PSP Brite preview reveals battery life and details on firmware 4.20
by Alan Tsang 
{ Oct 6th 2008 at 10:30AM }
In terms of the hardware, they noticed that the screen was significantly brighter; the PSP Brite's highest brightness setting not plugged in to an outlet is noticeably brighter than the PSP Slim & Lite's brightest setting with the PSP plugged in. Unfortunately, they did not test the PSP Brite's performance in the sun, which was something we were looking forward to finding out. The battery life was then tested, and they clocked the PSP Brite's battery life at 5 and a half hours -- exactly the same as its predecessor.
The PSP also came equipped with the latest firmware. Firmware 4.20 appears to bring only minor updates -- there is a new "USB Auto-Connect" feature, which will allow the PSP to automatically enter USB mode at any time (except during gameplay) when it becomes connected. They also noticed a "Flicker Reduction" option, but nothing else noteworthy. For their full preview of the PSP Brite, check out Eurogamer.
[Thanks, Zach M.!]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
niteheldemon @ Oct 6th 2008 10:48AM
woot more reason for me 2 buy a psp brite now =P
niteheldemon @ Oct 6th 2008 10:51AM
(sorry for double posting) although them not testing it out in the sun is really bothering me since they did say it was sun resistant which is a big deal for im sure a lot of people.. Makes the psp way more of a portable system if u can play it outside with out getting frusterated by glares
Hashbrown Hunter @ Oct 6th 2008 12:17PM
Yeah I'm also pretty disappointed by the lack of a glare test.
But TGS is next week(?) and Sony will surely have it on display.
HAAS599 @ Oct 6th 2008 11:08AM
firmware 4.20!!
does it convert the psp to a bong?
unknown @ Oct 6th 2008 11:08AM
with no physical difference, what are the odds that i can put a 3000 screen into my current 2000?
Hashbrown Hunter @ Oct 6th 2008 12:09PM
You mean do a custom job? It's possible, but your battery life on the PSP-2000 may suffer a bit since it's not optimized to run on such a bright display setting.
daniel-kun @ Oct 7th 2008 1:32AM
I'm pretty sure that the connectors and maybe even the interface changed. I have opened two PSP-1000s and even within the same series their innards differed quite a lot.
Dahk @ Oct 7th 2008 1:33PM
Yeah, hardware refreshes are another way of introducing bigger changes internally into a system. Most of the time, smaller changes take place internally without any noticeable changes to its usage.
Although, the screen is really just connected through an interface, so as long as the interface stays the same, it might actually be feasible. I'm not sure how it'll recognize those brightness settings though.
unknown @ Oct 6th 2008 12:33PM
yeah, i was thinking of doing a custom job. i managed to buy a 2200mhz battery for my 2000 so it lasts for 10+ on the lowest brightness. see i'm under the impression that the new screen is really a hardware change, so the display itself is better (crisper and more focused) and the brightness level have not changed. so i dont really think optimization will make a HUGE difference.
i'm crossing my fingers.
PSN: Puselva @ Oct 7th 2008 7:45PM
If you find anything out about this you should post the results because I was wondering the same thing as you. I'm in the same boat (2000 series owner) and would like to have the better screen, but I'm not willing to buy a Brite just to get it.
Don @ Oct 6th 2008 12:36PM
from the eurogamer article:
"The new-model PSP also allows you to play games on a TV by hooking it up with a special adapter (sold separately) and a composite cable, whereas the old one would only allow composite cables to display video, with gaming reserved for component output."
So PSP-3000 needs composite cables *AND* some sort of adapter to play games on a non-HD tv? Hmmm.
Alien @ Oct 6th 2008 1:08PM
And we still dont know if they made some internal changes ;)
Trixie @ Oct 6th 2008 3:39PM
Ok Sony... stop with the "new" and "improved" handhelds.... IF NO ONE IS PLAYING THEM! There's a greater demand for more software.... not lipstick on a pig "upgrade of the hardware. The hardware is fine... really it is. There's absolutely no point in upgrading the system or improving the battery life if there are virtually nothing to play longer for. Please Sony... I beg you... add more software! ugh.
Extinction @ Oct 6th 2008 7:41PM
PSP has over 1,100 games. Take your pick, dick.
Jeremy @ Oct 6th 2008 11:10PM
Yeah, I agree. I know the PSP already has a bunch of games for it, but so does the Atari 2600. I've already got all the game I had any interest in. I want something new to play.
In the first two years of owning a PSP, I bought something like 40 games. This year I've bought one. I'll probably buy Pipemania, but I want more than a simple puzzle game for the rest of the year.
Trixie @ Oct 7th 2008 3:36AM
Ok, So I guess you take those "1,100" games are ALL brilliant, playable games. In comparison to the DS... it's nothing. I'm in no position to buy shovelware to keep up sony's numbers. But does it still warrant an upgrade? No, it doesn't.
Stza @ Oct 6th 2008 4:57PM
thanks for treating the consumer like crap... put the NEW AND IMPROVED 2000 out then not even a year later 3000 and ya wonder why so many people pirate stuff hell we can afford all ur upgrades AND games
smi04 @ Oct 6th 2008 8:55PM
You know you can play the same games on *any* PSP right? PSP original and 2000 are still perfectly usable, nobody is forcing you to upgrade.
Stza @ Oct 6th 2008 10:16PM
i do realize this BUT 2000 doesnt have brite screen
Warner Young @ Oct 7th 2008 12:12AM
Of course, for those of us who didn't get around to buying a 2000 yet, this new model sounds perfect. I've been meaning to pick up a 2000, but various other things got in the way. Now that I'm ready, I find that there'll be an even better model out, so I'm not complaining.
And for people who already have the 2000, what's the big deal? The screen should be a little better, but that's pretty much it. If you've lived with your PSP until now without cursing its horrible screen everyday, then it's probably fine.
Angel @ Oct 6th 2008 5:42PM
Yes is brighter and all... but will it blend?
RodeoChihuahua @ Oct 6th 2008 9:39PM
Will the extended batteries and covers work with the Brite? I would imagine so. I hope so.
Darlaten @ Oct 7th 2008 1:35AM
To Stza, just out of curiosity, do you get mad when car manufacturers release new models each year or when tv manufacturers, computer manufacturers release new models each year? I suppose you'd be happy still "driving" a horse and buggy - heaven forbid that we have progress :)
I guess I'm having difficulty figuring out where all this hostility comes from against Sony for continuing to work on the PSP through hardware or firmware upgrades. Quite frankly, its a good sign that Sony continues to upgrade its technology as it shows the consumer and developer communities that the device is still supported, believed in, etc.
Would you be happier if, just because you hate the fact that there is new technology, that Sony stop supporting the PSP?