Viewing Thread:
"HDD & Broadband Adaptor."

Just interested in your views on the HDD and the Briadband Adaptor for the PS2..
There is a VERY good topic in FOG Prime Topics going but i'm interested in the 'pro-PS2' views of this forum..

HelloHowAreYou wrote:
> whats a PCMIC?

If you mean PCMCIA it means "Personal Computer Memory Card International Association"

Its the type on connection that mainly laptops use for the Credit card sized device, such as Modems and Network Cards.

whats a PCMIC?

WòókieeMøn§†€® wrote:
> Whether that connector is standard PCMCIA or not, I don't know - I've a feeling it won't be, but I wouldn't swear to it.

Oh the joys of surfing in Japanese... According to Sony Japan, it's a standard PCMICA connector as found in Laptops... No driver needed, just plug in and play...

HelloHowAreYou wrote:
> Then wouldnt it be an idea for SOny to set up its own Broadband
> service for gaming ONLY it would be good and kinda fast seeing it'll be
> exclusiove to gaming and not internet for PCs or telephone lines....


I believe Sony *are* planning a PS2-only secure network, for downloading and playing games etc. However you will almost certainly be able to access the 'true' internet as well.

Tyla wrote:
> OK.. HDD pricing... Sony have kind of predefined
> this already with the release of the UK linux kit in May...

Exactly - and if you get all that for £150, the price for the HDD only will be under £100.


> As for the interface for it to connect to the PS2,
> it's internal!! Have you ever looked into that big hole on the back of your PS2?

Yes, I know! What I'm saying is that it's not a standard IDE interface. The drive will come connected to an interface - the drive slides into the space at the back of the PS2, and the interface will connect to the small connector on the back, which you can see easily if you remove the cover. So, as I said, it will be a little more expensive than a bare 40Gb PC IDE drive, because of that interface - you're not *just* paying for the drive.

Whether that connector is standard PCMCIA or not, I don't know - I've a feeling it won't be, but I wouldn't swear to it.

WòókieeMøn§†€® wrote:
> I think there's a bit of confusion about the modem/broadband adapter for some
> people.

As I understand it, the unit contains a 56k modem which will work
> with suitable software.

However, it is only a broadband *adapter* - i.e. an
> Ethernet card. It will not *give you* broadband access; for that, you will need
> a broadband connection from someone like NTL/Telewest, and you will also need to
> buy or rent a cable modem in order to have broadband access. The cost doesn't
> end with the (predicted) £39.99 purchase of the adapter.

Then wouldnt it be an idea for SOny to set up its own Broadband service for gaming ONLY it would be good and kinda fast seeing it'll be exclusiove to gaming and not internet for PCs or telephone lines.... i know this'll be expensive but it'll be a base for future Sony consoles too wont it?

Tyla wrote:
As for the interface for it to connect to the PS2,
> it's internal!! Have you ever looked into that big hole on the back of your PS2?
> Inside, apart from the vast ammount of space, there's a PCMICA(?) port in the

The > Modem adapter plugs into the back of the HDD (though I am curious to know how
> you connect the Modem without the HDD? Will there be a USB option?)...


Is this connector the same as laptop HDD's maybe?

I'm hoping there will be an option for wireless network adaptor (maybe a PC usb wireless adaptor would work?) as I've got broardband which is upstairs and a wireless route, kindly provided by work, and that would mean I wouldn't have to run a cable down.

Also is there any possibility that I would be able to use diskspace on my PC over the network instead of having a HDD?

Theres so many possibilities, just wounder how many are possible.

WòókieeMøn§†€® wrote:
> I think you can forget the £150 price tag. Even when the HD was announced and 40gig was massive, the price mentioned was around the £100 mark. Since then, HD prices have fallen, so I don't expect it to be anywhere near that now. It will probably be more expensive than a standard PC 40gig HD as it will obviously come with an interface allowing it to connect to the PS2. I reckon £50-£80 by the time it's released.


OK.. HDD pricing... Sony have kind of predefined this already with the release of the UK linux kit in May...

For your £150 (249 Euros) you get:

Network Adapter (Ethernet)
40 Gb Internal Hard Disk Drive
Monitor Cable Adaptor (for PlayStation 2) (with audio connectors)
USB keyboard
USB mouse

And obviously the OS (which they can't charge for) and Manuals.

As for the interface for it to connect to the PS2, it's internal!! Have you ever looked into that big hole on the back of your PS2? Inside, apart from the vast ammount of space, there's a PCMICA(?) port in the top at the back which is what the HDD connects too (The early Japanese versions used an external HDD connecting to the PS2 using a TypeIII PCMICA card untill they released the version of the PS2 that we have in Europe and the US)... The Modem adapter plugs into the back of the HDD (though I am curious to know how you connect the Modem without the HDD? Will there be a USB option?)...

I think the domestic version, if not subsidised by the provider, would include a cut down version of the Linux Kit (no OS/Manuals/Monitor Lead) and probably retail for about £120 for the lot?

Oh yeh, You'll need a Gamecube for that ;)

Rather have something to play decent games on though! ;-)