Sony PSX On Display
We try out Sony's new system in Tokyo.
November 06, 2003 - In line with its plans for a Japanese release prior to Christmas, Sony has begun marketing its new PSX multimedia system in Japan. This "post VHS" device recently went on display at the famous Sony Building in Tokyo's high class Ginza district, giving us the opportunity to get our hands on the equipment for the first time.
The PSX is on prominent display in two locations at the building. Outside the building's entrance looking onto Ginza's main strip (and some of the most expensive property space in Tokyo) is a lit display featuring a giant model PSX and a high definition flat screen television explaining just what the mysterious product is. High tech is definitely the impression one gets when seeing this display.
Going into the building's first floor show room allows for a chance to get closer to the hardware. The show room features numerous PSX systems set up for viewing (all behind glass, unfortunately, which kept us from putting our dirty gamer fingerprints on the hardware). The PSX has been shown before at consumer electronics shows in Japan, but we were once again taken by how sleek and small it looks in real life. Looking at it without taking measurements into consideration, the PSX gives the impression of being a bit smaller than an Xbox, and its shiny white top and metal sides screams unique Sony design quality.
What hasn't been allowed at previous displays was an actual hands on with the system, which we were granted by simply asking the Sony representatives on the show floor nicely. We were given the PSX remote control and allowed to play around with the system's menus, which include options for photographs, music, video, television and games.
The first three options allow you to manage items stored on the PSX's hard drive. There weren't any photographs on the demo system, but there were a few music clips stored in MP3 format. Clicking on these activated a CD-player style interface, with the music starting up instantly. Similarly, the video section included pre-recorded clips of movies like Bad Boys 2 and Stuart Little which started without lag upon selection. The quality of the recording was lower than DVD, but we're not sure of the original source, nor are we sure of the settings used during recording. You can, of course, rewind, forward and pause while watching. Strangely, we were only able to rewind and forward at a single speed.
A Sony representative shows off the PSX.
Full game functionality is built into the PSX system, with what appears to be an emphasis on the Online side of gaming. Games that are stored on your hard disk can be accessed from the Online menu, with the demo system including Minna no Golf Online. It was not accessible for play, unfortunately. Game saves are also stored on the hard disk, it seems, although were unable to access the saves folder.
We got to try out the television functions of the system just a bit. The television menu option has a list of television channels that are tuned in. Selecting a channel switches you to the channel. You can also channel surf directly with the remote control.
PSX display in the Sony Showroom.
Recording appears to be handled as simple as you would with a VCR, by pressing record on the remote control. At any point in recording, you can pause and restart again with the push of a button. Unfortunately, the demo system wouldn't allow for actual recording to be done, so we couldn't see how smooth things ran in this area.
Future, Entertainment, Power
The menu interface, which Sony claims makes use of the included PS2 technology to allow for high resolution, full-color graphics, is swift and easy to navigate through. This is in stark contrast to the wretchedly slow interface for the standard PS2 Broadband adapter, which offers some of the functionality of the PSX in terms of saved games, music, video clips (downloaded from the internet), images and storage of Online games directly on the hard disk. Plus, the interface is easy to navigate through using a Dual Shock controller, as much of it is handled with D-pad and circle button presses. Elsewhere in the show room, we were able to play around with the PSX using the system's exclusive white-colored Dual Sock.
While we didn't get to actually record with the system or sample a game or DVD through it, the speedy menu interface has us convinced that we'll probably want to do away with our hard drive equipped PS2 systems once the PSX arrives to Japan later this year.
