October 2009 has seen the launch of Sony’s new and latest version of their PSP system, the PSP Go.
However, the PSP Go has split popular opinion due to the price (only £25 cheaper than the PS3 slim) and to the fact that it does not support the UMD format of the previous iterations, with all software being provided through a download-only system via the Playstation Network. This means that existing PSP owners with a large back catalogue of existing games would be unable to play them, resulting in the PSP market being polarised in to two different types of consumer, depending on their requirements.
If they’re happy to have a download-only system, and have access to a quick and reliable broadband system, the PSP Go is looking like a good choice. If they’d prefer to be able to buy cheap second-hand games, or simply prefer to have something physical for their money (or indeed, if they already have an existing catalogue of PSP games) then the PSP 3000 is their preferred option.
However, the PSP3000 has been haunted by a particular issue ever since its launch in 2008, namely; scan lines and interlacing issues on its new screen.
The PSP was originally released in 2005. The model is now referred to as the PSP1000, or the “fat” PSP. Sony then released a “Slim and Light” (aka the PSP2000) in 2007, significantly reducing the size and weight of the unit. It was less than a year later that the PSP3000 was released (which also kept the "Slim and Light" moniker. Near identical in aesthetics to the PSP2000, the “main features” were a built-in microphone and the new screen. Touted to be a significant improvement due to an improved colour gamut and better refresh rates, Sony’s pre-release hype machine began posting comparison shots between the PSP2000 and PSP3000 which indeed showed colours to be far richer and deeper than its recently released predecessor.
Within a few weeks of the PSP3000 being released, a backlash began with regards to the new screen. A few pictures were posted online showing screen shots from Disgaea, showing the main character (Laharl), with scan lines all over him and generally looking very inferior to the PSP2000 comparison shot. So called PSP “fans” began screaming for Sony’s blood and insisting that the issue should be resolved through a firmware update. However, when Sony released an official statement advising that the issue was hardware related and caused by implementing the other improvements, the fans were left disappointed.
Any search on Google for “Sony PSP” and “scan lines” will therefore invariably bring up the arguments surrounding the PSP3000’s release but that was in October 2008 and there seems to be very little information available for anyone now left with the decision of whether to buy the PSP3000 or the PSP Go. After all, back when the complaints were being raised, customers still had a realistic (if diminishing) option of buying the PSP1000 or the PSP2000. Nowadays those models are no longer available at retail; and modern-day consumers simply have the choice of the PSP3000 or nothing if they want a PSP to play UMD discs on.
And this was the very dilemma that I’ve found myself in during the course of the last few weeks. It was September 2009 and all I seemed able to find online were year-old arguments. In addition, the relatively well-respected online gaming site IGN showed a (quite damning) review, which even went as far as to show Metal Gear Solid running on both systems, with the PSP 3000’s white levels tinged a dirty-looking yellow shade. Again though, the IGN review was dated and I couldn't believe that if such an issue really did exist, that there wouldn't be more current complaints. It almost smacked as though the issue had been blown out of all proportion by PSP2000 owners who were left feeling disgruntled after having had their own upgrade over the PSP1000 so quickly re-engineered.
In the end, having been totally let down by the internet, which seemed to only show outdated (and potentially biased) views, I’ve had to take a leap of faith and I’ve now bought the PSP3000 . And I am delighted to say that I’ve had absolutely none of the issues with the so-called "scan lines". In addition, the colour balance looks absolutely perfect with whites looking pure white and all other colours looking deep and rich. I'm therefore posting this so that other people can benefit from my experience, without having to take a leap of faith of your own. Hopefully, seeing an actual up-to-date post regarding this matter might really help people out, especially as for the first time in over a year, there are once again two different PSP models available for people to choose from.
So for anyone else out there who; like I was, feels exasperated by the lack of modern and relevant information on the PSP3000 and who want to genuinely compare the PSP3000 to the PSP Go before making a potential purchase, please don’t let the old screen issues be a factor for you. Make your mind up purely on the basis of which system suits your style of play better. If you’re happy to lose the UMD function and the price isn’t an issue, then by all means go for the PSP Go.
