Sony investigating PSP Brite screen issues
by Randy Nelson 
{ Oct 20th 2008 at 7:00PM }
Over on the official PlayStation forums, owners of Sony's revamped PSP Brite are in a tizzy over what many have reported as prominent screen interlacing during video playback and gameplay. The PSP-3000 uses a new high-contrast, low-latency screen that eliminates the ghosting/smearing associated with older PSP revisions, but appears to introduce a new issue of visible scanlines and notably jagged edges on moving objects. One poster provided comparison photos that illustrate the problem.
We unboxed our PSP Brite to test some games and see if we encountered the same problem. Sure enough, in both FMV and gameplay, there is a noticable offset between the two video fields comprising the on-screen image. The included Ratchet & Clank: Size Matters looks significantly more "pixelated" on the PSP-3000 versus on our PSP-2000, as did other games we tested, including God of War: Chains of Olympus and WipEout Pulse. Additionally, scanlines are visible simply when navigating the unit's XMB.
The problem is slightly less noticable when the new Wide Color Space option is turned off. We contacted SCEA for comment on this apparent hardware issue and were told that the company is "looking into this" and will get back to us as soon as possible. We'll update this post when we hear more. In the meantime, let us know in comments if you're experiencing similar issues with the PSP Brite.
We unboxed our PSP Brite to test some games and see if we encountered the same problem. Sure enough, in both FMV and gameplay, there is a noticable offset between the two video fields comprising the on-screen image. The included Ratchet & Clank: Size Matters looks significantly more "pixelated" on the PSP-3000 versus on our PSP-2000, as did other games we tested, including God of War: Chains of Olympus and WipEout Pulse. Additionally, scanlines are visible simply when navigating the unit's XMB.
The problem is slightly less noticable when the new Wide Color Space option is turned off. We contacted SCEA for comment on this apparent hardware issue and were told that the company is "looking into this" and will get back to us as soon as possible. We'll update this post when we hear more. In the meantime, let us know in comments if you're experiencing similar issues with the PSP Brite.
[Thanks, AtomicCandy]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Sheppy (of the Fidlious Clan of Wong) @ Oct 20th 2008 7:04PM
Yay! I just saved $170 on my car insur.... ahem, my holiday spending.
Cody @ Oct 20th 2008 7:13PM
You forget the "at the moment." lol They will eventually fix it...before the holiday rush probably. So basically you just held back $170 to spend later. :P
Sheppy (of the Fidlious Clan of Wong) @ Oct 20th 2008 8:51PM
But then the problem comes with the deferred interest issue. With everything else coming out, my interest has been deferred to other purchases.
Rocketboy @ Oct 20th 2008 9:37PM
So, you really didn't save anything then?
dark_inchworm @ Oct 21st 2008 12:05AM
by switching to Downvote, amirite
Ridgecity @ Oct 21st 2008 12:26AM
Relax, Sony will fix it sooner or later.
Sheppy (of the Fidlious Clan of Wong) @ Oct 21st 2008 8:23AM
Voted down for witty sarcasm?
Fuck you console warriors need to get a sense of humor.
dark_inchworm @ Oct 21st 2008 9:11AM
...witty?
Rocketboy @ Oct 21st 2008 1:26PM
Well, it worked until you contradicted yourself.
Konstantine @ Oct 20th 2008 7:08PM
Ummmm...I have one, and yes, I noticed...But it's not that big an issue. Overall, I still prefer the new screen to the old, the contrast ration difference is gorgeous. I still feel that it was worth the upgrade.
If they fix it, great, if not, so what?
zuburi @ Oct 20th 2008 7:24PM
mmm... contrast rations...
Konstantine @ Oct 20th 2008 7:26PM
Yes indeed...Mmmmm...
Titanium_Orchid @ Oct 20th 2008 7:33PM
mmmmmmm
Foetoid @ Oct 20th 2008 9:54PM
*drools*
Po Panda @ Oct 20th 2008 7:12PM
It really pains me to see that the QA has went out the window at Sony. I really like Sony's consoles and would like to see more games come out for them. However, if things like this keep happening, devs will not want to spend as much time on hardware that is not being bought due to the rep Sony will get because of things like this.
Come on Sony! Please don't tell me the sky is brown where you are at right now!?!
CTC XBL-supapaypamawio PSN-ctclaw @ Oct 20th 2008 7:20PM
*insert 360 RROD comment*
Just Mr ESC. @ Oct 20th 2008 7:14PM
I haven't checked the Brite model but I prefer ye ol' fatty PSP than the lite model.
WRE @ Oct 20th 2008 8:13PM
Your mom prefers "ye ole fatty" too. At least you come by it honestly.
