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Updated: 6th October 05
To save those of you who are new to Sony’s shiny black wonder machine all the hassle, I've created an essential guide. It may need more adding to it, so feel free to suggest stuff (or suggest how crap it is!), but here goes:
PSP Essential Guide
1.0 Firmware
This is the operating software for the PSP. As Sony release new firmware this can be downloaded from the net (and eventually from the PSP itself) giving you extra functions.
To find out what firmware version your PSP is. To do this, turn on your PSP, go to Settings > System Settings > System Information and click "X". A message should appear with "System Software Version" 1.0, 1.5, 1.51, 1.52 or 2.0.
Firmware 2.0 is what you will be using if you bought a UK PSP. Version 2.0 is an important update as it adds a full web browser and ATRAC music support for larger Memory Stick Pros (there are problems getting Atrac format music files to play on 512mb and 1gig Memory Sticks) as well as the ability to make wallpapers from your photos. It also supports a new codec (AVC video codec).
2.0 Emulators and ‘homebrew’ software.
Many people are writing emulators to let you play other console games on your PSP. Current ones include Megadrive, Atari ST, SNES and even Gameboy Advance. The emulators themselves are legal but the legality of any games you download is questionable.
If your PSP is firmware version 1.0 or 1.5, you can run homebrew games, emulators, and applications. If your PSP is firmware version 1.51, 1.52 or 2.0, you cannot run any homebrew software at present. Programmers are currently trying to get around the later firmware security.
Update: There is now a hack which you can download to change your PSP back to 1.5 Firmware in order to play these homebrew applications. Many people have tried it already with success, but there is always the danger you could corrupt the software and break the PSP. If you do use this, you can also download a neat little program that fools any games into thinking your firmware is up-to-date. This is needed due to some games (Virtua Tennis and Wipeout pure are 2 of them) needing a higher firmware version.
3.0 Putting Music on to your PSP.
Most PSP owners will want to have some music files on their PSP. Although the machine is no Ipod beater, it does a good job of storing and playing music.
Firstly, the music needs to be either MP3 or ATRAC3plus. ATRAC3plus Sony’s own format and is about half the size of an MP3 for the same quality.
To convert to ATRAC3 or simply just rip a CD to MP3 you can use many programs. Sony have their Sonicstage software, which is pretty simple to use, but more experienced computer users might find it too basic.
To download to your PSP, connect a PSP link cable to your USB port and to the PSP. In the PSP menu, choose USB mode. Find the drive that pops up on your PC and make sure there is a folder called Music inside. If not, create one.
You can drag your MP3 files into this or into separate folders to create albums and then create a playlist to determine the order of the tracks.
4.0 Regions
A PSP from any country can play games from any country. However, a PSP can only play UMD films from its own region (eg Asian PSP can only play Asian UMD films) This is important to remember when you buy a PSP on import. Some recent films (most notably the free Spiderman 2 UMD given away by Sony) seem to be region free, playable in any PSP.
5.0 Copying movies
Movies and video can be played on the PSP, but they need to be in MP4 format. One of the best (free) tools for this is psp video 9 (from www.pspvideo9.com). Once converted DO NOT change the name of the file.
To upload this to the PSP: connect the USB link lead to the PC and PSP. Again, go to Settings and USB Connection to put the PSP into USB mode. Open the drive on your PC.
Create a folder inside the drive called "MP_ROOT", Create it on the root folder only. Inside that folder, create the folder, "100MNV01".
Move your movies to this folder, then choose ‘Eject’ to close the connection between the PSP and the PC.
6.0 memory Sticks
You can use any Memory Stick DUO, but not old style Memory Sticks. These come in 32mb to 2gb varieties. If you can afford it, it’s best to get a 1gb or more, as this will fit much more on. The 32mb one which comes with the machine is far too small for movie files and will only fit 1 album of music at low quality, alongside your game saves.
To save those of you who are new to Sony’s shiny black wonder machine all the hassle, I've created an essential guide. It may need more adding to it, so feel free to suggest stuff (or suggest how crap it is!), but here goes:
PSP Essential Guide
1.0 Firmware
This is the operating software for the PSP. As Sony release new firmware this can be downloaded from the net (and eventually from the PSP itself) giving you extra functions.
