The PSP Thread

[Reggie]

Who is going to get one and why?

[ucfgrad93]

Not me. I don't want to have to carry around another device. If I want to play a game or two, I'll just fire up my T|3 and play some Zuma or backgammon.

[Homie S]

Well with some christmas cash leftover, I think I will go for one. I've been reading up on it, and it looks fantastic. If you guys have a chance to browse some in game movies, I suggest you do, I was tottally taken back by how awesome it looks in game (EA games already has 6 titles lined up for it's US release, and they say all will run at a fluid 30fps). I think I will just buy the unit, nothing else, I read on ign that the package deal that comes with a small MS and like a case and headphones is not worth the cash. So count me in.

[JackAxe]

I'm not a fan of Sony's proprietary techs(MS, UMD, ATTRAC) and the 2 hour battery life for most game makes it unrealistic as a portable. And then there's that ejecting disc problem that either occurs on it's own or if the unit is twisted by accident.

I'll wait for a "rev 2" PSP and then think about it. The only thing I find appealing about it right now is it's design.

<]=)

[LupeValenz]

Knowing me and my love of gadgets, if I'm around one, I'll be tempted to buy it. Since most of my stuff is sony, i have plenty of MS's so that is no worry for me. I just can't wait to be around one to test it out.

[JackAxe]

I have that purchase on the spot weekness too, only age and being married has helped me to battle it. But a few years back I would've bought all 3 game systems, the DS, the PSP and probalby own about 10 PDAs now. :)

I checked out he PSP at E3, it wasn't enough to make me really really want one. Tis also why I'm waiting for a few. If it's like the PS2, it will have many years of life, so buying in later won't bother me, but I'm still on the fence.

I'm the proud owner of only 2 MS sticks and it's all I'll ever need. Since I got my iPod the other year, I have not needed any more then that.

<]=)

[Homie S]

I'm not a fan of Sony's proprietary techs(MS, UMD, ATTRAC) and the 2 hour battery life for most game makes it unrealistic as a portable. And then there's that ejecting disc problem that either occurs on it's own or if the unit is twisted by accident.


What's your source?

[JackAxe]

It's been on Slashdot and all over web, plus my friend is a manager at GameCrazy and goes to all the game conventions, so I get quite a bit of info from him.

The battery life was mentioned at E3 and Sony's official comment is that depending on the game, depends on the life. But for the heavy hitters, 2 hours is pretty much it.

Here's just a couple of links;
http://www.gamesarefun.com/news.php?newsid=4010
http://engadget.com/entry/7043728849548149/


<]=)

[ucfgrad93]

I have that purchase on the spot weekness too, only age and being married has helped me to battle it.

I have that same weakness, and marriage and children are most definately a cure.

[JackAxe]

I would be in the poor house if it weren't for the weef and her stable heed. :)

<]=)

[Homie S]

It's been on Slashdot and all over web, plus my friend is a manager at GameCrazy and goes to all the game conventions, so I get quite a bit of info from him.

The battery life was mentioned at E3 and Sony's official comment is that depending on the game, depends on the life. But for the heavy hitters, 2 hours is pretty much it.




Meh. I asked because IGN's battery journal told kind of a different story.
http://psp.ign.com/articles/574/574557p1.html

Who knows though. It also sounds like those minor errors with the UMD popping is minor and can be fixed easily, if what they assume is the problem turns out to be so. When it comes stateside, I think it will work out. In the end, it sounds like I'll have to buy another battery back for serious on the go gaming.

There is also rumor of a beta firmware revamp that includes voice chat, email software, internet browser, and other stuff. No word on if it's true, but with built in wifi, I don't see why not.

[JackAxe]

Someone could write e-mail software for the PSP. I've already heard from my friend that one is in the works for the DS. But this is not why I buy portable game machines, so I will be avoiding those options.

IGN got an astounding 2:46 minutes with Wi-fi play. :)

Here's an interview with Sony about it;
http://www.gamespot.com/news/2004/12/12/news_6114909.htmlf

"Ridge Racers seems to last somewhere between 90 minutes and three hours."

90 minutes would really suck. My Powerbook with a 15" screen, wi-fi and and the workings of a real computer gets just over 3 hours with heavy use. I get about 5 on conserve mode. Sony really needs to rethink this battery thing. But my hats off to them for getting the price down from over $400.

That article has something new that I didn't even think of, " Slow Load times."

Hopefully the American release resolves theses issues. Apple more then doubled doubled the iPod's battery life by using a different way of managing it's power.

