Joystiq Video: PS3 Network voice and video chat
by Christopher Grant 
{ Nov 18th 2006 at 7:15PM }
No sooner did we sign up for the PlayStation Network than we got our very first friend request from CheapyD who, perhaps not coincidentally, tipped us off to the Network going live earlier that day. We fired up a voice chat -- after setting up our regular USB headset (thank you Sony!) -- and things worked perfectly. But it was just regular, old, boring voice chat, so Cheapy plugged in his PS2 EyeToy camera which worked instantly (our Xbox Live Vision Cam, however, simply snickered, "What? Were you serious?").
Despite Cheapy being in Tokyo, the audio quality was notably better than the Xbox 360's (due in no small part, we're sure, to the wired headsets we were both using). The video was only one way, but it was clear and only exhibited occasional stuttering ... until it cut out completely. We tried again and it was fine, so we'll take it as birthing pains. While wireless headsets offer obvious benefits, sometimes we'd opt for quality over convenience. How about it Microsoft? Let's use those USB ports for something else.
See also:
Joystiq video: Xbox 360 Wireless Headset review
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
CYRiX @ Nov 18th 2006 7:29PM
WWW.CHEAPASSGAMER.COM
Lone Starr @ Nov 18th 2006 7:28PM
What type of headset do you use? I don't have one yet.
bobeotm @ Nov 18th 2006 7:27PM
It seems really easy to set up, and Im glad you can use any old usb, or bluetooth, headset. Sony seems to be learning that proprietary peripherals are limiting. Im quite surprised by the video quality, it was a bit jerky, but overall, surprisingly good, my pc webcam has a hard time being THAT good.
Optimus Prime @ Nov 18th 2006 7:28PM
Man, the LiveToy HD is going to fucking rock!
Optimus Prime @ Nov 18th 2006 7:29PM
I meant, EyeToy HD.. when it comes out.. fucking .. rock.. !
l DEATH MUNKY l @ Nov 18th 2006 7:39PM
The ps3s menu cant hold a candle to the Xbox 360s, its a carbon copy of the psp's (which sucked)
Lefty @ Nov 18th 2006 7:38PM
i have no issues with my 360 wireless headset. no cutting out no nothing. he might have a defective one. its range is that of the controler and if i switch to the wired one the drop in quality is very noticable. the wirless headtset to me sounds like phone quality.
just my 2 cents on my 360 wireless headset.
Lefty
el chino @ Nov 18th 2006 7:41PM
I can already imagine all the insecure girls that are going to start flashing themselves once the HD eyetoy comes out.......can't wait.
nick @ Nov 18th 2006 7:42PM
I couldn't hear a thing the other guy was saying. And I noticed his video (or the camera recording the video) had a couple of issues.
Silver R. Wolfe @ Nov 18th 2006 7:43PM
It's not a carbon copy. It's just a similar layout.
007craft @ Nov 18th 2006 8:15PM
LOL honestly... That better not be an editor for joystiq talking in the video (the one you dont see). He says" Why dont they just make a bluetooth adapter so we can just use any ol BT headset. That must be a joke cause no1 can be that dumb.
BT dongle adapters have been out for YEARS. before the 360 even exsisted. Lol.
greenfly360 @ Nov 18th 2006 8:19PM
So can you only chat on the main page thing or in the background like in the dashboard? If not it sucks I don't want to stay in the main thing for chatting.
ill trooper @ Nov 18th 2006 9:37PM
Pretty impressive - Sony has matched the 360's chat features, and bested them by using old PS2 peripherals, which many of us already have - Socom headset? Cool Standard widely-available USB headset? Wide variety of choice out there. I don't have an eyetoy, but it's nice that they made that work. I wonder if other USB cameras would work.
I still miss the original XBox's 4-person group chats, which quietly vanished into the past... I wonder about that.
As for the 360 wireless headset, well, nice try Microsoft... but maybe next time. Everyone who uses one right now thinks it sounds great - because they aren't hearing the results at the other end: constant transmissions of noise, when the owner isn't speaking. Distracting.
Grendel711 @ Nov 18th 2006 9:39PM
...that looks like garbage compared to live's video chats..
Pulse @ Nov 18th 2006 9:57PM
Can you change the background on your 360 to Jessica a sexy welcoming Jessica Alba, Halle Berry, Carmen Electra or Jessica Simpson? Oh wait, no you can't you're stuck with the boring 360 interface, that sux
:(
I might as well make a new catagory on my GFX forum "PS3 and PSP wallpapers" now.
PS3 owners, try posting at Joystiq from your PS3s :)
LOL @ Nov 18th 2006 10:33PM
LOL, hear at the end? ERROR ERROR ERROR.
ShaolinDolemite @ Nov 18th 2006 11:41PM
Pulse said:
"Can you change the background on your 360 to Jessica a sexy welcoming Jessica Alba, Halle Berry, Carmen Electra or Jessica Simpson? Oh wait, no you can't you're stuck with the boring 360 interface, that sux?
Really? So this isn't Salma Hayek on my 360 dash? Peddle fanboy somewhere else.
http://imageserver4.textamerica.com/user.images.x/7/IMG_445407/_1118/T520061118203228655.jpg
Dylan @ Nov 18th 2006 11:45PM
Pulse you must have never used a 360 before in your life. Yes you can change the backround idiot. Also the default xbox one looks way better than the ps3 default one.
Lynn @ Nov 19th 2006 12:58PM
The video was very choppy. The 360 vision cam is much better than that.
I like the part where they are talking about the 360 audio chat cutting out and then the PS3 audio stops completely. Error, Error, Error.
uxo22 @ Nov 20th 2006 12:47AM
You people are incredible, instead of saying what you thought about the video and chat, you had to make it an event to try and give the PS3 and Edge over the 360. Once again you hardcore sony FANBOYS are using any vehicle that you can to tip the scales in your favor. Voice quality, IS NOT THAT IMPORTANT IN VIDEO CHAT. I mean if you can hear and understand the person on the other end, then that's all you need. You don't need HD quality voice with THX and other quality for this applications. Shut up already you're really starting make me sick.
I bought a PS3 also, but I don't even have a game for it yet because I haven't found one yet. Still waiting for Lair, Killzone, and some of the other top titles.
razer @ Nov 20th 2006 4:34PM
Both the Video and Audio on my 360 are great. They work smooth and I can understand all being said and they can understand me. What else do you want? I use the wireless 360 headset and although I agree it's not 100% clean, it works just fine. I don't understand why people can't keep this discussion to the PS3 and have to try and compare to the Xbox. The PS3 has a long way to go before it's even in the same ballpark as the 360 and Xbox Live.