History of Sony PlayStation game consoles. History of PlayStation

PlayStation will receive a hardware upgrade as Sony is already working on a new version of the console, PlayStation 4.5. At the same time, we are not talking about a new generation of consoles, but about improving the current version of the PS4. First of all, the changes are aimed at speeding up work with VR applications. Thus, the update will support the release of a new console called PlayStation VR in October. The Wall Street Journal learned about all this from anonymous sources.

PlayStation 4.5 will receive a new central processor and graphics chip, which will significantly increase performance, making the console much better able to handle 4K and VR applications. This data was published by the gaming site Kotaku, citing unnamed game developers who, in turn, were informed by Sony about the new console.

PS 4.5: Sony gives PS4 more power

The new PS4 console, called PlayStation 4.5 or PS4K by its developers, will have a faster graphics processor, thanks to which it will be able to delight users with games in 4K resolution, which is four times more pixels than the current PS4 with a resolution of 1080p. Additionally, a more powerful CPU should help render VR apps faster. The PlayStation VR headset should go on sale in the fall of 2016.

PS4 vs High-End PC

Rumors, not commented on by Sony, have generated excitement in the gaming market. PlayStation 4.5 could become a real competitor to powerful gaming computers, which until now have had a certain advantage, mainly due to high-quality support for the 4K format.

In addition, PlayStation VR could indeed become an inexpensive alternative to Oculus Rift and HTC Vive, and not the weak VR solution that many Oculus fans still see it as. Most likely, Microsoft will not sit idly by and will be forced to update the Xbox One hardware.

However, the following question remains open: where will Sony get powerful hardware that will not lead to a significant increase in the cost of the console? Gamers could put up with an additional payment of 5-7 thousand rubles, but if the increase is more, it will be very difficult to sell the console. Moreover, we must take into account that the current PS4 was introduced only two years ago.

One possible solution being discussed online is that Sony could buy AMD and its GPUs, so it would have "in-house manufacturing." Since the release of the 4K console was planned for quite a long time, we consider this scenario to be very unlikely.

The fact that PlayStation 4.5 will soon be presented, on the contrary, is beyond doubt. This could be one of the reasons why Sony hasn't offered any PS4-VR bundle yet. Most likely, this will happen with the advent of PlayStation 4.5 - and will help virtual reality conquer the mass market much faster.

After the resounding success of the PlayStation 3, which was released by the world-famous Japanese company Sony back in 2007, everyone was waiting for a sequel. And now, after six long years of waiting, the Japanese were born with a new product - the fourth generation console PlayStation 4. The characteristics of this model exceeded all expectations, and at the time of its release the console had neither analogues nor competitors. This allowed sales of the console to soar to previously unprecedented heights, which brought serious profits to the manufacturer.

Key Console Features

Let's take a closer look at the console: what is the PlayStation 4? The characteristics of the new console correspond to all modern realities and even slightly exceed them. Here are the basic data:

The new console has an x86-64 AMD Jaguar processor, which is not inferior in power to the best computer analogues and has 8 cores.
The graphics core from AMD, which produces 1.84 teraflops, is responsible for video playback
RAM is 8 gigabytes, generation GDDR5.
The total memory capacity is 500 GB; the hard drive can be replaced if desired.
Among the input/output devices, we can highlight a full-fledged 6xCAV Blu-ray drive, as well as the presence of USB 3.0 and AUX outputs.
The console can connect to the network via Ethernet, which supports 10BASE-T, 100BASE-TX, 1000BASE-T protocols, wireless systems that support IEEE 802.11 b/g/n and Bluetooth 2.1.
The set-top box has HDMI, digital and analogue outputs.

In short, the new console has everything that even the most sophisticated and demanding player needs.

