Sony reveals PlayStation Vue streaming service.
- Thread starter Squire
- Start date
I spent 4 years learning french back in high school. I should have known that :S
aaronwt
Member
But how much will it be? Right now I only pay $70 a month for FiOS Ultimate HD. Which gets me all their HD and SD channels and all the HD and SD premiums except Starz and HBO. Plus it gives me Redzone in HD. All for only $70. Sony would need to price this very low to even be worthwhile. Anything over $30 would be too much for only 75 channels. Plus it doesn't come anywhere close to supplying enough channels.
DOWN
Banned
Huh? You realize cable subscriptions are dropping because people want web based alternatives? This is the holy grail. People want their network shows and live reports without dealing with cable packages and channels they hate.
Sony has assembled the fellowship. They need Disney and good marketing and this thing is a go.
abstract alien
Member
Wonder how long it will take for Comcast to throttle this.
DOWN
Banned
There's multiple markets in the US TV system. That's what they mean here. Though I'm sure Sony will attempt to spread Vue over time.
They own NBCUniversal and that's one of Sony's partners listed in the OP. So far it sounds like Comcast wants in on the new web alternative for cable cutting.
It obviously isn't now, but the takeaway message from that initial reveal last year was undeniable. They may have backtracked as much as they could before launch, but that console was definitely not designed with a 'gaming first' directive.
How soon we forget.
abstract alien
Member
Hmmm, that's pretty interesting. Clear skies and good times may be ahead.
That's what I was thinking - nice name, but already taken here.
Regardless, this could be a great idea for Sony.
But it refers to 'North America' as a single market.
I don't know how he can say that TV was not their main priority at one point. The 1BN NFL deal alone.
"Tee Vee, Tee Vee, Tee Vee...."
Ahahaha, I had no idea the Xbox One reveal conference had such a huge focus on TV
Ray Wonder
Founder of the Wounded Tagless Children
What's the difference? If you have cable on your Playstation vs a cable box? I would much rather have it as a browser based service where I could use it on an account that I log into. Seems like a waste of time to me. It's just taking the attachment from one box to a more fancy, paid for, box.
But it wasn't their main priority, apparently.
Except it's also releasing on ipad/ smartphones and other devices - it's a service.
Manmademan
Member
It'll be device agnostic in time. PS is just for starters. iPad is coming more immediately too, then other things.
Browser based would be good too. Dunno if they'll focus on native device apps vs a browser service though.
Lol, yes it was. I still have "Tee Vee, Tee Vee" ringing in my ears from watching that.
Was the Xbox One not also designed to be a cable box as well. I honestly thought there was a connection between their TV TV message and the way the machine is designed. Correct me if i am wrong.
Brad Grenz
Member
The Sony service is eventually going to be device agnostic. They have already committed to iOS support in addition to consoles. Also, it has the potential to be much cheaper than cable. You pay for those cable boxes too, after all. Often to the tune of 10+ dollars per TV per month.
Sarcasm
Ray Wonder
Founder of the Wounded Tagless Children
This already exists for mobile devices, I'm pretty sure.
If it's browser based, then I might sign up. Although when I cancel my cable, my bill will probably raise higher than if I just kept my cable. I don't know.
Only time will tell, but as of right now, I'm disinterested.
Brad Grenz
Member
Does it matter if your Internet bill goes up 10 bucks if your TV package goes down by $40?
DOWN
Banned
Nope, a TV market in the US includes all the local affiliates and carried networks. Each market has a slightly different lineup due to local affiliate programming, but Vue will carry at least 75 channel with the exception of Disney owned networks, which includes ABC and ESPN.
North America is not referred to in The section discussing TV markets, which are different.
Ray Wonder
Founder of the Wounded Tagless Children
The way I have it right now, with the triple play package, I get 100mbs for cheap. If I cancel one of the 3 (phone, internet, or cable) I lose that package, and it wouldn't go up only $10. It would probably make having Playstation Vue, and Internet more expensive than having cable and internet. Because Comcast.
ramuh
Member
So your PlayStation won't be a DVR using your local harddrive? Just a live and On Demand option. I think the reason they got a good initial lineup is so that networks can get ad dollars on the On Demand option. I see something around 59.99 or so. Depends on whether or not Disney (ABC, ESPN) jumps on board. So in essence you are being offered a discounted Cable Service (minus box rentals). And depends on how this Cloud-Based DVR thing works. If it really is a DVR or just a On Demand option.
Edit: It seems to be a limited style DVR system. Like a month life period before your DVR recordings age off.
Edit: It seems to be a limited style DVR system. Like a month life period before your DVR recordings age off.
Do we have to do the whole condescending 'Nope' starting comment :/
The Eurogamer article explicitly states 'per market' with north America being referred to as a single market - at least in the way it's worded.
Maybe I'm not understanding this correctly though.
The big selling point for this should be the 'opt in/opt out' Netflix style month to month membership. I can see this being a big hit with students etc and those who have no intention of signing a huge cable contract/commitment.
But in terms of pricing I don't see how they can price this below current cable prices given that Sony are buying the channels from the media conglomerates directly just like the cable operators.
It's a good idea but I don't think that there is a large enough audience for this (and the other OTT services) at the moment to make it a real challenger to cable etc.
But in terms of pricing I don't see how they can price this below current cable prices given that Sony are buying the channels from the media conglomerates directly just like the cable operators.
