Sony has announced a refreshed version of its PS Vita gaming system and in a surprising move, a compact console dubbed Vita TV which directly connects to your television set. With its next generation console scheduled for launch soon, the handheld system was given a second lease on life through the Remote play feature. And the recent addition to the series will only ensure longevity of the product’s lifespan.
The new PS Vita is merely an enhanced version of the original. The overall form factor has been improved to deliver a more streamlined design. The latest model will carry the PCH-2000 branding and only feature Wi-Fi connectivity for now. According to the company, the ‘internal architecture’ has been redesigned, resulting in a 15% lighter console. Additionally, the overall thickness has dropped as well, making the device 20% slimmer than the original. It basically measures 183.6mm x 85.1mm x 15mm and weighs 219 grams. 3G connectivity will continue to be available on the PCH-1000 series.
The Vita TV is just 6.5cm × 10.5cm in dimensions and it’s compatible with Vita games and applications as well as PSP and PS1 titles. The device will support Remote Play and DUALSHOCK 4 controllers via a software update. It connects to your TV via HDMI and is compatible with 720p, 1080i and 480p outputs.
The PS Vita and TV variants feature similar hardware. There’s a quad core Cortex A9 processor onboard along with PowerVR SGX543MP4+ graphics, 1GB of internal storage, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. The handheld version will now have a 5-inch LCD display instead of an OLED panel and the PS, Start and Select buttons have been redesigned to rounded shapes. Also, the battery life derivable is now between 4 to 6 hours instead of up to 5 hours on previous models.
The Vita PCH-2000 will be available in Japan on October 10 in various color options for JPY 19,929 (approx. Rs 13,058). The Vita TV is expected to go on sale on November 14 for JPY 9,954 (approx. Rs 6,522).