<]=)

[Homie S]

Someone could write e-mail software for the PSP. I've already heard from my friend that one is in the works for the DS. But this is not why I buy portable game machines, so I will be avoiding those options.

IGN got an astounding 2:46 minutes with Wi-fi play. :)

Yes, it also got rated around 5 hours with heavy UMD use and about 3 hours trying to squeeze as much performance out of it as they could. Average? 4 hours.

Here's an interview with Sony about it;
http://www.gamespot.com/news/2004/12/12/news_6114909.htmlf

"Ridge Racers seems to last somewhere between 90 minutes and three hours."

90 minutes would really suck. My Powerbook with a 15" screen, wi-fi and and the workings of a real computer gets just over 3 hours with heavy use. I get about 5 on conserve mode. Sony really needs to rethink this battery thing. But my hats off to them for getting the price down from over $400.


Indeed, I'd like to know what kind of tests they did and compare them to IGN's findings. Because, as you probably noticed with the IGN's tests, they used the same game, and seem to have some sort of different numbers. However, without explanation, I'm not so sure I'd trust their statement. And I'd be willing to bet that there is no way that the PSP with Ridge Racer would last at best 90 minutes.

Also, I don't think it's fair to compare the PSP to an apple powerbook. Apples to oranges, if you'll pardon the pun.



That article has something new that I didn't even think of, " Slow Load times."

Hopefully the American release resolves theses issues. Apple more then doubled doubled the iPod's battery life by using a different way of managing it's power.

Now here is where things get troubling. I have read that it can take up to 8 seconds to load from the MS, and 25 seconds to load from the UMD. That is lame. Also, it looks like the games are going to be region locked; Japan's titles seem to have a lock on them, who knows about american titles.

Some good things are coming through for us clie users who might have memory sticks already. You'll be able to watch movies on the PSP through MS, and it supports MPEG-4 movies. There's already software with the PSP that converts it apparently.

Here is a port for Tony Hawk's series. It just looks INCREDIBLE.
http://www.gametrailers.com/player.php?id=4328&type=mov

And here is an awesome article about voice chat and translators that are in the process of being put together for the PSP
http://www.gamesindustry.biz/content_page.php?section_name=new&aid=3776

I think there is going to be some awesome things in store for this new handheld.

[Homie S]

Pictures you say?

Linked cause I broke tables
http://homies.go-dedicated.com/Images/psp-close-up-20041215072938465.jpg


Shawn of the Dead playing on the PSP
http://homies.go-dedicated.com/Images/shaunpsp.jpg

And just cause I know someone around here has a DS (TEEHEE!!)
http://homies.go-dedicated.com/Images/pspwned3wr.jpg

[the_pixelator]

I get 6 solid hours playing Ridge Racers on full brightness. Any talk of 1-3 hours out of the PSP playing *any* of the current games is malarky spread by people who don't own the device and are just quoting old rumors from before the release.

Movie watching, I get 3+ hours, which is streaming from Memory Stick.

Load times have also been grossly exaggerated. The only game thus far that I've even been remotely annoyed by has been Darkstalkers/Vampire Chronicle. It does take into the 20-ish seconds to load and streams too much during attract mode (hence IGN's use of it to 'hard test' the battery life). But between levels, it's not a big deal. Ridge Racers load times aren't bad at all.

[the_pixelator]

This is a funny... After writing 'malarky' in that post, I clicked on the 'arcade' link above and got a high score from username Malarky. I almost never use 'malarky' in a sentence and was thinking about that when I saw it come up again as a username.

Creepy.

[JackAxe]

My friend was telling me about that picture the other day. The DS sure is butt ugly next to a PSP, but that's not why I bought one. :D Currently there are more DS's then PSPs, so that picture should to be flipped, but will see how things turn out in a few months when Sony ships more units. :)

It think it's a fair comparison since I can play two DVDs on my Powerbook back to back. :p I'm just commenting on the fact that my full fledged computer with a 15" screen has a more reliable power cosumption then a small portable game machine with a 4.3" screen. They do both have Wi-Fi. :) But yes, they are a completely different beast.

I added an "f" to the end of HTML link above by accident. :o

The video part is nice. I read that it supports 30fps. This is a nice change from Sony's usually 15fps video route. I like this about the PSP.

I'm personaly not a 3D fan boy, so the prospect of owning a portable that plays PS2 type games isn't on the top of my list. If the DS didn't play GBA games, I wouldn't have bought one until Zelda was released for it and even then It would probably have been a few. But I'm not going to count out the PSP until I can see one again at my friend's store.

