PlayStation Portable Slim and Lite
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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| Manufacturer | Sony Computer Entertainment |
|---|---|
| Product family | PlayStation |
| Type | Handheld game console |
| Generation | Seventh generation era |
| Retail availability | EU September 5, 2007 NA September 6, 2007 |
| Media | UMD, Digital Download |
| CPU | MIPS R4000-based; clocked from 1 to 333 MHz |
| Storage capacity | Memory Stick PRO Duo and internal flash memory |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi 802.11 b, USB 2.0 |
| Best-selling game | Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories (2.7 million) (as of November 26, 2008)[1][2][3] |
| Predecessor | PlayStation Portable (concurrent) |
| Successor | PSP-3000 series (redesign) |
PSP Slim & Lite is a name used in the PAL territories[4] to refer to the second generation of the PlayStation Portable handheld game console released and manufactured by Sony Computer Entertainment. The same model was called simply PlayStation Portable in Japan and North America. At E3 2007, Sony released information about a slimmer and lighter version of the PlayStation Portable.[5] The new PSP is 33% lighter and 19% slimmer than the original PSP system.[5] The model numbers have changed to PSP-2000, following the previous region-based numbering scheme (cf. the PSP-1000 numbering scheme of the "old" PSP model).
It was released on August 30, 2007 in Hong Kong, on September 5, 2007 in Europe, on September 6, 2007 in North America, September 7, 2007 in South Korea and September 12, 2007 in Australia. On January 8, 2008 built-in Skype Wifi Internet phone service was added via firmware updates.[6]
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[edit] Features and changes
[edit] Hardware
The PSP Slim & Lite system is 19% thinner and 33% lighter than the original PSP system (reduced from 23 mm to 18.6 mm and from 280 grams [9.87 ounces] to 189 grams [6.66 ounces]). [5][7] Internal changes to achieve this include the removal of a metal chassis (used to reduce damage in the event of sudden trauma to the system resulting from the user dropping the system on a hard surface). However, users have complained about generally poor hardware assembly like misaligned faceplates[8] and loose/creaky battery covers.[9]
Other changes include improved WLAN modules and Micro-controller, and a thinner and much brighter LCD.[10] To target the original PSP generation's poor load times for UMD games,[11] the internal memory (RAM and Flash ROM) was doubled from 32 MB to 64 MB, which also improved the web browser's performance.[12]
[edit] Battery
To make the PSP slimmer, the capacity of the battery was reduced by 1/3. However, due to more efficient power usage, the run time of the PSP is still the same as the older model. Older model batteries will still work which extends the amount of playing time. However, the battery cover on the newer model does not fit over the older battery due to its bulkier size. The batteries take about one and a half hours to charge and last roughly 4.5–7 hours depending on factors such as screen brightness settings, wlan and volume levels.[13]
In mid-December 2007, Sony released the PSP Extended Life Battery Kit, which includes a 2200 MAh battery with a battery cover that fits over the bulkier battery included;[14] initially only available in North America.[citation needed] The kit comes with two new battery covers, one black and one silver. In March 2008 the Extended Battery Kit was released in Japan. However, unlike North America the batteries are sold individually with one specific cover. There are three separate kits, one with the black cover, one with the silver cover and one with the white cover. This means that North American Star Wars PSP owners, whose PSPs were in black and silver colors, can now get the Extended Battery Kit with color matching cover by importing the White Extended battery kit over the Internet[citation needed]. This would also resolve some users discontent with the Darth Vader silk screen, since the Japanese white kit comes with a plain white cover[citation needed].
[edit] External appearance, inputs and outputs
The PSP Slim & Lite has a new gloss finish. The serial port was also modified in order to accommodate a new video-out feature (while rendering older PSP remote controls incompatible). PSP games will only output to external monitors or TVs in progressive scan mode, so televisions incapable of supporting progressive scan will not display PSP games. Non-game video outputs fine in either progressive or interlaced mode. USB charging was made possible (the PSP Slim will only charge while it is in "USB mode". It cannot be charged via USB when playing a game). However, there are unofficial USB charge plug-in downloads for charging the PSP with a USB without the need for being in USB mode. The D-Pad was raised in response to complaints of poor performance[15][16], while buttons offer improved responsiveness, confirmed in the GameSpot "hands-on" review: "several GameSpot editors have noticed that the d-pad and buttons on the new PSP provide a little more tactile feedback for a better overall feel."[17].
A new simpler and more compact UMD loading tray design was developed, in which the tray swivels out instead of opening up completely, while the Wi-Fi switch was moved to the top of the PSP. To address many consumer complaints about the Memory Stick door breaking off the old PSP, the Memory Stick door has been relocated and redesigned. The speakers were repositioned on the front of the PSP near the top of its screen. The infra-red port was also removed because it offered no use to the original PSP generation other than in homebrew applications. Its analog stick was also redesigned to be more flexible and is not removable without opening the PSP. The air vent at the top of the original was also removed.
