We’ve been inundated with responses to our previous post about opening up this blog to new contributors. We’re trying to get back to everyone that showed interest, so if you haven’t heard back from us yet - don’t worry we’ll be in touch soon.

To start us off, here’s some thoughts from Anthony Hanses of North America’s www.PSU.com on the implications of convergence for the gaming community:

Here at the forefront of next-generation gaming, Sony has brought to us a system that has attempted to do that which many a great mind has only dreamed of. They are aiming to solve the problem of “Digital Media Convergence”.

Over the years, just about every major player in the technology arena has attempted to solve the problems of convergence. Great names like Microsoft, Comcast, and DirectTV have all attempted to solve the issue of how to provide all of a given consumer’s media needs using just one simple box.

Microsoft has tried and failed on multiple occasions with its various MicrosoftTV and eHome initiatives. While they have provided a solid convergence solution, they have not been appealing to consumers due in large part to high cost, convenience of setup, and general complexity of the overall experience. Where they have succeeded, they have only taken baby steps in their integration efforts. Examples include enabling OnDemand TV for Comcast through the MicrosoftTV software and their recent efforts to sell TV and other media over the Xbox360 system.

Comcast and DirectTV have recently started rather large pushes into the convergence arena, with their own issues as well. Comcast has approached convergence through its wide use of IP Telephony in combination with Broadband Cable Internet, HD-DVR setup boxes, and On-Demand programming. Meanwhile, DirectTV has approached convergence with their recent alliances with traditional telephone carriers for DSL and telephone service in combination with their own HD-DVR boxes that handle reception and coordination of the media.

Still others have barely enabled one part of the solution, only to go out of business without ever getting their product to market.

The largest problem with all of the current solutions, including the Xbox360, is their extremely heavy reliance upon external devices to either stream or otherwise provide the content for display through the “convergence” device. Thus preventing the actual “convergence” from actually taking place.

Sony, through the PS3, is has made great strides toward resolving this issue.

At launch the PS3 is almost a fully capable media convergence device. It plays DVD movies (and the next generation BluRay format), stores locally and displays digital media from its internal Hard Disc Drive, and browses the Internet through its built in web browser. With addition of the Linux operating system to the PS3, one can even perform photo and movie editing using an array of applications. Taken a step further, the PS3 has even enabled remote playback of stored digital media to other devices in one’s possession, starting with the PSP.

Yet, Sony still hasn’t quite reached the true holy grail of convergence.

In an odd twist of fate, the PS3 solves pretty much all of the major convergence issues, with the exception of TV reception. While the PS3 is more than capable of rendering even the most intense HD signals, it still lacks a TV Tuner device and CableCard slot that would enable them to receive and decode TV signals. This issue should be well within Sony’s reach if they so choose to tackle it. Sony manufactures their own line of TV Tuner hardware which they could convert to work with the PS3 (even through an external device attached via USB). Sony’s PSX, GigaPocket PCs, and Personal DVR devices all contained custom built TV Tuning devices and related software. As an extra bonus, the PS3 has enabled simple upgrading of Hard Disc Drive space, thus enabling consumers to store as much content as they desire.

With the simple addition of a TV Tuner and CableCard adapter to the PS3 accessory list, the PS3 could become the first true digital media convergence device.

Though, even if it achieves this lofty goal, it would be far from offering the solution that will enable general consumers to adopt it for purpose of convergence. To achieve this goal, Sony would have to remove the requirement and hassle of the Linux operating system from the equation. They would have to provide photo and digital video applications that are directly accessible from the PS3 dashboard that are not only powerful enough for a general consumer to use them, but simple enough that a general consumer is not afraid to use them.

In addition, while the PS3 is a great digital media convergence device, the brand is still primarily viewed by the market as a “Game Console”. Sony’s own advertising juggernaut is re-enforcing this perception. Overcoming this perception and convincing non-gamers to purchase PS3s to solve all their convergence needs will require more brains than brawn. Sony will have to step outside of their comfort zone of owning products and consumers from top to bottom, and work to develop relationships with 3rd parties (like Comcast and DirectTV) and convince them to ship PS3s as their set-top box solutions.

At best this is a few years off, even for Sony. During that time their competitors are not going to stand still either. But so far, Sony is trying to get up the courage to walk across the open chasm in the legendary Indiana Jones movie, while their nearest competitor is still reciting “Only the penitent shall pass,” while watching still others get their heads lopped off even trying to take their first steps.

By Anthony Hanses (www.PSU.com)