New PS4 Smell

pics or it didn't happend

 

For 30-days PSN Plus and $10 credit at the PSN store.

It's in box for US PS4s, I guess.

 

"Library" requires you to be logged into PSN to access it (cloud based?)

 

Isn't library the replacement for download list?

 

Seriously here, how often could a set of console menus realistically really be updated? I know this is the era of persistent internet connections, social network and instant-everything, but c'mon here... It's just a menu system isn't it? Why would it need to update all the time, to the point that it impacts the user experience, and thus customer satisfaction?

 

Lack of engineering time or engineering foresight?

 

Thanks. I was hoping you could stream directly to one or two people without going through one of the streaming services.

 

Got my PS4 on the 15th but didn't get around to setting it up till this evening. My wife and daughter really had a good time with Lets Dance and afterwards we watched a DVD together. I have a Pioneer Elite Blu Ray player but wanted to see how the video quality was and I have to say I was impressed. The PS3 had very good DVD and Blu Ray playback and the PS4 appears to have similar attention to quality. I'd like to see some professional reviews but I can say it is seems to be a very competent DVD/Blu Ray player.

The browser is pretty useless, which is what I expected. Using a phone as a virtual keyboard makes things easier but at the end of the day for me at least browsing is best when you are right in front of the screen not to mention the UI just isn't ideal - touch screens, touch pads or mouse are IMO the best way to navigate around the web and I don't see that changing even if Sony gives this more attention.

Overall the system UI appears to be pretty well thought out although I got frustrated a couple times, my initial download of the 1.50 system update disappeared after it was completely downloaded. For some reason it stalled and when I exited out and restarted it was gone. In a somewhat similar situation I was downloading Warframe and it too got stuck on install and when I went back to the downloads I noticed it was listed twice and when I deleted the second one thinking it was a duplicate it deleted the first WF install which apparently was seperate for the second from the second but both are needed....

Camera seems to work well enough, tried some voice commands which worked flawlessly but as I have said in other threads VR isn't not my personal preference for navigating around my game/media device. I was somewhat disappointed with the quality of the image on screen of my daughter and I when we were playing around inside of the playroom - this might be due to me not spending any time trying to improve the quality and rushing somewhat to get it setup. Ironically my daughter seemed to be more interested in the robots from Playroom than anything else we did. I hope we get a new release of Eye Pet for PS4, I think she would like that.

Controller is really nice, best way I can describe it is like going from a Nissan to an Infiniti; same basic design just nicer quality all around. The touch pad BTW is not a gimmick IMO it actually makes sense and I think Sony is truly on to something there.

Finally PSN is as slow as molasses in winter - I remember expressing concerns about network infrastructure a couple weeks ago and it appears my fears were well placed. I'd feel bad for anyone attempting to buy any of the games online and then having to wait to download... Seriously if the game is out of stock but anywhere within 100 miles you'd be better off driving or ordering from Amazon - I wouldn't even hazard a guess on how long it would take to get access to your title if you opt for a digital download Currently I have War Frame, Contrast, Resogun, DC Universe, Blacklight and all the apps (Amazon, Netflix, VUDU, HULU and Crunchyroll) all downloading and it would not surprise if me if it take several days to get access to this stuff.

I think Sony has designed a nice replacement to the PS3 but its going to take some time to reach its potential.

 

Library seems to be downloads list replacement https://support.us.playstation.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/5034

 

With a cleared download queue, and all games fully updated (ie no pending background tasks) I rested the start-up with the replaced drive (drive specs noted above:

From a Cold Boot: 21 seconds (video to display at about 16 - 18 seconds, at login screen at 21 seconds)
From stand-by: 23 seconds.(video output to display at about 16 seconds, at login screen at 23 seconds)

So the new drive shaved about 5 seconds from standby but only about 1 (1.5 at best) from a cold boot. Each test run 3 separate times. Times recorded from the boot "beep". Previous results below:

HGST Z5K500-500 (Original Drive):
Cold Boot: 22 seconds
Standby, 29 seconds.

Samsung 830 (256 GB):
Cold Boot: 21 seconds
Standby: 23 seconds

Samsung 830 (256 GB): (with active downloads in queue)
Cold Boot: 21 seconds
Standby: 3 seconds

 

I don't get how standby can be slower than cold boot?

 

You can't base network capabilities off the first week of PS4 release.

 

I thought it was odd at first too. I'm quite sure there's a technical explanation for it, I'm just not in any position to provide that explanation.

 

Gradthrawn does fan spin while the console in the awake standby mode (when there are some downloads in progress)?