Kutaragi Ken interview on PSP

[DeadmeatGA]

http://pc.watch.impress.co.jp/docs/2003/0829/kaigai014.htm

The key point of interview..

1. Kutaragi talked very little about playing games on PSP; he is mostly talking about watching movies on PSP and how he is going to push it through Hollywood..

2. No analog output from PSP; you cannot hook it up to TV.

3. PSP is a closed platform. But Kutaragi will push UMD as a DVD substitute.(Secure, copy-proof, and ROM-only)

4. Kutaragi is not revealing the die size of PSP chip; in fact, there isn't a silicon produced yet.

5. PSP will come with a full-blown library to insulate the hardware. Leave the hardware banging to CELL developers(straight from Kutaragi's mouth)

 

[DeadmeatGA]

...

Another interesting thing is the wireless LAN capability of PSX3. Supposely PSP will be able to use a PSX3 as a hot spot, meaning PSX3 will also have wireless LAN.

 

[chaphack]

Is your translation correct in the first place?

2. No analog output from PSP; you cannot hook it up to TV.

This be interesting. I assume he means no analog out to your video so you cannot rip off UMD contents. If you cant play PSP on an external display devices....that be not nice..

ANYWAY, i dont like the UMD thing, seems like that will be SCEI preferred media for the future. First time that SCEI going for propertiary media....a room for firsts there always is....I hope you can still play them back on non UMD systems.

This PSP has a better chance of success in Japan sayee? He seems to be taking a push and hope for the best attitude.

 

[Vince]

Lets attempt to have some semblance of perspective here. It's just a small hint of God's grand irony, IMHO, that the people who bitch about "Hype" are the same ones posting these unrealistic comments.

If you cant play PSP on an external display devices....that be not nice

You've got to be joking. Although, I must admit that I've been almost as negative as you or DM about the future of Sony since I found out that the PSP won't bake blueberry muffins.

ANYWAY, i dont like the UMD thing, seems like that will be SCEI preferred media for the future.

I hate those damn closed standards in use on the Nintendo GameBoys too. I mean, shit... SCEI's only giving us 802.11 & Memory Stick.

 

[cthellis42]

2. No analog output from PSP; you cannot hook it up to TV.

Annoying. I was assuming the "AV in/out" on the original slides would permit this. Then again, don't see they should really WANT to restrict this, so I wouldn't be surprised to see extra hardware to allow this somewhere (as part of the "future extension" perhaps?) along the line--perhaps even at launch. Being highly desired functionality, they may just want to soak people a bit more for it. (Though of course analog ports would take up a lot of space anyhow--I'd expect some kind of connector anyway.)

 

[chaphack]

You've got to be joking. Although, I must admit that I've been almost as negative as you or DM about the future of Sony since I found out that the PSP won't bake blue berry muffins.

No i am not. How are you going to get mass acceptance of a new media, when all it does is plays on a mini screen?

I hate those damn closed standards in use on the Nintendo GameBoys too

Nintendo Gameboys = 99% games only.

SCEI's only giving us 802.11 & Memory Stick.

What does WLAN and MS has to do with closed UMD media? I like them both but a closed media like UMD, where PSP is going to be a multimedia handheld, might not be helping much.

 

[Vince]

No i am not. How are you going to get mass acceptance of a new media, when all it does is plays on a mini screen?

Um, because Sony's that big of a company. They own their own front-end media houses who will suport it and PSP will probobly be huge as it is - creating it's own market.

As per the comment about TV-out - thats insane. I guess all those portable DVD players people buy are really so they can take it home and hook it up to their TV.

Again, get some grounding in your thinking. The PSP is a hybrid portable device that can play games, movies, music, etc. Keep it like that.

What does WLAN and MS has to do with closed UMD media? I like them both but a closed media like UMD, where PSP is going to be a multimedia handheld, might not be helping much.

Chap, think. What it means is that the PSP has open standards that allow for many of the multimedia components to be user modified. Look at what Sony's Digital Walkemen things are already doing wirelessly and with MG/S.

UMD is best closed and in this role it's no different than Nintendo's cartridges.

Being highly desired functionality, they may just want to soak people a bit more for it.

"Highly desired"? Yeah right bud, this is a niche if there ever was one. If you want to play on the big screen buy a PS3.

 

[Bowie]

It would be nice if you could connect the PSP to the PS3 via the USB2 connector and use the PSP as an external UMD drive. Then the PS3 could just emulate the PSP to play PSP games on the TV.

Or it would be even better if the PS3 supports UMD.

 

[chaphack]

Um, because Sony's that big of a company. They own their own front-end media houses who will suport it and PSP will probobly be huge as it is - creating it's own market.

How huge will huge be? I say, Sony alone wont keep the PSP, as an all in one, that huge.

As per the comment about TV-out - thats insane. I guess all those portable DVD players people buy are really so they can take it home and hook it up to their TV.

I am sure they will do that when they are at home, assuming they do not have a standalone DVD player in the first place. Then again, portable DVD players are not hot on the sales list either.

Again, get some grounding in your thinking. The PSP is a hybrid portable device that can play games, movies, music, etc. Keep it like that.

Portable devices does not mean they should stay strictly portable. Based on what it is hinted now, it is akin of asking people to shell out a few dozen bucks on a "divx-ish" media that has limited usage.

Chap, think. What it means is that the PSP has open standards that allow for many of the multimedia components to be user modified. Look at what Sony's Digital Walkemen things are already doing wirelessly and with MG/S.

