PS Vita TV and New Vita (PCH-2000)

Sony has just announced PlayStation Vita TV, a 6 x 10 cm console and set-top box that connects to a TV. It's based on PS Vita hardware, and besides playing Vita, PSP, and PS1 games, also offers access to a range of entertainment services and PlayStation 4 cross-functionality. It will cost 9,480 yen, or around $95 excluding sales tax, and is out in Japan on November 14th. A separate bundle, including a DualShock 3 controller and 8GB memory card, will sell for ¥14,280 (around $143).

 

The PS Vita TV supports Japan-specific video services such as Hulu, Tsutaya TV, and Nico Nico Douga as well as Sony's own Video Unlimited, and also includes Vita-style apps such as the LiveTweet Twitter client and Reader ebook software. The tiny box can be used as an extender for PlayStation 4 games, letting you play them on another TV screen if the one connected to the PS4 is occupied, and will also act as a second Vita system to enable ad-hoc multiplayer gaming with the portable console. Not all PS Vita games will be supported, however, since the DualShock 3 controller lacks the Vita's touch-sensitive hardware required by certain software titles.

We’re still waiting for international release details, but if you live in Japan, they’ll launch on Oct. 10. Yes, they: Sony announced six multi-colored versions at the show, each 20% thinner and 15% lighter than the existing Vita, with about six hours of battery life, says Sony. Apparently pink’s an option, too.

 

Call it the PCH 2000 or PS Vita 2000, because Sony does. It’ll ship with 1GB of storage memory (the existing PS Vita has none) and let you stick in up to 64GB Sony memory cards (no price on those yet). The Vita 2000 won’t support 3G — it’s Wi-Fi-only — but then you don’t want a Vita to fiddle with maps and GPS, do you? (And no, Sony doesn’t support online gameplay over a 3G link.)