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Added by Brad on Oct. 22, 2008 47 comments
Remember how sleek and sexy the PSP looked when it first came out over three years ago? Lots of tech, tiny package! Over time, though, the PSP appeared to be putting on a few pounds as smaller, lither pieces of portable electronics hit the market. It started to feel a little clunky, really. And that matte plastic finish? So gauche. So I was stoked when Sony rolled out the more compact PSP-2000 late in 2007, making the thing lighter, thinner, and shinier, and improving the screen and face controls to boot.

Having just bought a 2000 earlier this year, I was understandably less stoked when Sony unveiled yet another revision just a few months later. Two new hardware versions in one year?

Turns out, I'm glad I stuck with the 2000, as a bunch of unhappy posters over at the official PlayStation forums have discovered an unpleasant issue with the new PSP-3000's brighter, more colorful screen that makes scanlines glaringly obvious on fast-moving images. User xythen put together a quick comparison image which I have stolen, below.

Better colors: worth the lines?
















Yikes. Yesterday PSP Fanboy got a response out of SCE America that the issue is here to stay.

On some occasions, scan lines may appear on scenes where brightness changes drastically, due to the hardware features of the new LCD device on PSP-3000. Installed with this new LCD device, PSP-3000 offers more natural and vibrant colors on its screen, but the scan lines have come out to be more visible as a result of improving response time to alleviate the afterimages on PSP-3000. Since this is due to hardware specification, there are no plans for a system software update concerning this issue.

That one photo isn't exactly conclusive proof that the 3000's screen totally sucks, but you should probably get your hands on a demo unit and try it for yourself before you pick one up. The flaw doesn't seem to have stopped many consumers in Japan, 140,000 of whom are now enjoying Monster Hunter on the new PSP. But since the improved screen was the biggest selling point of the 3000 (the only other one being an integrated microphone), this might make you want to seek out one of the remaining 2000-model units before they disappear from stores completely.
Filed under : PSP

48 Comments

Zuul
on Oct. 22, 2008
dont care... not getting a PSP

TEAMHOLT
on Oct. 22, 2008
Well good for you, Zuul!

Sparky_Buzzsaw
on Oct. 22, 2008
Zoinks, yo!  That's pretty odd they wouldn't at least try to fix it.

suneku
on Oct. 22, 2008
damn, I was going to upgrade to the 3000 from my fat psp... now I guess I'll have to wait and see if they fix this stuff on the 3000 or just go with the 2000

slashdotdot
on Oct. 22, 2008
I´m not interested in handheld gaming at all .
But it is nice that you put the information out there.
I would hate to play on a system the had that kind fo screen.

ppallo
on Oct. 22, 2008
I was operating a 1000 and this had just enough new shit for me to get intrested. Now this happens

Tarsier
on Oct. 22, 2008
Who would even buy a PSP? Why do people care?

IncredibleBulk92
on Oct. 22, 2008
Wow that looks really bad, you'd have thought something that obvious would have come up in product testing...  I'll keep the Patapon Machine (tm) I already have thank you very much

TabooTongue
on Oct. 22, 2008
Gotta love Sony and their lack or recalls\replacements.

Kohe321
on Oct. 22, 2008
Heh I'm sticking with my psp-2000, which I regret I bought anyways. I'ts been collecting dust for a looong time now. I've just come to the conclusion that handheld gaming is not for me. If I am at home, I'd rather play PC, Xbox360 or whatever, and when I'm on the bus I'd rather just look out the window or check the internet with my phone.. :)

shoryuking
on Oct. 22, 2008
I'll keep my blue 2000 model thanks, it works like a dream.

ObsideonDarman
on Oct. 22, 2008
I don't even know why I bought a PSP in the First place

Andrwmorph
on Oct. 22, 2008
I love my launch PSP. I have at least 10 games on it at all times (Legally!). They recently added direct access to the PS store as well which makes it hella easy to get a bunch of 5-20 dollar games. I can connect remotely to my PS3 (and through the PS3 I have my media library on my PC and a 250gb external HD with videos and more on it) and access all the media on it as well as remote play a few games. Also, if you want to install custom firmware on your PSP you gain access to dozens of console emulators and other homebrew apps as well as the ability to rip UMDs to your memory stick.
/endsonycomercial
On another note:
The PSP 3000 does not work with a Pandora's battery so you can't install custom firmware on it.

BenderUnit22
on Oct. 22, 2008
Even bad lines can't distract from the awesomeness of Disgaea.

I'm very happy with my 2000 and my DSL, no interest in a PSP-3000 or a DSi

keyhunter
on Oct. 22, 2008
sorry i was busy using my iPhone... :)

Milkman
on Oct. 22, 2008
I still don't have a PSP at all. But I don't know if its even worth it anymore.

bukkookkub
on Oct. 22, 2008
GOD I HATE VIDEO GAMES.

Karmann
on Oct. 22, 2008
Still worth it IMO because of the interlaced video out, I need that.

yellownumber5
on Oct. 22, 2008
I have a slight feeling that the 3000's only problem that it has such a crisp image that it is allowing to to see something that existed the WHOLE time, but couldn't be seen with the blurrier older screens.  I am curious if you stick a 3000 in the coldest corner of a fridge (to slow down the LCD's response time) and compared the same screen the scanlines would disappear.

Snail
on Oct. 22, 2008
I'm sticking with my 2000 then!



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