PSX (digital video recorder)

The PSX is a Sony digital video recorder with a fully integrated PlayStation 2 home video game console. It was released in Japan on December 13, 2003. Since it was designed to be a general-purpose consumer video device, it was marketed by the main Sony Corporation instead of Sony Computer Entertainment and does not carry the usual PlayStation branding. Initial sales were strong, with the console selling 100,000 units during its first week, thus selling out.[2] Its high cost, however, resulted in poor sales later on,[3] prompting Sony to cancel plans to release the PSX outside Japan. After the price had been lowered in September 2004, sales increased again.[4]

This article is about the device with the name PSX. For the device whose codename was PSX, see PlayStation (console).
PSX
PSX on display at CEATEC 2003
DeveloperSony Computer Entertainment
ManufacturerSony Corporation
Product familyPlayStation
Type
GenerationSixth
Release date
  • JP: December 13, 2003
Introductory price160 GB = 79,800 ¥, 250 GB = 99,800 ¥
Discontinued
  • JP: 2005 (2005)
Media
Operating systemXrossMediaBar, G Guide
CPU90nm EE+GS
Storage
  • PlayStation 2 memory card 8 megabyte
  • PlayStation memory card (128 kilobytes/1 megabit)
  • 160 GB Hard Drive (5000 series),
    250 GB Hard Drive (7000 series)
Display
Sound
InputRemote control
Controller inputDualShock 2, DualShock
Connectivity
Details:[1]
Power100 V, 50/60 Hz
Dimensions312 mm × 323 mm × 88 mm (12.3 in × 12.7 in × 3.5 in)
Mass5.8 kg (13 lb)
SuccessorPlayStation 3
RelatedPlayStation, PlayStation 2, PlayStation Portable
Websitehttp://www.psx.sony.co.jp/

Features

The device is a fully functional digital video recorder with an included Infrared remote control and S-Video, composite video, and RF inputs. It is able to tune analog VHF and CATV. It can also be linked with a PlayStation Portable to transfer photos, videos and music via USB ports,[5] and features software for non-linear video editing, image editing and audio editing.[6] DVD+R support was to be introduced in a future update.

It was the first device to use Sony's XrossMediaBar (XMB) graphical user interface, which was later used on the PlayStation Portable, PlayStation 3, some Blu-ray Disc players, and 2008-era BRAVIA TVs. Like standard PS2 consoles, the PSX can be laid horizontally or stood up vertically.[7]

The PSX fully supports both PlayStation and PlayStation 2 software by its slot-loading DVD drive, as the onboard EE+GS chip is a unification of the PS2's Emotion Engine and Graphics Synthesizer chips. Online game compatibility was available using the broadband connection; Games that used the PS2 HDD (such as Final Fantasy XI) were supported as well.[8]

Shortly before release, Sony omitted numerous features from the PSX, citing that it was necessary to launch by Christmas 2003 time. Playback of CD-R and DVD+RW discs for example were dropped, as well as MP3 format audio, and instead DVD-RW discs and ATRAC format audio were retained upon release.[9] However, firmware updates (versions 1.10 and 1.20) added these features later on.

Peripherals

The PSX is compatible with all first-party PlayStation and PlayStation 2 controllers and memory cards, with the exception of the PocketStation. The main unit has two controller ports located on the back side and two memory card slots on the front side hidden behind a panel cover.[10] While the unit itself was sold without a game controller, a PSX-branded variant of the DualShock 2 analog controller was sold separately which features a 4-meter long cord (a bit longer than the standard versions of the controller).[11] Because of the different placement of controller ports and memory card slots (which are located above each other on standard PlayStation and PlayStation 2 consoles), the PSX is incompatible with all versions of the multitap, and no PSX-specific multitap was ever made to get around this issue. Games that require the use of two or more USB ports are also incompatible with the PSX.[8]

Retail configurations

The PSX was released in eight retail configurations during its lifespan; the 5000 series (with an embossed logo on top and grey stripe at the back) shipped with 160 GB Hard disk drives, while the 7000 series (with a colored logo on top and black stripe at the back) contained 250 GB drives. Software updates were made available by disc and download.

The 7500/7700 models added a Ghost Reduction Tuner. The inclusion of BS and UHF/VHF connectors varied by model. Starting with firmware version 2.10, users could export videos to a Memory Stick. The exported files are compatible for playback on the PSP. This feature is unavailable on earlier models due to the later firmware versions never being released for them. Contrary to popular belief, no variant of this console supports PSP games or is compatible with UMD discs.

