Sony's content platform and business strategy *spawn

[Shifty Geezer]

With that of my chest.. back to the good part. The reason they should go for better quality is first and foremost to be the service with the best quality. To be different than other services. Of course they should serve the lowres stuff like iTunes does. Btw we have 30 BPP monitors so it´s coming

I own a 96kHz capable soundcard. And headphones with a frequency response well in excess of the human capacity to hear. There'll be 4k TVs and 30bpp TVs and goodness knows what else, but onyl because the companies were trying to differentiate, and not because these extended features are any use whatsoever. The mindless pursuit of bigger specs helps sell to audiophiles, but we know there's a limit. Even if 16 bit 44.1kHz isn't good enough, and someone offers 192 kHz 24 bit audio to differentiate, when everyone does it there'll be no room to proceed. Except of course then someone would offer 256 kHz 32 bit audio... But this 'progress' isn't. It's just a silly marketing game where people ignore their own perception and instead buy more expensive because of bigger numbers for no advantage. Similar to someone wanting to buy a 1TB HDD equipped laptop because it's the latest, biggest number, despite not even having 1 GB of content to puit on it.

Sony have enough content to differentiate in real terms without ahving to use gimmicks (although I'll grant, a 'high end' experience will help attract a reputation even if in real terms it offers no benefits). Their games division produces some of the best titles in all genres. That's something Apple and GameStop will have trouble competing with. So now, before it's too late, Sony can release their cross-platform content services and offer audio and movies the same as everyone else, only with added value in network services (chat to other PSN users through your TV or Android device), the same as MS can do but without being tied to one OS which is MS's greatest limiting factor. And when this netowrk platform does well, they can even withdraw their content from other providers so that you ahve to buy Sony devices to watch Sony content. Except anticompetitive laws would no doubt limit Sony's options there.

 

[-tkf-]

I own a 96kHz capable soundcard. And headphones with a frequency response well in excess of the human capacity to hear. There'll be 4k TVs and 30bpp TVs and goodness knows what else, but onyl because the companies were trying to differentiate, and not because these extended features are any use whatsoever. The mindless pursuit of bigger specs helps sell to audiophiles, but we know there's a limit. Even if 16 bit 44.1kHz isn't good enough, and someone offers 192 kHz 24 bit audio to differentiate, when everyone does it there'll be no room to proceed. Except of course then someone would offer 256 kHz 32 bit audio... But this 'progress' isn't. It's just a silly marketing game where people ignore their own perception and instead buy more expensive because of bigger numbers for no advantage. Similar to someone wanting to buy a 1TB HDD equipped laptop because it's the latest, biggest number, despite not even having 1 GB of content to puit on it.

Sony have enough content to differentiate in real terms without ahving to use gimmicks (although I'll grant, a 'high end' experience will help attract a reputation even if in real terms it offers no benefits). Their games division produces some of the best titles in all genres. That's something Apple and GameStop will have trouble competing with. So now, before it's too late, Sony can release their cross-platform content services and offer audio and movies the same as everyone else, only with added value in network services (chat to other PSN users through your TV or Android device), the same as MS can do but without being tied to one OS which is MS's greatest limiting factor. And when this netowrk platform does well, they can even withdraw their content from other providers so that you ahve to buy Sony devices to watch Sony content. Except anticompetitive laws would no doubt limit Sony's options there.

My point is that 16bit by far isn´t the limit. I personally wouldn´t care for anything above 24bit, just as HD is enough on most TV sizes.

The quest for Quality is not a gimmick, it´s something that lacks on pretty much every platform on the net. IMHO it wouldn´t be clever to withdraw from other platforms, they could offer their content cheaper og better on their own platform. But building walls around the content isn´t the way to go. And as i said, Music should really REALLY be DRM free.

SONY ON.. do it!

 

[Shifty Geezer]

My point is that 16bit by far isn´t the limit.

Do you actually hear distortion or artefacts listening to a well mastered CD?

 

[Arwin]

Do you actually hear distortion or artefacts listening to a well mastered CD?

