Those of you who are lucky enough to own a 3D television will know that on average, 3D glasses will cost $149 for each unit. Though there are generally other ways to obtain these units for cheaper like shopping from Amazon, Sony itself has put together a deal that will surely raise the count of active 3D glasses in your house. The company is currently offering a two pack of 3D active glasses for $139. In comparison, you can currently buy one of these from Amazon for $99. Just a reminder, 3D active glasses are brand specific so unless you own a Sony 3D Bravia, these units will not work for you.
For those of you who are ready to jump on the 3D bandwagon early, you will be pleased to know that Sony’s Bloggie 3D camera is now available and ready for your film making career. Capable of recording in 2D and 3D, this 1080p, 5 megapixel camera is capable of recording 4 hours of 2D footage on 8GB of memory and 80min of 3D footage. Of course, the real story here is the ability to record in 3D for just $249. 3D fans will be pleased to know that you can playback your 3D recorded content via the Bloggie’s 2.4-inch LCD without the need of any 3D glasses and if you are looking for a little larger screen, you can output the 3D footage to any 3D television via the onboard HDMI though glasses will be needed at that point. The Bloggie 3D specs include:
In hindsight, it’s always easy to pick out a winning technology and point out the missteps for the unfortunate ones. A history lesson will point us towards when HDTV came out and it was considered a fad. Nobody wanted a wider TV; they still wanted a square tube that was larger. Now, chances are that your smartphone and coffee machine screen are in high definition. Nearly 5 years ago, Sony and others like LG, Pioneer, and Panasonic set out to bring HD via Blu-ray. It is a format that was relevant then and is relevant now with current discs being able to hold up to 50GB and prototypes that can handle over 200GB. Blu-ray has also opened the door to “Blu-ray Disc LIVE” where your movies can get updated content like trailers, behind-the-scenes, and access to interactive elements like IMDB and online chats. And of course, if it wasn’t for Blu-ray, we couldn’t really enjoy 3D content at home but of course, many nay-sayers said that Blu-ray was a fad and would be done in 5 years.
Being a supporter of all things 3D, I feel like as a culture, we have reached the same point. Many started calling 3D a fad and that it would die within a year or more. Of course, just like Blu-ray, it’s many of the so-called established tech sites who are helping with this voice of writing off the technology because they can get a catchy title out of it but the whole cynicism of the industry is another topic for another time. I believe that those same tech sites who were wrong about Blu-ray will be wrong about 3D as well if recent studies have anything to say about it. In fact, IHS Screen Digest has released a new report which sees the 3D Blu-ray market growing by 500% in 2011 to reach a sales status of $214 million. With an expected 65 3D Blu-ray titles to be released in 2011 alone, 3D Blu-ray sales are expected to hit $900 million by 2014.
“Consumers are snapping up Blu-ray 3D titles because of a number of positive occurrences in the home 3D segment,” said Richard Baxter, video research analyst at IHS. “These developments include increasing consumer awareness of 3D technology, rising 3D hardware sales and an expanding catalog of 3D films for the home environment.
“Meanwhile, the arrival of more Blu-ray 3D titles in retail stores will enhance the technology’s profile among consumers and encourage 3D hardware adoption,” he also said “BD3D-enabled households are also likely to buy more Blu-ray 3D titles if they have a larger slate to choose from.”
Sony has made it very apparent that they are here to stick with 3D and that they are in it for the long haul. During CES 2011, the electronic giant unveiled a massive new lineup of high definition televisions, with 16 out of the 27 new Bravia models for 2011 being 3D and costing just over a $1,000. That’s not all though, as the company which owns Sony Pictures and PlayStation understands that without content, any format is doomed. In edition to their new 3D lineup of televisions, Sony also announced many new Cybershot camera’s that are able to capture 3D still images for a little over $200 and will introduce in May a Bloggie 3D for $250 which is able to film in 3D.
