Sony takes big step into home entertainment - PSX Announced

[Perfect Stu]

http://www.watch.impress.co.jp/av/docs/20030528/sony1_01.jpg

TOKYO, May 28 (Reuters) - Sony Corp <6758.T>, under heavy pressure to cut costs and roll out hot new products after dismal earnings last quarter, unveiled plans on Wednesday for a new game machine for Japan and big savings.

The world's largest consumer electronics maker and creator of the hit PlayStation 2 home game console said it would launch the "PSX" in Japan this year with a TV tuner, hard disk drive and DVD recorder to create an integrated entertainment platform for games, music and motion pictures.

Earlier this month Sony unveiled the "PSP" hand-held game machine, to be launched by the end of 2004, which spurred a tumble in the shares of GameBoy maker Nintendo Co <7974.OS>.

The products are Sony's first offerings under a strategy to inject some of its hugely successful games technology into its languishing electronics division, which has recently been hit by sluggish sales of Vaio PCs and conventional home electronics.

Sony said on Wednesday it would focus on products that promise rapid growth, such as flat-panel TVs, DVD recorders, camcorders and digital still cameras.

It also plans a thorough shake-up of its manufacturing operations in high-cost Japan, which now accounts for 50 percent of its costs but only 30 percent of its revenue.

Sony shocked investors a month ago by posting its biggest quarterly net loss in more than eight years, far worse than the market's expectations, and warned that its operating profit in the year to next March would slip to its lowest in nine years.

At the same time it unveiled a 1.3 trillion yen restructuring and investment plan and vowed to achieve a 10 percent operating profit margin after three years -- better than both last year's 2.5 percent result and arch-rival Matsu****a Electric Co's <6752.T> five percent target.

But investors, upset that Sony had given no early warning of the dismal earnings and dismayed by the prospect of several lean years while it restructures, rushed to unload its shares.

Sony lost one-fourth of its market value in the two days after the announcement and its share price has since languished near seven-year lows.

Chief Executive Nobuyuki Idei has chided the market for what he sees as a fixation with the short term.

"We are always taking a longer-term approach than the market does," he told Reuters at an industry event on Tuesday.

Lingering market pessimism was evident on Wednesday when UBS Warburg cut its investment rating on Sony to "neutral" from "buy" and its target share price to 3,400 yen from 6,690 yen.

"We do not foresee a significant improvement in profitability from FY03 to FY05," UBSW analyst Kazushige Hata said in a note to clients.

Sony's shares ended flat at 3,000 yen while the Nikkei average rose 1.40 percent to a two-week high.

http://www.watch.impress.co.jp/av/docs/20030528/sony1_02.jpg
http://static.hugi.is/users/RoyalFool/Leikjatolvur/Myndir/SonyPSX.jpg
http://static.hugi.is/users/RoyalFool/Leikjatolvur/Myndir/PSX.jpg

What do I see from this?

-Big price tag ($499?)
-Ability to play PS2 and PSone games
-Ability to play DVDs, DVD-Rs, CDs, CD-Rs
-Ability to record anything from your TV (shows, movies, etc.) onto either DVDs or the HDD :beat:
-USB 2.0 technology opens possibilities of connectivity with things like the upcoming PSP, Digital camcorders, digital cameras, Sony's EYE TOY technology, etc.
-a late 2006 PS3 launch

And I must say...that is one sexy piece of hardware. The blue LED light looks great, and it would fit right into my home entertainment center :)

[TheGame]

That looks cool, but I'm not messing with the hefty price tag. Hopfully Ps3 is much like this... or has a version like this from the gate at least.

[Jonbo298]

Interesting, but I doubt I will be getting that.

[One Winged Angel]

I need a TIVO type of system. If my Ps2 ever breaks down I'll consider buying it actually.

Haha... the topic title makes me laugh. Sony has been in the Home Entertainment business for years.

[Shadow_Link]

That will cost a bomb. 120 GB h/d + DVD recording abilites + ability to play PS2 s/w (while also backwards compatible with PSOne games (maybe even PSP games?!)) + broadband modem (I think that's right), and who knows what else.

I don't know how much it will cost by the time it is released, but say if it were released now, it wold cost in excess of £600 methinks.

It does look quite sexy, definately as sleek looking as the Panasonic Qube. Makes you wonder how Panasonic will reply to this. There could be a possibility of them releasing an updated Qube, with similar capabilities to the PSX. (That is rather confusing, don't people call the old PSOne the PSX?).

[Xantar]

Yeah. I thought for a moment that Stu had dug up an article from 1995 to show us how much the world has changed since then.