To find out what firmware version your PSP is. To do this, turn on your PSP, go to Settings > System Settings > System Information and click "X". A message should appear with "System Software Version" 1.0, 1.5, 1.51, 1.52 or 2.0.
Firmware 2.0 is what you will be using if you bought a UK PSP. Version 2.0 is an important update as it adds a full web browser and ATRAC music support for larger Memory Stick Pros (there are problems getting Atrac format music files to play on 512mb and 1gig Memory Sticks) as well as the ability to make wallpapers from your photos. It also supports a new codec (AVC video codec).
2.0 Emulators and ‘homebrew’ software.
Many people are writing emulators to let you play other console games on your PSP. Current ones include Megadrive, Atari ST, SNES and even Gameboy Advance. The emulators themselves are legal but the legality of any games you download is questionable.
If your PSP is firmware version 1.0 or 1.5, you can run homebrew games, emulators, and applications. If your PSP is firmware version 1.51, 1.52 or 2.0, you cannot run any homebrew software at present. Programmers are currently trying to get around the later firmware security.
Update: There is now a hack which you can download to change your PSP back to 1.5 Firmware in order to play these homebrew applications. Many people have tried it already with success, but there is always the danger you could corrupt the software and break the PSP. If you do use this, you can also download a neat little program that fools any games into thinking your firmware is up-to-date. This is needed due to some games (Virtua Tennis and Wipeout pure are 2 of them) needing a higher firmware version.
3.0 Putting Music on to your PSP.
Most PSP owners will want to have some music files on their PSP. Although the machine is no Ipod beater, it does a good job of storing and playing music.
Firstly, the music needs to be either MP3 or ATRAC3plus. ATRAC3plus Sony’s own format and is about half the size of an MP3 for the same quality.
To convert to ATRAC3 or simply just rip a CD to MP3 you can use many programs. Sony have their Sonicstage software, which is pretty simple to use, but more experienced computer users might find it too basic.
To download to your PSP, connect a PSP link cable to your USB port and to the PSP. In the PSP menu, choose USB mode. Find the drive that pops up on your PC and make sure there is a folder called Music inside. If not, create one.
You can drag your MP3 files into this or into separate folders to create albums and then create a playlist to determine the order of the tracks.
4.0 Regions
A PSP from any country can play games from any country. However, a PSP can only play UMD films from its own region (eg Asian PSP can only play Asian UMD films) This is important to remember when you buy a PSP on import. Some recent films (most notably the free Spiderman 2 UMD given away by Sony) seem to be region free, playable in any PSP.
5.0 Copying movies
Movies and video can be played on the PSP, but they need to be in MP4 format. One of the best (free) tools for this is psp video 9 (from www.pspvideo9.com). Once converted DO NOT change the name of the file.
To upload this to the PSP: connect the USB link lead to the PC and PSP. Again, go to Settings and USB Connection to put the PSP into USB mode. Open the drive on your PC.
Create a folder inside the drive called "MP_ROOT", Create it on the root folder only. Inside that folder, create the folder, "100MNV01".
Move your movies to this folder, then choose ‘Eject’ to close the connection between the PSP and the PC.
6.0 memory Sticks
You can use any Memory Stick DUO, but not old style Memory Sticks. These come in 32mb to 2gb varieties. If you can afford it, it’s best to get a 1gb or more, as this will fit much more on. The 32mb one which comes with the machine is far too small for movie files and will only fit 1 album of music at low quality, alongside your game saves.
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Oh momma.
Either way, I look forward to kicking all your asses on Pro Evo when it comes out... if its online and all that malarky.
Now, im off to play NBA. I hope all you non-PSP owners are outrageously jealous.
:)
Either way, I look forward to kicking all your asses on Pro Evo when it comes out... if its online and all that malarky.
Now, im off to play NBA. I hope all you non-PSP owners are outrageously jealous.
:)
Give time before jumping in like a nerd, and read the post below.
Now you grow up.
:P
Now you grow up.
:P
kugkv wrote:
> Its a suggestion, now calm down dear... its only a chat forum.
Exactly ;).
So if you have one, and know his stuff is right, there's no problem and even less need for your post telling him he should have waited until he owned one ;).
> Its a suggestion, now calm down dear... its only a chat forum.
