So, it is no mystery that I dislike Sony. I dislike them because they have really not done anything for gaming except win a war by default because Sega dropped the ball on executing their Saturn Console and for continually lying (and cheat consumers). When they released the PS2 they proclaimed the console as a PC killer and did not include an Ethernet connection. Lack of an Ethernet connection indicated that Sony was NOT serious about online gaming (giving people modems, so weak). They did not accelerate their online gaming service for dial up and broadband until Microsoft announced when LIVE would be available. Suddenly Sony had urgency to bring gaming online due to competition NOT because it was in the best interests of their customers, us gamers. Microsoft built LIVE using their own money, some 4 billion over 5 years and delivered a cutting edge network for a small fee of 49.99 a year (
see my LIVE vs Sony Online article). A network that continues to grow with the launch of the Video Marketplace on Wednesday the 22nd.
Now Sony has launched PS3, a over-rated console that everyone believes is "swiss cheese". The console has a magnitude of issues. Unable to
upscale a signal to 1080i forcing 480p if the HDTV does not support 720p.
HDMI issues are creeping up and will continue. HDMI is very new should not be forced on the average consumer. Us early adopters are ok with stuff like this but the average person should not suffer when attempting to use a connectivity form factor that Sony has hailed as the premiere interface. All of this after you have to buy an HDMI cable as one is not included. Apparently after building a half a*s network, the Sony Online Network is problematic with people having issues getting through the registration process so they can play games online. Sure XBOX 360 had issues but the majority of them were heated related either due to failed components or the foil issue (foil left on the heatsink). The XBOX 360 was very functional out of the box and did not suffer from basic display compatibility issues.
And let us not forget that you must update your PS3 FW before getting to any real business. The process takes 10 minutes. So basically when Sony shipped the PS3 from the factory it was NOT VERY functional. How wrong is that? Put apparently no one cares as
Sony brand loyalty is still high (go figure, logic does not apply here, you have now entered the "Twilight Zone").