I do remember a long time ago that hearing the difference between I think it was 24bit 192 LaserDisc sound for Terminator 2 and 16bit versions, is that the re-introduction of the missing high-frequency sounds meant I had an actual emotional response to a glass falling to the tiles and breaking that I also have when it happens in real life, that I never had with the regular version. And the difference between 5.1 tracks on DVD and the Master HD Audio versions on BluRay also stand out a lot to me every time.

I know that I am more sensitive to this than most, definitely, but perhaps that emotional response is something that could be more universal.

I am obviously in the minority if you look at the market as a whole, but there are a lot of companies who live by making stuff this minority wants to buy. Unfortunately for something like iTunes that's not the primary source of income, but they've still improved quality a bit since the beginning, and competing online stores also help push that up a bit.

 

[Shifty Geezer]

I do remember a long time ago that hearing the difference between I think it was 24bit 192 LaserDisc sound for Terminator 2 and 16bit versions, is that the re-introduction of the missing high-frequency sounds meant I had an actual emotional response to a glass falling to the tiles and breaking that I also have when it happens in real life, that I never had with the regular version. And the difference between 5.1 tracks on DVD and the Master HD Audio versions on BluRay also stand out a lot to me every time.

I was thinking music as sold as part of Sony's services, but I suppose there is an argument for an extended range, even if a slight one. I did say though, it'd have value for Sony's platform to offer a better quality even if it's not perceivable. It'll give them hocky prestige, I'll grant -tkf- that.

 

[-tkf-]

I was thinking music as sold as part of Sony's services, but I suppose there is an argument for an extended range, even if a slight one. I did say though, it'd have value for Sony's platform to offer a better quality even if it's not perceivable. It'll give them hocky prestige, I'll grant -tkf- that.

I usually mention vinyl and other old school analog audio as an example of what went wrong with Digital Audio of today. I don´t want to buy all my music on Vinyl again and i prefer CD audio over Vinyl, but not when it comes to "harshness". I could litterally listen to music all day long without getting tired ears when i used vinyl records. After a day with compressed music my ears get tired in a way they did not use to. It´s not a harshness that i normally notice when i hear the music but it has an effect.

But the new Audio formats on BluRay really make a difference.. i love it

 

[patsu]

I was thinking music as sold as part of Sony's services, but I suppose there is an argument for an extended range, even if a slight one. I did say though, it'd have value for Sony's platform to offer a better quality even if it's not perceivable. It'll give them hocky prestige, I'll grant -tkf- that.

It should be PERCEIVED quality as opposed to just quality. They don't have to make sure everything is high quality first. Focus on a few key areas and make sure everyone sees or read about it. Sony is extremely bad in the second step. They are also bad in enforcing the consistent experience across product. So the impact is reduced considerably even if they do talk about it. These inconsistencies usually cause gaps in the use cases.

I tested 5-6 Bluetooth headset for iPhone a couple of months ago. The Sony headset I tried was the only one that performed as expected when I tried to confuse them (e.g., change audio route repeatedly in the middle of a phone call... say between car kit and headphone). But no one talks about it, not even Sony marketing. XD

 

[-tkf-]

It should be PERCEIVED quality as opposed to just quality. They don't have to make sure everything is high quality first. Focus on a few key areas and make sure everyone sees or read about it. Sony is extremely bad in the second step. They are also bad in enforcing the consistent experience across product. So the impact is reduced considerably even if they do talk about it. These inconsistencies usually cause gaps in the use cases.

I tested 5-6 Bluetooth headset for iPhone a couple of months ago. The Sony headset I tried was the only one that performed as expected when I tried to confuse them (e.g., change audio route repeatedly in the middle of a phone call... say between car kit and headphone). But no one talks about it, not even Sony marketing. XD

Plantronics, Voyager Pro is the only Headset worth using.. and maybe that sony? Took me some years to find the Voyager...

And yes percieved quality and some nerds to back it up is a good way to go. Build it and they shall come. And for gods sake, drop the weird useless names Sony. Make it stick ...