It's a good idea but I don't think that there is a large enough audience for this (and the other OTT services) at the moment to make it a real challenger to cable etc.
I think you're right. Sony have always had a media element to Playstation, back from CD playback, to DVD, Bluray and DLNA. But the approach I think is different. If you make a powerful console with connectivity, it will be able to stream HD video trivially, it becomes a software solution.
I'd say with PS2/3 they used them as trojan horse platforms to a degree, to support the launches of DVD and Bluray which they had a stake in. But even with PS3 they brought live TV in through an external tuner - no additional cost to the core console unless you wanted that TV functionality.
Personally I would prefer a nasne box to be released in the US/europe - let me control my own recordings, don't limit them to 28 days because it is in the cloud. But it is an interesting move. If they did something like this in the UK with all the freesat channels it could be a nice alternative to freeview - not everyone can mount a satellite dish on their house, and freeview still has a very limited number of channels.
They also need a good price.
GribbleGrunger
Dreams in Digital
I wonder if Sony will eventually run PSNow alongside this service?
Pricing will have to be VERY cheap. I won't be unreasonable and just throw out an unrealistic price, but I gave up DirecTV three years ago and have zero interest in maintaining anything similar to another cable subscription. With that being said I also know ala carte is an in feasible pipe dream. So we'll see.
GreyOcelot
Member
i'm surprised this isn't getting a lot of media attention. when did they officially announce it?
if apple announced the exact same thing, the internet would be on fire. people would be declaring cable companies dead, etc etc. not that i expect the same response from the tech world to a sony announcement vs. apple (the tech world even looks at microsoft as red-headed step-child), but still. this is huge. especially as other have mentioned, for folks that only have the option for 1 cable company. here's an interesting, viable alternative (price pending of course)
also, i can't help but think using the playstation brand is a mistake. sure the brand is very strong and recognizable, but so is/was xbox, and that didn't help xbox music and xbox video one bit
if apple announced the exact same thing, the internet would be on fire. people would be declaring cable companies dead, etc etc. not that i expect the same response from the tech world to a sony announcement vs. apple (the tech world even looks at microsoft as red-headed step-child), but still. this is huge. especially as other have mentioned, for folks that only have the option for 1 cable company. here's an interesting, viable alternative (price pending of course)
also, i can't help but think using the playstation brand is a mistake. sure the brand is very strong and recognizable, but so is/was xbox, and that didn't help xbox music and xbox video one bit
Two issues are you still need Internet. So you most likely paying a cable company of some sort. Currently with out TV my cable bill is about 80 bucks with all fees included, with TV and hbo I pay about 120 per month with all fees. So if this 30 bucks a month, plus Netflix 8 bucks, and most likely 15 to 20 for hbo. I would end up paying more. And that's before we start talking about data caps and bandwidth throttling.
Now that America is red say goodbye to net neutrality. Because that's regulation. And you know now how those red States hate regulation getting in the way of corporate profits.
Now that America is red say goodbye to net neutrality. Because that's regulation. And you know now how those red States hate regulation getting in the way of corporate profits.
DOWN
Banned
Well since it has no contracts, is going to be well connected to browsers and mobile devices, and is obviously trying to survive, it's going to be whatever a big live TV replacement for cable should cost.
GreyOcelot
Member
i highly doubt this is added task for the playstation team that is in place. this is probably a separate sony venture with the playstation brand attached
I doubt it, they've been investing in an IPTV service for years now - and it is pretty cutting edge. PlayStation is just a name as far as this concerned - it just so happens to have a tidy install base.
StarBlazers1
Member
First, Sony doesnt have billions to invest. Netflix has 50 million subscribers. It's a secondary form of entertainment for many people. It's only streamed a couple hours a day. Sony's solution is meant to replace Cable. It would be streamed many more hours a day. The bandwidth hit is going to be much higher. If you think internet providers are going to sit back and let Sony and their partners make money while they provide the delivery without a kickback of some kind, you're crazy. Again, this is going to be a $50+ service.
Nasne is very limited in its support, you can record only one channel at a time.
This basically records everything all the time.
Many, many cable and iptv services in Europe already have 3 day period for watching shows, i find it amazing.
Plus, big idea here is that it integrates all of the catchup services from various providers. Thats huge difference - as the images show, you can watch series from different providers - thats what you are paying sub for basically.
It all falls inline with h265.
Nasne is very limited in its support, you can record only one channel at a time.
This basically records everything all the time.
Many, many cable and iptv services in Europe already have 3 day period for watching shows, i find it amazing.
Plus, big idea here is that it integrates all of the catchup services from various providers. Thats huge difference - as the images show, you can watch series from different providers - thats what you are paying sub for basically.
Does it even record? I was under the impression it makes a link to a VoD stream available for 28 days.
GreyOcelot
Member
netflix is only streamed a couple of hours a day? LOL. i take it you haven't cut the cord. the amount of bandwidth will not be all that much different from a current cord cutter who uses netflix/hulu/etc exclusively for tv viewing. and most US ISPs don't even have caps these days
DJ Lushious
Member
As great of an idea as this is, I'd rather not deal with this type of service by using the PS4 controller. Why we haven't gotten a remote control for the PS4 or an accessory to use Harmony devices a year into the system is mind boggling to me.