The new models, the DESR-5100 and DESR-7100, offer the same storage capacity - 160GB and 250GB, respectively - as their predecessors, the DESR-5000 and DESR- 7000. What's changed is the introduction of a better graphical user interface

and the ability to add DVD-style menus to content copied from the unit's hard drive to a DVD-R, DVD-RW or DVD+RW disc.

The company has also taken the opportunity of an update to add an analog satellite TV tuner along with technology to improve the reception quality on the existing analog tuner - essentially to minimise or remove 'ghosting'.

The new PSXs will ship in the standard white styling, but the 5100 will also be made available in a silver finish for a limited period, Sony said.

Japanese gamers should expect to pay around US$676 for the 160GB model or US$868 for the 250GB 7100.

Sony also said that it will offer a further software update on 15 July to bring the software on board original PSX models into line with the new releases.

The consumer electronics giant halted PSX production last April in order to clear its inventory of unsold 5000s and 7000s, presumably in order to pave the way for the new version.

No North American release date has been set yet.