PS5 Slim’s Optional Disc Drive Needs to Connect to the Internet to Pair It to a Console

The upcoming PlayStation 5 Slim has started to appear online, and with that comes fresh information about how the optional disc drive will work with the Digital Edition of the console.

[EasilyTheBest]

A Free pass for me as its Sony & we are on N4G

[Jin_Sakai]

It’s connects to a digital console which is reliant on an internet connection in the first place.

[VenomUK]

It sounds like a one-time thing during setup.

Why do some low-quality websites have to present this as some kind of always-on internet required scandal?

[InUrFoxHole]

Wait.. are you for digital now?

[BeHunted]

@VenomUK

"It sounds like a one-time thing during setup."

Source?

Thats not how DRM works, it occasionally connects to the Internet after a certain period of time, if it didn't you could easily modify the Disk Drive.

[Obscure_Observer]

"It’s connects to a digital console which is reliant on an internet connection in the first place"

If it was on Xbox, you would be screaming *DRM* at the top of your lungs!

Gotta love the hypocrisy

[IRetrouk]

It is on xbox lol, You need the Internet to setup the xbox series consoles for the first time, otherwise setup can't be finished.....

[Jin_Sakai]

“Wait.. are you for digital now?“

I’ve had a digital PS5 since launch.

And Sony isn’t trying to push PlayStation Plus above and beyond everything else like Microsoft with Game Pass if that’s what you’re referring to.

[EvertonFC]

Someone gets it, also no different requiring an internet connection to setup a digital only Xbox or playstation.
I've said many times and I'll get disagrees for this but its literally a waste of time even buying a console, tablet, laptop, phone etc without the internet.

[JackBNimble]

But don't you have to connect to the net just to use your ps5 out of the box to set it up?

[VenomUK]

Think about the most likely use case: a person who has a PS5 Slim digital will have been using the console to download then play digital games, in other words just like Xbox Series S users. These consoles literally need the internet to work. If then a PS5 Slim DE owner wants to play disc-based games they will now have the option of buying an add-on that will require access to the internet for setup - considering they would have been using their console with the internet this one time is hardly going to cause them emotional trauma!

@Obscure_Observer your behaviour is the dictionary definition of concern trolling! You’re expressing upset on behalf of PS5 owners who won’t be upset!

[FinalFantasyFanatic]

By the time I got to this article, it does indeed sound like it's only for initial set-up, little annoying, but far from a deal breaker, it's kinda hard to play modern games and not have an internet connection anyway.

[ocelot07]

Some people just don't have or use their brains. If you buy a damn digital console you're going to need some sort of internet. How are you going to download games lol.

So needing a internet connection to add a disc drive to a digital console shouldn't be a issue.

[EvertonFC]

So many dummies out there acelot07, I just don't get how people think these days or get through life 😂🤣

[JackBNimble]

If you buy a console you're going to need an internet connection to set up or your console will be nothing more then a paper weight

[dumahim]

I had to download something to play BD discs on my One X since the PS4 didn't like the damaged disc. I don't remember seeing multiple articles about that.

[darthv72]

That was the app to play movies, you didnt need to connect to the internet to install a game. Not quite the same situation here. Usually to pair an add-on, you just initiate pairing mode on the two devices (typically bluetooth) and you are done. This is basically a USB drive, it should not need internet access to make it work. Especially if the device is included in the box to begin with. it should already be configured to work.

And that is what many arent even noticing. this info about needing internet is on the box for the unit that INCLUDES this drive. I can understand if this was on the stand alone drive. the one you buy separately, but to be on the disc based PS5 box... seriously?

[kingPoS]

@ darthv72
In the interest of complying with the rules and regulations of multiple countries around the world, Sony would have to ship the hot swappable bdxl drive, un-activated. You'd probably have to activate the disc version for the same reason.

I doubt Sony wants to pay completely unavoidable recurring leagal fee's. The Playstation 3 4 & 5 aren't region free dvd/bluray players for a reason, you know.

Gateway MT6706 2008

[Doomeduk]

So let me see if I got this straight you were the quickest out of a million or two ?

[shadowT]

get the original PS5 before its to late.

[darthv72]

if we are talking feature complete... sure. If we are talking ease of repair, nah. the optical drive board in the original is married to the main board. If the laser dies, you cant just swap out the drive like you could on the slim. You need to remove the drive board and connect it to another optical drive.

This way is much easier as you just plug it in and pair it. And if this drive goes bad, just buy another, plug it in and pair it.

[VariantAEC]

If the laser diode dies... you just swap out the diode. There is nothing marrying the diode to the drive or wider system. This is how most people fixed broken PS3 and PS4 BD-ROM drives, if the diode dies. If some other components inside the drive die like the image processor that analyses the light pulses received by the image sensor in the read head assembly, then you're SoL because those components are soldered to the drive mainboard and are extremely difficult to replace without damaging the board and are much more likely to have their own serial numbers specific to that drive's motherboard and thusly, even if replaced successfully, might not work.

