PS3 Story

[Old Tiger]

http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-sony10jul10,1,2184518.story?ctrack=1&cset=true

[JasperDog94]

Dude, you have to have a login. Just copy and paste the article.

[Old Tiger]

Furor Over Sony Patent
Technology that could prevent resale of games and other digital goods raises speculation, fears.
By Dawn C. Chmielewski, Times Staff Writer
July 10, 2006


Sony Corp. has patented technology that would prevent its PlayStation consoles from playing used, rented or borrowed video games — raising questions about whether the electronics and entertainment giant may attempt to redefine what it means to own something in the digital age.

Sony has said little about the technology, patented in Japan in 2000, or how it might be deployed. But speculation over Sony's plans has sparked a furor online as game fans and consumer advocates fret that the company may incorporate it into the upcoming PlayStation 3 console, due to hit stores this fall.

ADVERTISEMENTThey worry that it would wipe out the $1-billion-a-year market for used games and could even prevent someone from playing their games at a friend's house.

It is not unusual for technology companies to patent innovations and then never incorporate them into products.

Documents filed in April 2000 with the U.S. Patent Office describe a method of copy protection by which the game system would verify a disc as legitimate, register the disc to that particular game console, then wipe out verification data so the disc would be rendered unreadable in other PlayStations.

"Since only titles for which legitimate software has actually been purchased and which have been initially registered in the machine table can be used, resale (so-called used software purchase) after purchase by an end user becomes practically impossible," according to the patent documents.

Although Sony has been vague about its plans for the technology, "I actually think they're toying with this idea," said Michael Pachter, a game industry analyst for Wedbush Morgan Securities.

Pachter said he thought Sony probably would not tighten the software locks on PlayStation 3 games but might employ bolstered copy protection on other forms of entertainment downloaded to the console over the Internet.

"Maybe they'll copy protect movies or music downloads," he said.

Whatever Sony's plans, the tempest illustrates the changing nature of ownership as millions of people accumulate vast collections of digital entertainment. Few people realize that when they buy software, music or movies, they are actually buying a license to use, listen or watch.

That's why it violates copyright laws for people to sell copies of their music collection.

Sony was attacked this year for including software on some of its music CDs that surreptitiously installed itself on computers playing the disc. The software was intended to prevent unauthorized copying. Sony later apologized.

Taking that sort of copy protection one step further would be, in the words of one analyst, "crazy."

"What does Sony get from that?" said John Taylor of Arcadia Investment Corp. "Sony gets a black eye. It doesn't make sense to me."

Several analysts said the patent appeared to principally be aimed at deterring game piracy. Indeed, Sony's patent notes that through the complexity of its copy-protection scheme "manufacture of counterfeit software becomes extremely difficult."

And it's not unusual for technology companies such as Sony to register patents either in anticipation of one day collecting royalties from someone seeking to license the technology or to prevent someone else from deploying it.

"These are all things technologically possible to do in any computing device," said one cryptographer, who requested anonymity. "In the video game business, it would be suicide for someone to do this. It's actually possible Sony filed this because they wanted to keep people from doing that."

Nonetheless, online speculation that Sony would use technological or other means to ban the sale of used PlayStation 3 video games prompted one analyst, P.J. McNealy of American Technology Research, to study its potential effect on the industry.

"While we believe it is unlikely that SNE will ban PS3 pre-owned games from being sold by the same chains that sell new PS3 games, we believe this issue remains under consideration," McNealy wrote in a research note issued June 23.

McNealy estimated that game fans spent about $990 million buying used games, primarily from GameStop or through EBay. Much of that spending — about $620 million — is for used PlayStation 2 games.

Were Sony to ban the sale of used games for its next-generation PS3, the effect on independent video game publishers would be negligible, McNealy said.

Used-game sales are a growing source of irritation for game publishers, which receive no proceeds from the resale of games. Executives privately complain that cheaper secondhand games are available for sale shortly after a new game's release; publishers, which give retailers marketing money to promote games, end up competing with discounted versions of their own titles.

Major independent game publishers Electronic Arts Inc., Activision Inc. and THQ Inc. declined to comment.

Meanwhile, used games are a lucrative source of revenue for retailer GameStop, which began reporting pre-owned game sales after its acquisition of competitor EB. Last year, secondhand game sales accounted for $930 million in revenue and $418 million in profit. The profit margin was 45%, compared with 21% for new games, according to Arcadia Investment Corp.

Analysts say used-game sales contribute to the overall growth of the video game market, in the same way that the ability to trade in a used vehicle fuels the new-car market.

