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Video game sales surpass DVD / Blu-ray for the first time

by Darren Murph, posted Jan 24th 2009 at 12:29AM


Hold on to your caps, folks -- you're about to hear some positive economic news. Baffling, we know. According to Media Control GfK International, worldwide packaged media sales managed to creep up six percent in 2008. Interestingly, it seems that video games were doing the bulk of the driving, as for the first time in recorded history, sales of games exceeded sales of DVD and Blu-ray Discs. Back in 2007, games accounted for 47 percent of the equation, while it scooted up to 53 percent in 2008; analysts are expecting that figure to rise further and hit 57 percent in 2009, though much of this shift has to do with the digital distribution of content and not the disinterest in movies overall. Remember, we're talking about packaged media here. Per usual, loads more numbers await you in the read link if you're the ones and zeros type.

[Via CDFreaks, image courtesy of OrlandoSentinel]

Report asserts that pay-TV should watch out for digital downloads

by Darren Murph, posted Dec 2nd 2008 at 5:09AM


Seriously, who's not on watch for digital downloads these days? DVDs? Check. Blu-ray Discs? Check. Pay-TV operators? Check. According to new data gathered by Research and Markets, "console-affiliated media portals such as Microsoft's Xbox LIVE and Sony's PlayStation Network will soon become formidable competitors to incumbent pay-TV services." As the report notes, the digital downloads available via these services will eventually become "compelling alternatives to traditional TV programming by providing a more immersive, interactive video experience." Of course, this "research" comes at a time when everyone and their mother are jumping on this bandwagon, but it's still reasonable to assert that most anything providing access to content via the internet has a serious chance to replace traditional pay-TV services. Whether or not that actually happens en masse, however, remains to be seen.

Full screen Flash-enabling v2.53 PS3 firmware available now

by Darren Murph, posted Dec 1st 2008 at 11:31PM


We're still not over Sony's trickeration -- which led us to believe the version 2.53 firmware update was hitting prior to the US Thanksgiving holiday -- but we're not ones to turn down a free update under any circumstances. As of now (as in, right now), Sony's PlayStation 3 can support full screen embedded Flash videos courtesy of the latest firmware, so there's really no excuse for you not firing up the System Update and sucking it down. Get to it!

[Via PS3 Fanboy, thanks to everyone who sent this in]

PS3 firmware v2.53 bringing full screen Flash support

by Darren Murph, posted Nov 25th 2008 at 3:03PM


It seems like just yesterday (or last month, to be more exact) that we were enjoying the spoils of firmware 2.50, and now, Sony's giving us a little pre-Thanksgiving treat with version 2.53. Slated to hit the wires sometime on November 26th, the latest PlayStation 3 update will bring along full-screen Flash support (huzzah!) among other minor tweaks. Check the full changelog in the read link, and get ready to get your download on tomorrow.

[Image courtesy of Skattertech]

Sony's PlayStation 3 tops another "Best Blu-ray player" list

by Darren Murph, posted Nov 25th 2008 at 11:43AM


For the longest time, the answer to the inevitable "What's the best Blu-ray player?" question was simple: "Sony's PlayStation 3, of course." Now, however, prices of less extravagant decks have plummeted, making the PS3 one of the pricier BD players on the market. True though that may be, Sony's BD-infused console still managed to top CNNMoney's list of "Best of the Blu-ray players." Critics pointed out that its Profile 2.0 support, quick load times and obvious extra benefits (gaming) made it a surefire winner, with the BDP-S350 and Pioneer Elite BDP-05FD notching silver and bronze, respectively. Panasonic's Profile 2.0 DMP-BD50 and Samsung's tried and true BD-P1500 finished out the top five, though it's fairly evident that reviewers didn't bother taking cash into account. We'll keep an eye out for the "Best Of" list for bargain hunters, but you're probably better off just grabbing the cheapest deck you can find this Friday and pondering the decision at a later date.

[Thanks, Anthony]

Poll: How are you enjoying HD Netflix streaming on the Xbox 360?

by Darren Murph, posted Nov 22nd 2008 at 12:00PM


Now that HD Netflix streaming has finally arrived on the Xbox 360, we have no doubts whatsoever that legions of you have already given it a spin. We've heard mixed impressions right out of the gate, but we're hoping some of the first day glitches have worked themselves out by now. At any rate, how has your experience been so far? Are you impressed with the quality? Are there any aspects that could be improved upon? Break off a paragraph or three in comments below.

