Ken Kutaragi say's: I "promise" an AV-centric PS3

[Pebb]

Source: Engadget HD

This just in from our Tokyo bureau: according to an interview conducted by Japan's Impress, Sony's Ken Kutaragi has gone on record with a "promise" for what he's calling an AV-centric PS3. In other words, audio and video capabilities first, gaming second (if at all), in a device built around the Cell-processor platform. Ken says that the device would certainly be more expensive, reflecting the prices and margins expected on high-end consumer electronic devices such as TVs, Blu-ray personal video recorders, etc. -- not the relatively cheap, but powerful gaming rigs sold at a loss under Sony's Computer Entertainment division. Impress speculates that the device could cost as much as ¥300,000 or about $2,500. The new Sony-branded living room box would, in Ken's (translated) words, "be a standard AV component sized box with a more powerful, power supply unit, anti-shake insulator, twice the main memory, and 2x HDMI to split sound and video output." More Cell-processor devices in the living room? We say bring it, Sony.

 

[speed_demon]

at that kind of price who would pay for it when they could just buy a playstation 3 at under half the cost

 

[DuckRacer]

Sheesh, I thought the PS3 was already AV-centric.

 

[Omnis]

You don't need a damn apostrophe for the word "Says".

Anyway, it's basically a mediastation that's ps3 compatible.

 

[Tornado]

Sounds like a cross between a Mac and the PSX. Though the dual HDMI output would be sweet for those with enough money to try to emulate and arcade set up, I can't see how this matters in the long run.

 

[TopHat]

Didn't they try this with the PSX? Didn't it fail?

 

[Tornado]

Didn't they try this with the PSX? Didn't it fail?

Yes and no. The difference between this idea and the PSX was that the PSX was introduced when the console was far too old to be worth it. This is intended, it seems, to be some kind of psuedo Mac/Windows Media computer.

 

[harrytuttle]

The primary reason Sony is doing this is because Microsoft is doing it. (Or maybe that's backwards...but I don't think so). Microsoft already has a near-monopoly on the desktop, both at work and at home, so the next frontier for them -- and all of consumer electronics -- is the home entertainment system. Microsoft's MCE was a nice, harmless, mostly useless attempt, resulting in things like this. All iterations of that are pure junk. They are oversized, overly complicated, and really just a PC with a funky interface. They are not the "toaster with a handset" that the PS3 and XBOX360 are. No version of them are worth having.

Both are now heading from opposite directions to the same room: Microsoft from the PC/HD-DVD camp, and Sony from the game console/BD camp. I honestly think neither will get there. Both systems are too strongly branded for gaming, and neither do a good job of serving digital media. What I think they want is something like Philips original HTPC (8000?), which was a boat anchor the minute it crossed someone's mind. There is still some way to go when it comes to convergence (remember that word?). Vista isn't going to fix much, and these game consoles are just that: game consoles...with an internet connection.

Sony has the best shot at this, having a decent feel for the PC industry and a very good history in the home entertainment market. Microsoft will fumble along until the copy of buy out someone else, and then dominate just after Sony starts to get a foothold. But only if Sony makes a mistake -- any mistake. Microsoft has this amazing ability to fully exploit situations where competitors make small (or large) mistakes. It's the only time they create quality products. I really don't look forward to it.

 

[Eric.]

And the only differences besides the case will be a better PSU, 256MB more RAM (512MB more if they upgrade video memory) and some anti-vibration stuff (rubber mounts and gaskets...). Why?! Doesn't it already have a pretty good PSU to be running what it does? I don't think watching DVDs will require doubling memory either.

 

[Tornado]

Vista isn't going to fix much, and these game consoles are just that: game consoles...with an internet connection.

Of course, dedicated home entertainment consoles always either fail (PSX, Phillips CD-i, 3DO) or fall into obscurity after making a tidy profit and a few dedicated and rabid fans (Laseractive, JVC X' Eye).

 

[Digital-Nitrate]

Excellent observations Harry.

