We all knew that the next Eyetoy was on the way and for the first time, Sony has announced and shown the details of their next-gen PlayStation 3 version -- which is slated for release this summer. Now this is the kind of innovation we need, right? Here are the features:
• A sophisticated microphone with the ability to reduce background noise and focus on spoken word for smoother, more accurate speech recognition
• Engineered to perform in low-light conditions
• Faster frame rate for improved tracking, responsiveness and smoothness
• Two position zoom lens for close-up and full body options
• Free EyeCreate(TM) editing software, which allows users to save, edit and add cool visual effects to photos, video and audio clips
• EyeCreate also enables user to capture videos and audio clips directly to your PS3's hard disk drive and access a range of different capturing modes, including slow motion and time-lapse.
As cheesy as it sounds, the possibilities are pretty endless with something like this. The only real barrier, much like the previous Eyetoy, is software companies actually make good games that utilize the device.
Full press release after the jump.
PLAYSTATION(R) Eye Brings Next-Generation Communication to PLAYSTATION(R)3
Intelligent Camera and Noise-Cancelling Microphone in One Sleek Package Offering Expands Gaming and Communication Options
FOSTER CITY, Calif., April 26 /PRNewswire/ -- Sony Computer Entertainment America (SCEA) today announced the arrival of the next-generation PLAYSTATION(R)Eye camera. Scheduled for a Summer release, PLAYSTATION Eye is an essential accessory for voice, video chat and online gaming that will enable gamers to enjoy their PLAYSTATION(R)3 (PS3(TM)) Computer Entertainment System experiences like never before.
Designed specifically for PS3 and featuring huge advances in USB camera
and microphone technology, PLAYSTATION Eye is set to revolutionize the
experience of both interactive gaming and online communication on the
PLAYSTATION(R)Network. Expanding on the market-leading heritage of EyeToy(R) USB camera for PlayStation(R)2 computer entertainment system, the sophistication of PLAYSTATION Eye naturally complements the advanced features and capabilities of PS3 -- all in one intelligently designed, unobtrusive unit.
Designed specifically to work with the next generation of social gaming
titles and new services being developed for PS3, key features of the
PLAYSTATION Eye include:
* A sophisticated microphone with the ability to reduce background noise and focus on spoken word for smoother, more accurate speech recognition
* Engineered to perform in low-light conditions
* Faster frame rate for improved tracking, responsiveness and smoothness
* Two position zoom lens for close-up and full body options
* Free EyeCreate(TM) editing software, which allows users to save, edit and add cool visual effects to photos, video and audio clips
* EyeCreate also enables user to capture videos and audio clips directly to your PS3's hard disk drive and access a range of different capturing modes, including slow motion and time-lapse.
"With the release of PLAYSTATION Eye we will be able to dramatically
enhance the consumer's PS3 experience," said Richard Marks, research and development at Sony Computer Entertainment America. "Beyond audio/video chat and the ability to save videos to your PS3 hard drive, PLAYSTATION Eye opens up a whole new world of entertainment options and adds a new dimensions to games across multiple genres."
EyeCreate software
The free EyeCreate editing software, allows you to save photos, video and audio clips to your PS3 hard disk drive and apply eye-catching visual effects to your images. Different capture modes like time-lapse and slow motion open up a world of possibilities to be explored further in EyeCreate's editing suite, where you can turn your media into professional-looking movies.
New microphone functions
An all-new four microphone array, incorporating multidirectional voice
location tracking, enhanced echo cancelling and background noise suppression allows for clear audio chat in even the most noisy of environments, without the need to hold or wear a headset.
Next-generation camera features
A frame rate of up to 120 frames per second allows for super-smooth video and sophisticated low-light operation means that the room doesn't have to be brightly lit for the camera to deliver crisp, perfectly exposed video. The adjustable zoom lens features a 56 degree field of view to capture head and shoulders action for close-in audio-visual chat, and a 75 degree field of view to capture the whole body for a fully physical gaming experience.
