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No External HDD Access on PS4 – Is It Really a Problem?

From PS4 Attitude: "A lot has been made of the inability to connect an external HDD to the PS4 in order to expand the available storage space or copy videos, MP3 files and other content to the internal HDD.

But is it really that big a deal? We take a look at some of the trends that might have led Sony to make this decision in the first place.

First of all, let’s recap why you might want to connect an external HDD to the PS4 in the first place. To do that, we’ll look at how it was used historically on the PS3..."

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ps4attitude.com
prodg524552d ago

I said in another post that leaving these features out had to do with security. Sony is a company that produces music and movies. They are also a big supporter of DRM. By not allowing external HDD they can control what content is played through their system. Like any other company, they want to be paid for providing content, not content pirated from the internet.

vallencer4552d ago

What I just find ironic is they go from allowing an external hdd to not allowing one. Where as Microsoft goes from not allowing one to allowing one. I think they should have kept the ability there. Granted it's nice to be able to change your internal one but to be able to put a ssd in there and have an external one would have been nice.

decrypt4552d ago

Well consoles are controlled systems. You have to understand corporations make decisions on whatever suits their policies the best.

Why do you think they dont allow simple features on consoles:

No Mod support - So they can charge you for DLC,
Pay to go online - Free on PC, no reason why online should be charged.
No BC - So they can sell you HD remakes, or force you to buy more newer games, both ways they win.

Console hardware you pay for, isnt really controlled by you. Its controlled by corporations who really are the real owners of the platform.

DeadlyFire4552d ago (Edited 4552d ago )

I think they will patch in support later.

UltimateMaster4552d ago

Yes, it is.
Even if we can't export games to external HDD, at least allow us to export our game play videos and media "MP3" on external memory devices.

Boody-Bandit4552d ago

I have a 2TB HD ready to install in my PS4. I don't think I will ever need more than that for storage.

Section84552d ago

@decrypt

You don't have to pay to play online on ps3.

decrypt4552d ago (Edited 4552d ago )

@section8

I know you dont have to pay to play on PS3, which just shows how much of a push around corporate control on a platform can be.

You are now forced to pay to play online on the PS4 and their is nothing you can do about it. On an open platform like the PC, MS tried this dirty underhanded trick. PC gamers refused to use GFWL since we had alternatives since PC was an open platform. With a corporate platform you a really are left with no option but to suck up to whatever they desire.

Hicken4552d ago

@decrypt: Is that why everybody just sucked up the DRM that Microsoft wanted to push?

Oh, wait, only PC gamers do that.

decrypt4552d ago (Edited 4552d ago )

@hicken

GFWL is a big flop, what are you on about? even the latest Batman game doesnt use GFWL hardly any PC gamer uses it.

Lastly regardless of any PC DRM, console DRM is way worse. Console hardware is the DRM for consoles. Can you play PS3 games on PS4? no you cant. I can still play PC games i bought back in the PS1 days.

Even then since PC is an open platform most of the time PC gamers have the liberty of cracking DRMs, such options are just not possible on console, since the corporations control you.

Hicken4551d ago

Nobody mentioned GFWL. There's plenty more DRM out there, and it exists because PC gamers allow it to.

While hardware may be the DRM for consoles(I guess, though what you explain doesn't make ANY sense; I mean, do programs designed for MAC work on Windows? not without being altered; pretty certain that's the same thing, and it's really like complaining that you dvd player won't read a VHS cassette), software is and has always been the DRM for PC. And because PC gamers accept it, you had things like the recent Sim City nonsense occur.

There are plenty of non-online-only games where you have to connect online first in order to play. There's also how non-commutable PC games are: it's really not an easy task to take a game from one PC to another, making loaning and selling out of the question.

All that is also DRM.

Why is there a need to crack DRM if there is none on PC? You're contradicting yourself. And I really find it odd that specialized software- that is: games built for a specific platform- are the same level of DRM as something that makes you connect online to play a game.

