I've seen quite a few PSX machines in the local recycle shops, most going for around Y25,000 but I am not sure what is the major differences between the 5x00 and 7x00 models. I know that the 5 series models have a 160GB HD and the 7 series models have 250GB drives but what differences are their in the second numbers? Most websites I found don't really tell you much information. I've also seen them in different colours too, most are all white, but I have seen ones with the grey sides and one that is a medium dark grey colour. Are these colours an indication of the models?
From what I have read the only difference beetween the DESR-5000/5100 and DESR-7000/7100 seem to be the harddrive capacity (160GB/250GB). The 5100/7100 shipped with newer firmware (1.30) than the 5000/7000, but I blieve the hardware is the same. The 5000/7000 can be upgraded to 1.30+ as well. DESR-5100S is a limited "silver" edition of the DESR-5100. Then there is the DESR-5500/5700 and DESR-7500/7700. The harddrive capacity is still 160GB in 5x00 and 250GB in 7x00. However (!) the 7500/7700 also came with a ghost reduction tuner (GRT), broadband satellite (BS) tuner and i.Link input. The 5500/5700 didn't. The 5700/7700 shipped with newer software then 5500/7500, but 5500/7500 can easily be upgraded.
What consolefun said, except I believe that the DESR-5000/7000 firmware is incompatible with the later models. Sony provide different upgrade discs for the 5000/7000 vs the 5500/5700/7500/7700. I think the last firmware revision available for the former is 1.31 & the latter is 2.11.
Not sure if anyone else has found them, but Sony did actually announce Yellow / Red & Blue versions of the PSX DESR as well. I've seen a couple of images. If I spot them again, I'll post as proof! Here's the red & blue ones: http://www.digit-life.com/archive.shtml?2003/1007 Must admit, I prefer the white / silver finish. It looks much nicer.
Ah! That reminds me of <something I found googling the other night>. Before running the page through google translate, I'd assumed that the colour jobs were custom repaints, due to the side bars being coloured the same. I do like the base white colour, but find myself wondering what a black one would look like...
I can't find the genuine Sony image (aka a stunning Japanese babe standing with a white unit) and then 3 automobile style coloured PSX units in the next shot. All on those clear plastic plynths and a SONY logo at the back.
Here is the yellow one too http://pc.watch.impress.co.jp/docs/2003/1007/psx.htm Never seen a "PSX European Automobile Collection" unit for sale though....
im srry but those coloured ones just dont look right, something just makes them look a bit 'cheap' i feel... Oh and Parris/Limey, this is that back panel i was talking about:
It's possible that they never actually went into mass production. Demonstration models perhaps? Must admit I like the red & yellow versions, but the blue looks awful and I've never liked silver PS2 units for some reason. Sony did well in producing a very clean, sleak and modern looking unit using a simple white finish. I think it's very attractive. Considering the popularity of the PS2 I was surprised that the PSX failed to capture the imagination.
Probably the price. When you already have a PS2, spending £300/£400 is pretty much on something you don't really need. I'd love to get one of those in the future though, if I ever can manage to get enough money that is.
The colored units are completely coloured - ie: no grey bits - I think that is what makes them look a little odd. From 1st look, the production PSX case design remains very attractive to me - they're probably my favourite Sony design, for aesthetic values at least. The white design almost an Apple-esque industrial design feel to it (hehe, that's probably a heretical comment in some circles!). Their high relative price & crossover market position is probably what hurt them the most. DVRs have only really taken off in recent years & the public in general, has yet to latch onto the single home entertainment hub that several companies have sought to establish. Their retail prices remained obstinately high & production probably never reached levels where the prices could be meaningfully reduced without taking a hit on each machine sold. Gamers probably preferred/already had their PS2 & media nuts probably preferred/already have separate AV recording gear. Personally, I was a fan of the PSX concept as soon as I learned of it, but I'm probably not an average consumer (already owning multiple PS2 gaming units & being an early adopter of several DVR designs). FF: Thanks - yes that (the white) cable collector is what I was talking with you about. For some reason, I thought it was gray, but since I'm not using it with mine, I'd have to dig through boxes to confirm.
LImey - thats cool, just came accross that pic and thought of you! Agreed - i was also instantly hooked to the DESR idea as soon as i saw one fir the first time.. its orignal (white) design is what makes it in my opinion....
Maybe we should ask for this thread to be attached to the DESR threads in the Sony dev section, although it is not technically dev. We are spreading ourselves across a couple of threads lol
