Sony: New PSX a 'different product' from old models

TOKYO--Last month, GameSpot reported that Sony will release two new models of the PSX, its all-in-one PlayStation 2-based multimedia device, in early December. The DESR-7500 (250GB of storage) and DESR-5500 (160GB of storage) would include functionality that's missing from earlier machines, like DVD+R recording and an antenna-out jack.

But this morning brings a bit of disappointing news for early adopters of the hardware. Although Sony has in the past offered firmware upgrades that bring the software inside the older PSX players in line with newer models, the company won't be doing so this time around. According to ITmedia, this is because the hardware inside the machines will be different from earlier models.

"It looks the same as our [current] machines," a Sony rep told ITmedia. "But inside, it'll be a different product. We don't have any plans to release a [firmware] upgrade for the older models."

The new PSX features a number of useful new program functions, collectively known as X-appli, that improve on the device's TV recording and media playback functions. One application automatically records any TV program that corresponds to keywords entered by the user. For more information on the upcoming new PSX model, check GameSpot's previous coverage of the device.