Last night the usually excellent, tax-payer funded (and therefore theoretically independent of corporate influence) BBC aired its Watchdog consumer affairs program. This was the episode that Sony's SCEUK MD, Ray Maguire complained about in a six-page letter prior to its public airing.
Here's just a flavour of the reasoned approach taken by the Beeb to faults found in some pre-Slim PS3 Phats.
"Iain Lee maybe a self-declared Xbox man with a regular column on the Microsoft Network but he was just as interested as we were to hear that there was a potential fix for the PS3 Yellow Light of Death."
This would appear to us to be the balanced equivalent of sending a vegetarian to talk about making pork pies tastier and porkier.
The show - we think - was attempting to point out that: some PS3 Phats fail; that this is indicated by a yellow (amber) light; that Sony refused to pin down the fault to a specific issue; that Watchdog's specialist team of two guys could fix every faulty PS3 because they all actually have the same (solder-based) problem; that Sony charge for repairs after the one year warranty expires.
So, basically, there's a specific fault in some PS3 Phats, (apparently 12,500 that Sony "admitted to... but it could be so much more!!" according the Watchdog's reasoned approach) that Sony won't admit to.
The Sony spokesperson invited onto the show... nope, there wasn't one. Apparently Sony refused to appear on the show "due to concerns the tone of the programme would ridicule its defence and it would not receive fair treatment" according to GI.biz.
While Sony charges (frankly, a lot) for out of warranty repairs, we weren't informed how much Watchdog's specialist team - named PlayStation Repair Action Team (yes, P.R.A.T.) - charged for repairs.
In short, a show that could have said, "Come on SCEEUK! There's a fault. Admit to it" and brought a SCEUK spokesperson on, descended into a mishmash of poor research, apparent bias, and a daft song at the end.
You can watch the entire show in iPlayer (on your PS3) for the next seven days. We've also included lowlights at the foot of this story.
You can also read our take on fixing a borked PS3 here - it's much calmer.
Here's just a flavour of the reasoned approach taken by the Beeb to faults found in some pre-Slim PS3 Phats.
"Iain Lee maybe a self-declared Xbox man with a regular column on the Microsoft Network but he was just as interested as we were to hear that there was a potential fix for the PS3 Yellow Light of Death."
This would appear to us to be the balanced equivalent of sending a vegetarian to talk about making pork pies tastier and porkier.
The show - we think - was attempting to point out that: some PS3 Phats fail; that this is indicated by a yellow (amber) light; that Sony refused to pin down the fault to a specific issue; that Watchdog's specialist team of two guys could fix every faulty PS3 because they all actually have the same (solder-based) problem; that Sony charge for repairs after the one year warranty expires.
So, basically, there's a specific fault in some PS3 Phats, (apparently 12,500 that Sony "admitted to... but it could be so much more!!" according the Watchdog's reasoned approach) that Sony won't admit to.
The Sony spokesperson invited onto the show... nope, there wasn't one. Apparently Sony refused to appear on the show "due to concerns the tone of the programme would ridicule its defence and it would not receive fair treatment" according to GI.biz.
While Sony charges (frankly, a lot) for out of warranty repairs, we weren't informed how much Watchdog's specialist team - named PlayStation Repair Action Team (yes, P.R.A.T.) - charged for repairs.
In short, a show that could have said, "Come on SCEEUK! There's a fault. Admit to it" and brought a SCEUK spokesperson on, descended into a mishmash of poor research, apparent bias, and a daft song at the end.
You can watch the entire show in iPlayer (on your PS3) for the next seven days. We've also included lowlights at the foot of this story.
You can also read our take on fixing a borked PS3 here - it's much calmer.
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Comments
Showing the 20 most recent comments. Read all 25.
Stubaw 18 Sep 2009 10:28
6/25
Adverts are coming to the BBC and now this?!
This stinks of an under-the-table deal with Microsoft.
This stinks of an under-the-table deal with Microsoft.
Mychael Fergus 18 Sep 2009 10:29
7/25
Thing that probably created the problem is the BBC sacking Nicky Campbell and the other very proficient team to hire Anne Robinson because she is more edgy - nonsense breeds nonsense. Watchdog was a good show now it's a mess. Nicky always said "we asked ____ if they wanted to come on the show but they declined" or they were in the studio, bureacracy!
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Martyn Webb 18 Sep 2009 10:35
8/25
They forgot to mention that, the xbox 360 used to have the EXACT SAME PROBLEM called the 'RING OF DEATH'
I own a PS3, 360 & a Wii, and my 360 broke TWICE because of this EXACT same problem the ps3 is having (altho my ps3 has never broke)
I fixed my xbox the same way the prat guys did with those ps3's, so very harsh to just point the finger at sony!
I own a PS3, 360 & a Wii, and my 360 broke TWICE because of this EXACT same problem the ps3 is having (altho my ps3 has never broke)
I fixed my xbox the same way the prat guys did with those ps3's, so very harsh to just point the finger at sony!
Michael Lee 18 Sep 2009 10:47
9/25
I'm on my 3rd PS3 60 GB.
I'mbeating the 0.5% failure rate by some margin.
I'mbeating the 0.5% failure rate by some margin.
SuperTim 18 Sep 2009 10:57
10/25
@Michael_Lee
I have had no failures, and neither has my father in law, so we are at 0%. Maybe you should take more care!
I have had no failures, and neither has my father in law, so we are at 0%. Maybe you should take more care!
