PSP-3000 scanlines a hardware feature; no fix planned

by Jem Alexander { Oct 21st 2008 at 10:00AM }

Sony Japan has responded to criticisms about visible scanlines on the new PSP-3000 systems. While Sony America is looking into the situation, Japan's statement doesn't bode too well. It seems that the scanline problem is a feature of the new LCD screens. SCEI says that the "PSP-3000 has a new LCD device with vastly improved picture quality, achieving a more natural and vivid picture than older models. By improving LCD response time to reduce ghosting, the horizontal-line phenomenon becomes more visible."

The worst news is that there's no fix. "Since this is caused by hardware characteristics, there is no plan to fix it with system software update." Looks like it's here to stay. We're still waiting on a statement from SCEA but, from the looks of it, they won't have much new to add.

Update: SCEA response, after the break.

"On some occasions, scan lines may appear on scenes where brightness changes drastically, due to the hardware features of the new LCD device on PSP-3000. Installed with this new LCD device, PSP-3000 offers more natural and vibrant colors on its screen, but the scan lines have come out to be more visible as a result of improving response time to alleviate the afterimages on PSP-3000. Since this is due to hardware specification, there are no plans for a system software update concerning this issue."

Tags: psp-3000, psp-brite, scanlines, SCEI, sony

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

Carlos @ Oct 21st 2008 10:19AM

i guess i will have to hold back for this one

TM @ Oct 21st 2008 10:23AM

so they should fix the 4 gig pack before that is released

TJF588 @ Oct 21st 2008 7:52PM

Agreed, and many "ha"s to the lesser, non-black systems (well, system, I suppose; only one package released here so far).

Invisible Robot Meat @ Oct 21st 2008 10:31AM

Visible interlacing is a "new feature"?? Gee whiz, maybe on the next model they could add something that scratches your UMD's and possibly a semi-circle red light that indicates your system is junk. Friggen awesome!

Hreidmar @ Oct 21st 2008 10:48AM

Ok... please honest opinions from people that have the 3000. I would like to upgrade from the fat. Is this bad enough that I should wait until the "4000" or whatever is next?

Dave @ Oct 21st 2008 11:04AM

I bought the silver 3000 last week, but kept my silver 2000 as well. I returned the 3000 24 hours after buying it. The scan lines were a big deal breaker with me. I play a lot of sports games, and fast moving objects get distorted by the lines. Also, I didn't find the colors to be true and the increased brightness is negligible. My best advice, if you don't need the built in microphone, go out and get a 2000 pack before they all go away. I think some places are selling them on sale right now.

Konstantine @ Oct 21st 2008 12:58PM

I personally think it's worth the upgrade. I had a 2000, and I still like the 3000 more. The scanlines are noticeable, yes, but the new contrast ratio is gorgeous. The lines bug me, but so did the ghosting. There's ALWAYS something wrong with screens. If it's not one thing, it's something else. People need to stop complaining and just realize it's a preference.

More color and brightness (yes it IS brighter...), with scanlines, or less, with ghosting.

The other thing I love about the 3000 (some would call it making it 'cheap') but damn I love the matte finish. NO MORE FINGERPRINTS.

From the Phat, it's worth an upgrade IMHO.

pixelator @ Oct 21st 2008 3:39PM

No way is this a worthy upgrade. Total dealbreaker for me, and, if they continue to hold fast to this screen (and knowing Sony, they will), I'm through with the PSP. I've been one of the most strident supporters of this system but damned if I'll pay for an inferior screen with visible scanline doubling.

Warner Young @ Oct 21st 2008 3:42PM

Your best bet is to see if you can find a store that has a 3000 out for demo, so you can check it out yourself. I personally don't find the scanlines very noticeable at all. The ghosting on my old Phat was much more noticeable *to me*, but it sounds like this is going to vary from person to person. So instead of taking anyone's word for it, try to see for yourself. That's the only way to be sure (well, that and nuking them from orbit, but that's a different thing entirely :)

aj @ Oct 21st 2008 4:29PM

To me, the ghosting on the 2000 is completely non-existent. I mean, I see it, but it just doesn't bother me. I also don't get bothered by long load times. But these lines? They drive me completely mad.

It's a matter of what you like. Go see if you can fiddle with a demo model, or ask a friend to show you his or hers.

