SCPH-50004 forms part of the PlayStation 2 SCPH-50000 series introduced in 2003. Sony revised the hardware while retaining compatibility with PlayStation 2 games on DVD-ROM and CD-ROM and with much of the original PlayStation catalogue. Changes in this family included quieter operation, a built-in infrared receiver for the DVD remote control and removal of the i.LINK port found on earlier models. The 004 suffix corresponds to a continental European PAL variant. It retains the large-format design that preceded the later PS2 Slim.