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fdp · 08-02-2008, 04:27 AM

Alright, I'm listening to the people who are arguing that the PRS500 is an outdated machine with inferior hardware to the PRS505. It's my viewpoint that nobody gets anywhere in life if they can't try to the see the viewpoint of those who disagree with them, and so I've done a little research. My goal here is to help us all be educated consumers. I haven't had time in the last year or so to keep up with these forums, so I apologize if this is not new.

It is my estimation that the semiconductor parts used in the PRS505 are virtually identical to those inside the PRS500 and represent no real difference in capability. I have noticed some board redesign, probably to accommodate the changed form-factor, but it seems to me that there is no reason in the hardware itself that Sony cannot update the PRS500 as they have the 505. This may be shocking to those of you that believe that the PRS505 represents significantly advanced hardware, but it appears to me that the changes between the two are mostly cosmetic, in the user storage, and in the e-ink display panel (all worthy updates). If I am correct about the hardware than it seems that this lack of an update was probably more of marketing choice by Sony. Based upon certain offerings hinted at by certain Sony representatives on the front page of the site, they might be reconsidering that choice. I certainly understand why Sony would chose to update the PRS505 first, as it is the current model, but I am rather disappointed that they didn't bother even hinting at an update to the 500 until people became upset. Hopefully the following will help to clarify understanding of the model differences. It is possible that I have made mistakes, and so I am including the sources that I used to make the following comparisons.

---------------------> Microprocessor (Main CPU):

PRS500: i.MXL (MX-1)
Core: ARM920T
Clock Speed: 150Mhz or 200Mhz
Features: Integrated USB, LCD, MMC/SD, Memory Stick, SPI, MMA

PRS505: i.MXL (MX-1)
Core: ARM920T
Clock Speed: 150Mhz or 200Mhz
Features: Integrated USB, LCD, MMC/SD, Memory Stick, SPI, MMA

Analysis: The processors in the 500 and 505 are very similar if not identical.

source 1:http://www.freescale.com/files/32bit.../MC9328MXL.pdf
source 2:https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho...?t=8426&page=3
source 3:http://www.flickr.com/photos/2172951...017270/in/set- 72157603454047408/

---------------------> Microcontroller (Secondary CPU):

PRS500: Renesas H8 38002
RAM:1k
ROM:16k
Package: 64-pin LQFP (FP-64E)
Voltage: 2.7V?
Mask ROM version

PRS505: Renesas H8 38004
RAM:1k
ROM:32k?
Package: 64-pin LQFP(FP-64E)
Voltage: 2.7V
Mask ROM version?

Features: I/O, Timers, A-D, LCD, external interrupt - all identical

Analysis: There are some slight differences in the two processors. The 16KB of extra memory in the PRS505 may allow for some improvement in operation, however I suspect that this processor is being used mostly to control the device in low-power mode (sleep mode, when the screen is off), and to handle some simple device functions such as the buttons.

source 1:http://www.datasheetarchive.com/preview/1539505.html
source 2:https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho...?t=8426&page=3
source 3:http://www.flickr.com/photos/2172951...017270/in/set- 72157603454047408/

---------------------> RAM Memory:

PRS500: 2x 64MB SDRAM (Samsung)

PRS505: 2x 64MB SDRAM (Samsung)

Analysis: These seem to be the same.

(sources are the same as Microprocessor)

---------------------> ROM Memory:

PRS500: 1x 128MB - 64MB for program? (# = Total - Usable)

PRS505: 1x 256MB - 56MB for program? (# = Total - Usable)

Analysis: Although the PRS505 has more user ROM than the 500 it appears to have less program storage. This would mean that if anything the 500 should have more room for programs than the 505. This seems illogical so I would appreciate it if someone with more knowledge about the PRS confirm or deny.

(sources are the same as Microprocessor)

---------------------> Flash ROM:

PRS500:16Mbit (2MB)

PRS505:16Mbit (2MB)

Analysis: Seems to be similar part with similar specs. This memory is for the Bootloader/BIOS, and perhaps the FPGA.

(sources are the same as Microprocessor)

---------------------> FPGA:

PRS500: Actel ProASIC3
Gate Count: ?
RAM: ?

PRS505: Actel ProASIC3
Gate Count: 125k
RAM: 36kb

Analysis: The FPGA is used to control the e-ink panel. It is likely that the same FPGA is used in both devices, however I cannot confirm this from the pictures I have seen. If somebody knows for sure this would be helpful. It is unlikely that a higher gate count on the FPGA would seriously impact performance, although it is totally conceivable that Sony could get better page turn/interface performance by implementing a function in the FPGA instead of in software on the Dragonball MX-1 CPU.

source 1:http://www.embedded.com/underthehood...printable=true
source 2:http://www.flickr.com/photos/2172951...017270/in/set- 72157603454047408/

---------------------> Flash Memory Card Controller:

PRS500: R5C807

PRS505: R5C807

Analysis: This is the same part.

(sources are the same as FPGA)

---------------------> Audio:

Parts seem to be identical.

(sources are the same as FPGA)

Conclusion: Things on the board have been moved around, but major components are very similar. From a hardware standpoint it does not seem that the PRS500 is much different from the PRS505. It isn't uncommon for a manufacturer to switch to a different component that is drop-in compatible (such as the H8 3002-4) if their supplier gives an incentive. I haven't inspected the OS code (I don't speak Japanese), but apparently the Linux Distro's are identical*.

*source: https://www.mobileread.com/forums/showthread.php?t=26905.