UMD is still closed. You cannot do anything on the UMD but just play them on your PSP. You cant even rewrite them. WLAN + MS = yweah. UMD = hohohum...

UMD is best closed and in this role it's no different than Nintendo's cartridges.

Sony is trying to sell more than just games from UMD.

 

[cybamerc]

Vince:

> UMD is best closed and in this role it's no different than Nintendo's
> cartridges.



Comparing UMD to game carts is ridiculous. UMD is a format that is intended not just for games but also music and movies and one that they're hoping will be used in other devices.

I've said it before and I'll say it again: noone's gonna buy music and movies on UMD. Considering its intended purpose it's gonna be a major flop - just like everyone of Sony's proprietary formats before it.

 

[notAFanB]

Sony is trying to sell more than just games from UMD.

if thats the case it's aint gonna happen.

Portable devices does not mean they should stay strictly portable. Based on what it is hinted now, it is akin of asking people to shell out a few dozen bucks on a "divx-ish" media that has limited usage.

I prefer to think of it as a protable device which a few gadgets.

Then again, portable DVD players are not hot on the sales list either.

this is actually rather interesting. maybe it's indicative to the market (these things aren't cheap u know). that many people dun find watching movies on a small screen particularly compelling?

 

[cybamerc]

notAFanB:

> maybe it's indicative to the market

I think so. While movie playback might be a selling feature (and I think it will) noone's gonna use it. PSP is all about the gadget factor. People love multifunction devices.

That said, portable DVD players are also fairly expensive and too big and heavy to be conveniently carried around. This is also why I refuse to believe that PSP will be priced competitively compared to GBA. And I can't imagine Sony being stupid enough to take a hit on the hardware. If so it'll bite them in the ass.

 

[chaphack]

if thats the case it's aint gonna happen.

Huh?

I prefer to think of it as a protable device which a few gadgets.

Sorry but huh again?

that many people dun find watching movies on a small screen particularly compelling?

Which is basically what Sony is trying with the PSP, only that you are "likely" not able to video out to an external display device AND a propertiery media(meaning no play DVD player for j000!). You are stuck with a small display.

 

[Cyborg]

Why does sony keep pushing these proprietary formats that are sure to flop hard? Cant even write your own UMD with music you want.. Walkman of the 21st century indeed

PSP without its multimedia features (they're there but they'll be useless, no way am i going to buy UMD music and movies for ONLY psp) is a big loss in interest for me, its gaming side better be mind blowing if they want my cash.

 

[notAFanB]

what I meant was Sony trying to sell significant numbers of non-game related products on PSP is a rather huge mountain to climb.

Quote:
I prefer to think of it as a protable device which a few gadgets.

Sorry but huh again?

I only mean that the Focus should not be in the 'non-game' feature sets when evaluating PSP. unless of course they wan to price it over $300.

it's like cybermerc said ppls like quirky multifunctional gadgets.

that is all

 

[Geeforcer]

Why is not being able to hook PSP to TV a big deal?

 

[chaphack]

what I meant was Sony trying to sell significant numbers of non-game related products on PSP is a rather huge mountain to climb.

Yep, that is exactly how i feel too. Closed UMDs certainly dont help much.

I only mean that the Focus should not be in the 'non-game' feature sets when evaluating PSP. unless of course they wan to price it over $300.

Do you mean Sony's PSP focus should be more on gaming? Dont quite get you. But from what we see today, PSP is obviously not promoted as a games oriented handheld. More like a multifunction personal digital entertainment product. It is not called "Walkman of the 21st Century? for nothing.

it's like cybermerc said ppls like quirky multifunctional gadgets.

Depends...



Though everyone, i am not saying PSP will die, it probably will do ok from the gamins side. But SCEI's ideas of selling all other stuffs apart from gaiming, with the PSP, is looking like a hard sell.

 

[notAFanB]

Do you mean Sony's PSP focus should be more on gaming?

yup

More like a multifunction personal digital entertainment product. It is not called "Walkman of the 21st Century? for nothing.

I would add the word 'affordable' in there too. that is if the features dun turn out to be useless.

the 'new walkman' isn't that what minidisc was supposed to be?

Why is not being able to hook PSP to TV a big deal?

it's not, it is a portable media unit after all but ppl like to have options.

 

[Vince]

You people are frickin' unbelievable. You (and 30M other people or some insane amount) will buy a literally piece of shit GBA and talk about how it's the best thing since sliced break and the glow in the dark condom.

But, when Sony wants to give you gaming functinality that's leagues beyond the GBA with other assorted "freebies" that will have minimal impact on the product price due to integration - you moan and bitch. It makes litterally no sence to me. Well, I know why the same people do, but the reasons are insane.

Like UMD, who cares if it's propietary and closed? Thats the best move to entice and win over Hollywood. And then those who complain about Music recording convienently forget about MemoryStick and 802.11? God forbid you spend an extra $50 on a MS to get all that functionality in a single device that you'd otherwise drop a C-note on.

I mean, think about UMD for a second. If it's closed, then it's only purpose it to serve as a medium for games and bought digital media. Which puts it in the exact same catagory as the GBA cartridges which don't need massive industry approval - yet nobody complains about them. Probobly because Nintendo is still selling such a useless and backwards device.

And then the TV-out complaint? It's a joke, nothing more.

Common now, this device is nothing but icing - and compared with the competition it's in a league of it's own.

When will people learn and not speak with such ignorent words? This will be another PS2 style domination - mark my words.

 

[Saem]

AFIAK, sony memory sticks are proprietary. They tend to lag other open memory standards in terms of storage/dollar.