[Caustic Saint]

Okay, so this box comes out in Japan this year (price not set yet), and it's been said it'll come out in the US next year. But what about the PS3? Every console manufacturer is supposedly getting ready to launch the next generation of hardware in 2005, so why put out this unit now?

My guess (and one that I've seen echoed on Slashdot) is that it's just a test to see what they should include in the PS3 as far as non-game features. That, and to suck up all that gamer cash.

Then again, what about the remodeled PS2 (no firewire, progressive scan DVD, built-in IR for the remote) that's due out in a few months? It's going to be an expensive year for some people.

[Caustic Saint]

Have they given any kind of info about what sort of "downloadable content" they'll be offering - extra levels/maps for games, movies, entire games?

[Hana_Mizu]

But what about the PS3? Every console manufacturer is supposedly getting ready to launch the next generation of hardware in 2005

I wouldn't hold my breath on the P3 being ready for 2005. Maybe you should ask someone at ASUS or Foxconn Electronics (Hon Hai) when it'll be released as they'll jointly be producing the damn things for Sony... doh, did I just say that...........

[Caustic Saint]

But what about the PS3? Every console manufacturer is supposedly getting ready to launch the next generation of hardware in 2005

I wouldn't hold my breath on the P3 being ready for 2005. Maybe you should ask someone at ASUS or Foxconn Electronics (Hon Hai) when it'll be released as they'll jointly be producing the damn things for Sony... doh, did I just say that...........

I'm not in any hurry for the PS3. I'm more curious about what the PSP will end up being. I've heard a prototype is due to debut at E3 next year.

[Taro Toporific]

Sony Shows Revamped PlayStation 2 Machine

Sony Corp on Wednesday showed a revamped PlayStation 2 video game machine with a built-in DVD recorder and TV tuner, which can download movies and music.

Features dropped from Sony PSX digitmag.| December 01, 2003
....The PSX is Sony's first attempt at tying the world of consumer electronics and games together and combines a hard disk drive video recorder, DVD recorder, music player, photo viewer, and PlayStation 2 games console in a single box ... Gone from the latest specifications is the ability to play back DVD+RW discs, data CD-R discs (although audio CDs recorded on CD-R discs are supported). The ability to display TIFF and GIF format images, and movies taken with Sony's Cybershot digital still cameras have been dropped, as well as the playback of MP3 files. Copying of video files from the PSX's hard disk drive to DVD discs has been slowed down, from 24x speed to 12x speed, and it cannot connect to the PlayStation BB online gaming service.

[Caustic Saint]

Features dropped from Sony PSX digitmag.| December 01, 2003
....The PSX is Sony's first attempt at tying the world of consumer electronics and games together and combines a hard disk drive video recorder, DVD recorder, music player, photo viewer, and PlayStation 2 games console in a single box ... Gone from the latest specifications is the ability to play back DVD+RW discs, data CD-R discs (although audio CDs recorded on CD-R discs are supported). The ability to display TIFF and GIF format images, and movies taken with Sony's Cybershot digital still cameras have been dropped, as well as the playback of MP3 files. Copying of video files from the PSX's hard disk drive to DVD discs has been slowed down, from 24x speed to 12x speed, and it cannot connect to the PlayStation BB online gaming service.

In short, they've stripped out all the cool features and kept the price ridiculously high.

[NeoNecroNomiCron]

I played it at the weekend its actualy pretty cool, and in really life its even sexier than the pics. but 100000 yen for the top model I think I will be waiting until 2005 jan sales lol. If you are a real geek you will be interested in that there is a limited edition white ps2. and a limited gold ps2 coming out on friday. the white one comes with Grand Turismo 4 and a single controler. and the gold one has 2 controlers some kind of robot game and extras. around 22000 and 34000. GT 4 is only the priview but the limited edition may be a nice collectors piece. inface buy both of them and the PSX I dare you (I might really do this myself, I still havnt managed to get a famicom GB SP)

[Caustic Saint]

Sony has put four commercials for the PSX on their website for it. Available in Windows Media and Real Player.

18-second spots, very dialogue heavy. Can somebody please tell me what the hell they're saying in the fourth one? (You'll know what I mean once you see it.)

[Caustic Saint]

Lik-Sang have gotten their units and already gutted one to see what makes it tick. Lots of pics at the link.

Also of note, the Multi-tap doesn't work with this unit, so no more than 2 players at a time. Anything else they forgot to cripple on it?

[NeoNecroNomiCron]

Lik-Sang have gotten their units and already gutted one to see what makes it tick. Lots of pics at the link.

Also of note, the Multi-tap doesn't work with this unit, so no more than 2 players at a time. Anything else they forgot to cripple on it?

The left out stuff like the ability to play MP3. It looks like you can update the firmware in hte near future so if you are going to give this as a present you didnt have to worry about later models being to much better.

Saying that even the PS2 has about 5 different versions on motherboard. The first one is really bulky but has some nice soildering points

[Big Booger]

Sounds like with all that is stripped out, I'll stick with my PC... does everything that the PSX does, at a cost factor that is far cheaper...
Considering you need a TV to play the PSX on.. and a new PC sells with monitor and decent specs for around 100000 yen, depending on where you shop.

Had they kept all the features and functions that they first said it would have it wouldn't be that bad...

But not playing Mp3s? Data CDRs?

Give me a break...

[Caustic Saint]

I think one of the dumber moves was removing the ability to play DVD+RWs. The latest revision of the PS2 (SCPH-50000 in Japan, different numbers elsewhere) can play them, so why not the supposed uber-machine?