What you need to know before buying and more. PS4 System Software

It is no secret that much of the modern working-age population has adapted to computer games thanks to the consoles. At first these were consoles like Dendy, Sega, and then more progressive solutions from Sony PlayStation and Xbox from Microsoft appeared. Simultaneously with consoles, computers are also actively developing, especially in terms of the graphics component. As a result, modern set-top boxes are entirely based on computer components, provide less functionality, but continue to be in demand. But market trends are such that the current generation of Sony PlayStation 4 consoles risks being the last with more or less high demand, since sales and demand for gaming computers turn out to be higher than for them.

However, the new PS4 console is breaking records within the market itself, which is associated both with a significant expansion of functionality and with the release of new games for it. It is also worth noting the delay in the start of sales of the main competitor - Xbox One from Microsoft in many world markets, including domestic ones. The new PlayStation 4 console has rightfully approached the capabilities of a modern computer, as well as TVs with SmartTVs. The new console can not only run games, but also show TV programs, allow you to listen to music, navigate the Internet, and also show video from media. The initially offered library of the new console is replete with both absolutely free games and quite expensive gaming applications. But the majority of console buyers surveyed buy it to play Battlefield 4.

The new console from Sony - PlayStation 4 has a rather stylish look. The case does not have unnecessary niches that allow dust to collect, while it has quite a sufficient number of connectors from USB, LAN to HDMI and S/PDIF.

As you can see, the new consoles are computers. It is enough to connect their gamepads to computers, and payment for their purchases by thrifty buyers will be called into question.

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Nowadays, it is difficult to imagine that the first beginnings of a conceptual idea 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 debut of the console did not take place in better 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 was trying to attract its first customers 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 for competition already former leader this sector represented by 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 wide range games for PS1.
If necessary, the ability to play via the Internet.
Support latest versions plugins.
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 console whose capabilities 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, purchased 10 or even 15 years ago. This again demonstrates 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 to the potential that the first ones had gaming consoles Sony, but it was the PS1 that gave 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 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.

Anyone looking to buy a Sony PlayStation for their family today has three options that look very similar. You have to choose which Sony PlayStation is better to buy among the following options:

Original PlayStation 4
New slim PlayStation 4 Slim
The new PlayStation 4 Pro

Do they all present you with the same opportunities to spend time? Are there any pitfalls when buying the original instead of the thin version? There are many questions that we need to find answers to.

You need to decide in advance which Sony PlayStation will be best for you before you go to the store.

Which Sony PlayStation 4 is better?

Sony tends to release a "thin" version of the PlayStation a couple of years after the console's initial release. In our case, this is PlayStation 4 Slim. This thinner version differs in physical size but only slightly in functionality. The PlayStation 4 Pro makes a significant difference in performance if you have a 4K TV with HDR support.

Playstation 4 Pro difference from Playstation 4 Slim and Playstation 4

	PlayStation 4 (2013)	PlayStation 4 Slim	PlayStation 4 Pro
Price	$229	$299	$399
Size	275×53×305 mm	265×39×288 mm	295×55×327 mm
Main processor	AMD Jaguar 8-core (x86-64)	AMD Jaguar 8-core (x86-64)	AMD Jaguar 8-core (x86-64)
GPU	AMD Radeon(1.84 TFLOP)	AMD Radeon (1.84 TFLOPs)	AMD Radeon (4.2 TFLOPs)
Memory	500GB/1TB	500GB/1TB
Optical output	Yes	No	Yes
AV output	AV/HDMI 1.4	HDMI 1.4	HDMI 2.0
Power	250 W max.	165 W max.	310 W max.
4K resolution	No	No	Yes
USB	USB 3.0 (x2)	USB 3.0 (x2)	USB 3.0 (x3)
PSVR support	Yes	Yes	Yes

Playstation 4 Slim difference from Playstation 4

Greatest functional difference between playstation 4 slim from playstation 4 is the electricity consumption. Sony says the new PlayStation 4 Slim has a maximum power of 165 W, which seems impressive compared to the initial 250 W of the first version of the console. The original PlayStation 4 had an average power of 150 watts, but during heavy gaming sessions the power peaked at around 250 watts. This is minor, but it does happen.

