Blu-ray and PS3 sink (or swim) together, say analysts
TG Daily has an interview with two market analysts about Blu-ray and the Playstation 3, and how their futures are supposedly tied together. The article mentions everything from the price of gas affecting disposable income, to the costs of standalone BD players affecting PS3 pricing, to studio commitments to one format or another. Unfortunately, as Ben would likely point out, Blu-ray is not only Sony, and the Blu-ray format does not depend solely on the success of the PS3 for adoption by consumers. So while Microsoft and Xbox 360 fans can debate why their console will be better -- or cheaper, depending on the price of the HD DVD add-on -- than the PS3, and HD DVD fans can argue that the picture quality is better, Blu-ray can (and most likely, will) stand on its own, despite the outcome of the PS3... or even because of it.
There is also a picture gallery if you'd like to see snapshots of different manufacturers that have announced products for BD since CES. Once again, we have to point out that it sure is a shame that both camps can't reduce their equipment sizes, they look so last-gen in their design. We know it's because of all the PC-like components inside, but it sure will be great when they look more like current DVD players and less like 1980s VHS decks. At least the PS3 has a nice curve on one side *shrug*
[Via Digg]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
TJ @ Aug 16th 2006 12:58PM
I definitely don't see this happening. I'm buying my PS3 as a cheap Blu-ray player, but even if Blu-ray fails and HD DVD becomes standard, I'll still use it to play games! The Playstation brand means a lot to some people, and as the price eventually drops on the console, you'll see more casual gamers pick it up.
The Jeremy @ Aug 16th 2006 1:39PM
I am really sick of the various fanbois who constantly try to tag Blu-Ray as a Sony exclusive product when its much closer to being an industry-wide product than HD-DVD is currently.
Its these same morons who try to tag all of Sony as being responsible for the rootkit fiasco when that was the work of SonyBMG, which is a separately administered company to which Sony Corporate owns a 50% stake in (with Bertlesman(n) owning the rest).
Toolz.
TJ @ Aug 16th 2006 2:20PM
Amen brother!
Larry @ Aug 16th 2006 3:26PM
Blu-Ray is bouned together with the PS3 because the only reason so many people are backing the standard is because they think th PS3 will make the difference.
UMD has failed completely, but the PS3 is still selling, for now.
Second Chance @ Aug 16th 2006 3:41PM
The early perception of Blu-Ray movies is not that encouraging. Couple that with the high cost of the PS3, and we could be headed towards a disaster.
Sony has a problem on their hands with the PS3 and Blu-Ray. They need to educate consumers on the benefits, and also get people willing to spend a premium. If for some reason one or each fails, Sony is going to be in a world of hurt.
I view the PS3 and Blu-Ray as both huge risks.
I don't think it's a guarantee that both will be automatically successful.
Steve @ Aug 16th 2006 5:26PM
I do wish that UMD format were still doing well. I really like the fact of watching movies anywhere you go in such a compact system. Now the only way is to burn DVD to PSP videos which I don't think it will be 100% perfect quality like you would get on a UMD. I noticed that ripped videos tend to show blurs when the picture is moving fast. UMD movies must be specifically encoded for the PSP to display crystal clear.
Anyways, I'm all for Blu-ray and Playstation 3! Can't wait to get my hands on them.
shay @ Aug 17th 2006 12:41AM
why does this author seem so happy that the xbox HD-DVD drive is only going to cost $200? do people really think that's low? So let me get this straight,
xbox 360: $399 } base model, gaming, music pics, wifi
HD-DVD : $200 } inferior technology
__________________
$600
PS3 : $499 } } base model, 20gb, pics, games, backwards compatible, music, Blu-ray, WI-FI,Nvidia graphics, MUST I GO ON?
Blu Ray : $0 } superior technology
Dennis @ Aug 17th 2006 6:58AM
shay - In case you didnt know the base PS3 does not include HDMI, therefore no blu-ray without the HDMI add on which cost more
Rob Holiday @ Aug 17th 2006 7:43AM
The adoption rate of HDTV's is way too low for the "Beta"-ray drive to be appealing to the masses. Most gamers do not have HDTV's. What's the point of Blu-ray without HD? Besides, who wants to buy a game system that's supposed to be good for 10 years? Just think about how good video games were 10 years ago compared to now. I'll take the 5 year console. You can bet that in 5 years when the next XBOX is released, it will blow away the PS3.