You have this clear disdain for console gaming: you can't seem to find anything positive to say about anything console-related. Yet you never fail to show up and say something negative. If you dislike consoles so much(and it's pretty hard to argue that you don't dislike them), why not just stay the hell out of news about them?

+ Show (6) more repliesLast reply 4551d ago
Shad0wRunner4552d ago

I disagree.

If Sony thought external HDD support was that much of a threat, they would've issued a firmware update to have it completely removed from the PS3, a long time ago. They didnt seem to have any hesitations when removing OtherOS support, when they thought that was a threat. External HDD support has much less to do with piracy, and more to do with trying to CONTROL how the consumer can interact with their merchandise, by limiting your options.

Furthermore, there are a lot of people who DO pay for their content. Pay for MP3's and digital video files...and those people like the ability to transfer those files from one storage device to another. You cant assume everyone is a pirate and 100% of all downloaded media, is pirated. It doesnt work that way. I pay for Netflix and I pay for Music Unlimited and I do have a PC and an MP3 player....but I want as many options at my disposal as I can have and if I want my PS4 to support external HDD's...thats my prerogative. And from a consumer perspective, theres nothing wrong with wanting it.

It's like this...

Sony has a chance to deliever to the consumer, what they want. We are being very vocal about what we want. And we are getting Sony's attention with it, as statements have been made from Sony regarding missing media features and support. But if they dont deliver, if they use the ever looming threat of piracy to dodge and avoid what we are asking for...sooner or later...some hacker, cracker or script kiddie is gonna come along and figure out how to jailbreak the PS4, just like they did with the PS3. And when they do...the homebrew and modding communities will give us the features, options and abilities we want...whether Sony likes it or not.

In the end, it would be easier if Sony just gave us FULL media support and playback from external HDD's, thumb drives and other devices. They wanna fight the pirates, fine...but dont screw me over in the process.

Rocky54552d ago (Edited 4552d ago )

It is to do with security, the PS HDD is married/encrypted to that system using its unique security key.

Its the reason you can't take 1 HDD out & stick it in another PS, it will ask you to reformat it.

Also Sony store half the firmware on the HDD, don't ask me why, its what Somy support told me when ther 4.46 firmware bricked my PS3.

So its prob more the latter is the reason for no external storage, there system isn't/wasnt built to hand it.

Would also like point out the PS3/4 uses a propiatory file system ufs2.

Also that's why games aren't allowed to be stored on external storage. They don't want people ripping them.

Shad0wRunner4552d ago

External HDD support....has nothing to do with the internal drive, or what Sony has on it. Thats a load of bullocks. All were talking about here, is the ability to plug an external HDD into the PS4, have it read it and play media from it. Same as it does on PS3. Has nothing to do with security, pirating or hacking or their propietary code or the authentication keys or whatever. One cannot access ANY of that, from an external HDD. Get real.

Rocky54552d ago (Edited 4552d ago )

Ah ok, I thought it was about running software from the external media.

So the PS4 in its current state doesn't allow playback of any media content, from external sources.

Would all like to point out what I stated above is 100% correct/true & is the sole reason for no software being played from external media, PS3 games that were downloaded ie, Digital are stored in an open file system, no proprietary container like how MS do it on the xbox, so its out of fear of modding game files & pirating software.

Section84552d ago Show
Thepcz4552d ago

its amazing when the fans defend what is a limitation.

JsonHenry4552d ago

I'm pretty sure anyone that is in to pirating won't mind taking out a few screws to get at the HDD. And given that it is x86 based I foresee it being cracked fairly soon.

Rocky54551d ago

The PS4 has a propriatory HDD format ufs2 which currently can only be read.

Also I was thinking currently to marry a HDD with any PS3/4 system you need to reapply the firmware update, (reason above a few posts) so in order to have external storage they would need to do the same with the USB devices.

Since the sole reason is to stop people sharing games view storage devices. (Can't take you HDD out & use it in another console)

I hope its not hacked as that is not good for the community in a hole & will cause major issues with games & rampant pirating.

