Just announced yesterday at the E3 show, Sony released pricing guidlines for it's upcoming console PS3. There will be 2 models w/different price points similar to the release of the Microsoft XBOX 360. The "base" model will be $499 and the high end model will be $599.

Those looking for a cheap Blu_Ray player will need to pony up the $599 as the lower price player lacks any HDMI outputs (Woochiefer, thats you). Also, it appears that the standard Sony has chosen is HDMI 1.3 A curious move as the industry standard is HDMI 1.1 Currently no TV on the market supports HDMI 1.3, and there is no indication that older models will be able to support 1.3 in the future.

See here : http://www.tgdaily.com/2006/03/24/gdc2006_ps3_no_hdmi/

Also check this out:
http://money.cnn.com/2006/05/08/tech...ex.htm?cnn=yes

It is interesting to note that these differences were not made publicly during the E3 presentation. It is also interesting to note that Sony is refering its console as a "computer" and not a console.

Save your pennies folks if you want the Sony PS3.

On a similar note, Microsoft has released details on the upcoming HD-DVD player that can be added to the XBOX 360. It will connect via the USB connection. Speculation is that it will support HDMI and cost $100. These prices are purely speculation, although it could be justified as the actual decoding and other processes will be handled by the 360 main unit. The "player" will be simply that, read the data from the disc. So $100 is not unbeliveable as it will have nothing in the way of processing power.