Also, I knew Sony was in trouble, but I didn't know things were that bad. I thought they were making a profit, but it turns out they're losing money. Then again, that's the entire corporation, not just the gaming division which is probably profitable.

[Perfect Stu]

Maybe I should have said that they took ANOTHER big step into home entertainment...

anyway, could this be any indication of what features PS3 may include? At some point in the future, I'd love to record television programs and movies onto DVDs and a HDD. With all of the technology involved in this ambitious system, one could only imagine what kind of features it will one day offer. Hook up your digital camera, keyboard and mouse and create your own movies. Add photoshop-like software, attach your digital camera and a photo printer and make your own photo album or pieces of art. Throw in full internet support and possibilities are literally endless.

Sony (see: not SCE) is smart by incorporating the all-powerful Playstation name with their electronics field. The PS2-playback feature could be a big selling point.

[gekko]

:unsure:

This sounds as bad as that thing MS wanted to do, only it's no longer just an idea :(

[Perfect Stu]

Originally posted by gekko
:unsure:

This sounds as bad as that thing MS wanted to do, only it's no longer just an idea :(

please explain.

I see this as the VCR of the next generation. Was the VCR a bad idea? If you wanted all of the features the PSX offers, you would need to buy a DVD player, a Playstation 2 (the new models that are coming out soon), and a TiVo with DVD recording abilities. These are all features that are part of the future of home entertainment, and Sony is offering all of them in a single piece of hardware. Where's the ":unsure: bad idea :(" part?

[Joeiss]

What gekko, that HOMESTATION thingy? lol.. i remember that

[Shadow_Link]

Originally posted by Perfect Stu
Maybe I should have said that they took ANOTHER big step into home entertainment...

anyway, could this be any indication of what features PS3 may include? At some point in the future, I'd love to record television programs and movies onto DVDs and a HDD. With all of the technology involved in this ambitious system, one could only imagine what kind of features it will one day offer. Hook up your digital camera, keyboard and mouse and create your own movies. Add photoshop-like software, attach your digital camera and a photo printer and make your own photo album or pieces of art. Throw in full internet support and possibilities are literally endless.

Hmmmm, those features are already available on PC's.

[Bad Religion]

Originally posted by Perfect Stu
please explain.

I see this as the VCR of the next generation. Was the VCR a bad idea? If you wanted all of the features the PSX offers, you would need to buy a DVD player, a Playstation 2 (the new models that are coming out soon), and a TiVo with DVD recording abilities. These are all features that are part of the future of home entertainment, and Sony is offering all of them in a single piece of hardware. Where's the ":unsure: bad idea :(" part?



Some analysts were skeptical about PSX's prospects.

Jed Kolko of Forrester Research said the machine was trying to do too much. The overlap between game-players and people who want DVD recorders tends to be small, he said.

"The actual demand for the device is likely to fall short of expectations," he said.

Sony officials acknowledged the company overall is falling behind the competition. Even Sony's prized Vaio personal computers have lost their edge and domestic rival Matsu****a Electric Industrial Co. outsells Sony in DVD recorders in Japan.

Like other Japanese electronics makers, Sony has taken a beating from emerging competition in Asia, especially China, that can produce gadgets at cheaper prices. "

also, Perfect Stu, in your previous post it sounded like you were talking about a PC... another thing is that devices like Tivo are the VCR of this and the next gen, not this. I think they should have waited and made this the PS3 Deluxe or something like that, seriously, what are they gonna do, introduce this, tell everyone it's $499 and then show off PS3 at E3 and piss off the people that bought one of these? that being said, at least Sony is mixing things up a bit and trying something new and i love the ethernet hook up.. i just don't see people dropping $500 for this

[Perfect Stu]

Originally posted by Shadow_Link
Hmmmm, those features are already available on PC's.

You're telling me I can pick up a PC that can play DVDs on my television with DTS sound, PS2 games, has TiVo functions, can record anything from my television onto the HDD and DVDs? If so, sign me up...and give me some proof (a link?)...but when the PSX's pricing is revealed, I'll be picking the cheaper one.

*edit* nevermind, you were just referring to the digital photos and movies

[Shadow_Link]

Originally posted by Perfect Stu
You're telling me I can pick up a PC that can play DVDs on my television with DTS sound, PS2 games, has TiVo functions, can record anything from my television onto the HDD and DVDs? If so, sign me up...and give me some proof (a link?)...but when the PSX's pricing is revealed, I'll be picking the cheaper one.