+ Show (2) more repliesLast reply 4551d ago
ape0074552d ago

Damage Control Walking to the Ring.....

for we are many4552d ago (Edited 4552d ago )

The media has been acting weird lately around sony, maybe that's the power of money or influence, but the damage control here is historically unheard of, They damage control things that still nobody has complained about in turn doing what can be best described as "future-proof Damage Control". Those money induced actions I can understand, but it's the fanboy promoting this kind of corporate damage control behavior and supporting it in their comments is what perplexes me, and that's a characteristically peculiar finding in the sony fanboy community.

Joe9134552d ago (Edited 4552d ago )

Yea like when some xbox fanboys defended the DRM crap. When will ppl realize it goes both ways your going to have your supporters either way so calling out one group has no point because ppl can point the finger right back. So if you think fanboys supporting Sony taking away external hdd then what did you have to say about MS fanboys supporting the DRM stuff and if you are a MS fanboy then why do you care what Sony does just a few questions you talk crap how fanboys ruin stuff but you are a fanboy too just for the other side it is crazy also you see how fans can get not sure if these are a bunch of xbox fans or not but when xbox one was announce it got alot of crap for not putting games first you see Sony put games first and will update all the media features later and ppl are still crying about it so and ppl calling it a money grab when they just trying to not follow in MS footsteps but one thing they will find out is you can't make everyone happy

OT: Didn't the ps3 hack come from external hdd and that almost ended the Playstation brand the most profitable brand at Sony right now so it would kind of make sense to try and keep it from happening again if you could. I do know that is how you do the lvl up and a money hack in GTA5 as long as ps3 is running old firmware that hack is still going on and causing problems so it kinda make sense other than hacking don't see why Sony would block it.

The_KELRaTH4552d ago (Edited 4552d ago )

When you fill up your car don't forget we're taking the wheels away just in case you drive off and have an accident - prevention is better than cure!

So how much piracy was caused by the use of external drives on the PS3?
Also the article refers figures just to HDD connection but no mention of memory / flash sticks which are likely used a lot more.

Lannister4552d ago (Edited 4552d ago )

Eh... did NOT know that. Wow

Can I still stream stuff from my computer ?

What kind of futuristic device does NOT allow you to plug in your external HDD ?

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80°

(For Southeast Asia) New Price Changes for PS5, PS5 Pro, and PlayStation Portal remote player

For Southeast Asia, new price changes.

Prices effective starting May 1st, 2026.

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blog.playstation.com
9d ago Replies(1)
BeHunted8d ago

Looks like PlayStation took a hit with Marathon and is now quietly adjusting prices worldwide to recover the losses

andy858d ago

Lets be honest raising prices doesn't do that when no one's buying it. I imagine the profit it greater selling 10 times more at a lower price

Pergele8d ago

Whatever you say buddy, let's all wear the tinfoil hats.

IceKoldKilla8d ago (Edited 8d ago )

LMFAO Your comment alone says a lot more about you than anything else. When has one game not selling 10 million copies made a company raise the prices of their console? Then Xbox would be costing $5000 by now lol. You remind of the crazy drug addicts on the street rambling on about conspiracies. xD You sure you don't need a hug, buddy?

ChunkyMonk8d ago

One game that Sony payed $200 million for. lol
Also, you sure were quick to get triggered. Maybe your the one who needs a hug?

Eonjay8d ago

If nothing else, we should be united against the real issue here. AI and unnecessary tariffs that are effecting all gamers.

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 8d ago
Athlon1018d ago (Edited 8d ago )

The price increases are due to the RAM demand associated with AI and the US-Iran war. You can look to any business news website and local news to see that. Heck, even the 2026 Asus Zenbook Duo I've been eyeing has faced delays and has had a price increase of $400; that laptop has two specs. Asus is doing a staggered release with per-orders for the lower spec now and shipping in May and pre-orders for the higher spec that I'm eyeing starting in June. Basically, all computer manufactures are affected. It'll most likely start affecting smart phones too if it hasn't already. I can't remember the last time any major console maker (Nintendo, Sony, Sega, etc) increased the price of their console mid cycle outside of Microsoft just to make more profit.

