For most of 2010, Sony led the way in Australia for integrated IPTV in its television sets. But IPTV is only a small fraction of the potential for integrated entertainment on a flat panel television. Gaming is destined to be the next big boom for television screens, and it’s time for Sony to leverage its assets by sticking a Playstation 3 console into a premium Bravia TV.
Sony understand the appeal of combining the Playstation 3 with Bravia televisions. For the past few years, it has regularly run bonus promotions offering a free PS3 with the purchase of a Sony television, all of which have been hugely successful. But there hasn’t been the slightest peep of Sony taking the next step and integrating the console into the television itself, even with Sir Howard Stringer making it his personal mission to see the different business arms of Sony better working with each other.
The most surprising aspect is that it shouldn’t be too difficult to do. We’ve already seen plenty of televisions on the market with integrated slot-loading Blu-ray players. As you can see from any PS3 teardown, the other main components of the console that would need to be integrated are the hard drive and the (admittedly large) circuit board that powers the console. But by making the PS3 the default operating system of the TV, you could potentially free some space by removing the default television circuitry.
Admittedly, there would be some engineering hurdles to overcome. The PS3 pulls a lot of power, and making the Playstation Bravia energy efficient could prove problematic. A good cooling strategy would also be essential, with the combined PS3 and Bravia destined to create a lot of heat.
But the advantages far outweigh both of those challenges. Consider the benefits of having an integrated Blu-ray player and games console. Consider the benefits of integrating Play TV into the television itself, creating a real DVR inside a television (unlike the USB version found on TVs today).
But most importantly would be the sense of innovation around such a creation. It’s not like Sony would be completely killing off the dedicated console, but instead combining it into a premium unit, the perfect solution for the space conscious gamer who loves their high definition entertainment. It would be an advantage no other manufacturer would be able to top without forming a specific alliance with Microsoft or Nintendo, neither of which is overly likely to happen.
While the other major TV brands have all pushed out the idea of apps on televisions this year, Sony is still comfortable with sticking with IPTV (although the partnership with Google TV would address that should Google TV ever launch in Australia). But this idea could help the Japanese manufacturer break away from its competitor by leveraging its own strengths.
Make it happen Sony.
Paul
Friday, May 20, 2011 at 3:01 PMMagazines and Newspapers are disposable.
With the Ipad you need to be alot more careful with it, know where you are going to see if its actually convenient to bring the device.
A lot more care is needed with such an expensive device vs a newspaper for $1 that you buy when you are out somewhere then just throw it in the bin once you are done or even give it to someone else to read.
Needn’t not worry about security either.
Another Point is that with the Ipad, I have the internet, I can look at the internet for my news and information.
Reading material presented in the newspaper or magazine format is still easier in it’s physical form.
Adam
Friday, May 20, 2011 at 3:12 PMWhat’s that got to do with this article?
Xheis
Friday, May 20, 2011 at 10:52 PMI second that.
ozoneocean
Saturday, May 21, 2011 at 3:49 AMProbably he meant to post here: http://www.gizmodo.com.au/2011/05/does-anybody-read-digital-magazines/ on the digital magazine article.
andronicus
Friday, May 20, 2011 at 3:22 PMi think he meant to post that in the does anybody read e-magazines article.
either that or its just a really funny response by really getting into a topic totally unrelated to the article. think i might try that myself.
Nic
Friday, May 20, 2011 at 5:16 PMIt does look fun lol. And there’s the bonus of making people think you’re insightful, by presumably somehow having a link in your head between the topics.
Matt
Friday, May 20, 2011 at 3:23 PMCouldn’t agree with this article more – as I mentioned yesterday, it would also save space in your entertainment unit too as in one less componet to clutter up space!
Dan
Friday, May 20, 2011 at 3:33 PMCool idea.
Pitty the Bravia panels aren’t as good as they used to be (compared to their competitors) and the PS3 OS is rather limited.
Ross Weekes
Friday, May 20, 2011 at 3:45 PMWell.. integrated systems is something that will in the end loose money(On an intelligent shopper anyway!)
Just think – now you have to take your giant-ass tv with you to your mates place when he wants to borrow it!
More-over if you wish to upgrade screens – you’ll have to buy anothe ps3..
:| no-joy!
Modular systems all the way. seperate sound, console, tv etc.
RB
Friday, May 20, 2011 at 4:06 PM“More-over if you wish to upgrade screens – you’ll have to buy anothe ps3..”
This, plus what happens if your PS3 breaks but the TV part still works? No TV while you ship it all back to be repaired?
No thanks…
The Gremlin
Friday, May 20, 2011 at 4:07 PMUmh. Your arguments dont hold. If I had one of those, I wouldnt be lending it. And the TV is almost certain to outlast the PS3.
Dan
Friday, May 20, 2011 at 3:49 PMBut then you would be stuck with play tv as your TV. I’m sorry be Ptv is bad.
s1mon
Friday, May 20, 2011 at 4:01 PMAnd when sony has another security breach does the tv stop working for a month?
The Gremlin
Friday, May 20, 2011 at 4:09 PMPerhaps the only downside I see to this it that it would “cheapen” the image of the PS3.
fural
Friday, May 20, 2011 at 4:55 PMThere are many lgs which aleady have a built in pvr.
Chumly
Friday, May 20, 2011 at 7:47 PMthis is not feasible due to production costs.
Sony have a now very efficient assembly line pumping out PS3s and have taken quite some time to get to a point where they can do it cost effectively.
To think that reconfiguring a PS3 into a TV would come even close to the cost of a much thinner and therefore more marketable panel and a separate PS3 is hard to imagine.