A "1seg" TV tuner (model PSP-S310) peripheral, designed specifically for the PSP Slim & Lite model, was released in Japan on September 20, 2007.[18]
[edit] Pricing
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The announced price is set at $169.99 for the Core Pack and $199.99 for the newer PSP entertainment packages. The original version of the PSP is also priced at $169.99, until they are sold out, although some stores may lower the price as a clear out sale to try and sell their PSP systems more rapidly. The PSP Slim sells for $169.99, and the two special limited editions cost $199.99. The Final Fantasy VII 10th Anniversary edition, limited to 77,777 units, is currently on sale in Japan and online stores for US$399.90.
| Region | Local retail price |
|---|---|
 Australia |
AU$ 219 |
 Europe |
€169.[19] |
 India |
INR 8,990 |
 Malaysia |
MYR 809 |
 New Zealand |
NZ$ 295.99 |
 Philippines |
PHP 9,000 |
 Poland |
669zł |
 Saudi Arabia |
SR 750 |
 Kuwait |
KD 65 |
 Singapore |
S$ 290 |
 South Africa |
R1599.99 |
 United Kingdom |
£ 109.99 |
[edit] Retail configurations
In North America, the Ice Silver Daxter Entertainment Pack comes in an entertainment packet including the game Daxter, a 1GB Memory Stick, and the UMD movie, Family Guy Freakin' Sweet Collection. About one month later, Sony released a special Ceramic White Star Wars edition PSP which has a silkscreen picture of Darth Vader on the battery cover. It also comes with the game Star Wars Battlefront: Renegade Squadron. Both the Ice Silver and Ceramic White PSPs are priced at $199.99. Sony released the colors Rose Pink, Lavender Purple, and Felicia Blue in Japan at launch. A special "Final Fantasy VII 10th Anniversary" Edition was released for Japan only and, as mentioned above, was limited to 77,777 units.[20] The package includes a silver color unit with Final Fantasy pictures at the back, and an original Final Fantasy Buster Sword shape strap (some shops will also provide a special earphone for pre-orders).[21][22] Australia and the UK will be getting a Final Fantasy VII Crisis Core Bundle similar to Japan's but it will not include the Buster Sword strap and the PSP will not have a unique number on it. North America also received a 'Deep Red' model with Kratos, from the God of War series, silkscreened on the battery cover. The bundle also comes with the movie, Superbad, on UMD, the God of War: Chains of Olympus game, and a voucher to download Syphon Filter: Combat Ops. This bundle arrived in June 2008, for a retail price of $199.99. North America is also slated to receive a Metallic Blue PSP that bundles with Madden NFL 09, a football related UMD and a 1GB Memory Stick. It has been given the standard PSP bundle retail price of $199.99.
Europe will receive black, pink, and silver models. As well as the two special limited edition colors available as a bundle: Simpsons-themed yellow bundle and the red and black Spider-Man bundle. In the United Kingdom, the PSP Slim & Lite comes in Piano Black and Ceramic White (released on October 26, 2007) colors, both retailing at £129.99. The UK will now also retail for £144.99 the Final Fantasy VII Crisis Core pack (Ice Silver and Crisis Core Game) (released on June 20, 2008)
[edit] Release dates
The PSP Slim & Lite was released in Hong Kong on August 30, 2007. In North America the Ice Silver Daxter Pack was released on September 5, 2007. In Australia, the PSP Slim was released on September 12, 2007, with New Zealand following 2 days later. The Piano Black Core Pack was released on October 5, 2007, and the Star Wars Ceramic White on October 4, 2007.[23] For the Japanese market, a special "FINAL FANTASY VII 10th Anniversary" edition was released on September 13, 2007, bundled with the release of the game Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII, limited in quantities to 77,777 units. The normal edition was released on September 20, 2007 in Japan. In September 2007, SCEE announced 2 more Slim PSP editions, a Simpsons PSP, and a Spider-Man PSP. Both come with their movie games, and the Spider-Man pack comes with Spider-Man 3 movie UMD. The PSP Slim & Lite was also released in Malaysia and Singapore on October 10, 2007. A "Deep Red" PSP was released in Japan on December 13, 2007.[24]
Release dates are as follow:
- Japan
- Final Fantasy VII Crisis Core "Ice Silver with engrave" Limited Edition - September 12, 2007
- All Colours (Piano Black, Ceramic White, Ice Silver, Felicia Blue, Lavender Purple, Rose Pink) - September 20, 2007
- Deep Red - December 13, 2007
