An Open Letter to Sony
Dear Sony, I need to get something off my chest (as opposed to writing something on it). I dislike the way you treat your customers. I think the MemoryStick is overpriced and useless in today's market. I don't want to pay a premium for your brand name. Still, I was sucked into the PSP kicking and screaming. I purchased it on my own volition, and haven't regretted that decision for a moment (although it's skanky of you to sell a PC software media management solution for the PSP separately). The game selection is still lacking, but I'm willing to give the platform more time (I have no doubt it'll be around for quite a while). But Sony, I ask you to do something different with your UMDs.
I'm not going to buy a movie for my PSP at $20, when I can buy a much-more cross-compatible DVD for any other player on the planet. I don't mind the proprietary nature of the gaming machine disc format, but the idea of purchasing entertainment that I'm only going to watch once – and selling it to me at a premium price – is beyond asinine. I have two suggestions for you: (1) Sell PSP movies / shows at $5 a pop; and/or (2) bundle UMDs with your regular DVD cases as value-adds. The first suggestion is self-explanatory. The second deserves your full attention. You'll fuel countless more PSP sales by bundling the UMD with another media purchase… instead of screwing your customers in yet another way. Once a consumer amasses several UMDs that came with regular DVDs, they would be much more inclined to get a viewer for 'em. Until then, the “only way” to watch quality video on the PSP is by ripping it first – and that process is a kludge. Then again, what do I know? It's my PSP.
Need a new domain name? See why GoDaddy is the #1 domain registrar worldwide. Now with your domain registration, you'll get hosting, a free blog, complete email system, and much more! Plus, as a listener of The Chris Pirillo Show, enter code CHRIS2 when you check out, and save an additional $5 off any order of $30 or more. Get your piece of the internet at GoDaddy!
9 Comments
News from everywhere ยป News Feed Alerts
February 4th, 2008
at 8:05pm
a href=”http://media.pirillo.com/”>Video Help</a> | <a href=”http://feeds.pirillo.com/ChrisPirilloShow”>Add to iTunes</a> Related Content: Killer PSP Wallpapers New PSP Video Tools PSP eBook CreatorAn Open Letter to SonySearching for PSP UMDs
bnaivar
August 19th, 2005
at 3:54am
Yeah, but do you have any PROOF that they even have UMDs ?
Sorry. :-( Kneejerk reaction.
richard
August 19th, 2005
at 7:15am
Sony learned nothing from BetaMax…
I think that the MiniDisc format gave them a false sense of their ability to invent new formats.
Mollyfud
August 19th, 2005
at 7:37am
Okay, you have done a Open Letter but have you done a closed letter directly to them?
Also if I look in a Theasuras for “Open Letter” would I get “whinge”?
;)
Molly
http://themaloneshow.blogspot.com
http://mollyzine-podcasting.blogspot.com
Vo Beatdown
August 19th, 2005
at 3:01pm
Yep, I agree wholeheartedly. I made similar comments on my blog back in April:
http://beatdown.blogspot.com/2005/04/sony-pisses-me-off.html
Vo Beatdown
August 19th, 2005
at 3:11pm
Yep, I agree wholeheartedly. I made similar comments on my blog back in April:
http://beatdown.blogspot.com/2005/04/sony-pisses-me-off.html
MakeYouGoHmm
August 19th, 2005
at 5:55pm
Chris – Walmart is selling some decent title UMDs for $14.99, so might want to shop around a bit.
alenzo
August 19th, 2005
at 8:39pm
Hi Chris
I guess reality hit you hard about the Sony PSP. Didn't say I warn you about it couple months ago when I reply back about your purchase. Like I said back then, and I say it again. Sony could of had another “walkman” type phenomenon, if they did it what users really want.
Anonymous
November 1st, 2005
at 7:04am
I think there has to be one more addition. They need to make a console player for a set top tv that plays umds.
I have what I would call a decent DVD collection at just over 300. I can play any of my DVDs on any TV in the house, on any computer in the house… and in my car. So, when I goto the movie rack at Walmart where they have a new release for sub $20 on DVD, and over $20 on UMD…. I don't hesitate.
So, to recap, the two areas I would like Sony (and movie companys) to address is to start bundling UMDs with DVDs and also create a console player.
-Brian