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[Caio]

Im surprised how much more smaller it is

Yep, I still can't believe, and it looks also very very nice, even though NEO is my next purchase But this new model will sell like hot cakes, for sure.

 

[Pancakes R Us]

What's the optical port for, on the OG model? Does anyone here use it?

 

[joebruin]

What's the optical port for, on the OG model? Does anyone here use it?

For audio? Yes many people still use it.

 

[KoolAidPitcher]

Looks like a great console. I hope they sell it for cheap, $299 or even $249.

The lack of optical is no big deal, really. You have sooooo many surround sound options...
1) connect the PS4 to your audio receiver's HDMI input and connect the TV to the HDMI output (passthrough)
2) connect the PS4 to your TV directly and the receiver will receive audio through it's HDMI output to the TV via the audio return channel (ARC). No optic cable required. Newer tvs and receivers only. Using ARC will allow you to free your optical out on your TV so you can, for example, connect optical headphones to your tv.
3) connect the PS4 to your TV directly and run the optical cable from your TV to your receiver. (Basically all TV'S can do this)
4) connect your PS4 to your TV directly and run a coaxial cable from your TV to your receiver. (Older TVs. Yes, this is still digital 5.1)

Tbh, you would have to have a pretty lame home theater setup to not be able to support one of these cases. I bet a lot of the people complaining have a setup capable of using 5.1 ARC and don't even realize they no longer need an optic cable.

Even if your setup cannot support the above cases, you can still...
5) continue using your existing ps4 with optical out. After all, there appears to be no reason to upgrade.

As for the lack of 4K, has this actually been confirmed? Even if the PS4/PS4 Slim are only HDMI 1.4-- HDMI 1.4 supports 4K at up to 30fps. See: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/HDMI Movies are filmed at 24fps, so this shouldn't be a problem. The real question is whether they can support HDCP 2.2-- perhaps through software (?). If they can, then I see no reason why Sony couldn't firmware update every PS4 to support 4K Blu rays. There's even a way to transfer 4K@60hz over HDMI 1.4 as nvidia began doing in their 340 series drivers. http://www.tomshardware.com/news/nvidia-kepler-4k-hdmi-1.4,27117.html Basically, how this is accomplished is they send luma (brightness) in 4K and chroma (color) in 1080p and the display interpolates the two signals to produce a 4K image which while not pixel-perfect, is very close to full bandwidth 4K.

 

[ThoughtsOfSpeaking]

Ugly as sin and no 4K - sounds like arrogant Sony is back with a vengeance. Sounds like I'll be waiting for the Neo too.

Sure buddy.

 

[Curufinwe]

I expect the Eurogamer/DF review to be extremely thorough since they've had access to it for weeks before launch.

 

[Panajev2001a]

Not really. People with older receivers can get bitstream DD and DTS by connecting the TV to the receiver (most HDTVs have optical out). If they don't, you can get an HDMI to optical audio extractor for cheap.

Optical is an aging format, it's time to let it go.

In the nicest way possible, speak for yourself . Optical audio out costs Sony pennies and replacing a perfectly working 5.1 DD/DTS A/V receiver just because "hey come on grandpa, update your HW". Blu-Ray movies do not mandate LPCM soundtrack at 7.1+ channels so do not describe this situation as someone still pretending active tech support for an Amiga CD-32 .

Also most TV's only output 2.1 sound. I do that for my PS3 and my Wii U.

 

[Thebeardofknowledge]

Ugly as sin and no 4K - sounds like arrogant Sony is back with a vengeance. Sounds like I'll be waiting for the Neo too.

 

[brink22]

Based on this review--If my math checks out, this thing is 33% smaller by volume, right?

 

[NotSmartEnough]

Bought a wireless headset a year ago. It uses optical. Past my ass.

