The PS4 is releasing in North America and Canada on November 15 and will cost $399.99 for a console with a 500GB hard drive, single DUALSHOCK 4 controller, mono headset, USB charging cable, HDMI cable and power cable.
The PlayStation camera or any additional DUALSHOCK 4 controllers would cost you $59.99 extra.
The hard drive is user replaceable, just like on the PS3, as long as it is a standard 2.5-inch form factor and above 160GB. You cannot use an external drive with the PS4.
The PS4 has an HDMI out, optical audio out, Ethernet, two USB 3.0 ports and an auxiliary port for the PlayStation camera. There is no analog audio/video out this time as on the PS3.
The PS4 supports 802.11b/g/n W-Fi and Bluetooth 2.1.
The PS4 supports video output for games and other media up to 1080p at 60fps. The console technically supports 4k resolution but that is not available yet and might be added in future for images and videos. The PS4 does not support 4k games.
The PS4 uses a faster version of the Blu-ray drive compared to the PS3. The Blu-ray disc will be used for distributing games and for watching movies.
To play Blu-ray or DVD movies, you will need the version 1.5 update that will release on launch day. If you cannot connect the console online you can download it separetely and update through a USB drive or request for a disc with the update to be mailed to you.
The PS4 does not support audio CD or MP3 audio formats.
The PS4 can download game and console updates in the background, even in standby mode. It can also charge the DUALSHOCK 4 controller in standby mode, unlike the PS3 that had to be kept on.
The current Sony Wireless Stereo Headsets won’t be compatible with the PS4 at launch.
You can get audio out through the 3.5mm jack on the DUALSHOCK 4 controller.
The PS4 is not backward compatible with PS3, PS2 or PSone games. You can, however, get enhanced version of some of the online digital versions of PS3 games for the PS4, and if you bought Call of Duty: Ghosts, Assassin’s Creed IV Black Flag, and Battlefield 4 for the PS3 you can digitally upgrade to the PS4 version for $9.99.
The PS4 supports used games and does not require an always online connection.
A PlayStation Plus subscription is mandatory for playing online, except for a few free to play titles.
