PSP European launch in September

00.06AM 26/04/2005: By Cian Ginty: On September 1, the PSP, which is already available in the United States, and Japan, will be released in Europe. The announcement came to Games Toaster under embargo from SCE Ireland late yesterday.

The PSP ‘Value Pack’ will retail at 254.99 euro, or £179 UKP, it contains a PSP console, a protective pouch, 32MB Memory Stick Duo, battery pack, headphones with remote control, AC adaptor, wrist strap and a non-interactive demo of video, music, and game, on the PSP’s UMD format disk. No price was given for the standard PSP.

The ‘Value Pack’ is nearly identical to the current US/Japanese ‘Value Pack’, which currently retails on the import site lik-sang.com for 219 euro, while the standard PSP sells there for 195 euro – excluding delivery and related charges.

Games currently released for the portable console includes Ridge Racer, Wipeout Pure, Spider-Man 2, Tony Hawk's Underground 2, Tiger Woods PGA Tour, and Need for Speed Underground Rivals.

As well as the ability to use video, music, and pictures vie Memory Sticks, the PSP also plays music and film on the PSP’s protected read-only UMD format - although unlike games, films are region protected.

In a limited early offer SCEE will give free copies of the film Spider-Man 2 on UMD to people who buy the game ‘Spider-Man 2’ and register their handheld on vie their site yourpsp.com.

PSP specifications and features...

Product Name: PSP

Colour: Black

Product Code: PSP-1001K

Dimensions: Approximately 6.7" (W) x .9" (H) x 2.9" (D)

Weight: Approximately 280g / .62 lbs (including battery)

CPU: PSP CPU (System clock frequency 1 - 333MHz)

Main Memory:  32MB

Embedded DRAM: 4MB

Display: 4.3 inch, 16:9 widescreen TFT LCD
             80 x 272 pixel, 16.77 million colours
             Maximum luminance 180 / 130 / 80cd/m2 (when using Battery Pack)                                    
             Maximum luminance 200 / 180 / 130 / 80cd/m2 (when using AC Adaptor)

Sound: Built-in stereo speakers 

Main Input/Output IEEE 802.11b
                             USB 2.0 (mini-B)
                             Memory Stick Duo
                             IrDA
                             IR Remote

Main Connectors: Memory Stick Duo slot
                             USB connector
                             DC OUT connector
                             DC IN 5V connector
                             Headset connector

Power: Lithium-ion Battery
            AC Adaptor

Disc Drive: UMD Drive (Read only)

Profile: PSP Game
            UMD Audio
            UMD Video

Codec: [Video]: “UMD”: H.264/MPEG-4 AVC Main Profile | Level 3
            [Video]:“Memory Stick”: MPEG-4 SP, AAC
            [Music]: “UMD”: linear PCM, ATRAC3plus
            [Music]:“Memory Stick”: ATRAC3plus, MP3(MPEG1/2 | Layer3)
            [Photo]: JPEG (DCF2.0/Exif2.21)

Security: (Encryption) 128bit AES
               (Copyright protection technology) MagicGate

Access control: Region, Parental Control   

Wireless: IEEE802.11b
                Infrastructure Mode
                Ad Hoc Mode (connects up to 16 PSP systems)      

PSP Value Pack (supplied accessories)
                           AC Adaptor
                           Battery Pack
                           Memory Stick Duo (32MB)
                           Pouch (Black)
                           Headphones with Remote Control (90dB limited*) (White)
                           UMD In-pack Sampler
                           Wrist Strap (White)
                           Cloth (Light Grey)
                           * conforming with European standards