releasing multiple versions of next gen consoles

[malcolm]

I think next gen consoles should be released in 480p and 720p for something like 400$ and 600$.
2 years later when the 45nano process comes they should release a 1080p version for 600$ or maybe less.
Im sure they couldnt release the next gens for 1080p at least not in the highest quality with aa and anisotropic filtering.
And if they dont do this it would be till around 2012 before consoles have good 1080p quality...
Obviously games at release should already include the 1080p mode for when those would be released 2 years later.
All settings in the games should be identical exept for the different resolutions in the different versions just to keep it simple like consoles have been.
Id like to hear what people think about this...

 

[I.S.T.]

That would complicate things too much. Why not just have one that can do 480p and 720p?

 

[malcolm]

What would be done with the extra power in 480p then?
All for anisotropic filtering? Maybe higher aa, 720p should have aa too i think. And i was hoping directx10 graphics cards would come with always on aa so this wouldnt be possible then.
I guess it might still work tough but wouldnt it be cheaper for the people with a low res tv to have an extra 480p value version?
Im not sure because it might add some cost to have two versions.

If so, what about having a 480p-720p version now and releasing a 1080p version on 45nano?

 

[Deadmeat]

...

The whole point of console is the fixed hardware.

 

[I.S.T.]

Exactly. What if that happens and a company puts out a game htta has support for 1080p. Well, if it costs like 600 or so, most people won't have it. And those with older models will be pissed off as well.

 

[Sonic]

Why would there possibly be different versions supporting different standards? I'd imagine the next gen consoles will be able to support all the resolutions and standards and if not there will be some cheapo adapter that will at least enable it. Having the same architecture support different standards is what is called market segmentation, true they may be able to play the same games but if there aren't enough 1080 console owners there is really no point in supporting that.

 

[malcolm]

It would be exactly the same games and settings and hardware, just higher speed for higher resolution, why would this segment anything?
The only change would be that people with a low res tv dont have to pay as much, and people with a 1080p television have the option to get full res for a litle extra money.
And the 1080p should only be released in 2008 because in 2006 it wont be possible at good anough quality since the 720p should be the normal high end version.
All consoles start at 600$ and then they go down...
The 1080p version would be an extra one starting at maybe 500$ 2 years later, nothing special needs to be done for the games, they are all for all the resolutions, nothing changes in the game menus, the resolution is selected depending on what version of the console you have.

It would be the same as a ps2 1080p being released a year ago and being able to run the same games at higher resolution.

Im sure very litle extra needs to be done on the software enable this.

 

[Sonic]

Then there is a bit of a problem you run into. Some people will eventually buy newer and better TV's that can support the resolutions and standards. They will obviously want the best gaming experience possible on that TV so they will be forced to buy the 1080 version of the console? It makes little business sense when you can pack support in all the consoles for all standards.

 

[StefanS]

Then there is a bit of a problem you run into. Some people will eventually buy newer and better TV's that can support the resolutions and standards. They will obviously want the best gaming experience possible on that TV so they will be forced to buy the 1080 version of the console? It makes little business sense when you can pack support in all the consoles for all standards.

Plus the manufacturer need to update their consoles after 2 years, they won't be happy to spend more money on R&D for a brief update...

 

[malcolm]

They could include 1080p in the one standard version but it will probably without aa and anisotropic filtering right?
So this means it will be 2012 to have real high quality 1080p.

 

[Sonic]

Why would it be without FSAA and Aniso? All the current graphics chips can dish out plenty of power to support 4X FSAA and 8X Aniso at those resolutions. I'm pretty certain that future graphics hardware will be able to handle it with ease and it could possibly be normal for aniso and FSAA to be turned on.

 

[hey69]

that's a good thing maybe for the Phantom console

 

[malcolm]

I think they will probably optimize the games for 480p since most people will still have that, so because of that the detail level will be to high for 1080p with aa and anisotropic filtering.

 

[Ante P]

Why would it be without FSAA and Aniso? All the current graphics chips can dish out plenty of power to support 4X FSAA and 8X Aniso at those resolutions. I'm pretty certain that future graphics hardware will be able to handle it with ease and it could possibly be normal for aniso and FSAA to be turned on.

umm 4x AA/ 8x AF at 1920x1080. what card has plenty of power to do that?
I know for sure that my 9800 XT even when overclocked doesn't like that except perhaps in old games from the Q2 generation or so

by the way, does anyone know what performance is like in the 1080i games for the xbox? (ie 480p compared to running them in 1080i, is it deadly slow or what?)

 

[Sonic]

I wasn't exactly referring to 1080P in that statement. I know I said all those resolutions, but I guess I should correct myself. Still though, I'm certain future graphics chips will be able to do it.

 

[malcolm]

Ofcource, but performance changes when you have higher quality games, even a 9600 can do quake3 in 2048x1536 6aa 16aniso

 

[Dave Baumann]

Not being funny here, but I have heard of something like this possability in relation to PS3. i.e. the first version of PS3 won't necessarily be the last and there may be a few more upgrades within what you'd normally term as the lifetime of a console. With a Cell based system this would probably be fairly easy to achieve and could be aimed to match different emerging TV standards and ranges and ultimatey ay different price points (i.e. the 20-30 something home cinema enthsiasts with the high end HDTV, and little Johnny with the standard NTSC version in his room).

 

[V3]

I think this is a damn good idea.

480p console @ $300
1080p console @ $3000

Then games would be written to maximised the 480p consoles. The big brother 1080p console would be more than capable to run the 480p games, in that particular higher res, with higher res textures maybe, also maybe higher tesselation level as well. And the changes will be automated like PC games.

That would be awsome. But is it possible ?

 

[Megadrive1988]

malcolm, that will never happen.

 

[Tagrineth]

Heck no, this isn't a good idea.

Some of us do indeed already have 1080i supporting TV's... they aren't THAT uncommon. >_>

And I don't want to have to pay extra for functionality I've already had for three years.

Hell, 1080i is MORE COMMON than 720p... >_>