Still, the company knows that home made 3D content which is very important to the adoption of the standard is only part of the puzzle. That’s why besides releasing 3D movies in theaters such as the Green Hornet, Sony, in partnership with IMAX and Discovery has launched their own 3D channel called 3net for DirecTV subscribers which offers 3D content around the clock. With this partnership in full swing, the trio now want to film the worlds first native 3D war documentary series and have already begun principal photography. The documentary which is titled The Civil War 3D will transport viewers back in time, retelling the war’s most pivotal moments both on and off the battlefields from the unique perspective of both sides in the historic conflict. Sony hopes to release the mini series in Fall of 2011.
“Shooting in native 3D gives us the unique ability to bring an entirely new level of depth and emotion to this epic time in history with groundbreaking storytelling that simply hasn’t been possible until now,” said Cosgrove. “As well, THE CIVIL WAR3Dseries further reflects our ongoing mission to provide the kind of immersive in-home 3D experience available nowhere else on television.”
Sony is set to release six new 1080p 3D Bravia models for Japan, which all feature Sony’s new X-Reality PRO engine. The three series include the HX920, HX820 and the HX720 and all will come in both a 46-inch and a 55-inch size format. Starting with the flagship model HX920, this 3D Bravia will include:
Motion Flow XR960 Panel
LED Backlight
WIFi
Monolithic Design
Web Apps (Facebook Connect, VOD, YouTube, Skype)
The series is then followed by the HX820:
Motion Flow XR480 Panel
LED Backlight
WiFi
Monolithic Design
Web Apps (Facebook Connect, VOD, YouTube, Skype)
The series will then finish off with the HX720:
Motion Flow XR480 Panel
LED Backlight
Web Apps (Facebook Connect, VOD, YouTube, Skype)
If some of these specs seem familiar, that’s because we actually got to see all of these new 3D models during CES 2011. For US fans, don’t feel left out as these new series will be making it state side during the Spring.
Sony has been on the forefront of cutting edge with the PlayStation 3, creating a device that, unlike previous PlayStation units and other consoles on the market, can be expanded upon and offer new features that even those who bought the PlayStation during its launch can enjoy. Over the last 9 months, the PlayStation 3 has been updated via software to allow for 3D games and movies. Shortly after that, Sony also released the PlayStation Move, which continues to be the most advanced and precise motion sensor gaming attachment on the market. In order to show consumers and other developers the capability of these new technologies, Sony has taken it upon itself to offer these advacements in some of the hottest games of 2010 and 2011. Titles such as Gran Turismo 5, LittleBigPlanet 2, Killzone 3, MotorStorm Apocalypse and the upcoming Uncharted 3, Socom 4 and Infamous 2, will all support native 3D. Current titles on the market such as LittleBigPlanet 2, Killzone 3 and again the upcoming Socom 4 and soon to be released Move Heroes game, featuring some of PlayStation most well known characters, like Jak & Dexter, Ratchet and Clank, and Sly, will support PlayStation Move on top of native 3D.
Now, Sony wants developers outside of the Sony family to leverage these PlayStation 3 features and incorporate them into their games to offer a more unique and rich environment for the players.
“Whenever we come out with new technology, whether it’s Move or 3D, there is always the request that goes out to the [development] teams that says, ‘Hey it would be great if you could implement it.’ We know that adds to the layer of not only the marketing message we have access to but it also adds to the availability of different Sony channels that we can broadcast our message out to,”
Sony has gone on record and states that in no way or shape is it requiring developers to offer these. Instead, it wants them to look at games like Killzone 3 which has been said to be one of the best looking games ever created on the PlayStation 3 which also offers the most native and natural Move experience while still implementing 3D. The point here is that developers can add these features to their game without worrying about tapping out the PlayStation 3 or the need to sacrifice quality.
Hit the jump for a full list of PlayStation Move and 3D-supported games.
Sony Pictures Home Entertainment is set to release The Green Hornet on Blu-ray and Blu-ray 3D on May 3rd. As mentioned, the movie will come in two different packages. A single edition Blu-ray and 3 disc Blu-ray, Blu-ray 3D and DVD.
As much fun as online multiplayer can be, nothing beats having a friend or two over to play some multiplayer games. For those of us who grew up on gaming , the PSone and PS2 era, as well as the N64 had games like Goldeneye and Twisted Metal, which were centered around a group of friends playing the hell out of a game. Some games would offer LAN support, but that required multiple TVs and consoles. Instead, most games offered split view on the same screen. Of course, no matter if you had a 27-inch TV or a 60-inch set, you couldn’t help but have a wandering eye at times, especially if you kept getting snipped in the head or tripped on one too many proximity mines.
