Microsoft: Blu-ray costs holding PS3 back

Microsoft: Blu-ray costs holding PS3 back

Is Blu-ray the root of Sony's troubles in the gaming space? Aaron Greenberg, Microsoft's director of product management, seems to think so.

Speaking to Edge magazine in a recent interview, Greenberg said that because "Sony bet on the physical disc" for entertainment, it's facing "associated costs" that might be holding the PlayStation 3 back.

Is Blu-ray to blame for PS3 woes?

"The fact that we're able to offer a console starting at $199 is a benefit of not being burdened with that cost," Greenberg told Edge. "Being $100 cheaper is part of the reason why we're nearly twice [Sony's] installed base."

Greenberg was also quick to point out that Microsoft offers HD movies and television shows through Xbox Live.

Whether or not Blu-ray is really the reason Sony is trailing Microsoft is decidedly up for debate. Price has been a thorn in Sony's side since the release of the PlayStation 3. Due to powerful components, including but not limited to Blu-ray, the company was forced to keep the PS3's price high for a substantial period of time.

But once Sony announced the PS3 Slim and its $299 price tag in August, sales started taking off. In fact, The NPD Group reported recently that Sony tallied 30 percent year-over-year sales growth in February.

Going forward, some analysts believe Sony, not Microsoft or Nintendo, will lead this console generation. Analysts at Strategic Analytics said in a report last week that they expect the PlayStation 3 to have a longer shelf life than competing console, which should help it enjoy commercial success "five years after the Wii has been replaced."

I guess we'll just have to wait and see. But for now, isolating Blu-ray as Sony's problem might be just more posturing on Microsoft's part.

Sony no doubt incurred a huge cost which was partially passed on to consumers in the form of Blu-Ray. They went out competitively and pushed Blu-Ray into the market, which was a good move, but undoubtedly it held back there install base due to high launch prices.

Am I completely misunderstanding, or did he say MS has almost twice the install base of Sony?

"Being $100 cheaper is part of the reason why we're nearly twice [Sony's] installed base."

I'm assuming he's talking NA only? I hope so at least...

"Being $100 cheaper is part of the reason why we're nearly twice [Sony's] installed base."

I'm assuming he's talking NA only? I hope so at least...

Chutebox

I guess it would make sense that way. Any other way, and that's why I was a little confused :P

"Being $100 cheaper is part of the reason why we're nearly twice [Sony's] installed base."

I'm assuming he's talking NA only? I hope so at least...

Chutebox

I don't think so. I think the main reason that the Ps3 sales are lagging is because the system is too intimidating, and their marketing strategies have always been a bit peculiar. You can sell anything with the right slogan, and Sony doesn't have the right Slogan. Compare the commercials of the three currentgen systems; Sony's are completely absurd compared to it's competitors.

I don't think so. I think the main reason that the Ps3 sales are lagging is because the system is too intimidating, and their marketing strategies have always been a bit peculiar. You can sell anything with the right slogan, and Sony doesn't have the right Slogan. Compare the commercials of the three currentgen systems; Sony's are completely absurd compared to it's competitors.

VauxhalI

but how can ps3 last 15 years rotflol that analyst will fail,

cause wii isnt being replaced until the ps4 and 720 come so there,

and once that happens nintendo is declared this gens winner ,

[QUOTE="Chutebox"]

"Being $100 cheaper is part of the reason why we're nearly twice [Sony's] installed base."

I'm assuming he's talking NA only? I hope so at least...

Miroku32

[QUOTE="Miroku32"]

[QUOTE="Chutebox"]

"Being $100 cheaper is part of the reason why we're nearly twice [Sony's] installed base."

I'm assuming he's talking NA only? I hope so at least...

Zero5000X

[QUOTE="Miroku32"]

[QUOTE="Chutebox"]

"Being $100 cheaper is part of the reason why we're nearly twice [Sony's] installed base."

I'm assuming he's talking NA only? I hope so at least...