As for joysticks, they can also please players. The joysticks are now wireless, have dimensions of 162 x 52 x 98 mm and a fairly light weight - 210 g. They lie very comfortably in the hands and are practically not felt. Plus, the absence of wires also plays a role - now you can play at any distance from the console. In general, the joysticks are packed with the latest technology and are not inferior in functionality to the console itself. Among the buttons you can see PS, share, options, direction of movement, actions, R1/L1/R2/L2, left stick/L3, right stick/R3. In addition to the buttons, the joystick has a capacitive touchpad that supports up to two points simultaneously. The touchpad is fully clickable. The joystick has a six-axis gyroscope built into it. In addition, it has a light bar that makes its appearance even more attractive, the joystick supports vibration and it has a built-in microphone for communicating with other players while playing or recording streams. The joystick has USB outputs, Extention and a headphone jack, so if you wish, you can connect everything you need to it. The gamepad is connected to the console via Bluetooth 2.1+EDR. The battery on the joystick is a classic lithium-ion one that can last quite a long time without recharging.

The PlayStation 4 comes with an updated PlayStation 4 Eye camera with external dimensions of 186 x 27 x 27 mm. Its characteristics are also quite worthy of respect:

It can shoot video with a resolution of 1200 x 800 pixels and a frame rate of 60 frames per second in video formats such as RAW and YUV. There are also shooting modes with a resolution of 640 x 400 and a frequency of 120 frames per second, 320 x 190 and a frequency of 240 frames per second, which allows you to choose the optimal quality that is convenient for you.
The camera has dual lenses with a fixed focus and a capture range of 30 cm.
The view of the updated video camera is 85 degrees, which, you see, is quite a lot.
The camera has a four-channel microphone that picks up even the quietest sounds.
The camera is connected to the console via AUX. The cable length is two meters, so the camera can be placed in any place convenient for you.

And that’s not all the innovations, there are incredibly many of them. If we listed them all, this article would not be enough. You can learn about additional innovations in the software plan from the second half of the article.

Design

So, you have already become familiar with the main innovations in the PlayStation 4. The characteristics, you see, are impressive. As for the appearance, everything is excellent here too. The dimensions of the new console are 275 x 53 x 305 mm, and the weight is about 2.8 kg. The appearance of the console is quite classic - straight lines and a slightly beveled design, in short, nothing superfluous. It fully complies with the principle of Japanese minimalism. The body of the console looks like three layers of blocks, which symbolize the power and reliability of the console. In the center of the top panel you can see the glossy manufacturer's logo. On the front panel of the set-top box you can see two USB outputs.

If you want something special, then today there is a fairly large number of different customized models of consoles, among which you can choose any one, depending on what you like best

Advantages compared to other consoles

The main competitor of the Japanese console is still the brainchild of Microsoft - the Xbox console. By and large, the consoles are quite similar and it’s hard to say which one is better. It is best to leave this question to the judgment of gamers, because each of the consoles has its own advantages and disadvantages, and, accordingly, each of them has its own army of fans who consider the competitor’s product something unworthy of attention.

Features of the new console

What else can the new PlayStation 4 boast? The characteristics have already been considered, the design too, all that remains is to see the new software-type features. And here, too, there is where to roam:

The console was made as convenient as possible for developers of new games, significantly reducing the time required to create them, as well as their budget. This will allow even small game development companies to promote their creations to gamers with minimal effort. As a result, it will receive a serious impetus for development.
While the game is downloading from the PlayStation Store, you won't have to sit and look at the loading bar with a bored face. Now you can start playing the digital version of the game the moment you download it.
You can update your software even while your console is offline.
Now there is a new “smart pause” mode. It allows you to continue playing from where you left the game immediately after turning on the console. This means that even a lack of time will not hinder your progress in the game - you can pause, turn off the console, and then turn it on and continue playing from the same place.
Now there is the newest Gaikai system that will let you try the game in the store before you buy it. After all, no one wants to buy a pig in a poke, right?
You can see what your friends are playing in real time.
In the store you can now immediately see a list of your recommendations. It is based on your purchases on the PlayStation Store, which, you see, is very convenient.
Now there is a new service called Ustream that allows you to stream games in real time. And if you encounter difficulties, you can easily ask for help from friends who will tell you how best to go through this or that moment of the game.
The console menu is now multitasking: while playing, you can use other applications, for example, surf the Internet.
Using special PlayStation Apps, you can connect to the console using PlayStation Vita and PS Vita TV. In addition, you can connect to the console using your phone.
The console comes with a standard headset and a 500 GB hard drive, which can be replaced with any other if desired.
The console has finally removed regional restrictions, so you will no longer encounter letters such as PAL and NTSC.

