PlayStation 3 Slim/Price Cut set for TGS according to PSW

[Ricardo Gil]

Kushan I don't know why you're struggling to get this :p

It's not about how it finally ends up working on the PS3, it's that according to beliefs behind the patent Sony can't do it automatically for each game because that would endure a universal system like what MS has in place, and infringe on the patent. The SDK or whatever for 360 development probably has had a "switch" or piece of code from the start that understands what/where the stream of audio getting passed from the disc to console is for every single game due to how the operating system handles it.

I'm no experienced coder, so excuse the patched together terminology.

If we are to believe how the patent is interpreted the only way Sony can give us in-game music is to let developers completely code everything on their end, when you go to the XMB to play music it's the game stopping it's own audio, not the PS3 with some universal command. Which explains why different games on the PS3 have different ways of doing in-game music.

Burnout for example requires you to go through their own system in-game, other games you can just bring up the XMB and start a song.

The PS3 has been able to play MP3s from day one, all the OS is doing is using that feature, it's the PS3 games that are pausing audio and overlaying the music on top of themselves whilst running.

Just some FFT Audio: If that were the case, then cross game voice chat can't be implemented too. It's streaming audio over the current game. Do you still think MS has a patent blocking that?

[+Audioboxer Subscriber²]

Just some FFT Audio: If that were the case, then cross game voice chat can't be implemented too. It's streaming audio over the current game. Do you still think MS has a patent blocking that?

What Ricardo?

Since when has voice chat been music? :blink: (no smart jokes about how you can play music over mics :p)

Audio communication is not music. Audio does not equal music. Music is a form of audio. Audio is just a sound that can be heard.

You're the one telling us to read the patent? MS patented soundtracks/music in a gaming system, not audio.

[Ricardo Gil]

What Ricardo?

Since when has voice chat been music? :blink: (no smart jokes about how you can play music over mics :p)

Audio communication is not music. Audio does not equal music. Music is a form of audio. Audio is just a sound that can be heard.

You're the one telling us to read the patent? MS patented soundtracks/music in a gaming system, not audio.

To the end-user yes, when it comes to the system itself it's just a sound stream.

The overlay process is the same, the system mutes the game stream and turns on the music/voice/achievement unlocked/whatever sound stream. Some of these are just overlaid instead of muting the game stream.

This just adds more truth to what I've been saying. MS aren't blocking Sony to do in-game music, hell the patent didn't even describe that.

IMO, and based on everything I've presented, I think system-wide music support wasn't implemented because Sony chose so.

[+Audioboxer Subscriber²]

To the end-user yes, when it comes to the system itself it's just a sound stream.

The overlay process is the same, the system mutes the game stream and turns on the music/voice/achievement unlocked/whatever sound stream. Some of these are just overlaid instead of muting the game stream.

This just adds more truth to what I've been saying. MS aren't blocking Sony to do in-game music, hell the patent didn't even describe that.

IMO, and based on everything I've presented, I think system-wide music support wasn't implemented because Sony chose so.

Ricardo it doesn't matter if the system is the same for voice chat across the PS3/360, it's not patented in anyway. You clearly got mixed up between voice communication and music, both different forms of audio :p The patent is nothing to do with voice chat, it's to do with music/soundtracks on a gaming system.

And MS aren't blocking Sony doing anything, Sony have in-game music, MS have patented a system that is efficient for what it does, it just left Sony having to think of another way to do it as not to infringe on MS' method.

Lot's of things get patented in life that essentially still get copied in other ways. Sometimes future implementations implemented better, mostly not as efficient though if the company who got the patent first had the best idea. Of course in that scenario you can potentially request about paying to use the patent, but I doubt Sony would want to be paying MS money for in-game music when they can do it in other ways for free - As much as we want both systems the same (as one system is more efficient than the other), it's not smart business to spend money on that patent.