Paul
Friday, May 20, 2011 at 8:55 PMI think its a brilliant idea, I too can’t believe it hasn’t been done.
I own 3 x PS3s in my household, I use them just to stream media from my NAS and/or play bluray.
I have about 5 games that I’ve never played (came free with them etc).
As OP said, they were giving them away with the TVs anyway, so why not integrate and add a nominal fee.
There would be a fair bit of cost saving surely, only 1 PSU needed etc, there certainly would be a lot of shared components.
Bring on the PS4TV (get it PlayStation4, PlayStation FOR, etc) OMG.
I have no problem with the integrated / obsolete of either unit. It’s not like they are going to stop selling standalone units, so you could always update to PS5 if you want to. That is a weak argument, since the people making it probably all own a 27″ iMac.
Paul 2
Friday, May 20, 2011 at 10:09 PMBut then the best thing about digital SLR cameras is not that they are easy to use, or that you can have them on hand whenever you need them to take that ‘perfect’ impromptu shot; it’s that you need to plan your photo, take time to compose the shot and then set out.
Its the difference between a happy accident and acheiving something through hard work.
Andrew
Friday, May 20, 2011 at 10:16 PMThanks but no thanks… I want to keep my items separate, for the reasons above. I would also think that a person trying to save money can probably make Tv last a lot longer than the currant cycle renew of consoles. Its what 2 years or so till the next ones start getting serious? Then you will have to buy a new tv as well as a new console. Hey, this is why we have perfectly good HDMI!
Chriss
Friday, May 20, 2011 at 11:53 PMI would rather have Sony integrate google-tv into the ps3….
MisterAlex
Friday, May 20, 2011 at 11:59 PMThis is a horrible idea. I can easily transport my PS3 (or other console) to a friend’s house, school, party, etc. and hook it up to another tv or a projector. I’m not going to load up a whole television every time I want to take my PS3 somewhere. And if the laser goes out? Performing surgery on the TV would suck, and so would shipping it for repair. The only way this would add value to a TV is if it only marginally increased the price of the set and if the TV also had a PlayStation Eye built into it.
Jakey Bee
Saturday, May 21, 2011 at 12:07 AMI can’t believe I’m the only one who thought this idea was awesome. A bigscreen PS3? That means… no more ugly USB ports hanging over my stereo surround sound? I can hide them behind my TV? No more outlet management? PSEye integrated with TV to help 3D be more interactive with each individual user? Sounds like a dream come true! I don’t think this should happen with the PS3 though, God knows we’ll be done with this retched device soon enough. The PS4, though–that’s the perfect device for the job. We’re done with this generation after this year, me thinks. Graphics are too laggy, and generally–too good for consoles. We need the 60FPS back.
Ha
Saturday, May 21, 2011 at 12:19 AMI think the issue of power wouldn’t be that much of a problem. It’s a plasma screen isn’t it? Already using a lot more than a PS3
Jared
Saturday, May 21, 2011 at 2:00 AMi like the idea, but its just too early. When the PS4 is released, and the PS3 takes the backseat, as it gets pushed further away from the living room spotlight and more into the bedroom or office room, that will make more since. Similar to the PS2 integrated TV (Kdl22px300…I wanted one so bad, but they didn’t release it in the states) The idea sounds bazarre especially for a non HD system built into an HD TV, but it works perfectly for a mini game center/computer monitor replacement for the office room.
But anyway this idea may pan out better if unit is atleast semi detachable (for the afforementioned issues about the TV / PS3 going defective) But the TV should be a 60″ bravia… due to the price and practicality. It should be released to help continue shifting PS3 units when the PS4 gets released. So maybe the ideal size is between 22″-32″…which is more susceptible to a budget friendly price range. Not to mention, hopefully by this time 1080p will be the standard (even for smaller TVs)… I just bought a 22″ Bravia and even though its small, the change in resolution to 720p on my 22″ is very noticeable in comparison to my 1080p 32″ bravia. good article though, but i dont think now is the time..maybe in another 2-3 years.
Jared
Saturday, May 21, 2011 at 2:19 AMNot to mention, premium bravias are hardly less than $1000USD, regardless of size. The cheapest this TV would be at the moment is around $1400 or so. Thats steep for an ultimate console experience. Not to mention, the directions for TV tech at the moment is difficult to define… between LCD, LED, OLED, PLASMA, and then include the 3D variants of those for…and there’s 8 potential types of TVs that could be offered. And if sony were to pic the wrong one…that PSTV would easily become outdated within months. Again, another reason to sit on this idea for a few years. Once the path of TV tech has been more defined..and refined. As TV’s tend to outdate eachother multiple times within a single year of production.
Wolf26pack
Saturday, May 21, 2011 at 5:26 AMI have to agree with Ross and RB. It sounds cool but it would really suck if your PS3 broke down and you had to send in your whole TV to get it repaired. That would just be a total hassle and inconvenience to me.
d_b
Saturday, May 21, 2011 at 12:12 PMIn the words of the great philosopher of the 1990s, The Offspring, “You gotta keep em separated”.
Sony products break. It’s what they do.. and if one of these hypothetical units goes, you lose two for the price of one.
Ash
Monday, May 23, 2011 at 9:22 AMWhy build a PS3 into the TV? As long as they connect well thats all you really need. Especially if you tend to take your PS3 over to mates place, or connect it to different TV’s in your home (ie, from lounge to bedroom) etc. Better integration will be great and thats all thats needed.
2pha
Monday, May 23, 2011 at 12:23 PMI just wish the ps3 would get better subtitle support.