Sony today announced their next generation camera peripheral for the PlayStation 3. The new camera has lost the EyeToy moniker and will be known simply as the PlayStation Eye. While the new camera isn’t supporting HD resolutions like previously speculated, the Eye does have an upgraded resolution, supporting 320x240 at up to 120 frames per second and 640x480 at up to 60 frames per second. Optical quality should be vastly better, allowing clearer operation in low light as well as supporting dual zoom settings. Audio also has not been left behind in the update – a new noise-reduction array of four microphones sits atop the Eye, allowing for positional 4-channel audio and voice tracking in the new device. Altogether these improvements should vastly enhance the EyeToy experience. New games like the Eye of Judgement collectible card game will utilize the PlayStation Eye to insert real-time 3-D graphics over the images of the cards the player has. Sony’s semi-official ThreeSpeech blog has a Q&A with more information from Sony, and Famitsu has some screen shots showing the interaction between the PlayStation Eye and the real-world cards from Eye of Judgement, and Sony’s full press release continues below.

Read More | Eye of Judgement at Famitsu

PLAYSTATION Eye brings next-gen communication to PS3. (PRNewsFoto/Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc.)

FOSTER CITY, CA UNITED STATES 04/26/2007

Intelligent Camera and Noise-Cancelling Microphone in One Sleek Package Offering Expands Gaming and Communication Options

  FOSTER CITY, Calif., April 26 /PRNewswire/—Sony Computer Entertainment America (SCEA) today announced the arrival of the next-generation PLAYSTATION(R)Eye camera. Scheduled for a Summer release, PLAYSTATION Eye is an essential accessory for voice, video chat and online gaming that will enable gamers to enjoy their PLAYSTATION(R)3 (PS3(TM)) Computer Entertainment System experiences like never before.

  Designed specifically for PS3 and featuring huge advances in USB camera and microphone technology, PLAYSTATION Eye is set to revolutionize the experience of both interactive gaming and online communication on the PLAYSTATION(R)Network. Expanding on the market-leading heritage of EyeToy(R) USB camera for PlayStation(R)2 computer entertainment system, the sophistication of PLAYSTATION Eye naturally complements the advanced features and capabilities of PS3—all in one intelligently designed, unobtrusive unit.
  Designed specifically to work with the next generation of social gaming titles and new services being developed for PS3, key features of the PLAYSTATION Eye include:

• A sophisticated microphone with the ability to reduce background noise and focus on spoken word for smoother, more accurate speech recognition
• Engineered to perform in low-light conditions
• Faster frame rate for improved tracking, responsiveness and smoothness
• Two position zoom lens for close-up and full body options
• Free EyeCreate(TM) editing software, which allows users to save, edit and add cool visual effects to photos, video and audio clips
• EyeCreate also enables user to capture videos and audio clips directly to your PS3’s hard disk drive and access a range of different capturing modes, including slow motion and time-lapse.

  “With the release of PLAYSTATION Eye we will be able to dramatically enhance the consumer’s PS3 experience,” said Richard Marks, research and development at Sony Computer Entertainment America. “Beyond audio/video chat and the ability to save videos to your PS3 hard drive, PLAYSTATION Eye opens up a whole new world of entertainment options and adds a new dimensions to games across multiple genres.”
 
EyeCreate software
  The free EyeCreate editing software, allows you to save photos, video and audio clips to your PS3 hard disk drive and apply eye-catching visual effects to your images. Different capture modes like time-lapse and slow motion open up a world of possibilities to be explored further in EyeCreate’s editing suite, where you can turn your media into professional-looking movies.
 
New microphone functions
  An all-new four microphone array, incorporating multidirectional voice location tracking, enhanced echo cancelling and background noise suppression allows for clear audio chat in even the most noisy of environments, without the need to hold or wear a headset.
 
Next-generation camera features
  A frame rate of up to 120 frames per second allows for super-smooth video and sophisticated low-light operation means that the room doesn’t have to be brightly lit for the camera to deliver crisp, perfectly exposed video. The adjustable zoom lens features a 56 degree field of view to capture head and shoulders action for close-in audio-visual chat, and a 75 degree field of view to capture the whole body for a fully physical gaming experience.
 
Technical Specifications:

• 4 channel audio input:16 bits/channel, 48kHz, SNR 90db
• 56 degree or 75 degree Field of View zoom lens
• 2.1 F-stop, < 1% distortion, fixed focus (25cm to 8 at 75 degree FOV)
• 640 x 480 at 60 frames/second
• 320 x 240 at 120 frames/second
• USB2 high-speed data transfer
• Uncompressed video or optional JPEG compression

  About Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc.   Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. continues to redefine the entertainment lifestyle with its PlayStation(R) and PS one(R) game console, the PlayStation(R)2 computer entertainment system, the PSP(R) (PlayStation(R)Portable) system, and the ground-breaking PLAYSTATION(R)3 (PS3(TM)) computer entertainment system.   Recognized as the undisputed industry leader, Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. markets the PlayStation family of products and develops, publishes, markets, and distributes software for the PS one game console, the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system, the PSP system and the PS3 system for the North American market. Based in Foster City, Calif. Sony Computer Entertainment America, Inc. serves as headquarters for all North American operations and is a wholly owned subsidiary of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.   NOTE: PlayStation, PLAYSTATION, and the PlayStation logo are registered trademarks of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. PS3 and PSP are trademarks of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. EyeToy is a registered trademark of Sony Computer Entertainment Europe. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.   Visit us on the Web at http://www.us.playstation.com