[Ricardo Gil]

Ricardo it doesn't matter if the system is the same for voice chat across the PS3/360, it's not patented in anyway. You clearly got mixed up between voice communication and music, both different forms of audio :p The patent is nothing to do with voice chat, it's to do with music/soundtracks on a gaming system.

And MS aren't blocking Sony doing anything, Sony have in-game music, MS have patented a system that is efficient for what it does, it just left Sony having to think of another way to do it as not to infringe on MS' method.

Lot's of things get patented in life that essentially still get copied in other ways. Sometimes future implementations implemented better, mostly not as efficient though if the company who got the patent first had the best idea. Of course in that scenario you can potentially request about paying to use the patent, but I doubt Sony would want to be paying MS money for in-game music when they can do it in other ways for free - As much as we want both systems the same (as one system is more efficient than the other), it's not smart business to spend money on that patent.

It does matter, because when you patent something, you patent the method not so much the intent. And yes, there is no patent from MS prohibiting Sony from doing voice chat, neither is one about system-wide music support.

But we're deviating the thread anyway, I know we've been over this many times now and nothing's about to change on how we stand about this.

[+Audioboxer Subscriber²]

It does matter, because when you patent something, you patent the method not so much the intent. And yes, there is no patent from MS prohibiting Sony from doing voice chat, neither is one about system-wide music support.

But we're deviating the thread anyway, I know we've been over this many times now and nothing's about to change on how we stand about this.

Yes you patent the method, but it's in relation to what that method covers. I can patent a lawnmower that has unique blades that cut crass using less fuel, that doesn't mean every single lawnmower that cuts grass with a "less fuel usage sticker" is now infringing on a patent - It means if anyone else tries to use the exact same blades to cut grass in their lawnmower, they'll be infringing on my patent. However they can go out and research similar blades that may do the same job and use them fine. It's the blades that are patented, the blades being the method in how the grass is cut.

And in this case the patent covers music and soundtracks in a gaming system, NOT voice communication.

There is no patent prohibiting Sony doing in-game music, but there is a patent prohibiting them doing by the method that is patented.

Edited July 1, 2009 by Audioboxer

[DPyro]

Why are you two even arguing this....and how the hell did you get so far off-topic.

[sn00pie]

Speaking of patents. Looks like backwards compatibility is coming to all PS3 models soon.

PlayStation 3s without PS2 backwards compatibility are missing the Emotion Engine, a chip Sony designed as the PS2?s CPU. What if the PS3?s cell processor could emulate the Emotion Engine? Theoretically, all PlayStation 3s would be able to play PS2 games even if a console didn?t have the proper hardware. According to a recent patent filed by Sony Computer Entertainment in the US, Sony has the code and technology ready to do this.

http://www.siliconera.com/2009/06/29/sony-...ell-processors/

[+Audioboxer Subscriber²]

Foxconn comments on report speculating orders for new slim PS3

Foxconn Electronics (Hon Hai Precision Industry) has issued a filing with the Taiwan Stock Exchange (TSE) declining to comment on a Chinese-language Economic Daily News (EDN) report indicating that it has landed OEM orders from Sony for a "slim" PS3, citing customer confidentiality.

Foxconn is scheduled to kick off shipments of the new PS3 starting in July of 2009, with Foxconn and Pegatron Technology each having landed 50% of the orders, according to the paper.

Source: http://www.digitimes.com/news/a20090701PM200.html

[sn00pie]

I guess what we can take from this is Slim PS3's will come with backwards compatibility, and it will be available to current owners via a software update?

[+Audioboxer Subscriber²]

I guess what we can take from this is Slim PS3's will come with backwards compatibility, and it will be available to current owners via a software update?

Well if you like rumours

Rumour: Full PS3 backwards compatibility only weeks away - http://www.gamezine.co.uk/news/formats/pla...036;1308177.htm

(site is being overrun, might be down)

Lines it up for Gamescon at the end of this month which is already being talked about for the launch of Slim/Price cut. That would be 3 awesome announcements at the one time...

