Smaller Blu-ray laser could reduce PS3 production costs

by Griffin McElroy { Jan 26th 2008 at 11:00AM }

It really does seem like we can't throw a stick without hitting a new PS3 SKU or news of a price drop -- a recent advancement in Blu-ray technology could signal the creation of yet another PS3 model or lowered price for the system some time in the near future, should Sony decide to incorporate it into their home console.

Sony and LED manufacturer Nichia recently jointly created a smaller, more efficient Blu-ray laser that would significantly lower PS3 production costs should it replace the PS3's current "chubby laser". This, in addition to the many other cost-cutting innovations Sony implemented in the past year, might lead to yet another price cut for the system -- but the unmentioned, non-discounted inclusion of the lil' laser into existing SKUs is just as likely. We're certain we'll hear more about this in the coming months, once the PS3 hardware market has cooled its proverbial jets.

Tags: Blu-ray, CeramicWhitePS3, Nichia, PlayStation3, PS3, SKU, Sony

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

playwhutyalike @ Jan 26th 2008 11:03AM

Sorry all you Chubby Laser Chasers

Vol @ Jan 26th 2008 1:40PM

How about Sony focusing on some software as opposed to creating new skus, dropping features, changing hardware, etc.

LaughingTarget @ Jan 26th 2008 1:57PM

It doesn't matter how many great games there may be, if the console is too expensive, it won't sell.

Grog @ Jan 26th 2008 11:09AM

I think it's far more likely that Sony will use these small cost-cutting measure to reduce the loss they're taking on PS3s (in fact, I thought Kutaragi just said something like that a month or so ago). While it's definitely still outside of my casual entertainment budget, Sony seems to have found a price-point that is acceptable for a large portion of their gaming core.

Jeff @ Jan 26th 2008 11:16AM

Odds are it'll just get included at no price drop.

Not that anyone can complain. Cells don't come cheap.

theCardinal @ Jan 26th 2008 11:28AM

Yeah, this would be my expecation as well.

sifer2400 @ Jan 26th 2008 11:54AM

there not going to drop the price not yet any ways there waiting to make back some money theve lost already

Pretty Obvious @ Jan 26th 2008 11:17AM

Even with a another price drop, im still not buying. Sorry Sony.

Word Up, North Korea! @ Jan 26th 2008 11:23AM

care?

hvnlysoldr @ Jan 26th 2008 11:30AM

Well that was pretty obvious.

Poisoned Al @ Jan 26th 2008 1:16PM

I must say, I wouldn't buy it if the priced dropped either. I would buy it if they had more games for the bloody thing! I wanted a new Playstation, not a bloody blu-ray player!

Night Elve @ Jan 26th 2008 4:34PM

Thanks god I was worried about you thinking on buying the PS3!

TylerM @ Jan 26th 2008 11:26AM

Am I the only one who is going to wait for Blu-ray to be a definite winner in the format war? I like both the 360 and PS3 but can't afford both, and I already have a Wii. They both have their strong points and I'm pretty sure I'll buy the PS3 if Sony wins the "war".

mcatrage @ Jan 26th 2008 11:36AM

Do you really think after the "hd war" normal dvds will be replaced that quickly?

hey alex @ Jan 26th 2008 11:49AM

I'm done with discs. Looking forward to downloading and streaming digital content on demand.

TylerM @ Jan 26th 2008 12:08PM

I never said that I expect DVD to die. I implied that I want an HD format for my 42-inch television. My personal opinion regarding everything be download based is that it won't happen. People like the physical part of ownership, they want something to hold in their hands for $19.99 or more. Downloads are good for demos, trailers, and some songs. But if I have a movie that I want to watch and KEEP and not rent then I want the physical disc.

Grog @ Jan 26th 2008 12:30PM

Kind of like how no one uses digital music services like iTunes, huh?

Digital distribution is the future of all entertainment media. It's just a matter of time before the bandwidth exists to make it not just easier, but better.

sheppy2.0 @ Jan 26th 2008 1:47PM

Grog, I really hate to say this because you've apparently thought the whole digital distribution arguement out very well. iTunes has indeed become an indicator of the future. Sadly, not everyone is ready to jump into the future. This is why 5:1 CDs didn't sell well and why CD sales, despite the claims the RIAA need to make in court (which is also, according to their latest claim, burning music purchased in iTunes onto a CD is stealing music as well), are still a major force. Otherwise, Best Buy would not have aisles and aisles of the shit.

