How the PlayStation Eye connects your hands and voice to the PlayStation 4 HD

When the PlayStation 4 launches this November, the PlayStation Eye camera will enable you to sign into the console using just your face. Unlike its Microsoft counterpart, Kinect, the Eye won't allow much more control of the system. At least not initially. "At the time of launch, first the face recognition is for the purpose of logging in," SVP and Division President of Business Division 1 at Sony Computer Entertainment Masayasu Ito told Engadget in an interview this afternoon.

[Rageanitus]

I am actually glad they did not include the PSEYE as a manditory peripheral. I know I will not be using it just like the original PS2 EYE, PS3 EYE, or kinect.

[JoGam]

Honestly I use the eye toy and had the PlayStation eye day one. For those who don't remember that was before kinect. Anywho, I welcome those features with open arms because they was fun to use. I always felt MS just took the idea and ran with it and birth kinect. I also love the fact that it's not and never was mandatory by Sony. I'm grabing the PS4 Eye day one because I'm constantly on video chat with friends and family around the world and we all are upgrading to PS4 day one. Our Friday night parties via vchat are crazy. Everyone has a house full with people and it just amazing to see everyone coming together.

[PoSTedUP]

thats what i mainly use it for, videochat, and a mic, itwas good with that poker game but thats about it. the games were bad, fun at first, but they didnt really support it. i couldnt Wait to see what more they had for the eyetoy... nothing... i gave up waiting after a couple of years and crowned it a webcam. i showed my lil cousin a game and he was thrilled, i was like "yep, that's about all youre gonna get outta That thing.." and unplugged it, never to be played with again.

ps4 eye camera games look really great tho. ill be getting it for web chat and a mic mainly. glad its not manditory, cuz i dont want it right away.

[Eonjay]

Those controllers are beautiful

[Ittoryu]

I thought the Kinects was cool at first then it just got old screaming at it and re calibrating it every two days. The only thing I find cool about Kinects now is what hackers are doing with it outside of gaming like Skin touch etc.

[Aery]

@JoGam:

Sounds like you got a lot of fun!
That's the spirit !

[KwietStorm_BLM]

I'm glad they didn't include it so that the price wouldn't be unnecessarily inflated, and so more people would find the purchase easier to make, but I will be using it just like I did with the PS3 camera. Video chat, live streaming, homegrown porn on the big screen, and the chance that motion implementations are actually worthwhile. It could actually work well in horror games like Outlast or Slender.

[JRH7783]

Homegrown porn huh?????? Thought I was the only one. LOL... The new camera should capture video better.

[insomnium2]

LOL I never used the PS camera with my wifey. I enjoy pov better with traditional camera. Pov with 2 vacant hands spreading all kinds of interesting places wide open is the way to go.

[eplusr]

To be honest I actually ended up preordering the new eye for the PS4 whether I end up using it or not is another story entirely.

However I like knowing I've got options be it video chat or the controller functionality that is said to be coming with it.

Developers of the third party variety may or may not support it since the install base won't be as high as say the Kinect. Still I can see Sony first party studios making use of it but I guess only time will tell.

[theXtReMe1]

I bought Kinect day one and used it for about two weeks with the bowling game, which my wife and I really enjoyed. Once we played in a while, it became more hassle to start it up and use it then it was worth and it went right in the closet where it has stayed since two weeks after we bought it.

Sony made the right decision in not including it and raising the price for no reason. Microsoft last generation brought it out and as they do with all of their add ons, supported it very little. The wheel, flight stick, Kinect, Retro Arcade, etc...

Microsoft never follows through with their ideas. I had 100 friends with the retro arcade, buying everything they released... Then, they simply stopped supporting it, or when they did... It was with games nobody ever heard or cared about. Just one of many great ideas they had that died on delivery. Im shocked they even brought Kinect to the next gen. I guess they feel that they still have a lot of investment to make up for, in buying and marketing the technology. I guarantee that very little third party support will bless Kinect... And when it does, it will be nonsensical and unimportant to the experience.

