The PSX was a Sony digital video recorder with a fully integrated PlayStation 2 video game console. It was released in Japan on December 13, 2003. Since it was designed to be a general-purpose consumer video device, it was marketed by the main Sony Corporation instead of Sony Computer Entertainment and does not carry the usual PlayStation branding. Its high cost resulted in poor sales and was widely considered to be a commercial failure. The PSX was never released outside of Japan.

The device is a fully functional digital video recorder with an included Infrared remote control and S-Video, composite video, and RF inputs. It is able to tune analogue VHF and CATV. It can also be linked with a PlayStation Portable to transfer videos and music via USB ports, and features software for non-linear video editing, image editing and audio editing.

It was the first device to use Sony's XrossMediaBar (XMB) graphical user interface, which was later used on the PlayStation Portable, PlayStation 3, and 2008-era BRAVIA TVs.

The PSX fully supports both PlayStation and PlayStation 2 software by its slot-loading DVD drive, as the onboard EE+GS chip is a unification of the PS2's Emotion Engine and Graphics Synthesizer chips. Online game compatibility is available using the broadband connection; Games that use the PS2 HDD (such as Final Fantasy XI) are supported as well.

The PSX was not supplied with any game controllers, but there are two controller ports on the back of the device. While the PSX is compatible with standard PS/PS2 controllers and memory cards (with the exception of the PocketStation), a variant of the DualShock 2 controller marketed specifically for the PSX was also sold that featured a 4-meter long cord (a bit longer than the standard versions of the controller). Two PlayStation memory card ports were on the front of the PSX, behind a panel cover. Because of the different placement of the memory card slots (which are located above the controller ports on standard PS2 consoles), the PSX is incompatible with the PlayStation Multitap and its PS2 counterpart, and no PSX-compatible multitap was ever produced. Games that require the use of two or more USB ports are also incompatible with the PSX.

Like standard PS2 consoles, the PSX can be laid horizontally or stood up vertically.

Manufacturer: Sony Corporation
Date: 13th December 2003

This exhibit has a reference ID of CH43440. Please quote this reference ID in any communication with the Centre for Computing History.

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