My PSP impressions.

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BenSkywalker

Diamond Member
Oct 9, 1999
9,140
67
91
If PSP came with 20gig microdrive like the iPod

The reason I wanted a PSP to start with over an iPod was because it didn't have a micro-drive. I bought it as a MP3 player- turns out it is a pretty d@mn good gaming machine and I'm shocked how good it is at video playback.

BTW- for the graphics are between PS1 and PS2 comment- check out RidgeRacer- this can push almost identical visuals to the PS2(not quite- but it is hair splitting differences) but unfortunately that comes at the expense of battery life.
 

Seeruk

Senior member
Nov 16, 2003
986
0
0
Sh1tty royal mail have deliverd mine imported from Hong Kong twice while I was out working grrrr...

Heres hoping they actually deliver to my neighbour as requested today!!! :D
 

Fingolfin269

Lifer
Feb 28, 2003
17,948
34
91
$250 for this thing is not a value to me. Note, I said 'to me'. I would use this as a portable game device meaning that I would use it as a means to pass time on a trip of some sort. Why would I want to game on a PSP in my house when I can just fire up my Xbox?

The games are too expensive based on how often the average person would play a portable game system, the average person is not going to replace movies they own on DVD with a UMD version, and the average person is not going to take a PSP with them when they go to the gym and want some music to work out to. So, where does that leave the average person in terms of everything the system has to offer?
 

Seeruk

Senior member
Nov 16, 2003
986
0
0
Got mine at last despite the obstinance of our beloved royal mail.

I have to say everything people say about the screen is true. It really is top notch. I have only Ridge Racers atm and thats a bit dumbed down for my liking but still provides me with a decent overview of what a 1st gen game can do on this lovely piece of kit. But just as good as the screen is the sound. You don't really appreciate it as much throught the speakers, but wow I was playing some MP3's and listening through the headphones and it really is crystal clear sound and without any distortion. They sound better on the PSP than on my PC with its £100 sound card and 7.1 speakers! My only gripe is the lack of internal storage... with just a hard drive of a few gigs (like 6 or 10gb?) this would be a perfect piece of kit but I am baling at paying £100+ for a tiny amount of storage in the form of a 1gb mem stick, which isnt an unreasonable amount of space for a bunch of mp3's and maybe a movie for my travels.
I doubt I will use the PSP all the time, but I travel pretty frequently with work and whereas I usually take my laptop just to have a few games and tunes to play in a lonely hotel somewhere, this is the perfect pocket sized tonic :)
Can't wait till some more games come out (well in fact ANY games in the UK - I have to import from Hong Kong atm) and the launch titles are all rehashes of existing titles (the usual EA Sports range, Metal Gear Solid and Wipeout seem to be the limits atm!) but there is no doubting its a beautifully designed gadget with wireless internet gaming a real nice touch.
 

BenSkywalker

Diamond Member
Oct 9, 1999
9,140
67
91
You don't really appreciate it as much throught the speakers, but wow I was playing some MP3's and listening through the headphones

What headphones are you using with your PSP?
 

Mareg

Member
Jul 24, 2004
170
0
0
Since we are in the subject of buying a PSP, here is the only reason why I didn't bought one yet :

There is a serious rumor (I can't post links cause its blocked at work) that the PSP performances are internally capped at 66% of normal capabilities for batterie's life sake.
The problem seems to be with the processing transistor being too large at the moment and that Sony will eventually get its factory to make a smaller transistor. There would be then a PSP v.2 that would be fully powered. Those that would've bought the first batch would not be able to play newer games without an add-on that would give more battery life and unlock the first generation PSP real power.

I know I saw some executive papers posted on forums an this is why I'm totally freaked about buying this first batch.

Please, anyone clear my fears with cold facts !
 