My advice: the 2000. I love my little red guy, and his big shiny plastic case so the screen won't ever get messed up.

myuusmeow @ Oct 21st 2008 6:51PM

@ Warner Young: All of the stores that even have working PSP demo units are still just phat PSPs, so that doesn't work.

s.mario @ Oct 21st 2008 10:40AM

speaking of problems, has anyone had a problem w/ the UMD's themselves? I've got multiple games where the plastic protective case has seperated from the clear disc viewing window, which rubs on the disc preventing it from spinning while in my PSP...I'm ridiculously pissed about this...

robert @ Oct 21st 2008 1:05PM

If your UMD shells are dropping to bits, try www.umdcase.com. Much better quality than Sony's own cases and they simply snap together around the optical part of the disc. Cheap too.

taximan6430 @ Oct 21st 2008 12:01PM

Yep, had this problem to. You can buy replacement cases online, and transfer the disc to a new case. Kind of a pain in the rear though. You wouldn't think sony couldn't afford good glue, would you?

David Black @ Oct 21st 2008 12:01PM

You can actually but replacement cases and simply place the optical disk in a new case and it will work fine. Do an internet search for them, actually I think even Amazon carries them...

Torey @ Oct 21st 2008 3:04PM

Yeah... this has happened to a ton of my games too. I have fixed them by using a paper clip and popping it back out. They are a lot more delicate then I originally thought they were.

s.mario @ Oct 21st 2008 3:12PM

this is crazy...i see that you can replace the cases www.umdcase.com but i shouldn't have to pay extra money for a game i've already paid for. I've got NES games from 1984 that still work like the day I bought them...

xgk3000 @ Oct 21st 2008 5:21PM

lol thats funny i have been just throwing away games cause of broken case thats too bad for me

xgk3000 @ Oct 21st 2008 5:24PM

but good thing only like two games broke

koehler83 @ Oct 21st 2008 11:18AM

They'll likely replace the screens with the cheaper and more abundant LCD displays from the PSP-2000. The hardware update was never about the screen anyway. It's all about the battery port and the motherboard.

The only reason they threw in the screen and the microphone was to try and convince current PSP-1001 & PSP-2000 owners to 'upgrade'.

Joey @ Oct 21st 2008 1:21PM

"The only reason they threw in the screen and the microphone was to try and convince current PSP-1001 & PSP-2000 owners to 'upgrade'."

Not entirely correct. If that was what they wanted, they could have done it quietly (which they have already - the newer generation 2000 are using a newer 'un-pandora-able' motherboard). Their intentions (new screen and mic) are for attention - the likes of which the PSP hasn't been getting at all lately. Sony really (and sadly) are going all out to milk 10 years out of the psp. :/

kenjix @ Oct 21st 2008 11:11AM

I still have my 3000 I haven't noticed the issue as much as it's been reported. Although I just love my psp and I still have my 2000 and my 1000.

Loving being able to play outside and i just picked up Midnight club so maybe it'll show in that game if anything?

James @ Oct 21st 2008 11:32AM

I am really bummed I just bought the 3000 for my son for Xmas. I am a loyal Sony customer, my HDTV is sony as well as my surround sound setup, and I of course have a PS3. I hope Sony will do what is necessary to make sure people such as myself maintain that loyalty.

Kattleox @ Oct 21st 2008 12:03PM

I concur. I was actually pumped about this one because I wanted the new features and, specifically, GPS. That Ratchet pack was quite appealing and then all this jumps out and I'm questioning whether or not I'm going to just pick up the Daxter pack and a cheap GPS. I can't remember anything sony has done like this in the past, though, so I will still proudly wear my sony shirt and killzone hat. At least, as of yet. I bet the DSi wont have these problems.

Christopher @ Oct 22nd 2008 11:21AM

OMG, you people crack me up. Company loyalty is sad. I automatically doubt anything from Sony until it can win me over. It's safer that way. Only bought a PS2 slim last year and a PSP Phat after seeing and playing one myself...

James @ Oct 22nd 2008 8:59PM

LOL some of us like to have our gaming systems while they are current. Have you checked out the Sega Dreamcast yet I had a lot of fun with it about 8 years ago.

styroteqe @ Oct 21st 2008 12:01PM

I am betting that combatting piracy and homebrew developers is part of the reason for the hardware upgrade. However, their efforts are in vain, it seems M33 has already cracked Firmware 5.00.

I still own the original model of the PSP. I do like the d-pad on the Slim, but I cannot justify buying a "redesign" with such minimal changes. Give us a second analog stick! I want to be able to play ALL of my PSone titles with dual shock, if they support it. How much engineering costs could adding a second nub incur? Did we really need a built-in microphone??