Technical Specifications:
-- 4 channel audio input:16 bits/channel, 48kHz, SNR 90db
-- 56 degree or 75 degree Field of View zoom lens
-- 2.1 F-stop, < 1% distortion, fixed focus (25cm to 8 at 75 degree FOV)
-- 640 x 480 at 60 frames/second
-- 320 x 240 at 120 frames/second
-- USB2 high-speed data transfer
-- Uncompressed video or optional JPEG compression
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Contest:
10:15 AM on 04.26.2007
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Wonder who will be the first convicted of inviting over underage people into their Home space to view such videos.
Damn it, you beat me to it. :)
Bit gimmicky just like the original, not many games etc, most boring.
Foreman Grill? Check
Remington Shaver? Check
Sony has it's finger on the pulse of what everyday items are important to us.
The demo I saw used a crude camera, but the concept was in place -- you put cards down on a playing board and the camera would focus in on said cards. It would then translate the monster or power onto the screen, bringing the game to life. It was probably the most interesting/impressive PS3 related thing I saw at E3, and no one really reported much on it.
Then Kutaragi was like, "Hmm... it needs something, something to push it over the top, something Nintendo has already done but Microsoft doesn't have... a microphone! I remember Hey You Pikachu and loved it! Ok, so add a mic to that thing!"
So they tape one on top, Ken loves it, boxed and shipped. The Sony process in a nutshell ladies and gentlemen.
has some kickass framerates and a great mic for being a webcam, will definitely pick one up...
kicks vision cam's and eyetoy's asses
But here's the thing. The visual appeal of a high-tech gadget is almost as important as what it does when it comes to the casual consumer. Do you think the iPod would be nearly as successful if it looked like some of the generic music players? I highly doubt it.
If the PS3, as it looks, had been released by another company it would have bombed hardcore. Instead of putting effort into good industrial design they simply bank on the PlayStation name an we're left with some ugly (while perfectly capable) pieces of plastic in our living room.
This is part of why the Wii is doing so well. It's attractive to pretty much everyone. It's also why Sony's glass rimmed Bravia XBRs are the top selling TVs. Not only do they perform well, they look friggin awesome on your wall.
So Mr. Summa, simply for arguments sake, the way it looks is very important. And gauging the initial reaction just among us hardcore types I think you'd have to agree.
Sega did it before Nintendo with Seaman. Someone else probably did it before them, but if so I can't recall who.
I think the design looks fine. That is an impressive list of features, I'll be interested to see if they can do something really mind blowing with it other than some fun but shallow minigame collections (hey, sounds like the Wii!). I'm a little skeptical that the mic will work as well as they're saying, but we'll see.
Awwwwwww, Summa's pissed. So sad. It's fugly.
What it does - it's a camera with a mic. Wow. Hold on to your hats people, this is next gen.
i ™ and ® my idea here and now.
also cocks.
Nick -Brutal- Chester, I also loved the card game demo and I also thought it was crazy sweet, better pokemons anyone? Theres your next gen camera davey.
Should be cool either way
...do I have poor taste? :(
But then they will realize it's just a gimmick and there are no games for it and it's only selling on hype. Or some shit.
I actually think the non-game applications of this are what's really cool. Time-lapse, being able to record and edit. Hopefully there will be games to jump on all this.
i know Wii-hatred is something all the cool kids are doing around here, but this past weekend I played the Bleach fighting game and let me tell you there's not ONE game on PS3 that even comes close to being that fun.
just my 0.02.
You can't be serious? Yes, I'm jealous that I didn't buy a $600 console so I could have a camera with a mic and I instead decide to buy the other current gen consoles because they have some actual good games. What was I thinking?
Yep, this thing is gonna sell on fanboy hopes and dreams. 2 years from now, it will be in your closet gathering dust.
All be damned, that IS fun! Cmon, gimme another one.
This was exactly what I thought when I saw that camera. I like what the camera appears to be from it's specs, but it's actual design is strange. Also, if you don't think this equation makes sense, I don't care, this is what I thought of the camera!