08-02-2008, 04:27 AM	#38
fdp Member Posts: 17 Karma: 10 Join Date: Nov 2006 Device: Sony PRS500	Alright, I'm listening to the people who are arguing that the PRS500 is an outdated machine with inferior hardware to the PRS505. It's my viewpoint that nobody gets anywhere in life if they can't try to the see the viewpoint of those who disagree with them, and so I've done a little research. My goal here is to help us all be educated consumers. I haven't had time in the last year or so to keep up with these forums, so I apologize if this is not new. It is my estimation that the semiconductor parts used in the PRS505 are virtually identical to those inside the PRS500 and represent no real difference in capability. I have noticed some board redesign, probably to accommodate the changed form-factor, but it seems to me that there is no reason in the hardware itself that Sony cannot update the PRS500 as they have the 505. This may be shocking to those of you that believe that the PRS505 represents significantly advanced hardware, but it appears to me that the changes between the two are mostly cosmetic, in the user storage, and in the e-ink display panel (all worthy updates). If I am correct about the hardware than it seems that this lack of an update was probably more of marketing choice by Sony. Based upon certain offerings hinted at by certain Sony representatives on the front page of the site, they might be reconsidering that choice. I certainly understand why Sony would chose to update the PRS505 first, as it is the current model, but I am rather disappointed that they didn't bother even hinting at an update to the 500 until people became upset. Hopefully the following will help to clarify understanding of the model differences. It is possible that I have made mistakes, and so I am including the sources that I used to make the following comparisons. ---------------------> Microprocessor (Main CPU): PRS500: i.MXL (MX-1) Core: ARM920T Clock Speed: 150Mhz or 200Mhz Features: Integrated USB, LCD, MMC/SD, Memory Stick, SPI, MMA PRS505: i.MXL (MX-1) Core: ARM920T Clock Speed: 150Mhz or 200Mhz Features: Integrated USB, LCD, MMC/SD, Memory Stick, SPI, MMA Analysis: The processors in the 500 and 505 are very similar if not identical. source 1:http://www.freescale.com/files/32bit.../MC9328MXL.pdf source 2:https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho...?t=8426&page=3 source 3:http://www.flickr.com/photos/2172951...017270/in/set- 72157603454047408/ ---------------------> Microcontroller (Secondary CPU): PRS500: Renesas H8 38002 RAM:1k ROM:16k Package: 64-pin LQFP (FP-64E) Voltage: 2.7V? Mask ROM version PRS505: Renesas H8 38004 RAM:1k ROM:32k? Package: 64-pin LQFP(FP-64E) Voltage: 2.7V Mask ROM version? Features: I/O, Timers, A-D, LCD, external interrupt - all identical Analysis: There are some slight differences in the two processors. The 16KB of extra memory in the PRS505 may allow for some improvement in operation, however I suspect that this processor is being used mostly to control the device in low-power mode (sleep mode, when the screen is off), and to handle some simple device functions such as the buttons. source 1:http://www.datasheetarchive.com/preview/1539505.html source 2:https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho...?t=8426&page=3 source 3:http://www.flickr.com/photos/2172951...017270/in/set- 72157603454047408/ ---------------------> RAM Memory: PRS500: 2x 64MB SDRAM (Samsung) PRS505: 2x 64MB SDRAM (Samsung) Analysis: These seem to be the same. (sources are the same as Microprocessor) ---------------------> ROM Memory: PRS500: 1x 128MB - 64MB for program? (# = Total - Usable) PRS505: 1x 256MB - 56MB for program? (# = Total - Usable) Analysis: Although the PRS505 has more user ROM than the 500 it appears to have less program storage. This would mean that if anything the 500 should have more room for programs than the 505. This seems illogical so I would appreciate it if someone with more knowledge about the PRS confirm or deny. (sources are the same as Microprocessor) ---------------------> Flash ROM: PRS500:16Mbit (2MB) PRS505:16Mbit (2MB) Analysis: Seems to be similar part with similar specs. This memory is for the Bootloader/BIOS, and perhaps the FPGA. (sources are the same as Microprocessor) ---------------------> FPGA: PRS500: Actel ProASIC3 Gate Count: ? RAM: ? PRS505: Actel ProASIC3 Gate Count: 125k RAM: 36kb Analysis: The FPGA is used to control the e-ink panel. It is likely that the same FPGA is used in both devices, however I cannot confirm this from the pictures I have seen. If somebody knows for sure this would be helpful. It is unlikely that a higher gate count on the FPGA would seriously impact performance, although it is totally conceivable that Sony could get better page turn/interface performance by implementing a function in the FPGA instead of in software on the Dragonball MX-1 CPU. source 1:http://www.embedded.com/underthehood...printable=true source 2:http://www.flickr.com/photos/2172951...017270/in/set- 72157603454047408/ ---------------------> Flash Memory Card Controller: PRS500: R5C807 PRS505: R5C807 Analysis: This is the same part. (sources are the same as FPGA) ---------------------> Audio: Parts seem to be identical. (sources are the same as FPGA) Conclusion: Things on the board have been moved around, but major components are very similar. From a hardware standpoint it does not seem that the PRS500 is much different from the PRS505. It isn't uncommon for a manufacturer to switch to a different component that is drop-in compatible (such as the H8 3002-4) if their supplier gives an incentive. I haven't inspected the OS code (I don't speak Japanese), but apparently the Linux Distro's are identical. source: https://www.mobileread.com/forums/showthread.php?t=26905.