As you can tell, Im not a huge fan of motion controls and Microsofts lazy approach to their brilliant ideas. I am actually switching from Microsofts brand to Sonys this gen, because I like Sonys dedication to games and gamers. I feel Microsoft is totally dismissing the core gamers who made the Xbox brand, to chase after the neon rainbow, that is Apples multimedia empire. I want to play the best version of the best games and the extra power in the PS4 will ensure that. Not to mention Sonys unbelievable first party offerings.

I cannot wait for this next generation and a fresh new start, with fresh new ideas from Sony and the PS4.

[abzdine]

PSeye will bring a + to the gaming immersion, FOR THOSE INTERESTED!
i am gonna get one because i am a Move fan as well.. i also love good experiences like wonderbook, EyePet and any other augmented reality games.

[scott182]

I love how good the move conrtollers work with sports games, there is so much control it's great. Knowing that my move controllers I have will still work with the PS4 is a huge plus for me also. Definitely getting the camera.

[PoSTedUP]

i like how they implemented AR into vita games. look around the map, play tennis in first person view. just kinda proves VR is on its way. i think its gonna happen this gen. i really do. and im talking from sony, better than the OC rift.

[shoddy]

Cool more hidden features Sony didn't even brag about

[ALLWRONG]

Why would Sony brag about the things they copy?

[Mr_cheese]

Your username says it all

[PSVita]

^lol

[ALLWRONG]

Yeah because Sony has an infrared 3D camera with voice control... Oh! they do now.

That = copy

Try again

[sigfredod]

no gestures or voice commands for me, i will use my DS4 thx

[Deadpoolio]

Thats the nice thing it's optional, they would like you to use it but are not forcing you to use it....Unlike some other company that wants to cram it down your throat.....I'm getting the camera just because I ran out of PS4 launch things to pay off and liked the move on PS3 hopefully it gets more support for those of us that choose to either try it out and take advantage or try it out and move on

[Mr_Luke]

Always been interested in those kind of peripherals, but since i don't use them so much i don't know if i'm going to get the camera. Glad they didn't insert it in the console, it would be a waste in my case (and camera included would mean bigger price too). Mabe later, if they make a particular bundle camera + game with good price i could think about it.

[Naga]

This really comes off as a surprisingly cheap Kinect knock-off with little to no demonstrated utility. Go big or go home with this tech - either give us something that will enhance the experience or don't bother.

I feel like they just wanted to have something on the table to make consumers think the PS4 can do everything the XBone can do... Which it can't - AND THAT'S OKAY. Embrace what you have or actually change it and make it something different... Don't half-ass technology by ripping off your competitors' offerings with inferior products.

Stick to what you do well, Sony. If you make better games, make better games. Don't cheapen your console by putting trash like this on it. Either create tech that challenges the Kinect like the PS4 challenges the XBone, or leave it alone....

[AD705]

you do realize that the eyetoy came out before kinect right? If anything it's the other way around for who ripped off who.

[Deadpoolio]

How the hell do you get disagrees for stating FACT? Last I checked eyetoy came out for PS2 and had games that were controlled EXACTLY the same way the Kinect works YEARS BEFORE.....What is it with Xbots being so stupid they immediately disagree with Fact...

[Kryptix]

@Deadpoolio
lol Never seen an Xbot that agreed to facts about the PS4.

"Many developers say that the PS4 is a more powerful console."

Xbot #1: They're both the same.

Xbot #2: Xbox One is the best with that dual GPU! Wait till the end of September!

Xbot #3: Wait till next year and you'll see the true power of the Xbox One!

Xbot #4: The cloud! The cloouudz!

"Rumor says PS4 not being able to record gameplay"

*ignoring the fact Cerny, the lead architect, already stated the PS4 is able to record gameplay.*

Xbot #1: Haha! Prepare to cancel your preorder from that small lack of feature.

