Inside X360: Jeff Henshaw Interview Part One AND TWO

[blakjedi]

The reason it's gigabit is for (potential?) distributed processing with other cell devices, or PS3s, connected to it. The reason I say "potential" is because while Kutaragi claimed in one interview that this is ready to go and is possible out of the box, IIRC, I kind of find that hard to believe. But it makes sense to put it in there so that it can be done later with an OS update even if it can't be done from day one (I guess it'd be an OS issue more than anything else?).

I think everyone is trying to grasp exactly what all these extras are for beyond playing games. I may use the usb ports on my 360/ps3 to upload a pic of myself if I can incorporate that into my game/character. Thats cool... or maybe the eyetoy and other devices liek that will enable me to do that and video chat.

But will I use my PS3/360 to store and manage my family photos.... or non game related music? No. I'll actually use and prefer my PC.

What all these "resources" threads are trying to get at is: who is Sony designing the PS3 for? X360 seems to be clearly designed for gamers to do the things gamers are interested in while they play games and cash in on game related phenomena (cutom faceplates etc).

The goal is not so obvious with PS3.

 

[Guden Oden]

I just really don't get the point of the 3 ethernet ports .

I don't get the point EITHER, but they're there, and I think that's damn cool. The more the merrier.

I can only ASSUME that Sony really is intending to go for the whole media hub dealie here, and that the two extra ethernet ports is to support other ethernet-connected equipment (someone mentioned next-gen eyetoy, it might be storage, perhaps in the form of a PC or something else) without the need for Joe/Jane Consumer to have to go out and buy an ethernet switch, which they probably don't know how to set up, don't feel like getting, and wouldn't know which make/model to get anyway. Face it, people's general knowledge of computer gear is LOUSY at best (all the jokes about people stuffing multiple disks in their diskdrives, using CD trays for mugholders etc didn't come out of nowhere).

You can't get ethernet switches in a games store, that immediately increases the level of complexity of the problem about a thousand-fold, because many people probably don't even know where their closest PC store is, and who can say what the level of competence of the staff is there? Plus, it'll be an extra box that clutters things up, it needs a power outlet, more cables, more hassle overall.

Sony's taking care of that issue right out of the box by including a two-port switch built into the system. Or well, that's what I guess they're thinking anyway. I'm not a mindreader, but this explanation sounds reasonably plausible anyway.

Quincy:
You're not argumentative, yet you argue that a port splitter is not a hub, despite the fact it is a hub with 2 ports hanging off of it? I think you just tripped up yourself there man, but don't sweat it, I'm not going to hassle you over this issue until the end of time, I just wanted to point out to you that splitters are hubs too so you wouldn't have to continue living in ignorance.

 

[mckmas8808]

And you say 10 is obviously too much but don't say why. What if I want to have 7 wired controllers? Why do I only get 4 wired controllers but could play with 7 if I used wireless?

10 to me anyway seems like overkill. If you have four players playing with wired controllers and 3 usb ports being used by other things, then there would still be 3 more usb ports there just sitting. To me that spells overkill. And Sis you get 6 wired controllers in all not just 4. Yet connecting the 2 extra controllers to the back could be kinda hard.

 

[Shifty Geezer]

I think PS3's goal is very clear. KK wanted from the original PlayStation to create a computer system to do all the fun stuff people use their PCs for, because he felt the PCs people currently used were derived from boring hardware designed for doing work stuff.

His banter for PS2 hoped for this, which never came to fruition. 3rd time lucky. He'll push to have PS3 doing every fun thing imaginable. As he says, he want's the HDD to add media manipulation from the off. I think it's probably only higher management that's constraining him from including HDD + OS in the base package. But that accounts for all the ports. My PC has lots of ports and wires for peripherals, and KK needs to include the same if PS3 is ever to manage the same functionality.

 

[Titanio]

But will I use my PS3/360 to store and manage my family photos.... or non game related music? No. I'll actually use and prefer my PC.

