Getting The Most Out Of Cell
Posted by Christopher Sasaki Categories: Hardware, PlayStation 3,
It has been said that leveraging the power of Sony’s Cell processor and its architecture will be a lengthy learning process for game developers; Vivendi Games recently participated in a workshop with IBM to try and get a leg up on the process. One of the participants, High Moon, talked with Next Generation about what they learned. High Moon discussed the complexities of utilizing the SPE cores and balancing load; they also talked about new methods of game development and world generation, like “procedure synthesis.” Gamers best exposure to the concepts behind “procedural synthesis” in the future would probably be Wil Wright’s Spore, but one could see the technology being used in a number of different types of games. Still, learning the architecture sounds like it will take time; it could be years before the full power of the Playstation 3 will be unlocked.
Read More 
| Next Generation
Gallery: Getting The Most Out Of Cell
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Extremetech Dissects Vista Gaming Performance
Posted by Christopher Sasaki Categories: Hardware, PC,
It has already been reported that there are some games that have problems under Microsoft Windows Vista, some due to compatibility problems with the OS, others with driver issues. Even for games that run correctly under Vista, often there is a performance hit taken by the OS. Extremetech has looked at a suite of game titles with some of the highest hardware requirements and run them all under Windows XP and Windows Vista across three high-end video cards to see what the performance hit actually is. Overall, Extremetech’s findings show that both nVidia have some room for improvement in their driver sets. Generally, the ATI card took a bigger performance hit in testing, but generally across the board, the cards dropped framerates by as much as 40%, but generally more in the range of 5 – 20%. The lack of maturity on Windows Vista video card drivers and the lack of DirectX 10 games on the platform suggests that the best option for gamers at this point is to wait for the software situation to firm up a bit more before upgrading.
Read More | Extremetech
Gallery: Extremetech Dissects Vista Gaming Performance
PS2 Backups Booting On PS3
Posted by Christopher Sasaki Categories: Hardware, Mods/Hacks, PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3,
Some enterprising gamer has figured out how to boot PS2 backups on the Playstation 3, assuming that one is willing to dismantle the PS3 and cut a hole in the top cover. Basically, the swap trick is an implementation of an existing hack used on the older Playstation 2 machines. The mod is interesting mainly because it shows off how deep the hardware compatibility for PS2 games goes, but if one really wanted to play back up Playstation 2 software, it probably makes a little more sense to pick up a cheap slimline PS2 and a Swap Magic disc rather than voiding the warrantee and risking the health of a $500 to $600 game console.
Read More | PS2 Scene
Gallery: PS2 Backups Booting On PS3
More Xbox 360 HDMI Details
Posted by Christopher Sasaki Categories: Hardware, Xbox 360,
Xbox-Scene has further details about the hardware modifications needed for the Xbox 360 to support HDMI. The site has hardware shots of a prototype Xbox 360 board with HDMI support added, along with a video showing the port in action. One of the most frustrating things about the rumors of HDMI support has been how coy Microsoft has been about adding this connection to the console. Early on, the message from the company was that 1080P and HDMI would not be necessary for HD gaming. Now that the Playstation 3 hit the market, however, 1080P mysteriously becomes an available option and an Xbox 360 with HDMI surfaces.
If Xbox-Scene’s information is reliable, then the reason why Microsoft has not been forthright about HDMI support in the Xbox 360 becomes clear; the original Xbox 360 had no chance of supporting a digital output because their vaunted scaler chip, ANA, would only support analog signals. The new Xbox 360 has an updated scaler, HANA, which probably enables digital scaling and HDMI support. Apparently, when Microsoft says that they will “provide an HDMI port to consumers when it makes sense,” that means they will do it when the competition supports it and by offering new hardware, rather than an upgrade to existing users. One also has to wonder if this ties in at all into Microsoft’s efforts to expand the Xbox 360’s multimedia capabilities; content providers may be shying away from the platform without a secure connection with HDCP enabled.
Read More | Xbox-Scene
Gallery: More Xbox 360 HDMI Details
Xbox 360 Revision 2 Specs Leaked
Posted by Christopher Sasaki Categories: Hardware, Rumors, Xbox 360,
Gamers knew that Microsoft has been planning a cooler, more efficient version of the Xbox 360 CPU for future versions of the console. However, according to Engadget, the modifications to the console don’t end there. An Xbox insider leaked the upcoming changes, which include the new CPU, an HDMI port, and a new 120 GB drive. The fact that the HDMI port is integrated into the box suggests that there will be no HDMI cable coming for early adopters of the Xbox 360, and a bundled 120 GB drive for the same price as the original Xbox 360 Premium kit this early in the console’s life cycle would be enough to cause anguish for recent purchasers of the console. With no real details as to pricing and bundle availability, gamers will have to wait and see how Microsoft handles this release; the company will have to weigh alienating their existing customer base while enticing new customers to buy.
