Top: 2000; Bottom: 3000

The PSP-3000 has a setting for “Color Space” under the system settings section of the XMB. This can be switched between Wide and Normal. Wide exploits the full color depth of the revised hardware, while Normal returns you back to PSP-2000 level color.

The 3000 firmware has an option for Automatic USB Connection. When this is switched on, the PSP switches to USB mode automatically when a USB device is connected.

Finally, the 3000 firmware offers a noise reduction feature for video out. This is used to cut the noise when outputting the PSP’s video signal to a television.

Interesting…Why you still want to emulate the old dull (in comparison) PSP-2000 colors of the screen beats me?

On a PlayStation.Blog post by John Koller, it is noted that the PSP-3000 battery life isn’t going to suffer like previously mentioned.

Quote:

Hi, everyone, there have been reports about the battery life of the new PSP system (PSP-3000) being shorter than the current model (PSP-2000), following an interview we recently did with Gamespot. I’d like to make a correction and clarify that the new PSP will have equivalent battery life to the current PSP, about 4 to 6 hours for games and about 4 to 5 hours for UMD videos. While the enhanced screen of the new PSP draws a little more power, our engineers in Japan worked to reduce the power consumption of the overall system including its components, so you won’t have to worry about losing any time when enjoying the more vibrant visuals displayed with the new PSP.

So there you go. Thoughts?
Remember, this will be out next month!

Ultima VII on the PSP Slim

For the download link and read me please click continue reading…

* Serpent Isle is now playable!
* CFW Supported build.
* Uses the extra memory on SLIM PSPs.
* TV Video out support for SLIM PSP: hold down TRIANGLE when booting for the menu (thanks JF/ChillyWilly).
* Added an in-game Runechart to help you decode signs: WHILE reading a sign, hit START to toggle the chart on (you can toggle it OFF the same way)
* The “data” directory where the assets are stored has been renamed to “resources”, this is where the music OGG files, sound effects, and everything else goes.
* Analog mouse sensitivity can now be adjusted in the config file, for those who are getting a “drifting” mouse pointer after moving the mouse. The current value of 35 should work for most, but if you still notice some drift, you can increase this one point at a time until the problem disappears. (Maximum value is 48). The area in the config file to make the change is obvious.

According to SCE America marketing manager John Koller the battery life of a PSP-3000 will be decreased by 20-30 minutes. Why? Well that prettier LCD screen is at the cost of battery life. Whats the beat that 20-30 minutes is on the Dimmest setting? I wonder if it would be 20-30 minutes on full bright Vs a PSP-2000 set on full bright.

On a good note, Sony confirmed the Extended Battery Kits would be in stock again and give 8-10 hours of game play.

Recovery Flasher V1.30

Hellcat has released an update to Recovery Flasher, with this application you can fully re-installing 3.71 or 4.01 M33 firmware without Pandora.

Also a new feature in this version is the ability to backup flash content for restoration purposes on the same PSP which could be used on another PSP as long as it is the same type of PSP.

There is a big changelog  which can be viewed after the read more tab.

Source: eXophase

Changelog:

* changed the path where the Pandora RFLASH.ELF looks for the original
EBOOT.
It now looks for the EBOOT as RFLASH.DAT (simply rename it) and when
not found it looks for /PSP/GAME/RECOVERY/EBOOT.PBP
.
* added detection of TimeMachine and disabled backup/restore functions
on there, since they don’t work propperly on TM.
Complete firmware restore (see below) DOES work fine and is still
enabled on TM.
.
* added “slots” for the backup functions.
With those you can have multiple independant sets of backups on your
stick and use them directely without needing to rename folders.
If you DO rename the seperate backup slot folders, their new names
will correctly show up in the Flasher - so you can give them
descriptive names that tell you whats in there.
.
* extended the functionality of the backup/restore options.
You can now restore a complete firmware (flash0) regardless of what’s
currently installed.
The flash0 files’ signcheck is removed during backup and recreated on
restore, so you can even move and flash the backed up firmware on
another PSP (as long as it is the same model, i.e. no Fat FW on a Slim
and vice versa, model is checked to match before flashing to avoid
bricks)!
This might also come in handy for people wanting to flash firmwares
not nativly supported by Recovery Flasher, like 3.60-M33, which never
can be supported since there’s no updater for it to extract it from,
but with the right backup you can install it anyway.

Also note that for restoring a complete FW you also need the target
FWs official updater to be on the memstick (RECOVERY folder or
memstick root) as some updater modules are required for initializing
the flash!
(for 3.60 use the 3.52 updater.)

One of the most recognised differences is the screen as you can see in the shot below:

Top: 2000; Bottom: 3000

The colours are supposedly more vibrant and the new screen contains less glare with reduced ghosting.

More comparisons after the jump.

The metallic ring is now thinner

The PS logo has been removed from the top corner and replaced with the Sony logo. The PS logo has then replaced the HOME button:

The PS logo is gone and replaced by the Sony logo

Other changes include the talked about inbuilt microphone and slightly different button design below the screen. The edges of the new PSP is said to be rounder and more comfortable in your hands.