Playstation 4 Pro difference from Playstation 4

As you can see, Sony uses the same processor. The main difference between the Playstation 4 Pro and the Playstation 4 Slim lies in the graphics processor, which is more than double the performance of the regular model. The PS 4 Pro also features an updated version of the HDMI standard, but there is no immediate difference in video output performance. Games that were a little sluggish in the past can be played on the new PlayStation 4 Pro using the " accelerated mode"will work better. This means games will look smoother on PS 4 Pro.

PlayStation 4 Pro also offers buyers 4K resolution and improved graphics. Game developers have the ability to make better graphics for PlayStation 4 Pro players, which you can read right on the box. Not only are most new PlayStation games made with this advanced feature, many of the most popular games have released updates over the past year to look better on a more user-friendly console.

	PS4 (2013)	PS4Slim	PS4 Pro
HDR output
4K resolution
Distance game	720p	720p	1080p
	720p	720p	1080p

PlayStation VR performance is completely different. The PlayStation 4 Pro was designed to better support PlayStation VR, but even here the differences are small.

Most games that were available before the release of PS Pro look slightly better on the Pro version than on the standard PS4. Due to the high focus on frame rates in PlayStation VR, what you'll see are more detailed, rather than smoother, transitions.

Which Sony PlayStation is better to buy?

Now that you know everything you need to know about the differences between these console versions, let's recap!

The PlayStation 4 2013 is the PS4 that will most likely be available at a significant discount at the lowest price among others. If you're on a budget, this is still a great modern console.
PlayStation 4 Slim - This is the PS4 you'll see on most shelves this year, and it's the sweetest deal yet. It is worth noting that most likely, the console will come with several free games and additional controllers.
PlayStation 4 Pro. If you have a 4K TV or are interested in the best gameplay, then PlayStation 4 Pro is for you. Additionally, if you want to upgrade to PlayStation VR, you'll need that version of the console.

Unlike the Xbox One X, information about which appeared a long time ago, information regarding the next Sony console is quite contradictory and for the most part has not even been officially confirmed. However, no one doubts that the PlayStation 5 will come out sooner or later. But what will it be like?

When will PlayStation 5 be released in the world and Russia?

The release of a new console from Sony began to appear 3 years after the start of sales of the PlayStation 4. life cycle It was still in full swing then, but large companies are planning everything two steps ahead.

However, at the moment there is no reliable information about when the PlayStation 5 will be released. But there are opinions and various unofficial “insiders” - a wagon and a small cart. For example, many experts, not only online, argued that the PS5 will be released in 2017 to compete with the Xbox One X, which has been on store shelves since November 7.

However, instead of competing with the Xbox One X, the Japanese decided to hold off a little. This is understandable: they launched the PS4 Pro not long ago, and if they start “partializing”, they will ruin their reputation.

According to the most common opinion new console should be announced and go on sale in 2018. Probably in the fall or towards the end of the year, as this is the most profitable time.

PlayStation 5 prices - how much the console will cost in the world and Russia

As noted above, there is no exact information. Not a single Sony representative gave any figures, but competent market analysis helps in any situation.

In this case, it is again worth paying attention to the Xbox One X (Project Scorpio), since its recommended price has long been known: $499 in the world and 39,990 in Russia. Needless to say, the PlayStation 5 will have approximately the same price?

To prove this, the easiest way is to think backwards. If Sony decides to put a price tag of 400-450 dollars, then it will definitely have to give up the optical drive, but at the same time this will not give any advantages in terms of performance, since there simply won’t be enough money for expensive components.

If the price is higher ($550, for example), then the Japanese will have to look for some kind of justification. This will not allow you to significantly strengthen the console, but it will create an unpleasant situation when goods of the same level are sold at different prices. This will have a bad effect on the perception of the product, so Sony will not agree to this.

Thus, everyone who is waiting for the PlayStation 5 should be guided by a cost of $500 or, translating into Russian realities and taking into account store markups, approximately 40,000 rubles.

Where will you be able to buy PlayStation 5?