With advances in television engines and 3D offerings, Sony is looking to change this in their future Bravia televisions. The guys over at Pocket-lint had the opportunity to get a demo by Mick Hocking, senior director for SCEE and director of World Wide Studio’s 3D Stereoscopic Team in London, where two players were able to play Killzone 3 on the same PS3 and on the same Bravia 3D TV, without actually seeing each others screen. With this new technology, each player is able to get the entire screen, dedicated to them as if they were on a separate television with no quality loss.
In order to achieve this, each player had to sit at a particular angle and look towards the screen while somebody sitting in the middle would see a blurred image of the two. The concept and idea behind such a technology is limitless as people have been fighting over the wandering eye and the end game results from it for years. And now, maybe you can finally watch your Lakers while the missus watches What Not to Wear. Though still in development, what makes this exciting is that Sony was able to show this with currently available devices like the PlayStation 3 and Killzone 3 which shipped today and not rely on specific demo materials. What do you think would be the best time to enable a dual video mode? Let us know.
We’ve told you before about the upcoming Sony SXRD 3D Projector with the mind blowing 150,000:1 contrast ratio. With the projector out now, you can expect a $9,999 price tag on this unit. For the home theater enthusiasts, this will be your first real taste of 3D via a projector in the household. Remember, while the price might seem high to those who traditionally only purchase LCDs, this price is normal for those with higher-end systems and projectors. Sony is also doing another first and that is to include all of the custom install materials needed in which they are labeling as part of their “Elevated Standard” brand. Just as a reminder, here are some specs:
1080p
3D Ready (no 3D transmitter bar required)
Two 3D Glasses
240hz
150,000:1 contrast ratio
1,000 ANSI lumens brightness
22db0 fan noise (insanely low)
Sony also took this time to introduce the VPL-VWPRO1 SXRD which is part of their new 2D projector lineup. With a higher brightness than its 3D brother (1,300 ANSI lumens) the new VWPRO1 does carry a lower contract ratio of 85,000:1 and obviously lacks 3D. Look for an early October release with a $3,400 price tag.
Making good on its promise of delivering more content, Sony, in partnership with IMAX and Discovery, is launching their 3D channel called 3net. Scheduled to go live at 8 p.m. this Sunday night on channel 107, this will be the 3rd available 3D channel on DirectTV, next to n3D and ESPN 3D. The channel will currently be available on DirecTV but Sony has indicated that they wish to bring this 24/7 3D channel to as many providers as possible. Sony’s plans for 3net are to provide the “largest library of native 3D entertainment content in the world by the end of 2011“. The channel plans to kick things off with:
China Revealed (8:00 pm)
Into the Deep (9:00 pm)
Forgotten Planet (10:00 pm)
Sony plans to feed 3D TV owners with a new 3D show every night at 9 p.m. for the month of February. You can see the official press release from Sony after the jump.
It was just a little over a year ago when a little movie, one which audiences and critics alike were unsure if it was going to flop or not due to its reported $300-$500 million budget, came into theaters in 3D. Now, with nearly $3 billion in the bank from just the tickets, Avatar is the highest-grossing movie of all time and will probably be for a decade to come. But Avatar’s effect was not just limited to the film industry where we can just write it off as a Hollywood blockbuster. Instead, Avatar has affected the way we watch movies, the kind of televisions we buy, and the technology that will be in your next camera, camcorder and handheld portable. Just a little over a year after the film’s release, manufacturers like LG, Toshiba, Samsung, and Sony are out in full arsenal with their 3D televisions, so you can watch a movie like Avatar or Despicable Me in 3D at home. In 2011, 16 out of Sony’s 27 Bravia televisions will feature built-in 3D with no 3D transmitter bar needed. In two months’ time, Nintendo is releasing the 3DS, their next handheld portable gaming machine that will display games in 3D. Just in case you get pulled into a 3D event, you can now look good and not need to borrow a pair of glasses as Oakley and other high end companies will be releasing their own stylish 3D glasses. Sure 2010 might have had some sour points with films like Clash of the Titan (though I enjoyed the movie myself) and The Last Airbender with their horrible last minute rush job of up converting a movie that was not made in 3D to be in 3D. Still look how far we have come already. Tron was a smash hit with it’s 3D and Alice in Wonderland, another post converted movie hit the $1 billion mark as well and animated films like Pixars Toy Story 3 and How to Train a Dragon which were all also released in 3D. Now we are seeing more and more movies being filmed in 3D from the beginning like the up coming Transformers: Dark of the Moon, the Sony Pictures Spider-man reboot and we are seeing some of Hollywoods top directors like Martin Scorsese and Steven Spielberg plan their upcoming projects with 3D in mind.