"A used-car market creates currency to buy new cars. Same with games. Everybody acknowledges that," Pachter said. "The problem is if the used game is available a week after the new game is out for a $5 discount."

[Emerson1]

Sony de-bunked this rumor a while back

[Cameron Crazy]

Sony Sucks!

[DU_stud04]

go xbox!!!

[big daddy russ]

I was thinking about going with a PS3, but since I already have a PS2 I'm starting to lean more to the XBox 360. If Sony does come out with that technology, then I'll definitely go with the XBox.

[Adidas410s]

Originally posted by DU_stud04
go xbox!!!

Xbox 360 vs PS3 = Cameron Crazy vs Adidas410s

Picking the Xbox is like picking a child in a man's world! ;)

[Emerson1]

Sony de-bunked this rumor a while back


I will probably still be getting a 360 though once the price drops. Depends if any good games come out because there have yet to be any.

[DaHop72]

Originally posted by Adidas410s
Xbox 360 vs PS3 = Cameron Crazy vs Adidas410s

Picking the Xbox is like picking a child in a man's world! ;) :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

[Cameron Crazy]

QUit PICKING ON ME!!!!

SHOW SOME COMPASSION!!!:mad:

[DU_stud04]

Originally posted by Emerson1
Sony de-bunked this rumor a while back


I will probably still be getting a 360 though once the price drops. Depends if any good games come out because there have yet to be any.

fight night round 3 was amazing, if your talking bout games that regenerate every year then you might have to wait a few more years.

[Adidas410s]

Originally posted by Emerson1
Sony de-bunked this rumor a while back


I will probably still be getting a 360 though once the price drops. Depends if any good games come out because there have yet to be any.

I'm getting close to buying a 360...but the PS3 is going to have a lot more capabilities PLUS have the Blu-Ray player...it makes it hard not to wait until NCAA 2008 comes out next summer and "take the plunge" and get the PS3 and the game at the same time. My PS2 has been good to me...but I did get in May 2001 so it's about time to retire it. Plus, I need an HD gaming system anyways to go with the TV! :D

[Old Tiger]

PS3 is going to be like $600

[Adidas410s]

Originally posted by Tiger WR
PS3 is going to be like $600

and the Blu-ray player alone is being estimated at between $800-1000

[Cameron Crazy]

But you make alot of money Adidas so go ahead and buy it. lol!:D

[Adidas410s]

Originally posted by Cameron Crazy
But you make alot of money Adidas so go ahead and buy it. lol!:D

HA...this is one funny guy right here! ;)

[TMer25]

Originally posted by Adidas410s
and the Blu-ray player alone is being estimated at between $800-1000


The Samsung Blu Ray player that is out is $1000. The first Blu Ray discs look pretty terrible compared to the HD DVD discs that are currently out.

[Adidas410s]

Originally posted by TMer25
The Samsung Blu Ray player that is out is $1000. The first Blu Ray discs look pretty terrible compared to the HD DVD discs that are currently out.

Doesn't blu-ray have the deals with most of the major movie companies though to have exclusive rights on their movies? Personally, as much as the HD gaming possibility "excites me"...I may wait to see who wins the war on HD theater. While at first I didn't think I would see a difference with an upconverting DVD player...I see a significant difference now with my new LG upconvert (with component cables) vs my Sony that doesn't upconvert. Then again...I was only able to use coaxial cables on the Sony because the component video outlets weren't working with my TV. One difference I couldn't pick up though was when I tried an HDMI cable. I did notice a change in the colors on the screen but no significant difference in the picture quality IMO between the component and the HDMI cables.

[TMer25]

HDMI and component are pretty much the same picture quality wise. Hollywood wants HDMI used for copy protection, so thats the main reason it exists.


Blu Ray has Fox, Sony and Disney exclusively, but Disney is expected to support both formats before the end of the year, since HD DVD players are outselling Blu Ray in the early going. I have both players, and they are both quirky, but the best Blu Ray transfers right now look like the worst HD DVD transfers. Not the best way to debut your competing format.

[Adidas410s]

If you don't mind my asking, what is your full setup at home? (tv, media players, home theater, etc.)

[TMer25]

Originally posted by Adidas410s
If you don't mind my asking, what is your full setup at home? (tv, media players, home theater, etc.)


