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PlayStation (Games) Media Television Entertainment Games Hardware

Sony Unveils PSX Details, Pricing 64

Posted by simoniker from the exciting-and-new dept.
kevinvee writes "Following an earlier Slashdot article, Yahoo is now reporting on the actual unveiling of Sony's PSX, with in-depth details on features and Japanese-specific prices for the 'hybrid gaming machine with digital media hub', which will start at $720 for the 160-gigabyte hard disk version." Japanese site Watch Impress has more pictures from the unveiling, including close-ups of the machine, and Digit Magazine explains specific features of this "hard disk, DVD digital video recorder and PlayStation 2 rolled into one", most notably that "...recording at 24 times normal speed is possible when copying previously recorded video... to a DVD-R optical disc", while GameSpot provides further analysis.
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Sony Unveils PSX Details, Pricing More

Sony Unveils PSX Details, Pricing

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  • No. [yahoo.com]

    But then again, I was actually at the CEATEC yesterday, so what do I know?

  • Said a million times over (Score:5, Insightful)

    by bigman2003 ( 671309 ) on Tuesday October 07, 2003 @11:47PM (#7159993) Homepage
    Like most people, I really don't need a multi-function device- especially one that tries to address un-related needs.

    It's a video game console, of a generation that is in its decline.

    AND it is an early generation DVD recorder.

    Not too long from now, I would be buying the next-gen console, and I won't feel so good about my multifunction device (ugly to boot) sitting in my cabinet.

    Take out the Playstation, and it makes more sense to me.
    • I like the unit.

      But the product's got a big problem: those that'd shell out $700-900 for a unit like this have had a PS2 for a long while now. Unless there are a lot of PS2-playing couples with their own preferences, there isn't much need for two PS/2s.
    • "It's a video game console, of a generation that is in its decline"

      Who cares? It still has a good library of games.

      Me personally, I have sticker shock. Get the price down to like $400 and it's a cool deal.

      • Re:Said a million times over (Score:4, Insightful)

        by Babbster ( 107076 ) <aaronbabb@NoSPaM.gmail.com> on Wednesday October 08, 2003 @03:19AM (#7160928) Homepage
        It's definitely not a good value for people who already have a DVR/PVR and are not interested in archiving television programs to DVD-R.

        That being said, when compared to other units with similar functionality apart from the console gaming component, it appears to be a very nice value. There are units out there that do both HD recording and DVD recording, but the units in a similar price range to the PSX sport smaller hard drives and, obviously, don't have PS2s in them. It should also be noted that I had initally read that Sony would have a Tivo-like guide service available for the PSX which, if true, would set the unit farther from the competition as previous HD/DVD-R units have only provided VCR-like timer functionality. My final thought in terms of price is that it compares quite favorably to the Tivo/DVD-R unit that should be coming out soon, which is supposed to retail at nearly $1000 with the guide service.

        Gamespot's point that looking at this as an HD/DVD-R product first and a gaming device second is right on the money. When you do that, buying the 120-GB unit is like getting a PS2 for next to nothing (Panasonic's cheapest HD/DVD-R unit is about $700 MSRP, 80 GB, no guide service).

        For a die-hard gamer satisfied with their current TV recording, this would be a dumb purchase. For someone looking to move up the digital recording ladder and get a PS2 - spare or not - to boot, the PSX is actually a good economical choice...unless one doesn't mind waiting a year since I'm fairly sure this kind of unit (sans PS2) will be available for $500 or less by next Christmas. :)

    • Suffice it to say, RTFA. Or, at least one of them.

      This is NOT an "early generation DVD recorder." It has 24x write speed, a hell of a lot faster than ANYTHING (and, of course, it can rewrite, too).

      I'm gonna disagree with your ugly statement, too, but that's not anything quantitative. In one of the articles, you might note that it compares the PSX to a competitor's simple device, and notes that the price is under half the comptetitor's price with a PS2 thrown in.

      So, you're getting a large hard drive
    • well, at 399 or (optimistically) 299, I might have bought it. But they soared above that, and there's simply no reason for me to buy this at that high of a price.

  • I expected much less from the PSX than this. I also figured it would affordable.

