PlayStation 3, HD DVD Named Lame Gadgets

AOL's financial site, money.aol.com, has recently named five gadgets you shouldn't buy right now.  For those who've kept their ear to the ground in the tech industry, the results aren't particularly surprising.  We thought we'd weigh in here on AOL's opinions.

Lame gadgets 5 through 3 include the 10 megapixel camera, Windows Vista, and the "Draft N" wireless router.  Good for them.  We'd have to agree that the average birthday party doesn't require more than five megapixels, consumers can wait on Vista, and most Draft N routers still have some perfecting to do.  Far more interesting are AOL's #2 and #1 lame gadgets, the PlayStation 3 and high definition disc player, respectively.

With regards to Sony's new console, AOL cites a high price tag and just 32 available games as reason to avoid the PS3.  They even recommend the $250 Wii and $400 Xbox 360, with the former offering greater innovation and the latter a vast game library.

Brando's Take: That's a no-brainer.  There's really no reason to invest in a PlayStation 3 right now other than to take advantage of the internal Blu-ray DVD player.  The PS3 offers the most affordable avenue to 1080p movies, but unfortunately, almost no such bargain on games.  Let's face it, that should be the focus of a console.

Note: Oh, and no complaining Sony fans.  Granted, the Xbox 360 launch featured only a few more quality titles by this point, but it was Sony's decision to wait a year, wasn't it?

AOL's #1 gadget to avoid right now is the high definition disc player, with both Blu-ray and HD DVD sharing the tattered crown.  With the showdown between both formats comparable to the bitter 1980s battle between VHS and Betamax, AOL recommends consumers wait it out for a victor. 

Brando's Take: Probably good thinking, but at the moment Blu-ray carries enough momentum that many are already proclaiming it the high def champion.  However, AOL's statement that "you may not even realize the picture or sound is any sharper" is about the most ridiculous and inaccurate quip I've ever heard. 

I certainly don't believe either of AOL's top two lame gadgets are forever doomed.  Both the PlayStation 3 and high definition disc player are sure to have bright futures, but we'd have to agree that waiting – although the hardest part – is probably a good idea.

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15 comments
Posted by realgeorge39 on September 12,2007 at 7:07 AM

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Posted by Mike on July 31,2007 at 11:25 AM

Sure Collin, do you know how long that's gonna take?  Go ahead and wait for your dream while me and millions of other people are enjoying the hottest technology of today.  Quit waiting for the next best thing because there will always be something better in the future - that's the whole premise of technology.  

Posted by Collin on July 24,2007 at 2:25 PM

EVERYONE LISTEN CAREFULLY..   IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT BLUE-RAY AND HD-DVD....

THEY ARE BOTH obsolete!

Yes that is right.. No sooner did they come and there they go...  Why bother with either format when a few years from now the normal standard will be digital files delivered strait to your set top box.

Listen.. Orlando has 10 mbit internet, San Fran has 15 mbit DSL.  Most other places have 7mbit DSL.  NOW while you need a 20mbit stream for 1080i/p HD television.  THERE HAVE been tests with crisp images at around 1.5-3mbit.  740p is no problem at all at 1mbit.  AND THAT IS STREAMING!  For purchasing and storing HD movies we would only need the time to download it.  Western Digital has a 750 gig drive that it says would hold 90 hours or 45+ HD video.  Well with a good service and compression that can likely be doubled.  Put 2 side by side and you have easily 160-200 movies that can be STORED on your own hardware and pulled onto portable players for the car or whatever.

The future that I have in my head does not include having to sort through a bunch of disks to find a movie.  

It could work like XBOX 360's download service in many ways in fact..  You buy the rights to the movie and they keep track of that.. You don't even have to store your own copy.  Simply delete the movie to make room and re-download it any time you want.

Screw Blue-Ray..  Screw HD-DVD..  Give me digital rights.

Posted by P_W on June 4,2007 at 3:25 PM

Considering the fact that 35mm film's resolution is approximately the equivalent of the photo from a 25 megapixel camera, then only an idiot would say to avoid higher resolution digital cameras.

This person has probably stored all of his CDs as MP3s and sold the originals to used CD stores.........and thinks that he's had the last laugh.

Posted by NorthWingKing on May 21,2007 at 2:11 PM

"HD DVD lets you play with your Extras but i want to watch a movie not play with it. The color, clarity and sound on Blu-Ray are astounding. And the blacks are incredible,which HD dvd has yet to perfect"

My HD-DVD player has perfect blacks as well, on my Pioneer 50 inch plasma. And I've seen Blu-Ray on my tv (my buddy brought over his PS3 once) and the blacks look equally good. They both look essentially the same for newer releases. The thing is my HD-DVD player probably cost alot less than your Blu-Ray player.

PS3 is a fine system for Blu-Ray but some guys here are spouting BS. The 360 acts as a Media Extender with my PC, so my entire MP3 and picture collection is wirelessly streamed to my 360 not too mention all my movies that are in the WMV format. That Sil guy is retarded, clearly the 360 is much better suited for being the centerpiece of a home theatre system. Also, Gears of War looks and plays better than ANYTHING on the PS3.

