PCMag Previews PS3 Media Features

[Damion Chaplin]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,1895,2034420,00.asp' target='_blank'>http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,1895,2034420,00.asp</a><br /><br /></div><i>"Calling it "future proof" and the only true "next-generation" game console, Sony today took the wraps off of its new PlayStation 3. Although there was lots of game play and many demos, the focus of the launch was more on the Internet-based capabilities and what else you could do with the console, like playing movies, music, and photos... The PlayStation 3's music capabilities, by contrast, were more basic. The system supports MP3, WAV, AAC, and ATRAC files, either purchased online or ripped via the optical drive, or copied over via the USB/multi-card reader. It will play regular and SACD audio via the Blu-Ray drive. The system displays al-bum art, and lets you easily scroll through your files, and also includes an HD music visualizer. But the initial interface was fairly low-end. On the video side, the PlayStation 3 supports downloadable HD trailers and full-on HD movies, along with MPEG1, MPEG2, and the same MPEG4 video format as the PSP. Video content can be copied to the machine via the aforementioned ports, purchased at the Sony store, or copied from a Web site. The Play-Station 3 also includes a Blu-Ray high-definition DVD drive, and can playback video that way as well. In fact, Blu-Ray took a leading role in the executive presentations, as Sony took pains to differentiate itself from the Xbox."</i><br /><br /> <img src="http://www.digitalmediathoughts.com/images/PS3Box.jpg" /> <br /><br />Well, I'm gonna file this under ho-hum. I might have been excited about these specs if they were announced this time last year, but at the moment, there's just nothing the PS3 offers that I find compelling, especially considering its price. However, I know I'm probably in the minority here, so you're going to have to tell me whether this is exciting news or not. :wink:<br /><br />You can find other news on the PS3 <a href="http://ps3.ign.com/articles/740/740005p1.html">here,</a> <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/2207229.stm">here,</a> and <a href="http://www.terrasoftsolutions.com/products/ydl/">here.</a> Interested in Linux on the PS3? Check out that last link...

[Chris Gohlke]

Honestly, the PS3 is not even in the running for me. Hopefully, I will be getting a Wii before the end of the year making this the first console since the Atari 2600 that I got anywhere near the release date. I'm thinking about getting a 360, but I am hoping to see if they come out with a unit with the HD DVD drive built in. PS3, only in a couple of years when the price comes way down, IF there are some games I want for it (like maybe a Katamari sequel).

[Felix Torres]

Sony bills the PS3 as a computer and, honestly, it is.
It might even be a better media computer than it is a console, especially at first, since the bulk of its games are cross-platform ports shared with 360. It already does a lot of the stuff folks have been trying to squeeze out of the Mac mini HTPC projects, right out of the box.

Two notable things are that it will not act as a client for media streaming out of the box, but it *will* act as a server if you have a PSP (In fact that is the only use it has for the PS3 for now, and that it has a full-blown Linux with desktop apps and all available and that the Linux in question was originally developed for Macs.

I've always said Sony should merge with Apple and we have hear an attempt to back-door themselves into the desktop PC business by leveraging off the road not taken by Apple.

If any were actually available for purchase, I might've picked one up as a standalone media player for my mother. As is, she's getting a 360 for xmas. &lt;shhh!!> :wink:

[rzanology]

too little too late. i've lost my faith in sony. when the hype is gone and the smoke clears....360 will be the one leading the market.

[Felix Torres]

...but its going to be a close fight.
Sony has a lot of dirty tricks up their sleeve and they are very good at FUD. Plus, japanese will never buy a gaijin console.