PSP – Answers at TGS as Question Plethora Engulfs Roll-Out
MP3, Wi-Fi, price, dates and more…
PSP and the back of a PSP and the disc for the PSP
Following the PSP meeting at GDCE, various interesting comments from Sony executives have come to light regarding the machine, highlighting some of the massively important questions still to be answered as its launch draws near.
Of most pertinence comes the news that the upcoming Tokyo Game Show will reveal much about the PSP, with SCE reps confirming that both price-point and specific launch date will announced. As to whether the information will surpass a Japan-only revelation was not mentioned.
Various questions were rebuffed by Sony, not least those enquiring as to whether MP3 playback would be a feature of the PSP and exactly how long the battery would last. Both questions went unanswered, though clarification has been promised for TGS. However, the very fact that no answers were forthcoming has led many analysts to believe that something could be amiss…
As you may be aware, Nintendo staffers were screaming foul play throughout this year’s E3 in relation to the PSP’s ultra-bright screen as displayed by SCE on its stand. “If the screen is that bright, the battery won’t last an hour!” one said to us. “Something has to give.” SPOnG supposes that TGS will explain exactly what will give.
SCE was however explicit with regard to escalating chatter that writable UMD discs will surface either at development level or be made available to the public. “UMD writers will not be released to the public or to developers. All developer subs will be written to DVD-R and converted by us for UMD.” So that’s that cleared up. It was also mentioned that Sony has a strong focus on copy protection for all of its IP-rich hardware projects.
And then onto wireless the functionality of the PSP. It was explained that the unit’s built-in wireless 802.11b LAN will enable users connect to Internet ‘hotspots’ or other units ad-hoc.
So, as do you, we wait for further details from the Tokyo Game Show. Stay tuned for updates nearer the time.
Of most pertinence comes the news that the upcoming Tokyo Game Show will reveal much about the PSP, with SCE reps confirming that both price-point and specific launch date will announced. As to whether the information will surpass a Japan-only revelation was not mentioned.
Various questions were rebuffed by Sony, not least those enquiring as to whether MP3 playback would be a feature of the PSP and exactly how long the battery would last. Both questions went unanswered, though clarification has been promised for TGS. However, the very fact that no answers were forthcoming has led many analysts to believe that something could be amiss…
As you may be aware, Nintendo staffers were screaming foul play throughout this year’s E3 in relation to the PSP’s ultra-bright screen as displayed by SCE on its stand. “If the screen is that bright, the battery won’t last an hour!” one said to us. “Something has to give.” SPOnG supposes that TGS will explain exactly what will give.
SCE was however explicit with regard to escalating chatter that writable UMD discs will surface either at development level or be made available to the public. “UMD writers will not be released to the public or to developers. All developer subs will be written to DVD-R and converted by us for UMD.” So that’s that cleared up. It was also mentioned that Sony has a strong focus on copy protection for all of its IP-rich hardware projects.
And then onto wireless the functionality of the PSP. It was explained that the unit’s built-in wireless 802.11b LAN will enable users connect to Internet ‘hotspots’ or other units ad-hoc.
So, as do you, we wait for further details from the Tokyo Game Show. Stay tuned for updates nearer the time.
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Sony
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Comments
Joji 6 Sep 2004 12:15
1/7
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Deviluck 6 Sep 2004 15:44
2/7
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ohms 6 Sep 2004 22:01
3/7
I don't think it'll be that long until UMD compatible disks are available (to big time pirates at least).
The amount of pirated GBA carts on eBay is ridiculous, it's actually a bit tricky buying GBA games from there. You could get a real cheap bargain, but then you have to wonder... is this gonna be made by Nintendo or 'Nintondo' ??
The amount of pirated GBA carts on eBay is ridiculous, it's actually a bit tricky buying GBA games from there. You could get a real cheap bargain, but then you have to wonder... is this gonna be made by Nintendo or 'Nintondo' ??
TheEliteSamurai 8 Sep 2004 09:56
4/7
When i saw the UMD disks i immediatley thought of MiniDisks, Sony has just developed HI-MD disks to keep MiniDisk alive and yet they go and develop these stupid UMD disks. Have Sony no common sense? Why not use their brand new freshly developed 1GB HI-MD All format disks in the PSP? Would that not make sense, would it not save them millions in development costs?
The advantages being significantly lowered development costs, more versitility, would eliminate the mp3 problem - people could just use their existing MiniDisks to play music. Also because HI-MD disks can store all data people could put videos on the disks themselves.
I dont know what other people think but to me its the most logical thing.
Sorry for going off topic.
The advantages being significantly lowered development costs, more versitility, would eliminate the mp3 problem - people could just use their existing MiniDisks to play music. Also because HI-MD disks can store all data people could put videos on the disks themselves.
I dont know what other people think but to me its the most logical thing.
Sorry for going off topic.
Kaxxx 8 Sep 2004 10:24
5/7
Im very sceptical at the moment of the PSP, fomr alot on angles including the discs, the price, features etc.
I know the support for the handheld is going to be good at least with the DS you sort of know what to expect. Sony is treading in untouched waters here and im not too sure what they are going to come up with. I personally believe that they will need to get the price down and i can imagine some of the features heading out the window to meet that price tag. TGS will reveal all i suppose.
I know the support for the handheld is going to be good at least with the DS you sort of know what to expect. Sony is treading in untouched waters here and im not too sure what they are going to come up with. I personally believe that they will need to get the price down and i can imagine some of the features heading out the window to meet that price tag. TGS will reveal all i suppose.
Kaxxx 8 Sep 2004 10:24
6/7
Im very sceptical at the moment of the PSP, fomr alot on angles including the discs, the price, features etc.
I know the support for the handheld is going to be good at least with the DS you sort of know what to expect. Sony is treading in untouched waters here and im not too sure what they are going to come up with. I personally believe that they will need to get the price down and i can imagine some of the features heading out the window to meet that price tag. TGS will reveal all i suppose.
I know the support for the handheld is going to be good at least with the DS you sort of know what to expect. Sony is treading in untouched waters here and im not too sure what they are going to come up with. I personally believe that they will need to get the price down and i can imagine some of the features heading out the window to meet that price tag. TGS will reveal all i suppose.
Joji 8 Sep 2004 11:51
7/7
When I first heard of a potential Sony hand held system, format wise my first thought was Minidisc, that they'd be using. The UMD clearly is a barstardised version of MD, in some way, with roughly the 1gb capacity as those new 1gb MDs.
I'm sure we are all confused at what Sony are doing, especially keeping so quiet about the price tag for so long, almost putting Nintendo to same on the secrecy front. At the same time, I'm sure they know they have to get it right.
I'm sure we are all confused at what Sony are doing, especially keeping so quiet about the price tag for so long, almost putting Nintendo to same on the secrecy front. At the same time, I'm sure they know they have to get it right.