PlayStation 3 Slim Includes Improved Audio Hardware

[Earnest Cavalli]

PlayStation 3 Slim Includes Improved Audio Hardware

Not only will the PS3 Slim take up less space in your cramped apartment and leave a smaller dent in your wallet, according to the tech afficianados at Engadget, the device includes better audio technology than its oversized predecessor.

To hear them tell it [http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/21/ps3-slim-bitsreams-dolby-truehd-and-dts-hd-ma-audio-at-last/]:

See the HDMI chip on previous generations of the PS3 didn't support bitstream output of the new(ish) high def codecs like Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD MA. As such, the PS3 had to decode it internally before sending it over to your receiver via LPCM. A process that could garble the lossless audio depending on your setup. Even though the vast majority of people will never notice the difference (or even care), PS3 Slim owners can still kick back in smug satisfaction each time the TrueHD or DTS-HD MA indicators light-up on their receivers.

Honestly my eyes glazed over after the first mention of "bitstream output," but those of you who consider yourselves audiophiles should have been able to follow that whole thing.

And, presumably, are on your way to trade in your PlayStation 3 for one of these new PS3 Slims, all the while giggling maniacally at the prospect of feeding your aural fixation.

Seriously, get help.

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[Jumplion]

Cool I suppose. I'm not much of an audiophille geek person, but still nice.

 

[Sir Ollie]

Oh my the new look is uhhh.

Anyway sounds good to me.

 

[Aura Guardian]

It had problems?

Cool I suppose. I'm not much of an audiophille geek person, but still nice.

Neither am I but my main concern is will it come with the HD-cables?

 

[Jumplion]

It had problems?

Cool I suppose. I'm not much of an audiophille geek person, but still nice.

Neither am I but my main concern is will it come with the HD-cables?

As far as I know, no, it won't be sold with HDMI cables. Though how hard could it be to find one cheap? [http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=HDMI+Cables&x=0&y=0]

 

[Aura Guardian]

It had problems?

Cool I suppose. I'm not much of an audiophille geek person, but still nice.

Neither am I but my main concern is will it come with the HD-cables?

As far as I know, no, it won't be sold with HDMI cables. Though how hard could it be to find one cheap? [http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=HDMI+Cables&x=0&y=0]

I found 20 of them at Toys'r'us for $2.00 clearence. I got 3 of them hee hee.

 

[Geoffrey42]

Monoprice.com people: learn it, love it, take it home and introduce it to your family.

And it's nice that they're fixing this small thing that obviously isn't costing them that much (probably came part and parcel with whatever HDMI chipset they opted for in the new config), and only affects a small percentage of their user base. I mean, I bet 80, even 90% of their customers were buying their PS3s for reasons OTHER than its bitstream support for DTS-MA HD and Dolby TrueHD codecs, so it was really nice of them to go out of their way on this one to please that minority.

 

[DrunkWithPower]

I couldn't justify trading playback for audio.

 

[Monshroud]

I am not sure how big of an 'upgrade' this is. This is just passing the raw signal to a receiver rather than having the PS3 decode it and send the processed info to one.

Either way it will be neat to see the little 'True HD' icon turn on on my Denon.

 

[TimeLord]

I didnt think there was a problem with PS3 audio :S owell

 

[GonzoGamer]

It had problems?

Cool I suppose. I'm not much of an audiophille geek person, but still nice.

Neither am I but my main concern is will it come with the HD-cables?

As far as I know, no, it won't be sold with HDMI cables. Though how hard could it be to find one cheap? [http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=HDMI+Cables&x=0&y=0]

Damn. I thought the $7 ones at newegg were cheap. Do they still just sell the crazy $75+ cables at stores like bestbuy and radio shack.

The improved audio is not exactly enough to make me want to trade in my fat for the slim. What I would like to see is custom soundtracks with any game: why is that such a point of difficulty. I wouldn't mind so much if the developers patched them in but devs don't even do it for the PS3 exclusives: I know of like 5 games with the feature.

 

[Jumplion]

The improved audio is not exactly enough to make me want to trade in my fat for the slim. What I would like to see is custom soundtracks with any game: why is that such a point of difficulty. I wouldn't mind so much if the developers patched them in but devs don't even do it for the PS3 exclusives: I know of like 5 games with the feature.

I think a part of it is that (emphasize on I think) Microsoft patented custom sound tracks in games or something similar to that.

 

[GonzoGamer]

The improved audio is not exactly enough to make me want to trade in my fat for the slim. What I would like to see is custom soundtracks with any game: why is that such a point of difficulty. I wouldn't mind so much if the developers patched them in but devs don't even do it for the PS3 exclusives: I know of like 5 games with the feature.

I think a part of it is that (emphasize on I think) Microsoft patented custom sound tracks in games or something similar to that.

I can't imagine they could get away with that; then again, they've gotten away with worse. How can you patent a feature like that.

Maybe the way they do it is patented, but to patent the ability itself is absurd.

There's got to be another way for Sony (or Nintendo) to make it possible without getting sued.

 

[Pimppeter2]

Umm, okay?

Sounds pretty pointless

pun definitely intended

 

[SomeUnregPunk]

this is like the difference between LCD tvs and plasma tvs. only the few can notice the difference.

 

[Jumplion]

The improved audio is not exactly enough to make me want to trade in my fat for the slim. What I would like to see is custom soundtracks with any game: why is that such a point of difficulty. I wouldn't mind so much if the developers patched them in but devs don't even do it for the PS3 exclusives: I know of like 5 games with the feature.

I think a part of it is that (emphasize on I think) Microsoft patented custom sound tracks in games or something similar to that.

I can't imagine they could get away with that; then again, they've gotten away with worse. How can you patent a feature like that.

Maybe the way they do it is patented, but to patent the ability itself is absurd.

There's got to be another way for Sony (or Nintendo) to make it possible without getting sued.

Again, heavy emphasis on I think.

 

[cleverlymadeup]

The improved audio is not exactly enough to make me want to trade in my fat for the slim. What I would like to see is custom soundtracks with any game: why is that such a point of difficulty. I wouldn't mind so much if the developers patched them in but devs don't even do it for the PS3 exclusives: I know of like 5 games with the feature.

I think a part of it is that (emphasize on I think) Microsoft patented custom sound tracks in games or something similar to that.

that would get tossed out if challenged as it's not really a patent and could easily be worked around

as for the topic on hand, i don't really care i'm not much of an audiophile or at least one that needs stuff like that

 

[Simalacrum]

Anyway sounds good to me.

I hope you noticed the pun there...

 

[ssgt splatter]

OK, so...
PS1 had a slim version
PS2 had a slim version
Nintendo had the gameboy and all other advances down the road
Then Play Station came out with it's PSP
And now the PS3 has a slim version.
So my question is this...where the hell is the XBOX 360 slim version and/or handheld?