PSX

Empowered by two key semiconductors ( EmotionEngine and Graphics Synthesizer), CPU and graphics rendering processor used for PlayStation 2, PSX has realized a high-speed high-definition GUI (Graphical User Interface), the likes of which have never been experienced before. This first-of-a-kind GUI enables speedy and easy access of various content to be enjoyed on PSX, with the same level easiness as switching TV channels with a remote control.

PSX is also equipped with various features as a digital media player, providing storage and playback of a variety of entertainment content such as high-resolution, mega-pixel images from digital still cameras and music from various package media.

Since PSX is designed to run various features by firmware via a powerful hardware engine, users can upgrade or add new features later by accessing the network.

Specifications

Models	DESR-5000 DESR-7000 DESR-5100 DESR-7100 DESR-5500 DESR-7500 DESR-5700 DESR-7700
HDD	160GB 250GB
Recording Mode	HQ HSP SP(standard) EP LP SLP
CPU GPU	90nm EmotionEngine+Graphics Synthesizer
Software Engine	PS2 based real time OS
Recording Format	DVD-R(Video format) DVD-RW(Video format,VR format) DVD+RW(VR format)
Playback Format	DVD-VIDEO DVD-R(Video format) DVD-RW(Video format, VR format) DVD+RW(VR format) CD CD-R,[Memory Stick] "PlayStation" CD-ROM "PlayStation 2"CD-ROM/DVD-ROM
Tuner	Terrestrial analog(VHF1-12ch,UHF13-62ch,CATV13-35ch) BS satellite analog(1,3,5,7,9,11,13,15ch)
Dubbing	HDD to DVD is 12 times maximum (-R)
Video Playback	Recorded program while recording on HDD
Video Editing	GOP Editing High Speed GUI
Timer	EPG(G Guide)
Photo	JPEG
Music	ATRAC3
Game	"PlayStation" software / "PlayStation 2" software
Network	Ethernet 100 base/TX (Network game, additional feature in the future)
Ports	1 D output(D1/D2) 1 Composite/S Video/Stereo sound output 1 Optical digital Audio(SPDIF) 1 Composite/S Video/Stereo sound input 1 USB(Ver. 1.1)port, 1 Memory Stick slot 2 "PlayStation" "PlayStation 2"format Memory card slots 2 "PlayStation" "PlayStation 2" format Analog controller ports
Dimension	312 x 323 x 88mm(W x H x D)
Weight	Approximately 5.8kg
Accessories	Remote Controller for PSX AV cable, antenna cable AC cord

Models

The PSX was released in eight retail configurations during its lifespan (nine, if you count the silver DESR-5100S); the 5000 series (with an embossed logo on top and grey stripe at the back) shipped with 160 GB Hard disk drives, while the 7000 series (with a colored logo on top and black stripe at the back) contained 250 GB drives. Software updates were made available by disc and download.

The 7500/7700 models added a Ghost Reduction Tuner. The inclusion of Broadcasting Satellite (Japanese) and UHF/VHF connectors varied by model.

