We think the
Playstation 3 seems nice, but the fact is it costs a lot and
lack of HDMI on the cheaper model is a severe buzzkill to anyone looking to get this as a "cheap" Blu-ray player. Apparently, Sony agrees because they've announced a 20% price cut for the low-end 20GB model -- only in Japan so far -- and added HDMI 1.3 as well. You read that right, all Playstation 3 consoles will come with digital video outputs (we suppose asking
for a cable too would be out of line?). Adding features and cutting prices is something we can't really argue with, although glass half-empty individuals could see this as more incentive for studios to possibly introduce ICT in the future, since digital output is now standard on the PS3. They've also been taking shots at Microsoft's 1080p support and showing off several games (Ridge Racer 7, Gran Turismo HD, Virtua Tennis 3 and Mobile Suit Gundam) running 1080p natively at 60 frames per second, despite
some saying we wouldn't see that many this soon. Now all we need is a US price drop and we'll forget all about how Sony is
ignoring our European friends this year.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
ColourSource @ Sep 22nd 2006 9:46PM
No reason to buy the more expensive model now.
Jon @ Sep 22nd 2006 10:39PM
I agree...this puts Sony in sort of a contradiction. They believe that their console is too expensive...so they lower the price by 20% on the cheaper model and add HDMI...but they have also said that only 20% of consoles sold at launch will be the cheaper version. So in effect they are screwing folks over by not making the choice model more widely available.
I do believe the less expensive model will now be the model of choice as the larger hard drive and wifi are luxuries easily gone without. Especially if it will save $100 or more with the new price cuts.
Will be interesting to see if this price cut makes it stateside.
Markcus Dunn @ Sep 23rd 2006 2:19AM
Not a bad deal for a blu-ray player (+ games). The only problem is we probably won't be able to find one until xmas 07
Isagani @ Sep 23rd 2006 2:45AM
good thing Sony isn't making a retard pack anymore now that HDMI is included in all models... the rest of the extras in the more expensive PS3 are just luxuries people that want them can get, but those that don't see the need can feel comfortable in getting the lower end model.
as for the price cut... I think some people are taking the price cut the wrong way... Sony is just bringing the price in line with the worldwide price and lowering it a bit because after all it is their homeland. I mean orginally the price was over $500 US so it only made sense for them to lower it.
It would have been better for Sony if they had thought about all this before they ever announced the price at E3 then all this price cut stuff wouldn't be so annoying to some. I don't see the price getting lowered here in the states, or in Europe, but we can all hope maybe they'll at the very least bring good software to the system early to warrant the price besides it being a blu-ray player.
BigD @ Sep 23rd 2006 5:13AM
good news. I might actually grab one of these bad boys just to have a blu-ray player. I believe their edge in games is now gone. All of their exclusive deals have jumped ship, and EA games has publically stated that they prefer making games for other systems...
I'll get all three of the next gen consoles.
Galley @ Sep 23rd 2006 8:59AM
That is certainly a smart move, but I would still go for the 60 gigger.
Eternal @ Sep 23rd 2006 3:43PM
If they decide to drop the price on that in The U.S. then i might just find myself buying a PS3 after all. I could careless about not having wi-fi capabilities and all that other stufff (im sure some company will come up with a peripheral that will be USB powered and be able to make the PS3 wi-fi capable)
JY @ Sep 24th 2006 12:14AM
Wasn't it confirmed that this version would not make it to the US or was that the price cut that wouldn't make it?
Brandon @ Oct 5th 2006 2:20PM
"You read that right, all Playstation 3 consoles will come with digital video outputs"
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JY, I assume "all" means exactly that ALL, every low-end 20GB model will have HDMI.
Dewain @ Dec 26th 2006 5:58AM
If anyone is in need of a Japanese version of the PS3 hit me up.