Comparison of PSX systems
Model No. Power Consumption Weight Case Hard Drive FireWire VHF/UHF tuner BS tuner Memory Stick video export Writable disc formats Release Firmware Current Firmware Launch pricing Release date
Color Light strip In Out In Out
DESR-5000 80 W 5.7 kg white – 160 GB No Yes No Yes No No DVD-RW, DVD-R, DVD+RW
(DVD+RW only on Firmware 1.20 or later)		 1.06 1.31 79,800 ¥ December 13, 2003
DESR-7000 80 W 5.8 kg white/transparent back 250 GB No Yes No Yes No No DVD-RW, DVD-R, DVD+RW
(DVD+RW only on Firmware 1.20 or later)		 1.06 1.31 99,800 ¥ December 13, 2003
DESR-5100 80 W 5.7 kg white – 160 GB No Yes No Yes No No DVD-RW, DVD-R, DVD+RW 1.30 1.31 74,000 ¥ July 1, 2004
DESR-5100S 80 W 5.7 kg silver – 160 GB No Yes No Yes No No DVD-RW, DVD-R, DVD+RW 1.30 1.31 – July 1, 2004
DESR-7100 80 W 5.8 kg white/transparent back 250 GB No Yes No Yes No No DVD-RW, DVD-R, DVD+RW 1.30 1.31 95,000 ¥ July 1, 2004
DESR-5500 70 W 6.2 kg white front 160 GB No Yes Yes No No Yes (after having been updated to 2.11) DVD-RW, DVD-R, DVD+RW, DVD+R 2.06 2.11 44,800 ¥ December 2004
DESR-7500 84 W 6.5 kg white/transparent front, back 250 GB Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes (after having been updated to 2.11) DVD-RW, DVD-R, DVD+RW, DVD+R 2.06 2.11 59,800 ¥ December 2004
DESR-5700 70 W 6.2 kg white front 160 GB No Yes Yes No No Yes DVD-RW, DVD-R, DVD+RW, DVD+R 2.10 2.11 60,000 ¥ April 2005
DESR-7700 84 W 6.5 kg white/transparent front, back 250 GB Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes DVD-RW, DVD-R, DVD+RW, DVD+R 2.10 2.11 80,000 ¥ April 2005

All models have two sets of status LEDs and Infrared receivers; one along the front for horizontal orientation, and a second strip along the top-back for vertical orientation. The 'Disk Rec' indicator is only on the front of the device in later models. Additionally, some models have one or two decorative blue LED light strips, either on the front located under the disc slot or in the back. DESR-5XXX consoles have a solid white case with an embossed PSX logo (except DESR-5100S, which has a silver case). DESR-7XXX consoles have a clear-white case with a colored PSX logo printed on.

Etymology

Up until the release of the PlayStation 2, the first PlayStation console came to be known colloquially outside of Japan by its provisional codename of PSX (this was adopted to echo the MSX, a home computer standard sold by Sony and other companies throughout the 1980s).[13] This can cause some confusion as to which device is being referred to.

Colors

The PSX was initially displayed at CEATEC in white, silver, yellow, red and blue.[14] The white variant was released commercially, with a limited edition silver model made available in 2004.[15]

See also

References
  1. Sony. "PSX DESR-7700 5700 Parts". Retrieved 19 December 2013.
  2. "PSX drives strong year-end sales for Sony". 7 January 2004.
  3. "Next Gen Console Wars: Revenge of Kutaragi" Archived 2013-01-23 at the Wayback Machine, TeamXbox website, June 13, 2005
  4. Iwamoto, Yoshiyuki (2006). Japan on the Upswing: Why the Bubble Burst and Japan's Economic Renewal. Algora Publishing. ISBN 978-0875864624.
  5. "ハードディスク搭載DVDレコーダー"PSX" "PSP"" (in Japanese). Sony. Retrieved January 4, 2010.
  6. "聞かせて！ みんなの"PSX"生活" (in Japanese). Sony. Retrieved January 4, 2010.
  7. "DESR-7700/DESR-5700 manual" (PDF) (in Japanese).
  8. "ハードディスク搭載DVDレコーダー"PSX"" (in Japanese). Sony. Retrieved January 4, 2010.
  9. "Sony drops PSX features". Eurogamer.net. 2003-12-02. Retrieved 2022-05-11.
  10. "ハードディスク搭載DVDレコーダー"PSX" Parts" (in Japanese). Sony Computer Entertainment. Retrieved January 4, 2010.
  11. "ハードディスク搭載DVDレコーダー"PSX" Accessories" (in Japanese). Sony. Retrieved January 4, 2010.
  12. "The Making Of: PlayStation". Edge. Future Publishing. 24 April 2009. p. 5. Archived from the original on 16 May 2012. Retrieved 27 September 2009. SCEA hated the name and wanted to change it to PSX, a contraction of the project's codename […] the US nevertheless went ahead with early trade promotion, calling it PSX,
  13. PS-X was an internal code name for the PlayStation during development.[12] The popular use of the "PSX" abbreviation outside Sony became a source of confusion when Sony Corp. ignored SCEA's decision and introduced its PSX digital video recorder in 2003.
  14. "Officially announced the Sony PSX, at CEATEC venue". October 7, 2003. Retrieved 18 December 2013.
  15. "高度なグラフィックス性能で DVD作成の新しい楽しみを提案する"PSX"発売". 16 June 2004. Retrieved 18 December 2013.
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