MS wants you, specifically, to do these things on their software, be it on PC or X360. Sony wants you doing them on their machines and software. Sony wants to be at the center of your living room - they're a consumer electronics company, that's what they do - but the line between the "center of your living room" and "home computing" is blurring - there's the real prospect of a shift in computing in the home away from the PC, if that hasn't happened already - and that's the very reason Xbox exists, to counter the threat of non-Windows platforms taking over the home. Both companies now want to be controlling that space.

The only console manufacturer that is purely focussed on games, as far as I can see, is Nintendo. That said, both PS3 and X360 have more than enough functionality to act perfectly well as a games machine (and perhaps even moreso than Nintendo's machine, though we'll have to wait and see). I don't think having stuff beyond the "core" gaming functionality detrimentally impacts their capacity as games machines..and it is too late to turn back the clock in terms of a move away from home entertainment machines vs "just" pure games machines. Judging by the past 2 generations, people want extra functionality.

I woudln't be surprised if Gigabit is the standard interface between Cell containing components. That is, Every Sony and Toshiba Cell TV will have a Gigabit connection.

For EyeToy 2 I don't know if wireless would be fast enough? Isn't it a 1 megapixel+ camera?

I'd say Gigabit will be the standard, in order to accomodate communication to and from multiple devices. Kutaragi mentioned that a 100Mbps connection would be required to do it over the net, but I guess that'd be for communication with fewer, or perhaps just 1 other device.

 

[Qroach]

You're not argumentative, yet you argue that a port splitter is not a hub, despite the fact it is a hub with 2 ports hanging off of it? I think you just tripped up yourself there man, but don't sweat it, I'm not going to hassle you over this issue until the end of time, I just wanted to point out to you that splitters are hubs too so you wouldn't have to continue living in ignorance.

I said "I don't consider" it to be a hub, you can call it that if you want, I really don't care. It doesn't really matter regarding the point others were making. Like I said, regardless my point still stood, and you can get a cheap splitter, CHEAPER then a multi-tap. you can focus on semantics all you want for all I care.

 

[mckmas8808]

I said "I don't consider" it to be a hub, you can call it that if you want, I really don't care. It doesn't really matter regarding the point others were making. Like I said, regardless my point still stood, and you can get a cheap splitter, CHEAPER then a multi-tap. you can focus on semantics all you want for all I care.

But isn't Sony giving you more for something that's standard.

 

[jvd]

So what router / hub does sony have on the market guden oden ?

There is alot of work to be done in a router / hub to make it safe . Kinda makes me scared to have the ps3 in the middle of a hub instead of at the end of the hub where its protected by a router made by a company that makes routers for a living

 

[Sis]

I said "I don't consider" it to be a hub, you can call it that if you want, I really don't care. It doesn't really matter regarding the point others were making. Like I said, regardless my point still stood, and you can get a cheap splitter, CHEAPER then a multi-tap. you can focus on semantics all you want for all I care.

But isn't Sony giving you more for something that's standard.

Only if you use it. Otherwise, you're paying for someone else to use it.

.Sis

 

[blakjedi]

But will I use my PS3/360 to store and manage my family photos.... or non game related music? No. I'll actually use and prefer my PC.

MS wants you, specifically, to do these things on their software, be it on PC or X360. Sony wants you doing them on their machines and software. Sony wants to be at the center of your living room - they're a consumer electronics company, that's what they do - but the line between the "center of your living room" and "home computing" is blurring - there's the real prospect of a shift in computing in the home away from the PC, if that hasn't happened already - and that's the very reason Xbox exists, to counter the threat of non-Windows platforms taking over the home. Both companies now want to be controlling that space.

I know what youre saying. The question is the PS3PC they are aiming for really worth it? I was gonna buy a PS3 if it only had two controller ports, no gigabit, no LIVE, and no bluray (which I think is the MOST interesting thing about PS3 btw.) I appreciate the extras but unless someone gets creative, they wont necessarily add to my gaming experience.

