New details--and video--of the updated PSP

Just a few short weeks after its first public unveiling at the Santa Monica E3 show, the newly slimmed-down Sony PSP was on display for New York media. We already knew the basic details of the PSP redesign (thinner, lighter, sleeker, faster), but Sony's John Koller, Senior Product Manager for the PSP, was kind enough to give us an on-camera summary of the updates. Executive Editor David Carnoy is handling the camera, an RCA Small Wonder EZ201--he's the one you hear asking the questions offscreen, and you can even see him reflected in the PSP screen at certain times.

In addition to the walk-through, Sony was able to confirm some final details about the new PSP. The silver version will hit stores on September 10, as part of the $200 "Daxter PSP Entertainment Pack" (bundled with the Daxter game, Family Guy: Freakin' Sweet Collection UMD video, and 1GB Memory Stick Pro). That will be followed in "late September" by the black PSP Core Pack ($169, no extras), as well as a Star Wars-themed limited collector's edition ceramic white PSP on October 9 (silk-screened image of Darth Vader on the unit's backside, plus Star Wars Battlefront: Renegade Squadron). The video output cables, which allow PSP games and videos to be displayed on connected TVs, will be available on September 10 as well, with composite and component versions going for $20 apiece. Additional accessories, such as a new headphone remote and battery charger, will follow soon after.

We'll have a full review of the new PSP early in September, but--with the exception of some hands-on battery drain tests--it looks like we pretty much know all the major bullet points. In the meantime, anyone looking to buy a PSP should definitely wait a few weeks until the redesigned model hits stores.

[adiyoyo]

PSP HUH..SWWWWWWEEEEEEEEEEEEETTTTTTTTTT

[adiyoyo]

psp huh....!!SWWWWWEEEETTT

i cant wait to get one of these crafts of art...The DS is officially over.....Does someone want to play with my wii wii...?

[Rod Roddy]

I wounldn't bet on it...

Come on,...are you serious? Do you really think the PSP 2.0 or whatever the hell you call it is going to topple the DS? I wouldn't bet on it. Actually I would bet on it--to totally crash and burn like the first PSP(which is almost identical to this). <br /><br />But seriously, Nintendos' reign over the portable gaming world has yet to be threatened--period. Nintendo has held the lions share of that market for the last 18 years. Just like Apple is king of the portable music world, I dont see Nintendo loosing its footing anytime in the near future.<br /><br />I've said it before and I'll ay it again, Sony dug its own grave when they decided to use the UMD platform which didn't fool me(mini disc in disguise). Nintendos' hold is so strong, that not even the mighty Microsoft has ever even hinted in developing a "portable xbox".

[cmargary]

as we can see...

Rod Roddy, another sony hater... applause please...<br />ok now really... I don't see nothing that the DS have to offer... anyway this isn't a PSP2.. is a redising PSP... adding more multimedia capabilities... The UMD? now u can have a portable DVD and at home... what's better than that?.. they needed to do this at the beginning but let's see if they can revive it now...

[nerv2010]

Would have loved a better comparison

I was hoping to see the side by side comparison of the slimmer aspect vs the original one to see if there is a noticeable difference. The other thing I would have loved to see is a side by side comparison of the load times. Still looks great and I like the fact they moved the wi-fi switch.

[jpfalcone]

we'll do a more in-depth video in September

@nerv2010--We had the camera on-hand, so we just shot an impromptu video. We'll definitely do a more in-depth comparison (with better close-ups) once we get our own hands on a review sample of the new model in early September.

[Rod Roddy]

My second take...

I respect cmargarys' opinion, but I don't hate Sony. Yes, I once had a PSP. Ultimately, when you get right down to it, I don't see anything new or innovative on this new version. Dispite having a slightly larger screen, and a few button and/or switches moved around what else is new? <br /><br />A touch screen would have been nice(everyones' doing it you know--Apple). But like I said I'm not a "hater" It just rubs me the wrong way when big companies like Sony try to pull the wool over the consumers eyes.

[miss_floetic]

PSP Kicks "it", period.

Stop hating on the PSP. Even thought Nintendo is the market's game leader doesn't mean it's ALWAYS going to be that way. In the market, years of experience doesn't mean everything. Everyone wants to try out the newest and latest things. Sure Nintendo looks sooo cute and animated, but the Wii isn't even 3d! I mean seriously, people could of done that with their PS2 by just buying an eye toy. You didn't even have to buy a remote. It's just advertisements and the bandwagon effect that makes things like iPod sooo popular. Do the people even look at the specs and compare? No, some of them just think that iPod is the best because it has too many ads and commercials. But CNET formed to save us all. Thank them for that. Now some of us know that there are better things than the iPod and the Nintendo.

[Rod Roddy]

HUH?........

"In the market, years of experience doesn't mean everything."?? What? If you believe that, your fooling only yourself. All I'm trying to say is that years of game market experience HAS kept Nintendo in neck and neck competition with the likes of Sony, and Microsoft.<br /><br /> Yes! the Wii's graphics are not up to par with the other two consoles, but its' "innovations" like the Wiimote, and a touch screen interface on the DS, that have solidified Nintendo as a force to be reckoned with. <br /><br />Sony needs to really put there axe to the grindstone and bring something NEW (not updated) if they want to survive in the gaming world--overly expensive DVD players wont cut it.

[kozhanse]

RM To PSP Converter

RM To PSP Converter is full featured video converter software for converting RM/RMVB video to Sony PSP Movie and PSP Video format.<br /><br /><br />www.rm-converter.net/rm_to_psp

[brandonh33]

Sony and Microsoft better then nintendo

Everyone knows sony and microsoft kill compared to Nintendo these days. The fact is that people who arnt good enough at video games or dont have enough money for the major consoles buy Nintendo, which is fine with me. But what makes these people bad is that whatever these people own or play is better than whatever anyone else has and it gets just annoying. All people who think the DS is better than the psp, whichever model, own a ds, or are just down right stupid. I have a ds and it is last gen technology, the only people sticking with it are nintendo creeps. I sold mine last week for $15 haha. Viva Sony!

[os1611]

What a Waste !!

With other competitor's new idea such touch screen, PSP does has it's own edge, the stunning sharp screen display power. If it can work on the internet connection part and with a build in keyboard, then next time we travel, we can all leave our computer, PMP or even MP3 at home. Video output is a great added function, but a keyboard and better brower can make this baby back to the top.

[Rod Roddy]

Go ahead cry....you know you want to

Anyone still supporting Sony are in denial that their once mighty Sony is falling--and falling fast. Riddle me this Sony followers, why is it that the "inferior" Nintendo Wii is leading the pack of next gen systems with most units sold in both console and handheld devices? Price? <br /><br />Yeah that has something to do with it! but also (as I stated in an earlier post) Nintendo is constantly raising the bar with NEW ways of combining gameplay with maximum user interaction. Sony has a rumble gamepad--OOOOHHH I feel like I'm back in 1996. <br />Oh yeah, and Blu-Ray is just the beta-max of the 21st century. So Sad.

[brandonh33]

Read before you make yourself look like an idiot!

Ok man did you not read my other forum post? I described you in it. The thing is Sony happens to be doing great besides the fact that they are losing money on each console, which benefits gamers! So why not like sony? You are just one of those Nintendo freaks i was talking about. You have a Wii and a ds so you think that everything else is just stupid, well get a life!