Source: Tom's Guide US | Keywords: Sega, vision, Multimedia | Themes: Audio/Video Players
Alas, the Sega Vision is actually real, offering many multimedia features including television and radio reception, MP3/MP4 playback, eBook support and more. Sorry, no gaming rig here.
Sega Nerds got its hands on the Sega Vision device at ATEI last month, finally beholding Sega's first device since the Dreamcast, marveling over its surprising capabilities of playing... flash games. However, according to the site, Sega Prize Europe decided to can any kind of gaming function for the time being, unhappy with its support for simple flash games. With that said, Sega isn't trying to compete with Sony's PSP or Nintendo's DS, but rather claim a portion of the portable media player market. Still, Sega did not rule out game support altogether, but said that the option could be available in later models.
In essence, Sega Vision plays most video files including AVI, MP4 and one additional, unspecified format. Sega Vision also plays MP3 files, take pictures via a built-in 1.3 megapixel camera, serves as a text/eBook reader, can record the users voice, and most importantly, offer radio and television reception. According to Sega Nerds, the device is no bigger than a 30 GB video iPod, perhaps slightly bigger than a credit card. Although it only has 2 GB of built-in internal memory, there is a slot for an expandable micro SD card.
Despite its size, the radio and TV tuner uses a fold out aerial that collapses neatly back into the Vision when not used. For now, the device only receives analog transmissions, however Sega plans to implement digital TV and radio capabilities in later models. There is even talk of using touch-screen technologies.
"For what it is, the device is actually very cool. It is very light, easily fits in your pocket, and performs its functions very well," said Sega Nerd's Graham. "My favourite functions were definitely the video player and TV tuner. I know there are better devices out there, but Sega is hoping that these will be a cheaper alternative to them and it offers more functions than most PMPs out there."
For now, the Sega Vision PMP is only available as a prize within Sega's UFO Catcher arcade machines. However, the company plans to sell the device online and in certain retail outlets. Sega's aim is to reach the penny-pinching consumer looking for a cheaper alternative to the meatier PMPs currently on the market. As of now, no date has been set for a public release, however the device supposedly will cost around $100 to $130 when it becomes available.
Announced back in October 2008, the Sega Vision is the company's first new consumer electronics device since withdrawing support for its Sega Dreamcast console back in 2001.
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Interesting how they named it after their old magazine. I'll have to buy one along with a Commodore netbook.
releasing an analog only TV tuner device right before the DTV transition? (never mind that it was delayed, change we "can't" believe in apparently).
I would hope so!
Are they seriously going to market/sell this in the US with analog only TV reception? Ridiculous.
If they had built an emulator onto it, this would have been a perfect way for them to resell all their old IP from the Genesis/Game Gear days. Of course, it might not have hardware powerful enough to run one.
But only including analog TV capabilities? If it's meant for the North American market, that would be retarded. My guess is that it'll hit other shores first, and then the "later models" with DTV will come stateside.
Analog TV? It sounds like this device is going to be extinct in a few months.
give them a break guys. they were probably working on this device for years before the deadline. the Europe and Canadian markets can make up for the US sales after the US DTV deadline
1.3MP camera? 2Gb storage? TV and Radio? Not a gaming platform? Not even a phone? Uh.
It's a museum piece already. The only thing that might save it is the price.
give them a break guys. they were probably working on this device for years before the deadline. the Europe and Canadian markets can make up for the US sales after the US DTV deadline
I do think we're sometimes guilty for forgetting there's life outside of the US but in this case I've got to say this is pretty dated stuff. At some point in developement someone should have pointed out that someone discovered fire a few years back......
give them a break guys. they were probably working on this device for years before the deadline. the Europe and Canadian markets can make up for the US sales after the US DTV deadline
My understanding was that Europe is also in the process of moving to DTV with some countries already converted.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digit [...] transition
I think SEGA should have tried to make another handheld. They were really good at it in the past the Game Gear had a color screen long before Nintendo ever released the Gameboy Color. Then the Sega Nomad came out which could play Sega Genesis games and this was when the Genesis was still alive and kicking(though near its end). The only reason why SEGA failed is because they were so damn expensive and kinda bulky. If they simply learned from those mistakes they could make a comeback.
For those of you who think the world all evolves around USA; it is not.
The D-TV's official switch may be on the 17th of February 2009 in USA,but there are plenty countries left that will remain having analog television for many years!
Including Japan,China, the majority of Europe, etc.
D-TV is present in some countries, though USA is the first to my knowledge that completely annihilates the analog channels; probably due to too many crap channels.
In many countries you have 15 out of 30 interesting channels. In usa there are perhaps 16 out of 200 interesting channels; commercial channels like sales channels taking up almost 30% of the channels, and 30% pay-TV.
This device will most likely be for anywhere but the USA; at least concerning it's TV reception; unless you buy a digital box.
Strange to see that Sega actually creates something else than games and gaming consoles...
I had hoped they would re-introduce their older games on this platform, perhaps selling them for between 1 to $5 per game online!
Saaad....
ProDifit80 has some good points btw, free TV in USA sucks big time, I could only enjoy some excelent programs only through cable...
1.3MP camera? 2Gb storage? TV and Radio? Not a gaming platform? Not even a phone? Uh.It's a museum piece already. The only thing that might save it is the price.
Agreed. Cant believe Sega is trying to make a comeback to the hardware biz with this crap. Sega used to be an innovator of technology. This thing is a day late and a dollar short. IMO Apple is the only company that has read the portable market correctly with their Iphone. Wi-fi/phone/games/apps/media player.
I don't know about you guys, but as ProDigit80 said it, DTV is only good news for US and Canada. when I was reading the article it I reed "bla bla bla, serves as a text/eBook reader (for me this is really, really, really good news; Being able to read ebooks, hope PDF or DeJaVu will be supported, is a BIG PLUS; Not many devices allow you to read ebooks on a normal screen), bla bla 2 GB's (which is little
) bla bla bla micro SD (if it will support micro SDHC than this device could have a really good value, micro SDHC can go up to 16 GB, you can find 2 GB's at about ~10$ on specials) bla bla bla " so in total this device isn't as bad as it seems. This is something you could place in your bag pack when you go camping, want to take pictures, take out your Sony Ericsson Cybeshoot and take pictures all you want!
To the people who think this could work in EU and make up for US sales. Well, most EU countries are far ahead of the US in DTV conversion. Many countries have already stopped the analog sendings altogether.
I think they will revamp the TV function before release.
.... and 30% pay-TV.
How many over-the-air pay TV channels do you see? The DTV transition
applies to broadcast channels. And few areas have 200 broadcast channels with only 16 good ones, being that the broadcast standard allows for 125 channels technically. Fail & fail.