 

[Shifty Geezer]

Just received an email saying PSN has shifted over to Sony Network Entertainment, and inviting me to visit here. Support on PC is via MediaGo. So if I download MediaGo, that'll provide access to Music and Video Unlimited on PC? And on Android you need specific apps? 'Supported Devices' lists their tablets as coming soon. I presume that'll be the Android implementation. That's something Sony need to nail pronto to start selling their all-in-one entertainment network.

Still, they have actually got there! 5 years after they should have, but they have got there...

 

[-tkf-]

Just received an email saying PSN ownership is shifting over to SNE, and inviting me to visit here. It inculdes updated TOS. I haven't read them (not that I ever do!).

I clicked the music link, and i got handed to https://music.qriocity.com/ and greated with a

Sorry, this service is not available in your country/region.

 

[deathindustrial]

Same here. Sony also does not seem to understand the concept of "unlimited". Paying $6 for a HD rental is not what people expect when they see the word "unlimited". On top of that, what is the purpose of this site exactly? Other than viewing short trailers for a handful of titles there is nothing else that can be done apparently (can't purchase movies and can't browse actual catalog). It's the equivalent of the 2 page marketting leaflet you get with consumer electronics that you never read and instantly throw away.

I feel a bit like like Gordon Ramsay walking into Sony's terribly run and failing restaurant.

 

[Shifty Geezer]

I agree with that. I've tried looking at what content is available on PSN via websitse and it proves a nightmare to navigate. Sony need to create content portals, even if just browsing, on their internet pages. Have Joe Public check the website, see a film/piece of music he wants at a price they're willing to pay, and lure them in.

 

[boommoob1]

I agree with this, and I think that this should have been the primary push on the TV front for the last several years. They made a very poor choice IMO when after the XBR8 they determined to dial things back in terms of image quality and expense. Even as a loss-leading flagship model, something on the order of "the best" should have been maintained. And then the rest of the line derived appropriately. This thrust the last several years about competing with off brands and infiltrating Wal-Mart has been the wrong direction for this company, and a lot of that was rooted in the pursuit of economies of scale tied to their outsourcing.

I'm not saying the outsourcing itself was ht or wrong as a move relative to TVs, but the strategy has been confused and unfocused. Likewise, pulling back on the OLED investment a couple of years ago was absolutely the wrong move at the wrong time, and now they find themselves playing catch up in a field they were initially leading development in.

Stringer took personal responsibility for the TV division in 2008. But in corporate statements like everything else Stringer's responsibility has been whitewashed. Sorry to keep banging the drum but there problems wont begin to be solved until they have qualified management in charge.

 

[patsu]

Same here. Sony also does not seem to understand the concept of "unlimited". Paying $6 for a HD rental is not what people expect when they see the word "unlimited".
On top of that, what is the purpose of this site exactly? Other than viewing short trailers for a handful of titles there is nothing else that can be done apparently (can't purchase movies and can't browse actual catalog). It's the equivalent of the 2 page marketting leaflet you get with consumer electronics that you never read and instantly throw away.

I feel a bit like like Gordon Ramsay walking into Sony's terribly run and failing restaurant.

sonyentertainmentnetwork.com is only a marketing site. It's saying their movies can be up to 28 days earlier than Netflix. They have a lot of work to do to consolidate all the services into one. There is also a separate Crackle.com that should be in the picture one way or another.

I believe the Video Unlimited service is only accessible from devices, and PCs running the MediaGo software. You can't search the catalog from web. You have to go through the devices or MediaGo (Similar to iTunes in this manner ?). NetFlix and Hulu can stream from PC websites directly probably under a different PC license (compared to say... Hulu Plus), hence they made search + browse available as part of the flow over the web.

I believe NetFlix also claims "unlimited" movies and TV episodes on their website, although their streaming selection is finite (or rather limited).