MIH 18 Sep 2009 11:54
11/25
All major companies seem to get faults with their devices/software, over hyped by the news these days, the majority of which would normally be resolved by the company anyway without any big deal.
Also, the new series of Watchdog is very poor, the new format is ridiculous. Yes, at times the previous ones have been sensentional at times but at least they seemd to get things solved from time to time.
Also, the new series of Watchdog is very poor, the new format is ridiculous. Yes, at times the previous ones have been sensentional at times but at least they seemd to get things solved from time to time.
Me 18 Sep 2009 11:58
12/25
Why do any of you care. I hate sycophants!!!
SuperTim 18 Sep 2009 12:16
13/25
@Me
a sycophant is "a self-seeking, servile flatterer; fawning parasite". I think you will find we are all bitching about the crap reporting on the BBC, which makes us more critic than sycophant.
a sycophant is "a self-seeking, servile flatterer; fawning parasite". I think you will find we are all bitching about the crap reporting on the BBC, which makes us more critic than sycophant.
Dreadknux 18 Sep 2009 13:55
14/25
I dismissed the entire thing the moment I read "Iain Lee". What a nobber.
Iain lee 18 Sep 2009 14:24
15/25
I suck big nobs for cash
chamber 18 Sep 2009 14:30
16/25
Well with any hardware of any type their will always be a certain failure rate. 1 Year is pretty much standard for any electrinix device. I think the main things is to try to keep it to low percentages. The show really did not seem to do much research, no real statistics or even any real details. They seem so hung up their fix which they admit is only 50% reliable.
Dreadknux 18 Sep 2009 14:43
17/25
@Iain_Lee "In hindsight, taking part in watchdog was an obvious mistake. It is clear that the facts do not line up. The overzealous and rash attempt to show the PS3 in a poor light was based on poor journalism and a low number of systems reviewed."
That's understandable, but how did you manage to take part in it without knowing how the BBC were going to spin it? Did they simply ask you to do the outdoor stunt? To be fair, you're only in it for that bit so I can get why you probably wouldn't know about the poor journalism you mentioned.
That's understandable, but how did you manage to take part in it without knowing how the BBC were going to spin it? Did they simply ask you to do the outdoor stunt? To be fair, you're only in it for that bit so I can get why you probably wouldn't know about the poor journalism you mentioned.
Iain lee 18 Sep 2009 14:44
18/25
I tried to fix as many of these faulty PS3s as i could by rubbing them on my big fat donkey balls whilst Anne Robinson gave me a "Rusty Trombone",
Rusty trombone is a euphemism for a sexual act in which a man stands with his knees and back slightly bent, with feet at least shoulder width apart in order to expose the anus.[1] The other partner typically kneels behind the man and performs anilingus while reaching up beneath the testicles or around the body to masturbate the man, mimicking the motions of a trombone player.[1][2] The act is defined primarily by the physical orientation of the partners and the combination of analingus with manual penile stimulation; however, other positions and variations are possible.
Rusty trombone is a euphemism for a sexual act in which a man stands with his knees and back slightly bent, with feet at least shoulder width apart in order to expose the anus.[1] The other partner typically kneels behind the man and performs anilingus while reaching up beneath the testicles or around the body to masturbate the man, mimicking the motions of a trombone player.[1][2] The act is defined primarily by the physical orientation of the partners and the combination of analingus with manual penile stimulation; however, other positions and variations are possible.
Tom 18 Sep 2009 16:18
19/25
People slag off MS for their 20 odd percent failure rate and their 35 to 40 quid a yr xbox live cost but when your console breaks, they pay to collect, fix and return the console to you without arguement. I sent mine away and had a new one back within 2 weeks and it went all the way to germany to be fixed. If that isnt efficient i dont know what is!
Sony have to learn a lesson from microsoft this time
Sony have to learn a lesson from microsoft this time
Kanye West 18 Sep 2009 17:17
20/25
Yo Iain Lee, I'm really happy for you and Imma let you finish your sloppy, unresearched, sensationalist bile here real soon but Anne Robinson was the best Watchdog presenter of all time.
David 19 Sep 2009 11:15
21/25
I lold at the show, it was so retardedly bad it was funny.
The Head of the BBC 19 Sep 2009 11:48
22/25
Hi there, The head of the BBC here, I'd just like to aplogise for Mr Lee's Comments on the page here.
Mr Lee has had a 50% pay cut to his 10 million salary and all internet cut off for 5 days, Hopefully he's learnt his lesson now.
To try and make it back up to you all, I'd like to present Anne Robertson felching Gordon Brown after he's taken a load from Mr Darling.
Mr Lee has had a 50% pay cut to his 10 million salary and all internet cut off for 5 days, Hopefully he's learnt his lesson now.
To try and make it back up to you all, I'd like to present Anne Robertson felching Gordon Brown after he's taken a load from Mr Darling.
aa 19 Sep 2009 19:49
23/25
Come one we all know Spong.com is run by a Sony fanbos, it's why are you all over this like a rash.
TimSpong 21 Sep 2009 12:22
24/25
aa wrote:
Come one we all know Spong.com is run by a Sony fanbos, it's why are you all over this like a rash.
Oh, my sides are full of painful laughter. Firstly, when did you represent "all". Secondly, we're not. Thirdly, Sony definitely doesn't think we are.
regards
Tim
Thick cunt! 22 Dec 2010 17:48
25/25
@Michael_Lee You probably would beat 0.5% you w****r, if one persons PS3 fails once and gets fixed that give that person a 50% failure rate. You are a nob!