Differences from previous versions

The technical characteristics of the PlayStation 4 are significantly different from the characteristics of the previous version of the console. The software also has significant differences. Technically, the console has become much more powerful - everything has improved, from the processor to the RAM. An important fact was that the manufacturer abandoned the processors that it used in previous models and adopted a computer processor.

In addition, the new joysticks are different. An important update was the appearance of the Share button, which makes it possible to share the best moments of your game with friends and acquaintances or stream the game in real time.

Console modifications

Today, there are several different modifications of the Sony PlayStation 4, the characteristics of which are slightly different. Today, the most popular modifications are Neo, Slim and Pro. Each of them has its own characteristics.

PlayStation 4 Pro

One of the modifications can be called a console whose characteristics differ from the standard one. It shows higher performance due to the updated “filling”. The technical characteristics of the PlayStation 4 Pro are as follows:

Full 4K support. Now the game graphics will be impressive.
The hard drive has been increased to terabytes.
The graphics core has been improved by more than 2 times to expand the graphics capabilities of games.
Full 1080p resolution.

As you can see, there are quite a few changes. If we compare the standard console and the PlayStation 4 Pro, the characteristics of the latter significantly exceed the original, especially the visual component. In addition, the pro version boasts an additional USB port on the rear panel. The new console is scheduled for release in November 2016.

PlayStation 4 Slim

Another modification of the console is the PlayStation 4 Slim. Its characteristics have not changed, as in previous slim versions of consoles. The only thing that has changed is the size of the console. She became much smaller. Its size became smaller by a third, and its size decreased by a quarter. All this made it possible to significantly reduce energy consumption and reduce noise levels. The new set-top box is equipped with USB 3.1 ports, Wi-Fi a/b/g/n/ac with the ability to connect via Bluetooth 4.0. In addition, the slim version of the console is cheaper than the original one.

PlayStation 4 Neo

Sony has created a high-end console called the PlayStation 4 Neo, its characteristics are somewhat different from the original. The first thing that catches your eye is the seriously improved graphics. Now, if your TV allows it, you can enjoy full 4K in all games. True, at the moment only games released in the fall of 2016 are meant, but the Japanese promise to finalize everything. TVs that support the FullHD system will also be subject to improvements - they will now have a higher stable frame rate, and the graphics detail will be higher.

The processor of this modification will be more powerful and support a clock frequency of 2.1 gigahertz, which will speed up the operation of the console by a third. The power of the graphics core was more than doubled, and its clock speed increased by more than a hundred megahertz. In addition, the RAM throughput was increased by a quarter, which is also important. Plus, an additional 512 megabytes of memory were allocated for games. All this made it possible to increase the image resolution to full 2160p. The release of the updated console is scheduled for October 2016.

Nowadays, it is difficult to imagine that the first rudiments of the conceptual idea of the Sony Playstation were developed back in the mid-80s of the last century. The console went through a difficult path of creation, but the efforts of its main author, Ken Kutaragi, were not in vain. The Sony Playstation 1 model marked the beginning not only of the successful development of its own family, but also had a serious impact on the products of competitors.

First start

Japanese gamers were the first to evaluate the PS1 console in December 1994. At the same time, the console’s debut did not take place under the best conditions, since a week before this event a serious competitor from Sega appeared on the market. In terms of income, the situation was also rosy. Since Sony sought to attract first customers at an affordable price, there was no talk of profit from consoles. The bet was made on gaming revenues. One way or another, the developers had serious reason for optimism, since the Sony Playstation 1 console already received a lot of enthusiastic responses in the first days of sales. This was confirmed by the complete emptying of the company's warehouses.