- Star Ocean "Felicia Blue with engrave" Limited Edition Bundle - December 27, 2007
- Gundam Limited Edition "same as European Spiderman edition with engrave" - February 7, 2008
- Mint Green - February 28, 2008
- Monster Hunter Portable "Gold PSP Slim with silkscreen and bundled with UMD case, matching pouch and matching strap" - March 27
- Matte Bronze/Gold. April 2008
- Metallic Blue June 17, 2008
- North America
- Daxter Ice Silver Bundle - September 5, 2007
- Piano Black Core Pack - September 27, 2007
- Star Wars Ceramic White Bundle with "Darth Vader" "silkscreen" on back - October 9, 2007
- God of War: Chains of Olympus Deep Red Bundle with "Kratos" "silkscreen" on back - June 6, 2008
- Madden NFL 09 Metallic Blue Entertainment Pack - August 12, 2008 [25]
- Australia
- 2 Colours - Ceramic White/Piano Black - September 12, 2007
- Simpsons - November 16, 2007
- God of War (Ice Silver, bundled with God of War) - March 27, 2008
- Final Fantasy VII Crisis Core (Ice Silver and Crisis Core Game) - June 19, 2008
- United Kingdom
- Piano Black - October 26, 2007
- Ceramic White - October 26, 2007
- Final Fantasy VII Crisis Core (Ice Silver and Crisis Core Game) - June 20, 2008
- South Africa - September 24, 2007
- Europe
- Piano Black - September 5, 2007
- Ice Silver - September 5, 2007
- Spider-Man "Red Glossy/Black Matte surface with black buttons" - November 11, 2007
- The Simpsons "Yellow/White PSP with blue font" - November 15, 2007
- Final Fantasy VII Crisis Core (Ice Silver and Crisis Core Game) - June 20, 2008
- Korea - September 7, 2007
- Hong Kong - 10 Colours (Piano Black, Ceramic White, Ice Silver, Felicia Blue, Lavender Purple, Rose Pink, Matte Bronze, Mint Green, Deep Red, Metallic Blue) - August 30, 2007
- Malaysia - October 10, 2007
- Singapore
- PSP Slim October 10, 2007
- Deep Red December 13, 2007, The Deep Red was discontinued in Singapore in July 2008.
- Matte Bronze May 20, 2008
[edit] TV output and accessory port
Sony added TV output to the PSP Slim through Firmware 3.60. It can output in a conventional aspect ratio (4:3) or widescreen (16:9), and offers a screensaver if the PSP is inactive for a set amount of time. It is able to output games, videos, and other media. To achieve TV output on the Slim model, Composite, S-Video, Component and D-Terminal cables are sold separately by Sony. PSP format games are output as a progressive scan signal, which can be carried only by the component video and D-Terminal cables, and displayed on televisions which support progressive scan. While connected to an external display, "PSP" format games and software does not output a full-screen image, instead displaying in a smaller window. However, the PSP system software, music player and video playback are displayed full screen. As of firmware update 5.00, PlayStation (PSone) format software purchased from the PlayStation store is output in full-screen mode and optionally in interlaced format for non-progressive displays. Although the user needs Component cables and a TV that supports 480p (mainly found in HDTVs) to play PSP format software, a homebrew plugin called "FuSa" allows anyone with a Slim PSP to view their games on any SDTV or HDTV using Composite or Component cables. It's also advantageous to those with because it allows a full screen viewing of games, however as PSP games are developed at PSP's LD (low definition) resolution of 272p the output is not true SD (480i) or ED (480p) resolution the image is merely zoomed in to fill the screen. The maximum resolution through TV output is 720x480 pixels for video, 272p for games, hence the borderboxing, and composite video uses NTSC color encoding (no PAL composite signal is available, although it works on a NTSC compatible TV in Europe). The old Playstation Portable (PSP-1000) is not capable of this feature due to a slightly different port. As a result, original PSP accessories (using the connector) will not work with the Slim and the Slim's accessories will not work with the original PSP. Sony has released a new version of the remote control accessory designed for the Slim as a result. The PSP Slim can still use 3.5 mm headphones, like the old PlayStation Portable.
Sony confirmed their GPS Accessory for the United States at Sony CES 2008. The GPS is to be retailed for the new Slim PSP models. It will feature maps on a UMD, and offer driving directions and city guide.
[edit] References
- ^ Matt Matthews (2008-11-26). "Exclusive: Sony PSP Versus Nintendo DS - The Sales Showdown". Gamasutra. http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=21247. Retrieved on 2008-11-26.