Also, you forget, digital distribution sacrifices quality for convenience. Yes, that music you buy off iTunes will NEVER sound as good as a CD... but you're listening off a fucking iPod anyway, not like you could tell a difference.

Look, we all want to believe in this magical world of digital distribution being the method of delivery. I certainly enjoy the idea of never actually owning what I buy as much as the next man, but physical media is not going anywhere. We've been hearing this arguement since the birth of the net yet physical media is just as strong as ever. So yes, the war for the next generation of physical media will be important since there are many, like myself, who enjoy the idea of "owning" the stuff we purchase. I know, strange concept...

Grog @ Jan 26th 2008 1:59PM

If you want a real discussion on the issue, Slashdot is a better locale than Joystiq. ;)

Like I said, it's the future. I didn't say it is the present. As of right now, based on the bandwidth scarcity I briefly mentioned, quality isn't there yet (for the most part). The numbers aren't there yet either, since it's a relatively new concept... but they're growing. You mention how CD and DVD sales are still vastly greater. That's true, but it ignores the fact that they have decreased (for CDs) or slowed growth (for DVDs) since the advent of iTunes and its competitors.

Oh, and you like to own stuff you bought? Too bad, since the RIAA doesn't think you own the stuff on those CDs and software companies think the same thing. The fact of the matter is that our legal system currently has us licensing (rather than owning) pretty much everything digital that you "own."

Personally, I'm a big fan of digital distribution for a number of reasons. First, it's easier. I don't have to drive my 1.5 ton car a few miles to pick up a half-ounce CD which contains 12 songs - 11 of which I don't want. It also gives a lot more versatility (at least once you have DRM out of the way) by allowing easy playback on a number of devices and easy movement from one to the next. Yes, I own an iPod - I opened up a checking account with $25 to get a free one and then promptly closed it. It's handy for when I'm at the gym, but I can also plug it into my car's auxiliary port on the sound system. I can also listen to songs on my laptop, desktop, or through my TV. Meanwhile, I have a CD tower stuffed with CDs I never touch... I'm so glad that I have those lying around. :eyeroll:

Zsavior @ Jan 26th 2008 4:36PM

Actually If you picked up he economist for January, Cd sales are not high at all digital distribution has already killed out the music CD. There is a brilliant write up on it, on how record companies are going under and selling off what they can. Madonna left her label to sign with a concert promoter radio head put their album directly on to the net.

The magazine makes a point to say those are cases of successful bands doing something different but the fact is the CD does not bring in money to the record companies any more. The name of the article is the "The music Industry goes flat" magazine "The Economist" January 12-18th I have a subscription so it is easier for me to obtain, but yes Digital distribution is around the corner.

The biggest contributor to the CD death, was Itunes and guess what they just went into? Digital distribution of movies. They even had a Fox rep at Steve Jobs key note trying to sell a DVD you could hear in his voice the hope that digital distribution doesn't bite him in the ass. I have a feeling even if blu-ray or HD DVD takes off it won't matter because people will be dling their movies.

Santo @ Jan 26th 2008 11:32AM

Wow. That is not a good angle for the PS3. I never thought it was a bad looking system, but it just looks ugly to me in that picture.

Mr Khan @ Jan 26th 2008 12:02PM

There was a discussion like that a while ago

Personally, i agree. PS3 looks ugly horizontally, while it looks incredibly sleek and powerful vertically

Odd how position makes a difference

Brendon @ Jan 26th 2008 12:03PM

I always thought the PS3 was fugly and bloated. It already looks dated.

Phi Nguyen @ Jan 26th 2008 1:17PM

Looks like a mini convention center.

Poisoned Al @ Jan 26th 2008 1:19PM

Upright it looks like it should be surrounded by awe-struck apes.

Sideways, I suddenly feel the need to grill some burgers.

Meloche @ Jan 26th 2008 11:54AM

If there is a 300$ PS3 with retrocompatibility someday, count me in. Until then... meh.

Sidepocket @ Jan 26th 2008 11:57AM

Yes, the Blue Lasers are getting there ass kicked thanks to the Cheat Commandos!

On a serious note, every time I see the PS3, it just reminds me on how bulky and ugly the system looks. Sony should have fired the guy who thought making a video game console look like a fax machine would be sexy looking.

Zeus.:God @ Jan 26th 2008 8:18PM

http://www.hrwiki.org/index.php/Cheat_Commandos

ThornedVenom @ Jan 26th 2008 12:06PM

I have a dream.