But as the Go’s release may well see a price reduction of the PSP3000, it could also be a great time for you to pick up that system instead. I'm certainly glad that I did :-)
However, the PSP Go has split popular opinion due to the price (only £25 cheaper than the PS3 slim) and to the fact that it does not support the UMD format of the previous iterations, with all software being provided through a download-only system via the Playstation Network. This means that existing PSP owners with a large back catalogue of existing games would be unable to play them, resulting in the PSP market being polarised in to two different types of consumer, depending on their requirements.
If they’re happy to have a download-only system, and have access to a quick and reliable broadband system, the PSP Go is looking like a good choice. If they’d prefer to be able to buy cheap second-hand games, or simply prefer to have something physical for their money (or indeed, if they already have an existing catalogue of PSP games) then the PSP 3000 is their preferred option.
However, the PSP3000 has been haunted by a particular issue ever since its launch in 2008, namely; scan lines and interlacing issues on its new screen.
The PSP was originally released in 2005. The model is now referred to as the PSP1000, or the “fat” PSP. Sony then released a “Slim and Light” (aka the PSP2000) in 2007, significantly reducing the size and weight of the unit. It was less than a year later that the PSP3000 was released (which also kept the "Slim and Light" moniker. Near identical in aesthetics to the PSP2000, the “main features” were a built-in microphone and the new screen. Touted to be a significant improvement due to an improved colour gamut and better refresh rates, Sony’s pre-release hype machine began posting comparison shots between the PSP2000 and PSP3000 which indeed showed colours to be far richer and deeper than its recently released predecessor.
Within a few weeks of the PSP3000 being released, a backlash began with regards to the new screen. A few pictures were posted online showing screen shots from Disgaea, showing the main character (Laharl), with scan lines all over him and generally looking very inferior to the PSP2000 comparison shot. So called PSP “fans” began screaming for Sony’s blood and insisting that the issue should be resolved through a firmware update. However, when Sony released an official statement advising that the issue was hardware related and caused by implementing the other improvements, the fans were left disappointed.
Any search on Google for “Sony PSP” and “scan lines” will therefore invariably bring up the arguments surrounding the PSP3000’s release but that was in October 2008 and there seems to be very little information available for anyone now left with the decision of whether to buy the PSP3000 or the PSP Go. After all, back when the complaints were being raised, customers still had a realistic (if diminishing) option of buying the PSP1000 or the PSP2000. Nowadays those models are no longer available at retail; and modern-day consumers simply have the choice of the PSP3000 or nothing if they want a PSP to play UMD discs on.
And this was the very dilemma that I’ve found myself in during the course of the last few weeks. It was September 2009 and all I seemed able to find online were year-old arguments. In addition, the relatively well-respected online gaming site IGN showed a (quite damning) review, which even went as far as to show Metal Gear Solid running on both systems, with the PSP 3000’s white levels tinged a dirty-looking yellow shade. Again though, the IGN review was dated and I couldn't believe that if such an issue really did exist, that there wouldn't be more current complaints. It almost smacked as though the issue had been blown out of all proportion by PSP2000 owners who were left feeling disgruntled after having had their own upgrade over the PSP1000 so quickly re-engineered.
In the end, having been totally let down by the internet, which seemed to only show outdated (and potentially biased) views, I’ve had to take a leap of faith and I’ve now bought the PSP3000 . And I am delighted to say that I’ve had absolutely none of the issues with the so-called "scan lines". In addition, the colour balance looks absolutely perfect with whites looking pure white and all other colours looking deep and rich. I'm therefore posting this so that other people can benefit from my experience, without having to take a leap of faith of your own. Hopefully, seeing an actual up-to-date post regarding this matter might really help people out, especially as for the first time in over a year, there are once again two different PSP models available for people to choose from.
So for anyone else out there who; like I was, feels exasperated by the lack of modern and relevant information on the PSP3000 and who want to genuinely compare the PSP3000 to the PSP Go before making a potential purchase, please don’t let the old screen issues be a factor for you. Make your mind up purely on the basis of which system suits your style of play better. If you’re happy to lose the UMD function and the price isn’t an issue, then by all means go for the PSP Go.
But as the Go’s release may well see a price reduction of the PSP3000, it could also be a great time for you to pick up that system instead. I'm certainly glad that I did :-)
For a great deal on the Sony PSP3000, click the link below...
