PSP Frequently Asked Questions - FAQ

GordonNL · 03-31-05, 02:01 PM

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PSP™ Product Specifications

Product Name: PlayStation®Portable (PSP)

Color: Black

Dimensions: Approx. 170 mm (L) x 74 mm (W) x 23 mm (D)

Weight: Approx. 260 g (including battery)

CPU: PSP CPU (System clock frequency 1~333MHz)

Main Memory: 32MB

Embedded DRAM: 4MB

Display:
4.3 inch, 16:9 widescreen TFT LCD
480 x 272 pixel (16.77 million colors)
Max. 200 cd/m2 (with brightness control)

Speakers: Built-in stereo speakers

Main Input/Output:
IEEE 802.11b (Wi-Fi)
USB 2.0 (Target)
Memory Stick™ PRO Duo
IrDA
IR Remote (SIRCS)

Disc Drive: UMD Drive (Playback only)

Profile:
PSP Game
UMD Audio
UMD Video

Main Connectors:
DC OUT 5V
Terminals for charging built-in battery
Headphone/Microphone/Control connector

Keys/Switches:
Directional buttons (Up/Down/Right/Left)Analog pad
Enter keys (Triangle, Circle, Cross, Square)
Left, Right keys
START, SELECT, HOME
POWER On/Hold/Off switch
Brightness control, Sound Mode, Volume +/-
Wireless LAN On/Off switch
UMD Eject

Power:
Built-in lithium-ion battery, AC adaptor

Access Control: Region Code, Parental Control

Accessories:
Stand
Headphone with remote commander
Headphone with remote commander and microphone
External battery pack
Case
Strap
E3 Prototype Exhibition: USB Camera for PSP
USB GPS for PSP
USB Keyboard for PSP

UMD Specifications

Dimensions: Approx. 65 mm (W) x 64 mm (D) x 4.2 mm (H)

Weight: Approx. 10g

Disc Diameter: 60 mm

Maximum Capacity: 1.8GB (Single-sided, dual layer)

Laser wavelength: 660nm (Red laser)

Encryption: AES 128bit

Profile:
PSP Game (full function)
UMD Audio (codec ATRAC3plus™, PCM, (MPEG4 AVC))
UMD Video (codec MPEG4 AVC, ATRAC3plus™, Caption PNG)

Source: http://www.us.playstation.com/pressreleases.aspx?id=207

PSP Frequently Asked Questions - FAQ

Q. What's the difference between the Japanese PSP and the US PSP?

A. Currently the only difference is the actual package and UMD region coding for movies. The US Value Pack has a demo disc, cleaning cloth and the first 1million will also contain the Spiderman2 UMD movie. This movie will only work on the US PSP as it is region 1 while the JAP PSP is region2 (the same as DVD's btw). A other difference it that the JP PSP has a screen made by Sharp and the US PSP has a screen made by Samsung. The Sharp screen is sharper but has more reported dead pixels than the samsung one..

Q. So which one is better to get?
A. If you're in the US then the the US one obviously. If you live in Europe, which has no scheduled PSP release date as yet, then get the JAP PSP. Europe is region2 for movies as well, so when it finally appears in Europe your PSP will still be able to play locally bought UMD movies.

Q. What about games? Are they region locked as well?
A. No, thankfully! Sony has stated and it has been confirmed by many users that games are region free and play on any PSP from any region. Good news for import gamers. Of course, you still have to be careful with Japanese games when it comes to the language barrier, but most import gamers know this and there's sufficient US games in English available right now.

Q. OK, I'm convinced, I'm going to import a PSP, but what's this VAT & Customs charge I'm hearing about?
A. Every country has an Import Duty and Tax that needs to be paid on certain imported items. The amount that needs to be paid varies from country to country. The best thing to do is look up your local customs phone number for your country, give them a ring and ask them what's the rate of customs on an item like PSP.

Q. Can I put movies on my PSP Memory Stick?
A. Yes, though they have to converted to a format that the PSP can understand. See this thread:

http://www.jawdropforum.com/viewtopic.php?p=93

for a guide on how to convert video for your PSP.

Q. What's the difference between Memory Stick and Memory Stick DUO and PRO sticks?
A. The obvious difference between MS and MSDuo is the physical size. The Duo is half the size of the original Memory Stick.

The PSP uses Duo sticks only (obviously to cut down on weight and size). The PRO sticks are high capacity, high speed sticks.

Pro Sticks start off at 256meg and go all the way to 2gigs. Try to buy the biggest memory stick you can, so you can fit as much video and music as possible.

Q. I want to change the language on my JAP PSP. Is this possible?
A. Yes, when you first get your PSP you will be given the option of changing the language.
Sony has also released a firmware for the Jap PSP. It adds language support for the following languages:
German, Spanish, French, Italian, Dutch, Portuguese and Russian

go here for more information and download:

http://forum.liksang.com/showthread.php?t=2551

Q. I've finished update my PSP with the latest firmware. Do I need to keep the huge update file or can I delete it? I really want all that space back.
A. Yes, once the update has completed successfully you can delete the update file from the memory stick.

