console war…All 3 consoles are amazing with their own huge advantages, and big disadvantages.
No one can change the mind of a fanboy, so I dont know why I bother replying sometimes…
54 Anon // Feb 13, 2008 at 4:23 pm
These comments have proved many LuLz
55 Blu-ray in the PS3 - When Is Sony’s Credit Due? « Simple Drops // Feb 13, 2008 at 4:35 pm
[...] read more | digg story [...]
56 Mark // Feb 13, 2008 at 4:54 pm
@ rothbart: “Also, OMG you didn’t just mock a company for taking a loss in one division to profit in another did you? What in the hell do you think Microsoft’s Gaming division has been for the better part of a decade?!?!”
Right… because MS making bad moves means that Sony didn’t? Or that equal amounts of bad moves are nulled out? And I’m not sure what Microsoft Gaming Division tactics has to do with Sony putting BluRay in the PS3 being a mistake. Unless you expect us all to take fanboy stances and pledge allegiance to these companies. So if I think Sony putting BluRay in the PS3 is a mistake, then surely I must love MS and the xbox, right?
“Why won’t Blu-ray eventually surpass DVD?”
I gave my list of reasons for why HD formats would never do it and why DVD did. It has to offer something more that consumers value and most consumers don’t consider “better picture resolution” to be any added value for the price increase. The list of bullet points for advantages of DVD over VHS is large. The number of bullet points for advantages of BluRay over DVD is small. Larger size isn’t even a bullet point when talking about movies, only PCs for BD-R.
And if you’re going to bring up “eventually” you have to factor in adoption methods of other content delivery methods like direct downloads or new formats. LaserDisc never was fully adopted. Maybe it would have been “eventually” but once DVD was released, boom. done. DVD beat it on pretty much all bullet points. MiniDisc might have been adopted as a portable music device “eventually” but mp3 players came along. boom. done. I can take more music with me in a smaller size. And here’s probably a closer example. SACD and DVD-Audio. Both offer better sound quality and multi-channel audio but no other bullet points over CD. Both formats didn’t take hold in the mass market. Last time I looked, you could find some at Best Buy, but you had to find THE shelf where they had them. We can talk about them “eventually” taking over CD, but I think their fate is set in stone.
57 Krazy Ken // Feb 13, 2008 at 4:58 pm
@ Sean:
This may be surprising to alot of people. The 360s 12x DVD drive actually reads DL DVDs (many 360 games) @ 8x. Only single layer DVDs are read @ 12x.
PS3’s Blu-ray drive reads SL and DL BD-ROMs at a consistent 2x.
So, at peak performance an 8x DL DVD is only slightly faster than 2x BD-ROM, and at minimum performance is slower:
http://www.maxconsole.net/content_img/dvdvsbr.gif.jpg
58 DJ // Feb 13, 2008 at 5:02 pm
I agree with James Thomas. Rothbart, I think you’re placing far too much importance on the format war, which to most gamers was completely secondary to the real point. The fact of the matter is that Sony’s online support has always been terrible, they’re just now releasing controllers with rumble, Home is taking a long time to come out, and most importantly there have been practically no exciting exclusives since the system’s launch.
I bought one of the original 60 GB PS3’s when I heard they would be moving to software PS2 emulation, but so far practically all I’ve used it for is to play PS2 games. The only actual PS3 games I own are 2 downloadable titles. I am thoroughly disappointed, and it has NOTHING WHATSOEVER to do with what media the system uses - I’ve never even placed a Blu-Ray disc inside the system, except for the free copy of Talladega Nights it came with - and I own a high-def TV.
Looking ahead, there are some good exclusive titles coming out this year, and with the new controllers and Home, the system will finally be legitimate, 18-24 months after its release. There’s still a long road ahead, Blu-Ray’s apparent victory in the next-gen format war means nothing to me. If Microsoft gets their way, a decade from now we won’t be using any media other than our hard drives with downloaded content. Their support of HD-DVD even in the face of its collapse is evidence that they want to confuse consumers so they’ll adopt online content more quickly.
59 Xero1014 // Feb 13, 2008 at 5:17 pm
I am the proud owner of all three of the next gen consoles. I can honestly say that starting off I was most impressed with the ps3 and it was the first system I bought. Lots of things swayed my decision such as 1 Online play was free 2. The system has built in wifi so I didn’t have to buy a wireless adapter (which cost me $100 with my 360) 3. You can use any blue tooth headset with the PS3 4. If I ever wanted to upgrade my hard drive I could just go to the store and buy a normal computer harddrive to replace my old one. 5. Ps3 controllers can recharge and don’t need batteries ( I know I’m cheap lol) So from the start I believe the PS3 had alot of things going for it, its just when you have a nice gaming system that has only a few games that really shine then people start to bash the console because thats all they see ,a week gaming system, and not a strong multimedia machine. So I am very glad that sony is starting to get some titles that really let people see the system for the power house that it truely is.
