PS3 Due In March 2006

[ChryZ]

PS3 due in March 2006

[27/05/04 15:28]
PlayStation 3 confirmed as "focus" for Sony's Cell chip - although it'll also be used to give their TVs "computer-like functions". Lordy

After Sony's somewhat obscure comments at their E3 conference regarding their forthcoming Cell processor - which will be used to power PlayStation 3 - Sony chairman Nonuyuki Idei has revealed more of their plans for the chip. And he's confirmed that their first consumer application for it is going to be PS3, which now looks set to appear in March 2006.

"We'll first focus on developing a successor console to the PlayStation 2," he says. "But incorporating the Cell chip into TVs will give us greater control in adding functions, so we'll concurrently pursue the development of a new game console and the incorporation of the chip into TVs. It just means that demand for TVs with computer-like functions is starting to emerge and we are going to meet such demand."

So what "computer-like functions" will those be, then? We'd imagine that we'll see Sony's next-gen TVs have built-in PSX-like capabilities that will enable them to play games, connect to the net, and store and play MP3s, movies and music. In addition, don't be surprised if the PSP's wi-fi function will enable you use it as a remote control for your Sony home entertainment set-up.

Trial production of the Cell processor itself has already started and the first prototype of a Cell-based workstation is due to be ready by the end of the year. With Sony having announced that they plan to start shifting Cell-based products in March 2006, and with PS3 being Sony's priority for the chip, it appears that this could well be the planned release date for PS3.

http://gamesradar.msn.co.uk/news/default.asp?pagetypeid=2&articleid=30448&subsectionid=1585

 

[hey69]

that means PS3 at E3 next year

 

[wazoo]

that means PS3 at E3 next year

March 2k6 in Japan.

Do not expect the ps3 at E3 before 2k6, unless you are expecting the sort of unveiling the PSP got in 2k3 (which was just, "look I have a psp in my pocket").

 

[London Geezer]

that means PS3 at E3 next year

Was there any doubt?

If Nintendo said they'll have something to show at E3 2005, Sony WILL have something to show too.

 

[bleon]

Cell in its most basic form is supposed to be extremely powerful, so it seems like overkill to put it in a TV. I wonder what it would be used for.

 

[London Geezer]

Cell in its most basic form is supposed to be extremely powerful, so it seems like overkill to put it in a TV. I wonder what it would be used for.

We've been through this already, keyword: scalable.

Cell is just an architecture. One can't just say "Cell is powerful". The power comes from the various configurations of it. The BE in PS3 will be "powerful", but BE!=Cell in the strict sense...

Just like saying "x86 is powerful". x86 is not "powerful" in itself. A Pentium4@3GHz is "powerful".

 

[ChryZ]

Cell in its most basic form is supposed to be extremely powerful, so it seems like overkill to put it in a TV. I wonder what it would be used for.

Some kick-ass GUI/OSD? Extended PiP functions? Decoding of broadband multicast streams in HDTV res? Basic web-browser functions? MP3/ATRAC/Mpeg4 playback and recording from/to MemoryStick? High quality, realtime, lag-free software deinterlacing for progressive displays?

 

[London Geezer]

^ ^ Yep, there are many things that could be done... One just needs to use a bit of imagination really....

 

[Nite_Hawk]

that means PS3 at E3 next year

March 2k6 in Japan.

Do not expect the ps3 at E3 before 2k6, unless you are expecting the sort of unveiling the PSP got in 2k3 (which was just, "look I have a psp in my pocket").

That would have to be a pretty big pocket!

Nite_Hawk

 

[wco81]

that means PS3 at E3 next year

March 2k6 in Japan.

Do not expect the ps3 at E3 before 2k6, unless you are expecting the sort of unveiling the PSP got in 2k3 (which was just, "look I have a psp in my pocket").

Well if MS goes ahead with a 2005 launch of Xenon, then they would probably have to lay out their cards at E3 in May 2005, including playable versions of launch titles.

In that case, Sony will show something, no doubt. Their own demos (maybe not playable) as well as specs.

 

[Megadrive1988]

PlayStation 3 is right on time if they stick to this timetable.


PlayStation2 was demoed at E3 1999, including a playable GT2000, if I am not mistaken. so I expect some sort of PS3 showing at E3 2005, if not fully playable, at least some demos.

 

[Evil_Cloud]

that means PS3 at E3 next year

March 2k6 in Japan.

Do not expect the ps3 at E3 before 2k6, unless you are expecting the sort of unveiling the PSP got in 2k3 (which was just, "look I have a psp in my pocket").

Well if MS goes ahead with a 2005 launch of Xenon, then they would probably have to lay out their cards at E3 in May 2005, including playable versions of launch titles.

In that case, Sony will show something, no doubt. Their own demos (maybe not playable) as well as specs.

Sony might have much more time to improve it's launch title line-up.

 

[Pepto-Bismol]

that means PS3 at E3 next year

Not necessarily. The stranglehold Sony has in the current generation can be used to choke its competitors in the next one ...

 

[Megadrive1988]

PSP was probably developed from 2000/01 to 2004, a bit too early for Cell, since Cell-based chips wouldn't be ready, in products, until late 2005 at the soonest, and more like 2006, as we are seeing with Cell-based television and Cell-based PS3 coming in 2006.

yes I suppose SCEI could have waited another year or two for Cell to be ready for PSP. but then, on top of the later release, the power requirement and heating issues would've been even higher than they are now with PSP's non-Cell based SoC.

I'd imagine PSP2 will use a 'Cell version 2.0 lite' for certain, though.

 

[McFly]

Cell needs very good and complete API's and libs to be an advantage. I guess they just have not enough time to wait for them.

Fredi

 

[wco81]

Besides, what are they going to do, introduce PSP and PS3 within a few months of each other?

What kind of economic sense does that make?

The Cell might also be more expensive than what the PSP is using and it's going to already have way more power than anything else in the handheld market.

 

[cthellis42]

42

 

[Guden Oden]

42

47!

 

[archie4oz]

47!

Ahem, no... 42

 

[pcostabel]

what is nine times six?