    I assumed they would make an affordable tivo like unit that would be at a low enough price that they would have a shot at gaining a huge market share.

    This thing is so expensive its a high end niche product. I'm sure the prices will drop some, but still... not neccessarily a purchase for the average ps2 owner.
    • Comment removed based on user account deletion
      • huh?

        "Today Sony revealed that when it launches at the end of this year, the multifunction device will come in two versions, one with a 160GB hard drive and one with a 250GB hard drive. They will include MSRPs of $725 (79,800 yen) and $906 (99,800 yen) respectively."

        Where are YOU getting your conversion rates? Just what are you talking about?

  • It looks sweet but is it going to break constantly like my PS2. Sony also claimed no responsibility for the crappy hardware they put into them. Makes me want to buy an Xbox.
    • Xbox does rock. Take a look at their lineup of games this holiday- I think it is the strongest of the 3 consoles by far. Live blows away the other two on-line services.

      The PSX seems like a weak stop-gap before the next generation of consoles. I would not even venture to guess which console will win the next war, but Sony has a good head-start. I think that the PSX might actually be a step in the WRONG direction if they have *ANY* quality problems.

      Sell me a crappy console for $200, and if it breaks aft
      • Take a look at their lineup of games this holiday- I think i[Xbox] is the strongest of the 3 consoles by far

        Are you nuts? Gamecube has (recent thru end-of-year):

        Viewtiful Joe
        Mario Kart
        Kirby's Air Ride
        Zelda Collection (may very well end up being stand-alone)
        Star Wars: Rebel Strike III
        F-Zero GX
        Mario Golf
        Mario Party 5
        Billy Hatcher & the Giant Egg

        Note that I did NOT include any multiplatform games (Deus Ex 2, Half-Life 2, KOTOR - all on PC as well)
      • "Strongest of the 3 consoles"

        Yet you do not name ONE single XBOX game...

        • Okay, if you want a list, I'll go back a little bit in time, like the GameCube list above:

          Otogi
          Ghost Recon Island Thunder (Live- nothing else compares)
          Voodoo Vince
          Project Gotham Racing II
          Top Spin
          Crimson Skies
          Morrowind (New version)
          Ninja Gaiden
          Unreal II

          Those are just what I can think of right now. Most of those are Live enabled. And contrary to Mr. 'Live Blows' up above- Live is far and away the best on-line console service. I don't really care if it does cost $50 a year. #1 it is worth the $50. #2 Yo
          • Not to speak of Prince of Persia: Sands of Time AND the superior versions of Soul Calibur II, Mortal Kombat 5 & Simpsons: Hit & Run. It's really no contest. :)

  • Wow, I'm glad I bought (Score:4, Interesting)

    by Kyouryuu ( 685884 ) on Wednesday October 08, 2003 @12:29AM (#7160245) Homepage
    A standard Playstation 2.

    I had actually been holding off, waiting for them to announce the details of the PSX. Three weeks ago, I found a coupon and bought a PS2 for $159, which in this price-fixed industry seemed relatively good compared to the $179 MSRP. It's about what a used PS2 cost after all, and yet this was brand-new.

    Now that the massive $700-$900 price tag for the PSX has been announced, I'm very happy with my decision. No way in hell I'd pay that much for a console, even if it was a DVD recorder and had a hard drive.

  • That comment at the end of the article should probably read 2.4 (since that seems to be the fastest a DVD+R/RW can be recorded, and this is probably a DVD-R/RW that matches + speed).
    • They mean 24 times video speed. A 2x DVD burner can actually burn an entire DVD in about 20 minutes, 6 times as fast as playback speed (assuming 2 hours a disk at decent quality). It's not unreasonable to assume that it will ship with an 8x +R; these are already on the market. I don't know why you say that 2.4x is the fastest, because 4x has been on the market for quite some time.

      Here's a handy chart:

      2x = 6x Realtime @ 2 hours a disc
      4x = 12x Realtime @ 2 hours a disc
      8x = 24x Realtime @ 2 hours a disc
  • I want a closeup of her [impress.co.jp]!

  • I'm sure this has been asked before but... (Score:3, Insightful)

    by MMaestro ( 585010 ) on Wednesday October 08, 2003 @01:58AM (#7160648)
    Again, who is this aimed for again?