Zero5000X

Gotta tell ya, I wouldn't take anything MS, sony or nintendo say about their competitors seriously. I gotta say tho.. usually it's Sony coming up with this nonsense, why is MS sinking to their third place level?fastr

£160 for elite

£200 for Ps3

that extra £40 covers internal Wifi, so Microsoft = Fail!

And lets not forget the hypocrisy. MS HD DVD Anyone?

blu ray will add to the life cycle of the PS3, games are already taking 2+ disks even with compression ......... i believe Sony made the right choice, the blu ray advantage is becoming more and more apparant with progession into this generation. Another point is that, Sony obviously was trying to made an all in one entertainment package, Wi-fi, blu-ray, 3Ds, support for many video and audio formats, installing other OS ...etc .

[QUOTE="VauxhalI"]

I don't think so. I think the main reason that the Ps3 sales are lagging is because the system is too intimidating, and their marketing strategies have always been a bit peculiar. You can sell anything with the right slogan, and Sony doesn't have the right Slogan. Compare the commercials of the three currentgen systems; Sony's are completely absurd compared to it's competitors.

Chutebox

Oh, my bad. Now they're just making fun of their competition. That's much better, that's what sells.

Now we know why lemmings only go by npd sales, cause the memo was sent out by MS themselves. Unless they truly beleive that they ahave double the install base in wolrd wide sales. If not they only want to talk about npd because thats the only place they are winning in at the moment lol. Lemmings we fully understand now.

I think its funny Microsoft talks about how they can sell the 360 for $199 and then totally forget to mention you need to spend another $100 to buy a harddrive that can download all those HD Movies.

it does add aditional cost, which I gladly paid since I wanted a blu-ray player.

Just when PS3 names were talking crap about everyone else Greenberg has to say this. The only way Blu-ray is holding PS3 back is the price. And if people just buy something because of the price and not what they are buying it for then, my God what has the world come to? There is an advertisement on the the page that says, "Sale $699.99 80 GB PS3" That's a great deal.

blu ray will add to the life cycle of the PS3, games are already taking 2+ disks even with compression ......... i believe Sony made the right choice, the blu ray advantage is becoming more and more apparant with progession into this generation. Another point is that, Sony obviously was trying to made an all in one entertainment package, Wi-fi, blu-ray, 3Ds, support for many video and audio formats, installing other OS ...etc .

2mrw

I believe that Sony will go with Blu-ray for PS4 too. Atleast I would think. Wouldn't make sense for them to make another format but you never know because each Sony system ALWAYS introduced a brand new format. PS1=CD PS2=DVD PSP=UMD PS3=Blu-ray PS4=???

So basically for more 100$ you get :

1- bluray player.

2-Wi-fi.

3-120 GB HDD.

4- free online :D.

that green man should be ashamed to say what he said.

sorry for the double post.

[QUOTE="2mrw"]

blu ray will add to the life cycle of the PS3, games are already taking 2+ disks even with compression ......... i believe Sony made the right choice, the blu ray advantage is becoming more and more apparant with progession into this generation. Another point is that, Sony obviously was trying to made an all in one entertainment package, Wi-fi, blu-ray, 3Ds, support for many video and audio formats, installing other OS ...etc .

I believe that Sony will go with Blu-ray for PS4 too. Atleast I would think. Wouldn't make sense for them to make another format but you never know because each Sony system ALWAYS introduced a brand new format. PS1=CD PS2=DVD PSP=UMD PS3=Blu-ray PS4=???

[QUOTE="Zero5000X"]

[QUOTE="Miroku32"] 360 is leading PS3 in both NA and EU.

Miroku32

I don't like this Greenberg guy. If the Elite was $199 he might have a point, but comparing apples to apples the PS3 is a pretty good value.EmperorSupreme

[QUOTE="Chutebox"][QUOTE="VauxhalI"]

I don't think so. I think the main reason that the Ps3 sales are lagging is because the system is too intimidating, and their marketing strategies have always been a bit peculiar. You can sell anything with the right slogan, and Sony doesn't have the right Slogan. Compare the commercials of the three currentgen systems; Sony's are completely absurd compared to it's competitors.

