PSP-4000 With UMD Rumors Return

When the PSP Go was officially unveiled at E3, the first question that raced through everyone's head was, "what are they going to do about the current PSP-3000?"

Well, we learned that Sony would continue to support that unit in addition to the new digital-oriented handheld wonder, which meant that consumers would have a choice between UMD or no UMD in their portable PSP. However, we are also well aware that Sony probably won't be happy with selling the PSP-3000 forever; hence, there have been several rumors circulating about the PSP-4000. PS3Center reminds us of a tip posted by N4G user "Super_Secret," and it talked about how the new PSP-4000 is indeed in development and it will most certainly include a UMD drive. The reason we're revisiting that tip is because this particular mystery user was right about the PS3 Slim back in June...but then again, a whole lot of people were speculating about the Slim for much of the year, so that's not exactly definitive. It does, however, make sense to assume that Sony would release another PSP model to follow in the 3000 model's footsteps.

There are many who believe Sony will eventually phase out the PSP-3000, though, and simply leave us with the PSP Go once the digital distribution thing has solidified. If this is the case, they wouldn't release another PSP with a UMD drive. Well, what do you think might happen?

8/25/2009 Ben Dutka

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Comments (58 posts)

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Scarecrow
Tuesday, August 25, 2009 @ 10:03:40 PM
Reply

I'd get that instead of the psp Go UMD-less version

EDIT:
I just want the "better graphics" of the psp Go....

Last edited by Scarecrow on 8/25/2009 10:05:25 PM

1 up, 0 down

godsman
Tuesday, August 25, 2009 @ 11:32:11 PM

I wonder how many games can the 16 gigs PSP Go store. It is still essential to use UMDs to play the 1.8 gig games. I do not want any dip in qualities just because its portable console.

1 up, 1 down

Highlander
Wednesday, August 26, 2009 @ 9:44:30 AM

@godsman

If you look at the size of the downloadable versions of some of the PSP full games already available on the PS Store (the ones that were on UMD and are now available for download). Many of the game only fill a small fraction of the total space on a UMD. The 1.8GB size of a UMD is a maximum size for a game, not an average.

Not only that but those PSP Go owners who have a PS3 to act as a mothership need not keep all their games on their PSP at a given moment. Once you download a PSP title to your PS3 it can sit there forever, and you can upload it to your PSP anytime, and any number of times. Of course your PSP has to be registered to you on your account on your PS3, so it's not a completely unlimited copy ability.

2 up, 0 down

LimitedVertigo
Tuesday, August 25, 2009 @ 10:25:28 PM
Reply

I'm stilling loving my original PSP model. If this one ever decides to go I will go with another PSP with a UMD drive, be it 3000, 4000 or 40000. PSPgo is not for me.

BTW my PS3 Slim is still VERY quiet, rather warm but quiet!

1 up, 0 down

Hezzron
Tuesday, August 25, 2009 @ 11:11:59 PM

Funny, I noticed how warm it is too....but then again, I'm a paranoid victim of the 360 RRoD.

1 up, 0 down

furbiesmustdie
Wednesday, August 26, 2009 @ 3:01:42 AM

wait...
"my ps3 slim is very quiet, warm but quiet". there's still a few days till the launch of the slim how do you know how it sounds like?

1 up, 0 down

LegendaryWolfeh
Wednesday, August 26, 2009 @ 3:57:10 AM

Slim is already available at gamestop

1 up, 0 down

johnld
Wednesday, August 26, 2009 @ 4:15:53 AM

yeah, apparently they didnt hear Kaz Hirai when he said ps3 slim is gonna be out sept 1.

1 up, 0 down

LimitedVertigo
Wednesday, August 26, 2009 @ 12:52:32 PM

Actually the guy at Gamestop said they were given the approval from Sony to release the new PS3 models early. I wouldn't doubt it has something to do with the 360's reduced price coming into effect in Sept.

2 up, 0 down

LegendaryWolfeh
Thursday, August 27, 2009 @ 1:36:59 AM

Actually it's because Gamestop was never given an official street date upon receiving them so they started selling them immediately upon arrival.

1 up, 0 down

kevinater321
Tuesday, August 25, 2009 @ 10:28:24 PM
Reply

Once i make the change, i don't think i'm going back.

