PS3 Q&A leaked

[Vorph]

Originally Posted by Soriak

According to the Q&A games go up to 1080p and 720p games will be upconverted if your TV can handle 1080p. Not sure what the difference might be, my TV only goes up to 720p/1080i

Heh, guess I could've searched the Q&A for 1080p... anyway, I still think the difference will be minimal with games. You might notice it on a 24" LCD shared with your computer that's only a couple feet away, but highly unlikely on a big screen TV.

I personally have been putting off the whole HD thing until it's completely stable. I intended to buy a SED panel as soon as they were released but the things have been delayed so many times that it's possible they will be obsolete before ever hitting the market. Current estimate is early 2008, and by then there's a good chance that HDR panels using Brightside's backlighting technology will be available already.

As for the BluRay thing, that doesn't seem to be downgraded until 2011, unless I'm missreading this:

Yea, that's not related. The first batch of HD-DVD movies were released without HDCP being enforced. It's not too likely that Blu-ray movies will enforce it immediately either. Sometime though, probably early to mid 2007 by my guess, they will start releasing movies with HDCP enforced and on those new discs you'll be limited to 960x540 over anything but a HDMI cable.

is alt.binaries.multimedia.mkv the accurate name? Can't find it on my newsgroup or www.binsearch.info. If they also have TV shows I can request additional groups from my newsgroup and will see if they add it

Sorry, alt.binaries.movies.mkv ... I'm too used to calling it just a.b.m.mkv and forgot that m is movies and mm is multimedia in ng abbreviations. If you don't know already, mkv is Matroska video container format. You can put just about any type of video/audio/subtitles into it, but typically people use x.264 video, English (and often French, since that's where many of the posters are from) 5.1 audio, and various subtitles. You'll need either VLC or MPC+ffdshow to watch them. Also, the group has been pretty dead for the last 3 weeks, I'm not sure why. The torrent site x264.us is a good alternative, but requires an invitation.

For tv shows, you're pretty much limited to normal xvid hdtv encodes (~624x352, mp3 stereo, 350MB/hr), xvid hi-res hdtv encodes (960x544, 5.1 audio if available, 700MB/hr), and the very occasional ATSC rip (1080i, ~6GB/hr, only done for special events really). I do all my TV watching this way and those are the only formats I see.

[Soriak]

Yeah I do all my TV watching with hdtv xvids at 350mb/episode but been trying to find 700mb hi-res episodes now to save them for rewatching. So many groups it's sometimes hard to find what you need and binsearch.info doesn't seem to search those high-res groups by default, at least I never see them pop up.

[Akileese]

Originally Posted by Vorph

I understand why people hate Sony after reading shit like this.

It's not a fucking computer, it's a console. Saying it's a computer ten times in a Q&A doesn't make it so. Upgradable parts are a cool way to one-up the 360, but it's still a console.

I still don't get the point of the $499 model, you'd have to be completely retarded to buy the gimped system. Even if you don't have a HDMI tv or display now, you almost certainly will before the PS3 lifecycle is over.

And I really hope that games don't actually require the use of that retarded six axis "swing the controller around like a faggot" controller stuff. I wish they had just left that garbage to Nintendo, since if/when I do get a PS3 I'll just end up avoiding games that might otherwise be good because of it.

What got me is the information that there is a "one year grace period" with non-HDMI software. They say its 5 years. We all know Blu-Ray was sold with the HDMI protection (no HDMI=No PLay for you), so why now are they saying you'll be good for 5 years? I call bullshit on that. BY spring 07, you'll only see HDMI Blu-Ray DVDs.

To Vorph: According to what I read at IGN a few months ago, it wasn't that it would be downgraded, it would be that it just wouldn't play at all. They're so fucking full of shit with 2011. It will be 2007 no matter what ANYONE says (they'll fucking rip off consumers just to try and make a few extra sales). If you don't believe me that they'll gouge consumers who don't know better, the 500 dollar PS3 is the prime example. That thing is a 360 for an extra hundred bucks come late 2007 (when the disc protection is fully enforced).

[Soriak]

Originally Posted by Akileese

If you don't believe me that they'll gouge consumers who don't know better, the 500 dollar PS3 is the prime example. That thing is a 360 for an extra hundred bucks come late 2007 (when the disc protection is fully enforced).