    DVD-R Drive : Good but not needed or even considered by many
    Huge hard drive : Pretty, but I'm guessing Sony won't be happy if I try to use the PSX to house .mp3's
    PS2 : Good, but won't I just buy a PS3 sometime in the future?
    TIVO system : Fancy, but if you've got the cash to buy a PSX in the first place, you probably don't have much time to watch TV let alone play catch up

    • Re:I'm sure this has been asked before but... (Score:4, Insightful)

      by Babbster ( 107076 ) <aaronbabb@NoSPaM.gmail.com> on Wednesday October 08, 2003 @03:42AM (#7160977) Homepage
      It's aimed for people who want a PVR and a way to archive recorded programs on DVD-R, with the inclusion of the PS2 being almost a bonus in the current market (see my message above).

      I'll break it down for you, since that's what you seem to want:

      DVD-R Drive - It's not considered by many in the same way that DVD itself wasn't considered by many for a while, or even the way that consumer VCRs weren't considered by many.

      Huge Hard Drive - Bigger is better and compared to similar units this doesn't seem to impact the final price of the PSX, so what's the complaint?

      PS2 - Sure you'll buy a PS3 sometime in the future, but that future isn't here yet. As noted above, you're getting the PS2 functionality for a song. Think of it as a PVR/DVD-R device first, if that helps (Sony is marketing this through their consumer electronics division and not through their gaming division which should tell us something).

      TIVO system - This so-much-cash thing just isn't true. In order to buy a Tivo with a lifetime of service (anyone who pays monthly is a sucker, IMHO - I've been using my Panasonic Showstopper/ReplayTV since they first hit the streets so these units can last), you're going to pay $650!! That's for 80 GB of space and no DVD-R capability. Are you telling me that anyone who has bought a Tivo or ReplayTV so far has no time to watch TV? As far as the bigger hard drive goes, the 120 will be more than satisfactory for most people and the 250 is going to be for people who want to spend less on DVD-R media by leaving shows longer on the hard drive.

      In short, when you add up the various functions of this unit you end up getting the PS2 part of the unit for virtually nothing. Taking the PS2 out of the equation, the pricing stands up even to units with LESS under the hood.

      Maybe a lot of people don't need the capabilities that the PSX provides, but then again I could argue that people didn't need to upgrade to DVD to watch movies, and people don't need to buy a Tivo to watch TV. But for those people who want to move into digital video recording, easier time-shifting of TV and archiving on DVD instead of VHS, the PSX at the moment looks like one heck of a good deal.

      My parents were recently looking for an upgrade to the ReplayTV I gave them. They bought the [DishNetwork] DishPVR 721 unit (80+ hours of recording space, two tuners, two-week guide...all the bells and whistles) for $750. They could afford it AND they [obviously] like to watch TV.

      • "TIVO system - This so-much-cash thing just isn't true. In order to buy a Tivo with a lifetime of service (anyone who pays monthly is a sucker, IMHO - I've been using my Panasonic Showstopper/ReplayTV since they first hit the streets so these units can last), you're going to pay $650!! That's for 80 GB of space and no DVD-R capability."

        For $200, DirecTV will give me a TiVo with two satellite tuners (record up to two shows at once), and I'm paying enough for programming now that there would be no extra ser
  • Awww those were the days. Big ole white computer to finally merge the console and the functionality of a computer for the family.

    But alas, it doesn't. Would have been nice to have that plus the tivo-like features, but then the question would have been where to put it. But if they at least had a webtv-like terminal, for basic web surfing, then that would have been cool for the price.
  • Comment removed based on user account deletion
    • Please read...YOU ARE AN ASS!!!

      $720 CONVERTED FROM YEN, means $720, converted from about 2,600 Yen.

      Repeat after me,"A dollar is a dollar is a dollar is a dollar".

      Plus the dollar is currently being devalued against the Yen so it will probably be more than $720 by the time it hits shelves.

      • Unfortunately, prices in different regions aren't as simple as taking a price and converting the price via the exchange rate.

        For a variety of reasons, including things like tariffs, local taxes, and marketing decisions of the company involved(price things according to what the market can bear, certain markets you can get away with a higher mark up than others), prices vary from region to region. Things like region locking/encoding are used to try and keep products local to specific areas.