 

[Titanio]

But will I use my PS3/360 to store and manage my family photos.... or non game related music? No. I'll actually use and prefer my PC.

MS wants you, specifically, to do these things on their software, be it on PC or X360. Sony wants you doing them on their machines and software. Sony wants to be at the center of your living room - they're a consumer electronics company, that's what they do - but the line between the "center of your living room" and "home computing" is blurring - there's the real prospect of a shift in computing in the home away from the PC, if that hasn't happened already - and that's the very reason Xbox exists, to counter the threat of non-Windows platforms taking over the home. Both companies now want to be controlling that space.

I know what youre saying. The question is the PS3PC they are aiming for really worth it? I was gonna buy a PS3 if it only had two controller ports, no gigabit, no LIVE, and no bluray (which I think is the MOST interesting thing about PS3 btw.) I appreciate the extras but unless someone gets creative, they wont necessarily add to my gaming experience.

Well the controllers and bluray (depending on your setup) might directly impact your play experience, but I think we're long past a point where system components were individually evaluated as to their contribution to only games. PS3 isn't the first system to add things for more than "just" games, and it won't be the last.

 

[Sean*O]

It's not. If DVI can support resolutions way above 1600x1200 at 75Hz at least, 1080p60 will surely not be beyond HDMI specifications.

AFAIK HDMI/DVI is 1600x1200@60Hz max for CRT. With digital displays you can get more. At any rate, I'm sure Sony will have the proper outputs in place at launch, although I wouldn't be surprised to see just 1 HDMI port in the end (which is still better than the 360's 0 digital outputs.)

 

[Chandler]

the extra ethernet ports are for the XBox360 and Revolution...
I thought that was kind of obvious but maybe Sony has different plans.

You don't need a router/firewall between the PS3 and the Xbox360, because presumably you would have a router between the modem and the PS3 anyways, unless Sony pulls a mean one and transfers a virus to the xbox360.

 

[blakjedi]

It's not. If DVI can support resolutions way above 1600x1200 at 75Hz at least, 1080p60 will surely not be beyond HDMI specifications.

AFAIK HDMI/DVI is 1600x1200@60Hz max for CRT. With digital displays you can get more. At any rate, I'm sure Sony will have the proper outputs in place at launch, although I wouldn't be surprised to see just 1 HDMI port in the end (which is still better than the 360's 0 digital outputs.)

Digital is not necessary to get a great output... sometimes analog is better. It just depends on your setup.

 

[SanGreal]

So what router / hub does sony have on the market guden oden ?

There is alot of work to be done in a router / hub to make it safe . Kinda makes me scared to have the ps3 in the middle of a hub instead of at the end of the hub where its protected by a router made by a company that makes routers for a living

PS3 does not have a router in it

http://www.ps3updates.com/2005/07/ps3-architectural-inspiration-but-no.html

 

[Bobbler]

So what router / hub does sony have on the market guden oden ?

There is alot of work to be done in a router / hub to make it safe . Kinda makes me scared to have the ps3 in the middle of a hub instead of at the end of the hub where its protected by a router made by a company that makes routers for a living

What graphics card does it have on the market? What south bridge does it have on the market? etc etc. Chances are they aren't making it themselves -- if they are, more power to them (hubs are not much more than a chip that tosses the packets to all the ports -- its a repeater with multiple outs... it doesn't get much simpler). Now, if they were making a router, I might be inclined to agree with your skepticism.




The 3 ports are a hub - 1 in, 2 out (conceivably for the HDIP Eyetoy and maybe another console or two other consoles?). It is pretty nice if you ask me -- the less cords I need to have going from my router the better to the living room the better.