A dream where PS3s would drop their price to 300 dollars whilst keeping all of its key features. A dream where the Wii would finally lower its own price due to competitive pressure.

A DREAM WHERE XBOX LIVE WOULD BE FREE FOR ALL.

The Artist formally known as Jesus @ Jan 26th 2008 1:16PM

keep dreaming

ThornedVenom @ Jan 26th 2008 4:16PM

Dreams can become reality if you're ready to contribute the sweat of your brow...

LaughingTarget @ Jan 26th 2008 5:15PM

But, don't you realize, the man in Washington says the consoles belong to the poor. The Kremlin says the consoles belong to the people. The Vatican says the consoles belong to God. We don't deserve consoles.

ThornedVenom @ Jan 27th 2008 2:10AM

Would you kindly price drop the PS3?

Dragod @ Jan 26th 2008 12:07PM

I must admit... Getting a PS3 is looking better, but I'm still waiting to see if I will like MGS4 or some of the other games coming out... Right now, all I want is UT3, but that's coming to 360... But yeah, a $350 PS3 doesn't sound bad.

name123 @ Jan 26th 2008 12:23PM

If it's true that the 80GB PS3 at $499 is outselling the 40GB $399 version then the Xbox 360 is in bigger trouble than I thought. That would put the PS3's demand and growth rate potential way above the 360's.

http://www.gamedaily.com/articles/news/sony-ditching-80gb-ps3-due-to-poor-sales-says-analyst/19208/?biz=1

Grog @ Jan 26th 2008 12:33PM

What you said is the exact opposite of what your link says. Sony is ditching the 80GB because it's not selling, which means that the 40GB is probably on the outer edge of reason for most people's budgets.

Noshino @ Jan 26th 2008 12:38PM

hey Grog, you should at least attempt to read the whole article

"UPDATE 2: Well, this is interesting. We just heard from The NPD Group who told us, "In the last quarter (when both were on the market), the 80GB sold more units than the 40GB." When pressed for a more exact breakdown of the sales data between the two SKUs, NPD said they could not provide that. It's certainly a surprise to us, however, that the more expensive 80GB would have sold more than 40GB, which many have attributed the PS3 sales spike to."

Grog @ Jan 26th 2008 1:14PM

Mea culpa.

I just figured that the subject and the first few sentences were enough to contradict. I admit I didn't bother reading the whole thing, since it seemed an open and close case.

I'm curious as to why he thinks 80GB sales being greater than 40GB sales somehow puts the 360 in a bad position though.

LaughingTarget @ Jan 26th 2008 5:18PM

I don't see it as a bad thing. It is more likely that the consumers are overestimating their desire for backwards compatibility when in reality it isn't a terribly important feature. That or the 80gb model had a game pre-packed into it, giving it an impression of a better bargain.

I'm sure they'll be feeling silly when Sony releases a full software emulator like they'll most likely do.

Rob Accomando @ Jan 26th 2008 1:42PM

YES! So with the money that us saved, they can put BC back!

Rob Accomando @ Jan 26th 2008 1:43PM

err, "Money that IS saved"

JetPogi @ Jan 26th 2008 1:49PM

Vol:"How about Sony focusing on some software as opposed to creating new skus, dropping features, changing hardware, etc."

Well they're doing what Nintendo did cheaper, but they still have better software on PS3 on my opinion. So I'm expecting a price cut for both ps3 and 360 when DMC4 comes out OR around the week GTA 4 releases

h0mi @ Jan 26th 2008 2:13PM

Now add IR to the console and consider putting the memory card back in so I can go buy one of these and ditch my 60gb model since I never use BC.

theCardinal @ Jan 26th 2008 3:49PM

I just noticed they never rotated the PS symbol on the PS3 to align with its horizontal orientation. That picture is pretty hard for me to look at now. It HAS to align!

Edge @ Jan 26th 2008 6:50PM

Who cares if it's smaller. Does that necessarily mean cheaper? Laptops are smaller than desktops, but for equivalently performance, laptops cost more.

mocax @ Jan 26th 2008 10:40PM

It's as if they've been releasing beta versions of their hardware.

jonondaspot @ Jan 27th 2008 12:17AM

Wait, the PS3 has had 4 SKUs

60GB
20GB
80GB
40GB

Xbox 360 has had 5 SKUs

Pro (Premium)
Core
Elite
HALO
Arcade

When that fake story surfaced that this site encouraged, you know the pre-CES 360 with a HD DVD drive story, did this site make a smart aleck remark about the 360? This site seems to have chosen sides.