At some point in the future, I'd love to record television programs and movies onto DVDs and a HDD. With all of the technology involved in this ambitious system, one could only imagine what kind of features it will one day offer. Hook up your digital camera, keyboard and mouse and create your own movies. Add photoshop-like software, attach your digital camera and a photo printer and make your own photo album or pieces of art. Throw in full internet support and possibilities are literally endless.

Ok, lets see, from the post I quoted:

It IS possible to watch DVD's from your PC on a TV which has can act as a moniter (my 36" Toshiba can) with DTS/DD 5.1 sound.
You CAN hook up your digital camera to a PC, and use the mouse/keyboard provided to create your own moves. Photoshop software? I wont even respond to that. Full internet support? You know the answer to that.

And since PC's have DVD writers, and the function to act as a TV, I assume you can record what you watch.

[Perfect Stu]

Well put, Shadow. What are you trying to get at, though? None of this is completely new technology...but it is the first do take such technology and put it into one convenient, set-top box. Much more feasable than a PC with loads of software, wired connections and heap loads of $$$.

I wonder how Sony will incorporate the ethernet/USB 2.0/memory stick technology other than the obvious online PS2 play and PSP connectivity...

[Perfect Stu]

Check this (http://games.thedgn.com/index.php?page=news/EpVuEVuVFAZndDOiSU.php) out for a clear, organized article on the PSX.

More pics:

http://www.zdnet.co.jp/news/0305/28/04_01.jpg
http://www.zdnet.co.jp/news/0305/28/04_02.jpg
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/sherry.ponting/Junk/PSX1.jpeg
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/sherry.ponting/Junk/PSX2.jpeg
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/sherry.ponting/Junk/PSX3.jpeg
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/sherry.ponting/Junk/PSX4.jpeg

[Rndm_Perfection]

First off... what are we going to call the original PSX, PSone?! D'oh... I've always hated the title.

Anywho, this new Playstation looks impressive. And, honestly, I could find a use for each of its functions. If the PSX could be used as an internet surfing device, I'd almost have a reason to scrap my computer!

Hell, that gets rid of your basic gaming system, "boombox", dvd/vhs player, "TiVo" (even though I've always just recorded with VHS), and possibly even a computer? Why, that's just nutty. For $500, I'd almost call it a steal.

Hopefully it keeps the great functions. And people, the Phantom did have a few good ideas, believe it or not.

[gekko]

Originally posted by Perfect Stu
please explain.

I see this as the VCR of the next generation. Was the VCR a bad idea? If you wanted all of the features the PSX offers, you would need to buy a DVD player, a Playstation 2 (the new models that are coming out soon), and a TiVo with DVD recording abilities. These are all features that are part of the future of home entertainment, and Sony is offering all of them in a single piece of hardware. Where's the ":unsure: bad idea :(" part?

No, I'd have to buy a TiVo, which I would have if I wanted one.

If you haven't gathered over the years Stu, I don't like when companies try to create the "digital entertainment lifestyle" (cheesy marketing term Microsoft is using in a recent survey). I want a game system to play games. When the consoles are announced, I want them to talk about the games. Maybe throw in the DVD player thing at the end. But what have I been hearing lately? PS3 and Xbox 2 to use TiVo technology! Why the hell do I give a damn? If I wanted a Tivo, I would buy a Tivo. When I want a game system, I will buy a game system. I don't want to buy a game system/pc/dvd player/cd player/tivo/time machine/microwave/walkman/*

[Perfect Stu]

PSX is not a game system. It's not rivalling Gamecube and Xbox. PS2 support was simply a no brainer, considering the following:

Here's what's going on:

Sony's profits as a whole company are non-existent. They're pretty much losing money across the board, with the SCE unit being the saving grace. The PS2 architecture is very powerful, and almost wasted on the PS2 game console. So they decide to take the proven technology in the PS2, and utilize it for something that is more than the sum of it's parts.

The PS2 processors are running this new box, but it's not a "real" PS2. It's a home entertainment box, a media hub, so to speak. It's meant to watch and record TV, burn those programs to DVD, but all that functionality is powered by the PS2 processors.

Hey, since we're already using the PS2 hardware, let's make this thing play the games, too. So what you're basically getting is a combination DVD recorder and PVR ... with a "free" PlayStation 2 thrown in.

This isn't meant as any sort of threat to Nintendo or Microsoft. It's simply Sony using the same technology to reach new markets. It's pretty smart business, really.

Now, I'm fully expecting people to take what I'm saying with a grain of salt, considering where I'm coming from. Bear in mind that I'm a tech junkie, and I own every console, and a ridiculous amount of electronics. This isn't really going to be much of a blip on the gaming radar, but will be a real powerhouse in the PVR space.

