johancruijff
Banned
someone may even call it a feature
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PS4 Pro: Was the lack of a UHD Player Strategic?
- Thread starter ClearData
- Start date
dcx4610
Member
Blu-ray revenue was 6 billion for 2015. That's the same as Netflix. It would be stupid to ignore that amount of revenue and millions of Blu-rays sold.
I think the correct answer is Sony couldn't make a profit on Pro with a UHD drive OR, they want to push their streaming/digital services.
I think it's simply down to cost and having money on something that is of no benefit to gaming. £349.00 is a fantastic price what's inside the box and the price was enough to make me pre-order on Amazon as soon as the option was available.
They could have included a 4K blu-ray player but I certainly wouldn't have paid anything on top of what I am paying pay for it. They really don't want to start losing money on each sale and adding the cost of having a 4K blu-ray player onto of the £349.00 is likely to exclude some people who are just looking for what it does to games.
Maybe if it was released twelve months or more later when 4K blu-ray players had dropped in price it could have been a better idea but the primary function of the new model is surely what it can improve in PS4 games at relatively low cost.
I genuinely think the price is fantastic for the what it is.
They could have included a 4K blu-ray player but I certainly wouldn't have paid anything on top of what I am paying pay for it. They really don't want to start losing money on each sale and adding the cost of having a 4K blu-ray player onto of the £349.00 is likely to exclude some people who are just looking for what it does to games.
Maybe if it was released twelve months or more later when 4K blu-ray players had dropped in price it could have been a better idea but the primary function of the new model is surely what it can improve in PS4 games at relatively low cost.
I genuinely think the price is fantastic for the what it is.
outunderthestars
Banned
Because those apps didnt cost Sony anything to include....
mrmickfran
Member
Pretty sure it was just solely so the thing can be cheaper.
How much would it be with the player? $449? $499?
I honestly don't know.
How much would it be with the player? $449? $499?
I honestly don't know.
This
The fact that MS was able to include in the XB1s and bring the cost of the machine down in the process is pretty much nullifying any kind component cost argument.
the_batman
Banned
seriously. lower compression and high bitrate from discs makes it way better than streaming. not to mention if your internet is down or acting up.
family_guy
Member
Sony has their own 4K streaming service which will probably be coming to PS4 Pro at some point. Seems like they may be trying to limit their competition on the platform by not having UHD support.
Kenzodielocke
Banned
Well, it looks like they don't want to lose money on consoles and also don't want to break the 399 barrier, so it makes sense.
XBox One S has 4k and HDR, 500GB for 299€
PS4 Pro has 4k streaming + HDR, no 4k disc drive, 1TB, double the GPU power, CPU and RAM OC for 399€
Pricing seems fair to me, but I am too disappointed in the lack of a 4k blu-ray player.
XBox One S has 4k and HDR, 500GB for 299€
PS4 Pro has 4k streaming + HDR, no 4k disc drive, 1TB, double the GPU power, CPU and RAM OC for 399€
Pricing seems fair to me, but I am too disappointed in the lack of a 4k blu-ray player.
Shao Kahn Brewing a Stew
Banned
Microsoft carcass in alley this morning. Tire tread on burst UHD Blu-ray drives. This community's afraid of me. I've seen its true face. The forums are extended gutters and the gutters are full of salt. And when the drains finally scab over, all the trolls will drown. The accumulated filth of all their F2Ps and MMOs will foam up around their waists and all the publishers and developers will look up and shout "Save us!"... and I'll whisper "No."
They had a choice, all of them. They could have followed in the footsteps of good men like my father, or President Harai. Decent men who believed in a day's work for a day's pay. Instead they followed the droppings of lechers and communists and didn't realize that the trail led over a precipe until it was too late. Don't tell me they didn't have a choice. Now the whole world stands on the brink, staring down into bloody Hell, all those liberals and intellectuals and smooth talkers...and all of a sudden nobody can think of anything to say.