S2Killinit8d ago

Its not the war. Its the RAM issue.

jznrpg7d ago

War is causing gas prices to rise. Transport of everything requires gas so the prices of those items go up as well. So it does have an impact

Athlon1017d ago (Edited 7d ago )

The blockage of the Straight of Hormuz due to the US-Iran war has affected raw components used in semi-conductor manufacturing such as bromine, aluminum, and helium. Iran had attacked the liquified natural gas (LNG) plant in Qatar which is a large producer (1/3 globally) of helium which is used in semiconductor etching. So it's the both the war and the RAM crises.

badz1498d ago

Oh no...should I get the Pro now before the price increase?

80°

Former Xbox Exec Says Developers Didn't Want a Sony Monopoly

Former Xbox executive Ed Fries comments on the early days of Xbox, the opinion of Japanese game companies, and more.

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insider-gaming.com
21d ago Replies(2)
Reaper22_21d ago

I dont think that'll ever happen. But i must say back in the day, they were definitely trying because they were more cash rich than their competitors.

CosmicTurtle21d ago

I think MS were and still are the richer company. They tried to acquire Sega back in the day (and considered doing so again more recently), they obviously bought exclusivity to Halo which was originally shown as a Mac title. I don’t think as a company MS can claim the moral high ground here. It’s a wilful lack of self awareness.

Of course Sony would try exactly the same if they had the resources, but when the PS2 dominated the industry was in a much healthier place with an abundance of great third parties.

This has been a depressing generation as far as first party decisions are concerned. The fact we are debating business plans rather than which game is better is a sad reflection of the state of things.

Darkseeker21d ago (Edited 21d ago )

There was Nintendo as well, Sony wouldn't have had a monopoly. In fact, the world would be better today if Xbox never existed in the first place. They pretty much brought all bad practices we have today. We might have gotten all of it either way, but not this early. In term of franchises, I don't think there is anything Microsoft released that would actually be missed if it didn't exist. Even Halo the world wouldn't notice if Halo didn't exist.

S2Killinit21d ago

MS was definitely a bad influence on gaming.

raWfodog21d ago

I think almost everyone will agree that a monopoly is not good for the industry. But that being said, the competition needs to be smart and strategic with their business. Simply buying up publishers and traditional third-party studios just to keep them out of the other companies reach is not a sustainable practice. That goes for all parties so don't think I'm just referring to Xbox.

I'm no business guru by any stretch of the imagination but I firmly believe that the best way to drive consumers to your software and hardware is to invest smart in your first-party studios. Give them full support and guidance in making unique, fun games that are only available to play in your ecosystem and the gamers will come.

Reaper22_21d ago (Edited 21d ago )

But first party studios aren't enough. They only make up a small portion of the industry. Without 3rd party there would be no industry for Microsoft or sony.Developing games take time and money and sometimes you gotta make moves to stay competitive.

raWfodog21d ago

Nah, I never said first-party was enough. I said it’s the ‘best way’ to drive gamers to your platform. 3rd-party is a free-for-all and there’s no guarantee that gamers will use your hardware to play the game. If you want to push your own software and/or hardware you need first-party, or at least exclusive deals with third-party studios.

SimpleDad21d ago

They Shure did a great job... 25 years later Xbox is dead.

Reaper22_21d ago

Then why be so emotional and continue to talk about it. Xbox will never die be ause it stays in so many people's head.

lodossrage21d ago

How can you even see him being "emotional" in that comment?

If anything, you're the emotional one, constantly trying to go at anyone that says anything against Microsoft. So when you call him emotional, it comes off as deflection

Elda21d ago

I own an XBSX & I can say it's becoming irrelevant out of the 3 current consoles.

21d ago Replies(2)
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40°

Sony Shows Off 20 Minutes of Crimson Desert on a Base PS5

Sony uploaded gameplay footage of Crimson Desert on a base PS5 running in what appears to be Quality Mode at a stable 30fps at 4K.

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powerupgaming.co.uk
BlazedKong47d ago

looks god awful on the base systems