Let us know in the comments if any of these changes displayed has influenced your opinion on the PSP-3000.

PSP Pandora Deluxe v1.1 screenshot

DJB has updated the all-in-one Pandora package to version 1.1. If you aren’t already familiar with this program, it lets you create a memory stick for use with a Pandora’s battery and perform many functions.

You can find out more about the program along with the download links at the forums here.

PSP-3000: New LCD with twice the refresh rate.

New info is out that the PSP-3000 will feature an LCD screen with a response time that will be twice as fast as the current PSP models. Which means less ghosting and color bleeding. It will also have an LCD five times the current contrast ratio and double the color gamut.

This is all nice, but is it worth throwing your old PSP-2000 in for a better LCD and a mic?? - We think… No. Unless Sony still have something up their sleeves in regards to improved battery life or an added feature.

Its official Sony announced the PSP-3000

Didn’t take Sony too long now did it, the PSP-3000 has been officially announced at Games Convention 2008 in Leipzig. Sony president David Reeves announced that PSP-3000 will go on sale this October, starting on the 15th, it will have a price of 199€ and will be a bundle pack including a 4gb memory card plus a game. The standalone PSP-3000 will be priced at $169 and will be out later this year.

The new model is *just* a hardware refresh, it has a built-in microphone, an enhanced LCD screen with significantly less glare and more vibrant colors. Its also sports a smoother design and look over the PSP Slim. Unfortunatly thats it, no hard-drive, no 65nm CPU or increased battery life it seems or any of our wishes. I guess that will happen in the PSP2 ?

Click read more for the official announcement.

Leipzig Games Convention, 20th August 2008: “For the times they are a-changin” were the opening words today from David Reeves, President, Sony Computer Entertainment Europe (SCEE) as he made his opening address at the Leipzig Games Convention. With a focus firmly on new and innovative titles, products and the European games market he commented: “You will see technology that has never been seen before and you will be introduced to products and games that will not only be coming first to Europe but global initiatives announced first in Europe.”

Reeves started with the continued development of the PlayStation® product family into the ultimate entertainment suite with the launch of PSP™ (PlayStation®Portable) 3000 model PSP-3000 will be available as a bundle, including one software title for a RRP of 199€. Confirming total PSP sales of 13.4 million units in the PAL territories., PSP 3000 will sit alongside the highly successful PSP Slim and Lite and, in response to consumer feedback, will feature an enhanced screen along with an in-built microphone. Coupled with Go!Messenger and Skype™, PSP 3000 sets out to establish PSP as a great communications device and an essential tool for those on the go.

Confirming latest sales figures for PLAYSTATION®3 (PS3™) of over 5.8 million units in the PAL territories. Reeves also confirmed the arrival of 80GB PS3 this week and, reflecting the growing entertainment market for SCEE, a limited edition 160GB PS3 scheduled for 31st October for a RRP of €449 in a bundle including additional PLAYSTATION®Network content. Reeves pitched the 160GB model at “those of you out there with an insatiable thirst for downloadable content and an unquenchable need for storage space”.

Building on the theme of content Reeves revealed that the latest research showed that music was, after gaming, the second most popular feature on PS3 and went on to announce a new music video streaming service courtesy of VidZone. The service would appear on the XrossMediaBar and allow users to stream their favourite videos on PS3 free of charge or download them to a mobile phone for a small fee.

Reeves also announced a partnership with Sony Online Entertainment (SOE) to publish and distribute three new massive multiplayer online games for PS3.

With Germany one of SingStar®’s biggest markets, Reeves took the opportunity to update the many fans of the franchise. New firmware will enable users to play tracks from their SingStar PlayStation®2 releases on PS3, and additions to the franchise will launch later this year including SingStar Singalong With Disney on PlayStation 2, Reeves also confirmed that SingStar Volume III would include some major artists featuring on SingStar for the first time including Michael Jackson. In addition, Reeves announced the launch of downloadable song packs from SingStore, beginning with two packs from the ever popular Queen.

Next on the agenda was the introduction of EyePet. Developed by the studio that created SingStar and EyeToy, Eye Pet uses PLAYSTATION®Eye to create a loveable, simian-like pet that lives in your sitting room as captured second by second on your TV. Working in ‘Augmented Reality’, EyePet is fully aware of people in the room and it will interact with you and its environment – ideal for families looking for a new entertainment experience.

Reeves concluded by welcoming David Cage of Quantic Dream on stage to talk about one of the platform’s most highly anticipated titles, Heavy Rain. An industry first, the presentation hammered home the evolution of PlayStation. An interactive thriller, Heavy Rain uses the power of PS3 to let you really control, rather than just watch the story said Reeves. It will evoke themes never used in games before, and is one of the pillar titles for SCEE next year.

Reeves’ conclusion set the scene for an exciting year ahead. “The only first we now care about is that PlayStation is the first choice for gaming and entertainment fans and we are fully prepared to continue the challenge of convincing them.”