They had a choice, all of them. They could have followed in the footsteps of good men like my father, or President Harai. Decent men who believed in a day's work for a day's pay. Instead they followed the droppings of lechers and communists and didn't realize that the trail led over a precipe until it was too late. Don't tell me they didn't have a choice. Now the whole world stands on the brink, staring down into bloody Hell, all those liberals and intellectuals and smooth talkers...and all of a sudden nobody can think of anything to say.
storybook77
Member
But don't tell us it's because we're about just the games when you're telling us it'll stream 4k video content as well. It's a mixed message. Just say you cut costs.
good thing the PS4 Pro plays blurays then
I definitely think a pricing breakdown if someone makes one is going to shed a lot of light on the decision.
I've no idea if it was strategic, if it was to keep the price down then I guess. I'd like to know the difference in price between a UHD and regular Blu-Ray drive though.
I do think they should have included one, or like someone mentioned above I think they should have had a separate SKU with one and maybe a bigger HD or SSD for $100 or so more.
It does seem odd when Sony sell UHD TVs, and Sony Pictures are probably quite happy to sell us a bunch of new and legacy UHD films. It's also somewhat out of character for the Playstation brand when you look back at the PSX, PS2 and PS3.
I do think they should have included one, or like someone mentioned above I think they should have had a separate SKU with one and maybe a bigger HD or SSD for $100 or so more.
It does seem odd when Sony sell UHD TVs, and Sony Pictures are probably quite happy to sell us a bunch of new and legacy UHD films. It's also somewhat out of character for the Playstation brand when you look back at the PSX, PS2 and PS3.
If they put it in and priced it at $450-$500 it would have been "wah wah wah! I don't even WANT UHD Blurays! Who gets blurays these days? Sony just RIPPING US OFF with things we DON'T WANT!!"
They don't put it in and it's "wah wah wah! I don't have a 4k tv or plan to buy one in the next 10 years but I WANT A 4K BLURAY PLAYER! SONY IS STUPID!"
Even if a UHD drive is just $1 more than a BD drive (which it's clearly not), do you have any idea how much that's going to cost when you're selling tens of millions of units? If you're going to rag on Sony, look at the bigger picture. Not to mention, no matter how they say it's a "Pro" console, they want to sell it to the general public in mass numbers. If it's $500 that's not going to happen. PLUS, having it $100 more than the Slim makes it all the more enticing. "Hey, I could get the slim for $300 or just pay another $400 and get the Pro. $400 is what the PS4 originally cost and it was a great deal back then."
They don't put it in and it's "wah wah wah! I don't have a 4k tv or plan to buy one in the next 10 years but I WANT A 4K BLURAY PLAYER! SONY IS STUPID!"
Even if a UHD drive is just $1 more than a BD drive (which it's clearly not), do you have any idea how much that's going to cost when you're selling tens of millions of units? If you're going to rag on Sony, look at the bigger picture. Not to mention, no matter how they say it's a "Pro" console, they want to sell it to the general public in mass numbers. If it's $500 that's not going to happen. PLUS, having it $100 more than the Slim makes it all the more enticing. "Hey, I could get the slim for $300 or just pay another $400 and get the Pro. $400 is what the PS4 originally cost and it was a great deal back then."
Agnostic Priest
Member
Ive streamed 4K Netflix to my TV, and it can't compare to a disc (at least judging 1080p streaming vs disc).
I am upgrading to an XB1S for the UHD player. I'll have to pass on upgrading my ps4.
I am upgrading to an XB1S for the UHD player. I'll have to pass on upgrading my ps4.
Chris Metal
Member
Well they don't think UHD is DOA and going the way of streaming cause they've just unveiled recently their dedicated UHD player. It's just a case of keeping the cost below $400 while maintaining value for what it's primarily built for with enhanced features over the original.
Karspankey
Banned
I like the fact that Sony is going all out on gaming as someone who doesn't watch movies or TV at all. I would like to think that it was a decision to keep the price down. Something that every press outlet actually focuses on. The pressure to make the thing cheap was obviously strong enough.
Yes, I agree this is bizarre, but I can't find any justification. I can't wait to hear the reasoning behind it.
That's not true at all. Also, game consoles are a great choice for a disc-based movie player because you can rely on them to get firmware updates to fix playback issues or possibly support updated audio or video codecs. Many standalone players are quickly abandoned by their manufacturers, or are too frustrating to update if they get updates at all. And when your game console also plays movies, that eliminates the need to add yet another device in front of your tv. It's more convenient for the consumer and gets movie players into the homes of more people. Sony would only make this decision if they are trying to kill UHD bluray as a consumer format.