[bobcat]

Originally posted by gekko
No, I'd have to buy a TiVo, which I would have if I wanted one.

If you haven't gathered over the years Stu, I don't like when companies try to create the "digital entertainment lifestyle" (cheesy marketing term Microsoft is using in a recent survey). I want a game system to play games. When the consoles are announced, I want them to talk about the games. Maybe throw in the DVD player thing at the end. But what have I been hearing lately? PS3 and Xbox 2 to use TiVo technology! Why the hell do I give a damn? If I wanted a Tivo, I would buy a Tivo. When I want a game system, I will buy a game system. I don't want to buy a game system/pc/dvd player/cd player/tivo/time machine/microwave/walkman/*

I agree with you there.

You get the best quality from buying separate hardware items. The Ps2 got away with DVD coz there was a high demand which was a very logical and feasible idea at the time.

Either way I prefer JBL/Pioneer for home entertainment over Sony anytime.

[DeathsHand]

Wow that sounds like a pretty sweet dilly-o... Tis a shame it will cost too much... And I already have a PS2... And no money... And I probably wouldn't use the recording stuff very often, if ever...

[Jonbo298]

Originally posted by gekko
No, I'd have to buy a TiVo, which I would have if I wanted one.

If you haven't gathered over the years Stu, I don't like when companies try to create the "digital entertainment lifestyle" (cheesy marketing term Microsoft is using in a recent survey). I want a game system to play games. When the consoles are announced, I want them to talk about the games. Maybe throw in the DVD player thing at the end. But what have I been hearing lately? PS3 and Xbox 2 to use TiVo technology! Why the hell do I give a damn? If I wanted a Tivo, I would buy a Tivo. When I want a game system, I will buy a game system. I don't want to buy a game system/pc/dvd player/cd player/tivo/time machine/microwave/walkman/*

Well said gekko, well said. I've been preaching like that for a good while now. No extra crap that will cost more, just give me my damn games!

[Perfect Stu]

Originally posted by Jonbo298
Well said gekko, well said. I've been preaching like that for a good while now. No extra crap that will cost more, just give me my damn games!

this is not a game console. I will not tell you again.

[bobcat]

Question (to Stu)

Is this a games console?

:sneaky:

Looks nice though, but looks can be deceiving.

By looking at those pics for some reason, it makes me think that Sony is implying " Pretty Please put me in your Home Theatre Setup". Looks like a desperate cry to me to get more users (I thought they already had enough!)

[bobcat]

quoted by Stu
please explain.

I see this as the VCR of the next generation. Was the VCR a bad idea? If you wanted all of the features the PSX offers, you would need to buy a DVD player, a Playstation 2 (the new models that are coming out soon), and a TiVo with DVD recording abilities. These are all features that are part of the future of home entertainment, and Sony is offering all of them in a single piece of hardware. Where's the " bad idea " part?



One single piece of hardware is more likely to fail with so many things in it(hardware fail i'm talking about). I never buy those things that are 3 or 4 in 1 (like Printer/Scanner/Photocopier). I've heard nothing but bad news about them (and I can tell you from experience).

For optimum quality, and overall piece of mind, I would NOT buy something like this coz if one thing breaks down, chances are other things may not work. It's a stupid idea. And that goes for anything else they try to cram into one box. That's MO on it.

[Shiz]

i agree with you gecko, but then, stu said its not a game console.

i dont want it to have everything in the world. i just want my damn video games in a box thats all lol...a dvd player would be nice, nothing else really though.

[Dyne]

On Gaming Age last night, all we got was some story called "Sony announces PSX" and turned out to be a very engrish article. We were laughing our asses off because we couldn't understand it at all. Now I see this and I think it's more of a joke. Gekko's nailed it. I think Xbox is the limit of functionality of what a game console should be. You could burn soundtracks, so they could be ingame. It had a DVD player, so you could watch DVDs like Shenmue that was packaged with Shenmue 2. It was useful in that respect. Whereas PS2 only had the DVD playback, next gen I think they're going overboard with TV functionality or whatever. Now they announce this, with the Playstation brand branded on it. What the hell is wrong with them. I think they're losing their guns.

I feel the same way about functionality about PSP. If I want to watch movies, I'll watch them on a laptop, not hunched over in fetal position for 2 hours in some subway.

[gekko]

No Stu, it's not, but PS3 is, Xbox 2 is. This is part of the campaign to rule your entertainment center, and it's that which I dislike. These are all spawning from the ideas which are also supposed to be part of their next consoles. Sony is trying to make the all-in-one entertainment center, Microsoft wants the same thing. I want both to go to hell.