Of course as I pointed out, 3D is not going to be limited to just the movie experience. Nintendo will indeed be pushing out their Nintendo 3DS in two months and that will introduce 3D to a large audience, who will grow up with 3D as just the standard just like how kids in the last 7-10 years might view HD as nothing new. Remember how much flack HD got when it was first introduced and many wrote it and Blu-ray off as just a gimmick and a fad. Fast forward a few years and both are the industry and consumer accepted standard. Lets also not forget Sony when it comes to gaming and 3D, Sony is making sure that their AAA games like Gran Turismo 5, LittleBigPlanet 2, Killzone 3 and Uncharted 3, along with their new gaming attachment, the PlayStation Move are offered to consumers in 3D. If you haven’t had a chance to view these games in 3D, I highly recommend you visit your nearest Sony Style store as they will blow you away with how crisp, deep and beautiful they are. Still, when all is said and done, gaming is just another avenue of 3D that is being catered to the audiences by those who have the power to create them; big companies and it was apparent during CES that Sony understood, that in order for 3D to succeed, they needed to bring the technology down to the consumer level and give the public the capability to create 3D for themselves for cheap. After watching and playing with their 2011 arsenal of products, I now believe.
You see, for any real product to catch on, it cannot be something that is just controlled by the elite. Sure all products come to market higher priced than what consumers might want, but like all technologies, it will eventually get cheaper as consumers adapt and newer and better versions of them are released. Years ago, you couldn’t get a 3D TV for under $5,000, and now you cannot find a TV that is not HD. Even the $500 television you find at Wal-mart is in fact HD (now this isn’t insinuating that all HD is the same, but rather the fact that anybody can have access to it). But that’s really only one avenue to view HD in; how about recording? Every single camera on the market now has some form of HD recording in it. From the thinnest smart phone on the market, the iPhone 4, which can record 720p video, to pocket camcorders, like the Flip HD, which can be bought for $150 with 8GB of memory, consumers can record HD in all sorts of ways without really thinking about them. If you own a Mac, you can open iMovie and start editing your HD video in minutes and soon after that be posting it to sites like YouTube and Facebook. Through the consumer, HD has become the norm and the standard, due to its ease of handling and low entry price point. I’m here to tell you that 3D will be the same and Sony is leading the way.
Without a doubt, Sony would not have won the battle of HD-DVD vs. the Sony backed Blu-ray, had every PlayStation not been equipped with a Blu-ray player. Since then, Sony has been able to leverage the PlayStation 3’s Blu-ray player to give developers extra space to create their games and owners of the PS3 the capability to watch the latest movies on Blu-ray. This combination of next generation gaming and movie watching experience though was costly to Sony during the initial three years of the PlayStation 3, has now locked Blu-ray as the winning future format for movies and continues to be a big draw of the PS3.
What many might not have seen though is the fact that Sony will once again be using the PlayStation 3 as a means to draw audiences to 3D. Currently, the PlayStation 3 offers a few games in 3D with the list expanding heavily during 2011 with all first party PlayStation 3 games being in 3D. On the movie side of the PlayStation Network Side (PSN), Sony also currently offers 9 movies for download or rent which are in 3D, giving those who own a 3D television some much needed content. But Sony isn’t looking to go at this alone, instead now announcing that movie streaming app VUDU is now gaining 3D movies. The free app which just recently saw an update is again gaining a new server side update that allows users to rent movies in 3D. That’s not all, VUDU has also stated that they are looking to soon provide users with the option of buying movies in 3D as well.
