SIXAXIS Issues - Was Bluetooth the right choice for Sony?

[mokmok]

Firstly, sorry about the thread title - my post in the "Issues" sticky wasn't getting noticed!

OK, I've been seeing a lot of posts on GAF, IGN and the US Playstation boards regarding issues with the sixaxis controller losing connection with the PS3 for a few (2-3) secs causing the controller to freeze and the player to spin in circles in R:FoM, slam into a wall in RR7 and drive off a cliff in Motorstorm! I'm not sure what happens in Gundam :smile:

The general opinion out there is that this is due to the inherent limitations of using bluetooth.

So, my questions are as follows:

1. How widespread is this problem, anybody here experience it?
2. Can Sony fix this or do we have to live with it?
3. Could the cause be due to interference with the bluetooth signal?

Thanks in advance for your replies!

[FantasyGhost]

I think someone posted a "fix" for that to get the channel of the wifi on a higher level or something to steer away from interfering with each other?

[xbdestroya]

I've been affected, but I still think it was the right choice. The range distance and strength of 'lock' under normal operation appeal to me more than an RF wireless would have.

The issue happens rarely enough that it doesn't really bother me.

[mrBlue]

Haven't experienced any problems myself - I've also got a computer with Bluetooth KB&M and WLan setup not 10ft from my PS3.

[mokmok]

Xbd - Is this caused due to interference or is it a problem with the controller/PS3? Also, can this be fixed with a firmware update?

Another thing, why aren't 360 wireless controllers affected by this?

[pari]

There is quite a bit of FUD going around in the usual places kotaku, joystiq/engadget. I wish this PS3 e-mpire starts a blog to correct also stupid anti sony bias.

Bluetooth might have issues, but it also operates @2.4GHz radio frequency. 360 also operates at this same frequency. So whatever interference that bluetooth might experience, 360 would also experience. And MS is not making the hardware for the wireless nor does it have the expertise to come up with one. The proprietary nature of the 360 would be more of the protocol format than anything else.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bluetooth


Air interface

The protocol operates in the license-free ISM band at 2.45 GHz. In order to avoid interfering with other protocols which use the 2.45 GHz band, the Bluetooth protocol divides the band into 79 channels (each 1 MHz wide) and changes channels up to 1600 times per second. Implementations with versions 1.1 and 1.2 reach speeds of 723.1 kbit/s. Version 2.0 implementations feature Bluetooth Enhanced Data Rate (EDR), and thus reach 2.1 Mbit/s. Technically version 2.0 devices have a higher power consumption, but the three times faster rate reduces the transmission times, effectively reducing consumption to half that of 1.x devices (assuming equal traffic load).

Bluetooth differs from Wi-Fi in that the latter provides higher throughput and covers greater distances but requires more expensive hardware and higher power consumption. They use the same frequency range, but employ different multiplexing schemes. While Bluetooth is a cable replacement for a variety of applications, Wi-Fi is a cable replacement only for local area network access. Bluetooth is often thought of as wireless USB whereas Wi-Fi is wireless Ethernet, both operating at much lower bandwidth than the cable systems they are trying to replace. However, this analogy is not accurate since unlike USB, Bluetooth does not require the presence of a host PC.


Those anti-sony biased sites are trying to make a mountain out of mole hole...

[Applefiend]

Yup, I've been having the problem of the sixaxis freaking out and locking in one position. Just like xb it don't bother me none. Best solution is just plug in the usb cable.

There's a lot of wireless networks around here. 3 802.11gs, various bluetooth devices, wireless digital cordless phones, not to mention it's sitting right next door to a sleeping Wii.

I'll have a tinker but it's tough fixing a problem that only happens 2-3 times a week.

Lot of guys do start freakin' online about stuff like this. Launch hardware is slightly flakey, it's the price you pay for being the first.

[Epix]

^ No problems here. :)

[FantasyGhost]

I got me this router http://www.netgear.com/Products/RoutersandGateways/RangeMax240WirelessRouters.aspx?for=Home+Networkin g

It's supposed to steer away from other wireless routers acces point automatically i'm wondering if it will do the job with bluetooth.

[Garfunkel]

i believe some of the problem may be able to be solved with firmware updates but it wil most likely improve with future hardware phases.

Bluetooth was the right decision, it is superior overall to RF but opperates on the same frequency.

This problem was always expected and not surprising, interference is a universal problem and should only happen rare for bluetooth.

[frosty]

I'm not so sure it's a Bluetooth issue, as when I was playing at Wal Mart the other day, on a wired controller, the controller cut out for a split second and sent me off a cliff. It very well may be a fixable glitch.

[adam2407]

No problem here (^_^)

[frosty]

Where there are issues they are few and far between

[mokmok]

frosty - I read somewhere that even if the controller is plugged in using the USB cable is still communicates using bluetooth. The USB cable is only for charging...

Is anyone able to confirm this?

[mario25]

No, It comunicates trough the cable itself.....Listen dude, I think you want to make a storm out of a glass of water, I had this problem once and has never repeated again. It's not a big deal as many want everobody to believe.

[Garfunkel]

The thing is all electronics and technologies have faults. Wireless has interference, cables are annoying, machines break down, defects occur. Just live with it - would you rather not live with Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, RF etc? I sure as hell don't.

