Sony PS3 as a Blu-ray Disc player

[Ilya]

Sony PlayStation 3 with a price tag well below those of other announced BD players, is expected to become the most popular Blu-ray Disc player of them all. But will this really be a good choice for hometheater enthusiasts? Remains to be seen.

PS3 specs displayed at the Sony booth at CES-2006 stated the following:

Fully Software-decoded BD Player driven by Cell Processor​

So, if I understand this correctly, the PS3, will not have BD-decoder hardware. Instead, all decoding will be done in software. I wonder if the software-based decoding will work as well as hardware-based?

This, by the way, explains the latest rumor that PS3 may be released in two models: according to www.gamerandy.com there will be a $400 version, and a $600 version, both with BD drive, but only the more expensive one being able to play movies. The price difference could be the cost of the software license of the decoding software.

 

[Ilya]

By the way, the same concerns about software-based decoding vs. hardware-based decoding apply to the Microsoft's announced external HD DVD drive for XBox 360. Except that in Microsoft's case things are even worse: the XBox doesn't have digital video outputs (HDMI or DVI), only component. So it shouldn't be able to play certain movies (those with the ICT flag) in full HD resolution!

 

[T2k]

By the way, the same concerns about software-based decoding vs. hardware-based decoding apply to the Microsoft's announced external HD DVD drive for XBox 360. Except that in Microsoft's case things are even worse: the XBox doesn't have digital video outputs (HDMI or DVI), only component. So it shouldn't be able to play certain movies (those with the ICT flag) in full HD resolution!

You forgot an important factor: this drive will be external. Nothing prevents MS from releasing a standalone unit - X360 would be required, of course - with HDMI output.

 

[Ilya]

You forgot an important factor: this drive will be external. Nothing prevents MS from releasing a standalone unit - X360 would be required, of course - with HDMI output.

If Microsoft adds a hardware decoder and an HDMI output to their external drive it will make it essentially a standalone HD DVD player and will not result in any significant cost saving.

 

[Ilya]

By the way, that rumor about two PS3 models is not yet confirmed. It might be wrong.

 

[T2k]

If Microsoft adds a hardware decoder and an HDMI output to their external drive it will make it essentially a standalone HD DVD player and will not result in any significant cost saving.

And it's based on what facts? It depends on given prices of its various parts - which will be 6 months from now so it's kinda interesting to say now...