A year later, the console appeared in Europe and the USA, where it was no less successful. In parallel with this, games were developed, including Ridge Racer, Warhawk, Philosoma Air Combat and others. Users bought up PS1 discs of all genres, waiting for new series to appear. At the same time, the manufacturer offered a considerable range of peripheral devices for that time, expanding the capabilities of the console. These include mice, cables for connecting consoles with each other, a Sony Playstation 1 memory card and other components. All this could not but affect the attractiveness of the model, which left no chance of competition from the already former leaders of this sector in the person of Nintendo and Sega.

Specifications

Processor details:

MIPS R3051 - 32-bit RISC.
The processor frequency is 33.8688 MHz.
Processor bus bandwidth is 1056 Mbit/s.
Performance - 30 MIPS.
The data cache is 1 KB.
Instruction cache - 4 KB.

Memory details:

The main RAM for the standard model is 2 MB, and the debug version has 4 MB.
Sound memory - 512 KB.
Video memory - 1 MB.
CD-ROM - 32 KB.
EEPROM memory card - 128 KB.

GUI

In the classic version, the Sony Playstation 1 graphical interface is provided with a GUI with a dark blue background. At the same time, the letters with icons are made with rainbow shades in a graffiti style. However, in the later, compact modification of the PSone, the design was changed. In particular, the background became gray and acquired shortcuts for accessing the CD player and managing the memory card. By the way, some modifications also supported video playback with basic player control functions. Subsequently, this direction began to develop as a parallel improvement in the quality of the gameplay.

Modifications

The first generation of Sony Playstation underwent many changes, with each variant receiving a unique serial number. This process began with a modification of the SCPH-1000 version into which the connector was integrated. In the next edition it was removed. Further changes affected the internal content. In the 500x series, the developers simplified the shielding, moved the CD drive, changed the power supply wiring diagram, and moved the RFU and RCA ports from the back of the set-top box. After this, the Sony Playstation 1 was launched in the 700x line, the representatives of which also had internal differences. In particular, the system RAM contained only one instead of four chips. The same applied to the CD controller - if previously it was served by three chips, then in subsequent editions their function was performed by one. The final edition was the 900x series, which was equipped with the same hardware, but the creators removed it and reduced the printed circuit board.

Possible problems and repairs

Since the first appearance of the console on the domestic market, the problem of repair has been acute, since there was a shortage of components and spare parts for such equipment. In this case, the problems mainly affected the integrated fuses on the motherboard, which blew out. As a result, the following problems could occur:

The set-top box does not detect the controller to control.
The memory card cannot be read.
No image.
The console simply won't turn on.

Today you can find integrated fuses of a suitable model in any store that sells electronics. However, repairing the Sony Playstation 1 in the form of restoring the console's motherboard may not solve the problem if the fault was caused by a peripheral device. Therefore, before repairing, you should test the operation of joysticks, memory cards and other related components that could cause a burnout on the board.

Emulation

By today's standards, the PS1 console is certainly outdated in many ways. The first version, due to its technical data, is no longer relevant on the game console market. But, despite this, there are many enthusiasts who appreciate the merits of the first games launched on this console. For this purpose, special emulators are being developed that allow you to run such games on a Windows system. It is important to take into account that a Sony Playstation 1 joystick may not be required, and memory cards may not be read by all versions of emulators. When choosing such a program, you should pay attention to the following nuances:

Compatible with a wide range of PS1 games.
If necessary, the ability to play via the Internet.
Support for the latest plugin versions.
The already noted possibility of emulating memory cards.