Sony is a large company, and its consoles are considered the most popular on the market, so the question “where can I buy a PlayStation 5?” You can answer without any delay: almost everywhere. This is a plus of a popular product - if they are ready to buy it, then they will definitely sell it.

Thus, even before the official announcement, we can say that the PlayStation 5 can be purchased in almost any store. Of course, this does not mean that you can buy anywhere. After all, some sellers are reliable, and some are not. Unfortunately, very often this becomes clear when the money has already been given.

In this regard, our team will be sure to monitor news regarding the reliability of certain trading platforms. Those stores that you don’t have to worry about will probably appear on a separate list. We can vouch for them!

How to take PlayStation 5 out of other countries and deliver it to Russia

Domestic stores are not suitable? I would like to save money on buying a PlayStation 5 by ordering it abroad trading network? On the one hand, with the current level of development of communications and the Internet, this is easy to do: just go to the website of any Western store and place an order in a few clicks.

On the other hand, the PlayStation 5 still needs to be delivered to Russia somehow. Well, or any other country post-Soviet space, it's not that important anymore. The problem is that even large sellers from the US and Europe do not always deliver to other countries. Or they do it, but it takes a long time or is expensive.

In this case, you need to either look for another store, or order delivery to a third-party service that will bring the PlayStation 5 to Russia without extortionate prices. For example, you can use the “” service, which allows you to deliver to Russia any product purchased in the USA.

It's convenient, although not always cheap. For example, it is easier for residents of Moscow, St. Petersburg and other large Russian cities to buy a PlayStation 5 in one of the local large stores, since due to strong competition their owners are still forced to set the minimum acceptable price tag.

Delivery from the USA will be convenient primarily for residents of small towns or remote areas of the country. In such places, prices are always higher due to logistics. In the end, it will be cheaper to deliver goods from the USA somewhere to Vladivostok than from Moscow.

Generational change or evolution?

A few years ago, sales of Xbox One and PlayStation 4 started, and this event became not only a source of joy for millions of gamers around the world, but also a moment of transition from one generation of consoles to another. This transition is far from the first, but the most interesting thing is that, according to many, it should be the last.

The fact is that due to the constant technical complication, set-top boxes have long crossed the line of small mass-produced devices. Previously, they were more of a cool addition to television (“set-top box”) and were used mainly by children, and therefore manufacturers were forced to strictly limit the power to keep the price relatively low.

15-20 years ago, a console should have cost exactly what a parent was willing to pay for an “expensive toy” for their child. Later, when globalization took over, and games became a mass phenomenon among various groups of the population, platform holders gradually increased the price of their devices.

So they reached the $500 level. This, of course, is a very relative price, but on average this is how much modern consoles cost. Thanks to this “budget”, they became much more powerful, but there was a problem with the transition from one generation to another. Not everyone is ready to buy a console for 25-30 thousand rubles every 5 years, leaving the previous “favorite” to gather dust on the shelf.

Why PlayStation 5 will definitely come out

It is precisely because of the generational problem in last years they increasingly began to talk about abandoning a full-scale transition, as well as about the prospect of replacing components. However, the Xbox One and PlayStation 4 were released within the traditional paradigm, and their ability to replace hardware is extremely limited.

Both Microsoft and Sony clearly drew the right conclusion from the current situation: the format needs to be changed. Instead of releasing another “five-year plan” with a 25-30% increase in productivity, we need to create something like a platform for long-term support. It should be a powerful console from the start, which can be further improved without having to buy absolutely everything again.

For Microsoft, such a 2.0 console was the Xbox One X (aka Project Scorpio). It is 4 times more powerful than its predecessor, and will most likely have a more open architecture. At the same time, the Xbox One X is one and a half times more powerful than the PlayStation 4 Pro, which means that in technical terms they will not compete directly. Same with the price: PS4 Pro is much cheaper.

Thus, Sony simply cannot help but release, which will occupy the same price and technical niche as Project Scorpio.

Of course, its name will not necessarily be PlayStation 5. Most likely, the Japanese will come up with some spectacular subtitle to show that the new console is not just the fifth, but something. But in this article, for simplicity, we will call it PS5.

