LOOT EOD EVERYWHERE!
by BONZO, HSM team writer and artist
LOOT has bombarded the twitter board with official announcements: they officially announced the release of the Portable EOD for the following Home update. A free version of the portable EOD. A huge bundle with an assortment of screens and future release of a RadioIO jukebox.
But it isn’t just a portable item based on the same EOD from the LOOT spaces.
@lootgear Get ready! A new, faster and much more powerful EOD system (version 3.0) is coming to NA and EU @PlayStation Home NEXT week. 
EOD 3.0 is set to be a more powerful version to more efficiently stream the EOD content, supporting rewinding and fast forwarding. They’ve also confirmed the information detailed in the screen showcased at the LOOT open house, that the portable EOD will not include internet radio. The memory restrictions will not allow the screens to stream Crackle, the other EOD channels, live events and internet radio. While most of us have wanted to the portable EOD to a great extent for the music option, it is not completely a deal breaker. LOOT will be releasing a RadioIO jukebox later in the year to play only audio content.
Speaking of memory restrictions: the Screen at the open house detailed one memory block requirement, however the actual portable EOD screens will require 25. That is higher than the standard active item requirements, and a full quarter of your personal space allotment, but well worth the memory budget. Considering the entertainment options, sacrificing 25 furniture items seems a small price to pay. Memory may become an issue when the RadioIO jukebox is released, as we don’t know if that particular item broadcasting audio only content will take up as many memory blocks or not.
However, Home entertainment we can control and place in any space we want is still a scorching hot commodity.
As previously speculated, or rather hoped for, LOOT is releasing a variety of sizes and options for this awesome item. The biggest (so far) detailed as being 240″ — that is huge and nearly twice the size of the one currently in display at the LOOT stage open house.
Before you rush to make a decision on which one to buy, seriously consider the Mega Bundle. It is pricey, at a whopping 14.99, but well worth it. It includes the six sizes of the flat screen variety, from the tiny 22″ to the huge 240″, but also six wall mounted screens exclusive to the bundle. You can’t buy the wall mounted versions individually.
In a previous article we discussed why a wall mounted version might not work, or rather why it would limit where you could place it, as personal spaces have specific areas reserved for wall items, and some spaces don’t allow wall hangings at all. However having the option is always preferable to having only one method of displaying it.
The Mega Bundle also includes several TV stands, and a free wall mount. When we want TVs the basic rule is the bigger the better, just ask any guy! Practical use goes out the window when we have the option to have a huge screen. If you plan to get the larger of the flat screens it will run you slightly less than the bundle which includes all twelve varieties. At that price, for what you get, it is really well worth it.
What other restrictions can you expect? If there is an active screen already in place in a personal space that you can not turn off, the portable EOD will not work. Fortunately, most screens, like in the Mansion garage and the Tycoon penthouse, have an off option.
Other than this, all the channels you have come to expect from the EOD in LOOT spaces and the public theater are there. Including the NASA channel and PSTalent’s addition with Home user generated content in machinima.
Price is an issue with just about any Home commodity, and not everyone spends or can spend the money. LOOT is also generously giving away a free EOD tv. Before you get too excited it is a small tube with rabbit ears, and it only plays the LOOT channel for its demo functionality. But you really have to appreciate the humor behind this prop, and just goes to show those designers at LOOT really embody a healthy level of sarcasm.
The memory restrictions forcing the omission of the internet radio channel is a disappointment but not all together surprising. There are limits in Home, and you still have the option if you don’t own already, of acquiring one of the three current LOOT spaces which house a full EOD system with all the channels until the release of the Jukebox and Radios for the RadioIO function streaming audio only content.
@lootgear Expect the RadioIO jukebox and radios this holiday season! NOTE: Audio-only content
Jukebox and Radios, so more options to come to include audio content and expand our entertainment from movies to music, something we have been kicking and screaming for a long time.
The holiday season is just around the corner. Until then you have the power of picking and choosing between six different EOD screen options, or bite the bullet — which is more advisable and greater value in the long run — of purchasing the Mega Bundle which includes everything but the kitchen sink and more, with six exclusive wall mounted screens. That’s Crackle, in every personal space you own, PSTalent’s latest machinima ingenuity in any clubhouse, live streaming from Ustream, and maybe just learn a thing or two with the NASA channel. While the LOOT personal spaces like Hollywood Hills House, Sunset Yacht, and Space Station are amazing spaces to own, having the option of taking your entertainment with you to any place you have is the best option thus far, breaking restrictions and expanding our social interaction by allowing us to share in more collective experiences and giving users greater control.
August 23rd, 2012 by BONZO | 2 comments
BONZO is an editor and artist for HomeStation Magazine.
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I can hear half of the UK cheering lol, but the other half are going “about damn time”!
Thing is, one of the main reasons for my shift from EU to US Home was for the Hollywood Hills place; the only place with a working TV in Home at the time. I’ve pretty much invested most of my Home spending in the US due to the better content ( like Space Station, Loot yacht etc) and just generally any space with a working TV. But now this is out, some older EU spaces are starting to appeal again, like the Tycoon penthouse place -- and others.
I had to laugh at you talking about men with screens, I am one of those guys! Lol, I dunno why but, when I see a screen bigger than 42″ (my current TV’s size) I start to drool like an out-patient!
The “value” pack sounds like another case of the customer having options taken away again though. Sadly, with digital content this is just becoming expected. What if I only want one giant wall mountablescreen!? 15 bucks is a bit steep for that privilege.
Still, the radios will go down just as well as these screens, I have no doubt. Thank you Loot, for taking the steps that were so desperately needed in EU. Now all you gotta do is fill those silent EU public spaces with music somehow…
I am so glad to hear this is finally here. I have had people ask me about this coming out on numerous occasions already as we all knew it was due for a summer release. While I will probably not purchase one because I already own both the yacht and Hollywood Hills and I barely use those, I think this is going to be a big hit in Home with many who don’t have them, and probably a lot who do.
What I will buy when it comes available is the Radio IO though. The ability to put music anywhere is going to be a massive hit with everyone. I can’t wait to be able to place it in my clubhouse for parties or for anyone who wants to just drop by far a bit. I am stoked that they are going to bring this into Home finally.