Read More | Engadget
Gallery: Xbox 360 Revision 2 Specs Leaked
Xbox 360 Gets Warranty Extension
Posted by Christopher Sasaki Categories: Hardware, Xbox 360,
While the Playstation 3 and the Nintendo Wii both had one year warranties (15 months for the Wii when registered), the Xbox 360 had trailed with a mere 90 day warranty. Now, Microsoft has extended the warranty on all Xbox 360 consoles, past and present, to one full year. Those users who have had to have their consoles repaired in the past will qualify for reimbursement of those fees.
The early Xbox 360 consoles were somewhat notorious for their failure rate. While Microsoft initially downplayed this issue, eventually they owned up to the problems and offered free repairs and a warranty extension for those users. Some complaints on the Internet indicate there are still problems with some Xbox 360 consoles shipped.
Microsoft’s press release announces the warranty extension as a customer satisfaction measure. This may be in response to Xbox 360 issues, but also as a way to address implied reliability issues by the gap in warranty length compared to the other consoles. For whatever the reason, this a good thing for Xbox 360 owners.
The full press release continues after the jump.
Click to continue reading Xbox 360 Gets Warranty Extension
Gallery: Xbox 360 Gets Warranty Extension
Japanese PS3 Backward Compatibility Issues Online
Posted by Christopher Sasaki Categories: Hardware, PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3,
Sony has posted a backwards compatibility database for the Japanese Playstation 3 online, and IGN has checked for issues with some of the major titles. According to IGN, most of the titles checked report “Currently, there have been no reports of major problems during play.” Given that there are thousands of titles in the database, it is unlikely that Sony has been able to test every single game thoroughly at this point, so compatibility issues may still surface later.
Also, IGN reports that many titles in the database with issues have been fixed as of the System 1.10 update, indicating that the emulation system is software based, not based on PS2 hardware inclusions as rumored earlier. Most of the issues IGN highlighted are problems with background music or movie sound playing back incorrectly. While annoying, this wouldn’t be a major issue. However, titles like Gran Turismo 4 and Silent Hill appear to be subject to occasional freezes, and some titles lose game save data.
Some of the issues appear to be hardware based. Some of Konami’s titles have problems with the microphone, and there are issues with games that allow gamers to access previous Playstation 1 save data. Other issues seem to be related to the differing hardware support in the PS3 as well. HD-based games are also not compatible, though a future software update promises to fix these. Hopefully, Sony will place the US compatibility list online soon. While a number of titles appear to have issues, at least right now it seems like the Playstation 3 will offer greater backward compatibility support than the Xbox 360.
Read More | IGN
Gallery: Japanese PS3 Backward Compatibility Issues Online
Jim Kahle Talks Next Generation Cell
Posted by Christopher Sasaki Categories: Hardware, PlayStation 3,
Jim Kahle, chief architect of Sony’s Cell processor recently talked with Dean Takahashi of Mercury News about the Cell, and the next generation of the cell processors. Kahle described the current Cell as handling roughly 200 gigaflops, but the next generation efforts are targeting a teraflop on a chip. Sony is currently targeting 2010 for the release of the new processor, anticipated to have about 32 special processing units. Kahle also discusses the potential of integrating the GPU with the CPU, but doesn’t commit either way on the process, other than to state that Sony is investigating the pros and cons of this approach.
Read More | Mercury News
Gallery: Jim Kahle Talks Next Generation Cell
Famistu Shows Off Detailed Playstation 3 Images
Posted by Christopher Sasaki Categories: Hardware, PlayStation 3,
Famitsu released a bunch of detailed images from the Playstation 3 20GB and 60GB model, including some comparisons with the original Playstation 2. The 20GB and 60GB models look very similar, of course, with a different bezel color across the front. The 60GB model also adds the various flash media slots under the front flap. A long string of logos adorns the console, with all the multimedia options it supports, including Blu-Ray, DVD-ROM, Super Audio CD, and Dolby TRUEHD. The new SIXAXIS controller is also compared with the old Dual Shock, and some other changes have been made beyond wireless support and the lack of rumble. Famitsu highlights changes to the L2 and R2 triggers; it looks like these are shaped slightly differently and have a larger range of motion than the Dual Shock.
Read More | Famitsu
Gallery: Famistu Shows Off Detailed Playstation 3 Images
Xbox 360 Owners Get 1080p For Free
Posted by Christopher Sasaki Categories: Hardware, Xbox 360,
Earlier at the Tokyo Game Show, Microsoft promised that the Xbox 360 HD DVD drive would support the full 1080P resolution that the format offers. Now, a report on Seattle Post-Intelligencer indicates that the ability to display this resolution will be given to Xbox 360 owners via a free software update. Microsoft did not announce and HDMI cable for the system, but one would hope that the component and VGA outputs would support 1080P.
Update: Full 1080P scaling for DVD and HD-DVD will only happen over the VGA connection. On component video connections, DVD contect is restricted to 480P, and HD-DVD will be restricted to 1080i. Game content will support 1080P over component or VGA connections.
Read More | Seattle Post-Intelligencer
Gallery: Xbox 360 Owners Get 1080p For Free
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