PSX - The Hatchet Job
Specs reduced, capabilities slashed, as hybrid prepares for launch.
Sony Consumer Electronics Japan has this morning confirmed that the PlayStation 2 hybrid entertainment centre, the PSX, has had several key features excised from the final retail model.
Due to hit Japanese retail on December 13, with a western roll-out expected in summer 2004, a startling, arguably unprecedented downgrade in performance has been revealed, no doubt coming as a major blow to those who have already placed pre-orders across Japan.
The unit was supposed to play and record DVDR+W. Sony announced the removal of the record facility for this media some weeks ago. However, the fact that the PSX will not be able to play the popular non-Sony format is a shock.
Also promised was the ability to play CD-R data discs. This has also been removed. However, the machine will still be able to run CD-R music media. It is thought that the removal of CD-R data functionality is an attempt to stem the hacking attempts that will surely dog the box from launch, as well as reduce the chances of pirated PlayStation software from being successfully used.
Sony initially stated that the PSX would handle almost all popular image formats, including TIF and GIF. This has also been removed. Also slated for the PSX was the ability to run movies taken with Sony’s CyberShot digital camera range. Again, this will not be happening.
And there’s more. The PSX was touted as the complete home entertainment hub, able to play and store MP3 music files. This facility has been removed too. The ability to copy from the machine’s hard drive to DVD-RW was to run at an impressive 24X speed. This figure has now been halved.
And finally, the PSX will not have broadband support, meaning that the PlayStation 2 that’s hidden away within its beautiful silver shell will be offline only. Again, this is thought to stem from concerns about security.
“We have changed the specification," said Taro Takamine, Sony Consumer Electronics Japan spokesman. "Basically, as of October 7, we planned some features such as DVD+RW playback, CD-R playback, TIFF and GIF support, and PlayStation BroadBand, but we decided to drop such features. We are not able to complete testing of some formats before the holiday shopping season. Our priority is to launch before the year end."
However, this might spell good news for those of not resident in Japan. If Sony has six months extra development and testing time, perhaps the western model will be better equipped.
Expect all news on the PSX’s emergence, right here, as it breaks.
Due to hit Japanese retail on December 13, with a western roll-out expected in summer 2004, a startling, arguably unprecedented downgrade in performance has been revealed, no doubt coming as a major blow to those who have already placed pre-orders across Japan.
The unit was supposed to play and record DVDR+W. Sony announced the removal of the record facility for this media some weeks ago. However, the fact that the PSX will not be able to play the popular non-Sony format is a shock.
Also promised was the ability to play CD-R data discs. This has also been removed. However, the machine will still be able to run CD-R music media. It is thought that the removal of CD-R data functionality is an attempt to stem the hacking attempts that will surely dog the box from launch, as well as reduce the chances of pirated PlayStation software from being successfully used.
Sony initially stated that the PSX would handle almost all popular image formats, including TIF and GIF. This has also been removed. Also slated for the PSX was the ability to run movies taken with Sony’s CyberShot digital camera range. Again, this will not be happening.
And there’s more. The PSX was touted as the complete home entertainment hub, able to play and store MP3 music files. This facility has been removed too. The ability to copy from the machine’s hard drive to DVD-RW was to run at an impressive 24X speed. This figure has now been halved.
And finally, the PSX will not have broadband support, meaning that the PlayStation 2 that’s hidden away within its beautiful silver shell will be offline only. Again, this is thought to stem from concerns about security.
“We have changed the specification," said Taro Takamine, Sony Consumer Electronics Japan spokesman. "Basically, as of October 7, we planned some features such as DVD+RW playback, CD-R playback, TIFF and GIF support, and PlayStation BroadBand, but we decided to drop such features. We are not able to complete testing of some formats before the holiday shopping season. Our priority is to launch before the year end."
However, this might spell good news for those of not resident in Japan. If Sony has six months extra development and testing time, perhaps the western model will be better equipped.
Expect all news on the PSX’s emergence, right here, as it breaks.
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