Posted by Guy Boisvert on April 29,2007 at 1:18 AM

to me there is no comparison, for those who own a projector and an 8 foot screen will know the victor ! to me it is with no doubt Blu-Ray ! I have rescently purchased both dvd players and found the comparison suprising. HD DVD lets you play with your Extras but i want to watch a movie not play with it. The color, clarity and sound on Blu-Ray are astounding. And the blacks are incredible,which HD dvd has yet to perfect. And the upconversion is also awsome ! It is well worth the money i paid and the trip back to the store to return the HD DVD player.

Posted by strutdown on April 27,2007 at 5:53 PM

ps3 for 600 includs blueray, wireless network

x-box 360 costs xtra for HD disk drive, extra for wireless network (and dont you have to pay for XBox network to play online?) Why isnt the Guitar for guitar hero's wireless!! love that game

Posted by the j from jerz on April 16,2007 at 10:21 AM

ps3 rocks blu-ray movies are amazing.... btw u can get them from netflix.. about the games what games are on the 360 eveyone is just playin rainbow 6 and the wii give me a break yea its cool and all but the grafix wat a joke..

conclusion PS3 amazing

Posted by Russian gamer on March 23,2007 at 12:46 PM
SP3 THE BEST CONSOLE ON THE WORLD !!!!
Posted by aro on March 17,2007 at 5:45 PM
I hear much love for the PS3, but every single demo model I have seen is frozen up and unplayable.  I'll take a 360 with quick load times over a 5 min. loading, over-priced
PS3 that I have yet to actually see function.  
Posted by Mosely on February 23,2007 at 4:54 PM
Regarding Blackdisk

There are still people that don't care for Itunes

MS Media Center...yeah, I really want that next to my home entertainment system when guest are in my living room.

Not everyone is familiar with FPS games, and again, not too many people care to sit in from of a computer all day.

Tax for $36?  where do you live?

Your just making up crap, go somewhere else man.  PS3 is expensive, if you don't like it, please don't bring up MS media center as an alternative because that is lame in itself.  No everyone wants a damn PC in their living room next to their TV.  The PS3 plays games, lets you play back video, Blu-Ray DVD's, connect to the Internet,  plays MP3's, oh wait, it does it way cheaper then a Computer with Media Center too.


Posted by Navok on February 21,2007 at 9:36 PM
JAJAJA

All the people who complaint about the PS3 price, just are angry, because they can NOT afford such a beautiful console.

So the gamecube was cheapest, where did it end?

In the balance. what you get, how much you need to get it: The PS3 is the smart choice, followed by the Wii, the xbox 360 is for microbrains.

you may end buying only chinese products and low quality products if all you care is pirce.

OHH, i forgot sony not wait 1 year, microsoft rush 1 year, if dont believe me, ask all the xbox owners how they feal when microsoft shut down all support after only 3 years, or the early x360 owners, with crappy rushed consoles, that break, stop working, etc. NO problems reported at this time with PS3, 1 year before, all was "ring pf death", "mi x360 stop working", "i will sue microsoft", "my x360 break up just after my 30 day warrant".

For the games, name 1 game, a must game in the xbox 360 in the firts six months, that dont appear on PC or other console.

JAJAJA

See, how easy is take a side, and be partial. Fans do that, but for a writer, shame on you!!!!!!!

Posted by YoMOmMa on February 21,2007 at 6:11 PM
yea man
why don't you go out and buy a $3,000 gaming computer and then a Wii and Apple TV or something. we'll see how much you spend then

+ you must be the stupidest person to go out to a store and buy an $100 HDMI cable
when you can get some for $10, or like me get a $30 one from Wal-Mart
Posted by Blackdisk on February 21,2007 at 3:34 PM
To Sil

"The PS3 will take your entire MP3 library ( do away with the CD player and stacks of CD's"
iTunes...

" your digital photos, (pack away your disks of Holiday snaps, no more need to plonk people in front of your laptop or PC to view your pictures)."
Picasa...

"You can browse the Internet."
... seriously... you think that is browsing... I think its more like spraying pepper spray in your eyes they trying to read a book...

"It will play DVD movies and Blu-Ray - so All you need under / beside your TV (and maybe 5.1 sound box) is a PS3."
Media Center PC or the Apple TV... Cheaper... more universal... Smaller...

"as is Resistance if you still don't have a FPS you're happy with."
You have never played a PC FPS have you... because console FPS's are a pain once you use a mouse, well that is unless you use the DS or a Wiimote.

"and there are some incredible offers on Lo-cost Blu-Ray movies."
and even more incredibly lower-cost DVD's of the exact same movies

Besides, what movie is worth pure evil
it costs 600
plus 36 tax
plus 30 for a blu-ray movie
$666 to watch one blue ray movie

not only that but you dont get any way to watch it in High Def at that evil price,
you still need to buy a $100 HDMI cable

Posted by Sil on February 21,2007 at 1:27 PM
Jump on the bandwagon why don't you.
Wake up!!
The PS3 will take your entire MP3 library ( do away with the CD player and stacks of CD's, your digital photos, (pack away your disks of Holiday snaps, no more need to plonk people in front of your laptop or PC to view your pictures). You can browse the Internet.
It will play DVD movies and Blu-Ray - so All you need under / beside your TV (and maybe 5.1 sound box) is a PS3.
It's THE home entertainment system for the living room before you even buy a single game.
Motorstorm is a fantastic game, as is Resistance if you still don't have a FPS you're happy with. Fight Night Rocks as the best Boxing game. and there are some incredible offers on Lo-cost Blu-Ray movies.