Reviews about the console

The model has been tested by time and by entire generations of gamers who speak favorably of the console. In particular, its survivability, maintainability, reliability and functionality are noted - of course, in comparison with competitive products of that time. By the way, the Sony console was one of the first that allowed you to play music CDs. In terms of cost, the opinions of owners are not so favorable to the Sony Playstation 1. The price during its popularity on the Russian market varied from 3,000 to 4,000 rubles. Currently, the set-top box can be purchased either used or abroad. In the first case, it can cost 1,500 - 2,000 rubles, and in the second, due to additional costs, approximately 5,000 rubles.

Of course, for such a sum it is advisable to purchase a set-top box, the capabilities of which have long been outdated, only out of a sense of nostalgia. Nevertheless, there is such a demand. On the other hand, there are many users who still have a Sony Playstation 1 console, purchased 10 or even 15 years ago. This again indicates the durability of the model.

Subsequent generations of the console

The development of the successor to the successful console was not long in coming, and already in 2000 its second generation was released. The next model fully met the expectations of its creators, becoming the best-selling gaming console in history. By the way, according to data for 2011, about 155 million set-top boxes were sold. Among the features that distinguished Sony PlayStation 2 was DVD support. But at the same time, serious competitors from Microsoft and Nintendo also appeared.

The next stage in the development of the console was the PS3 generation, which entered the world market in 2007. The console supported not only gameplay, but also allowed the user to access the Internet and watch movies, and Blu-Ray discs were used as media. At the same time, Microsoft released one of the most successful consoles in its Xbox 360 line, forcing Sony to raise the bar.

The fourth generation was the last of the PS series. Its appearance occurred in 2013. The model operates under the Orbis OS, which, in turn, is a modification of the ninth version of FreeBSD. The fundamental change in the console was the universalization of the internal filling with maximum proximity to the computer. Thus, compared to the Sony PlayStation 2 model, the fourth generation received an AMD central processor with 8 cores, 500 GB of hard drive space, USB ports and the latest wireless modules. The disadvantages of Playstation 4 include incompatibility with games from previous versions of the console. However, with the help of cloud services, gamers successfully solve this problem too.

Conclusion

The technologies embodied in the Playstation 1 console were not only revolutionary for their time, but also laid down the basic principles for the entire gaming industry. The unprecedented capabilities of the PS4 cannot be compared with the potential possessed by the first Sony game consoles, but it was the PS1 that provided the impetus and basic directions for moving towards promising development. One of the ideas that changed the concept of the approach to providing gameplay was the abandonment of cartridges in favor of CDs. This is what allowed Sony specialists to work with more complex games and improve the transmission of graphics and sound. Subsequently, the range of capabilities of consoles expanded due to the use of DVD and Blu-Ray, as well as a fundamental departure from the specification of technical stuffing and its approach to traditional PCs.

Comparing the gaming potential of the first version of PS with the functionality and technical characteristics of newer versions of the console, we can say that these are completely different consoles. However, the developers still remain true to the core concept of their products, providing them with high ergonomics, reliability and a focus on providing maximum gaming pleasure. Another thing is that the improvement of technology, new consumer demands and competition do not allow us to stop the process of modernizing set-top boxes, which radically changes their performance.

This year, the Sony PlayStation 4 game console turns four years old. In 2016, in honor of the third anniversary of the console, the Japanese corporation released two new modifications of the Sony PlayStation 4 - the Slim, which became noticeably thinner, and the Pro, which became much more powerful.

And now there is a very good one for all gamers. Soon the whole world will become acquainted with Sony PlayStation 5 2018 of the year. This year will be a breakthrough year, in some ways, since usually seven to ten years pass between two versions of the PlayStation. Why did conservative Sony decide to change its decision?

Probably, the Japanese company was prompted to release a new model so quickly by a conglomerate of various software programs, a giant of various types of computer equipment and, among other things, the creator of game consoles. Yes, we are talking specifically about Microsoft Corporation.

After the release of the most powerful Project Scorpio, which supports all games, as well as Xbox One accessories, Microsoft is going to regularly update game consoles. Presumably, new consoles will be released every three to four years.