How are you enjoying HD Netflix streaming on the Xbox 360?

Microsoft exec touts HD streaming over discs, suggests Xbox 360 will outlast PS3

by Darren Murph, posted Nov 17th 2008 at 3:43PM

Man, talk about talking tough. In a recent interview with Venture Beat, Microsoft executive Shane Kim pointed out that the impending New Xbox Experience would be the beginning of a "fascinating time as all of these different media evolve." Kim got rough when questioned about the value of a built-in Blu-ray player in Sony's PS3, stating that "Microsoft made the right decision by not including HD DVD or Blu-ray in its box and offering HD DVD as an accessory." Following up on that, he noted that "digital downloading of movies to the Xbox 360 over the online connection would likely prove more important than Blu-ray in the long run," and that it would continue producing the 360 "one day longer than the lifespan of the PlayStation 3." My, oh my.

[Via GameDaily]

Sony sees PlayStation 3 sales skyrocket 56%, Blu-ray a factor?

by Darren Murph, posted Nov 15th 2008 at 10:30AM


Despite the weakening economy, video game sales across the board have remained impressively high. Now that each of the big three have reported their Q3 figures, we found Sony's report in particular worthy of critique. Sure, Nintendo moved more Wiis last quarter than Sony did PS3s, and Microsoft sold about twice as many Xbox 360s, but that's beside the point. The most expensive console on the market (by far) still managed to see a 56% sales increase year-over-year, which is pretty remarkable in and of itself. We've no hard evidence suggesting that Blu-ray's victory in the format war helped escalate its sales, but would you be willing to bet that it did? C'mon, the PS3 was widely regarded as the best Blu-ray player in its price range for a solid while there, surely that helped out Sony somewhat -- no? Chime in with your analysis below.

Ask Engadget HD: Best gaming / movie console: Xbox 360 or PlayStation 3?

by Darren Murph, posted Nov 12th 2008 at 12:00PM Featured Story


Put those controllers down nice and easy for a second and have a look -- we've some real work for you to do. Jonas has chimed in to solicit the opinions of you wise readers before he selects a console to purchase this winter. Have a look:

"Now that the Xbox 360 is the cheapest console out and can stream HD Netflix titles [not to mention play HD DVDs - Ed.], I'm beginning to question my to-be PlayStation 3 purchase. I realize that the PS3 can also play Blu-ray Discs and stream all sorts of media, but I'm really torn between the two. Which would you recommend for someone who will use the machine for half movies and half gaming? And yes, price is an issue, so obviously I favor the Xbox 360 in that area."

We can't imagine that Jonas is alone in this one. The whole HD Netflix announcement was a huge win for Microsoft, and while we know it's coming to other devices soon, there's been no direct announcement made regarding the PS3. Let the debate begin!

Got a burning question that you'd love to toss out for Engadget HD (or its readers) to take a look at? Tired of Google's blank stares when you ask for real-world experiences? Hit us up at ask at engadgethd dawt com and keep an eye on this space -- your inquiry could be next.

Pantel intros waterproof indoor / outdoor TV consoles

by Darren Murph, posted Sep 13th 2008 at 12:03AM


We already knew that Pantel was fixin' to loose a new water-shunning "mirror" LCD HDTV this fall, but apparently that's just not enough for these guys. In addition to that, it has also introduced Q4-bound indoor / outdoor weatherproof consoles that house a 42-inch LCD HDTV, built-in lift mechanism, wireless capabilities and integrated speakers to boot. Each system is equipped with 802.11a technology to deliver audio and video sans wires up to 150-feet, though pricing details are being kept on the low. Hop on past the break for all the specifications you need (and a few you probably don't).

Continue reading Pantel intros waterproof indoor / outdoor TV consoles

XCM offers up Mega-Cool component-to-VGA converter

by Darren Murph, posted Jun 12th 2008 at 4:50AM


Not like Team Xtender hasn't been offering something similar to this for well over a year now, but hey, nothing wrong with a bit of delayed competition. XCM has just made clear that it will soon be selling the 1080p Mega-Cool VGA box, which takes any component input and shoots it back out via VGA. The box supports PC resolutions up to UXGA (1,600 x 1,200 at 75Hz) or HDTV (up to 1,920 x 1,080). Plug-and-play, NTSC / PAL support and USB power are all included -- you just provide the ins and outs. Mum's the current word on pricing / availability, but we're hearing that e-tailer Total Console will be offering it soon.