Xbot #2: Rumors are instantly fact only on PS4's side. So this should be believed by everyone. Xbox One wins!

"Sony confirms HDMI game capture a week later"

Xbot #1: ...

Xbot #2: I still believe in the rumor.

[candoa]

I always say is not who makes a first, his who makes it better. There have been touch screen phones for years but apple took that idea and make it in what it's right now.

Same with the MOtion cameras, yes with have the eye toy, but before the eye toy pc had motion cameras even before that, but guess what non of those tech were impressive and it didn't receive any attention. Everybody copies from each other thats not the point, the ps move is a copy of the nunchuk and to me thats nothing wrong with that.

The Kinect was the one that took the idea and made it right. Sony is all over the place when it comes to motion they have no clear path. lets see,

1. dualshock4 motion built in
2. ps move
3. ps eye
4. that useless trackpad (you can argue is not motion but it brakes away from traditional gaming and thats my point).

4 features that have to do with motion vs the xbox one 1 motion feature and thats kinect. If you ask me sony seem to be the only one going crazy about motion gaming base on those facts.

[Naga]

Yeah, I'm aware of that. But regardless of where we point the finger in the copycat game, the fact remains that the Kinect 2.0 is leagues beyond the latest offering of the PS Eye. I'm not saying this to just bash a Sony product, by any means - I think people read my comment like it was some fanboyish tirade, when it wasn't anything like that. I'm lamenting the fact that Sony is putting out an obviously inferior product that doesn't compete with the Kinect the same way the PS4 competes with the XBone.

To further the point, consider that this has been a matter of technological leapfrog for the longest time. Now, it's like Sony is just releasing a shadow of the Kinect for the sake of checking the block so they can say they have something "basically the same". It's a shame, because we all know they could do better than this... like what they are supposedly doing with the rumored VR headset.

---

And just for the sake of reference, here's the timeline of Camera/Detection release dates (correct me if I'm wrong on any of this):
- OCT 03: PS2 EyeToy
- SEP 06: Xbox Live Vision Camera
- NOV 06: Nintendo Wii
- OCT 07: PS3 Eye (Move)
- NOV 10: Xbox Kinect 1.0
- NOV 13: PS4 Eye, Kinect 2.0

[prettyboy12]

what the hell r u talking about?im pretty sure their not trying to compete with that kinect 2.0 which also has yet to prove it self by the way!second if they were trying to compete they wouldve been bragging like ms what there camera can do.its just an option plain and simple bro calm down.ps you seem to be also forgetting that sony makes teq like that and ms does not,they buy or rip off their ideas...i mean look at apple for goodness sakes!

[scott182]

A cheap knock off? Sony has been refining their camera since ps2... As far as what it can do, the tech is there, they will be adding to it's features through firmware.

[JackStraw]

nice joke. i laughed. +1 funny.

[Deadpoolio]

Uh actually it can to everything that the One80 can do, but feel free to live in fantasyland ......Even though in reality Eyetoy came waaaaaaayyyyyy before the Kinect even on PS2 there were motion controlled games exactly the way Kinect works....People can deny it all they want the Kinect is just a suped up eyetoy and that was the entire point of it's development MS took what other companies had done and took the next logical step....

They released it before they even knew what they had and they slapped it in ads and on posters and now they're selling it.........As if they came up with it all by themselves

[Majin-vegeta]

http://youtu.be/5hfYJsQAhl0

[PositiveEmotions]

Now all it needs is motion sensor :)

[Elzer]

If your impressed with this then you must have been living under rock, that's under stone, that's under a boulder, that's under a mountain. Kinect 1.0 has been out for awhile......

[JackStraw]

http://i.imgur.com/6j79wDz....

[Navick]

Lol

[Navick]

If you can't simply admit you made a mistake with your grammar then how are we supposed to take your comments seriously? Ohhhh you don't own a PS3 do you? That is a try at sarcasm? Lol. Now do me a favor and pick one: your browser crashes orrrr your system crashes and burns.