So if you are a current 3D TV owners with a PlayStation 3, I highly recommend you picking up one of these devices as it will be the source of a lot of upcoming 3D content from Sony and partners alike. If you already own a PlayStation 3 and are on the fence about 3D, look at this as a clear sign that Sony and it’s partners are serious about 3D and it’s not something that is going away.
During CES, Sony made it apparent that they want to give their Bravia lineup a refresh across the board and pack them with features not found on other sets. This is in part, the evolution of the Bravia televisions that began their internet connectivity over two years ago and the 3D expansion that Sony started a year ago. Now for their 2011 lineup, a whopping 27 new models across 9 lineups is being released. 22 of the models will be gaining full internet TV connectivity (only the 5 starting models don’t gain this feature) while the top 16 models will be getting transmitter free 3D built in. Some of the internet TV services will Sony Music Unlimited Streaming Service and Video on Demand ; Qriocity, as well as Netflix, Pandora, HuluPlus, Amazon Video on Demand, YouTube, Slacker Internet Radio, Crackle, Blip.tv. Other features to set the Bravia lineup apart from others will be Skype connectivity for select devices which with a Sony 720p camera (CMU-BR100) will give you access to any other user out there with Skype. Having played with the feature during CES, I can happily report that the features works effortlessly and smoothly.
While in middle of watching a show, if somebody contacts you while you are logged into your Skype account via your Bravia set, a small notification will appear on the TV which you can then choose to accept or decline the call. Once accept, your TV show will get muted and reduced to the bottom corner and the video call will go live, full center on the screen. Here, you will also have full Skype functionality, meaning you can call other numbers and connect to any other Skype enabled device.
Bravia Television with Skype, Live!
Sony also debuted the XBR-HX929, their new flagship model with some great industry firsts. Besides having the built in 3D, 720p Skype calling and internet TV functionality, Gorilla Glass will be making it’s way into the model as the new screen, allowing for thinner, lighter, and stronger screen material. Like it’s predecessor, full-array local dimming LED backlight is back with Sony’s new Bravia engine, the X-Reality PRO Engine which has been built from the ground up to offer better color and image accuracy. To top off all these features, Sony is also introducing what they call MotionFlow XR960. Those who are familiar with MotionFlow will know that first we started off with 120hz and higher end TV’s later gained 240hz to match the quality of Plasma TV’s by reducing the ghosting effect that LCD televisions can have and this can be more apparent with 3D content. Now the XBR-HX929 will offer 960hz, almost quadrupling previous offerings and having witnessed it, it’s damn impressive. The XBR-HX929 will come in a 65-inch (XBR-65HX292, which is available in August 2011), 55-inch (XBR-55HX929), and 46-inch (XBR-46HX929) and will be out in April.
Bravia Monolithic Design
Hit the jump for the full press release and spec offerings of the 9 new model lineups from Sony, as well as additional pictures.
I have to say that one of my favorite Sony products from CES 2011 was not only one that I didn’t see coming, but also one of the cheapest offerings in their lineup. I had written previously that the Bloggie Touch would more than likely get an update, and I was right on that matter. In fact, there will be two different Bloggie models coming out in the next two months. What I didn’t expect was for one to offer 3D recording and to be priced so low.