PlayStation 5 Specifications

As with the release date, the technical equipment of the next big console from Sony is not known for certain. Even after the full presentation of the Xbox One X, many technical details were hidden, let alone a console that wasn’t even announced!

However, based on the specifics of the market, we can quite accurately predict what exactly awaits us “under the hood” of the PlayStation 5. In short, the essence is this: the PS5 should be comparable in power to the Xbox One X. This is necessary in order to compete on equal terms . It was so with Xbox 360 and PS3, with Xbox One and PS4, and it will be so now.

If we talk directly about the components, then here too, in general, everything is clear. The processor and video chip will almost certainly be made by AMD, since both Microsoft and Sony have been working with the “red” ones for a long time. There are established production lines, a proven delivery scheme, and so on.

The processor will most likely be eight-core with operating frequency at least 2.2 GHz. To meet the required graphics performance (6 teraflops, which is exactly what the Xbox One X has), Sony will have to supply a very powerful video chip, which should be no worse in power than the Radeon RX 480.

There was also an interesting rumor about the abandonment of the optical drive. Indeed, there is a reason for this move. Firstly, this will allow you to save on an expensive Blu-Ray drive and more optimally distribute components inside the case. Secondly, sales of physical copies of games are still declining from year to year, and every now and then an activation key is placed in boxes instead of a disk in one of the digital distribution services.

New features

System software update to version 6.20

The system software update for the PlayStation 4 system was released on December 12, 2018. Use this update to update your system software to version 6.20.

Always update your PS4 system to the latest latest version system software. The update adds new features, expands capabilities and improves system security.

*More detailed information See the "Updating Using Your Computer" section below.

Key Features of System Software Update 5.50

Family managers, parents and guardians will be able to monitor and set limits on how much time children spend playing games (from the moment they sign in on PS4™). To manage your child's gaming time, go to (Settings) > [Parental Control Settings/Family Management] > [Family Management].

ｰ You will be able to see how much time your child spends playing during the day.

ｰ You will be able to limit the time your child can play during the day and choose the appropriate hours for playing, so that your child cannot play at night or at other times that you do not want. It will be possible to set separate restrictions for each day of the week.

ｰ When the play time ends, a pop-up notification will appear on the screen to let your child know that their play time is running out. You can set your PS4™ to automatically turn off after playing time.

ｰ You can also extend or shorten your child's play time while he is playing.

ｰ You can check your child's playing time and change it from your PC or smartphone using the app (PlayStation App) or by using this website.

The following functions are designed for (Library).

ｰ Games from will now be displayed on the screen if you have ever been a PlayStation®Plus subscriber. You can easily view all your free games from PS Plus.

ｰ You can hide games and applications that you no longer need in the [Purchased] tab. To do this, highlight the game or application, press the OPTIONS button, and then select [Do not show in [Purchased]].

Other new or updated features in Update 5.50

You will have access to the new [Super Sampling Mode], which can be found by going to (Settings) > [Sound & Display] > [Video Output Settings]. Enable this mode to improve picture quality in some games when your PlayStation®4 Pro is connected to a TV that supports a maximum resolution of 2K. This mode is only available on PlayStation®4 Pro.
Now you can use your favorite images to create logos and backgrounds. On the image selection screen, select images located on USB drive. You will be able to create:

ｰ Team logo

ｰ Team cover

ｰ Home screen background

ｰImage for group messages

In the quick menu, the section (Online Friends) has been replaced with the section (Friends). There you can see which friends are online and view custom friend lists.
The music playback functionality in the Quick Menu has been improved.
You can now create events directly from your team profile page. To do this, select [Events] > [Create an event for this command].
Easily find games to play on PlayStation®VR from the Home screen or (Library). Games that support PS VR will display a (PS VR) icon next to them.
You can now delete notifications. Select (Notifications) to display the list of notifications, press the OPTIONS button, and then press [Delete].
You can now choose who can view the list of players you follow and players you follow. To do this, select (Settings) > [Manage account] > [Privacy Settings] > [Friends | Communications].

Your choice