Comparison of PSX systems

Model No.	Power Consumption	Weight	Case		Hard Drive	FireWire	VHF/UHF tuner		BS tuner		Memory Stick video export	Writable disc formats	Release FW	Current FW	Launch pricing	Release date
			Color	Light strip			In	Out	In	Out
DESR-5000	80 W	5.7 kg	white	–	160 GB	No	Yes	No	Yes	No	No	DVD-RW, DVD-R, DVD+RW (DVD+RW only on Firmware 1.20 or later)	1.06	1.31	79 800 ¥	December 13th 2003
DESR-7000	80 W	5.8 kg	white/transparent	back	250 GB	No	Yes	No	Yes	No	No	DVD-RW, DVD-R, DVD+RW (DVD+RW only on Firmware 1.20 or later)	1.06	1.31	99 800 ¥	Decemter 13th 2003
DESR-5100	80 W	5.7 kg	white	–	160 GB	No	Yes	No	Yes	No	No	DVD-RW, DVD-R, DVD+RW	1.30	1.31	74 000 ¥	July 1st 2004
DESR-5100S	80 W	5.7 kg	silver	–	160 GB	No	Yes	No	Yes	No	No	DVD-RW, DVD-R, DVD+RW	1.30	1.31	–	July 1st 2004
DESR-7100	80 W	5.8 kg	white/transparent	back	250 GB	No	Yes	No	Yes	No	No	DVD-RW, DVD-R, DVD+RW	1.30	1.31	95 000 ¥	July 1st 2004
DESR-5500	70 W	6.2 kg	white	front	160 GB	No	Yes	Yes	No	No	Yes (after having been updated to 2.11)	DVD-RW, DVD-R, DVD+RW, DVD+R	2.06	2.11	44 800 ¥	December 2004
DESR-7500	84 W	6.5 kg	white/transparent	front, back	250 GB	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes (after having been updated to 2.11)	DVD-RW, DVD-R, DVD+RW, DVD+R	2.06	2.11	59 800 ¥	December 2004
DESR-5700	70 W	6.2 kg	white	front	160 GB	No	Yes	Yes	No	No	Yes	DVD-RW, DVD-R, DVD+RW, DVD+R	2.10	2.11	60 000 ¥	April 2005
DESR-7700	84 W	6.5 kg	white/transparent	front, back	250 GB	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	DVD-RW, DVD-R, DVD+RW, DVD+R	2.10	2.11	80 000 ¥	April 2005

All models have two sets of status LEDs and Infrared receivers; one along the front for horizontal orientation, and a second strip along the top-back for vertical orientation. The 'Disk Rec' indicator is only on the front of the device in later models.

Package management

PSX firmware has some kind of package management. There are two package managers: "Packman" and "PackmanJr"

File types

This list is incomplete.

• PAK: encrypted archive format that stores update data. Can be found on the PSX Update Disc. Has been reverse engineered and decryption/unpacking is [possible].
• REL: encrypted package binaries found in PSX packages. Has been reverse engineered and decryption/unpacking is [possible].
• STAR: some archive format used to store packages inside the INSTALL3.PAK on the 2.11 update disc (earlier update discs simply stored packages as folders). Neither compressed nor encrypted, yet not reverse engineered (as of June 2022).

Update history / Firmware changelog

1.xx versions are for DESR-x000 and DESR-x100 only.
2.xx versions are for DESR-x500 and DESR-x700 only.

The online update service has been discontinued. Update discs were available free of charge via mail-order until 2014.

1.06 (December 13th 2003)

• Preinstalled on DESR-x000, not available as update

1.10 (February 5th 2004)

• Available online or as update disc for DESR-x000
• Improved dubbing speed from HDD to DVD up to 24x (In DVD-R 4x speed compatible media SLP mode)
• Support for raw images in TIFF format (DCF standard) (Import via Memory Stick or USB connection (still only Sony digital camera))
• Support of MP3 music format (Play from CD-R, import MP3 file to HDD)
• Re-extension setting at the time of extension recording is possible ※ When you set the extended recording in the program reservation, after entering the recording extension time, you will be able to extend again.
• Rewind function (It is possible to fast forward / backward to the scene around 15 seconds during video playback)
• Correspondence of 30 times speed of fast forward, fast reverse (In addition to 2 times, 10 times, 120 times, it became possible to search 30 times)
• Video title sort function (Sort the programs by date, title, genre, watched / not watched etc.)
• USB keyboard support at the time of title input ("Playstation 2" compatible keyboard)
• Other software fixes:
  • Fixed that dubbing can not be performed by the externally connected device.
  • Correction of the point that the channel setting of Just Clock changes to the initial value when performing automatic channel setting.
  • When the optical digital out (SPDIF) is connected, if there is a pause when editing video recorded on the HDD, correction of a point where noise appears rarely

1.20 (March 31st 2004)

• Available online or as update disc for DESR-x000
• Support for recording and playback of DVD+RW (VR format)
• Added reproduction, import of moving image format from Sony digital still camera "Cyber-shot" (Import from Memory Stick or USB connection)
• Supports playback and import of GIF format (DCF standard) still images from Sony digital still camera "Cyber Shot" (Import from Memory Stick or USB connection, clip motion only)
• Support for quick play (1.3 times speed)
• Support for bilingual audio recording
• Support of 30x speed of fast forward and fast reverse of commercial DVD software
• Added reproduction, import photo from CD-R (JPEG, TIFF, GIF, MPEG1 format)
• The number of MP3 recognizable songs on CD-R has been improved to 99 songs / folders
• Reservation revision on program schedule
• Other software fixes:
  • Correction of the point which stops on the way of slide show playback.

