Sony PSP 3000 Review
The recently launched PSP 3000 has an interesting history, which began in 2005 when Sony first launched its first PlayStation Portable (PSP) in North America. The PSP received a very fierce competition from the Nintendo DS and the Nintendo Lite thereafter. Sony launched the PSP Slim and Light or the PSP 2000 in the year 2007 and just as the name suggested, it was slimmer and lighter than its predecessor. Then this October, Sony launched the PSP 3000 as its answer to its competitors. The questions people are already asking are: How is the PSP 3000 different from the PSP 2000? Will PSP 2000 owners upgrade to the new PSP 3000?
The PSP 3000 is almost like the PSP 2000 inside out, but carries a few extra goodies. It comes with an integrated microphone for the built-in Skype client, enhanced video output in interlaced format for linking to a CRT television, a brighter screen with a higher contrast ratio, a lag-free response time, greater color range and anti-reflective properties for better visibility in lit-up environments.
The 2.81 x 6.63 x 0.63 inch dimensions are the same as that of the PSP 2000, but the PSP 3000 is lighter and weighs about 7 ounces. The piano black version is highly glossy as compared to the matte-finished mystic silver one. The pearl white version is expected to hit the stands later. The 4.3” TFT widescreen delivers improved color reproduction at 480 x 272 pixels.
The layout of buttons is no different from the PSP 2000. The set of directional buttons is on the left side of the screen, below which is the thumbstick. The set of the usual four buttons with the cross, square, triangle and circle is on the right side. There is the usual row of start, home, volume and brightness buttons below the screen. The microphone is below the screen and can be used during gaming and for “skyping.” The AV/ headphone jack is on the lower edge and the USB port is on the upper edge.
Sony uses its unique media storage disc, the UMD disc, which works only with Sony’s PSPs and stores around 1.8 to 2GB of data. This disc has to be loaded by opening a flap at the back of the PSP. There are a number of bundled entertainment packages that are in the market. These packages come with UMDs for movies and games. For example, the Ratchet and Clank Entertainment package comes with two UMDs: one with the movie National Treasure 2: Book of Secrets and the other has a game called Size Matters. Nowadays, there are also games that can be downloaded from Sony’s own store.
Since the PSP 3000 does not have an internal fixed storage, Sony’s solution to this is its own flash storage format, the Memory Stick Duo. The MS Duo comes with the bundled packages in 1GB or 4GB capacity when you buy the PSP 3000, or it can be purchased separately at a cheap price. The ones higher than 4GB are heftily priced. The MS Duo can be used to store various types of media files. Since the UMDs come with a limited selection of movies, the user’s choice of movies can be downloaded on a MS Duo card and then viewed on the PSP.
Besides gaming, one can watch movies or connect to a PC for transfer of media files which include photos, games, movies etc. One can also store and listen to music by connecting a headphone to the 3.5mm headphone jack or even through the built-in stereo speakers. Viewing streaming live TV is possible using We If. One can also make free Skype to Skype calls or use Skype’s paid service to call a cell phone without using a full function headset. Shoutcast streaming radio can be listened to through a browser. The Web browser does fairly well but lacks full functionality.
On the downside, the screen lacks protection and is prone to scratches, giving rise to a need for a good case. The browser is slow and does not support flash applications. The PSP 3000 uses the same 1,200mAh Li-Ion battery as the 2000, but the brighter screen drains the battery time.
Yes, the graphics and collection of games that the PSP 3000 has are a class apart, and cannot be matched by the DS graphics and games. The PSP 3000 is priced at $170, and the bundled packages can be purchased for around $200. Inspite of its slightly tweaked performance, the question whether a PSP 2000 user will upgrade to a PSP 3000, still remains unanswered.