After the ultimate PS4 FAQ went live over on the PlayStation Blog, there was a bit of an uproar after people noticed that the console would not support MP3 files or DLNA, so you essentially couldn’t play music or stream content from another device.
Due to the fact that the PS3 features all of these, and a huge number of people buy it to use as a media system, this obviously seemed like a strange choice – why wouldn’t these be supported?
They’ve since updated the FAQ with a line below the MP3 and DLNA/streaming sections saying that they “appreciate your feedback and are exploring possibilities”, so all the complaining has definitely changed something, at least.
What’s more is that Sony’s President of Worldwide Studios, Shuhei Yoshida has thanked fans for the feedback, and that he’ll share with the PS4 development team for “future consideration”.
Thanks for the feedback to the lack of MP3 and DLNA support at the launch of PS4. I'll share with the PS4 Dev team for future consideration.
— Shuhei Yoshida (@yosp) October 30, 2013
After that, he’s had a “very good” discussion with that dev team, and they’re really happy to learn that people use the PS4’s media features so much. So, they obviously just misjudged how much people wanted a media device.
Had a very good discussion w the PS4 Dev team today. We're happy & appreciative to learn so many people use and like PS3's media features.
— Shuhei Yoshida (@yosp) October 31, 2013
So, it seems as though this functionality may come with a future patch, if that’s at all possible – which is probably is – and we could see PS4 media functionality down the line.
Until then we can assume your PS3 won’t be going anywhere.
pdannysan13
They need to do this. They are going against Xbox One which is said to be the ultimate all-in-one entertainment. Sony is attacking by saying that they have everything that is worthwhile having, plus the amazing games. Not having fancy voice control is okay, but something as simple as MP3 player…
I actually fell asleep a few times listening to songs on my PS3 and watchinh that picture of Earth.
Embo1
If they do reverse their decision then let’s be reminded of double standards
blarty
I wonder if the thing is, with LoveFilm, Netflix, iPlayer etc they can get stats and telemetry on the number of people using those services and averages against game time etc. but with local streaming that’s a different kettle of fish i.e. privacy and ‘sending data back to HQ’ and all that.
Phizzy
It only does everything!
wirralsman
Good news. Though I have found myself using these features less and less of late. They are of course always welcomed!
Thechunkymunky
Besides downloading from the PS4s browser, how are people going to get MP3s onto the console? Can’t do audio CDs because i’m guessing the laser won’t read them and external HDD aren’t supported so can’t transfer like that.
I’m guessing some things have had to give to get the price down. It just suprises me how many people expected some features which hadn’t even been mentioned. Just because the last console did it, doesn’t mean that we’ll have it next time around.
R1MJAW
I would assume it would be possible to transfer stuff via USB memory sticks. Although external HDD’s aren’t supported, USB sticks will be as it is an alternative way to install firmware updates (just like on PS3).
Phizzy
The console can read data CDs, I think they’re just avoiding paying any extra licences for software functionality like CD audio and DLNA and gauging demand when they announce their absence. It could be quite substantial… Although it could be a royalty fee ‘for every device sold’, allowing them to avoid paying any extra royalties until the early adopter crowd are all out of the way. I don’t know about licencing. Hello!
Jumping Monks
I know my PS3 wont be moving anywhere any time soon as I use it an awful lot for listening to music, more-so than gaming even. This news doesn’t really affect me because I won’t be able to hook the PS4 up to my somewhat old amplifier which only has phono input anyway (well not without some kind of optical to analogue converter, do such things exist?).
Phizzy
They do exist, but I’ve only seen them in the form of £100 powered boxes that convert audio to and from every cable imaginable.
Jumping Monks
I know my PS3 wont be moving anywhere any time soon as I use it an awful lot for listening to music, more-so than gaming even. This news doesn’t really affect me because I won’t be able to hook the PS4 up to my somewhat old amplifier which only has phono input anyway (well not without some kind of optical to analogue converter, do such things exist?).
It does seem a very basic thing to omit however, glad to see they’re looking into it.
Jumping Monks
ermm… that appears to have been posted twice :S
stueeeee
Well there was so much functionality that ps3 didn’t have that got patched in so I’m sure they’ll patch it. PS3 still needs u to go to the settings to activate WMA wen u first get it and that was a patch I think.
Still love that I can put a CD In PS3 and it’ll find the album and name all the tracks, import it and I can put album art on there from Internet. How PS4 doesn’t have this as standard is strange.
Maybe they shulda done a few more customer surveys about media….
Phizzy
Maybe the ‘activate functionality’ button for things like WMA gives them a hard number of people to account for in the payment of royalties. Maybe it makes more sense to them to put it in as an optional ‘activate this?’ feature so they can keep as much of their money as possible? Oh man these painkillers are making me float
Vallon
While I’ve got other devices that can stream media, this is very good news – can’t understand how Sony didn’t think it would be a problem, but at least they are listening to consumers.