Well, it finally happened: a UMD disc got scewed up.

Once upon a time expensive electronics for adults were built much *MUCH*more solidly than children's toys. In fact, back then the worst thing you could say about a piece of electronic equipment was that it was constructed like a toy. It only shows how much concepts of quality have changed in the electronics industry over the last 20 years (largely thanks to Sony) that what you say has any validity.

I had no idea that UMD discs don't even have the protection of an MD. That's beyond ridiculous. MDs are very well built, but I still have two that are fucked up. I love and still use my MD player all the time even in this MP3 age, but I guarantee that even with all the format's great features the thing would be absolutely useless if the discs didn't have that protective guard. Same ought to go for a video game system, whether it's for adults or not.


...word is bondage...

 

*update*

Just went to play Wipeout, and that UMD has the same clear bit popping out, so thats a 50% failure rate on my UMD's so far.

 

Sony might not have perfected the sonic welding technique on the initial batch of Jap launch titles. Quality is much better for the Jap disks after the american release. Not that i could say anything about this if i knew anything.

I'll have to think about posting the pics of my proto, i'm not sure i could get away with it. The backlash that sony would get from people complaining about them saving a half a penny and ruining the UMDs might make them want to track me down. That would be bad.

 

Just post it to a newsgroup.....they'd never be able to trace it.

 

yes, especially after this conversation

 

Okay then, so in case Sony lawyers track this topic down in a year while they're trying to figure out who released pictures of their protoype UMD, let me just say:

You suck, Sony! My feelings of distaste for your company, your products and the effects you've had an every industry you've entered are so great that I often derisively refer to you as "Snoy" and I have been known to call your video game systems the "Poohstation." I bet that makes you mad. Well, I'm still mad about your lies and mind control techniques that lead to the premature market death of the Dreamcast which will always be a far greater system than any piece of pooh you guys release. Your stupid portable Poohstation is just as bad as your whole line, I wouldn't even buy one to use for emulation and piracy, just because I don't want to be associated with you bastards and your attempts at market breadth penetration. Furthermore, the way you've driven the MD line into the ground is shocking. Your players have gotten increasingly shitty and prone to failure at such a rate that I can hardly believe it. And shame on you for that SonicStage software and your ham-fisted attempts at digital rights management and just general megalomaniacal control of your customers.

Hahah! Dumb lawyers. Snoy sucks. Now get the fuck out of here.


...word is bondage...

 

This is funny. I guess many customers today are actually satisfied with the less robust build quality of electronics. I am actually buying less and less every year due to apathy with crappy products, but I guess I am old enough to remember what people used to get when they paid for something.

Sweater Fish Deluxe is right on the mark. Some of us are old enough to remember that quality analog electronic devices were built to a much higher standard than todays digital devices. Saying that an electronic device was "built like a toy" used to be an insult, but now it means "simple, functional and tough enough for kids" Its too bad the wims of young customers with no concept of build quality are driving todays disposable consumer electronics market

 

They look exactly like regular UMD's. I dig one up for you.

 

I'm not satisfied with the low quality of some products. I own a C64 and I love this machine because I never had problems with it. the fact is, mostly the customers want cheap electronics. And cheap electronics are mostly built with cheap materials.

 

does there exist a mechanism inside the psp to open the spring loaded window? have you tried playing the proto?

if someone has a psp they can dissassemble, or some detailed pictures of a dissassembled psp they could post. you might be able to prove that sony had developed the umd to have a spring loaded window without actually posting a picture of the umd prototype.

but, if i have to go out and buy a psp and look for myself i will.