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Sony won't offer option to disable PS4 DualShock 4 light bar
- Thread starter shinobi602
- Start date
Really? When the light is facing away from your TV?
I'm not trying to get into the rights and wrongs of it. The controller has a light on it and that's just the way it is. If it bothers people then I don't think it's a huge stress to position the light so that is doesn't reflect on the TV or disturb anyone. I'm trying to offer solutions not argue whether the light should be there in the first place.
I would be more concerned about the battery life thing to be honest.
Cloudius12
Member
Nyko's LED blocker.
BoboBrazil
Member
Maybe it's hardware related and they can't turn it off? That's the only way I can see that they wouldn't enable the option. When I'm playing games I never even see the bar anyway so it's uses for that is pretty much zero, Battery drain is horrible though. I only get 6-8 hrs before having to recharge.
The controller is on top of the blanket laying face up. Its not covered at all. Here is a pic of of it in complete darkness.
Its not even a worthy flashlight.
Deus Ex Machina
Member
Disable The Dualshock 4 LEDs To Extend The Battery Life Time
http://www.ps3hax.net/2013/11/disable-the-dualshock-4-leds-to-extend-the-battery-life-time/
http://www.ps3hax.net/2013/11/disable-the-dualshock-4-leds-to-extend-the-battery-life-time/
Really? Because the controller looks to be on top of the blanket. There's also a fold close to the ds4 lightbar which should be illuminated if the light is anywhere near as bright as you guys say it is.
You can turn it off on PC.
The controller is on top of the blanket laying face up. Its not covered at all. Here is a pic of of it in complete darkness.
Its not even a worthy flashlight.
That's not bad at all then. I'd rather be able to turn it off completely still but that shouldn't effect the more atmospheric games.
I would be surprised if LEDs have anything more than a negligible effect on battery life.
Biggest complaint I have with the controller is not being able to quick swap batteries, and on the DS4 the comparatively short life situation only adds to the problem. Xbox certainly does that right if you ask me.
CharminUltra
Member
The damn blue light is the reason the DS4 isn't my GOAT controller. Battery life is not that great, but I would be more willing to put up with it if they'd let me disable the light.
BoboBrazil
Member
Interesting, so definitely sounds like it can be turned off. Doesn't make sense why they wouldn't I don't even notice it when playing games, because I'm looking at the screen.
The one report that the guy on Neogaf did when he disconnected the light shows it doubling battery life.
That seems like a well thought out decision. Lol
I had to take a picture to show how much of a non-issue this is.
Clearly in the dark the TV is much brighter. Unless the ps4 light is pointed in my face I can barely see it.
Here are some terrible phone-quality pictures of what I see while seated on my couch, playing games:
I have a reflective screen, so usually play with the lights off. It's just as noticable lights-on, and is more distracting than normal reflections because the out-of-place blue light bobs around as I move. It's not the end of the world, but I personally get absolutely no utility out of the light in day-to-day usage and would like to be able to disable it on the OS level. Then, if a game ever does anything with it I care about, I can enable it on the OS level for just that without having to crack open my controller or have tape residue on it.
I don't think anyone has ever really put this above the level of annoyance, but who wants to be annoyed during downtime?
You still picked a screenshot where your screen is literally blindingly white. You know how you're not allowed to text during a movie at a theater? This is the same shit. It's annoying for people, how is this hard to believe.
hymanator
Member
If your tv or receiver supports "hdmi cec" you can control the PS4 with your tv's or receiver's IR remote. I tested it out recently and it works like a charm for controlling the PS4 with both my Vizio tv remote and my Onkyo receiver remote. You can avoid using the PS4 controller altogether this way. Another cool feature is that it will automatically switch to the correct input setting whenever you turn the PS4 on, so you no longer have to manually switch from hdmi 2 to 3 etc.
I don't think anyone has ever really put this above the level of annoyance, but who wants to be annoyed during downtime?
Pfft, drama queen.
/s
Das Mookid
Banned
Downside to adding the option is what exactly?
Auto-Reply
Member
Pillows and drawers become useless!
tokyo slim
Banned
Well, not really.
He didn't just disconnect the light, and the results were only applicable to controllers at idle. It's not possible to do more than assume the effect of the LED's alone on usable battery life based on that test.
adamsappel
Member
Get yourself these and change your life. I'm serious. And get this specific brand; it has a concave space that lets you open your eyes. Thank me later.
LowEndTorque
Member
This should have been the first post. The light doesn't bother me at all, but still... why not provide people with the option. Is it that much of a hassle?
Devilinthiscity
Member
An option to turn the light bar off by pushing the PS button would be nice. Not really seeing how big of a nuisance it is though, but thats just me.
I thought that was a scenario where they didn't touch the controller.
RedAssedApe
Banned
Disable The Dualshock 4 LEDs To Extend The Battery Life Time
http://www.ps3hax.net/2013/11/disable-the-dualshock-4-leds-to-extend-the-battery-life-time/
isn't the source for this article gaf? lol
It would still expand the, quite poor, battery life of the controller.
I will buy one, thanks.