This isn't PS3, this isn't Xbox 2. But it's part of the transition from games to entertainment; a transition I am against.

[Jonbo298]

Originally posted by Perfect Stu
this is not a game console. I will not tell you again.

I can clearly see that:rolleyes: I was talking about what's gonna happen when the next consoles roll out. Not about this thing Sony is releasing.

[Perfect Stu]

I didn't realize that PS3 was announced and that it will have all of these features included with it :confused:

[DarkMaster]

This is not a video game console. It is a home entertainment system made by Sony, not SCE, Sony the electronics company. Adding the ability to play PS2 games does not make it a "video game console with extra things in it". It's exactly the opposite. The ability to play PS2 games was added because of the Playstation name (as a selling point) and to add more variety to the PSX's multiple features.

Regardless of whether this will or will not be the main idea that PS3 and Xbox2 will incorporate, that's still no reason to call an "all-in-one home entertainment system" stupid just because it somewhat associates with video games. Save you judgments and remarks for when the features of the next gen consoles are actually announced, rather than come right out and apply that they will be crap for no apparent reason.

[Perfect Stu]

Originally posted by DarkMaster
This is not a video game console. It is a home entertainment system made by Sony, not SCE, Sony the electronics company. Adding the ability to play PS2 games does not make it a "video game console with extra things in it". It's exactly the opposite. The ability to play PS2 games was added because of the Playstation name (as a selling point) and to add more variety to the PSX's multiple features.

Regardless of whether this will or will not be the main idea that PS3 and Xbox2 will incorporate, that's still no reason to call an "all-in-one home entertainment system" stupid just because it somewhat associates with video games. Save you judgments and remarks for when the features of the next gen consoles are actually announced, rather than come right out and apply that they will be crap for no apparent reason.

THANK YOU! well said.

I estimate through long observation that Sony will launch the PS3 at a $299-$349 price tag (unless the US dollar goes bananas :banana: or something). That price point has proven to be very successful, and I don't see them straying away from it. At a $299 price tag, I'm content with a great, promising next gen GAMING SYSTEM. If it has extras, then it's a bonus for all I care. I do believe that Sony will release more multi-featured hardware not unlike the PSX after the PS3 is released (that is, if the PSX proves to be successful).

PS2 plays games......Gamecube plays games
PS2 plays CDs, DVDs.......Gamecube does not

If you don't want to utilize the CD/DVD playback feature, you simply don't. I can't possibly see how that could be considered a negative unless it drives the price tag way up (which it doesn't).

[TheGame]

GT is growing up so much... :(

Glad I don't have to post everythng to defend Ps2/Xbox anymore ;)

Keep up the good work

[bobcat]

Originally posted by TheGame
GT is growing up so much... :(

Glad I don't have to post everythng to defend Ps2/Xbox anymore ;)

Keep up the good work

Yes that's right.

If it's a Sony product, let's make sure that we don't complain (even if somebody has something to say about it) otherwise we're all Nintendo fanboys.

If that post was direct at me, there's my answer.

Also if the product had been made by any other company I would have said the same thing. I really don't like these type of devices because I know too well what the potential disadvantages they have.

IF Sony product, THEN don't complain ELSE Nintendo Fanboy.

[Perfect Stu]

Actually bobcat, I appreciate difference in opinion. I begin to think 'fanboy' when the user has a history of bashing anything *specific company*-related when not backing up their comments with logic or reason.

[DarkMaster]

Originally posted by bobcat
IF Sony product, THEN don't complain ELSE Nintendo Fanboy.
that's not the point at all, not in my mind anyway. What I have seen are people claiming this is the worst idea for a video game console, when in actuality it IS NOT a video game console. Then people say PS3 and Xbox2 will suck because the PSX is an example of the type of features those consoles will have. I don't think that's fair at all.

I didnt say I liked the PSX, nor did I say that I liked it. SCE is a branch of Sony, this product is not made by SCE. It's just Sony, and it has nothing to do with video games besides the fact that it has the add-on ability to play PS2 games. Even if I was biased towards SCE (which I'm not) I sure as hell wouldnt carry that bias into Sony electronics.

And I dont recall anyone calling you a nintendo fanboy, nor did anyone even imply it. If you don't like a product, go ahead and say it. If I counter your opinion with one of my own, it doesnt mean I think less of you because you disagree.

[Joeiss]

If it has nothing to do with videogames, shouldn't it be in the General Forum?

:p

[Perfect Stu]

Originally posted by Joeiss
If it has nothing to do with videogames, shouldn't it be in the General Forum?

