March 28, 2005 10:56 AM PST
Sony answers PSP dead-pixel gripes
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Within 24 hours of the PSP's North American launch, similar complaints began to reverberate around the Internet.
Some gamers' outrage over the perceived dead-pixel problem was fueled by an e-mail allegedly sent out by Canadian game retailer Video Games Plus. The e-mail said the company was "informed by Sony that they will not be warranting any dead-pixel units. They are only warranting hardware defects, i.e. broken buttons, malfunction with drive and so on."
An informal survey of the dozen-odd PSPs in the GameSpot offices found that half had at least one problematic pixel. While these dots were almost all invisible while playing games, they stood out when displayed against a black or white screen.
While commonly referred to as a "defect," Sony says the off-colored pixel problem is common in LCD screens. "A very small number of dark pixels or continuously lit pixels is normal for LCD screens and is not a sign of a malfunction," a representative for Sony Computer Entertainment America told GameSpot.
Page 13 of the PSP manual puts it this way: "Red, blue, or green spots (bright spots) or black spots (dark spots) may appear in certain locations on the LCD screen. The appearance of such spots is a normal occurrence associated with LCD screens and not a sign of malfunction. LCD screens are made using highly precise technology. However, a very small number of dark pixels or continuously lit pixels exist on each screen."
The manual also warns against exposing the LCD screen to direct sunlight and leaving still images on the screen for an extended period of time, as both can damage the display.
The Sony representative suggested that PSP owners who encounter the pixel issue try the device "for a week or two" to see if it continues to bother them. "If you find the spots are interfering with game play/video viewing during this period, we will support the various elements of (the PSP) warranty," the representative said.
Each PSP comes with a one-year limited warranty, which is on page 125 of the PSP manual. If a PSP is "determined to be defective" by SCEA, the company will see to the "repair or replacement of this product with a new or refurbished product at SCEA's option."
According to a technical-support associate contacted by GameSpot, PSP owners who encounter a persistent and aggravating dead-pixel issue should contact SCEA's customer service line at 1-800-345-7669 for instructions on how to exchange their unit after a week or two of use. "We will work with you," he assured.
The associate said the process would work much like exchanging PlayStation 2s that suffer from the dreaded "Disc Read Error" problem: Gamers will mail their PSPs in to SCEA and receive units with new screens. The associate was unsure if customers would receive an all-new unit or their old unit with a new LCD screen.
Tor Thorsen reported for GameSpot.
See more CNET content tagged:
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I'm banking on the former.
I'm banking on the former.
more to the point, if you do have a device which has dead pixels on it, you should kick up a fuss... even if it doesn't bother you, if you ever try to sell it on, it would be worth less...
If sony aren't propared to take the dead pixel devices back, I can't help wondering how widespread the problem is... (Lets face it, they'd have no problem selling them at a small discount as second's)
more to the point, if you do have a device which has dead pixels on it, you should kick up a fuss... even if it doesn't bother you, if you ever try to sell it on, it would be worth less...
If sony aren't propared to take the dead pixel devices back, I can't help wondering how widespread the problem is... (Lets face it, they'd have no problem selling them at a small discount as second's)
Isn't TFT/LCD technology GREAT? "Hey consumers, you HAVE TO ACCEPT FLAWS!" Yeah, *RIGHT*.
Isn't TFT/LCD technology GREAT? "Hey consumers, you HAVE TO ACCEPT FLAWS!" Yeah, *RIGHT*.
Imagine that. Everybody buying LCD screens started requiring it to be unboxed and viewed before paying. I bet it would give the reseller a heart attack. It would however force retailers to put pressure on the manufacturers. It might drive prices up, but manufacturers are going to feel the pain first.
Imagine that. Everybody buying LCD screens started requiring it to be unboxed and viewed before paying. I bet it would give the reseller a heart attack. It would however force retailers to put pressure on the manufacturers. It might drive prices up, but manufacturers are going to feel the pain first.
their products that contain 2 or 3 dead pixels in all of their
advertisements for the product.
I'd like to see them place an ad with a high resolution close up
of the PSP featuring 2 or 3 dead pixels imposed over the black
lines in Spiderman's costume.
If they cannot guarantee the screens @ $249/unit, they should
raise the price and increase QA efforts so they can provide their
customers with the quality they expect to get from a premium
product.
I personally wouldn?t mind paying an addition $50-$75 more to
ensure that I had a quality display that would remain free of
defects for the market life of the product.
their products that contain 2 or 3 dead pixels in all of their
advertisements for the product.
I'd like to see them place an ad with a high resolution close up
of the PSP featuring 2 or 3 dead pixels imposed over the black
lines in Spiderman's costume.
If they cannot guarantee the screens @ $249/unit, they should
raise the price and increase QA efforts so they can provide their
customers with the quality they expect to get from a premium
product.
I personally wouldn?t mind paying an addition $50-$75 more to
ensure that I had a quality display that would remain free of
defects for the market life of the product.
Frankly, though, the PS2 had problems of its own when it was released, and under the same conditions--a shortage of components and thus, consoles. Now, there are PS2s out there with different model numbers that don't have these problems.
The wise move is probably to wait for this to happen with the PSP. After all, it is a LCD screen shortage that caused the PSP shortage; maybe they loosened their standards a little to kick more out the door?
Frankly, though, the PS2 had problems of its own when it was released, and under the same conditions--a shortage of components and thus, consoles. Now, there are PS2s out there with different model numbers that don't have these problems.
The wise move is probably to wait for this to happen with the PSP. After all, it is a LCD screen shortage that caused the PSP shortage; maybe they loosened their standards a little to kick more out the door?
Many vendors have their own guidelines for "passing" or "failing" a panel. Most people don't really notice or care.
Hard-core purists like myself, DO!
Before you buy an LCD of any kind, inquire with the manufacturer regarding their Pixel Policy.
Samsung will be just one of the first players in town with a zero-dead-pixel policy. If you want the best, you have to do your homework.
In addition, you need to use a testing software for LCD panels to double check it! :0)
Many vendors have their own guidelines for "passing" or "failing" a panel. Most people don't really notice or care.
Hard-core purists like myself, DO!
Before you buy an LCD of any kind, inquire with the manufacturer regarding their Pixel Policy.
Samsung will be just one of the first players in town with a zero-dead-pixel policy. If you want the best, you have to do your homework.
In addition, you need to use a testing software for LCD panels to double check it! :0)
product is, then this should be how it is advertised.
I hope this comes back to bite Sony in the ass.
- Rusty Rothwell
product is, then this should be how it is advertised.
I hope this comes back to bite Sony in the ass.
- Rusty Rothwell