Vidaluko @ Oct 21st 2008 1:24PM

The Firmware is already cracked, but not the PSP-3000, you can´t hack the PSP-3000 yet, and that´s a good sign, PSP-1000 and 2000 where hacked in 1-2 days, the 3000 is already a week....

Don @ Oct 21st 2008 12:45PM

Big "surprise" coming from Sony... add it to the list of just another example of their degrading service & quality. I used to really like Sony, but they've betrayed me too many times.

Don @ Oct 21st 2008 2:38PM

This is the dead pixel issue all over again. Way back in 2005, Sony said the same thing about all the daed pixel screens on the PSP; that it's "natural" & "normal". Yes, dead pixels do happen with LCD screens *OCCASIONALLY*... it was the *ABNORMALLY HIGH RATE* of dead pixels with PSPs that was the problem. But Sony just laughed it off. And while DPs don't seem as common with 2007-later PSPs, it still does happen.

The new LCD screen problem will probably be "fixed" in a similar manner. But for now, Sony wants you to forget it ever happened. Hush. It's "normal".

nomad @ Oct 21st 2008 1:04PM

well thats it for me. i will wait and see what the psp2 or 4000 will be like. i have the 1000,2000 psp and will skip the 3000. they pulled a snow job on the customers with the 3000,lol. i will skip it.:(

tom @ Oct 21st 2008 1:08PM

Yesterday i went to best buy and they had a new psp on display, i played madden 09 and i did notice the scan lines. I was going to buy one but i didnt think the upgrades ( sony calls them upgrades, i call them rip-offs) were worth it, im keeping my blue model. Sony needs to test their sh*& before they release it to the public, do they even test their products?

nomad @ Oct 21st 2008 1:34PM

yes with a bunch of monkeys,lol.

adolson @ Oct 21st 2008 2:30PM

It's too bad it's only interlacing images and not quotes from the Qur'an... Then there'd be a recall and fix for sure.

Torey @ Oct 21st 2008 3:15PM

Nice... I have got to give you credit for that one!

Darlaten @ Oct 21st 2008 4:09PM

Well, that response made up my mind as to whether or not I wanted to trade in my existing Slims for the newer model. Good on you Sony to release a device that has a "feature" like this. Keep em coming :)

JerJerBinks @ Oct 21st 2008 2:52PM

Yep, you are right. When it comes to douchebags, you are numero uno!

LokeSTL @ Oct 21st 2008 3:23PM

OK, we can't get rid of the scanlines. What about the other half of the problem. Are they going to do something about the interlacing issues???

Warner Young @ Oct 21st 2008 3:46PM

"OK, we can't get rid of the scanlines. What about the other half of the problem. Are they going to do something about the interlacing issues???"

LokeSTL, umm, the scanlines and interlacing are basically the same issue. The interlacing makes the scanlines more noticeable, so you can't fix one without fixing the other. Or, conversely, you can't leave one alone without leaving the other.

conor @ Oct 21st 2008 3:36PM

It is probably the games fault because of the refresh rash or what ever it is visible. new games wont have this older ones hopefully will get patches.

Phil S. @ Oct 21st 2008 3:40PM

That's a shame. I was looking forward to the upgrade to the 3000. I was looking forward to being able to play on the Non-progressive scan TV, the matte finish and the 'better' screen.

I guess i'll have to go to Best Buy to see if they have the new 3ks on display to see for myself.

Warner Young @ Oct 21st 2008 3:50PM

Phil, good call. For everyone who's griping about this without having seen it, I think your best bet is to try and find one on display so you can see for yourself. Some people will find it annyoing, while some will find that it's not very noticeable.

I normally find interlaced displays fairly noticeable and distracting, but the 3000's display really didn't jump out at me as all that noticeable. The better color gamut is noticeable, and it actually seems a little brighter overall than my old Phat's display. But until this issue came up in the news, the only thing I'd noticed was that I could see the scanlines when I moved the PSP around at various angles. Didn't notice them when playing games.

pixelator @ Oct 21st 2008 3:54PM

So according to Japan and now SCEA, this is a FEATURE and we should be satisfied to have inferior visuals on our new PSP models... And those of us who don't like it can lump it. Bad move, folks.

Typical, classic, all-too-familiar SONY. Tell you what, I'm not going to buy a PS3 this year as I'd planned, and I'm certainly not buying another PSP model. I'll ebay my old games that were waiting for the upgrade 3000 after I sold my 2000 last month and that's all she wrote. Get back to me when you're a little more consumer-friendly, Sony.