Sony decided to follow similar tactics and made a lot of efforts to release the PlayStation 5 next year. Gamers around the world froze in anticipation of an updated gambling system.

Fans of Sony products hope for a successful release of the PlayStation 5 in . In this case, the time interval between the release of two versions of game consoles will be only five years.

Rumors or truth?

Speculation regarding the release of the fifth version of the PlayStation in 2018 is indeed similar to fortune telling on coffee grounds. After all, the company itself is silent and does not give any comments that would confirm or refute the information wandering on the Internet about the year of release of the PlayStation 5. So where does this confidence come from from experts and avid gamers?

Macquarie Securities lead specialist Damian Tong, who aptly predicted the exact release date of the previous version of the PlayStation, as well as the updated PlayStation 4, is confident that Sony intends to significantly reduce downtime. According to the analyst, in such a highly competitive time it is not worth resting on your laurels for long, and the Japanese company realized this in time. Damian Tong expects the PlayStation 5 exactly in the second half of 2018.

In addition to everything, the head of the English branch of Sony, Fergal Gara, spoke about the corporation's intentions to release a completely new type of gaming systems. Accordingly, there will be a significant improvement in the technological characteristics of the new consoles, and this will already be the release of the next generation of game consoles. Considering the level of sales of the PlayStation 4 and updates to this version, the imminent release of the PlayStation 5 becomes very reasonable and very likely.

PlayStation 5: parameters and characteristics

Regarding the appearance, shape and color of the new game console, we can already safely say that we will see the PlayStation 5 in black, and its shape will not be too different from its predecessors. That is, again a square black console.

Some critics also say that the fifth version of the PlayStation will not be able to move far from other consoles with its internal parameters. But don’t forget that not long ago Sony changed its main processor supplier. Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) has firmly taken Nvidia's place.

Due to the fact that Sony Corporation is intensively exploring the virtual reality market, trying to take a dominant position, there is a need to introduce new cutting-edge components that will help gamers immerse themselves in the mysterious virtual world. Taking this into account, the Japanese corporation began to need super-fast processors and, of course, the most powerful “stuffing” of the gaming console.

AMD will fully cope with these issues, which has already made a proposal to release a completely new generation of consoles with a processor several times more powerful than that used in the fourth version of the PlayStation. Such a processor will allow Sony to reach the highest level of gaming architecture, which, in turn, will help in creating incredible virtual games that will blow your mind.

Despite the fact that no one yet knows the exact release date of the PlayStation 5, there are nevertheless many rumors surrounding the new console. For example, some experts believe that the changes will affect not only the internal content of the console, but also the virtual reality devices that interact with it.

In other words, not only will the console itself undergo some changes that will allow it to become several times better than its predecessor, but the virtual helmet with the controller will also change. In addition, as mentioned just above, it is planned to release new virtual games that can take the player from boring reality to a world where everything is possible.

How much will PlayStation 5 cost?

Analysts were able to not only predict the release year of the new Japanese console, they also predicted the estimated cost of the console.

So, fans of gaming on the brand new PlayStation, get your wallets ready. The price for the fifth version of the Japanese console will vary from 500 to 700 dollars. Naturally, the estimated cost does not include the necessary additions: virtual products and, of course, a 4K TV.

For several years now, Sony's PlayStation 4 has been on the shelves of Russian stores. During this time, PS4 Slim and PS4 Pro appeared, you can read a review of the latter. If you are interested in the PS VR helmet, then there is a separate material for it. I would like to devote this article to those important points that future buyers of the new generation Japanese console should pay special attention to.

1. PS4 package

The Playstation 4 console includes:

Dualshock 4 game controller;
HDMI cable;
wired mono headset;
power cable;
micro-USB cable for charging the game controller.

It should be noted that the PS4 Camera is not included in the package. It is sold separately and costs from 3,599 rubles. The PS4 comes standard with a 500GB hard drive. This Playstation 4 kit in Russia costs from 20,000 rubles. You can also purchase a game console with a 1 TB hard drive. Both the regular console and the Slim version in the photo below are still available for sale.