<]=)

[JackAxe]

I get 6 solid hours playing Ridge Racers on full brightness. Any talk of 1-3 hours out of the PSP playing *any* of the current games is malarky spread by people who don't own the device and are just quoting old rumors from before the release.

Movie watching, I get 3+ hours, which is streaming from Memory Stick.

Load times have also been grossly exaggerated. The only game thus far that I've even been remotely annoyed by has been Darkstalkers/Vampire Chronicle. It does take into the 20-ish seconds to load and streams too much during attract mode (hence IGN's use of it to 'hard test' the battery life). But between levels, it's not a big deal. Ridge Racers load times aren't bad at all.


Sony Computer Entertainment’s Ken Kutaragi was the original source about the 2 hour battery life. :) IGN only got 2:46 minutes with RR and Wi-Fi play.

Good to hear about the video. Can you use other MPEG 4 encoders or just Sonys? And is the compression good enough to fit a full length movie at 30 fps on one stick, wether it be a 1G or 2G?

<]=)

[Smiling Fish]

I have a Nintendo DS, and will probably get a PSP, if only just to have one. I own all three home gaming systems.

[Homie S]

A couple interesting things have happened.

First, iPSP has been released. It looks pretty cool, check it out.
http://kaisakura.com/iPSP/index.html


Introducing iPSP, the intelligent Picture and Sound Pusher!

Simply put, iPSP is a complete, full-featured PSP management tool for MacOS X with the following features:

* Automatic Game Save Backup
* iTunes Playlist integration, supports Smart Playlists
* iPhoto Album integration, supports Smart Albums
* Multiformat queue-based video converter with multiproccessor support
* Automated "no hands" operation
* Simple options
* Requires no drivers or extensions
* Extensive help via standard MacOS X Help Center
* Works in English and Japanese

How Simple is it, really?

Really, really simple and easy. When iPSP is running, if a PSP is plugged in* to your Mac, it automatically backs up your PSP Saved Game data into well organized Date Stamped folders in your Library folder.

For music and photos, iPSP works with apps you already know, iTunes and iPhoto. Simply make a Playlist in iTunes named PSP Playlist, and a Photo Album in iPhoto named PSP Album. Add the .mp3 and .m4a music, and Photos and pictures from iTunes and iPhoto respectively that you want to play and view on your PSP...and you're done!

When you plug in* your PSP, iPSP will automatically copy your seections to your PSP converting and optimizing as needed on the fly. It requires no settings or interaction from you...it Just Works.

What about video?

Video, unlike audio and photos can take a long time to proccess. With iPSP, you can put the video you'd like to view on your PSP into a conversion queue, specify all the options you'd like for each clip, and run them all. iPSP lets you know when they are ready to go!

iPSP can make PSP-ready .MP4 video clips from the following formats:

* MPEG files - .mpg extension
* Video for Windows files - .avi extension
* QuickTime Files - .mov extension
* Windows Media files - .wmv extension
* DVD Video Object files - .vob extension
* Digital Video files - .dv extension


Also, a couple of websites (including slashdot japan) have reported somebody came upon that new firmware release that I mentioned earlier, only it it was fake!

http://game.memopad.jp/special/psp/update/?scid=1
Has pictures of the guy trying to pop it in his new PSP, but it's a no go.

http://forums.ps2dev.org/viewtopic.php?t=908
has the explanation on the dummy firmware upgrade. (in english)

So real quick:
1. Someone finds out the URL for PSP firmware
2. Someone does some sniffing around, finds a 10MB dummy PSP firmware file
3. Gets excited
4. Sees a list of features on the "upgrade list" before installing firmware file
5. Is disappointed when they realize they can't install dummy firmware.

[JackAxe]

:eek: iPSP. HOLY CRAP!!! :D I wasn't that excited about having to use my PC to transfer videos when all my pro video encoders are on the Mac. This makes the PSP way more appealing now. :)

Tx Homie. :)

<]=)

[Tam Hanna]

Oh damn...
No touchscreen=No Buy for me!

[JackAxe]

Then you should look into a Nintendo DS. (http://www.nintendo.com/overviewds) :)

<]=)

[Homie S]

Or possibly a Sony Clie.


OH WAI

[JackAxe]

Even if he has a Tungsten or Zire. ;) You're just jelous because the PSP doesn't have feelings like the DS. :p

<]=)

[Homie S]

Somehow I highly doubt anyone will care.

[JackAxe]

Only about 3 million peeps last time I checked.

<]=)

[Homie S]

No, I don't think anyone will care about the 'feelings' you speak of. I am almost certain neither system has feelings.