        The end resu

  • Controller cords = ugly (Score:1, Interesting)

    by Anonymous Coward
    With all that elegance, where's the wireless controller? Cords sure aren't very elegant.
  • I've never owned a Sony console, but my understanding is that "PSX" is the conventional acronym (for *some* reason) for the Playstation 1.

    Why would Sony produce so much confusion by calling this new system (an enhanced PS2, apparently) the same thing?
    • I have been asking myself the same thing since I read about it initially, my only reasonable suggestion is that they want to re-ride the "X mean XTREEEEEEME, and XTREEEEEEME is good" wave
    • PSX was never meant to be the acronym used for the PSOne/1, but was used internally for the system and found it's way into mainstream usage.

      I think Sony's trying to cash in on name recognition, even if the name recognition doesn't really help them. They can't really call it a PS3, and PS2.5 would basically detract from the real point of the device: extending the PS2's market space into a mostly unrelated market. They're basically trying to come in with a high end DVR device, and throwing a PS2 into the thi
  • Currently, the price for just a basic DVD/HDD Recorder in Japan is, even at the cheapest discount stores, comparableto the list price Sony are quoting. This smells of something to me - are they going to be selling some additional EPG service to bump up the price?

    Also, considering the PS2 must be reaching saturation point in Japan, can there really be significant earnings to be had from people buying extra software?
    • Remember that when the PS2 came out it was a game station with a DVD player that cost $400. This was at a time when a regular DVD player cost about $700. A lot of people thought they were going to disable the ability of the PS2 to play DVD-Video simply because it undercut the price of other players too much. Needless to say, they were wrong.
  • Hope this will eventually replace the expensive D-VHS equipment that must be used to record Japanese satellite programs. However this is only viable if it offers a recording mode that writes the streams directly on to the hard drive, without any recompression. FYI, 5 minutes of 1024x576 MPEG-2 video takes up about 500MB space, so the 160GB hdd can record around a whole day of programs.
  • If you look at the close-up picture [impress.co.jp] you'll see that the DVDs are slot-loaded, instead of tray-loaded. It's about time somebody did that.
    • I've seen slot-loaded DVD players from LG and Samsung and, I think, Pioneer too. They have been doing "that"
    • I've got more than a few 80mm DVD discs, I'd really rather they didn't slot load them. A good example is the Metropolis DVD - it's features are all on a seperate 80mm DVD. While I don't always care about extras, I'd rather be able to see what they are than own a slot loader.

  • Atari style? (Score:2, Interesting)

    by nippinout ( 713391 )
    Is it just me or do the controllers hook up to the PSX the same retarded way as my Atari.
  • ... when you can save up a little more for a digital television and play all your game systems in 640p or 1024i? Heck, unless there are changes to be made in the North American version, this box doesn't even have component outputs.
  • most notably that "...recording at 24 times normal speed is possible when copying previously recorded video... to a DVD-R optical disc"

    Gamers -- and video pirates -- around the world, rejoice!
  • This device looks rather cool to me. I have no need for such a device myself but it is something I'm interested in. The ability to play a PS2 game while your recording your favorite show on the same device sounds kick ass. 24x DVD burning sounds crazy, I doubt it will work that fast.

    I was also confused by the name of PSX. I always refer to the original Playstation with that acronym.

  • When I first read the story I thought this was about the sony portable unit... I wondered if it came with a backpack or something...
  • Actually, unless they start mentioning the holy Cell tech that Sony's been working on for the PS3, spawned only from divine intervention, I'm gonna put a price on Sony's head for toying with me...
  • With a huge hard drive and a DVD burner, how long do you think it'll take before someone (likely one of the many asian pirate companies that supply Lik-Sang) comes out with a program that will copy DVD's and/or games to the hard drive, then burns them out again? I'm sure Sony has put tons of copy protection stuff in there, but it's only a matter of time before the system because a veritable all-in-one pirating factory.
  • So does this thing have your standard 90-day warranty? It's bad enough to have a $300 PlayStation 2 crap out on you after 6-12 months. I'd be looking for blood if this $700-$900 unit broke down just out of warranty.

    --Jeremy

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