Let's just assume for a second Sony, the company that owns BR-DVD, has more accurate and updated info than IGN, which reports what they read in press releases. What does the $500 really lack that someone without a HDMI TV needs? Other than a small HDD, same size as that in the 360 - easily upgradable in both consoles. Also used mostly for buying additional cars/tracks for racing games, zones in RPGs etc - how large can those files be?

As for it being an expensive 360 - it comes with the same performance and game library as the more expensive ps3...

Btw, wikipedia also reports that the ICT flag won't be used until 2010 or 2012:

HD DVD and Blu-ray Disc players will allow content providers to set an Image Constraint Token (ICT) flag that will only output full-resolution signals using HDCP. If such a player is connected to a non-HDCP-enabled television set and the content is flagged, the player will output a downsampled 960x540p signal. Most high-definition television sets currently in use in the United States are not HDCP-capable, and this would initially negate some of the key benefits of HD-DVD and Blu-ray for those consumers. Movie studios are apparently in agreement to not include the ICT flag on any HD DVDs or Blu-ray Discs until at least 2010, or possibly even 2012.[1]

edit: In case wikipedia isn't good enough This article is longer though: http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20060521-6880.html

[Vorph]

IGN is mistaken. Blu-ray and HD-DVD both use copy protection called AACS and it contains something called an image constraint token (ICT). It's basically a flag slipped into a movie that says that when you play the movie over an analog connection (component video or D5) then the image will be downconverted to 960x540.

They also mention DLNA, which may be an alternative to HDMI at some point, but it's way too new right now.

Edit: I didn't realize they'd set a date so far off as 2011 for ICT. That's a lot of breathing room for people to come up with a way to circumvent HDCP.

[Akileese]

Originally Posted by Soriak

Let's just assume for a second Sony, the company that owns BR-DVD, has more accurate and updated info than IGN, which reports what they read in press releases. What does the $500 really lack that someone without a HDMI TV needs? Other than a small HDD, same size as that in the 360 - easily upgradable in both consoles. Also used mostly for buying additional cars/tracks for racing games, zones in RPGs etc - how large can those files be?

As for it being an expensive 360 - it comes with the same performance and game library as the more expensive ps3...

Btw, wikipedia also reports that the ICT flag won't be used until 2010 or 2012:


edit: In case wikipedia isn't good enough This article is longer though: http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20060521-6880.html

ill believe it when I see it. What the fuck is the point of putting in a standard if youre not going to enforce it for 5 fucking years? That's god damn retarded. 5 years won't change much from now. HDMI TVs will maybe drop a bit by then.

"the report suggests that Hollywood isn't exactly happy with the situation, and could very well renege on the agreement."

That will happen. Hollywood is absolutely paranoid about people pirating the HD-DVDs and BR-DVDs. Suddenly you want people to believe they're willing to say oh well, fuck it, we'll wait 4 or 6 years, we don't care. 2008, I could maybe see it, but not 2010 or 2012. I just refuse to believe that Hollywood would risk it for that much time.

[Vorph]

You make it sound like HDMI is still uncommon and/or expensive. It's on pretty much every HDTV currently sold... even this little Samsung 26" which only costs $370. 1080p still costs a fair bit extra, but HDMI is a non-issue if you're buying today.

In 5 years? Please... HD sets have been outselling normal ones for a while now, and after Feb. 2009 there won't be any more analog sets sold at all (and people still clinging to ancient technology will be starting to have problems). That's 2009 by law, I suspect it will actually happen before that. By 2011, HDMI/1080p HDTVs will be the norm in most households. It's no secret that TV manufacturers haven't been making sets last as long as they used to, and the first batch of HDTVs will be wearing out by then.

[Zefah]

Assuming there are a few good looking games for launch, I will definitely be picking up a PS3 on day one.

The Xbox 360 is dead and will probably never make a comeback where I live and I am not nearly excited for the Wii like most other people seem to be. The PS3 just looks like it will have the majority of the games that I like to play and that price really isn't that absurd in my opinion considering what comes with it.