VauxhalI

Oh, my bad. Now they're just making fun of their competition. That's much better, that's what sells.

£160 for elite

£200 for Ps3

that extra £40 covers internal Wifi, so Microsoft = Fail!

And lets not forget the hypocrisy. MS HD DVD Anyone?

Disturbed123

the optional add-on? :?

[QUOTE="Disturbed123"]

£160 for elite

£200 for Ps3

that extra £40 covers internal Wifi, so Microsoft = Fail!

And lets not forget the hypocrisy. MS HD DVD Anyone?

CaseyWegner

the optional add-on? :?

which failed :? It was obvious they wanted to compete with BD.

[QUOTE="Miroku32"]

[QUOTE="Chutebox"]

"Being $100 cheaper is part of the reason why we're nearly twice [Sony's] installed base."

I'm assuming he's talking NA only? I hope so at least...

Zero5000X

No. Just no

£160 for elite

£200 for Ps3

that extra £40 covers internal Wifi, so Microsoft = Fail!

And lets not forget the hypocrisy. MS HD DVD Anyone?

Disturbed123

Bluray is worth it easily from HD movies, to very high capacity, to scratch resistant. The trouble is that people are tightwads/cheapskates. Sony makes a magnificent console and it sales the least because people are too cheap to pay for it.

obviously costs have hampered the PS3.

And who really cares if the PS3 is still selling 5 years after the Nintendo and MS have moved on, it will be an afterthought compared to the next gen of consoles, similar to what the PS2 is now

obviously costs have hampered the PS3.

And who really cares if the PS3 is still selling 5 years after the Nintendo and MS have moved on, it will be an afterthought compared to the next gen of consoles, similar to what the PS2 is now

Colin1192

The problem is now the 360 came out 1 year ahead of the PS3. With the PS2 there was no Xbox for 4 years.

[QUOTE="Chutebox"]

"Being $100 cheaper is part of the reason why we're nearly twice [Sony's] installed base."

I'm assuming he's talking NA only? I hope so at least...

lundy86_4

I guess it would make sense that way. Any other way, and that's why I was a little confused :P

[QUOTE="CaseyWegner"]

[QUOTE="Disturbed123"]

£160 for elite

£200 for Ps3

that extra £40 covers internal Wifi, so Microsoft = Fail!

And lets not forget the hypocrisy. MS HD DVD Anyone?

Disturbed123

the optional add-on? :?

which failed :? It was obvious they wanted to compete with BD.

optional and only played movies. :?

[QUOTE="Disturbed123"]

£160 for elite

£200 for Ps3

that extra £40 covers internal Wifi, so Microsoft = Fail!

And lets not forget the hypocrisy. MS HD DVD Anyone?

CannedWorms

Sainsbury and Asda during the launch of COD MW2

http://www.avforums.com/forums/home-cinema-bargains-discount-codes/1122505-ps3-slim-199-sainsburys.html

but you can find it for £210

http://www.pctvhifi.co.uk/infopage.asp?infID=2661

[QUOTE="lundy86_4"]

[QUOTE="Chutebox"]

"Being $100 cheaper is part of the reason why we're nearly twice [Sony's] installed base."

I'm assuming he's talking NA only? I hope so at least...

II_Seraphim_II

I guess it would make sense that way. Any other way, and that's why I was a little confused :P

To make a general statement like that means total sales, without him stating NA.

[QUOTE="Disturbed123"]

[QUOTE="CaseyWegner"]

the optional add-on? :?

CaseyWegner

which failed :? It was obvious they wanted to compete with BD.

optional and only played movies. :?

and yet it failed for doing so little. It was clearly a shot at Blu Ray, and even as an optional it failed. Making it mandatory wouldve made things alot worse *looks at UMD*

[QUOTE="CaseyWegner"]

[QUOTE="Disturbed123"]

which failed :? It was obvious they wanted to compete with BD.

