Re: OT: I got a DS!

> A perfect example is something like the
> memory stick: This wasn't invented for the PSP. It was to be regular old
> flash memory, to be used in their cameras, computers, PDM's and TV's. Fair
> enough, but existing flash formats were already available, it is just that
> Sony couldn't control the fact that you might buy some other manufacturer's
> product to use with their's, when they could make a buck too.

No argument there. Sony has had a wet dream for monopolies since the
70s. Look at the most classic example -- The Betamax. Quality was it
was superior, but Sony wanted to charge all sorts of royalities and
invoke control.. so everyone flipped them the bird and went with VHS,
it was inferior but free and open. Sony has tried since with things
like the MiniDisc another basically useless addition to music media. It
was useful for only a few years before CDRs became feasable.

> As a result, when I went shopping for a camera a few years back, Sony was
> never a consideration. Why lock myself into an entire product-line to get
> the maximum use? So I bought one that took SD memory. Now I can take that SD
> card and stick it into any laptop at work, into my Treo, into any
> photo-printer, etc., all from different manufacturers. Hey, lots of people
> make them too, so there is competitive pricing.

Once again i understand one part of your point, Sony sucks. I don't buy
too many Sony devices for the same reason. However, in the Game Market
its not like you have an alternative really. You don't see the DS
running off SD cards either, so I'm not sure what your point is. Its
more like apples and oranges. You expect a game console to use its own
media format for saves, etc. The PSP is no different. But I fail to see
how that's really relevant in the PSPs case as I don't think anyone
would expect it to be different. The PSP isn't a 'standard format
player' ie, there isn't a Fuji PSP that runs off SD cards. Its a closed
video game system, it might as well only take PSP specific media
cards.. it wouldn't be any different than any other game system
released previously.

> I wouldn't bet on the movies being so cheap to make. On the ultimate media
> cost, sure, but how much you wanna bet there is a steep licensing fee to use
> the format? Think the studios eat that? How much longer will they keep
> releasing in that format when really the market isn't that big?

Umm.. the studios are releasing these movies themselves, what sort of
licensing fees must they pay to themselves? Also Sony has stated the
cost of producing a UMD isn't much more than producing a standard DVD
which means pennies. And if you check the UMD movies have been selling
-very- well, why do you think you see so many of them being released?
If it was bombing the studios would have backed off by now, instead you
see 'available on DVD and PSP' on almost every new release commercial
now.

> matter of volume that can help determine prices. The base of PSP owners had
> better jump rapidly to see an equalization in price to approach DVD owners.
> Even worse, in three years an older release might sell for more than a new
> one when it comes to DVD's and CD's. Just look at the prices in the bins
> instead of what is up-front the store. I guarantee you, there will be no
> bins of UMD movies. The only way it might, is if the PSP2 uses the UMD as a
> format for media, aside from the whole number of PSP owners as a market
> question, or release a seperate, cheaper viewer, and is liscensed out to
> other manufacturers damn cheap as to make it ubiquitous.

I'm not catching you here. Demand drives prices as much as anything
else. Right now they've got people paying upwards of $25 for a new
release on UMD so they're going to push that as long as they can. Older
titles are selling for $15, but the prices are starting to drop a bit.
I just ordered to UMD Movies off DDD for $7 each, good titles as well.
Prices on UMDs will probably eventually fall, DVDs were $25-$30 for
standard editions when they first hit stores, but they eventually fell
as well.

> But yes, it does play overpriced games too. How come Nintendo's cards are
> cheaper? I would think they cost more to manufacture.

Nintendo's 'carts' or whatever you want to call them probably do cost
more to manufacture. I think the PSP games are overpriced. I'd like to
see them at the DS levels, ie $30-$35 for new releases. But I suspect
if Nintendo thought it could get away with selling its games for $50,
it probably would.

Like I said, I don't like Sony as a company but I like the PSP. Right
now there is no 'good' company. Microsoft is another ***
corporation and Nintendo might be the worst off all if given the
chance. Remember the NES era? Nintendo had a monopoly for a bit after
taking over and it ruled with an iron fist. We haven't seen anything
that draconian since luckily. (And If I recall Nintendo got hit with
Anti-Trust action as well). Bottom line, they're all evil, just enjoy
the games and don't worry about it so much.

= numsix
= http://813museum.villagebbs.com
=

.