Rumor: 40% of new 40GB PS3s defective says Belgian Retailer "disc reading error"

[Brimstone]

Sony appears to be having problems with failure rates on the new 40GB PlayStation 3 model, according to retail sources.

Speaking to Dutch site Gamed.nl, Belgian games retailer Games Mania has said that while the new 40GB model is selling well, some 40 per cent of the new consoles sold so far have been returned due to hardware defects that result in the console being unable to read Blu-Ray and other discs.

http://www.maxconsole.net/?mode=news&newsid=22576

 

[patsu]

^_^ Would be great if we hear more reports from other retailers or magazines.

 

[aselto]

The report sounds fishy if you ask me.

 

[patsu]

The report sounds fishy if you ask me.

Oh yeah ? How does a fish sound ?

 

[aselto]

Oh yeah ? How does a fish sound ?

That's what I mean. I don't believe it as there is zero anecdotal evidence on message boards.

 

[pipo]

Oh yeah ? How does a fish sound ?

*adds salt*

This would be something though...

 

[JPT]

*adds salt*

This would be something though...

My colleague ordered 2 of the 40gb units, one had the read error issue mentioned.
For what that is worth as anecdotal evidence.

 

[Shifty Geezer]

40%?! That'd be a huge number, that you'd think QA would pick up on. It's not like the RRoD issue that only rears its high percentage after a period. 40% within a month of release is killer!

 

[Rockster]

Does anyone really not what has been changed/removed in the optical pickup which eliminated the SACD support?

 

[Cheezdoodles]

Maybe they tried cutting costs with the bluray player?

 

[Titanio]

I'm not sure how much stock I'd put in that report. I've seen little or no reporting of problems on message boards..if there was such a huge general problem, I think you certainly would have seen that.

 

[tuna]

Well, this could be a very local problem for a specific batch of PS3s, similar to how some Swedish units had faulty fans that were on all the time.....

 

[Darkon]

I will be testing ten 40 GB models next Monday, I let you know if there is some truth to it in about two weeks.

 

[hey69]

game mania? what a bolox

 

[Shifty Geezer]

I'm not sure how much stock I'd put in that report. I've seen little or no reporting of problems on message boards..if there was such a huge general problem, I think you certainly would have seen that.

I'd have thought so too. People are very vocal about getting a busted device, and the more expensive, the louder you'd expect them to complain. Tuna may well be right about a local/specific batch though. Or maybe the delivery company for that retail chain just doesn't take enough care transporting goods and shook 'em all to bits!

 

[Laa-Yosh]

Ever since the RRoD stuff - that pretty much everyone believed to be overhyped at first - it's kinda hard to deal with any rumor...

 

[patsu]

Those early RROD reports were found all over the place though. This report is pretty localized since 40Gb has launched.

 

[Laa-Yosh]

Then perhaps it is true for just that belgian retailer?

 

[patsu]

Then perhaps it is true for just that belgian retailer?

Yes, could be. Like what some suggested, it could be a bad batch or a bad transport... if their customers are truly affected.
Also, they didn't say 40% is how many units. 4 ? 40 ?

 

[PARANOiA]

Maybe they forgot to mention they flooded their basement or something

Seriously though, Sony need major kudos for delivering brand new tech with low failure rates. Of all the three systems out there, they were the ones (in my mind) most likely to have high failure rates - and they pleasantly proved me wrong. I think this is something that should be considered.