[Kryptix]

lol The funny thing is that the PS3's browser crashing has nothing to do with this idiot's lack of proper grammar.

I figured it out, this is how he actually types when he's butthurt:

http://gifsoup.com/view/165...

[Thirty3Three]

Elzer, you must be too young to remember the PS2 (let alone the PS1...)

But Sony pretty much came up with the idea. M$ just copied and went with it. As far as we can tell, The Eye can to everything the kinect can do... you know, without it needed to be shoved down our throats.

[Angeljuice]

@Elzer

" It's about *effectively* using and incorporating the device with the system that brings innovation." - like kinect 1? Lol

My Windows laptop crashes 2 or 3 times daily, my PS3 crashes once in a blue moon.
Microsoft's OS's are the most unstable on the planet, I suppose that comes from having no competition. You can get your monkeys to make any old crap and people are forced to buy it at extortionate prices (or pirate it for free).

Actually some of the pirated copies of windows are better than the official versions because they get hacked and improved by people who know what they are doing (Windows FP was an *improved* XP re-coded by a guy called Fred, in his bedroom lol).

[CoLD FiRE]

@Angeljuice That sounds like a case of PEBCAK. I run my Windows PCs 24/7 doing all kinds of heavy work with no crashing. Sure, I run into the usual "beta driver crash" once in a while but that's not the fault of the OS itself.

[DoubleM70]

http://hackaday.com/2011/07...

[candoa]

and you know this by Sony live demo that showed us all of those features right? Typically sony fanboys.

[SoulSercher620]

Lol at your horrible trolling and getting people to believe you own a ps3 or vita. Get a life kid.

[ssj27]

So let me get this right, you buy a ps3 and a vita because you give up your Xbox 360 from getting rrod over and over againg right?

Anyways technology like you said is out there nobody own it in that sense and corporation copy what's seems ''cool" m$ copy the eyetoy idea and over hype the idea and invest a lot in propaganda

Sony saw that the wii was a success and invest in the move.. nothing wrong with improving technology with their own idea's.

The problem here is that m$ see their cheap camera as a main controller hahaha and obviously sony just give the options to those who enjoy such a technology.

None of them will success since they are technology for the cheap casuals and the price is to high for those casuals.

And here is where the PS3 still have a huge market, imagine a 250gb move bundle with 5 casual games for kids at $160 - $200 that will sale like crazy and ps3 will become the cheap casual console to get for those who can't spend a lot and it will sale like crazy in the next 5 year's. Since is still HD and powerful enough for casuals and kid's

[ssj27]

Obviously it will, is what sony does.. in 5 or 7 years the PS4 will be super cheap and casuals will buy it like crazy and by that time hardcore gamers will be getting the PS5 .

Sony is smart, they will have a cheap console for casuals and high end console for those who want new technology.
If they are smart enough they will make the ps3 go full casual in term of price and games next year and keep the hardcorr high end games for the PS4.

If m$ is smart enough they will make the xbone go rrod more than ever to keep their console sales has good has the PS4. I thibk the ratio is. PS4 4:1 Xbone

[abusador]

You have to be the biggest lame in the world and definitely retarded Lol even mentioning the lag fest tht is kinect Hahaha are we talking about the same kinect 1.0 that wasn't capable of doing motion controls for an fps? Unlike move with its accurate tracking used in games like kz2, so com, etc? The same kinect that one of the biggest fabpnboys angry Joe ripped due to it being trash and not even working with games like steel batallion Lol

Sorry dude you have been under a rock thinking kinect is even remotely good or a new concept since eye toy has been out for years prior to release, Not only that but move/eye toy combo is better than kinect and going off new videos kinect 2.0 is still laggy :) But I guess u like to wait ypthree seconds before you see your character respond on screen, thankfully I have move and don't worry about such things, Not to mention new eye toy has better resolution than kinect and ps4 can do mostly all it Dan do and more,

Get a better day job then trolling, your not good at it and sound dumb. Go fix ur rrod Xbox instead of restarting your supposed browser that crasjphed :) and since Microsoft has been trying to catch up to ps4 by minor up clocking that will have no real world difference don't be surprised if xbone rrod too :) (see, I can put happy faces too)

[VonBraunschweigg]

I'll still give it the bird when I see it on storeshelves and buy a game instead.