First I will get what I consider the more boring of the series out of the way. The next generation of the Bloggie is being dubbed the Bloggie Duo (MHS-FS2) which sports two different LCD lenses. The first is a 2.7-inch on the back for video and picture playback and 2.0-inch on the front under the lens, perfect for when you want to utilize the 5.1 megapixel built in camera to take some self portrait shots. The Duo will now come with a LED light and be available in violet, green, pink, and white for $170 for the 4GB model in March. Next up is actually the new entry model Bloggie (MHS-FS1) which is thinner then the previous Bloggie and the new Bloggie Duo. Coming in at $150 for the 4GB, this white and black only model comes with just the single back 2.7-inch LCD. It should be noted that both models come with Sony’s Sensitive Exmor™ CMOS sensor and Auto Focus/Auto Macro lenses. Now hit the jump to read all about one of my favorite CES products, the Bloggie 3D. Continue reading →
During CES, I had the pleasure to have some great conversations with different Sony engineers and get their takes on different products and features from Sonys many current and future offerings. In the mix of all the many different product launches and 27 new Bravia models from Sony, I both noticed something interesting and later confirmed something that seemed to have gotten missed by almost all other outlets. Sony has ditched the $50 3D transmitter bar on all of their 2011 3D TVs. With the current model of Bravia’s in the market, only the high end model, the LX900 offers 3D built in with no transmitter bar where the rest of the series like the HX and EX were dubbed 3D ready, meaning that you could buy a 3D transmitter bar and give it 3D. But with all 2011 Bravia models, 3D will be built in no transmitter bar needed. What’s even more amazing is when you take in the fact that 16 of Sony’s 2011 Bravia’s will be 3D, starting with models as small as 27-inches which will place them well under the $1,000 price and in the price range of many consumers.
Improvements to this year’s 3D models include panel drive enhancements that deliver quicker response time helping to reduce crosstalk, 5:5 pull down for a more realistic cinematic movie experience, built-in 3D emitters on all 3D models.
Expanding the 3D content users can view, the new BRAVIA 3D capable models can display 3D images taken with Sony’s new Cyber-shot cameras like the DSC-WX9 via USB input.
Rumors over the last week have been pointing to the buy out of IMAX theaters by Sony Corp. With the big launch 3D had during 2010 and 2011 promising to bring 3D to more devices, both professional and consumer, the move does make sense. Especially if you consider that IMAX plays a big roll when it comes to 3D movies, a venue that Sony’s movie division; Sony Pictures and Columbia Pictures can take great advantage of. Still, it’s not like upcoming 3D movies from Sony like The Green Hornet, The Smurfs, Men In Black 3D and theSpider-man rebootwouldn’t have been shown in 3D without IMAX. But with a chain of 3D theaters under its belt, Sony can take advantage of the screens and offering and not only use its own 4k 3D projectors which are considered some of the best, but to also hold events to show off 3D to consumers like the upcoming Lakers game. With Sony using their own equipment in the mix, Sony can make sure that the 3D experience is at the highest quality and wow audiences the proper way, in order to have them buy in the 3D experience, something that currently consumers are mixed about. But alas, if you were looking for CES announcement to confirm or deny it, you will be disappointed though the two companies will continue collaborate on the upcoming 3D channel.
Update:
Based on the rumor, IMAX stocks have hit a 52 week high of $32 per share though they are now trading back to their normal value of $27, due to the lack of any announcements between the two companies.
We tried and tried and tried again to get you guys some kind of Playstation Move giveaway and get a unit to review as well but Sony didn’t play ball with us so we are doing the next best thing that we can. For the next week, you’re going to see plenty of Playstation Move content on the website. From reviews done by other websites, to current games, up coming games and any video content that has to do with the Playstation Move.
What is the Playstation Move:
The Playstation Move is an addition to the Playstation 3 that is designed to cater to both the casual and the hardcore user. Giving users the capability to play motion gaming, the Move offers users a 1:1 gaming accuracy that is capable of tracking you both up and down, but in and out, aka into 3D space or the Z axis. Speaking of 3D, the Move can also do 3D games.
So lets break it down. The Playstation Move is a 3 part setup, but can be configured in many different ways. First, to make any of the magic happen, you need the Playstation Eye. That’s the device that is actually tracking all of your movements. From there, you have the Playstation Move Controller and the Playstation Move Navigator. All games will require atleast 2 sets. So you can either have 2 Move Controllers or a Controller/Navigator combo. From there, the correct combo just depends on how much you want out of the experience. For example, a game like Socom 4 works with the Move Controller to do your aiming and looking around while in the other hand, the Navigator acts as your controller to control your movement.
But a game like like Gladiator in the Sport Champions pack, although works well enough with the Controller/Navigator combo, really begins to shine when you have to Controllers instead. This way, one hand can act as a shield and the other as a sword. But the key thing to remember is that for any game, you will only need a Controller/Navigator combo. Anything additional you buy is up to your budget and not required. Also, there is no Navigator/Navigator combo as far as we can tell. For all the shooter fans out there as well, there is another piece you can choose to buy; the Move Shooting which basically opens up and allows you to insert the Move Controller inside of it for a better shooting game experience.