I think the other problem is that those that want that type of media center PC is probably going to build it themselves. There are already massive online communities of DIY HTPC builders/users. The only hope for commercial success is with the masses that don't want to mess with building their own... but the costs are far too great right now to attract mass market consumers.

I do agree though with analyst that predict central media center PCs will eventually become the norm for your average income family, but that day is still likely several years away.

 

[Pebb]

Sheesh, I thought the PS3 was already AV-centric.

The PS3 is something called bargain, but this higher price piece of hardware is another bargain, but just at a higher price.

 

[Omnis]

The primary reason Sony is doing this is because Microsoft is doing it. (Or maybe that's backwards...but I don't think so). Microsoft already has a near-monopoly on the desktop, both at work and at home, so the next frontier for them -- and all of consumer electronics -- is the home entertainment system. Microsoft's MCE was a nice, harmless, mostly useless attempt, resulting in things like this. All iterations of that are pure junk. They are oversized, overly complicated, and really just a PC with a funky interface. They are not the "toaster with a handset" that the PS3 and XBOX360 are. No version of them are worth having.

Both are now heading from opposite directions to the same room: Microsoft from the PC/HD-DVD camp, and Sony from the game console/BD camp. I honestly think neither will get there. Both systems are too strongly branded for gaming, and neither do a good job of serving digital media. What I think they want is something like Philips original HTPC (8000?), which was a boat anchor the minute it crossed someone's mind. There is still some way to go when it comes to convergence (remember that word?). Vista isn't going to fix much, and these game consoles are just that: game consoles...with an internet connection.

Sony has the best shot at this, having a decent feel for the PC industry and a very good history in the home entertainment market. Microsoft will fumble along until the copy of buy out someone else, and then dominate just after Sony starts to get a foothold. But only if Sony makes a mistake -- any mistake. Microsoft has this amazing ability to fully exploit situations where competitors make small (or large) mistakes. It's the only time they create quality products. I really don't look forward to it.

Don't worry about it, Harry. Apple will soon release its iLivingRoom and dominate the market.

 

[DuckRacer]

The PS3 is something called bargain, but this higher price piece of hardware is another bargain, but just at a higher price.

...And your point is?

Don't worry about it, Harry. Apple will soon release its iLivingRoom and dominate the market.

It's iTV.

 

[harrytuttle]

Excellent observations Harry.

Tanks. 👍

I think the other problem is that those that want that type of media center PC is probably going to build it themselves. There are already massive online communities of DIY HTPC builders/users. The only hope for commercial success is with the masses that don't want to mess with building their own... but the costs are far too great right now to attract mass market consumers.

I was one of those DIY/HTPC people, and while what I had looked and sounded fantastic (for 1999), the interface was the problem. There were some small companies that sold turnkey HTPCs, but although it was as easy to set up as any other PC, it was still the same Windows interface. Even the hacks that simplified the interface and allowed custom remotes (Pronto, etc.) still couldn't get around memory errors, drive spin-up & spin-down issues....

I do agree though with analyst that predict central media center PCs will eventually become the norm for your average income family, but that day is still likely several years away.

I don't know about several years, but it's certainly not going to happen before next Christmas. I think it's more of a market demand than anything; how much the average Joe is willing to put up with in his living room. Already the day-to-day issues with scratched DVDs, rebooting cable boxes, and clunky remotes are lessening Best Buy customers' expectations when it comes to something that really should operate as reliably as a 1950's toaster from Sears.

Don't worry about it, Harry. Apple will soon release its iLivingRoom and dominate the market.

It's iTV.

I'm sure he knows that, but iLivingRoom is more of what Steve Jobs is trying to accomplish. Both he & Bill Gates know that the next frontier is the home entertainment center. Microsoft is approaching from the gaming end of the market, and Apple is coming in from the portable devices end. I would say they're pretty much even, but I forsee Apple getting the win eventually. They are much more in touch with how to create a simple, reliable interface, and have a lot more experience with creating "user-friendly" products. For any new device or technology to succeed (from cars to phones), the PhD approach is paramount for acceptance.