1.30 (July 1st 2004)

• Preinstalled on DESR-x100, not available as update
• See "Changes for DESR-x000 (from 1.20)" from the 1.31 changelog

1.31 (August 3rd 2004)

• Available online or as update disc for DESR-x000 and DESR-x100
• Changes for DESR-x000 (from 1.20):
  • Supports changing the program name when making a timed reservation or recording reservation on the program guide
  • Added chapter mark setting function to video recorded by this unit
  • Supports additional writing of DVD+RW and DVD-RW (Translation error, probably means support for appending more data to RW DVDs that have been written to before)
  • Supports changing the recording mode of video recorded with this unit (optimization)
  • Supports dubbing DVD menu creation
  • Added initialization function to disk options
    • DVD-RW and DVD+RW can now be initialized from the disc options.
  • Added still image type visualizer
  • Compatible with "PlayStation®BB" (page view: viewing function of various channels only)
  • Added "Dubbing to VR mode" to the settings
  • Added "DVD bilingual audio recording" to the settings

• Changes for DESR-x100 (from 1.30):
  • Faster return to home menu from PlayStation BB
  • Improved PlayStation BB content display
  • Smoother home menu

2.06 (December 2004)

• Preinstalled on DESR-x500, not available as update
• Many changes compared to 1.31, however, since this version was only available preinstalled on DESR-5500 and DESR-7500, no official changelog is available

2.10 (April 2005)

• Preinstalled on DESR-x700, not available as update
• See "Changes for DESR-x500 (from 2.06)" from the 2.11 changelog

2.11 (May 17th 2005)

• Available online or as update disc for DESR-x500 and DESR-x700
• Changes for DESR-x500 (from 2.06):
  • Dubbing function to "Memory Stick"
    • TV programs recorded with "x-おまかせ・まる録" (a feature to automatically record by keyword), photos created with "x-PictStory", and videos taken with a digital video camera can now be exported to a "Memory Stick" and taken out.
    • Also, if you export to a “Memory Stick Duo” using the Memory Stick Duo Adapter (sold separately), you can play these works on the “PSP” as well.
  • Continuous extension support for daily / weekly reservations
    • If you manually set the extension time when using daily reservations or weekly reservations, it will be extended not only for the first time but also every time (daily or weekly).
  • x-Pict Story audition function
    • You can audition and check the BGM when selecting the BGM in x-Pict Story.
• Changes for DESR-x700 (from 2.10):
  • Video export to Memory Stick is 10% faster
  • Auto-shutdown after finishing video export to Memory Stick can be enabled

Hard Drive

See also: Hard Drive
Unlike the PS2's official hard drives, the PSX's hard drives are not rebranded. They do however implement the same proprietary firmware features as the official PS2 hard drives do. A hard drive with these features is required for the console to boot. Thus, the PSX's hard drive can currently only be replaced with another PSX's hard drive or one of the official PS2 hard drives. See: Sony custom ATA commands

Using an oficcial PS2 hard drive requires additional work due to their different sizes and partitioning schemes. This also makes the DVR functions unavailable due to the lack of space for a DVR partition.
Note: DESR-x500 and DESR-x700 require the DVR-partition to boot. Thus, these consoles can NOT boot from a 40 GB PS2 drive!

All PSX hard drives are 3.5 inch IDE/P-ATA drives with a capacity of either 160 GB or 250 GB, depending on the console model.

OEM drives used

160 GB

• Seagate "U Series 9" ST3160022ACE
• Maxtor "DiamondMax 9" (exact model number?)
• Maxtor "DiamondMax 10" 6L160P0

250 GB

• Hitachi "DeskStar" HDS722525VLAT80

Motherboards

XPD-001

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XPD-005

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Downloads

PSX User Manuals(.pdf)

CEATEC Japan 2003

Sony showcased the PSX at Japan's CEATEC in 2003, here are images of the event:
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Resources

PSX at PC Watch(Japanese Site)
Archived Sony Press Release
Sony PSX DVR(Fan Site)