60 trankillity // Feb 13, 2008 at 5:33 pm
I was one of the lucky/smart ones who picked up a free PS3 along with a 40″ Bravia when the Sony FullHD promotion was on in Australia. The only reason that I got it was because it was effectively an added bonus to the TV that could play Blu-ray movies but now my opinion is starting to sway.
I’ve bought and finished Ratchet and Clank and am now working my way through Devil May Cry 4. Both of these are insanely fun games and just look gorgeous on the system. I’ve also spent over $120AUD on the PSN store on some of the most fun downloadable games I’ve ever played (especially Calling All Cars!).
Bravo Sony for sticking to your guns, it’s just a pity you had to be so arrogant about it from the get-go.
61 Cideu // Feb 13, 2008 at 5:34 pm
gamerz
The PS3 doesn’t “downscale” any of its games to 480p, you just have your PS3 set to 480p.
62 Sean "rothbart" Workman // Feb 13, 2008 at 5:41 pm
@gamerz: Early adopters that bought HDTVs that can’t do 720p are the ONLY ones affected by what you’re complaining of. It sucks for you, I understand that, but for the VAST MAJORITY of folks owning HDTVs, 720p is their solution.
@Mark: As the price of high-def discs approach DVD and as HDTV adoption increases, people will warm up to buying HD movies. If I could pay $4-$5 more and get them in HD, I’d do it. I’m not going to pay 200%+ more though, and neither will the general public. Also, with the enhanced abilities of the new format(s), there’s the very real possibility compelling non-feature content will become commonplace. We’re only scratching the surface here. I’m not trying to guarantee Blu-ray will surpass DVD, but I feel pretty safe guaranteeing that 7% is only a starting point. Also, keep in mind that when it becomes in their best interest, the movie studios can simply decide “it’s time to focus on HD content” and stop releasing movies in DVD. Clearly this won’t happen soon, but it could selectively happen sooner than you’d probably believe.
@Ken: How do we know all Xbox 360 drives read data at 8x? The only place I could find that said that referenced Plextor info. Also, how many 360 games are dual-layer compared to single? Finally, if you’re saying the PS3 loads data _faster_ how do YOU explain the apparent evidence to the contrary?
@DJ: I’m not putting too much importance in the format war, I was simply asking why people are so reluctant to speak up with their victory of this little battle seems imminent. People seem quite happy speculating about how well HD-DVD was doing when the players’ prices dropped, with the PIP discs came out, when the DVD/HD-DVD hybrids came out… but now that the final nails are going into HD-DVD’s coffin, most of the talk is about how sad it is HD-DVD is dying… oh poor customers, too bad Toshiba, etc. My question was when do we sit back and say “Okay, I really didn’t see it working out like this but damn Sony, you did it. I thought you’d screwed yourself forcing Blu-ray into the PS3 but it’s clear now it was the right choice for you to make.” Plain and simple. As a business, they made the right (and unpopular) choice. They deserve some credit for that.
Also, PS Home is _NOT_ the PS3’s online service. Home being delayed has very little to do with what people think it will. It’s not the magic answer to the features missing from the PS3 that the 360 has. Home is a social networking application… the 360 doesn’t even have one. The PS3’s online feature set will be improved via the dashboard and PSN.
63 shonky dealer // Feb 13, 2008 at 5:53 pm
what is the story with all these 12 year old turds playing flame wars? you know the (MS rocks, Sony sucks stuff) can’t anything linked from digg be actually balanced without kiddies jibbering? If you believe everything on digg over the last 2 years you’d have bought a Wii… Let me tell you the Wii would be great if was released 17 years ago with the Amiga. The Wii is trash compared to PS3/360, but digg reckons it’s great, ha? has anyone used one? it’s like chunky graphics for 5 year olds… so what it has a remote that little gimmick will keep the kids happy for their attention span of about a month, keep gibbering kiddies…
64 Krazy Ken // Feb 13, 2008 at 6:40 pm
@ Sean:
According to this thread about backups (I apologize if inappropriate), not many 360 games fit on a SL DVD:
http://forums.afterdawn.com/thread_view.cfm/486357
About BD-ROM vs DVD speeds: It’s been common for manufacturers to rate their DVD -ROM drives based on peak SL performance, with a slower rating given to DL speed. I don’t know what 360 drives share this characteristic, but I ASSUME they all do, considering all the complexities involved in hardware inter-compatibility.
I also said that 8x DVD will have its moments. Still, I’m curious to know what evidence you’re referring to.
65 obama // Feb 13, 2008 at 11:57 pm
The 360 upscales all games to 1080i.. the ps3 downscales almost everything to 480p. For gaming the 360 is the *only* way to go.