[Livin in a box]

Well if you like rumours

Rumour: Full PS3 backwards compatibility only weeks away - http://www.gamezine.co.uk/news/formats/pla...036;1308177.htm

(site is being overrun, might be down)

Lines it up for Gamescon at the end of this month which is already being talked about for the launch of Slim/Price cut. That would be 3 awesome announcements at the one time...

Jesus, that would be amazing. I can't get on the site, so would that mean that it would be enabled via a system update?

On Eurogamer...Just thought it would be right...

Taiwanese site UDN claims Sony has signed production contracts to begin manufacturing the PS3 Slim.

Companies Foxconn and Pegatron are working towards delivery in July, says UDN (translated by Engadget).

This coincides with reports that Sony will launch the PS3 Slim this autumn, after first cutting the price of the existing PS3 and limiting the 80GB model to clear space at retail.

Sony has consistently declined to comment on the reports.

All from Eurogamer. Edited July 1, 2009 by Livin in a box

[Knife Party]

wow, ive been waiting for a console to buy, here's my cue (Y) :D

[Livin in a box]

If this is true, it could even by my cue to sell my PS2. But then that would only leave my Wii there in my room, and watching DVDs isn't really nice on the Wii. And CDs aren't playable anyway.

[DPyro]

That would be nice for all you poor suckers with a non-BC unit :p

[Kushan]

One more thing about the whole patent/audio issue: Even if it were absolutely true (Which I'm not 100% convinced on), there's nothing stopping Sony using it and simply paying MS the royalty fee. Both companies already pay royalties for many things on their consoles.

[soniqstylz]

One more thing about the whole patent/audio issue: Even if it were absolutely true (Which I'm not 100% convinced on), there's nothing stopping Sony using it and simply paying MS the royalty fee. Both companies already pay royalties for many things on their consoles.

2 things could: Sony's pride, and MS being willing to even let them use the patent.

Besides, for the games that it's really nice (racing, sports) it's usually built in somehow by the devs (in my experience, Burnout Paradise, Wipeout HD, MLB09, Midnight Club: Los Angeles). Even Killzone does it online. It's odd that MGS4 didn't use it since they have the in-game iPod.

For me personally, I have no use for it in games that are more story driven; usually there's a good soundtrack, and often it's used as a trigger for "****'s about to hit the fan". Would be nice to have a custom station built into GTA4, tho.

Actually, here's a list: http://boardsus.playstation.com/playstatio...ding&page=1

[sn00pie]

That would be nice for all you poor suckers with a non-BC unit :p

Hey, play nice little guy. :ninja:

I had a 60GB until it decides the fans were only going to operate on maximum speed, so I exchanged it for a 40GB model :(

[DPyro]

New comparison pic

Source: Link

Edit: Someone tells me this is a fake that plays some retro games or something...

[Kushan]

That pic is old and that "slim" PS3 is a cheap chinese knock-off (I believe it's called a "polystation 3" or something). Look at the ports on the front - do they look like USB ports to you?

You've been had, my friend =)

[DPyro]

Ya I saw that, should have read the other post before posting that :p

[gaurav]

Mmmmm Price cuts! Would definitely buy PS3 if it is affordable enough.

[_neutrino Veteran]

I have been saying since the PS3 came out that i would not purchase one until they released a redesign (since they redesign all of their consoles eventually) and now it looks like i will be getting my chance and i can finally play Little Big Planet.

[Belazor]

I have one of those 60GBs too, I'm trying to get my hands on some additional fans though.

[+Audioboxer Subscriber²]

Some chinese website reporting BC in a few weeks - http://translate.google.co.uk/translate?hl...%3Doff%26sa%3DG

Could be a good ending to the year if everything rumoured plays out....

Backwards compatibility

PS3 Slim

$299 pricepoint

firmware 3.0 (includes voice chat/other features)

Uncharted 2

GT5

Edited July 4, 2009 by Audioboxer