Exactly ;).
So if you have one, and know his stuff is right, there's no problem and even less need for your post telling him he should have waited until he owned one ;).
kugkv wrote:
> pb wrote:
>
> Why?
>
> -------
>
> Nobody likes a know-it-all, especially one that 'knows it all' about
> something they dont have yet. Sure, you might have played one and
> read loads of stuff off websites but yeah, anyone could do that, some
> info could be wrong, and the fact you said you dont have one yourself
> might make people skeptical about it.
So he's a know it all for knowing some basic facts about a PSP? He's only trying to help people out and you are just being a moron. So if someone doesn't have something they don't have the right to talk about it or be entitled to talk about it? And yeah anyone could do it but I don't see you posting anything useful. Grow up.
> pb wrote:
>
> Why?
>
> -------
>
> Nobody likes a know-it-all, especially one that 'knows it all' about
> something they dont have yet. Sure, you might have played one and
> read loads of stuff off websites but yeah, anyone could do that, some
> info could be wrong, and the fact you said you dont have one yourself
> might make people skeptical about it.
So he's a know it all for knowing some basic facts about a PSP? He's only trying to help people out and you are just being a moron. So if someone doesn't have something they don't have the right to talk about it or be entitled to talk about it? And yeah anyone could do it but I don't see you posting anything useful. Grow up.
Theres nothing about me to be skeptical about...
And im not 'moaning' im just saying, people reading this may question his info if he hasnt got one himself. I would have if I hadnt got my PSP yet. Did I say any of his info was wrong? No, but I think itd be wise for him to say where he got his info from.
Its a suggestion, now calm down dear... its only a chat forum.
And im not 'moaning' im just saying, people reading this may question his info if he hasnt got one himself. I would have if I hadnt got my PSP yet. Did I say any of his info was wrong? No, but I think itd be wise for him to say where he got his info from.
Its a suggestion, now calm down dear... its only a chat forum.
[URL]http://psp.ign.com/articles/637/637459p1.html[/URL]
Much more useful info on AVC than I could give you, with some comparative video clips :).
Much more useful info on AVC than I could give you, with some comparative video clips :).
kugkv wrote:
> pb wrote:
>
> Why?
>
> -------
>
> Nobody likes a know-it-all, especially one that 'knows it all' about
> something they dont have yet. Sure, you might have played one and
> read loads of stuff off websites but yeah, anyone could do that, some
> info could be wrong, and the fact you said you dont have one yourself
> might make people skeptical about it.
I'm skeptical of you, I've got one, pBs stuff is right and you're moaning for nothing, if you don't want to read it, don't, everyone else can mak eup their own minds ;).
> pb wrote:
>
> Why?
>
> -------
>
> Nobody likes a know-it-all, especially one that 'knows it all' about
> something they dont have yet. Sure, you might have played one and
> read loads of stuff off websites but yeah, anyone could do that, some
> info could be wrong, and the fact you said you dont have one yourself
> might make people skeptical about it.
I'm skeptical of you, I've got one, pBs stuff is right and you're moaning for nothing, if you don't want to read it, don't, everyone else can mak eup their own minds ;).
pb wrote:
> Why?
-------
Nobody likes a know-it-all, especially one that 'knows it all' about something they dont have yet. Sure, you might have played one and read loads of stuff off websites but yeah, anyone could do that, some info could be wrong, and the fact you said you dont have one yourself might make people skeptical about it.
> Why?
-------
Nobody likes a know-it-all, especially one that 'knows it all' about something they dont have yet. Sure, you might have played one and read loads of stuff off websites but yeah, anyone could do that, some info could be wrong, and the fact you said you dont have one yourself might make people skeptical about it.
Bonus wrote:
> The AVC video codec was added by firmware 2.0 too, and the new
> version of pspvideo9 supports this :).
What is an AVC video codec? What does it do?
> The AVC video codec was added by firmware 2.0 too, and the new
> version of pspvideo9 supports this :).
What is an AVC video codec? What does it do?
I'm not quite sure he thinks you should either :).
The AVC video codec was added by firmware 2.0 too, and the new version of pspvideo9 supports this :).
The AVC video codec was added by firmware 2.0 too, and the new version of pspvideo9 supports this :).
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