66 Infininja // Feb 14, 2008 at 12:02 am
It will probably take them moving forward instead of backward. Stop removing features from new SKUs (why do they have multiple SKUs in the first place?) and do something about this installing console games “feature” that is starting to crop up.
67 Krazy Ken // Feb 14, 2008 at 1:08 am
To Obama (post #65) who said:
“The PS3 downscales ALMOST EVERYTHING to 480i”
99% of the games on Ps3 have a maximum resolution of 720p. If your TV doesn’t support 720p it’s most likely one of those big heavy CRT HDTV’s from several years ago that only supported a couple resolutions, and you’re out of luck like you said. For the other 99.9% of the HDTV-owning population, we’ll continue to enjoy PS3 games in 720p. Sure, 360 may upscale games to 1080p, but you would need to be sitting very close to a very large tv to even be able to notice the difference- besides, it’s really just a blender that softens the pixels in-between. It’s not true 1080p…
68 Krazy Ken // Feb 14, 2008 at 1:11 am
Correction: change 480i to 480p
(I should’ve proofread that BEFORE I submitted.)
69 Universe_JDJ’s Blog » Blu-ray in the PS3 - When Is Sony’s Credit Due? // Feb 14, 2008 at 1:45 am
[...] read more | digg story [...]
70 jason // Feb 14, 2008 at 2:18 am
I gave them props I just bought a 60gig (Brand New) from Blockbuster. For 3 reasons. Blu Ray for my new TV. Can replace my disk Error PS2, could stream to my psp. Oh it plays games too? cool.
71 Iyaoyas615 // Feb 14, 2008 at 2:28 am
I am coming very close to buying a PS3 for Uncharted and Ratchet and Clank but I am too addicted to achievement points I don’t know about the whole Home thing but I am about to take the leap.
72 Sean "rothbart" Workman // Feb 14, 2008 at 11:33 am
@Iyaoyas615: If it’s “really” Achievements you’re addicted to, rest assured that Uncharted and Ratchet _both_ have Achievement counterparts… I’d argue Uncharted does it better than Microsoft’s implementation as you can actually earn in-game things such as alternate rendering modes, videos, etc.
I’m guessing you “really” meant you’re addicted to Gamerscore though… in that case, there’s currently no counter for it. Frankly I think Gamerscore has had a negative net impact on gaming since its introduction. It changes the way people play games and has effectively turned them into consumables. People plow through them for points and toss them aside when they’re done.
73 ants // Feb 14, 2008 at 1:36 pm
@Rothbart: The fact is people don’t need high def movies because DVD quality is good enough as it is. Blu-ray will never become the market leader - it will simply be superceded by on demand movies.
Most people can’t even tell the difference between a 480p DVD and a 720p high def feed as it is - especially if they’re further than 8 feet from the screen.
You come across like a whiney little fanboy. You can dream all you want, but at the end of the day high def doesn’t offer any substantial improvements over DVD. This is the exact same argument that PS3 and 360 fan boys always make against the Wii - “the graphics are better, therefore it will win the console war”.
Newsflash buddy - just like the Wii has decimated the other two consoles in only a year, DVD will be the majority share for years to come until on demand video is available.
74 Leigh // Feb 17, 2008 at 12:57 pm
Rothbart i agree with u that the PS3 is most certainly the best console out there but u need to quit yo jibber jabber! U do try and correct evryone on this page, just shhh and let people comment without youu trying to be the better person and correcting them, does get quite annoying!!
75 Anon // Feb 18, 2008 at 9:04 pm
@ ants
Excuse me, but most people can tell the difference between 480p and 720p. Even my mom, who’s absolutely ignorant in techie stuff can tell how much clearer my BluRay movies are in my HDTV than her DVDs are in her CRT TV. The DVD player is hooked up to a component cable whle the PS3’s via HDMI.
Having the “not much different” argument is getting old, and is actually just being touted by people who want to justify not being able to afford going HD. It’s no different to Aesop’s fable about the dog who couldn’t jump high enough to reach the fruit up a tree.
76 smon jiff // Feb 21, 2008 at 12:40 am
@ Rothbart
On this page
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparison_of_high_definition_optical_disc_formats#Technical_details
under the technical details area you can see the maximum read speeds for dvd, hd dvd and blu-ray, and blu-ray is quite clearly the fastest.
I don’t know what this has to do with read speed x’s or whatever I just thought it cant be a bad thing to bring more facts to the table.
77 battery // Jun 18, 2008 at 7:26 pm
[...]so if I bought an old PS3 80gig will it still play the 2.0 blu ray? will it accept the firmware upgrade even if it is discontinued?[...]
78 cpghky agyfduiek // Aug 16, 2008 at 4:29 am
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