Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. Announces Product Specifications of Handheld Video Game System, PlayStation®Portable (PSP™)

PRNewswire
LOS ANGELES
05/11/2004

Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. (SCEI) announced today the product specifications for the handheld video game system, PlayStation®Portable (PSP™). Three-dimensional-CG games incorporating high-quality, full-motion video similar to PlayStation®2 can be played anytime, anywhere with PSP. PSP is scheduled to be launched in Japan in the end of 2004, followed by the North American and European launches in the spring of 2005.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20020701/SFM066LOGO )

PSP comes in a black color, with a 16:9 widescreen TFT LCD centered in a sleek ergonomic design with a high-quality finish that fits comfortably in the hands. The dimensions are 170mm x 74mm x 23mm with a weight of 260g. PSP features a high-quality TFT LCD that displays full color (16.77 million colors) on a 480 x 272 pixel high-resolution screen. It also comes complete with the basic functions of a portable player such as built-in stereo speakers, exterior headphone connector, brightness control and sound mode selection. Keys and controls inherit the same operability of PlayStation® and PlayStation 2, familiar to fans all over the world.

PSP also comes equipped with diverse input/output connectors such as USB 2.0, and 802.11b (Wi-Fi) wireless LAN, providing connectivity to various devices in the home and to the wireless network outside. The world of gaming is further enhanced by enabling users to enjoy online gaming, or by connecting multiple PSPs to each other, directly via the wireless network. In addition, software and data can be downloaded through a USB or wireless network onto Memory Stick™ PRO Duo. All of these features can be enjoyed on one single system.

PSP adopts a small but high-capacity optical medium UMD™ (Universal Media Disc), enabling game software, rich with full-motion video and other forms of digital entertainment content, to be stored. The newly developed UMD, the next-generation compact storage media, is only 60mm in diameter but can store up to 1.8GB of digital data. A broad range of digital entertainment content such as music video clips, movies and sports programs can be provided on UMD. To protect this entertainment content, a robust copyright protection system has been developed which utilizes a combination of a unique disc ID, a 128 bit AES encryption keys for the media, and individual ID for each PSP hardware unit.

SCEI intends to aggressively promote PSP and UMD as the new handheld entertainment platform for the coming era.

  PSP™ Product Specifications

   Product Name:              PlayStation®Portable (PSP)
   Color:                     Black
   Dimensions:                Approx. 170 mm (L) x 74 mm (W) x 23 mm (D)
   Weight:                    Approx. 260 g (including battery)
   CPU:                       PSP CPU(System clock frequency 1~333MHz)
   Main Memory:               32MB
   Embedded DRAM:             4MB
   Display:                   4.3 inch, 16:9 widescreen TFT LCD
                              480 x 272 pixel (16.77 million colors)
                              Max. 200 cd/m2 (with brightness control)
   Speakers:                  Built-in stereo speakers
   Main Input/Output:         IEEE 802.11b (Wi-Fi)
                              USB 2.0 (Target)
                              Memory Stick™ PRO Duo
                              IrDA
                              IR Remote (SIRCS)
   Disc Drive:                UMD Drive (Playback only)
   Profile:                   PSP Game
                              UMD Audio
                              UMD Video
   Main Connectors:           DC OUT 5V
                              Terminals for charging built-in battery
                              Headphone/Microphone/Control connector
   Keys/Switches:             Directional buttons (Up/Down/Right/Left)
                              Analog pad
                              Enter keys (Triangle, Circle, Cross, Square)
                              Left, Right keys
                              START, SELECT, HOME
                              POWER On/Hold/Off switch
                              Brightness control, Sound Mode, Volume +/-
                              Wireless LAN On/Off switch
                              UMD Eject
   Power:                     Built-in lithium-ion battery, AC adaptor
   Access Control:            Region Code, Parental Control


   Accessories:               Stand
                              Headphone with remote commander
                              Headphone with remote commander and
   microphone
                              External battery pack
                              Case
                              Strap
   E3 Prototype Exhibition:   USB Camera for PSP
                              USB GPS for PSP
                              USB Keyboard for PSP

  UMD™ Specifications

   Dimensions:                Approx. 65 mm (W) x 64 mm (D) x 4.2 mm (H)
   Weight:                    Approx. 10g
   Disc Diameter:             60 mm
   Maximum Capacity:          1.8GB (Single-sided, dual layer)
   Laser wavelength:          660nm (Red laser)
   Encryption:                AES 128bit
   Profile:                   PSP Game (full function)
                              UMD Audio (codec ATRAC3plus™, PCM,
                              (MPEG4 AVC))
                              UMD Video (codec MPEG4 AVC, ATRAC3plus™,
                              Caption PNG)

  About Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.

Recognized as the global leader and company responsible for the progression of consumer-based computer entertainment, Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. (SCEI) manufacturers, distributes and markets the PlayStation® game console and PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system. PlayStation has revolutionized home entertainment by introducing advanced 3D graphic processing, and PlayStation 2 further enhances the PlayStation legacy as the core of home networked entertainment. SCEI, along with its subsidiary divisions Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc., Sony Computer Entertainment Europe Ltd., and Sony Computer Entertainment Korea Inc. develops, publishes, markets and distributes software, and manages the third party licensing programs for these two platforms in the respective markets worldwide. Headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. is an independent business unit of the Sony Group.

NOTE: PlayStation and the PlayStation logo, PS one and PS2 are registered trademarks of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. PSP and UMD are trademarks of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. All other trademarks are property of their respective owners.

Memory Stick PRO Duo and ATRAC3plus are trademarks of Sony Corporation.

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SOURCE: Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.

CONTACT: Sony Computer Entertainment Corporate Communications,
+81-03-6438-8686

Web site: http://www.playstation.com/