The diode is easily replaced. It's just a laser emitter and I don't know of any which have serial numbers tied to the motherboards of disc drives. It is possible that manufacturers could pair diode to BD drives these days or in the future (if they still don't), but so far as I am aware replacing the laser diode was never an issue even in a BD drive.

[ChasterMies]

Be realistic. If you don’t have internet, you won’t buy the digital edition. This is a non-problem.

[shadowT]

but if you buy the Digital Edition with optional disc drive, because the Disc Drive editon is currently not available, and you are on a cruise ship without internet access, you will not be able to use your PS5. No internet = no download and no installation.

[Barlos]

Not just cruise ships, what if you happened to be in space? How will you be able to connect then?

[Plague-Doctor27]

You only need to pair it once, so unless you are installing the disc drive while on the cruise ship you'd be fine

[gold_drake]

im pretty sure that a cruise ship has free internet and if not, why are u taking a ps5 with you to a cruise ship? lol

[EvertonFC]

1) cruise ships have internet, many signing up for starlink also
2) nxt we'll be moaning we can't play our consoles in the middle of the Amazon forest with an ancient tribe we've found 🤣😂
How dare they.

[RedDevils]

How can you bring the PS5 to the cruise ship if you don't use your brain?

[lodossrage]

This IS a problem

People have to stop saying "we're all on the internet all the time". It gives companies cover to pull crap like this. You should not NEED an internet connection to pair hardware together. It's the same as when we give Microsoft crap for trying to pull that "always online" thing.

[InUrFoxHole]

No this is different.

[jukins]

How is it a problem? A digital console needing internet? Its a legal requirement via dmca copyright laws....you cant even set up an xbox without an internet connection

[Kakashi Hatake]

No, you pair once and that's it. People look for anything to complain about today.

[VariantAEC]

It's not a CD drive or DVD drive.

It's a BD drive and unfortunately... it is different. Even to run BD discs on my PC with an external BD drive I needed to connect it to the internet! I could run anything else no problem just not Blu-ray discs.
THAT WAS ON A PERSONAL COMPUTER POWERED BY WINDOWS 10 OS.

[Vits]

I assume that it's for the security key. Well, if it's a one-time online activation only, that is not that bad.

But given the negligible $50 price difference, it's frankly pointless to even consider the digital version when the traditional disc version is just a stone's throw away in cost.

[crazyCoconuts]

Yeah probably verifying some hardware embedded certificate to help prevent hackers from connecting their own makeshift devices.

[Neonridr]

hopefully this is only for the initial setup. Would be wild if the disc drive required internet connectivity to work at any given time.

[Gamingsince1981]

It is for the initial install but that is kinda beside the point, who's buying a digital console and don't have internet ? Also "wild" wtf tiktok talk is this ?

[darthv72]

the crazy part is this is all on the box for the system that comes with this drive. Like, why would it still need to be paired with the same system that its already attached to?

also, I guess you missed the part where all the ps5 slims are effectively digital units now. its not really about who does or does not have internet. Its about how lazy can sony be to not even pre-pair the damn drive to the system in the first place. For the separate add-on units, sure... that makes sense. but these are from the factory already attached.

[Neonridr]

apparently you need to authorize it via the internet for the new disc drive version as well.

[Christopher]

It's to pair it, not to use it thereafter. This means Sony updates their database to associate the digital key of the optical drive to your account for various Blu-ray features that require... a digital key. It doesn't mean always online optical disc drive. Just to pair it.

I don't get the overreactions to this.

[jesujohn]

It is only during initial setup and is required by the law. Sony has no choice.

https://twitter.com/JonDoyl...

https://twitter.com/Andy_VG...

[dumahim]

It was the same with the Xbox One. I couldn't play a movie until I downloaded something. Might have been the player app itself, but I'm sure the registration was tied to that.

[EvertonFC]

"I don't get the overreactions to this"

I get it, gamers are dummies these days and I say that nicely Chris.

Off topic, can you have a word with the site being so slow and unable to delete PM messages for over a month now cheers.

[lodossrage]

Ok this is NOT cool.

I have to give Sony crap for this the same way I give Microsoft crap for similar things.

This is why I said before we ALL need to be vocal when companies do garbage like this. I'm a Playstation guy, but I don't turn a blind eye when I feel they're doing something anti-consumer or overly controlling like this. I know I won't be buying a slim now.

These companies have been pushing me to fall out of love with gaming for years now. This is just one more reason for it.

[ocelot07]

If the console needed a internet connection 24/7. Then I would agree with you Sony should he given crap for it.

But it sounds like it's a 1 time activation. I don't see why someone would buy a digital console without internet?

[EvertonFC]

I can guarantee you some numpty has bought a digital console without internet.
I've said before it's literally a waste of time even buying a console, laptop, tablet, smart TV, phone without the internet 😂🤣 there practically useless without it.
Infact living life is practically impossible without the internet these days.

