PSP-3000's LCD screen is twice as fast

by Andrew Yoon { Aug 21st 2008 at 8:10AM }

So what exactly are the improvements made to the PSP-3000's newly upgraded LCD screen? According to a report by Engadget Japan, the screen is more colorful, has a stronger contrast ratio, and to the praise of gamers everywhere, has a faster response time. The official stats? Color gamut is twice as wide. The contrast ratio is improved 5 times. The response time has doubled. For gamers that have complained about the PSP-1000 and 2000's slow response time (which creates a ghosting effect in certain games), this is certainly good news.

Tags: psp-3000, psp-brite

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

blutrane @ Aug 21st 2008 8:42AM

Am I the only one that thinks this is a great upgrade? My biggest complaint with the psp was the screen... maybe also the 802.11.b wifi

wolven69 @ Aug 21st 2008 9:20AM

You're not the only one. I was going to get a blue as soon as they put it out without Madden, but I think I'll wait now...

LM2007 @ Aug 21st 2008 12:30PM

Yeah, i wanted a new wireles system too :/ too bad sony.

David Chan @ Aug 21st 2008 9:38PM

am i the only one really reading and understanding the new upgrades on the psp-3000 i mean come on a better screen rocks and the built in microphone not only does that rock for skype users but hello this could possibly being opening up a whole new door in psp games and online play. built in micro phone +psp games and online game play= a whole new world of fun to enjoy

acefondu @ Aug 21st 2008 8:52AM

Meh, this is just a plug to hold the water until PSP2 comes out.

OtakuReborn @ Aug 21st 2008 9:02AM

I'm not sure what the big difference is. I don't see any issue with the current PSP-2000 screen (outside of a lone stuck pixel). The screen's already pretty sweet for gaming. I see no reason to get it unless you don't have one already, or POSSIBLY if you have the old PSP-1000 version.

And really, as said above, it's "just a plug to hold water until PSP2 comes out."

blutrane @ Aug 21st 2008 9:03AM

uhh ghosting

Weirdo93 @ Aug 21st 2008 10:08AM

this is peobably a n00b question but wut's ghosting?
i dont think ive ever hard of anything like till now
maybe i've experienced it but idk

Jeremy @ Aug 21st 2008 4:02PM

Ghosting is something that a lot of people don't see (or recognize, really), but those that do see it, it can drive them crazy. And just be thankful (or hopeful ) that no one actually ever does point it out to you, because once you see it, it will likely bug you in the future.

Weirdo93 @ Aug 21st 2008 5:38PM

i still want to kno wut ghosting is

tekdroid @ Aug 21st 2008 6:38PM

Weirdo93,
ghosting is caused by slow response of the LCD. The effect is blurryness or smear. ie. basically a fast-moving image or object leaves a 'trail' of where it was for a short period (ie. the response time of the lcd is not so fast). I notice it most on PSP when watching vids with fast-moving action. Some find it annoying, others don't really care enough to notice.

Can be seen on many PCs with LCDs when you scroll up and down on a page, for instance, or do anything with fast motion on most LCDs. Similar thing. The pixels don't switch as fast as a regular CRT, which have no lag issues. All the hype about response times on LCDs in the desktop PC market (especially amongst gamers) is precisely because of the effects the response times of LCDs have on fast action.

Really though, it's not the only portable to suffer from this (Game Boy Advance and DS come to mind; see Mario leave a 'smear' as he jumps) but because of its media-centric nature and over-all better screen, I'm guessing a lot more people are using their PSP in other ways and noticing more than usual.

I hope the sunlight-viewability really gets a boost. The rest all all really nice bonuses if the hype is to be believed.

magicianoffear @ Aug 21st 2008 9:17AM

Fantastic, I will upgrade my current model for one of these. Though I always get black (Silver never looks as good in person as it does in the pics) I wish they would release the white one (sans darth vader or any character) in the USA.

koehler83 @ Aug 21st 2008 10:06AM

I believe you mean the response time has been halved.

franchise03 @ Aug 21st 2008 10:13AM

lol.. that would make sense.

reson8er @ Aug 21st 2008 10:07AM

Gah.

I used to have a 1000 and gave it to my bro.

I wasn't thinking of getting this before I found out about the increased refresh rate on the screen.

Now that I have a 2000, and I suppose I'll spring for a new piano black when it comes out.

snow @ Nov 5th 2008 6:04AM

know what guys...im sori telling you this but psp 2000 and 3000 are both same...nothing's new...