Technical Details and Competition Differences:
As we touched up on before, what’s different about the Playstation Move versus the Nintendo Wii and the up coming Xbox Kinect is accuracy and that can mean all the thing when you are playing a hardcore game, more on that in a bit. The Playstation Move has the capability to track you in real time with pin point accuracy and track in a 3D space. That means that the Playstation Eye is not just tracking your movements on a X,Y axis (up, down, left, right) but in the Z axis as well. This means it can tell if you get closer to the system, or step back, or duck and bob and weave. This accuracy allows you to not only be directly in the game environment, but for you to also have access to a wide variety of movement and actions no possible on the Nintendo Wii, not to mention the HD graphics and surround sound capabilities of the Playstation 3.
When compared to the Xbox Kinect that will be coming out near Xmas, the technology there simply does not work. Here is what I mean. The Kinect works on the technology that a camera tracks your movements, thus no controller is needed. That’s fantastic when you first think about it until you actually run into the limitations of the system. First, the system has juice to only track two people at a time versus the Moves 4 player configuration, but more importantly, it’s how it tracks you. If you are playing a gaming, because the Kinect tracks people, if your friend or parents walk by, the camera can begun to track them instead and there goes your game. Furthermore, there is no sitting down as well. You have to be standing the entire time. Because the Playstaiton Move is being tracked by the Playstation Eye, it actually does no matter if you are sitting down and or how many people are in the room with you.
In order for the Kinect to not mess up during press previews, MS has to bring its bubble with them.
Speaking of technology, the Playstation Move has two other note worthy techs. The cutting edge technology is 3D. I’m not just talking about your movements being tracked in 3D, but the fact that the Playstation Move works with 3D games. Games like LittleBigPlanet 2 and Killzone 3 which are being made in 3D are also 100% Move compatible. That gives you the capability to be tracked in real time 3D, while actually playing a 3D game. Short of jacking in yourself a la Matrix, you cannot get more in depth. The other not so high tech yet equally important is button. I mean think about it, you don’t want to always wave your hand across to scroll through the XMB or to select options. Even more to the point, when playing a game like Socom 4 or MAG, you want to have button to access to your squad chat, grenade toggle and weapon options. Games would get extremely tiring if you had to wave your hand for all of these actions and if you do them wrong, you just might have cost yourself a win. In a game like MAG (100% move compatible), you cannot afford to accidentally not call the Airstrike or not plant the bomb. To iterate the power of the Playstation Network, Playstation 3 and Playstation Move, keep in mind that MAG is a 256 player game, with no online fees and can be fully played with the Playstation Move.
Games:
There are plenty of sites that are currently covering current release of games for the Playstation Move, but those are frankly the launch titles and some of the more casual games. What I want to focus on is the more hardcore games the Move will support. I have to first digress for a minute in order for you to see the bigger picture. Up until the Move game out, I havent been a fan of motion gaming at all. Family games are cute and fun but thats not why I bought my PS3, 60″ Sony and my Denon receive and surround sound. I want to play impressive and immersive games. I have a feeling and know plenty of gamers who share my experience. This isnt to poo poo family games or the Nintendo Wii crowd. I’m happy to see the gaming community grow and pull in new users but those family games are not for me. The Playstation Move changed all of this. The following are some up coming Move titles and these are not partial support, but 100% compatible titles that can be played by the DualShock 3 or a Move combo.
Killzone 3
Socom 4
MAG
LittleBigPlanet 2
Resident Evil 5
Heavy Rain
MAG Move Gameplay:
Socom 4 Move Gameplay:
With games like that, the accuracy of the Move and the power of the PS3, I don’t have to sacrifice the types of games I like or give up on quality of visuals or accuracy of gameplay. Instead I can play the types of games I enjoy, yet try a completely new experience.
Reviews:
As I noted earlier, unfortunately Sony would not give us a demo unit in order for me to give you a much more indepth review of the setup and games but the following are some reviews to go by.
