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. Its high cost resulted in poor sales,[2] prompting Sony to cancel plans to release the PSX outside Japan, making it a commercial failure.

PSX

PSX on display at CEATEC 2003
Developer	Sony Computer Entertainment
Manufacturer	Sony Corporation
Product family	PlayStation
Type	Digital video recorder Home video game console
Generation	Sixth generation
Release date	JP: December 13, 2003
Introductory price	160 GB = 79,800 ¥, 250 GB = 88,800 ¥
Discontinued	JP: February 2005
Media	DVD Video (DVD-ROM, DVD-R, DVD-RW, DVD+RW, DVD-RAM) CD PlayStation game disc PlayStation 2 game disc
Operating system	XrossMediaBar, G Guide
CPU	90nm 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	Composite video S-Video RGB SCART
Sound	Dolby Digital 5.1 DTS 5.1
Input	Remote control
Controller input	DualShock 2, DualShock
Connectivity	Details:[1] * 2 × MagicGate memory card 1 × i.LINK IEEE 1394 interface* 1 × USB 1.1 1 × MemoryStick/PRO/Duo 2 × Infrared receiver 2 × Game Controller port 1 × Fast Ethernet (100 base/TX) 1 × D1/D2 Out 1 × VHF/UHF In 1 × VHF/UHF Out 1 × BS-IF In 1 × BS-IF Out* 1 × S-Video Out 1 × RCA connector Out 2 × S-Video In 2 × RCA connector In 1 × S/PDIF out (TOSLINK) *7500/7700 only
Power	100 V, 50/60 Hz
Dimensions	312 mm × 323 mm × 88 mm (12.3 in × 12.7 in × 3.5 in)
Mass	5.8 kg (13 lb)
Related articles	PlayStation (console), PlayStation 2, PlayStation Portable
Website	http://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,[3] and features software for non-linear video editing, image editing and audio editing.[4] 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.[5]

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 is available using the broadband connection; Games that use the PS2 HDD (such as Final Fantasy XI) are supported as well.[6]

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.[7] 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).[8] 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.[6]

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. Only the final revision of each series supported the PlayStation Portable for video export via Memory Stick (no revisions of this console support PSP games or is compatible with UMD discs).

Comparison of PSX systems

Model	Storage	Front HDD Access light	i.LINK port	VHF/UHF In	VHF/UHF Out	BS In	BS Out	PSP Compatible
DESR-5000	160GB HDD	No	No	Yes	No	Yes	No	No
DESR-7000	250GB HDD	No	No	Yes	No	Yes	No	No
DESR-5100	160GB HDD	No	No	Yes	No	Yes	No	No
DESR-7100	250GB HDD	No	No	Yes	No	Yes	No	No
DESR-5500	160GB HDD	Yes	No	Yes	Yes	No	No	No
DESR-7500	250GB HDD	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
DESR-5700	160GB HDD	Yes	No	Yes	Yes	No	No	Yes
DESR-7700	250GB HDD	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes

All models have two sets of indicator lights, power lights 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.

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).[10] 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.[11] The white variant was released commercially, with a limited edition silver model made available in 2004.[12]

See also

• Panasonic Q

References

1. Sony. "PSX DESR-7700 5700 Parts". Retrieved 19 December 2013.
2. "Next Gen Console Wars: Revenge of Kutaragi" Archived 2013-01-23 at the Wayback Machine, TeamXbox website, June 13, 2005
3. "ハードディスク搭載DVDレコーダー"PSX" "PSP"" (in Japanese). Sony. Retrieved January 4, 2010.
4. "聞かせて！　みんなの"PSX"生活" (in Japanese). Sony. Retrieved January 4, 2010.
5. "DESR-7700/DESR-5700 manual" (PDF) (in Japanese).
6. "ハードディスク搭載DVDレコーダー"PSX"" (in Japanese). Sony. Retrieved January 4, 2010.
7. "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.
8. "ハードディスク搭載DVDレコーダー"PSX" Accessories" (in Japanese). Sony. Retrieved January 4, 2010.
9. "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,
10. PS-X was an internal code name for the PlayStation during development.[9] 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.
11. "Officially announced the Sony PSX, at CEATEC venue". October 7, 2003. Retrieved 18 December 2013.
12. "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.

External links

• Official PSX Website (Japan)