Last edited by kevinater321 on 8/25/2009 10:28:40 PM

1 up, 0 down

Highlander
Tuesday, August 25, 2009 @ 10:35:21 PM
Reply

I don't see Sony dumping UMD in the PSP now, not after Kaz's comments as reported in the article John Sheppard posted yesterday.

Even without those comments though, it makes no sense to dump UMD right now. Far too many PSP owners have never connected to PSN in their life. There are 50+ million PSP owners (or thereabouts) and 25+ million PS3 owners (or thereabouts). I'm sure that there is a degree of over lap of ownership, but there are still at very least 25 million PSP owners out there who do not necessarily have the net access to deal with downloadable content instead of UMD. As Kaz stated, there is no way that they will leave those consumers behind.

3 up, 0 down

LimitedVertigo
Tuesday, August 25, 2009 @ 10:41:56 PM

Makes you feel sad for those ignorant to PSN. It's such a great service and has offered my plenty of gaming hours thanks to its services.

btw been meaning to tell you for weeks I miss your old pic.

Last edited by LimitedVertigo on 8/25/2009 10:42:11 PM

3 up, 0 down

Highlander
Wednesday, August 26, 2009 @ 2:10:14 AM

Me too.

2 up, 0 down

sticklife
Wednesday, August 26, 2009 @ 12:39:36 PM

What are your pics from?

0 up, 0 down

tes37
Wednesday, August 26, 2009 @ 5:00:45 PM

I like this avatar you just switched back to, but don't get me wrong, not trying to pick your avatar. Just thumbing it up.

1 up, 0 down

Highlander
Wednesday, August 26, 2009 @ 5:34:18 PM

I like this one best too - it's my favorite.

They're all thumbnails I create from images I've collected over the years. I have hundreds of character art pictures most of which I've found online, or scanned myself from game art books. You can find tons of this kind of anime character art is you look hard enough. Sadly though you have to wade through a literal sea of crap, quite a lot of truly offensive stuff. But in among all that there are a few gems.

Another source is literally screen caps of anime DVDs that I then polish in an image editor.

2 up, 0 down

Midris7
Tuesday, August 25, 2009 @ 10:49:31 PM
Reply

I just put down my pre-order for the pearl white PSP Go. I am pretty excited about it now, more than I was at the E3 announcement. I just don't like UMDs.

Don't get me wrong. I love hard copies, but I like the idea of digital distribution for a handheld device.

0 up, 0 down

LimitedVertigo
Tuesday, August 25, 2009 @ 11:05:32 PM

You can do the digital thing with a PSP3000 and have the advantage of being able to play all ur hard copies as well.

0 up, 0 down

Midris7
Tuesday, August 25, 2009 @ 11:18:29 PM

True, I had a 3000 until today. But I like the sleeker, and more portable look of the Go. Plus, I don't have a UMD collection so no UMD drive doesn't bother me..

1 up, 0 down

newchef
Tuesday, August 25, 2009 @ 11:46:47 PM

ok midris this is way off topic but where did u find ur profile pic?

0 up, 0 down

Midris7
Wednesday, August 26, 2009 @ 12:27:29 AM

Hah, just a simple google image search. ^-^

1 up, 0 down

iGraves1
Wednesday, August 26, 2009 @ 1:19:37 AM

Have to agree with you Midris7, I have a psp 2000 but after the Go! was officially announced I decided to put CFW on it since I dont have a UMD collection. I will be putting Final Fantasy VII and other PSone classics on my PSP GO once I get it, they are the only games I played in my 2000 model.

I will keep my PSP 2000 to play Super Mario Bros. and other emulated games.

1 up, 0 down

Gogaku
Tuesday, August 25, 2009 @ 10:55:18 PM
Reply

If the PSP-4000 is real and comes out at the same price as the 3000, I might finally replace my stolen 1000. The Go is just too expensive for me to even consider (which is bull in my eyes, they take away a crucial part of the machine but they raise the price? Might've been justified if it had a touch screen as the rumours said, but not without it, not at all), but a reasonable priced 4000 might be a buy for me.

1 up, 0 down

LimitedVertigo
Tuesday, August 25, 2009 @ 11:06:04 PM

I agree on the price, it's only 50 dollars cheaper than a freaking PS3.