The_Punisher @ Aug 21st 2008 10:33AM

I still have a 1000, so i'll think about an upgrade. Looks like PSP2 is still a ways off

dave @ Aug 21st 2008 10:37AM

this is very good news :) for anyone who uses the psp for video you will probably have noticed the smearing when black and very dark colours were used.

now i wont have to tweak my scripts to add brightness.

i like this update, my old psp has a weird 4 pixel halo around the edges so i need a new one. would like some colour variation though

Gman @ Aug 21st 2008 10:42AM

I'll wait for PSP 2. Even then, I'd need some good games promised to make it worth it. I'm happy with my PSP-2000

LM2007 @ Aug 21st 2008 12:30PM

Omg, i thought this was the psp 2!

Kevin Gass @ Aug 21st 2008 11:02AM

I hope they release a white state side!

1.3.1.4 @ Aug 21st 2008 11:10AM

I really want to upgrade my PSP (1000), but I'd rather wait for the PSP 2 because I feel that the screen isn't a problem for me. *_*

will @ Aug 21st 2008 11:14AM

i've said it before and i'll say it again; i wish i didn't buy one last wednesday.

aj @ Aug 21st 2008 11:39AM

(1) I bought a PSP 2000 a couple of weeks ago because the "rumours" of a PSP-3000 were routinely denied, and even so, the only upgrade being spoken of was a fucking button.

(2) My PSP-2000 plays games. I've no complaints since it serves it's function rather well. It really, really bugs me that Sony is releasing a brand new 200$ console (more like 250$ when all is said and done) about once a year. That makes your customers not entirely pleased (such as this customer, who spent 250$ on something you just replaced).

mirage @ Aug 21st 2008 12:48PM

I agree, I have a PSP 1000, but don't use it enough to buy a new one. Although the ghosting is one of the reasons that I don't play it. It sucks that this generation each company keeps changing things and releasing different models. I have an old 360 prior to HDMI and the 60 GB hard drive and feel pretty shafted, early adopters are getting abused these days.

Bryan @ Aug 21st 2008 12:49PM

very lame it hasnt even been a full year since the 2000 has been out. im kinda debating if i should go forth with the 3000. but a better screen sounds awesome i hate having to find some shade when im outside playing.

snake79 @ Aug 27th 2008 12:42AM

hemm.. Blue always seems to be the last of a psp generation. :P

Davis @ Aug 21st 2008 1:45PM

Hmmm...This sounds like a HD version of the PSP..Yes?

cafecito @ Aug 21st 2008 1:55PM

The PSP is already HD as it is.

Fane @ Aug 21st 2008 4:52PM

@cafecito It really isn't (480x272).

dronesensor @ Aug 21st 2008 1:38PM

fuck sony. this makes me want to sell my slim and all my games, just to spite them. the faster response time should have been included in the slim. i thought i was getting the equivalent of the DS lite when i bought the slim; the best, be-all, end-all version of the hardware. unfortunately, it looks like it was just a stop-gap in between.
seriously, this is maddening. i absolutely hate the ghosting (especially apparent in games like syphon filter, with lots of dark colors), and the glare whenever playing in a brightly-lit environment. but if i don't want to deal with that, i'm going to have to buy the new version, even though my slim is less than a year old. fucking crooks. way to serve your customers, assholes, by trying to make them pay $200 bucks every year for minor upgrades that should have rightfully been consolidated into the FIRST revision of the hardware, instead of releasing a half-assed upgrade.
i mean, come on, surely they were working on this version of the hardware when they released the slim! i don't believe anyone who bought a slim that is planning on buying this. do you like being fucked in the ass by the companies you support with your hard-earned money, or something? goddamn sheep.

HAAS599 @ Aug 21st 2008 2:18PM

How much do you want for your slim and all your games?

Bryan @ Aug 21st 2008 3:22PM

agreed!

Don @ Aug 21st 2008 1:44PM

I completely agree with you, esp. about Sony... but as to the DS lite being the "be all, end all"... there are still persistent rumours that there'll be a NEW DS lite coming out soon....

HAAS599 @ Aug 21st 2008 1:51PM

i believe this upgrade has everything to do with the gps kit that is soon to be released.

I plan on getting the piano black bundle.

cafecito @ Aug 21st 2008 1:54PM

Sounds great and all, but I can't afford a new PSP every few changes. Luckily I don't have any serious complaints with my current model, since I don't play Syphon Filter =P

HAAS599 @ Aug 21st 2008 2:17PM

how much you want for your slim and your games?

Aquen @ Aug 21st 2008 2:39PM

Just noticed that the home button is now a PS button, similar to how it is on the PlayStation 3. That rumor turned out to be true I suppose.