Just Mr ESC. @ Oct 21st 2008 1:16PM
Well you know me well brother.
You know what I mean f*gg*t.
Kevin949 @ Oct 20th 2008 7:18PM
oh gord durn it, I JUST traded my psp2000 in for a 3000 on my lunch break literally 30 minutes ago. :(
Haggard @ Oct 20th 2008 7:40PM
Irony strikes again.
Kevin949 @ Oct 20th 2008 8:29PM
the best part about it is that I bought a 2000 model like 2 weeks before they announced the 3000. LoL
dark_inchworm @ Oct 21st 2008 12:06AM
Argument over the definition of irony? Soooo tempting...
dark_inchworm @ Oct 21st 2008 12:10AM
Well, actually... since he "upgraded" only for potentially worse visuals, perhaps irony strikes. I don't know. So tired.
I'd still like to see a ROARING DEBATE.
zuburi @ Oct 21st 2008 1:08AM
The ironing is, indeed, delicious.
Kevin949 @ Oct 21st 2008 1:53AM
I know, right?
XLM @ Oct 21st 2008 2:31AM
as are the contrast rations...
jamesnorman93 @ Oct 21st 2008 5:21AM
wow! nice trade! (seriously)
AwesomeTown @ Oct 21st 2008 7:24AM
That's Ironic!
(I like to throw those out there in situations that clearly aren't irony to confuse people. It's fun. Try it.)
Comet @ Oct 21st 2008 11:40AM
BUY THIS MAN A BEER!
Freelance @ Oct 20th 2008 7:40PM
This friggin game better be friggin good.
john paul @ Oct 20th 2008 7:55PM
Huh?
WRE @ Oct 20th 2008 8:14PM
PSP Brite Screen Issues Investigation: The Game
Haggard @ Oct 20th 2008 10:29PM
Check his post history. I think he's trying to brainwash us or something..
Freelance @ Oct 20th 2008 10:44PM
This friggin game better be friggin good.
Konstantine @ Oct 20th 2008 8:02PM
Does everyone have to crap all over Sony every time someone whines
about something? It's not a big issue.
And neither is the LittleBigRecall
Someone whines about something and it blows up in Sony's face. QQ
Raikage (Mr. ESC? Mr. ESC? MR. ESSSSSSCCCCCC!) @ Oct 20th 2008 8:40PM
Do you spell confusion with a "K"? ;D
f0rem4n @ Oct 20th 2008 8:14PM
I noticed this immediately. The screen indeed feels brighter, but the interlace lines pop up ALL the time. I am highly disappointed.
Konstantine @ Oct 20th 2008 8:20PM
I noticed it as well, but I still like my new over the old.
Jacksons @ Oct 20th 2008 8:35PM
Good to know. I'm quite content with the 2000.
lorddshadow @ Oct 20th 2008 9:17PM
same. the best part is that its hackable. i can't live without cfw. so this makes me happy that i didn't go out and buy the 3000. cfw ftw! piracy ftl!
Draco @ Oct 20th 2008 8:39PM
is it possible its just a matter of the faster refresh is bringing the interlace issue to the front? i.e. the screen wasn't good enough to look interlaced because of blur?
Comet @ Oct 21st 2008 11:43AM
But psp 7000 has a 2nd anolog stick!
Dana DaSilva @ Oct 20th 2008 8:49PM
Don't worry, the new PSP 4000 will remove the interlacing flaws introduced to consumers with the PSP 3000 and will bring in new framerate issues which will be addressed in the PSP 5000!
Haggard @ Oct 20th 2008 10:30PM
Unfortunately they forgot to put any buttons on the 5000..
Maverick Saturn @ Oct 21st 2008 1:54AM
Thats not a problem, PSP 6000 has got you covered :D
xythen @ Oct 20th 2008 9:11PM
Thank you for posting about this issue, and asking Sony directly. It was the first thing I noticed when I switched on my new PSP when I bought it a few days ago, and I'm glad people are starting to take notice of it.
carg0 @ Oct 20th 2008 9:28PM
hope you saved your reciept...
Kyle @ Oct 20th 2008 10:06PM
This is merely based on the fact that the screen is nice enough to reveal the flaws that were already present in the game.
I.e. What normally would have been blurred out by a poor refresh rate is now visible. The only thing the 3000 is guilty of is having a screen that reveals the games' already-present flaws.
This is great for movie and media-watching! :D That will be my primary use.
Vidikron @ Oct 20th 2008 11:09PM
That was my first thought too, but when I looked at the comparison pictures linked in the article I changed my mind. I don't think that's the case. Something else is going on here.