Sony's Grave Error: The $499 HDMI-Lacking PS3

[Karma]

Quote:

Originally Posted by IGN

Not only does the $499 PS3 lack built-in support for Wi-Fi broadband and SD and Compact Flash memory cards, but rather shockingly, the machine does not possess HDMI output. Rumors spread like wild fire that the $499 machine was also missing Bluetooth support for wireless controllers, spreading fury among fans and detractors alike.

............

Sony's thought process in crippling the $499 PS3 in this respect is positively dumbfounding. The general populace has not been educated in the intricacies of HDCP / AACS copy-protection, and a variety of electronics manufacturers are presently involved in class-action law-suits filed by consumers after the companies erroneously claimed support for the new format when their products were, in fact, incompatible (most notably ATI and NVIDIA at this point in time). Legions of buyers will purchase the $499 PS3 version, believing that it represents an excellent value as both a next-gen DVD player and game console, only to discover that its Blu-ray capabilities are stripped a year or two into its lifecycle.

............

Until Sony announces a $499 PS3 design change, we at IGN Gear can, in good faith, only recommend that interested buyers steer clear of the lower-priced PS3 model or make the purchase fully aware that they may in future suffer severe repercussions when it comes to Blu-ray movie playback -- one of the key features that puts the PS3's price point above competing systems. 540p, the resolution that the Image Constraint Token will down-convert 1080p movies to in non-HDCP systems, is by no stretch of the imagination Hi-Def, and will, without major changes in PS3 design or studio policy, be the future of Blu-ray playback on the $499 PS3. Sony must either make this truth clear to buyers or make a hardware alteration. Any other response should be counted as negligent and anti-consumer, grave mistakes for a company that is risking so much on the PS3 and Blu-ray's success.

IGN: Sony's Grave Error: The $499 HDMI-Lacking PS3.
No HDMI, no HDCP. That equals no 1080p

There seem to be alot of very smart people that have no idea what Sony is doing. But it's possible Sony may change specs at the last minute.

[jcll2002]

ouch...

[juliebriggs]

no HDMI? im never gonna get to use that plug on my tv am i? lol

[michnovichno]

The Xbox 360 HD-DVD attachment wont have HDMI either. HDCP is such @#$%. It WILL get cracked in like 1 or 2 years and it just hurts the honest consumer. The PS3 will be able to play hi-def Blue Ray moves for a year or two until HDCP is implimented though. And now ATI and NVIDIA are looking into Display Port...another audio/video connection. I am seriously 100% happy with component. Unless one has a 50" plasma the differences between component 1080i and HDMI 1080p are negliable.

[Karma]

Quote:

Originally Posted by michnovichno

The Xbox 360 HD-DVD attachment wont have HDMI either. HDCP is such @#$%. It WILL get cracked in like 1 or 2 years and it just hurts the honest consumer. The PS3 will be able to play hi-def Blue Ray moves for a year or two until HDCP is implimented though. And now ATI and NVIDIA are looking into Display Port...another audio/video connection. I am seriously 100% happy with component. Unless one has a 50" plasma the differences between component 1080i and HDMI 1080p are negliable.

The 360 never supported 1080p, so why would the HD-DVD attachment have HDMI anyway?

But it looks like MS & Sony got movie studios to avoid implementing the HDCP types of Image Constraint Token (ICT) and Digital Only Token (DOT) until 2010 or 2011 at the earliest:

Quote:

Originally Posted by spiegel.de

Under rising consumer pressure and hardware manufacturers requests a deal has been made between movie studios and hardware manufacturers. Studios will keep their HD-DVD and Blu-Ray disks free of Image Constraint Token (ICT) and Digital Only Token (DOT) until at least 2010. Announcement to me made in coming days.

Sony and Microsoft working together on copy protection

Maybe HDCP is ending up being a red herring?

[akiladae]

$500 for a console w/o wireless controllers and HDMI support is insane. Sony should just eliminate the Blu-ray player from its low-end 20 GB version. What's the point if it lacks HDMI? They probably could even knock off another $100 bucks off the low-end version and make its resonable to compete with X360 high-end version.

[solobaricsrock3]

If ICT is implemented, it will force non compliant devices to step the image down to 480P anyways, so looks like all the arguement over "Next gen" will actually happen.......NEXT GEN!!!!

[Dukefrukem]

Quote:

Originally Posted by akiladae

$500 for a console w/o wireless controllers and HDMI support is insane. Sony should just eliminate the Blu-ray player from its low-end 20 GB version. What's the point if it lacks HDMI? They probably could even knock off another $100 bucks off the low-end version and make its resonable to compete with X360 high-end version.

when you go into an electronics store, and watch the HD picture they are displaying... 99% of them are component,...not HDMI...

[Boogieman117]

I've honestly gotten to the point to where HDMI, Blu-Ray, HD-DVD, ICT, HDCP have become wonderful combinations of capital and lowercase letters.

I'm personally going to wait about a year until some sort of standard is created for the consumer. Otherwise, it's a really BAD time to buy electronics, in my opinion.

[mem]

*looks over at nintendo*
Well, I guess im getting a WII, Also wireless controllers are a must. I also liek that feature on the Xbox 360 when you can turn off the system by a controller or a remote. A true Lazy mans system.