Hardware Test: PSP Slim & Lite
A new dawn, or a better old dawn?
UMD Video
Up until now, UMDs could only be viewed on the PSP's limited resolution screen, but the fact is that every single UMD video release has been encoded to the same 720x480 resolution as offered by NTSC DVDs. Even anamorphic widescreen is supported, again just like DVD.
With its initial mainstream roll-out and Sony's talk of standalone players, UMD was clearly intended to be some kind of pretender to DVD's throne, but it's only with the launch of PSP-2000 that we actually get to see the movies as they were originally intended to be viewed, ironically just as the format is in its final death throes.
In terms of the full quality UMD offers, here are a few screenshot galleries:
While it's good to see these movies finally running at their highest resolution, even UMD's h.264 compression has issues squeezing 6GB to 7GB of data (the size of a typical DVD movie) down to a mere 1.6GB.
These three movies are all Sony encodes (so you'd assume they are of the best quality), but of all of them, only the relatively easy to compress Talledega Nights bears up to close scrutiny. Not an issue on the PSP's tiny screen, but the heavy blurring and macroblocking in fast action scenes looks quite off-putting when blown up to full resolution. Additionally, UMD as a standard doesn't support anything other than stereo sound, so don't expect anything more than Dolby Pro-Logic support from the format if you're looking for surround audio.
In short then, what looks beautiful on the PSP screen looks OK on your TV, but doesn't quite make the grade when put up against existing DVD picture quality. Considering the basic maths involved when it comes to the level of compression involved, I'm surprised Sony ever had the chutzpah to tout UMD as a competitor to DVD, or even hint at standalone players based on the format because even the most rudimentary of challenging video exposes the problems of compressing movies this heavily.
However, the full resolution video playback PSP offers extends to movies running from Memory Stick and this offers up an intriguing scenario in that your own backed up media could be encoded into the MP4 format, with the same standard definition video working on PSP, Xbox 360, PS3 or PC. And of course, with 4GB and 8GB memory sticks on the market, your own videos need not be so heavily compressed...
The Verdict
While the slimmed down PSP is likely to attract newcomers in the short term, it's obvious that the differences between Sony's handhelds old and new are hardly revolutionary. PSP-2000 fixes a lot of the niggling issues of the launch console, and attempts to minimise others, but I can't help but feel that the enhancements are only really going to be truly appreciated by those who already own the console, or have an eye for a great-looking gadget.
While Sony may be hoping that the new machine is worthy competitor to the Nintendo DS, the problem with PSP has never been with the hardware per se, more its entire conception of what portable gaming should be. There's never really been a signature gaming experience that PSP can truly claim as its own and the new version changes nothing. It comes across as Sony reducing costs and consolidating its position, while at the same time having some fun with the hardware in the form of cute tweaks and new functionality that will appeal to the old-timers. And in that respect, I have to admit that I find it irresistible.
PSP has always been an essential addition to my travel bag; and almost three years on from launch, it still has an inherent state-of-the-art coolness about it that I've never felt with the Nintendo handheld. Perhaps it's the excellent media player, the beautiful screen, or maybe it's the rare piece of software I come across that feels like a 'proper' full-on console title - the likes of Ridge Racer, Syphon Filter, Metal Gear Portable Ops and Pursuit Force providing the kind of gameplay DS doesn't offer.
For me, PSP has always felt like a technical wonder for the gadget-obsessed 'man about town' and that feeling just intensifies still further with this even more desirable revision. While I would find it hard to recommend to the casual gamer happy with his existing handheld (be it DS or 'phat' PSP), everyone else should seriously consider indulging their inner nerd with this lovely little piece of gaming technology.