[Via IGN]

Wilkerson Furniture tests the waters with its m21 plasma console

by Steven Kim, posted Jun 11th 2008 at 4:37AM

Wilkerson m21 plasma console
If your idea of hipster style leans in a decidedly retro direction, feast your eyes on Wilkerson Furniture's m21 flat panel console. Yeah, that's right -- console. This little beast is a true smashup of old and new tech. The something old is the walnut cabinet and integrated center channel speaker grill finished off with a Fender amp screen. The something new the 42-inch plasma display; and yes, it is a color display. With its squarish proportions, it kind of reminds us of a wooden Beovision 9, to be honest. The m21 is a test balloon that was floated by Wilkerson at the Dwell on Design conference -- if it's a hit with the crowds, they may bring this model to production. Better yet, a lower, wider model with component-hiding doors could appear as well. Sadly, there's no word on pricing or a model with a top-mounted Garrard turntable.

Sony's PlayStation 3 gets re-reviewed: Blu-ray abilities smiled upon

by Darren Murph, posted Jun 6th 2008 at 3:46PM


It may be tough to remember back, but when Sony's PlayStation 3 launched well above the price of its two rivals, many were immediately turned off. Reviewers everywhere panned the system for being too pricey, forcing Blu-ray upon the unsuspecting public, and being quite limited in home theater applications. Fast forward to today, and everything has changed. BD is the sole next-gen format, Sony has slashed the price, and its internal components have enabled it to keep up with the Profile changes while standalone decks get left in the proverbial dust. The folks over at ArsTechnica took the time to sit back down with the PS3 now that the tables have turned, and unsurprisingly, they found a lot more to like this 'go round. For HD aficionados in particular, the console is simply hard to ignore, as it still stands as the "most affordable fully-featured HD disc player on the market." Check out the full re-review below to see if Sony's latest console really is your best bet.

[Via BLORGE]

Mad Catz PS3 3-Port HDMI System Selector gets reviewed

by Darren Murph, posted May 29th 2008 at 11:56AM


We're not entirely sure how large the market for this peculiar PlayStation 3 add-on actually is, but the Mad Catz cooling fan / 3-port HDMI switch has just been reviewed by the kids over at IGN. Essentially, this thing snaps on and bulks up your PS3, adding in a noisy, likely ineffective duo of fans while providing a trio of HDMI / Toslink optical digital audio inputs. For all intents and purposes, the device performed just like any other HDMI system selector, with no noticeable degradation and full support for HDCP / 1080p. Furthermore, you'll find a bundled remote that can control DVD and Blu-ray playback on your console, and there's even a few cables thrown in to make you believe this thing is really worth the $79.99 asking price. According to this writeup, it's not a bad deal for those in need, but be sure to read the article in full before doing the deed.

Ask Engadget HD: Which gaming console suits HD junkies best?

by Darren Murph, posted May 28th 2008 at 11:45AM


Now that the big three have been out for quite some time (though securing the white one is still somewhat problematic, we hear), we figured it was a good time to throw this question out for folks finally looking to make their pick and snag a console:

"I've got a satisfactory HDTV now that I enjoy HD programming and Blu-ray movies on, but I'm getting the itch to pick up a console as well. Obviously, the only two out there that can really support HD gaming are the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3, though I'm not ruling the Wii out completely. I know the PS3 would seem a no-brainer if I didn't already have a BD player, but removing that from the equation, which is likely to suit the HD lover best?"

Drop those gamepads and get over here -- this fellow needs some advice! Does the gameplay on Nintendo's unit trump the woefully underpowered hardware? Is the Xbox 360 superior to the PS3 graphically? Sound off however you'd like, just keep the fanboy comments to yourself.

Got a burning question that you'd love to toss out for Engadget HD (or its readers) to take a look at? Tired of Google's blank stares when you ask for real-world experiences? Hit us up at ask at engadgethd dawt com and keep an eye on this space -- your inquiry could be next.




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