[Volkama]

Playstation camera articles are great. Everyone that makes a positive comment always takes such care to say they are glad it isn't included or mandatory, just to make sure nobody thinks they like the Xbox.

Just say you like the feature, nobody is here shouting "sounds xboxey you're UNCLEAN!!"

[Hicken]

It's not about liking the features. It's about the fact that these features are comparable to what the Kinect 2.0 can do. And about how it's being done with a device that's considerably cheaper(since there's no word yet on how much a standalone Kinect 2.0 will cost, but it's gonna be more than the Eye, for certain).

And about how, rather than being forced upon PS4 buyers as an extra expense, it's completely optional.

I don't have any problems with what Kinect can do... except that whole targeted ads thing. But motion gaming type stuff doesn't interest me(largely because I suck at it), so I'd rather not pay for the Kinect or Eye if I don't have to.

[Volkama]

Motion control didn't interest me much. Then I played the walking dead and Heavy Rain, and honestly I think those games are on the cusp of breaking into the television space. Take a controller out but keep the interactivity, that's an experience that can reach a broad broad audience without tarnishing your hardcore games.

[rainslacker]

Nowadays on here you almost have to qualify everything you say to state your preference, and show that you like the feature but not the inclusion, particularly if it isn't a big deal. If you don't, you run the risk of a massive wave of fans from the opposing side waving the hypocrisy flag.

It's really getting ridiculous.

The features are good(Even on Kinect), but $100 extra in my wallet, or spent on a couple games, is a better value to me.

On Topic:

The features don't interest me much. Motion control is still pretty lame in it's current form, and proper, 100% 1-to-1(and accurate) MC is way to costly for the consumer market. I say this as someone developing motion control software too, but I"m sure there are "experts" on here who believe otherwise.

On a consumer level, if they're taken for what they're worth, I feel that both Sony's and MS approaches have their benefits and shortcomings. Just depends on what kind of game you want to play and how....and of course if any dev will get off their asses and make a MC game that is worth something to spur better development.

There is no reason why MC gaming has to be mostly relegated to the casual crowd, but it's going to take compelling software in abundance to really make it worth while for the majority of gamers to latch onto it, even if one company happens to decide to include it in the box. For those that don't think so, think of how many of us latched onto the WiiMote when it was included. History....ftw. I doubt MS is going to change history this time around, despite it suddenly seeming popular within certain circles.

As far as signing in, I guess that's good if you have multiple people using the console. For me, being the only one that logs in to mine, auto-sign in is good enough.

[jhoward585]

I was never interested in motion control, but after seeing the play room demo, I want a PSEYE now.

[XisThatKid]

If done right, why are most people against the camera stuff? I def getting it but just wondering why many are so against it.

[Belking]

Playstation eye is barely doing what the first kinect already did. It will never be able to match the technology in kinect2. At least not at the cheap price they are selling it for.

[XisThatKid]

I doubt this matters It just should be a significant tool in the immersion and effect of your gaming if it does this well like the potential of the original Kinect and not some 150$ gimmick than its not a problem.

There is no significant lead or advantage if it isn't comparable to the K2 the K1 was fine at what it did and if this camera sensor is capable of such feats and used correctly it's irrelevant but I see what you mean though and agree.

[strickers]

And Kinect still can't do what Move can. So what? It's all bollocks to most of us but Move was considerably better than Kinect for control. I don't care for either, to be honest.

[Cable2kx]

I will be getting it to use with the DVR feature. I think it's neat i will be able to record myself as well as the gameplay. Looking forward to it.

[DoubleM70]

What a waste of time and developement for Sony.