PS3 delayed until March 2007 in Europe; only 500k units total in US/Japan at launch

Pete T C · 09-06-2006, 06:36 AM

Looks like Sony has left the door wide open for both XBOX 360 and HD DVD to take a big lead this XMAS.
http://www.scee.presscentre.com/Cont...8&NewsAreaID=2
http://www.engadget.com/2006/09/06/p...pe-and-others/

Rob_Walton · 09-06-2006, 06:53 AM

The article must have been edited since you posted it, since this is all it says -

Quote:

Press Releases

06/09/2006 06:40
Sony Computer Entertainment Europe Announces New March 2007 date for European Launch of PLAYSTATION 3

Sony Computer Entertainment Europe Announces New March 2007 date for European Launch of PLAYSTATION 3
No change in launch date for Japan and North America

London, Wednesday 6 September 2006 – Sony Computer Entertainment Europe (SCEE) today announced that it would revise the launch date of its PLAYSTATION® 3 computer entertainment system in the PAL territories of Europe, Russia, Middle East, Africa and Australasia from 17th November 2006, as previously announced to March 2007.

Launch dates for Japan and North America will remain the same, which are November 11th and November 17th respectively.

The revision of the launch date in the SCEE territories is caused by the delay in the mass production schedule of the blue laser diode within the Sony Group, thus affecting the timely procurement of key components to be utilised in PLAYSTATION 3.

The previously announced PLAYSTATION 3 shipment forecast of 6 million units globally within the fiscal year ending 2007 is not changed.

No mention of 500,000 that I could see, though it's dissapointing we'll have to wait until March over here to see the PS3.

TravisR · 09-06-2006, 06:57 AM

Is anyone actually surprised that a video game system isn't going to have enough units at its launch?

James St · 09-06-2006, 07:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rob_Walton

The article must have been edited since you posted it, since this is all it says -

No mention of 500,000 that I could see, though it's dissapointing we'll have to wait until March over here to see the PS3.

http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2006/...layStation.php

Quote:

In the U.S., about 400,000 PlayStation 3 machines will be available when they go on sale Nov. 17. About 100,000 will be available on the Nov. 11 Japan launch date.

Lew Crippen · 09-06-2006, 09:23 AM

Assuming that it is the lack of blue laser pickups that will cause the shortage of PS3 units at launch, will not that shortage also continue to limit the number of HD-DVD units?

I may be mistaken, but I thought that was a component common to both HD-DVD and Blu-Ray.

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Ed B · 09-06-2006, 12:38 PM

This for certain will effect BD stand alone players. Sony will be hoarding all diodes for the console for at least a year.

Not sure if HD-DVD uses the same diode.

RobertR · 09-06-2006, 02:44 PM

On AVS, I've seen people spinning this as being a good thing for BR. Amazing.

Matt^Brown · 09-06-2006, 03:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RobertR

On AVS, I've seen people spinning this as being a good thing for BR. Amazing.

I have not picked a side of the format war to get on but I can't see this as being good for Sony in any way. I myself have always been a huge PS1&2 fan but last year went out and bought a 360 for my son at Christmas. I decided that I would probably buy a PS3 when they came out in May just because I loved the PS system so much. Several guys I worked with held out hope for the PS3 as well.

Now since all of the delays and back peddling I am really happy that my son wanted that 360. I have been playing it for 9 months now and am happy I bought it. I am not a fan boy and have had to send my back for repair which was a pain in the butt. However I believe that the U.S will be lucky to see 400,000 units and that it will be another 6 -7 months before they have them on store shelves.

Once again my love for the system had to do with the game playing ability and I did not care about Blu Ray. I think they are hurting true gamers and that this set back will hurt them dramatically.

Frank@N · 09-06-2006, 03:19 PM

How about the news that Sony is dropping the HDMI cable from the launch box?

Thrown another $50 on the launch price at BB or CC.

I'd gloat further, but the prices on 2nd gen HD-DVD units also seem to have headed north to $800-land.

I want 1080p upconversion and the option for future HD playback, but that's a bit much with a format war raging.

Larry Sutliff · 09-06-2006, 03:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RobertR

On AVS, I've seen people spinning this as being a good thing for BR. Amazing.

A lot of blind loyalists on both sides over there, but the BD group can be especially hard to get through to. Nothing is ever a negative for Blu-Ray in their eyes. It's pretty amazing.

Quote:

I'd gloat further, but the prices on 2nd gen HD-DVD units also seem to have headed north to $800-land.

That just seems ass backwards to me. They aren't going to gain any new adherents by raising prices. This format war is really very frustrating.