Sega returns…
Its 2009 and we are all missing Sega. Considering the Sega Dreamcast died its slow quiet death back in 2001, along with the plans to ever make any hardware again, it’s been quite a while.
8 years on, Sega finally has some new plans that isn’t software based, fans worldwide can now rejoice after they finally decided to release some new hardware.
Sega Vision Portable Media Player. “Wow, a new Sega branded gadget! I want it!”
What can this PMP do then? Let’s read the features on the box. Portable TV, Movie Player, Music Player, Digital Camera, Video Camera, e-book reader and Voice Recorder? You’re aiming high Sega, I’m impressed, but also disappointed this doesn’t have any gaming features. Couldn’t you have squeezed in a Megadrive Emulator? Never mind, we can’t complain too much as its new Sega hardware, right…?
…right!?
Disaster strikes!
The truth is out. Made by Sega? Ha, you’d be lucky!
This is in fact a very cheaply made Media Player straight from China. You know the ones you see on dodgy market stalls, the ones that spell MP3 wrong and don’t even sync up to your computer properly. Disappointing news, the once highly regarded Hardware manufacturers are now sourcing hardware from unknown suppliers and throwing their branding over it. What has become of Sega?
It’s easy to disregard it as cheap tat, so let’s put some evidence behind those claims.
Here is a quick review of the Sega Vision!
What’s included?
Inside the box, you get exactly what you’d expect from a PMP. All the cables to add your files onto the Flash Memory, a USB Charger, some real cheap budget headphones, TV Lead, a CD and instructions.
Credit is due that this unit allows charging via USB, it’s the way forward. However that credit is to be taken away, the TV-Out lead is a Media Player to RF Lead. Wait, a RF Lead in 2009? Are you kidding? This is the age of HDTVs…
And to think this unit is a 2GB Model in the iGeneration, a rather foolish move considering all the rivals offer so much more for the same price.
Features
The unit itself feels very cheap, with most Media Players there is some weight behind the device (usually the hard drive and battery). This however doesn’t even hold the same weight as a Sega Megadrive cartridge, making you question what’s inside.
The buttons are very clicky and unresponsive. The placement, organisation and functions of the buttons are also very confusing. You find yourself opening Menu’s you didn’t want with no clear idea how to close them.
How about what it does? Let’s start with the Music Player.
Okay, forget it. I’m now losing even more respect for Sega. In a time where their credibility is at an all time low for dragging Sonic six feet under, they’re now licensing products with atrocious spelling mistakes?
Let’s move onto something more positive, the TV Tuner. A pretty cool feature for a portable Media Player.
That’s two out of two feature let downs. After extending the flimsy aerial to its full length, this is the best quality I could get. Absolutely terrible, fuzzy picture, fuzzy sound.
One thing you might not have thought about is the Digital Switch over for TV Signals that is fast approaching. Add this to the list of devices that will no longer work, it’s amazing that this didn’t come up in the Sega Boardroom.
Moving on to something better, the radio. A great feature alongside an MP3 player.
Unsuprisingly, the third disappointment arises, not one single Radio channel tuned in clearly. Yet another fuzzy audio stream coming through this cheap rubbish.
Next up, the Camera! Below is a photo taken using the Sega Vision.
Wow, welcome to the year 2000. Digital cameras are now able to output images at 640×480 VGA resolution!
The image above has no editing done to it whatsoever (apart from the watermark). This is the quality the camera produces, although quality isn’t really the best word to use here.
I’m ending the review of features here. This unit is an absolute joke and nothing else can be gained from looking into it any further. Sega really need to look at themselves and do something fast, the once giant Hardware/Software masters who were connected into every living room in the country have become a former shadow of themselves.
Rise from your grave
A new 2.5D Sonic game would rectify all this and they know it. The sad truth is that ‘retro’ gamers are no longer in Sega’s business plan. Take Sonic Unleashed for example; it was solely aimed at children and ‘graphics’ gamers. Despite the internet’s cry for a Sonic revival, they really couldn’t care less as long as the kids are lining their pockets. The profit to be had from the youth, is a lot larger than the remaining gamers from Sega’s golden age, would you say no to easy money?
Back on topic though, what’s really disheartening about the Sega Vision is the review/con on the ‘Official’ website. I’m sorry to say this, but this cannot have been written by anyone other than Sega themselves.
Considering the Apple iPod has been around since 2001, the standard for PMPs was set a long time ago. Nearly everyone has had the chance to absorb its great user design/experience. It’s easy to navigate, everything is in the right place and it requires no instructions. Anything less today than the 2001’s iPod usability is laughable and should never leave the factory.
Why on earth does RetroGameDepot have one?
Hold on! Don’t look at me like that
Continuing on the Blackpool blog post, I won this on one of the Sega Crane Machines in Blackpool. Despite the disappointment above, I can’t complain as it only took 3 tries at 50p each to win.
So, if the thought of new Sega hardware has been tempting you, please give it some real though first.