Sure if all of the conspiracy theorists are right and the system is a piece of shit somehow and the format doesn't take off then I will be eating my words, but I have a feeling Sony knows what they are doing. If it does bomb then I will pick up a Wii and wait for the next generation. Either way I will be getting the majority of games I like to play because most Japanese developers won't even touch the 360 especially if sales for the system continue to be as bad as they are. I think the best selling game for it in Japan right now is Dead or Alive 4 at 70-80,000 units.

[Usha Starchild]

Originally Posted by Vorph

I understand why people hate Sony after reading shit like this.

It's not a fucking computer, it's a console. Saying it's a computer ten times in a Q&A doesn't make it so. Upgradable parts are a cool way to one-up the 360, but it's still a console.

I didnt read the whole thread but the reason Sony is calling it a computer is they can get away without paying a shitload of taxes in UK and EU if its classified as a computer. If its a consol they have to pay mad taxes, they just lost a case worth several hundred million trying to get money back they paid on PS2 taxes after they tried to claim ps2 was a PC.

[Punko]

500$ is a lot for a 20gb computer system. Actually that and the 370$ which was named for a cheap tv gets you a decent computer setup.

Fuck consoles.

[Akileese]

Originally Posted by Zefah

Assuming there are a few good looking games for launch, I will definitely be picking up a PS3 on day one.

The Xbox 360 is dead and will probably never make a comeback where I live and I am not nearly excited for the Wii like most other people seem to be. The PS3 just looks like it will have the majority of the games that I like to play and that price really isn't that absurd in my opinion considering what comes with it.

Sure if all of the conspiracy theorists are right and the system is a piece of shit somehow and the format doesn't take off then I will be eating my words, but I have a feeling Sony knows what they are doing. If it does bomb then I will pick up a Wii and wait for the next generation. Either way I will be getting the majority of games I like to play because most Japanese developers won't even touch the 360 especially if sales for the system continue to be as bad as they are. I think the best selling game for it in Japan right now is Dead or Alive 4 at 70-80,000 units.

*Stares at you blankly
*points to increase in console sales in the last 2 months
*points to the large list of games coming out in the fall/holiday season

How can you call a system dead that just saw an increase in their sales? Obviously people still want it. Now, if you were to say it's dead in Japan, I'll agree but honestly, I don't think anyone outside of MS expected them to suceed in Japan. Wii will be the hottest thing in Japan come this holiday season and to tell yourself otherwise is just plain silly. The Japanese aren't enthusiasts to expensive unproven hardware like Americans are and if you think MS' struggles are bad, check out the struggles Sony will have with their own market.

The 360 is far from dead in the US and I have to agree that and also add that $600 is expensive for a 60g computer. If Sony wants to say it's machine is a computer, bump up the hard drive space and keep the price the same. Give a 120g for $600 bucks and then we can talk.

[FusedTritium]

Originally Posted by Akileese

How can you call a system dead that just saw an increase in their sales? Obviously people still want it. Now, if you were to say it's dead in Japan, I'll agree but honestly, I don't think anyone outside of MS expected them to suceed in Japan. Wii will be the hottest thing in Japan come this holiday season and to tell yourself otherwise is just plain silly. The Japanese aren't enthusiasts to expensive unproven hardware like Americans are and if you think MS' struggles are bad, check out the struggles Sony will have with their own market.

If you look carefully, you'll see Zefah lives in Japan

[Asmadai]

Sorry to rebump this shit, but all this 1080ip blah blah mumbo jumbo, plus what i've read on other sites has me confused.

Can someone just tell me whether or not the 60gig PS3 will run on a non-HD TV? The article in this post says something along the lines of "it will convert the blah blah down for non-HD tv's", but other sources, such as Wikipedia are saying it won't.

Confirm/deny?

[Vorph]

I don't see any incorrect info on wikipedia, but either way the answer is that both models will have composite/svideo outputs for old TVs to support 480i, and component outs will go down to 480p on newer standard def TVs.

[Goliath]

Why is Playstation and Xbox so lame? I can't believe anyone would buy them, they are just weaker computers. I have a computer, and I can do anything I can do on it that I can on Xbox and Playstation. Including play any Xbox or Playstation specific games. However it's a bit more difficult with Nintendo, and Nintendo's games are actually unique, and the system is way cheaper.

I'll never stop Lol'in @ Playstation & Xbox.