The specific question I answered was "Is optical a thing of the past or something?". I think it is; I've been using digital optical and digital coaxial for many years, but HDMI has almost completely superseded it. Sure, there are still uses for it, I've got an optical cable running from my TV to my amp, as my amp doesn't have ARC. The few use cases that remain for optical doesn't stop my argument from being valid.

My 2016 UHD/HDR TV has a SCART input! I could barely believe it when I saw it. The fact that it's still got some legacy support doesn't mean it isn't well past its heyday.

If someone was setting up a gaming/home cinema system from scratch would you honestly recommend SCART, S-Video, TOSLINK or component to them? No, they are things of the past. Anyone starting from scratch would go HDMI with HDCP 2.2, it's the only thing vaguely future-proof.

 

[KoolAidPitcher]

While I think this is a great idea, I have precisely zero interest in getting a PS4 slim. This console isn't for people who already have PS4's. It is for people who do not yet have one, and it allows Sony to make them and sell them cheaper.

 

[autoduelist]

I love the light bar.

Yeah, this actually makes more sense. Color coding for in game status never worked with the current DS4 because the player can't easily see the bar... so it was clearly there for motion detection with camera.

This allows it to serve both purposes.

 

[MCN]

Not offering 4K upscaling is kind of a huge miss.

Expected, given that only one "slim" console in history has ever added a feature.

 

[Woodchipper]

I would be surprised if it's more than $249. The whole point of Slim models has always been to be cheap, and while I do think it looks nice, it also looks cheap.

 

[ToD_]

For those who really want the slim (or another HDMI only console) and need optical, there are breakout boxes (HDMI to optical) available. I bought one from Monoprice before I upgraded my receiver, and used HDMI to optical from several sources. The only issue I would run into sometimes is when Dolby Digital + is used. Most older receivers do not decode this and you may not have audio since the box really just passes through the audio. This issue only applies to streaming video such as Netflix and Amazon. Dolby Digital, DTS and 2ch PCM work just fine.

 

[Diprosalic]

Based on this review--If my math checks out, this thing is 33% smaller by volume, right?

Microsoft shaved 40% off, Sony stay losing. Sad.

 

[Kenzodielocke]

Based on this review--If my math checks out, this thing is 33% smaller by volume, right?

Can you add XB1 and S to that comparison?

 

[Vashetti]

Has there been any power consumption tests yet?

 

[BigEmil]

Microsoft shaved 40% off, Sony stay losing. Sad.

Easy for them as the original Xbox One was huge lol

 

[marrec]

Expected, given that only one "slim" console in history has ever added a feature.

Which just happens to be the "slim" console directly competing with this one lol

 

[Ushay]

So let me get this right;

- No Optical Audio Input?
- No HDR support
- No 4k Blu Ray Player built in

I'm hoping this thing is priced reasonably, because it looks like Sony is giving no regard to their competitors. Or perhaps they have the mindset that the Neo will house all the premium features?

Anyone know if this is overclocked over the OG model?

 

[solomon]

No optical port is kind of a big deal no?

I was thinking the same thing, now I can't use my set up.

 

[Inuhanyou]

You can use an adapter for surround sound systems to get around the optical omission.

So let me get this right;

- No Optical Audio Input?
- No HDR support
- No 4k Blu Ray Player built in

I'm hoping this thing is priced reasonably, because it looks like Sony is giving no regard to their competitors. Or perhaps they have the mindset that the Neo will house all the premium features?

Anyone know if this is overclocked over the OG model?

That's the point of it. NEO is the premium unit with all the features, PS4 Slim(or the new PS4) is a budget entree level PS4 with only the most necessary things included.

They were trying to shave off as much from manufacturing costs as possible, and build up NEO's own exclusive featureset.

And no, its not overclocked.

I expect 249 personally.

 

[Panajev2001a]

This is not true. A vast majority of tvs now output 5.1 through the audio return channel (ARC) over the HDMI connection from your receiver. A lot of people continue to use optical audio cables not realizing they don't need them anymore. Moreover, usage of ARC frees the optical out on your TV so you can connect optical headphones directly to your tv.