2. Regional restrictions

If you are wondering whether a Playstation 4 purchased in the USA or Japan will support games in the PAL region, then I hasten to reassure you - it will. This is possible because the PS4 is completely devoid of regional protection and supports playback of discs from any region. But Sony warns that some game developers may be able to deliberately limit the availability of their game in certain regions of the world. Therefore, be sure to read what is written on the game box so as not to step on this rake. 99% of PS4 games will run smoothly on any console. As for supporting different network voltages, the PS4 is capable of operating in American electrical networks (120 volts) and European ones (230-250 volts). If you buy your console in the US, you will need a power outlet adapter, which can be purchased at any electronics store, or simply replace the power cable with a suitable one. The console has one limitation - its ability to play Blu-Ray films exclusively from its native region. In other words, if you bought a console in Russia, then you won’t be able to run an American Blu-Ray disc on it, since the regions are different and vice versa.

3. Playstation Plus subscription to access multiplayer

Yes, free use of online games like on Playstation 3 is no longer possible. To play online multiplayer using Playstation 4, you will definitely need a paid subscription to the Playstation Plus service. Its cost is 449 rubles per month, which makes it quite affordable. In addition to access to online features with this subscription, you will receive free games each month, available for download during the subscription period. Also, members of the Playstation Plus service receive various bonuses for free:

gaming avatars for profile
automatic downloading of patches and updates for games
early access to beta versions of new products
cloud storage for your game records (10 GB cloud storage for saved games for PS4)
the opportunity to buy most games with impressive discounts.

You can play free-to-play projects and some MMO games without a PS Plus subscription.

4. PS4 Hard Drive Capacity

Quite a significant parameter, especially considering the fact that almost every PS4 game will be installed 100% on the console’s hard drive. The game disc must be present in the console drive only to identify its authenticity. If you take into account that games on Blu-Ray discs will have an average size of 40 GB, the free space on a 500 GB HDD will run out very quickly. You can free up space only by deleting already completed games in order to download or install new ones. Just like on PS3, games can be re-downloaded from PSN at any time if you're playing digitally, or restored from disc if you're using PS4 Blu-Ray. Let me also remind you that you can use any other one yourself, for example, 1 TB, or buy a PS4 set with a 1 TB hard drive. Any HDD of 2.5-inch format and a thickness of no more than 9.5 millimeters with a capacity of at least 160 GB is suitable for replacement. These recommendations are available on the official Sony website. Those who wish can even use SSD drives. Currently, PS4 does not support external storage devices for storing games, but “time heals” :).

5. After purchasing a Playstation 4, you must download a mandatory update

This software update takes 300 MB and will contain very important additional functions:

Streaming your games to the Playstation Vita portable console
ability to play Blu-Ray movies.

6. Does Playstation 4 support DLNA servers, Audio-CD and MP3?

9. PS4 Camera and its functionality

As you already know, the PS4 won't come with a camera, but each console will come with a free pre-installed game called The Playroom that will show you off the camera's new features, as well as the new DualShock4 controller with its glowing Lightbar. The new PS4 camera can recognize voice commands as well as some of your gestures. It is equipped with two lenses for a more accurate perception of the depth of space, as well as four microphones to accurately isolate the voices of players from the surrounding noise. The camera will be able to recognize users by their faces, and also automatically understand which of them has which gamepad in order to place them in the correct order in the game. Now you don't have to change places on the couch to match the location of your characters on the screen - the console will do it for you.

10. Playstation Vita - remote play on PS4 (Remote Play)

This feature first appeared on the Playstation 3, but it worked poorly there, and only a few games support Remote Play. Now, with the arrival of the PS4 on the market, support will be included initially in almost every project. If your large TV is often occupied by someone, then you will find this feature especially attractive. Your wife can watch a movie from the HTPC, and you simply connect the PS Vita to the Playstation 4 and display your favorite game on the screen. Remote Play also supports Xperia smartphones starting with the Z2 model. The only negative is that the controller triggers will be touch buttons on the back of the PS Vita, so playing shooters will take some getting used to.

