Something about the PS3 bugging me

tmileson · 11 May 2006 at 22:07

When the lack of HDMI was pointed out to Chris Lewis of Microsoft UK he said (quoted from an interview)

“All I can say to you is -- there are interesting developments in the pipeline. We will make sure that the HD-DVD-peripheral device will meet all the requirements for consumers to enjoy high-definition DVD playback."

In fact half way down the page in this Interview MS say they will provide HDMI "When it makes sense". I'd suggest the release of the HD-DVD drive fits the bill spot on.

Not sure how they plan to do it though...

Werewolf · 11 May 2006 at 22:08

Nickg said:
but why is this a bug bear about the ps3, and not about the xbox HD-DVD drive, which is also lacking HDCP compliant connection?

Has it been stated the 360 does not have HDCP outputs?
Remember the connection at the back of the 360 can supply a variety of different connections depending on which cable is used.
The fact the HD-DVD doesn't have a HDMI connection is neither here nor there, it's just a data reading device, the requirement is for HDCP on the video/audio output, not on the drives (otherwise PC's would need a new internal connection).

From what i've heard/read Sony are probably making things more complicated and expensive for themselves, with the 360 the actual main console remains the same no matter which version you get, with the PS3 it sounds like there are going to be two different base models - which means Sony will not have the flexibility MS have in production (the difference between the 360 versions is all in the accessories packed with the console).

At the moment I would be more willing to bet that MS can allow HDMI on the 360 easier than Sony can on the base PS3 as we know the 360's are the same basic hardware whilst the PS3 is going to have fairly significant differences to the basic unit.

Keylow · 11 May 2006 at 22:13

Jabbs said:
I don't know why peeps keep complaining about the price of the ps3, a 360 is £270 and how much is a hd-dvd going to cost when its released this year, £100 + ? so really the ps3 price aint that bad.

But for people (like me) who don't care about/won't use HD-DVD or Blu-Ray, then its just bumping the price of the PS3 up for something I won't use. At least with the 360 I have a choice.

Jabbs · 11 May 2006 at 22:23

Just imagine the data they can get on a blueray dvd 50gig, could have one hell of a game on that.

Keylow · 11 May 2006 at 22:24

Yeah, but they won't be using Blu Ray for games. At least not for the next couple of years.

DaveyD · 11 May 2006 at 23:06

Jabbs said:
Just imagine the data they can get on a blueray dvd 50gig, could have one hell of a game on that.

Problem is, Blu-Ray isn't automatically going to give you better graphics and sound, you're going to have developers working longer on games to try and get as much content and detail into their games as possible.

I'm hoping that we see some good, lengthy RPG style games with silly amounts of dialogue and flexibility, but we'll likely have to wait years for something of a massive scale.

Werewolf · 11 May 2006 at 23:37

Jabbs said:
Just imagine the data they can get on a blueray dvd 50gig, could have one hell of a game on that.

Or they could do a Final Fantay 7, rather than take the time to do things with the ingame graphics engine run most (all?) of the backgrounds and effects as FMV :/

You don't need a massive amount of space to get a really good looking game, or to do ingame cinematics.

Boogle · 12 May 2006 at 09:10

HDCP just requires a digital connection (due to the encryption, data loss would kill the signal dead). You should be able to encrypt the signal early on, pass through the raw (encrypted) signal to the TV, and you're done.

The problem isn't so much the technical aspects, but 'big brother' imo. I'm positive you could do the encryption in software (assuming the CPU is fast enough, and the memory bandwidth is there). But would the people who demand HDCP be happy that you're effectively going around the entire requirement of a special HDCP chip. Moreover HDCP in software would mean keys could be generated randomly, working around the entire key protection almost immediately.

Either way, I wouldn't worry too much about HDCP. Devices will be around that add HDCP, or (and these are out now) strip out the HDCP encryption. You just need to crack the firmware on the device to ignore the HDCP requirement entirely, just like making a DVD player region free. HDCP will just stop casual copying of products, similiar to how DVD encryption ensured that people can't just put a DVD in their PC and select 'copy' in Nero.

PS3 doesn't have HDMI? Well, are we sure it doesn't have component? If it has component then games will still be in HD as will BluRay movies that don't require HDCP. If they do require HDCP, I'm sure you'll be able to 'chip' the PS3 in a year or so.

TechnoCorruption · 12 May 2006 at 09:58

I think the whole point is that they give you the choice if you want it or not, a lot of people are saying why doesnt the cheaper version come with HDMI and the reason is if you want it you have to buy the premium model.

There will still be component at the very least on the cheaper model but just not the best of the best connection, I really dont know why there is such an issue of the 2 different packs, I think its a really good idea.

If you want everything on the PS3 then you buy the premium pack where as if you dont want HDTV (and there are a lot of people with no desire/cant afford to move to lcd's in the near future) and can live with a smaller HDD then they offer a cut-down price version for you.

Its the same with motherboards, you normally get a full model with 2 lans, 2 sata controllers, onboard wi-fi and then they also offer a vanilla model that does the same job but just a cut down version for people who dont need more than 1 sata/lan.

Scrutinize · 12 May 2006 at 10:06

The big percieved stumbling block is that the PS3 is Sony's way of getting blue ray into people's homes, at what looks like a similar or lower price to a standalone Blue Ray player. Hence why they have made efforts to make the console quiet. Leaving out features key to getting the full benefit from Blue Ray playback appears counter productive. Or is it.

1) How many people will rush out and buy a TV with HDMI to co-encide with the PS3, Blue Ray etc? Some but only a small %

2) Or even how any families can afford a HD TV for a few months considering they have just bought their kid a £500 console with some games for christmas?

3) By the time the majority of the population (UK, America, Asia etc) have HDMI TVs considering the cost of the uptake of all the technology, the High Definition format war will be over (probably), Media will be cheaper, and stand alone high def whether Blue Ray or HD-DVD players will be sensibly affordable the same way DVD prices came down .

4) Overall its a fair and sensible move to offer two PS3 systems both well capeable of playing 3rd gen games, considering the level of technology in the average families home would not take full advantage of the PS3 features. The base PS3 is comparable with the premium 360 and won't be unacceptably too far off in the price at launch. Its not like the differences between the 360 core and premium which although essentially the same console the core was a far cut back version in terms of in the box accesories