Techradar: The biggest takeaway from our time with Move is its incredible accuracy. Augmented reality instruments move perfectly with the controller, Frisbees fly with the gentle curve you give them and you can select things with superb precision.
Telegraph: The technical brilliance of the Move controllers themselves is the standout feature of this gaming system. The wand-style remotes are very easy to use, and offer a level of accuracy and precision that you won’t find on the Wii, or on Microsoft’s rival system, Kinect.
IGN: At the end of the day, the PlayStation Move has the potential to be the best motion control system on the current crop of consoles.
Engadget: It’s shaping up to be one of the most interesting eras in the history o console gaming, and make no mistake, Sony’s got all the right ingredients here.
Where to buy:
The Playstation Move should be available today at Best Buy and Gamestop stores, as well as other retailers like Walmart. If you prefer to buy online and not worry about paying tax on it, Amazon is another destination as well. Plus, if you guys purchase them from our links, it helps out the site!
On September 21st (my birthday), Sony will be releasing Playstation 3 firmware 3.5, finally giving Playstation owners the capability to play 3D movies. So far, via a firmware update, the Playstation 3 has been capable of playing 3D games and now via this update, as long as you have a 3D TV or projector, you can now play 3D blu-ray movies as well. Look for a few more features to arrive then as well but Sony is being tight-lipped about the specifics.
Designed for home use, Sony will be launching a new projector, the VPL-VW90ES this November. Based on their SXRD platform, the VPL-VW90ES gives you the latest for your living room or home theater room, packing in features like:
1080p
3D Ready (no 3D transmitter bar required)
240hz
150,000:1 contrast ratio
22db0 fan noise (insanely low)
Hit the jump for full press release and look for this this November, although no price point has been released yet.
For the last few months, Sony and its partners, Discovery and IMAX, have been working away at a 3D channel. This is of course different then the current offerings from ESPN who broadcasted the World Cup 2010 in 3D, as well as their upcoming coverage of the NFL in 3D. Instead, this new venture is designed to offer 3D content all the time. That means 24/7 3D for those who own able sets.
On Monday, Sony announced that Julia Rao, a former executive at Discovery Channel, will serve as chief financial officer. Mark Ringwald from the AmericanLife TV Network will be director of scheduling and acquisitions. Although to the public the following might not be too exciting, this shows that Sony is indeed serious about this new venture of theirs and that there is a lot of work being done behind the scenes to make sure the channel gets ready for its 2011 launch date.
“Julia and Mark bring extensive industry experience and incredible enthusiasm to our fast-growing 3D team,” said Tom Cosgrove, president and CEO of the joint venture. “By leveraging the unmatched strength and expertise of Sony, Discovery and IMAX, we will establish this network as a leader in 3D with the most extensive library of original and exclusive high-quality 3D content available anywhere.”
Sony has just launched a new site to promote the Playstation Move before its September 17th release. Designed to contain both facts and be cheeky at the same time, I feel like the site gives out a lot of information for those who want it. For example, not sure how to tell your mom or girlfriend that you want the Playstation Move? Use the ‘Sensitive Fireman’ tool and in no time, the website will give you a personal video that you can play to your loved one to help convince them that you need a Playstation Move.
If that’s not enough, you can look at the Playstation Move Vs. Stuff. This is a simple chart that helps you break down the what the Microsoft Kinnect and Nintendo Wii offer versus the Playstation Move. Of course, KB will be there with you throughout the whole experience as well.
I have to say that I’m really enjoying what Sony has been doing with the Playstation Move. They face big competition with the unlimited money and resources Microsoft has so they have taken a different road. They are educating the public but also having fun with the brand and making it an enjoyable experience for all, not a new product that needs to be shoved down everyones throat.
SonyRumors.net SRN (Sony News, Rumor, Talk and Review) (Playstation, Playstation Network, Playstation Move, PSN, PS3, PSP, PSPgo, PSP2, Blu-ray, Bravia, 3D, Internet TV, Sony Ericsson, Xperia, Vaio Notebooks, Vaio Laptops, Vaio Desktops, eReader, Cybershot, Alpha, NEX, Handycam, Walkman) 