RedNumberFive
Banned
I don't have a problem with the Dual Shock 4 light, but my baby video monitor and cable box light keep me up at night. Thanks for the recommendation.
RedNumberFive
Banned
A couple of pages in, and I think everyone is still missing the point about the light. It's less about functionality and ALL about branding. It's meant to stand out and pique the interest of onlookers. Whether or not that's at a sacrifice to your personal preference is up to you.
TAJ
Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.
That makes no sense at all. The 360 wireless controller has always-on LEDs and crazy-long battery life.
RedAssedApe
Banned
that tweet thread actually ends on a more positive note than is implied by the OP and CVG article IMO:
RyanPierre
Member
I feel like there's some room for misinterpretation here, and the article's author chose to go with the most extreme interpretation possible:
For reference, the question/response on Twitter:
One possible interpretation: Will any future update ever disable it?
Another: Will a future update you currently have planned disable it?
Later on, someone else tweeted at him about the lightbar being annoying, and he said thanks for the feedback. So for anyone else who's annoyed at not having the option to turn it off, it couldn't hurt to tweet @yosp with your feedback.
I feel like the primary reason they aren't planning to include an option to turn it off is that they aren't hearing enough feedback from people who are annoyed with the lightbar, which means they don't have much of an incentive to bother with adding an option in.
For reference, the question/response on Twitter:
@yosp @PlayStation Hi. Will a future update disable the DS4 lightbar for games that don't use the light? Save some battery & charging
One possible interpretation: Will any future update ever disable it?
Another: Will a future update you currently have planned disable it?
Later on, someone else tweeted at him about the lightbar being annoying, and he said thanks for the feedback. So for anyone else who's annoyed at not having the option to turn it off, it couldn't hurt to tweet @yosp with your feedback.
I feel like the primary reason they aren't planning to include an option to turn it off is that they aren't hearing enough feedback from people who are annoyed with the lightbar, which means they don't have much of an incentive to bother with adding an option in.
It's not a big issue, but it's silly they won't at least give people the option. They should only force it if the game being played needs it. I'd turn it off just to get extra battery life tbh, though it is quite nice to have on during certain games. Killzone for example and the different light coloured indicators.
Same old Sony. They see a litttle success with the new PlayStation and their arrogant ways return. Outrighting saying a big fat NO! to fixing the blue led light on the DS4 means theyre still stick in the PS3 era of thinking. Its like saying Our way or the fucking highway. They know its a fuckup but they dont care to fix it. LOL.
Not really a huge deal but it is annoying. Especially watching movies at night when in bed gotta hide it under a pillow or something as it is really distracting and noticeable. I really hope they release another version of the controller with the option to change it and a much better battery it seems like I'm always on empty. Also it drives my cat nuts lol she see the shine and follows it the whole time.
xn0
Member
Yea it was testing I did. It was funny to see my post in an article.
Heres the thread for those that are curious:
http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=723148
SolidusDave
Member
Not to mention that the answer to this specific question is most definitely a no, even if they will implement a dimming/shutting off option later on. Because it would require a developer to tick if the game needs the lightbar. So, no, they would never go with that solution.
IMO, reasons for Sony not allowing to turn it off (right now?):
- they might fear people will get confused about all kinds of small things they will then complain about ("my DS4 doesn't light up" "my DS4 doesn't show the battery status" "the game doesn't work with my DS4" "the game is supposed to tell me the color for puzzle x but it doesn't show" "the camera can't recognize my DS4 even though I'm pointing it right at it" etc. etc.)
- not many consider it an actual problem that needs to be fixed so Sony won't bother when they still have tons of stuff to implement, remember the PS3 clock (even if they are the vocal minority, Sony might think the complains above will be more common/worse because it actively will prevent someone to play a game).
- They kinda see the light as some iconic thing?
But oh well, I'm on the opposite end, I actually like the light so go ahead and complain to get some options. I enjoy it even for the little system gimmicks, was playing with my buddy recently and the PS4 automatically logged each of us in with our respective PSN account and and knew which controller we were holding (face recognition combined with the color of the DS4).
(btw having two controller fixes every battery issue you might have, if you're like me and mostly play alone but want a second controller for when friends come over. Because then you will just have one controller always charged, I do the same on PS3)
I had to take a picture to show how much of a non-issue this is.
Clearly in the dark the TV is much brighter. Unless the ps4 light is pointed in my face I can barely see it.
Amazing.
I'm on a plasma - a glass screen - when the scene is dark it is very noticeable. Your very bright, light scene is not a good comparison at all..
I'm surprised people keep asserting that it is a non-issue based on their own specific circumstances and not realising how stupid that is.
TheLegendOfMart
Banned
You knew it was going to be an issue when you bought it, why buy it then whine about it?
Bright-Light
Member
Mine does slightly reflect on my tv screen, but I only really notice it when there is a little downtime, like a loading screen or a long boring cutscene. As soon as the action starts I really don't notice it at all.
Still would be nice to be able to disable it.
I hear Outlast is free next month on ps+, I would like my room to be completely pitch black except for the tv.
Still would be nice to be able to disable it.
I hear Outlast is free next month on ps+, I would like my room to be completely pitch black except for the tv.