You are now talking about HDMI ARC, but you said using optical output of the TV before. On the optical out it only sends 2.1 out.

Anyways, I got my Sony Android TV this year and I will admit I have not used the ARC channel to connect the receiver to it (I really do not want to reconfigure the HDMI1 ARC channel video picture settings to match what I have done for the one the PS4 is connected. Le though... sigh...).

If I connected the receiver to the ARC enabled HDMI port would this help with the other devices that are connected to the TV (4 HDMI inputs on the TV and only 1 HDMI input on the receiver... which yes sucks...).

 

[sirronoh]

No optical port is kind of a big deal no?

No, it's not a big deal.

The people who know and care enough about optical ports are people who likely already have a PS4. This box is very clearly being designed for people who have yet to buy a PS4. For those don't own a PS4 but are tech savvy enough to care about these options, that's what the Neo is for.

 

[univbee]

So let me get this right;

- No Optical Audio Input?
- No HDR support
- No 4k Blu Ray Player built in

I'm hoping this thing is priced reasonably, because it looks like Sony is giving no regard to their competitors. Or perhaps they have the mindset that the Neo will house all the premium features?

Anyone know if this is overclocked over the OG model?

I think the plan is for the Slim to replace the base unit entirely, so the two in-store options will be the lower-cost slim SKU with regular Blu-ray and 1080p support, and the Neo which will support UHD, 4K, and all of those good things.

 

[jmdajr]

Sure is ugly! I'll stick with what I have and get a Neo if my current one breaks.

 

[Bitch Pudding]

I expect 249 personally.

$249 and 20mn units for the current financial year does not compute. It'd be much, much more.

I think it's 299, still a price drop btw, and of course you can get one on Brack Friday for just 249 with at least one game .

 

[kyser73]

No optical port is kind of a big deal no?

Only for people who use it for their surround set ups.

I think the plan is for the Slim to replace the base unit entirely, so the two in-store options will be the lower-cost slim SKU with regular Blu-ray and 1080p support, and the Neo which will support UHD, 4K, and all of those good things.

This, and I'm not clear on why people don't understand it.

That the thing is simply called PS4 without a suffix should be a big giveaway.

 

[KoolAidPitcher]

I cannot believe how many people are complaining about the lack of an optical audio port. This is way overblown, as there are tons of alternatives, such as optical ports on your television or the HDMI Audio Return Channel (ARC).

 

[PLASTICA-MAN]

No Optical Out for the Slim is really a bummer. I hope they won't do the same for the Neo.

 

[DragoonKain]

How long do you think it'll take for current PS4 design to be cleared out of the current retail circulation?

 

[The Maverick]

People will complain until the Neo is shown and the slim is $249. It'll be crystal clear how they plan to get to 20 million by the end of the fiscal year.

I'm keeping my OG PS4 unless the Neo is beautiful.

 

[NoFoX]

Ugly as fuck imo.
Sony why? I hope NEO looks good!

 

[Panajev2001a]

You should set up ARC-- it's easy and will eliminate a cable from your setup. You won't regret it. That will free the optical out on your TV for headphones, which 2.1 is perfectly sufficient for. And yes, all devices which are connected to your tv will output audio over ARC, as will apps on your tv such as netflix.

I shall then... I have no use for optical out for headphones now, but if I can get 5.1 on Wii U and PS3... it may be well worth it.

 

[Granadier]

Based on this review--If my math checks out, this thing is 33% smaller by volume, right?

Only 33%? What is this, amateur hour?

 

[0ptimusPayne]

Sucks that it doesn't have a UHD bluray drive, but I honestly see them going for the throat for a $249 retail price. At the end of the day it may not have a UHD bluray drive, but that doesn't change the fact that this small ass console is still more powerful than the OG X1 and X1 slim especially if you're huge on 3rd party games.