:p

If I beat the crap out of you in a forest with no one else around, do you make a sound?

:p

And it DOES have to do with videogames. Its name is the Playstation X. It plays PS2 games.

[Rndm_Perfection]

Originally posted by Perfect Stu
If I beat the crap out of you in a forest with no one else around, do you make a sound?

:p

And it DOES have to do with videogames. Its name is the Playstation X. It plays PS2 games.

In addition (which I had originally posted about but deleted after seeing that you had posted something extremely similar within the minute), This forum is about Playstation and Sony more so than the games. The Playstation X is indeed a part of Playstation.

[One Winged Angel]

This is just another way to sell the PS2. Sony is making a stupid multi-feature console to make more money. Wow... it can play PS and PS2 games. So can the Ps2. It can play Cd's and DVDs.. so can PS2. All I see it as is a mock off of TiVo with a DVD burner. I've been looking at TiVo and you have to pay a certain price a month or one set price forever to record movies and shows from satellite or cable. Is Sony going to do the same? Or is it going to be included with the PSX or are they going to charge extra for it? Now all I see is a DVD burner. If I wanted something that recorded shows from cable and satellite I'd buy a ****ing TiVO. I'm not going to trust a multi-feature piece of hardware, because those tend to create more problems. Especially since it's made from Sony, which has a history of making faulty products.

So, no chance in hell I'm buying it :)

[DarkMaster]

Originally posted by Joeiss
If it has nothing to do with videogames, shouldn't it be in the General Forum?

:p
it has nothing to do with video games besides the fact that it has the add-on ability to play PS2 games
:) you see, it's clever little words like that which save my ass from making mistakes

[Cyrax9]

OK, honestly, some of you need ot WAKE UP!!

This is NOT a Game CONSOLE. This is a TiVo/VCR/DVD Player/ PS2 rolled into one box for Tech Geeks, I can honestly see it not even appealing to someone such as myself, a self-proclaimed "Tech Geek".

I remember whn I got my first MIDI-System Stereo. It had a Seperate Record Player (Sold Seperatly), Dual_Cassette Decks, an Am?FM Radio, and a new invention calld a CD Player, I still have it but over the years somethng happened. First the Record Player Broke, than the CD player, and then the Radio started to go and so did the left speaker.

Now I have to buy a whole new system or ge this hunk of junk repaired.

Sadly thats what the PSX is, it's a "MIDI-System" for a TV where the V is the "Record Player", sold seperatly.

I'm not agianst SOny COnsoles, I'm not even against M$ consoles, I'm against the idea of consoles that do everything short of make your breakfeast and wipe your @$$!
This thing isn't evena console, it's a COMPUTER.

China is gonna have a field day with it because they dn't even knwo weaher or not to classify the REGULAR PS2 as a Gaming Machine or a Computer, they'd have to classify tis thing as a military weapon!

I have to agree with gekko, this is NOT a good idea, and I'd like it to go down thecrapper STAT.

I HAVE a DVD Writer, a matsu****a/Panasonic DMR-HS2 Set-Top DVD Writer that cost me $850.00 last November, a GCN, a SONY VCR and a SONY DVD as well as an N64 all connect to my TV. If the GCN 2 is Backwards Compatible, I'll probably Disconnect the GCN 1 and connect the GCN 2, now what if my DVD Writer was part fo my GCN?Seems like a ight waste to upgrade something that doesn't need upgrading.

Also I ca just see parts of the PSX Breaking in "Sections" first your DVD Writer goes, than your Game Playing piece, and finally, your CD Player. Basically it's a money hog, a black hole for your wallet and I hate those dang things!

I don't want a "Digital Media Lifestyle" I want compnetns that I can swap in/out of my se up when I FEEL like it, NOT when SONY says I should.

As good as this thing is it's not worth the probable cost, which will most likely be $600 or more, I'd wait AT LEAST until the PS3 Xbox 2 and GC2 come out before I added a DVD Writer to a game console and I'd only add it then because it would be cheap.

The advantage to a Console over a PC is GAMES. I bought my SNES because I was sick of typing "Edit Autoexec.bat" every time I wanted to change my DOS settings.

It was a pain in the @$$ to play a game on early PC's, it still is at times, on a Console I plug the game in, hit power and play it, simple as 1, 2, 3.

Also, it's getting tot he point where you need a PHD in electronics to fix your PC, and I don't want my game console like that, tweaking a PC adn tweaking a console are two differnt things and I like tweaking PC's the diea of going intoa game console chunrs my stomach as something that shouldn't ever be a requiremnt for repairs/upgrades.

