PlayStation 3 launched in silver

Editors' note: The silver 40GB PlayStation 3 and matching DualShock 3 wireless controller will be launched in March 27 at S$559 (US$411.03) and S$73 (US$53.68), respectively. These will also be available in Hong Kong and Taiwan at HK$2,680/TWD$11,480 for the console and HK$349/TWD$1,540 for the controller.

Japanese game console makers have this habit of re-releasing products in different colors. Look at the Nintendo DS and PS2--it's hard to keep track how many different variations those products come in. So it comes as little surprise then that the PS3 isn't spared such treatment, too. Presenting the satin silver version of the PS3, which has just been announced in Japan.

This model will be available in Sony's motherland from March 6 at 39,800 yen (US$374). It is a 40GB version, which means it isn't compatible with PS2 games like the 60GB and 80GB ones are. This is the third PS3 shade following the original black and white models. The console will come with one silver controller out of the box. This DualShock 3 wireless controller will also start to go on sale separately at about US$52 on the same launch day. We have contacted Sony about its availability in Asia Pacific and are awaiting a reply.

Given Nintendo's reputation for releasing its consoles in many colors, it's shocking the Wii still comes in only white, while the PS3 already has three colors. We still want a Wii in red, so Nintendo, stop showing restraint in an area that no one expects you to have any.

Via AV Watch

Microsoft's HD-DVD fire sale!

The HD-DVD fire sale is on! With the HD format to be terminated, Microsoft is slashing its discontinued S$299 (US$219.85) HD-DVD addon drive to an insane S$69.90 (US$51.40) in Singapore. To give you a comparative figure, that's roughly twice the street price of an internal PC DVD drive. Amazingly, this is also a no-strings-attached deal with a full one-year warranty, not forgetting its value-added PC compatibility via additional software driver.

Editors' note: Revised pricings for the rest of Asia are NT$1,680 for Taiwan, 68,000 won for Korea and HKS$399 for Hong Kong.

Now that this is off Microsoft's inventory, we also took the liberty to check on the possibility of a Blu-ray replacement and this was what the Redmond company had to say from an email response:

"It is premature to speculate but we do know from market data that HD movie playback is not a primary purchase driver for consumers buying video game consoles. It continues to be games that drive purchase and that has consistently been a strong point for the Xbox 360 platform. HD-DVD is one of the several ways we offer a high definition experience to consumers and we will continue to give consumers the choice to enjoy digital distribution of high definition movies and TV shows directly to their living room, along with playback of the DVD movies they already own."

Translated... we think that means a "maybe".

We're still awaiting information on any price revision for the rest of Asia. Check back for updates.

Multimedia cabinet or wine rack?

Now this is what we call a home theater cabinet. Furniture with built-in speakers and other media equipment is nothing new, but this ultra-limited-edition (and curiously named) "Stringless Pleasure" stereo rack--created by architect Chi-wing Lo, according to Dvice--takes the concept to an entirely new level.

Why? Not only does it have high-end gear built into its shelves, but the system also has plenty of storage space for discs and other media--which we think could just as easily be used a wine rack.

Via Crave CNET

TViX M-7000A: Media streamer at its best

If you're sold to the concept of movie downloads and streaming, the upcoming TViX M-7000A beats just about all existing media streamers in the market. Not only does it support the latest H.264 and VC-1 video compression formats found on Blu-ray, the Korean company also promises studio-grade Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio playback through future firmware upgrade.

To build up your personal HD library, just add a generous terabyte hard drive, and you're all set for business. It also rocks for video handling with out-of-the-box film-centric 1080p24 output, courtesy of an updated HDMI 1.3a terminal.

Connectivity-wise, there're a standard wired network jack and optional wireless Wi-Fi 802.11g, besides handy USB ports for direct multimedia playback and file transfer.

This little puppy, which has already generated quite a buzz online, is slated for launch in March. Pricing details were not available at press time.

Photo credit: TViX

Warner Bros. tests emerging tech in new facility

Warner Bros. Entertainment Group is tired of guessing about how the studio's content will appear on the Web or handheld devices.

That's why the company has built a new media center designed to test how consumers respond to Web sites, consumer electronics, and video-on-demand services that feature the studio's movies and TV shows.

The company behind such films and TV shows as I am Legend, Michael Clayton, and ER, has outfitted the media center with Xboxes, PSPs, iPods, Macbooks, varying brands of PCs, DirectTV, and a plethora of cable subscription services.

The company will bring in everyday consumers and watch how they interact with Web sites, gadgets, or video-on-demand services that feature Warner content. With the help of eight pan-zoom cameras built into the ceiling, researchers will monitor the respondents, according to Bruce K. Rosenblum, the executive vice president in charge of the media center.

"We're not operating in a vacuum anymore because of this center," Rosenblum told CNET News.com on Thursday. "We want to get smarter and understand these technologies a bit better. Warner Bros can just assume about the deals we do. I think it's important that Warner knows the experience."

The studios know that they can't rely solely on the TV set or VHS recorder anymore. Fans are consuming films and shows on video-game consoles, music players like the iPod, and mobile phones. Rosenblum said Warner Bros. modeled its media center after one built in Las Vegas by CBS.

The differences between the two facilities are that Warner was designed specifically to test emerging technologies and is on-site.

Rosenblum decline to discuss costs of building the center. He did say that companies owned by Time Warner, the studio's parent company, are welcome to use the facility.

Via Crave CNET

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