Oct 19, 2000
17,860
4
81
Originally posted by: Mareg
Since we are in the subject of buying a PSP, here is the only reason why I didn't bought one yet :

There is a serious rumor (I can't post links cause its blocked at work) that the PSP performances are internally capped at 66% of normal capabilities for batterie's life sake.
The problem seems to be with the processing transistor being too large at the moment and that Sony will eventually get its factory to make a smaller transistor. There would be then a PSP v.2 that would be fully powered. Those that would've bought the first batch would not be able to play newer games without an add-on that would give more battery life and unlock the first generation PSP real power.

I know I saw some executive papers posted on forums an this is why I'm totally freaked about buying this first batch.

Please, anyone clear my fears with cold facts !
That's really interesting. I'd like to see that link, although I've yet to hear this at all. Even though I'm an early adopter, if the PSP is capable of more, do it. Hell, this thing is powerful enough, I wouldn't mind taking it back to WalMart for a replacement for more power :).
 

VIAN

Diamond Member
Aug 22, 2003
6,575
1
0
Originally posted by: CVSiN
sorry bro habit pressign the quote button
holy crap dude. I finally figured out how to do it. You post says it all.

And all this time I did it the hard way:

sorry bro habit pressign the quote button
 

Seeruk

Senior member
Nov 16, 2003
986
0
0
Originally posted by: BenSkywalker
You don't really appreciate it as much throught the speakers, but wow I was playing some MP3's and listening through the headphones

What headphones are you using with your PSP?


Thats just using the ones that come free with the value pack.

I was already resigned to going out and buying a 'decent' pair - but tbh I dont think I need to atm!! My only usual problem is that buds dont stay in my ears... but these ones seem to :)
 

BenSkywalker

Diamond Member
Oct 9, 1999
9,140
67
91
Thats just using the ones that come free with the value pack.

I was using those and did end up having a bit of trouble with them staying in my ears when I was active, so I ended up trying half a dozen pair that either had the same problem, or sounded like garbage. Ended up picking up a set of MDR-EX71s and the sound quality through them is actually significantly better then it is with the pair that comes in the value pack. The MSRP is $50 on those so it shouldn't be surprising, however I was a bit shocked at just how much better the PSPs sound can be when paired with a decent set of headphones. The PSP doesn't have enough juice to power my Sennheiser HD580s(haven't seen a portable that comes close, not a slam against the PSP) and I'm fairly certain that the output the PSP has wouldn't be worth the effort to amp them(although I have to admit to being surprised just how much better the PSP sounds with the EX71s over the bundled earbuds).
 

Seeruk

Senior member
Nov 16, 2003
986
0
0
Yeah as I said I was prepared to shell out for a pair of decent ones, and I havent been moving around too much with these ones on.

Having said that I have some "wrapa around the back of the head" sony efforts that I am trying to dig out of the "garage full of junk"

I aint saying the value pack headphones are amazing.... just saying that they are pretty good for what is almost a freebie + you can use the volume remote dongle thingy with any headphones you choose to plug in :) & any headphones let you appreciate how good the psp's sound is compared to through the pretty crappy speakers.

I aint complaining as I will always wear headphones when travelling around as I dont want other passengers on trains/plains hating me :D
 

Homerboy

Lifer
Mar 1, 2000
30,890
5,001
126
Hmmmm PSP or iRiver 320 with updated firmware... thats my current decision. Games are of little interest to me. Just movies and music. The overall size of the PSP is the biggest downside to me... I cant make the decision.
 

Superself

Senior member
Jun 7, 2001
688
0
76
PSP is awesome.

$250 for

4.3 inch, 16:9 widescreen TFT LCD, 480 x 272 pixel (16.77 million colors!!)
CPU (System clock frequency 1~333MHz)
IEEE 802.11b (Wi-Fi)
USB 2.0 (Target)
32mb Memory Stick? PRO Duo, IrDA
IR Remote (SIRCS)
Built-in stereo speakers
Built-in lithium-ion battery
AC adaptor

It is definitely worth it. I don't know what people expect to get for their money nowadays.
Please remember that the included memory stick was probably included for GAME SAVES (32mb is super adequate for this purpose--ps2 has 8mb cards!)...mp3s, pix and video are just bonuses....which require more of an investment to explore fully.