Now, I'll leave you with this, Micro$oft is developing a second Behemoth, Sony is calling this... THING a game console, and I'm hoping my next NIntendo Console is NAMED GCN II and plays my old GCN games as wellas new Games, and really doesn't do anything else, if they thorw a GCN intoa new Panasonic/Matsu****a DVD Writer, fine but only if it was an "Extra device" and not a new console.

The Console wars are about to start again and this match may be pivotal.

[bobcat]

I understand this is not a games console, and I understand what market it's trying to market.

DM - Unfortunately I still feel this way about these forums. I know most of you aren't like this, but there are those few that are (and I'm sure it goes for Xbox/Ps2 fans 2). I guess it's part of the forums so yeh, but I just thought i'd say it. Those people know who they are :mad2:

The PSX looks real snazzy, but putting so many things into one device is totally not feasible IMO. Going back to the printer/scanner/photocopier story.............. :sneaky:


And Stu I respect your opinions 2.....

[Cyrax9]

Originally posted by bobcat
The PSX looks real snazzy, but putting so many things into one device is totally not feasible IMO. Going back to the printer/scanner/photocopier story..............


bobcat you JUST said what I wanted to hear!

I don't hate it because it's branded with the word "SONY", I ahve a SONY TV, I hjave a SONY VCR, I have a PANASONIC DVD Writer, I have a NINTENDO Gamecube adn an ALIENWARE PC, as well as twqo GATEWAY PCs, my brohers APPLE, and a BARGIN BASEMENT 486 plus a comp I'm gpnna build. I have an AIWA STEROE a SONY Steroea BOSE Wave Radio etc, etc.

I don't avoid a product because "Sony Sux", I'll avoid the PSX because there's too much that can go wrong in it for a SImple game system, and the fact that I have a DVD Writer, a Game Console, access to a PS2, and I don't WANT a crazy spin on throwing a Console into a PVR/DVD Player.

I don't hate Pioneer DVD-ROM drives because "Pioneer Sux" IO hate them ebcause I've had four of them break on me, and I don't hate the PS2, ifI culd afford oen I'd probably buy it and not just use my rbothers, I hate the Xbox not because it's made by Microsoft biut because it's a Sh*tty system in my opinion. I hate WIndowsbecause it's a bad OS< I like MS WORD though, and that's because it's easy to use. I like High-Speed AOL, I don't like Compuserve though because it's a dumbed down version of AOL.

When I hate somethng I give a reason, I hate the PSX because it's the Mini-System Stereo/Printer/Scanner/Copier problem coming to game consoles. I like a Stereo Mini-System to save space and money but in the long run, I almost wish I had a "Component Stereo" again, and I'll NEVER buy another "Disposabl PC" nor will I ever owna TV with a Built-In VCR. I hate them too for the same reason.

This is why I'm glad Nintendo didnt put a DVD Player in the 'Cube, and why I wouldn' put a ecorer in until the pirce drops, in 2006 Sony's PSX might be a good idea; right now, it's not.

Case and point: I use my GameCube to play games, and my DVD Writer to Watch/Burn DDs, I don't want to play Game s on my DVD Writer and I don't want to Burn DVDs on my Cube, my brother uses the PS2 fora DVD Player because i's all he can fit in his room, but honestly, why not produce units like that in limited quanites only then? Basuically a "Dorm Room Edition" that's designed ot save space.

The Panasonic Qube never made it to the USA because most Americans have DVD Players, I have a buddy with a DVD Player AND a PS2, and even he uses the player over the PS2, it's nice if you travel, but at that point I'd want a laptop to take with me, ro a portable DVD player.

My point is to mkae a game console, not a machine that controls your house, if the next set fo consoles has a system that wipes your @$$ after yout ake a cr@p, I won't buy it, I don't need a machine that makes toast wakes me and tells me whent og o to work, I can use an Alram clock a toaster and common sense for that.

I go through VCRs about ever 6 or 7 years, after that I have to replace them, If I had a PS2 burning DVDs I'd have to replace it every six or seven years and new consoles come out every 5 years or so, eventually I'd "Skip" a next-gen console due ot DVD Burner prices.

I'm also contet to keep my GAME SYSTEM as just that, a GAME SYSTEM, and while I'd eb content to surt the 'net from my GCN I'm also fine without that feature, if we could survive wtih the one-button Atari we can survive without DVD Writers in our console, the PSX looks like the next "Nuon". Remebr the Nuon? Thought not, it was a DVD Playe that could pla games as well, I think it tanked faster than the Virtual Boy, if you remebr that disaster congradualtions, it was Nintendos first failure, just like the first Sony Handheld and the Sega Master System, and the Atari 7800, you remerb the 7800, don't you? Don't you?

