PlayStation 5 - Next gen is expensive

[JPL]

10 minutes ago, Stanley said:

I think the PS5 looks more modern in that sense, from a design perspective, whereas the Series X is just a black box. Even speakers these days are moving away from that form factor and using more curves. So I think the design choice they’ve gone with, whilst weird from a console pov, is actually in keeping with more modern trends. 

Each to their own. Minimal vs maximal.

 

I'm a designer though, so it's no surprise I prefer minimalism.

[Cyhwuhx]

I've come to despise the PS5's shape even more over the years. It's just an extraordinary ugly piece of kit. The scumbag collar absolutely ruins whatever positives were left in the design. It's arguably the least Sony-ish device I've ever seen or owned.

[sofasurfer]

My PS5 is hidden in a cabinet, along with the SX but what really annoys me is how little thought went into designing the little stand to hold up the machine if you want to lay it horizontally. At least with the SX it just lays there whichever orientation you decide, whereas a crappy bit of plastic masquerading as a stand is all you get. Really thought they would have crafted something a little more elegant.

[Giddas]

3 hours ago, JPL said:

My amp, decks, mixer, etc beg to differ! They’d look weird stood up vertically though, mind!

what I mean is there is a 2:1 ratio on height and width. Normally consumer electronics are more like 3:1 or 4:1  when horizontal, DVD players, CD players, sky boxes etc

[Kevvy Metal]

Just to add a drive-by alternative opion, but I LOVE the aesthetics of the PS5. I have it front and centre under my TV, and it looks like an amazing hi-tech alien clam and I love it. Just looking at it makes me want to turn it on and play it. 

 

 I also do like the look of the new Xboxes, but the PS5 is superb. 

[Stanley]

33 minutes ago, Kevvy Metal said:

Just to add a drive-by alternative opion, but I LOVE the aesthetics of the PS5. I have it front and centre under my TV, and it looks like an amazing hi-tech alien clam and I love it. Just looking at it makes me want to turn it on and play it. 

 

 I also do like the look of the new Xboxes, but the PS5 is superb. 

Hear, hear!

[Stanley]

5 hours ago, JPL said:

Each to their own. Minimal vs maximal.

 

I'm a designer though, so it's no surprise I prefer minimalism.

I like minimal too - I just like something that throws curves in to break up straight lines - I love 50s/60s styles too and it just seems to fit in well there.

 

What do you design? 

[JPL]

Just now, Stanley said:

I like minimal too - I just like something that throws curves in to break up straight lines - I love 60s/60s styles too and it just seems to fit in well there.

 

What do you design? 

I’m a graphic designer, but I’ve moved more into advertising in recent years. I’m currently doing a huge campaign for Moncler’s 70th anniversary, which is really good fun, although it’s stopping me from even turning my Xbox on at the moment. That bastard fire giant will just have to wait.

[Hitcher]

3 hours ago, sofasurfer said:

My PS5 is hidden in a cabinet, along with the SX but what really annoys me is how little thought went into designing the little stand to hold up the machine if you want to lay it horizontally. At least with the SX it just lays there whichever orientation you decide, whereas a crappy bit of plastic masquerading as a stand is all you get. Really thought they would have crafted something a little more elegant.

It's useless - one little touch and the PS5 slips out of it. Nightmare when dusting, which is also needed a lot due to the shiny plastic!

[p1nseeker]

I love the PS5 aesthetic. Fuck the haters. 

[Stanley]

1 hour ago, JPL said:

I’m a graphic designer, but I’ve moved more into advertising in recent years. I’m currently doing a huge campaign for Moncler’s 70th anniversary, which is really good fun, although it’s stopping me from even turning my Xbox on at the moment. That bastard fire giant will just have to wait.

Nice! 

[Qazimod]

ICYMI, more discounts were added to the sale recently:

 

 

[jimmbob]

Does anyone have any tips for a relatively cheap hdmi switcher that will work between a PS5 and an Xbox series X to save me constantly faffing around at the back of the TV?

I presume the thing needs to support 4k or something?

My TV doesn’t do 2.1, whatever that is. 

As you can tell I’m very intelligent on these matters. 

[Superunknown]

23 minutes ago, jimmbob said:

Does anyone have any tips for a relatively cheap hdmi splitter that will work between a PS5 and an Xbox series X to save me constantly faffing around at the back of the TV?

I presume the splitter needs to support 4k or something?
As you can tell I’m very intelligent on these matters. 

 

You need a switch, rather than a splitter. If you've got a 4K TV (or plan to get one) then, yes, it will need to support 4K @60hz (at least), and should be powered by a separate PSU or USB - 'self-powered' models steal their power from the source device, which can cause signal-drop-out etc..

 

The rebranded stuff sold by numerous sellers on Amazon will vary wildly in quality (and there's little way to be sure exactly what model you'll receive) so it's often better to stick to a known brand. I've not needed one for years, so can't recommend a 4K model, but I've previously used one from Aten which was fantastic and worked flawlessly. They make a 2-in 1-out 4K @60hz switch, but it's ~£60 so might be pricier than you were looking for.

[jimmbob]

Ah yes that’s it, a switcher. £60 you say. Hmm, perhaps leaning behind the TV isn’t too much of a bind after all. Thanks for the help.
 

 

[JoeK]

48 minutes ago, jimmbob said:

Ah yes that’s it, a switcher. £60 you say. Hmm, perhaps leaning behind the TV isn’t too much of a bind after all. Thanks for the help.
 