Hell even my Logitech X-530 speakers (rarely) pick up radio signals! I can just be sitting here and then i hear a radio for no reason (even though it is rather close to my alarm clock) The funny thing is that as soon as i turn it up to see what channel i am getting because it's really faint, it goes away! happens once a week/fortnight.

[frosty]

Yeah, I'll get the occasional trucker on the CB through my center surround channel from time to time.

[Amenophis]

This is the first I've heard of this problem. Personally, I haven't experienced it at all thus far...

[Siraris]

I had the issue twice tonight. I think I'm going to call tech support tomorrow. I've had it before, but I thought maybe it would pass. It's like the controller loses sync for 4 or 5 seconds and it just is locked on the last button event it was on.

[Garfunkel]

Yeah, I'll get the occasional trucker on the CB through my center surround channel from time to time.


I'm waiting for the day when i overhear an attempted murder over the speakers, record it, sell it to the cops and then say i have psychic powers and can help them stop murder ala minority report. I will then make up a bunch of stories and sell them as well. then when all is said and done i will sell my story to 60 minutes for billions of dollars.


Yeah, i like money...

[VG Aficionado]

There is quite a bit of FUD going around in the usual places kotaku, joystiq/engadget. I wish this PS3 e-mpire starts a blog to correct also stupid anti sony bias.This sounds like the best idea in a long while. Grabbing the FUD from any source, compiling proof of the contrary and publishing it for everyone to see. In all fairness: both true mistakes and pure FUD will be analysed and confirmed/debunked in the most subjective way.

Count me in if anyone's seriously considering doing something like that.

[rpgamer_2k5]

My DS 'comestic crack' turned into an actual crack and I noticed that in a lecture yesterday. I guess this must mean all DS with cosmetic cracks are downright faulty. ;)

[Sebastiano]

I have been effected 4-5 times since I got my PS3 on November 17th.
It's not a big deal for some, but it still bothers me that it happens.
There has been reports of happening to 20 and 60 gb models. So I am starting to think that it maybe be something related to the controllers itself.
I am planning to buy a second controller today and see what happens.

Thanks for making this post.

PS: I have seen reports of this also on the resistance forums

http://www.myresistance.net/smf/index.php?topic=248.0

:nervous:

[frosty]

As I said earlier, it can't be a bluetooth issue because it happened to me while playing with the USB cord plugged in. It's just a minor launch glitch, it will be fixed.

[Sebastiano]

As I said earlier, it can't be a bluetooth issue because it happened to me while playing with the USB cord plugged in. It's just a minor launch glitch, it will be fixed.

I hope it can be fixed through firmware update

[thenubb]

yep, this has happened to me about 3 times now in resistance. the character wont move and just spins in place for a second or two, then everything is normal.
The three times it happened were within a half hour and all in one sitting. I haven't had any problems other than that, and I've had this thing on constantly since I got it on the 24th. (I was first in line at my local EB at 4:30 in the morning after the manager told me they'd be getting two ps3's in. WOOHOO!!!)

All in all, I have been very impressed with the machine. I installed yellow dog on it yesterday, but there is still no wifi... :realmad
Anyways, I'm rambling so see ya
-Evan

[lips]

As I said earlier, it can't be a bluetooth issue because it happened to me while playing with the USB cord plugged in. It's just a minor launch glitch, it will be fixed.

uuh, had you thought of the possibility usb is for power only, and input may not be converted to usb transmition? Just what I read, previous to launch. I would assume wii experiences the same issue?

[frosty]

^that very well may be the case. Good point. However I don't think it's an interferance issue. don't know why, but my gut feeling says it's related to something else.

[LiquidEagle]

Never happened to me :)

[jaxmkii]

My sub picks up the hand shake signal from my cell phone

[VG Aficionado]

SIXAXIS working on Linux (http://ps3.jim.sh/sixaxis/usb/).

It's noteworthy that it's not using a Bluetooth adapter, which means that the controller input is sent through USB when it's wired. Therefore, frosty might be right when he said that the issues have nothing to do with Bluetooth.

[woundingchaney]

Yeah, I'll get the occasional trucker on the CB through my center surround channel from time to time.

LOL

I used to get the local country radio station through my subwoofers. I use an inline magnet to divert the pickup (you can get one at Radio Shack).

[VG Aficionado]

LOL

I used to get the local country radio station through my subwoofers. I use an inline magnet to divert the pickup (you can get one at Radio Shack).I hear TV audio channels through the speakers of my surround set :dur:

[Z]

all of you need to cut down on the X-Files.

[LaLiLuLeLo]

actually, I think it's still sending a wireless signal even when plugged up, and is only using the usb for charging. I dunno though. I could be wrong, my only reason for guessing this is, you can charge your ps3 controller via usb, plugging it into your computer, but it still responds to the ps3 wirelessly. doesn't miss a beat.

[julps31]

This sounds like the best idea in a long while. Grabbing the FUD from any source, compiling proof of the contrary and publishing it for everyone to see. In all fairness: both true mistakes and pure FUD will be analysed and confirmed/debunked in the most subjective way.

Count me in if anyone's seriously considering doing something like that.Sounds good to me. Still i know some fanboys would write it off as bull since its on a PS3 website. But oh well. Can't win em all.