Sony aims to bring to the market the first legitimate next-gen contender for the eighth generation of home video game consoles this week in the PlayStation 4. As we know from the critical responses and our own impressions and review of the PS4, the system is a strong gaming-focused console that's unfortunately missing quite a few key features.

Many of the multimedia entertainment functions of the PS3 are inexplicably absent in its successor at launch so we're going to take a look at five key features and functions that Sony needs to implement in the PS4 asap so it can earn the "next-gen" description. Most of these have been talked about and are in the works for future updates.

Let's get to it...

MP3 and CDs

PS4 Missing Features CD MP3s

Sony, a company heavily involved in the music business, inexplicably left out the most basic music functions for the PlayStation 4 at launch - features that are currently available on its predecessor. The PS4 at launch cannot play music off of CDs, it cannot play MP3 files from a USB stick or external harddrive, and it cannot streamed music from a PC.

While CDs may be outdated for some, a next-gen Sony console not being able to support basic entertainment needs such as these is absurd. Some players do enjoy listening to their own MP3s while using the system. Sony boss Shuhei Yoshida shouldn't be "surprised" about the negative feedback from this lack of support. Hopefully it doesn't take long for a system update to rectify.

PS4 DLNA Media Server Support

PS4 Missing Features Media Server

The official Sony support answer on the PS4's lack of DLNA support is self-explanatory:

The PlayStation 4 does not support DLNA or media servers, which means it is not possible to view content from another device on your console. (Updated Statement: We appreciate your feedback and are exploring possibilities.)

DLNA was created by Sony a decade ago and is key to sharing and streaming content across devices. Yet PS4 users cannot stream content from their computer on the PS4 and cannot play videos, look at photos or play music from a USB? How can this not be on the system at launch? Like the music issues for those interested users, this is coming at some point it the future but isn't there at launch.

HDMI Video Capture

PS4 Missing Features HDMI Port HDCP

Despite hinting otherwise and embracing a "for-the-gamer" attitude, HDCP encryption is currently enabled on the PlayStation 4 HDMI outputs, meaning users who own capture cards - again like on PS3 - cannot record gameplay. Instead, users are forced to use the PS4's built-in video sharing which is restricted to 15 minute clips that can only be uploaded to... Facebook. The other option is livestreaming and archiving those videos on Twitch or Ustream, but all video out through Sony's own sharing features is maxed at 720p.

Sony went on record saying they will support HDMI capture but like many other features, not at launch.

YouTube Support

PS4 Missing Features No YouTube Support

Sony's screenshot and video sharing features are easy to use and implemented with some smart design choices, as we pointed out in our PS4 console review. There is however, a major absent feature in the system's video sharing capability since recorded clips can only be uploaded to Facebook.

What good is that when the vast majority of gamers who record and upload gameplay use the biggest video sharing service in the world - YouTube? We can't explain why YouTube isn't supported currently - but we do know why its absence at launch was conveniently left out of the news until two weeks prior to launch. YouTube support was namedropped by Sony PS4 designer Mark Cerny during an appearance on Late Night With Jimmy Fallon so expect it in the future.

A Better Interface

PS4 Missing Features Interface Issues

The glue that holds Sony's new system together is still outdated in some respects. The PS4's new 'PlayStation Dynamic Menu' interface is quite an improvement over the PS3's XMB, is slicker and faster, but it's still missing some of the basics. The interface requires too many steps to perform some of its functions and the official PlayStation App does little to help expedite interactivity.

There's a noticeable lack of media-related options available on the interface's menus and it cannot be customized. Things like notifications for example, don't give players the full info or a quick option to join a friend in an online match. It all needs to be done manually so there's still room for improvement on the general design and accessibility of the PS4's menu system.

Conclusion

PS4 Console Missing Features

The PS4, like its competitor releasing a week later, was rushed out to store shelves for the North American holiday shopping season. There's too much money on the table around Thanksgiving and Christmas in the U.S. and that means consumers are paying top dollar for the latest in console gaming tech, but for the minimal amount of available games and features.

In addition to the updates we've listed there are other quirks as well, from no flash support in the built-in browser, a lack of things to do with the $60 Eye peripheral (outside of broadcasting video) and the missing support of 3D Blu-rays. If you can wait, the PS4 is worth waiting for. And if we're lucky, when the system gets its innovated cloud-based features and missing functions back, the price may have dropped by then.

Also check out: 5 Missing Xbox One Features We Wanted At Launch

Follow Rob on Twitter at @rob_keyes.