PS Vita manual hints at 1080p playback update
updated 08:45 pm EST, Fri December 16, 2011
PS Vita manual arrives ahead of launch
Just as the PlayStation Vita is launching in Japan, Sony has posted the gaming system's manual in English. The guide includes a handful of new revelations, including that it has to get standard-definition video from the PlayStation Store. It can't immediately play 1080p, hinting at an update, nor can it take HD video transferred from the PS3; 720p is the most that can play in normal use.
Other notable details include having up to six LiveArea screens up for multitasking, support for screenshots, and a data use tracker for 3G. Battery life should last the expected three to five hours without significant 3G or Wi-Fi use, hinting that it will need AC power for those who want to play multiplayer often.
As mentioned by Sony earlier, users are locked to one PSN account on a given system. Any memory cards put into the system are also locked to it, making it currently impossible to swap cards to another system. Sony hasn't explicitly stated that there's a reset to link a new account.
A Vita will work for Remote Play to steer the PS3, either on the local network or online. Some features, like playing movie discs, are off limits for likely security reasons.
The handheld will only go on sale in North America officially on February 22 at $250 for Wi-Fi and $300 for 3G. A First Edition bundle will show up one week earlier for those willing to pay a $50 premium for a 4GB card, case, and free game. [via PlayStation Lifestyle]