My point is this, the PSX is overloaded with CRAP, nothin useful to the average consumer and the people who would want ths could easily just pay SOny to do a "Special" system for them ebcause you'dhave to be kidna rich to afford this type fo game console with a DVD Writer.

Now by 2005/2006 I think the idea may be feisable, inf act I'd say "Go For it" but don't make it so that the focus is burning DFVDs, make the Focuys Playing Games and if evey Next-Gwen console burns DVDs and costs the same price I'll be happy, but it's when one cost more than thew rest that I get peeved, the Xbox was this console war's overpriced unit, last time it was the PSX, before that it was the Genesis and before that the NES.

But rthe NES prevailed, th PSX prevailed, tthe others didn't however.

Now if everyone is charhing $250-$300 fora console than I'm ok with this, but if SOny is gonna have an overpriced POS, screw them, if this is a Sub-console than fine but if this is the "next" PS2 screw it I wouldn't buy it.

[bobcat]

If I wanted a DVD burner, I'd want it separate. Lasers aren't "break proof". The more you use them, the more the laser wears out. I would NEVER invest in a DVD writer/CD/DVD/PS2/VCD player. Because it doesn't make sense in the long run.

At least until DVD burners are as cheap as regular CD burners (which will be a long time).

That's one of my complaints about things like this.

[Joeiss]

Originally posted by Perfect Stu
If I beat the crap out of you in a forest with no one else around, do you make a sound?

:p

And it DOES have to do with videogames. Its name is the Playstation X. It plays PS2 games.

Of course, because you would hear it, silly willy.


Unless you wear ear plugs..

[Perfect Stu]

Originally posted by Joeiss
Unless you wear ear plugs..

Hmm...deep stuff. Philosophical, even.

[Dyne]

I don't avoid a product because "Sony Sux"

Neither do I. Heck, I've bought Sony products over the years. If we were to go for a good TV in the nineties before all this Home Theatre stuff came in, we would go Sony. I walked into a HDTV chain store, and there among the rough was the diamond with the highest quality picture out of all of them, the Sony TV. And our Sony TV lasted for the longest time too. My alarm clock is Sony. Annoying, but it works. I had a Sony Walkman that lasted for years of punishment.

Nobody in this thread was bashing sony of the reputation it's built up. We're bashing this because it's a questionable idea. Mainly from the exterior (Hey, it's a box! Where do I plug in the controllers? In the back? No thanks!), to the interior (just a PS2 that can do more? Wouldn't it be outdated?), it's a Tivo who can play games, par emphasis on the Tivo. Next generation VCR? I guess so. Questionable idea? Yeah.

[Perfect Stu]

The evolution of business would be nonexistant without calculated risks, but I thought that went without saying...

[vurel]

Gaah!! Bad choice of name!! really bad choice... PSX has long been used to refer to Hardware/games compatable with both PS and PS2.... especially original playstation games.

[vurel]

Originally posted by Cyrax9
I like High-Speed AOL, I don't like Compuserve though because it's a dumbed down version of AOL.


heh... dumbing down AOL!?? I think that would violate the laws of physics...can't go past infinitely dumb.

(I don't hate AOL because it's AOL, I hate AOL 'cause i suffered through 13 months of ****ty connections and awful ping times for games..., also idiot moderators [on AOL] not knowing what SARCASM is and threatening to TOS the account [not that i would have minded :) but my dad would have been pi**ed]

[vurel]

Originally posted by Perfect Stu
I didn't realize that PS3 was announced and that it will have all of these features included with it :confused:

I wonder if PS3 will have the best feature from PS2 ...the ability to BREAK FOR NO GOOD REASON

(in case you are wondering.... I AM BITTER about my ps2 being busted)

[vurel]

oh crap... I wasn't paying attention to what threads i was on when replying... sorry about the triple (+1 = quadruple) post
:bonk:

[bobcat]

Originally posted by Dyne

Nobody in this thread was bashing sony of the reputation it's built up. We're bashing this because it's a questionable idea. Mainly from the exterior (Hey, it's a box! Where do I plug in the controllers? In the back? No thanks!), to the interior (just a PS2 that can do more? Wouldn't it be outdated?), it's a Tivo who can play games, par emphasis on the Tivo. Next generation VCR? I guess so. Questionable idea? Yeah.

And that's EXACTLY the point I wanted to prove.

Sony Tv's/Monitors OWN.