 

For only £1000+ you can buy a lovely new tub with lots of connections. Bargain.

[Superunknown]

2 hours ago, jimmbob said:

Ah yes that’s it, a switcher. £60 you say. Hmm, perhaps leaning behind the TV isn’t too much of a bind after all. Thanks for the help.

 

You _can_ find cheaper ones, and I'm sure some of them work as advertised, but I couldn't advise which because they're mostly a singular mass of no-name brands seemingly recycling the same models, most of which are sold by businesses I've never heard of  I'm sure some additional research would turn up some more competitively priced alternatives.

 

And if you do swap connections, make sure both the TV and source devices are switched off. Hot-swapping works until it fries your HDMI board!

[jimmbob]

So you’re saying I need a brand new telly? 🤔 

 

I hear you. Thanks for the tips. 

[LaveDisco]

When we’re all old age pensioners, we’ll be nostalgic for the awesome, unique design of the PS5 rather than the (still decent) Series X. 
 

The series S is the best looking Xbox and whilst it’s fantastic it has nothing on the PS5. 
 

Facts. 
 

 

[Fargo]

I actually don’t mine the design. I wish it was smaller, but a digital ps5 with black plates looks pretty good in my opinion. The disc version is still fairly ugly. I actually switched to a digital system as soon as I found one in stock. 

[SMD]

41 minutes ago, LaveDisco said:

When we’re all old age pensioners, we’ll be nostalgic for the awesome, unique design of the PS5 rather than the (still decent) Series X. 
 

The series S is the best looking Xbox and whilst it’s fantastic it has nothing on the PS5. 
 

Facts. 
 

 

 

this is what americans tell themselves about the super nintendo and it doesn't make them any less wrong

[LaveDisco]

19 minutes ago, SMD said:

 

this is what americans tell themselves about the super nintendo and it doesn't make them any less wrong

the PS5 ain’t no parmaviolet travesty and you know it. 

[Shimmyhill]

30 minutes ago, LaveDisco said:

the PS5 ain’t no parmaviolet travesty and you know it. 

 

Its far worse looking than the Parma design classic!

 

Ive grown to not mind the PS5 looks, mainly as I can’t see it and actually grown to quite like the UI as its nice and snappy even if a bit arse about face in use.

[Hitcher]

3 hours ago, jimmbob said:

So you’re saying I need a brand new telly? 🤔 

 

I hear you. Thanks for the tips. 

Why not just get an HDMI extension cable so you're not reaching around the back of the TV and to also prevent wearing out the TV's HDMI socket?

[jimmbob]

@Hitcher ooh, good idea. I will look into that. Cheers 👍. 

[SozzlyJoe]

On 06/08/2022 at 16:21, jimmbob said:

@Hitcher ooh, good idea. I will look into that. Cheers 👍. 

 

I bought this recently for similar purposes

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B09CL5WQC3/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Tenner, worked fine. Worth a punt?

[jimmbob]

Thanks for the tips chaps. 
 

In a stroke of expensive luck I’ve managed to snag one of these directly from the PS store, so best I clear some room under the telly. 

They’re available direct on the PS store as of writing btw. 

 

[sonixtorm]

On 06/08/2022 at 09:09, Superunknown said:

 

You need a switch, rather than a splitter. If you've got a 4K TV (or plan to get one) then, yes, it will need to support 4K @60hz (at least), and should be powered by a separate PSU or USB - 'self-powered' models steal their power from the source device, which can cause signal-drop-out etc..

 

The rebranded stuff sold by numerous sellers on Amazon will vary wildly in quality (and there's little way to be sure exactly what model you'll receive) so it's often better to stick to a known brand. I've not needed one for years, so can't recommend a 4K model, but I've previously used one from Aten which was fantastic and worked flawlessly. They make a 2-in 1-out 4K @60hz switch, but it's ~£60 so might be pricier than you were looking for.

I was really struggling to find a switcher that supported CEC (i.e. it allowed through the signal to wake the TV from sleep when the device is turned on). This one does and is £12 - I haven't got a PS5, but works well with my PS4.

[Jarik]

Got my Amazon invite and placed the order for the Disc Edition.

 

I'd honestly been going back and forth a little as to whether I really wanted it.  There's precious little I want specifically on the PS5 but I have a huge back catalogue of PS4 games (and a 2TB PS4-Branded HD to store them on) on my PSN account that by all accounts will run better on the PS5 than they did on the PS4 Pro.  I'm sure they'll be things in future I want too so it's best to get it while I have the chance.

 

The only thing I'm torn on now is whether to get the new PlayStation Plus Extra. I have most of the games it offers already, and Sony have been clear that they won't be offering new games day and date, but that doesn't really matter to me.  FOMO isn't a concern of mine so as long as they show up eventually that would be okay...

 

And while not a primary concern, in curious to see how the Media streaming (YouTube, Netflix, Disney +) fares.  If its good enough it might just replace my Roku, especially if the remote and headset are any good.

[layten]

Finally got around to unboxing and setting up the Pulse 3D headset yesterday (AC unit was making a racket #firstworldproblems), and I was surprised that the audio quality wasn’t shit. Which is about the highest praise I can think of for a set of cheap wireless headphones. Not a patch on the HD650’s I use on the PC, but certainly good enough for a spot of GT7.