Right now (it changes frequently lol),

TV: Sony SXRD 50 inch

DVD Players: Pioneer elite DV-59(Only used for SACD and DVD Audio), Toshiba HD-A1(HD DVD), and the Samsung Blu Ray player, which is shortly going to be returned I think, and I have an old Pioneer Elite Laserdisc player

VCR: JVC HM-DH5U

Preamp:B&K Reference 50

Amplifier: Sunfire Cinema Grand

Speakers: Paradigm Signature Series, and M&K 350 is my current subwoofer.

And it's all powered by a Monster Power Voltage Stabilizer.

[DaHop72]

Originally posted by TMer25
Right now (it changes frequently lol),

TV: Sony SXRD 50 inch

When this changes, you can send it to me.:thumbsup: :thumbsup:

[Emerson1]

Post a picture

[TMer25]

Originally posted by DaHop72
When this changes, you can send it to me.:thumbsup: :thumbsup:


Lol it'll possibly be changing at the beginning of August

[Adidas410s]

What do you think about the SXRD TV??? One of my friends has one and he loves it. I think it looks pretty good...but I prefer the overall viewing experience on my LG Plasma...especially when it comes to watchings sports. I don't know if it is his comcast feed or the TV...but there are periodic lags in the feed where it will seem to skip or slow down the video for a second before catching back up. I haven't even noticed this with my plasma and I didn't know if it was a difference in the way that the TV's transmit the picture or not.

[TMer25]

Originally posted by Adidas410s
What do you think about the SXRD TV??? One of my friends has one and he loves it. I think it looks pretty good...but I prefer the overall viewing experience on my LG Plasma...especially when it comes to watchings sports. I don't know if it is his comcast feed or the TV...but there are periodic lags in the feed where it will seem to skip or slow down the video for a second before catching back up. I haven't even noticed this with my plasma and I didn't know if it was a difference in the way that the TV's transmit the picture or not.

Love it. What you describe with it skipping or slowing down, could be the video processor making the conversion to 1080p, or Comcast compressing the signal too much. So many variables, it would be hard to say without putting a signal level meter on his cable output and see what he's getting from them.

[Adidas410s]

Originally posted by TMer25
Love it. What you describe with it skipping or slowing down, could be the video processor making the conversion to 1080p, or Comcast compressing the signal too much. So many variables, it would be hard to say without putting a signal level meter on his cable output and see what he's getting from them.

Gotcha. Yeah it definitely puts out a pretty good picture...but I just wasn't WOW'd by it when compared to a 720 plasma. I defintely, like my wider viewing angles too for when I want to sit somewhere besides my couch.

Oh yeah...and if you ever feel the need to move dump any equipment...I just might be interested. I still need to buy a better surge protector for everything that's for sure. Right now, I am just using two older ones to try and balance the amount of power going through each.

[TMer25]

Yeah, Pioneer is coming out with a true 1080p panel at the end of this month, and i'm really leaning towards getting it, for the wider viewing angle


I'm constantly moving equipment, so i'll definitely keep you in mind.

[Adidas410s]

You should also consider this TV!!! :D

http://www.smh.com.au/ffximage/2006/07/11/show2_wideweb__470x300,2.jpg

A model relaxes in front of the Panasonic 103 inch 1080p plasma HDTV screen at the Panasonic stand during the CeBIT computer fair in March.
Photo: Reuters

[TMer25]

Originally posted by Adidas410s
You should also consider this TV!!! :D

http://www.smh.com.au/ffximage/2006/07/11/show2_wideweb__470x300,2.jpg

LOL, I saw it at CES this year. They anticipate selling close to 5000 according to the rep I spoke with there.

[Emerson1]

Originally posted by TMer25
Yeah, Pioneer is coming out with a true 1080p panel at the end of this month, and i'm really leaning towards getting it, for the wider viewing angle


I'm constantly moving equipment, so i'll definitely keep you in mind.
There have been radio commercials for the first ever public viewing of the pioneer somewhere in Dallas.

[TMer25]

Originally posted by Emerson1
There have been radio commercials for the first ever public viewing of the pioneer somewhere in Dallas.

Bjorns Audio and Video in San Antonio had it for a weekend a couple of weeks ago. It's quite impressive, and if I knew how to post a picture for you, I would.

[Emerson1]

http://img301.imageshack.us/img301/4125/tutorial1copy3rk.jpg

[TMer25]

http://img98.imageshack.us/img98/6306/electronics0029av.jpg

[TMer25]

http://img381.imageshack.us/img381/9784/electronics0016wz.jpg

[TMer25]

There are a couple, some of the electronics, and then one of the sub and the power conditioner it's on.

I'm out of here to go see Pirates of the Caribbean.