Disturbed123

optional and only played movies. :?

and yet it failed for doing so little. It was clearly a shot at Blu Ray, and even as an optional it failed. Making it mandatory wouldve made things alot worse *looks at UMD*

i don't understand why you keep saying it failed. what does that have to do with hypocrisy or actually the lack of it? the thing was competely optional.

[QUOTE="Miroku32"]

[QUOTE="Zero5000X"] Oh yeah, my bad, forgot all Europe but in America only Canada and United States. In the other places the ps3 is leading but correct me if I'm wrong.

gamer620

I don't like this Greenberg guy. If the Elite was $199 he might have a point, but comparing apples to apples the PS3 is a pretty good value.EmperorSupreme

Sure, but when you are on a budget that you can't spare an extra 100 dollars, the cheaper alternative wins out. If the average gamer has the choice between a 360 and PS3 and they only have 200 dollars to spend... which one are they buying? There is only one correct answer to this question.

People needs disciplin haha.

[QUOTE="Miroku32"]

[QUOTE="Zero5000X"] Oh yeah, my bad, forgot all Europe but in America only Canada and United States. In the other places the ps3 is leading but correct me if I'm wrong.

gamer620

I don't like this Greenberg guy. If the Elite was $199 he might have a point, but comparing apples to apples the PS3 is a pretty good value.EmperorSupreme

Sure, but when you are on a budget that you can't spare an extra 100 dollars, the cheaper alternative wins out. If the average gamer has the choice between a 360 and PS3 and they only have 200 dollars to spend... which one are they buying? There is only one correct answer to this question.

[QUOTE="Disturbed123"]

[QUOTE="CaseyWegner"]

optional and only played movies. :?

CaseyWegner

and yet it failed for doing so little. It was clearly a shot at Blu Ray, and even as an optional it failed. Making it mandatory wouldve made things alot worse *looks at UMD*

i don't understand why you keep saying it failed. what does that have to do with hypocrisy or actually the lack of it?

Peter Moore - When he was working with MS said "HD media is not needed"

they then announce HD DVD for 360, a clear indication that MS wanted to compete with Blu Ray

Another MS employee - HDMI is not needed

They release an Xbox with HDMI

Hypocrisy Much?

Now, they are saying Ps3 is being held back with blu ray which is utter nonsense. That extra £40 for Ps3 accounts for Wifi, Free online gaming, a significantly better build console, and a blu ray player.

[QUOTE="Chutebox"]

"Being $100 cheaper is part of the reason why we're nearly twice [Sony's] installed base."

I'm assuming he's talking NA only? I hope so at least...

Miroku32

Now we know why lemmings only go by npd sales, cause the memo was sent out by MS themselves. Unless they truly beleive that they ahave double the install base in wolrd wide sales. If not they only want to talk about npd because thats the only place they are winning in at the moment lol. Lemmings we fully understand now.

GreyFoXX4

lol I was thinking the same thing

All I know is the PS3 right now is the best bang for buck system out.

WiFi

BluRay

Videogames

no other system offers that. And please dont count an extra HD DVD ADD ON especially since it failed.

Everyone talks about the BluRay drive when discussing the higher price, but what about the Cell processor that Sony used alot of money on developing?? It must take some of the blame.

Anyways, with the PS3 package you get more for the money:

- a built in 2.5" HDD that can be changed out with any brand, so you don't have to pay for overpriced HDD's.

- built in WIFI

- Bluetooth

- BD player

- Free online

- Awesome exclusives

- Better build quality

- Support for USB HDD's

- Real HDMI with support of 8 channel sound

Oh it seems like MS and Sony are the best partners in this business.Telling each other what they should do and what they should not,caring about each other,they are cute:roll:

And MS charging 100$ for wire less???:evil: PEW!!!