PS4 Features: New Console Features

Mandatory installation of games

From the moment you install a Blu-Ray disc with a game in your console, it immediately begins copying the game data to the internal hard drive - caching. This process takes place in the background - it will not take up your time. If the game was previously installed on a hard drive, there is no need for caching. As I wrote above, almost every game requires the complete installation of disk data on the hard drive. This decision was made due to numerous complaints from game developers who were not satisfied with the long loading of levels from Blu-Ray media. Playing games entirely from Blu-Ray discs will only be an exception.

The most important point, at least for me, is that there is no need to wait for the game to be completely installed on the internal hard drive. You can start the game while installing data in the background. For example, the Blu-Ray version of the game Knack requires 10 seconds of installation before the game starts; in the remaining time, 37 GB of data will be installed. Fun fact: On the Xbox One, you need to have about 50% of your game data installed before you can start playing. The data installed on the HDD will be stored until it is manually deleted. If you buy the digital version of the game, you will have to wait a little longer before you can start playing. Download times for digital copies of games will depend on the speed of your Internet connection.

PS4 interface

The Playstation 4 user interface is easy to use, intuitive, and incredibly fast. By double-pressing the Playstation button on your controller, you can quickly switch between the two most recently running applications on your console. There is no need to save the game. PS4 will remember everything until you return to the game. As you remember, in Playstation 3 the game had to be completely closed to switch to another application.

Connecting and setting up the Playstation 4 Camera is similar to setting up the Kinect sensor. The only difference is to hold the DualShock 4 gamepad in different positions so that the camera can capture its luminous part - the Lightbar.

If you're logged into someone else's PS4 console as a guest, you won't have to create a separate profile for this, and all your data will be deleted immediately after you log out. This is very convenient when you come to visit someone and don’t want to spend 10 minutes creating a separate account for yourself.

Now friends will be divided into two groups: “real friends” and “just acquaintances”. The PS4 console will allow you to see the real names of your “real friends” on the Internet. To avoid incidents, you will be able to see the user’s real name only after you send him a special “request by name.” And if he allows you to see his personal data, his real name will appear on your screen next to his PSN login. In the future, Sony promises to add an “accept all requests by name” button, but for now you will have to approve or reject requests one at a time.

The console's home screen has now become like a social network news feed, which will tell you about the gaming activity of your friends. For example, one of them is playing Killzone: Shadow Fall, and the second is watching a broadcast of someone else's game. You can almost instantly join any of them, be it a game or just watching a broadcast. If you want, you can mute news from specific people so you don't see them in your news feed.

The interface of the built-in Playstation Store has become much faster compared to the PS3 version. Those who have access to the Sony Video Unlimited or any other service are given the opportunity to watch movies from the store online, without downloading to the console.

Trophies

Now game trophies will be divided into special subgroups: common, rare, very rare and ultra-rare. You will be able to see statistics, what percentage of users who played this game received this or that trophy. You will also be able to monitor in real time which trophies your online friends have won.

Broadcasting gameplay (streaming)

Additional features

The PS4 console was designed to operate even in standby mode. When you're done playing and turn off your console (while leaving it plugged in), it will continue to operate in power-saving mode. Downloading new updates, fresh firmware, and other files will occur in the background.

The Playstation 3 console had a significant flaw: it did not allow controllers to be charged when in standby mode. Charging gamepads with the PS4 turned off has become possible.

PS4 users will be able to send each other 15-second voice messages, recording them using a mono headset (supplied with every PS4) or using the Playstation 4 Camera (this accessory already has two versions, the first square and the second round). These messages can be accompanied by screenshots taken during the games. These messages can also be heard using the Playstation App for smartphones.

The article will be constantly updated. Ask your questions in the comments!