What is this?? This is an insane train of thought. A huge majority still buy physical movies.
Unknown Soldier
Member
If their strategy was pissing off loyal owners of PlayStation since the PS2 who expected it to Only Do Everything then yes, it's a brilliant strategy.
outunderthestars
Banned
Did they ever call it a premium device?
UpUpDownDown
Member
Why does gaming side seem obsessed about a movie format?
Outrun
Member
A dumb move is a dumb move.
I don't know what their strategy is, but it did not resonate with me.
Blackleg-sanji1
Banned
Ignoring everything else and the difference in specs sure
Well the Pro moniker still sort of implies that.
It's called "Pro" for crying out loud.
Shpeshal Nick
aka Collingwood
I guess they're keeping costs down.
But pushing a 4K console that doesn't have a 4K Blu-Ray player and can't run games in 4K natively is just...I dunno. Dodgy?
But pushing a 4K console that doesn't have a 4K Blu-Ray player and can't run games in 4K natively is just...I dunno. Dodgy?
the_batman
Banned
isn't that what Pro signifies?
Sanctuary
Member
That isn't necessarily true at all. Some people just ended up with a 4K screen sometime this year, and the Neo leaks/rumors have run amok since the beginning of the year, with many expecting it to have a UHD drive. Furtherrmore, it wasn't worth paying $500 for one of the select few players that were available at the time for the small amount of currently available 4K discs.
BlueTsunami
there is joy in sucking dick
UHD feels like a niche within a niche. Would I go out of my way to get a UHD disk if there was one? Well I would need a 4K TV, and 4K content and even then it isn't something id really pine for.
Physical media is dying and it's funny Microsoft is trying to act like they're the champions of this subset when they were pretty vocal about the digital future.
Physical media is dying and it's funny Microsoft is trying to act like they're the champions of this subset when they were pretty vocal about the digital future.
AHA-Lambda
Member
ok, as much as 4K blu ray isn't very popular, surely it's not difficult to add in this playback feature? Especially for a device that is selling itself on 4k ability =/
ScientificPizza
Banned
YAAAAAS spoon feed me that corporate spin
No, just biased
You honestly believe you'll see Scorpio launch without 4K Blu-Ray support?
Diprosalic
Banned
i don't think it's a dumb move, people won't care and it saves costs.
that doesn't mean that i support it, i hate that apple removed the headphone jack but i doubt it will have any noticable impact on their business.
that doesn't mean that i support it, i hate that apple removed the headphone jack but i doubt it will have any noticable impact on their business.
still the best selling physical format. wouldn't have thought so years ago but it's not going anywhere
Yup. It is crazy. For months there was nonstop speculation of how PS4 Pro will be a media machine and now that it doesn't have UHD blu-ray support, oh most people already stream, most have other players etc.
potatohead
Member
There's a lot of incentive for these guys to push people to 4K content on digital distribution.
Netflix can even have a deal with Sony for this, further pushes Netflix platform too.
PlayStation is also the most commonly used console for Netflix, apparently still? Maybe? Partnership there is important.
And Sony has their own 4K digital content to advertise as well.
Cost will be lower for Neo because of it.
BluRay 4K is not something that will happen as fast as Netflix 4K. BluRay will take a much longer time to adopt the new discs and buy movies again etc.
Netflix 4K is there if you have the box and the service. That's it.
I would've preferred to have 4K BD support though. That's just me. That's not necessarily what the market will buy anyway though. Sony is betting they'll still buy this anyway. I think they should have included it regardless.
Netflix can even have a deal with Sony for this, further pushes Netflix platform too.
PlayStation is also the most commonly used console for Netflix, apparently still? Maybe? Partnership there is important.
And Sony has their own 4K digital content to advertise as well.
Cost will be lower for Neo because of it.
BluRay 4K is not something that will happen as fast as Netflix 4K. BluRay will take a much longer time to adopt the new discs and buy movies again etc.
Netflix 4K is there if you have the box and the service. That's it.
I would've preferred to have 4K BD support though. That's just me. That's not necessarily what the market will buy anyway though. Sony is betting they'll still buy this anyway. I think they should have included it regardless.
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