- ^ "Sony PSP Japanese Ranking". Japan Game Charts. 2008-10-03. http://www.japan-gamecharts.com/psp.php. Retrieved on 2008-10-12.
- ^ "ELSPA Sales Awards: Double Platinum". Entertainment and Leisure Software Publishers Association. http://www.elspa.com/?i=3945. Retrieved on 2009-01-18.
- ^ http://www.famitsu.com/game/news/2007/08/08/h-103_76465_4807.jpg.jpg
- ^ a b c "Get the skinny!". Sony Computer Entertainment Europe. 2007-07-12. http://uk.playstation.com/psp/news/articles/detail/item71810/Get-the-skinny!/. Retrieved on 2008-11-30.
- ^ "PS3 - Software - Skype Wireless Phone". Skype. http://www.skype.com/allfeatures/skypeonpsp/. Retrieved on 2008-11-18.
- ^ Gregory A. Quirk (2007-11-20). "Under the Hood: Sony Playstation Portable slims down". EE Times. http://www.eetimes.com/news/semi/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=204200248. Retrieved on 2008-11-30.
- ^ Dr Haisook (2008-10-22). "PSP Slim & Lite Poor Manufacturing « Dr Haisook’s Brain Grooves". http://drhaisook.wordpress.com/2008/10/22/psp-slim-lite-poor-manufacturing/. Retrieved on 2009-02-28.
- ^ wafc (2007-09-26). "PSP Slim - Creaking/Loose Battery Cover". http://www.avforums.com/forums/psp/627471-psp-slim-creaking-loose-battery-cover.html. Retrieved on 2009-03-01.
- ^ [New PSP Tear-down] Metal Chassis Omitted to Reduce Weight [Part 1] - Tech-On!
- ^ Under the Hood: PSP Load Times - Features at GameSpot
- ^ Brian Lam (2007-07-11). "New PSP Slim Coming September, Kinda Looks the Same". http://gizmodo.com/gadgets/breaking/new-psp-slim-coming-september-kinda-looks-the-same-277336.php. Retrieved on 2007-10-16.
- ^ PlayStation Portable Safety and Support Manual
- ^ PlayStation.Blog » New PSP Battery and Covers Coming Soon
- ^ IGN: Capcom Fixes PSP Pad
- ^ "Hands on with PSP Slim". pocketgamer.co.UK. http://www.pocketgamer.co.uk/r/PSP/Sony+PSP/news.asp?c=3606. Retrieved on 2007-07-22.
- ^ "E3 07: Redesigned Sony PSP Hands-On". GameSpot.com. http://uk.gamespot.com/features/6173974/index.html?tag=topslot;title;1. Retrieved on 2007-07-22.
- ^ Sony Computer Entertainment (2007-07-17). "Slimmer and Lighter" New PSP (PlayStation Portable) Comes In Six Color Variations To The Japanese Market. Press release. http://www.scei.co.jp/corporate/release/070717e.html. Retrieved on 2007-09-22.
- ^ Luke Plunkett (2007-08-22). "PSP Slim's Release Date, Price And New Bundles/Colors For Europe". http://kotaku.com/gaming/sans-darth/psp-slims-release-date-price-and-new-bundlescolours-for-europe-292484.php. Retrieved on 2007-10-18.
- ^ Buy PSP PlayStation Portable Slim & Lite - Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII Bundle - Order Now!
- ^ Sony's new PSP is slimmer, includes video output - Engadget
- ^ Breaking: New PSP Slim Coming September, Kinda Looks the Same
- ^ "PSP Slim Hands on". ubergizmo.com. http://www.ubergizmo.com/15/archives/2007/08/handson_with_the_psp_slim.html. Retrieved on 2007-08-22.
- ^ "Japan to receive "Deep Red" PSP with optional TV tuner". Ars Technica. 2007-11-06. http://arstechnica.com/journals/thumbs.ars/2007/11/06/japan-to-receive-deep-red-psp-with-optional-tv-tuner. Retrieved on 2007-11-12.
- ^ PlayStation.Blog » Coming this fall: Madden NFL 09 PSP Entertainment Pack
[edit] External links
[edit] Official websites
- Official PlayStation Portable website (India)
- Official PlayStation Portable website (Europe)
- Official PlayStation Portable website (North America)
- Official PlayStation Portable website (Aus/NZ)
- SCEA PSP Specifications press release
- SCEA PSP New Designed Press Release
[edit] Other links
- Old PSP with new PSP Slim & Lite comparison pictures (Japanese)
- PlayStation Portable Slim and Lite at the Open Directory Project
- Paul Rubens (2007-02-26). "Three Hacker Teams Unlock the PSP". BBC News Online (BBC). http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/6397797.stm. Retrieved on 2007-03-20.
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