Wednesday, October 30, 2013

Sony's expansive FAQ tells gamers everything they need to know about the PS4

Sony has put together a massive PlayStation 4 FAQ that compiles all of the console’s known parameters, functions and limitations to fully disclose everything gamers need to know about the upcoming system.



To put many of themisconceptions to rest, Sony has compiled a sizable FAQ that delves into everything we need to know about the PlayStation 4, taking apart the console and putting many of the rumors to rest once and for all.

The “Ultimate PS4 FAQ” takes a look at the console in a balanced light, and doesn’t try to use marketing fluff to skew the facts and reveals the console’s hardware limitations as well as its crowning achievements in clear and concise detail.

The FAQ details that all physical Blu-ray game discs will need to be cached onto the PS4′s hard drive, however gamers will be able to play games while the installation process is taking place, as well as during game updates. As with the PS3, discs are still required to play after the initial install.

Some of the hardware limitations include no support for external hard drives or flash drives. Sony confirms that users will indeed be able to swap out the console’s internal 500GB hard drive to replace it with a larger one, but it has to meet certain requirements:
[The] PS4 is equipped with a 5400 RPM SATA II hard drive. Users can choose to install a new hard drive so long as it complies with these standards, is no thicker than 9.5mm, and is larger than 160GB.



Moreover, the PS4 lacks DLNA support and thus cannot be used to steam media from a home PC. This is unfortunate, as both current-gen consoles–the Xbox 360 and PS3–are capable of streaming media across wireless networks.
Will PS4 support media servers or DLNA support in order to stream videos or movies from a home PC?



The PS4 system does not support client functionality for media servers.

Other limitations include the lack of music visualizations as well as no mp3 or audio CD playback; Sony will instead be offering its Unlimited Music and Unlimited Video services in their stead.

Sony has previously announced that users will need to download the PS4′s day one 1.50 system update to access a variety of features, and the company has revealed that a one-time internet activation is required to unlock the PS4′s Blu-ray playback capability. For those who opt out of or are unable to connect to the internet for online activation, Sony will mail them a Blu-ray activation disc.



These limitations may prove to be irksome to many, and it will be interesting to see if added pressure from the community will lead Sony to make a few changes via software updates, but the hardware limitations are all-but set in stone at this point.

The FAQ itself fits right in with Sony’s recent campaign to fully illuminate the PlayStation 4 in a complete light, and follows their recent announcements of the console’s final specs as well as the PlayStation App‘s Nov. 13 release date.

The Japanese console-maker also issued a brief on the additional features added in by the PS4′s 300MB day-one update, including Remote Play, second screen content and more.

We might see Microsoft issues a similar “tell all” FAQ that balances what the Xbox One does and doesn’t do in the future, but for now Sony’s candor is definitely well appreciated.

Sony’s next-gen Playstation 4 console launches on Nov. 15 in North American and Nov. 29 in Europe for a price point of $399. For more information be sure to head on over to the console’s official FAQ page.

Via PlayStation Blog





Read More: http://vr-zone.com/articles/sonys-ex...ps4/62262.html






via VRForums | Singapore Technology Lifestyle Forums - News around the web! http://forums.vr-zone.com/showthread.php?t=2954909&goto=newpost

No comments:

Post a Comment