0 up, 0 down

Highlander
Wednesday, August 26, 2009 @ 10:01:25 AM

IMHO the PSP-Go will drop to $200 next year, early next year. There's no way you can sustain the PSP-Go at $50 less than the PS3, it's nuts.

2 up, 0 down

Kangasfwa
Tuesday, August 25, 2009 @ 11:06:17 PM
Reply

I'm more curious as to whether Sony will continue to release PSP iterations (2000, 3000, etc) or if they will ever release a 'PSP 2.'

2 up, 0 down

Hezzron
Tuesday, August 25, 2009 @ 11:15:49 PM
Reply

I'm still rockin' the PSP-2000, and I don't feel the need for change.

0 up, 0 down

ThugNificent101
Tuesday, August 25, 2009 @ 11:20:19 PM
Reply

I think they will likely release a 4000 version just to put it on par with the PSPgo
There wont be a great improvement obviously... the only major thing that they would probably add is blutooth support
It would be nice if it came sooner than later though. I might have picked that up instead of the go if they released around the same time.
but its fine either way since im just going to trade in a 1000 i got for free so it can go towards my purchase of the PSPgo

0 up, 0 down

frylock25
Tuesday, August 25, 2009 @ 11:47:30 PM
Reply

with the bluetooth support of the psp go wouldnt that open it up to connecting to the ps3, maybe being used as a controller for the psp? maybe the 4000 would have bluetooth, opening it up for umd side? i mean controllers exsisted before dual analog sticks, games can be made without 2 sticks... there are a lot of things that seem to open up from them having bluetooth in the psp line. i personally think it would be cool to use my psp as a controller and have side things happen on the psp screen at times. if the developers took advantage of it

im hoping the tech guru thehighlander would have some insight into this lol ;)

0 up, 0 down

frylock25
Wednesday, August 26, 2009 @ 12:24:02 AM

*edit*
connecting to the ps3, maybe being used as a controller for the ps3? maybe the 4000 would have bluetooth
*edit*

sorry edit button not there...

0 up, 0 down

johnld
Wednesday, August 26, 2009 @ 4:19:31 AM

remember when the gamecube used the gameboy as a map when playing a game, a zelda game i think.

0 up, 0 down

MadKatBebop
Wednesday, August 26, 2009 @ 12:07:01 AM
Reply

I have a PSP-2000 but I still really want to get the GO, I guess because its smaller and I don't have to take UMD's with me all the time. I mainly play my 2000 at home more then on the go(as in going somewhere not the PSP GO)and I can use the GO more for music and movies then games. So I can get UMD's for the 2000 and movies and music for the GO.

1 up, 0 down

Zorigo
Wednesday, August 26, 2009 @ 2:14:48 AM

doesn't sound like a bad idea. unless this 4000 is real, and is unbeknowingly amazing! but thats the thing with upgrades isnt it. always a new one,

0 up, 0 down

Ricochet
Wednesday, August 26, 2009 @ 12:15:55 AM
Reply

Oh boy, this is simply milking the PSP franchise. As if this first 3 PSP versions don't satisfy the hardware fans out there. Hope this rumor is false.

1 up, 0 down

LimitedVertigo
Wednesday, August 26, 2009 @ 1:02:16 AM

I don't really see how you can consider this "milking" the PSP franchise. Sony simply has continuously offered newer models with better designs and improvements in key areas. These newer versions reduce the price of older models and ensure everyone gets what they want. Apple continues to pump out different versions of the ipod to keep up with consumer demand and wants. I see Sony doing the same thing with the PSP.

A very important thing to keep in mind is no PSP model is made obsolete by any new model so it's not like Sony is forcing anyone to purchase a new PSP if they are content with the one they currently own.

Last edited by LimitedVertigo on 8/26/2009 1:02:50 AM

6 up, 0 down

Highlander
Wednesday, August 26, 2009 @ 9:57:34 AM

PSP-1000 Original

PSP-2000 Slimmed down, better screen, TV-out and better battery life

PSP-3000 much brighter screen, maintained the same batter life despite the brighter screen.

PSP-Go Smaller pocket sized design, built in 16GB storage, no UMD, BlueTooth

PSP-4000??? Thinner? lighter? better battery life? Better screen? BlueTooth? Some built in flash storage?