Also, the reasoning for adding gigabit isn't all that absurd... In the coming 5-6 years we'll probably see broadband speeds expanding very rapidly (competition). Hell, Hong Kong has their Gigabit broadband service that was just in the news last month that is either out now or soon to be (and at very competitive prices, like ~$50USD or so, If I recall correctly). We're not far off -- if Sony wants to do half of the out-there things it says, it will need gigabit broadband (thus the gigabit port).

 

[mckmas8808]

SCE expects you to use the WAN socket to connect your PS3 to your ADSL router , with the two LAN sockets connected to digital appliances. This will perhaps allow for HDTV content to stream between the appliances and the PS3.

Also, the reasoning for adding gigabit isn't all that absurd... In the coming 5-6 years we'll probably see broadband speeds expanding very rapidly (competition). Hell, Hong Kong has their Gigabit broadband service that was just in the news last month that is either out now or soon to be (and at very competitive prices, like ~$50USD or so, If I recall correctly).

BEIJING, June 15 (UPI) -- Chinese authorities have approved an undersea cable link designed to increase Internet access speeds in northern China, state media reports.

Asia Netcom, the international cable subsidiary of fixed-line telephone operator China Netcom, will operate the new 160-mile line stretching from the port of Qingdao in Shandong province with its regional submarine network links to Taiwan, Hong Kong, South Korea and Japan. It is scheduled to be operational in early 2006.

William Barney, president and COO at Asia Netcom, was quoted saying cable capacity of 80 gigabits per second will bring a noticeable improvement in Internet access speeds to Web sites in the region as well as to North America for subscribers in north China.

Analysts say networks in China are strained by a combination of growing numbers of Internet users and the popularity of data-intensive services including video downloads and online game playing. Asia Netcom says the mainland's consumption of international bandwidth soared 170 percent between 2003 and 2004.

Link http://www.menafn.com/qn_news_story.asp?StoryId=CqQ:NWeidy2HPBMeTy2fIBgvSAw5R

Enough reason to me for Sony to add a 1gig port.

 

[SanGreal]

I'm kind of annoyed by Microsoft's lack of gigabit as I've got a gigabit desktop & laptop and possibly gigabit internet soon. I'll live though. Definitely sucks for smaller countries with better network infrastructures.

 

[SanGreal]

SCE expects you to use the WAN socket to connect your PS3 to your ADSL router , with the two LAN sockets connected to digital appliances. This will perhaps allow for HDTV content to stream between the appliances and the PS3.

Also, the reasoning for adding gigabit isn't all that absurd... In the coming 5-6 years we'll probably see broadband speeds expanding very rapidly (competition). Hell, Hong Kong has their Gigabit broadband service that was just in the news last month that is either out now or soon to be (and at very competitive prices, like ~$50USD or so, If I recall correctly).

BEIJING, June 15 (UPI) -- Chinese authorities have approved an undersea cable link designed to increase Internet access speeds in northern China, state media reports.

Asia Netcom, the international cable subsidiary of fixed-line telephone operator China Netcom, will operate the new 160-mile line stretching from the port of Qingdao in Shandong province with its regional submarine network links to Taiwan, Hong Kong, South Korea and Japan. It is scheduled to be operational in early 2006.

William Barney, president and COO at Asia Netcom, was quoted saying cable capacity of 80 gigabits per second will bring a noticeable improvement in Internet access speeds to Web sites in the region as well as to North America for subscribers in north China.

Analysts say networks in China are strained by a combination of growing numbers of Internet users and the popularity of data-intensive services including video downloads and online game playing. Asia Netcom says the mainland's consumption of international bandwidth soared 170 percent between 2003 and 2004.

Link http://www.menafn.com/qn_news_story.asp?StoryId=CqQ:NWeidy2HPBMeTy2fIBgvSAw5R

Enough reason to me for Sony to add a 1gig port.

That 80gbps is for the backbone not to each subscriber

 

[mckmas8808]

That 80gbps is for the backbone not to each subscriber

Oh my bad. The point is times a changing. And Sony wants their biggest, most noticable machine pushing the future along.