New European PS3 hardware specs uncovered

[Steven W]

The European PS3 will utilise a new hardware specification. Read the facts...

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[directhex]

i'm a little confused over how it differs from the normal yank 60gb model

[Steven W]

i'm a little confused over how it differs from the normal yank 60gb model

Analyst Datamonitor say that:
Euro PS3 will feature a new cost-reducing chassis.

"By launching the PS3 in Europe with the new chassis, Sony has at a stroke removed one of the barriers to future price reductions, and providing it can make enough units available, Datamonitor believes there will be sustained growth in PS3 ownership as new users seek to benefit from the PS3's enhanced features and functionality," said the analyst.

And backwards compatibility not as good as other regions. "limited range" of Ps2 titles will work

[dave87]

So we get a cheaper case and the same initial high price tag?

Nice one sony....

[kempez]

Did the US model have DTS 7.1 support?

[Hans Voralberg]

i'm a little confused over how it differs from the normal yank 60gb model

No Hardware backward compatibility support, the chip is pulled out. PS2 emulation is software only IIRC

[Spud1]

lol I really don't know what Sony are doing here...they seem to be looking at what the competition is doing, and then does the opposite. Nintendo and Microsoft both made an effort to ensure that the majority of their previous console's games worked fine on their new systems (ok Microsoft only has one level down to go and didnt do a great job but still), whereas from reading that news story, Sony have concentrated on PSX support and not PS2? Crazy...the value of a PS3 jsut gets lower and lower with each press release - unless the price falls to compensate.

[kalniel]

So.. they're reducing manufacturing costs by taking out features.. and still charging more?? Hmmm.

Maybe this is to enable retailers to drop it further even shortly after launch.

[shaithis]

With each passing news article, I am happier that I never imported a PS3 and am now 99% sure I won't be buying a UK model either.

Sony have really lost the plot IMO.

[capt_cornflake]

The more I hear the worse it gets.

It's bad enough when they charge a substantial amount more in the UK for the same model, but to pay that much for an inferior model is pathetic.

I was never going to be first in line at that initial retail price, but having had both a PS1 and PS2, I was originally considering getting the PS3 when it dropped in price. However the more i hear the less likely it is that I'll ever get one.

It's got to the point now where Sony would have to do something incredible to get even close to redeeming themselves.

[GeorgeTuk]

So the Europeans are going to be the test guinea pigs for th eother territories.

I thought consoles were about product compatibility making it cheaper and easier to develop games for the machine. However this differing specification seems to again indicate Sony want to make the market more like PCs, ie one machine to do all AV work.

[Blademrk]

I know people will say "so what, the 360 only emulates a few x-box games" but the difference is the US/Japan model has hardware to play the PS1/PS2 games and the European model doesn't. So not only do we get a price hike we get less functionality out of the box than our overseas cousins :\

I really think Sony has fumbled the ball on this one.

So I suppose the moral is, if you want a PS3 get one from Japan as not only will it be cheaper and play any game (games are region free?) but it will also play your old games.

Have they at least given a list of which games will work?

[MadduckUK]

well i was gonna "flame sony to hell" but its basically been done for me. unless GT5 turns out to be so bloody amazing no sane person could resest they can XXXX XX XXXXX

anooooother naiiiiiiil...

[Silent Shark]

I don't believe this. What do Sony think they are doing?

I have several PS2 games I was fully intending on playing well into the PS3 release. I was even going to use my PS2 as a trade in to get some money off the PS3 (as was suggested to me by a GAME employee).

So they're removing features to facilitate a FUTURE price drop??? Why not drop the price now? Why not wait until you're actually going to drop the price before you do this?

I'm very very close to cancelling my pre-order right now.

[krazy_olie]

Sony have made cutbacks and not passed them on to the oversized retail price!

[Sinizter]

Good thing I imported the PS3 then. Region A Blu-Ray now and ability to play PS2 games as well (there are a few I wouldnt mind getting).