The point being that each model subsequent to the previous one offered an upgrade of one kind or another in the hardware. I'm also certain that each time they are able, they shrink the electronics so that they take less room, cost less to manufacture and consume less power. That is one of the reasons the PSP-3000 has a much brighter screen and yet maintains the battery life of the PSP-2000.

1 up, 0 down

DIsmael85
Wednesday, August 26, 2009 @ 1:04:04 AM
Reply

Im just sticking with my Piano Black PSP-Go! Sorry Scarecrow, I know it's UMD-less, but I have a lot of things in store for that piece of hardware. I like the ability to be able to store my Anime on it, and bring it with me where ever.

2 up, 0 down

Zorigo
Wednesday, August 26, 2009 @ 2:11:58 AM
Reply

eventually one of these rumours will turn out fake, but we will grow ever more believing for every real one, so im open eyed. doubt ill get it. dont NEED it, and i need ps3 game money.

1 up, 0 down

___________
Wednesday, August 26, 2009 @ 2:54:59 AM
Reply

UMDs are dead, they were a doomed to failur from the get go.
there slow the drive sucked up so much battery power my psp was married to the charger, the 1 puropse i bought it for was useless.
i bought it to use on long trips in the car, my friggin high spec gaming laptop has a longer battery life thats pathetic, and i could get a longer lasting battery for my laptop but there roughly 300 bucks no thanks.
not to mention the movies for it were WAY overpriced, they were almost the same price as DVDs WTF was the point of that.
memory sticks should be the new media used.
sony makes them so costs should be limited.
they have a MASSIVE storage space, 32GBs ATM and im sure that will increase.
memory sticks are a godsend, everything supports them, every computer has a slot to load them in or adapters are cheap and easy to find.
only if i could say the same about UMDs.
i really hope sony comes out with a device that allows me to place my UMDs onto a memory stick for use with the psp go.
i want to get one, and might if they let me do that, but than the only psp game i want is assassins creed bloodlines.
350 bucks for 1 game...... little steep.
it should be illegal for companys to bridge a series between systems it really pisses me off.
if you want to find out what happens to altiar and how he relates to etzio you have to buy a psp now thats BS.
also like they did with GOW, if you want to finish the series you have to shell out 600 bucks.
what the 800 i shelled out for GOW and GOW2 werent enough?

0 up, 2 down

frylock25
Wednesday, August 26, 2009 @ 3:53:17 AM

not according to that guy at activison, no your not paying enough, you should have paid more

1 up, 0 down

Highlander
Wednesday, August 26, 2009 @ 9:52:46 AM

UMDs are only dead in the minds of those that still quote Betamax as a failure and who have never given up hope that BluRay will somehow falter too.

UMD is necessary for portable gaming where you don't have access to broadband for downloadable titles. There is no other compact, cheap and writable media that was available at the time the PSP was designed. It's only in the last few years that multi-GB flash cards became cheap. When the PSP was launched and in the year leading up to that launch, flash was much more expensive, and the PSP was designed a year before that. Honestly, think about this for a moment, it takes a minimum of 18 months for a complex product like the PSP to go from idea to product. That's a bare minimum. 18 months before the PSP launched multi-GB flash memory cards were simply not economical for anyone. So there was only one choice - a disc. DVD is too big, CD is physically too big as well, and has too small a capacity anyway. Mini-DVD is essentially the same as UMD only it has no protection. UMD is essentially a mini-DVD in a protective case. It was the perfect solution and something of a next step for the company that was behind the miniDisc and the 3½ inch floppy.

As for the death of UMD now? Not likely, unless you can magically create broadband Internet infrastructure for all in every one of the countries Sony sells the PSP into.

4 up, 0 down

___________
Thursday, August 27, 2009 @ 8:22:22 AM

yes that was then.
this article is about now, i dont see why sony would stick with UMDs.
there a burden, a nail in the foot.
why use UMDs when you could use memory sticks.
the battery life would be better, theres no moving parts that helps size heat and reliability.
and im pretty sure memory sticks would have a faster read rate than UMDs.
another advantage as i mentioned before is almost everything is compatiable with memory sticks.
my tv is, i can slot my stick in and watch movies or pics or whatever of it, printers plug and play its so simple and works with everything.
UMDs are restricted to the psp.
i cant see any positive for sony to use UMDs, there normally the first ones to ditch old tech so why stick with it this time?