Frastoglegnia @ Aug 21st 2008 3:17PM

If one of the European bundles includes GoW, I'll probably buy one of these. I ride the bus every day and curse my PSP whenever it falls under direct sunlight.

I can understand people being irritated by the 3000 appearing right after a series of PSP bundles, but that's what Nintendo does, too. Sony's the geekier company, so it tinkers with hardware/firmware constantly, but look at the DS: it's hemorrhaging colors and bundles at the end of its life cycle, too.

And no offense to (D)rone(S)ensor, but why curse Sony for listening to complaints about its product and attempting to make it better? LCD tech changes constantly; the PSP's new screen might not have been feasible earlier.

Now, if you want to complain about Sony's warranty and repair policy, I'll fling bricks at the support counter with you.

pete @ Aug 21st 2008 3:54PM

i dont get it.....why change the psp a little bit every year when u can just keep the old one and work on a enitrely new FREAKIN PROJECT!!!!....it makes me mad cause there makin us pay 200 bucks just for a brighter screen,microphone, and a FREAKIN BUTTON!!!...wth....im just done with sony....

Fane @ Aug 21st 2008 4:55PM

@pete No one is making you do anything.

Kratos @ Aug 21st 2008 4:27PM

Using the PSP in the light is horrible. But the new Syphon Filter looks great when playing in near darkness...

I don't see the need for the new one. I'll wait.

Jerry @ Aug 21st 2008 4:34PM

Yeah, I'm pretty angry that I recently bought a PSP and now this. I guess it's the price to pay with technology (ask the iPhone buyers, iPod buyers, etc), but still....I want that screen, don't want to pay for another system!

J. Ta. @ Aug 21st 2008 4:39PM

Cool! Some lucky dog was at the Leipzig Event and got a video of the unveiling! Here is a link to the PSP-3000!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lnqNDvx_BlU

Zippon @ Aug 21st 2008 5:51PM

The culture of pessimism can be so annoying sometimes.

Sony made an improvement--one that doesn't alienate anyone who bought a PSP since launch--and people are complaining. Give it a rest. Technology is always moving forward. Improvements are always being made. Rather than whine about why this feature set wasn't in the models a year ago, look at the bright side and be thankful that they added more features (for the same price) RATHER than waiting for the PSP-2 (which may take years). You Luddites want all technology to freeze for years at a time and force everyone to use the same tools until something you deem radical enough is ready to come out? Sheesh.

I'm loving my Silver PSP-2000. Once I got the extended life battery, I was golden. If it dies, I'll happily go to the store to buy another one, and I'll be delighted to learn that my same $200 gets me a unit with improved features!

I don't play out in the sun, so that isn't a must-have right now for me. The one improvement I'd like to see is higher volume range when watching UMD movies. The 2000 is **WAY** too quiet, even with everything maxed (yes, I checked all the various sound options tweaked them, too). Either a bunch of us got defective units, or that is something they need to work on.

andwhyisit @ Aug 21st 2008 7:44PM

Use earphones, so much better sound-wise.

Zippon @ Aug 21st 2008 8:57PM

andywhatsit,
I *am* using earphones! LOL. And my hearing is perfect (before anybody blames it on my ears). I'm talking good quality in-canal earphones (so they're like earplugs--blocking out ambient sound as well), and I can still barely hear most movies if there is any ambient sound at all. It's definitely a glitch. Games play just fine. I can crank them up very loud. It's just movies that are quiet. It's a common complaint.

Jacksons @ Aug 22nd 2008 2:05AM

Unless your headphones have an extremely high impedance or something, that's quite strange.

Mattlolerkos @ Aug 27th 2008 3:02PM

I had once psp-1000... sold it after year... becoz psp-2000 came out :D .... now after another year xD psp-3000 will come... woot!. :D nice that they done smth with its screen ( i wasnt bother) but its kool to improve it... the another thing the psp will have a MIC! :D its great :D and one another that havent been wrote here... i heard on IGN.com... that psp will be playin on non progressive screens.... ;o
I bought a cable for HDtv. but if i will get that psp i will have more fun on bigger screen (normal tv) :D

Ill definitely buy it...

Safiel @ Aug 21st 2008 8:04PM

I haven't read through all the comments so maybe someone else already brought this up.

A faster LCD is a very cool thing. However from what I understand, LCD's are typically made faster by throwing more processing power at the problem. Which means having a faster processor/overclocking, using the processor more for updating the screen, or making the updating process more efficient through hardware and/or software. Some of the above solutions means you need more battery power.

What I'm wondering is, how's the battery life with the new system compared to the 2000s?

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