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Sony to Introduce “Multimedia-Oriented” PlayStation 3.

Category: Multimedia

by Anton Shilov

[ 12/29/2006 | 09:20 AM ]

Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.’s PlayStation 3 is already a multimedia powerhouse with advanced processing capabilities as well as support of one of the next-generation digital video disc format. However, Sony is mulling to create a version of the console that would appeal more to those wishing to use the PlayStation 3 not as a gaming machine on the first place, but as a primary video player.

The “media-centric” PlayStation 3 will feature capabilities of consumer electronics devices and will be more focused on digital media content playback, rather than on gaming. Based on claims reportedly made by executives of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc., PC Watch web-site reports that the PlayStation 3 “media-centric”-edition will feature anti-vibration mechanism on the Blu-ray disc drive, 512MB XDR memory, more advanced power supply unit and two HDMI connectors to divide audio and video data.

The third version of the PlayStation 3 will also have a new design that matches other consumer electronics products and is unlikely to be totally similar to the currently sold PlayStation 3 gaming machines. Still, all the games for the PlayStation 3 should play absolutely well on the device.

According to comments reported to had been made by executives of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc., the PlayStation 3 game machine is unlikely to be sold by SCEI, but more probably to be supplied by Sony itself under Sony brand.

Given that in the consumer electronics industry manufacturers do not subsidize hardware in hope to compensate their losses by selling many games, it is highly likely that the console, which currently costs $840 to manufacture, will be sold at a premium price. The Japanese web-site noted an executive at SCEI as saying that the price range could be from ¥200 to ¥300 thousand ($1680 to $2520).

Sony PlayStation 3 console is based on the Cell processor developed by IBM, Sony and Toshiba, the RSX graphics chip by Nvidia Corp. and will be equipped with Blu-ray optical disk drive. There are two versions of the PlayStation console available today: one is equipped with 20GB hard disk drive and priced at $499, another features 60GB hard drive, card reader and some other improvements and is offered for $599.