1 up, 0 down

mustang750r
Wednesday, August 26, 2009 @ 2:55:11 AM
Reply

my trusty 2000 will always be with me, but that doesn't mean I won't jump on a 4000.

off topic
so far i've put in 6 hours and 28 mins. into Dissidia. it's so good that i feel like a little girl when the thought of a sequel or console version could happen. could you imagine it with HD graphics... i need to change shorts XP

2 up, 0 down

ThugNificent101
Wednesday, August 26, 2009 @ 4:35:59 AM

Yeah ive put almost 9 hours into my file
Its pretty difficult to put down, i've barely even looked at my ps3 today....
well worth the purchase

2 up, 0 down

mustang750r
Wednesday, August 26, 2009 @ 5:52:10 AM

The ability to record fights, edit the camera direction, take screenshots, and export videos is the most coolest thing i've ever seen. With those features you could recreate AC fight between Cloud and Sephiroth. It's awesome, and because of this game I feel more devs should try stuff like this. I know with some games you could take screenshots or upload to youtube but how many let you play with the camera in a replay to create that movie fight feel?

2 up, 0 down

MadKatBebop
Wednesday, August 26, 2009 @ 8:58:20 AM

Damn I knew I forgot something! I have to get that game later on today.

Last edited by MadKatBebop on 8/26/2009 8:58:42 AM

2 up, 0 down

Button Masher
Wednesday, August 26, 2009 @ 9:07:43 AM
Reply

I'm guessing the next version of the PSP will be a hybrid of the 3000 and Go which will have both UMD and downloadable capabilities. Sony will eventually phase out the older model(s) to reduce their costs.

1 up, 0 down

Orvisman
Wednesday, August 26, 2009 @ 9:40:24 AM

What you are talking about IS the PSP 3000.

You can use UMDs AND download titles on PSP 1000 through 3000.

2 up, 0 down

frylock25
Wednesday, August 26, 2009 @ 11:04:15 PM

that would be why everyone says it is to expensive, they took out the umd and raised the price... a lot of people dont understand it, all they see is that they took out a bunch of moving parts so it should be cheaper

0 up, 0 down

Jawknee
Wednesday, August 26, 2009 @ 10:22:42 AM
Reply

Geez. PSP Go! And a PSP 4000? I'm still sporting my original PSP from launch.

0 up, 0 down

nickert0n
Wednesday, August 26, 2009 @ 2:15:37 PM

Me too :-)

0 up, 0 down

Button Masher
Wednesday, August 26, 2009 @ 12:57:26 PM
Reply

@Orvisman. I was referring to the PSP Go design when I wrote hybrid (sliding screen). Sorry if I wasn't clear.

0 up, 0 down

nickert0n
Wednesday, August 26, 2009 @ 2:15:00 PM
Reply

Personally I love my PSP 1000 and see no advantage to any new model. They all feel cheap to me.

1 up, 0 down

tes37
Wednesday, August 26, 2009 @ 4:47:31 PM
Reply

I hope they wait a good while before releasing a psp 4000. It should be an upgrade like going from ps2 to ps3. With enough new features in it, I could justify buying one even though I've had my current psp 3000 for less than six months.

1 up, 0 down

Fane1024
Wednesday, August 26, 2009 @ 7:59:29 PM
Reply

I've said it before and I'll keep saying it: no second nub (etc.) = no real upgrade = no buy.

1 up, 0 down

Highlander
Wednesday, August 26, 2009 @ 9:07:10 PM

You can say it until you're blue in the face Fane. Sony will not add a second analog stick to the PSP until they do a complete new model, and not merely an update (PSP-4000) or shrink (PSP-Go). If they add a second stick now they immediately create a group of 50+ million consumers who now have an obsolete device with no hope of an upgrade, short of a new purchase. Sony may do a lot of foolish things, but I honestly cannot see them doing that.

1 up, 0 down

frylock25
Thursday, August 27, 2009 @ 3:13:05 AM
Reply

Gran Turismo 5 and GTPSP using bluetooth connectivity to toss cars between ur games, a psp 4000 comes out with umd and bluetooth... to not leave anyone behind they release a mini usb bluetooth for previous models ;)

0 up, 0 down

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