 

[d00p]

if you're still using optical for audio, time to upgrade to HDMI. just do it.

whats a good wireless headset that uses hdmi?

 

[NotSmartEnough]

People will complain

Fixed.

How much outrage was there about the lack of component connections at the start of this gen? Seems like a bigger deal than the removal of optical from a slim version.

Were the meltdowns glorious, or did people just accept that component's day was done?

 

[MCN]

This is pretty awesome, lol.

I can't help but wonder if said Youtube commenter was banned from NeoGAF for being a racist shitstain.

 

[novabolt]

Is it naive to think that with the new internals, Sony has bumped up the power (Even by a little)? Like to 1.9TF because apparently they did that before to the PS3 Slim.

 

[Inuhanyou]

$249 and 20mn units for the current financial year does not compute. It'd be much, much more.

I think it's 299, still a price drop btw, and of course you can get one on Brack Friday for just 249 with at least one game .

Sony has been conservative with their targets for a while now, they don't just predict exactly what they actually will do.

Is it naive to think that with the new internals, Sony has bumped up the power (Even by a little)? Like to 1.9TF because apparently they did that before to the PS3 Slim.

Its not likely, and they did not do that with the PS3 slim.

XB1 S did it, but according to Spencer, only to allow HDR in games. PS4 Slim has support for HDR, thus no upclock.

 

[Elios83]

$249 and 20mn units for the current financial year does not compute. It'd be much, much more.

I think it's 299, still a price drop btw, and of course you can get one on Brack Friday for just 249 with at least one game .

20m target is conservative.
It even includes possible components shortages by external suppliers due to the earthquake.
Last year the PS4 forecast was upped twice.

Btw at this point it's pretty clear that PS4 Slim will be sold in the 249-299$ prince range and Neo in the 399-449$ price range.
I could see them going for the upper range though because they still have the original PS4 units to firesale in September on top of the Slim and because they can still drop the price by 50$ during the peak of the holiday season (BF and December) as happened last year.
In any case with Slim, Neo and PSVR they'll have a really successful end of the year, it's a really good and well differentiated strategy.

 

[Freddo]

Has there been any power consumption tests yet?

Doesn't seem like it? Which is a bummer, cause it's all I'm interested in really.

 

[The Hamburglar]

Optical is a big deal. My mix amp from my Astros uses it.

 

[Kyoufu]

Optical is a big deal. My mix amp from my Astros uses it.

Plug it into your TV instead.

 

[TaintedHotSauce]

Optical is a big deal. My mix amp from my Astros uses it.

Your TV should be able to pass it through its optical output to your Mixamp.

 

[joebruin]

20m target is conservative.
It even includes possible components shortages by external suppliers due to the earthquake.
Last year the PS4 forecast was upped twice.

Btw at this point it's pretty clear that PS4 Slim will be sold in the 249-299$ prince range and Neo in the 399-449$ price range.
I could see them going for the upper range though because they still have the original PS4 units to firesale in September on top of the Slim and because they can still drop the price by 50$ during the peak of the holiday season (BF and December) as happened last year.
In any case with Slim, Neo and PSVR they'll have a really successful end of the year, it's a really good and well differentiated strategy.

Yup I see $299 initially with a bundled game. As much as the hardcore is kicking and screaming about xbone s and hdr/4k they don't need to be cheaper than xbone. Those fringe benefits don't market to the people who are the target audience. They just want the best bang for the buck to play games.

In the meantime they have og ps4s they can firesale at $249.99. By Black Friday they can reduce the ps4 slim for another momentum push. While neo stays the same and just gets the usual holiday bundles. Neo enhanced uncharted 4 or something.

 

[Celcius]

How long do you think it'll take for current PS4 design to be cleared out of the current retail circulation?

I've been hearing worldwide that units are becoming scarce and Sony has stopped shipping them in distribution channels.

 

[shouamabane]

I haven't used optical in 10 years and I don't know anyone who does.