[JackAxe]

Nothing like being able to touch your game-system and have it respond. :)

Are you sure you wouldn't be intersted in a game like this. (http://ds.ign.com/articles/567/567360p1.html) :D

<]=)

[Homie S]

Funny, I touch my PS2 power button and it responds too.

Gran Turismo 4 mobile and Metal Gear Acid are so far the titles I'm looking forward to for the PSP.

[JackAxe]

Buttons don't count. ;) Being able to use the screen like a mouse has really made aiming in Metroid great. Thumb aiming is one of the reasons Halo's not on my favorite list.

GT looks great on the PSP, never played Metal Gear, but I've only heard good things about it.

<]=)

[Reggie]

I just talked to an eBayer I met at the UPS Store a few days ago, selling PSP Value packs -- he has two in stock! I'll get one tomorrow. I can't wait!

[JackAxe]

Lucky. :)

<]=)

[Homie S]

I just talked to an eBayer I met at the UPS Store a few days ago, selling PSP Value packs -- he has two in stock! I'll get one tomorrow. I can't wait!

I also read on IGN that you're not getting your money's worth with the extras; the only useful things are the case and maybe the MS stick (if you need it, I wouldn't think the co-creator of a sony clie website would). But hey, more power to you, see if you can get pictures!

Oh yea, I know this is kind of unrelated, but GT4 for PS2 supports 1080i resolution. I. Am. Speechless.

[Reggie]

Just got it last night! Ridge Racer looks great!

Pictures soon. :)

[JackAxe]

Cool. How are the controsl? :)

<]=)

[Reggie]

It's been a while since I last held my PS2 controller... the PSP controls feels the same. :)

One comment though, why didn't sony include a touch screen! It has wifi but hiw am I suppose to browse with it? Where's that link of a keyboard addon, anyone? Anyone know of a browser and email client for the PSP? :D

[SamuraiCatJB]

stare at it REAAAAAAALLLLL hard, and think of 1src.com.... :)

[Homie S]

I've seen a pic of a prototype keyboard, it hooks onto the top. I think it looks hokey and I don't think the wifi will be useful without a touchscreen (besides multiplayer games).

Post pics too, I'd love to see it.

[JackAxe]

I saw the keyboard at E3.

<]=)

[JackAxe]

Here's a Link. (http://www.gizmodo.com/archives/e3-sony-psp-keyboard-016141.php)

<]=)

[Ezikial Anta]

I'm not a fan of Sony's proprietary techs (MS, UMD, ATTRAC)

Thank you for saying it for me.

[JackAxe]

Anytime. :)

<]=)

[JackAxe]

This is both very very very sad and funy at the same time. :D

<]=)

http://www.bainne.com/fun/psp/05.jpg
http://www.bainne.com/fun/psp/06.jpg

[Homie S]

Yay for money down the drain! I hope that was an accident. Sucks for him if it wasn't.

[JackAxe]

I couldn't find the video, but he and his friends went out on his birthday and deliberately destroyed it.

http://www.kotaku.com/gaming/only-in-japan/psp/video-of-psp-getting-destroyed-029671.php

<]=)

[Homie S]

Should've saved their money for some DS games if they hated it that much. Meh, boys will be boys.

[Ezikial Anta]

hahahaha... owned...

[Reggie]

You should all see how the video is in the PSP. It's crisp! I haven't tried converting movies yet though to MP4 format.

Some have reported that an update gives it a word processor and spreadsheet program. I thin this is the next Communication, Link, Information and Entertainment (CLIE). ;)

As for comparing it to the DS, well, DS is a gaming device. The PSP is a multimedia device.

Btw, today's news say that Sony is thinking to make the UMD open.

Start saving for it!

[Homie S]

Start saving for it!

One step ahead of you (anyone want to buy an airsoft AEG in excellent condition?)


The games are region locked, are they not?

[Reggie]

From what I know, games are not locked, only movies -- that is if you'll buy UMD movies.

[Homie S]

Interesting. I read somewhere that they were, I'll snoop around for the article.

[RMCF]

The word on the street is that the games are NOT locked.
If Sony do indeed open up the UMD, then amazing news!

[Ezikial Anta]

No, the UMD cannot be written to. Only Sony will be able to create UMD media -- the company has no plans to make external UMD writers devices, and even third-party publishers will not be able to create their own discs without Sony's ability to press the data to UMD.

[Ezikial Anta]

Taken from IGN quoting sony or something too lazy too open a new IE page -_-

[Homie S]

Check the back of a ridge racer game, it says locked game in the corner. What's wierd is that RR seems to be the only game with that printed on it.