The big problem is Sony's complex web of services. It clutters our mind ! (Too many names and use cases)

Compared to Video Unlimited, you can browse and play the music library from Music Unlimited (music.qriocity.com) directly. The website is sync'ed with my PS3 and Android profiles, favorites, and library.

And then there is also the SingStore web catalog, with its own SingStar community. And Playstation Store videos.

All these are Sony properties. ^_^

 

[deathindustrial]

"Unlimited" suggests a subscription all you can watch model(a la Netflix). Sony's "pay (a lot) per rental" and "you can only watch this on a specific machine within a limited time frame" legacy approach is hard to spin as being unlimited. Netflix streaming costs me $8 a month. I can't even purchase 2 HD format rentals from Sony for that much.

I can't speak for the music service as it is not available in Canada. I can however say they are competing with rdio.com here which costs me $5 a month for all you can hear via a web client (so plays nice with Linux).

Cheers

 

[Shifty Geezer]

I dare say "Unlimited" at the moment is just to share the branding of Music Unlimited. The Unlimited aspect hasn't been implemented yet, but it should enable buy once, watch anywhere across devices.

 

[patsu]

Yes, if they ever get around to deploy their UltraViolet implementation. It's supposed to work with other UV implementations. Microsoft is one of the supporting vendors too.

 

[patsu]

http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2011-10-26-scea-appoints-guy-longworth-to-marketing-role

Sony Computer Entertainment America has appointed Guy Longworth as SVP of marketing and PlayStation Network. He take up the new role on October 31.
...

Guy will be an integral part of our marketing efforts across the PlayStation brand moving forward."

Longworth will report to Tretton, and focus on marketing for SCEA.

Longworth's most recent role has been as founder of marketing consultancy Annapurna One, but his career history stretches back to include brands like Kellogg, Kraft Foods and began managing the Boots account for Procter & Gamble. This will be his first role in the video games industry.

Longworth replaces Peter Dille, who left the company in March to become CMO of mobile advertising company Tapjoy.

 

[patsu]

Upcoming Change to PlayStation 3 and PSP Game Content on PlayStation Network
http://blog.us.playstation.com/2011...-and-psp-game-content-on-playstation-network/

We’d like to inform you of some upcoming changes to the usage policies for PlayStation Network game content. As of November 18, 2011, the number of devices that can be activated on one PlayStation Network account for game content purchased from the PlayStation Store will be updated as follows:

For game content purchased after November 18, 2011, a new policy will apply and the number of devices that can be activated will be as follows:
PS3: Users will be able to play the game on up to 2 activated PS3 systems.
PSP: Users will be able to play the game on up to 2 activated PSP systems.

Please note that this update will not affect game content purchased before November 18. The PSP rights include PSP-1000/2000/3000 series as well as the PSPgo system.

PlayStation Network users are able to change the activation setting through each device, and Sony Computer Entertainment plans to provide a new PlayStation Network account management website where users will be able to deactivate particular devices attached to their PlayStation Network account via their PC.

For more details on how to activate/deactivate the devices, please visit here or contact consumer services.

 

[patsu]

http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2011-10-26-scea-appoints-guy-longworth-to-marketing-role

I wonder how good Guy Longsworth is. They need someone with deep product marketing, traditional and Internet marketing experiences. The past, fragmented campaigns and news releases didn't serve them well (or well enough). Kevin Butler is interesting but not sustainable. People will get tired of him.

PlayStation Team Loses Two Key Executives
http://www.industrygamers.com/news/playstation-team-loses-two-key-executives/

PlayStation's team in North America would appear to be in flux. Veteran Peter Dille left his post earlier in the year, replaced by Guy Longworth back in October, and now IndustryGamers has learned that two key members of the executive team have parted ways with Sony: VP of Marketing Scott Steinberg, and SVP of Publisher Relations Rob Dyer.

Although one of our sources claimed that Steinberg was let go and escorted out by security, an SCEA spokesperson confirmed to IndustryGamers that Steinberg resigned from the position. ...

SCEA also confirmed to us that Rob Dyer has left the company. ....