New PLAYSTATION(R)3 Model to Take Holiday Season by Storm

PRNewswire LONDON October 5

LONDON, October 5 /PRNewswire/ --

- Aggressively Priced Hardware and a Terrific Software Line-up Make for an Unbeatable Combination

- New 40GB PS3 at EUR399

Sony Computer Entertainment Europe (SCEE) today announced details of its exciting new PLAYSTATION(R)3 (PS3(TM)) model that will launch throughout the SCEE territories on 10th October 2007 at the highly attractive price of EUR399.

Providing an incredibly appealing entry point to the world of High Definition gaming and entertainment for the holiday season, the new PS3 brings the next generation of interactive home entertainment to homes all across Europe, Middle East, Africa and Australasia.

Along with an ever expanding line-up of PS3 titles (a total of 65 titles tracking across all genres by Christmas), the new PS3 is equipped with a 40GB HDD and includes all the features central to the High Definition entertainment experience; true next generation gameplay, stunning High Definition Blu-ray Disc(TM) movies, SIXAXIS(TM) wireless controller, Wi-Fi and HDMI connectivity, all powered by the Cell Broadband Engine(TM), the digital heart of PS3.

As with the 60GB PS3, the new PS3 features upgradeable firmware allowing new features and functionality to be added to the system as time progresses. A recent firmware update, for example, enabled PS3 to upscale DVD's played on the system to full 1080P High Definition.

The introduction of the new PS3 has been determined following user feedback from thousands of existing PS3 owners as well as research into future potential PS3 owners. The new model features two USB 2.0 ports rather than four and no longer includes the multi memory card port.

The new model is no longer backwards compatible with PlayStation(R)2 titles, reflecting both the reduced emphasis placed on this feature amongst later purchasers of PS3, as well as the availability of a more extensive line-up of PS3 specific titles (a total of 65 titles across all genres by Christmas).

The existing Starter Pack(i), comprising a 60GB PS3 with extensive backwards compatibility, an additional SIXAXIS wireless controller and two first party titles will be reduced in price to EUR499. Remaining on sale while stocks last, the 60GB model represents outstanding value for the keen gamer wishing to upgrade to the High Definition capabilities of PS3.

"The introduction of the new PS3 has been the result of extensive research into the entertainment needs and preferences of the next generation of PS3 owners," said David Reeves, President of SCEE. "It has allowed us to deliver an extremely advanced, yet incredibly affordable High Definition gaming and entertainment system, configured to the needs of the next generation of European PS3 owners. PS3 has always been the device of choice for the discerning gamer and entertainment seeker, and the new PS3 is more than ever the perfect High Definition entertainment system.

(i)In the UK and Ireland, the Starter Pack will be replaced by a separate in-store promotion on the 60GB PS3.

    
    PLAYSTATION(R)3 40GB Specification

    Product name                  PLAYSTATION(R)3
    CPU                           Cell Broadband Engine(TM) Processor
    GPU                           RSX(TM)
    Sound                         Dolby 5.1ch, DTS 5.1ch , LPCM 7.1ch, AAC,
                                  others (a) (b)
    Memory                        256MB XDR Main RAM, 256MB GDDR3 VRAM
    HDD           2.5" Serial ATA                    40GB
    I/O           USB 2.0                             x2
    Communication Ethernet          x1 (10BASE-T, 100BASE-TX, 1000BASE-T)
                  IEEE 802.11 b/g                  Included
                  Bluetooth 2.0                    Included
                  (EDR)
    Wireless controller                            Included
    (Bluetooth)
    AV Output     Screen size           480i, 480p, 720p, 1080i, 1080p
                  HDMI OUT                          x1 (c)
                  AV MULTI OUT                        x1
                  DIGITAL OUT                         x1
                  (OPTICAL)
    BD/DVD/CD     Maximum Read    BD 2x (BD-ROM)
    Drive         Speed
                                  DVD 8x (DVD-ROM)
    (Read Only)
                                  CD 24x (CD-ROM)
    Dimensions                    Approximately 325mm (W) x 98mm (H) x 274mm
                                  (D)
    Weight                        Approximately 5 kg

(a) A device compatible with Linear PCM 7.1 Ch. is required to output 7.1 Ch. audio, supported by Dolby TrueHD or a similar format, from the HDMI OUT connector.

(b) This system does not support output from the DTS-HD 7.1 Ch. DTS-HD 7.1 Ch. audio is output from a 5.1 or lower channel.

(c) "Deep Color" and "x.v.Color (xvYCC)" defined by HDMI ver1.3a are supported.

For further information please contact:

Nick Sharples (nick_sharples@scee.net) or Nick Caplin ( nick_caplin@scee.net)

Images of the new PS3 are available on the SCEE Virtual press Office at http://www.scee.presscentre.com

About Sony Computer Entertainment Europe Ltd.

Sony Computer Entertainment Europe (SCEE), based in London, is responsible for the distribution, marketing and sales of PLAYSTATION(R)3, PlayStation(R)2 and PSP(TM) (PlayStation(R)Portable) software and hardware in 102 territories across Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Oceania. SCEE also develops, publishes, markets and distributes entertainment software for these formats, and manages the third party licensing programs for the formats in these territories.

Since the launch of PLAYSTATION 3 in Europe on 23 March 2007 and the end of March 2007 over 1.6 million units have been shipped across the SCEE territories, over 5.5 million globally. Between its European debut on 24th November 2000 and the end of March 2007, over 44 million PlayStation 2 consoles have been shipped across the SCEE territories, over 117 million worldwide, making it one of the most successful consumer electronic products in history. Between its European debut on 1st September 2005 and the end of March 2007, over 8 million PSP systems have been shipped across the SCEE territories, with over 25 million shipped worldwide since its Japanese launch in December 2004.

More information about PlayStation products can be found at http://www.playstation.com or visit the Virtual Press Office at http://www.scee.presscentre.com.

PLAYSTATION, PlayStation and the PlayStation logo are registered trademarks of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. PS3, SIXAXIS and PSP are trademarks of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. "Dolby" is a trademark of Dolby Laboratories. "DTS" is a trademark of Digital Theatre Systems, Inc. "HDMI" is a trademark of HDMI Licensing LLC. "Blu-ray Disc" is a trademark. "Bluetooth" is a trademark of Bluetooth SIG, Inc. All other trademarks are property of their respective owners.

(c)2007 Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. All rights reserved. Design and specifications are subject to change without notice.