New PSP screen draws complaints from consumers

Sony's latest iteration of its handheld, the PlayStation Portable, has been on the receiving end of criticism from consumers over scan lines that appear on screen.

Announced at the Leipzig Games Convention, the PSP 3000 features a new brighter screen to address complaints users had over the previous model. However, consumers on Sony's PlayStation forums have now complained of scan lines, posting pictures of screen comparisons with the earlier PSP 2000 model.

"Yes the colour gamut is wider, yes the black levels are lower, but this screen now has what looks like scan lines that were not visible on PSPs before," commented one user, adding: "I am not happy about my 'upgrade'."

According to SCEI and SCEA there is nothing that can be done to fix the problem with a software update, given that it is caused by hardware.

"On some occasions, scan lines may appear on scenes where brightness changes drastically, due to the hardware features of the new LCD device on PSP 3000," explained Sony in a statement, according to PSP Fanboy.

"Installed with this new LCD device, PSP 3000 offers more natural and vibrant colours on its screen, but the scan lines have come out to be more visible as a result of improving response time to alleviate the afterimages on PSP 3000. Since this is due to hardware specification, there are no plans for a system software update concerning this issue."