[EvertonFC]

So you think it's a good idea to buy a digital console without the internet ? I'll let that sink in.
It's a one time verification which you can do when setting up the console for the 1st time, again I'll let that sink in 🤣😂

[z2g]

two things PS users feel passionate about, at odds LOLOL: Physical media v required internet connection. There's a lot of irony in this scenario.

[XiNatsuDragnel]

I hope it's the initial setup if not it's unacceptable my friend.

[RhinoGamer88]

Oh Sony... (slow head shake)

[Inverno]

Why even buy a digital ps5 if you have plans on buying a disc drive after? It's 450 plus 80, that's more than just buying the regular version from the get go.

[ocelot07]

Here is my reasoning.

I don't own any disc games right now other than some old worthless FIFA games.

So my launch day disc console has not actually had a disc to read for about 6/7 months. I only buy the odd game these days. As well as use ps+ premium.

However, It I start feeling the pinch and can't afford to buy digital games. Or I get the itch to collect games again on PS4/PS5 in a year or so. Rather than selling the whole console I can just buy a drive.

[sagapo]

Even when it’s a one time connection to set up, it’s weird to me why. Doesn’t make much sense as it is a peace of hardware.

[DivineHand125]

Will this drive work with the existing digital model?

[Chocoburger]

Nope, won't work.

[TheColbertinator]

What a scumbag move from Sony

[EvertonFC]

So you're buying a digital console (cough downloading games) with the thought of maybe one day buying an external drive and moaning about a 1 time verification online.
Some of the comments I'm reading on here just boggles my mind.

[darthv72]

no argument with what you said... provided its exactly that way. someone buying the separate drive to do themselves.

BUT... these are the ones that come with the drive already attached. Like WTF would you still need to connect to the internet to pair the drive that is already attached from the factory. Does that even make sense?

[VariantAEC]

@darthv72
"...the ones that come with the drive already attached [require authentication]."
[Citation needed.]

Where in the article or anywhere is this stated or even implied?

[ModsDoBetter]

Yep. Other way around and this site's usual suspects would short circuit.

[timzone]

Anyone making a comment on this chat who isn't online? Appreciate any hypocritical downvotes.

[mastershredder]

Nice I see they had to fix their article. Class act IGN.

One time set up. Turns into faux outrage and what ifs. Get a grip.

[SavageFlamingo]

As they’re legally required to do.

[EvertonFC]

Yes mate agreed, my mind boggles at some comments on here who think it's ok to buy a digital console with the plan of possibly buying a drive further down the line and moaning at a one time verification online which they have considering they bought a digital console to download games pmsl 🤣😂 you couldn't make this sh*t up on here.
Some must go through life with many difficult challenges 😂

[ModsDoBetter]

But it's marketed as a PS5 slimN not PS5 digital?

So people may pick it up for the smaller form factor and buy the drive day one.

Let's not downplay anticonsumer practice.

[darthv72]

...which would be understandable if this info was on the packaging for the separate drive you buy yourself. Problem is... this is on the packaging for the units that include the drive already attached. Its like Sony just put the two together but decided to NOT finish the last step which is to pair the drive to the system before boxing them up and shipping them off.

Make it make sense.

[kingPoS]

It might have to do with dvd and bluray region encoding. The drive itself, is likely a universal sku, which would make the use and operation of the drive in multiple countries as simple as locking it down to a single console.

Don't forget there are rules, standards and laws that Sony has to comply with, especially if they don't want to be dinged with fines.

Gateway MT6706 2008

[Nacho_Z]

My god. Imagine having to briefly connect to the internet in this day and age.

[sean1987]

Does this mean when its initially paired to a console it then can't ever then be used on another console? Is that clarified anywhere?
For instance, I buy a Full slim that comes with the drive, it dies after a few years and just buy a digital because I can reuse the drive from the dead console?

[kingPoS]

There might be something of a grace period, simular to how you can change a ps4's dvd region up to five times. Don't quote me on it, but, I belive you have to activate and deactivate the drive each time. So.. Sony is likely to go with three tries before it's permanently married to a single console.

Gateway MT6706 2008

[kingPoS]

Well.. I think one of the reasons it needs to go online, is partly due to bluray video framework. There were times on the PS3 were a brand new bluray movie would not play unless you updated the firmware. Come to think of it, I don't think I've ever seen a stand alone bluray player without wifi or an ethernet port, even the cheapo brands that walmart sells. In short, There's a vested interest from corporations that Sony is beholden too, like movies studios and licenses holders, that would prefer a hot swappable 4k bdxl drive, to stay locked down.

You guys know how paranoid hollywood can be.. right? Or I could be completely wrong. Who knows? Anyone else has a better explanation.

Gateway MT6706 2008

[EvertonFC]

People on here couldn't research it themselves 😂

Here's why;

https://www.lifewire.com/ne...

[jjb1981]

I don't understand how people want to keep playing current-gen games and act like they don't have internet. I remember when I had a hard time playing digital games on Xbox One and would get errors. Eventually it was worked out. I could see the same thing happening with this. If you have a digital system, you have to expect to have some form of DRM.