Q. What about games? Can I change my import games to English as well or do I have to learn Japanese?
A. Yes and No. Basically a game would have to have support for the langauge first before you can change it. Some import games consist of a combination of Japanese and English and are not too hard to understand. Some games are even capable of auto-detecting your PSP langauge settings and changing their menus accordingly.
If in doubt, do some research first. Ask around in the forums or search the web, someone's bound to give you an answer.
Also, learn Japanese.

But really the easiest bet is just to order the US version of the game - they're either available already or will be soon.

Q. What are the bitrates that are supported by PSP?
Please encode several bit rated mp3 files, as well as 1 VBR file, and kindly test for us, so we may add it to above FAQ.
(found, but no info on VBR?)
---Supported Bit Rate are 96 Kbps, 192 Kbps, 384 Kbps, 768 Kbps.

Q: Can PSP play mp3s on UMD? Or Pictures on UMD?
Although we know it is not possible to test that at this time (just like the IrDA Port *according to SonyStyle, it is now just useless*) let's say they made it writable, can we write mp3 to UMD and have PSP read those?
Partially Found:
Video on UMD : H.264/MPEG-4 AVC Main Profile Level3
Video on Memory Stick: MPEG-4 SP,AAC
Music on UMD : linear PCM,ATRAC3plus™
Music on Memory Stick: ATRAC3plus™,MP3(MPEG1/2 Layer3)
Photo on Memory Stick: JPEG(DCF2.0/EXIF2.21)

Q. I'm also hearing about dead pixels affecting PSP screens. What are they? Should I be worried?
A. Dead pixels are a way of life when it comes to TFT screens. Sometimes you get them, sometimes you don't.

Basically a single pixel is made up of 3 sub-pixels which are red, blue and green. A dead pixel occurs when one or more of these sub-pixels either fail to light up or are permanently lit.

Most of the time these pixels are located at the edge of the screen and do not affect general viewing. They are only noticeable when the screen is very dark.

If you're going to import your PSP then it is a risk you take, if you can buy your PSP from a store then you may have the option to check the PSP before purchase.

Update

Sony has agreed to replace PSP's that have major dead pixel issues
read here:

http://forum.liksang.com/showthread.php?t=2831

you may have to contact your importer and see what their policy is bu they should be able to give you the option to have your PSP fixed/replaced. You may have to pay shipping though...

For a FAQ about the PSP's software go to here

click here to download PSP manuals with different languages

Hot Links

PSP Vault - How to use non-Duo Memory Sticks on your PSP
mozy.org - How to browse the web with your PSP
zatznotfunny - How to get TiVoToGo shows onto your
Game Fries - How to get e-books on your PSP
8Bit Joystick - How to read web comics on your PSP
1UP - How to get manga on your PSP
breakyourself.com - Creating Sony Thumbnail files
IGN - PSP dead pixel checker
Xlink Kai - How to use your Mac to play PSP games over the web
InformIT - How to take apart your PSP
Engadget - Reading RSS feeds on your PSP
How to get videos and DVDs onto your PSP

imported_Ghost · 03-31-05, 02:31 PM

Thanks for the info. =D

DarthTedd · 03-31-05, 02:47 PM

Originally Posted by GordonNL

Q. I've finished update my PSP with the latest firmware. Do I need to keep the huge update file or can I delete it? I really want all that space back.[/B]
A. Yes, once the update has completed successfully you can delete the update file from the memory stick.

Great info ... thx GordonNL. :D

suicidesolution · 03-31-05, 04:07 PM

Very good FAQ! Make this sticky and it will help many newcomers I'm sure.

red magic · 03-31-05, 04:55 PM

very nice, thanks for posting, should be very helpful for new comers who have questions

imported_hyedipin · 03-31-05, 11:34 PM

1) Can PSP play mp3s on UMD? Or Pictures on UMD? Although we know it is not possible to test that at this time (just like the IrDA Port *according to SonyStyle, it is now just useless*) let's say they made it writable, can we write mp3 to UMD and have PSP read those?
Partially Found:
Video on UMD : H.264/MPEG-4 AVC Main Profile Level3
Video on Memory Stick: MPEG-4 SP,AAC
Music on UMD : linear PCM,ATRAC3plus™
Music on Memory Stick: ATRAC3plus™,MP3(MPEG1/2 Layer3)
Photo on Memory Stick: JPEG(DCF2.0/EXIF2.21)

2) Once you connect PSP to PC via USB, is it recognized as external storage device immediately? or must we have .connect set up just like MD (which I really am not a fan of)? Otherwise, can we use any other MS DUO reader to transfer mp3 to MS and stick it in there to listen to those (within correct subdirectory structure)

3) What are the bitrates that are supported by PSP? Please encode several bit rated mp3 files, as well as 1 VBR file, and kindly test for us, so we may add it to above FAQ.
(found, but no info on VBR?)
---Supported Bit Rate are 96 Kbps, 192 Kbps, 384 Kbps, 768 Kbps.

4) From what I can see, PSP takes longer time if the image is larger/megapixeled. For example, a 2mp image with 1632x1224 is opened in .2 seconds while 5mp image with 3264x2448 is opened in 1 second @ slideshow feature. Could anyone test this with several different images starting from VGA to 6528x4896 resolution images?

5) And also check the colors it supports for the images? Could it display low colored images as well as 32bit images?

6) Movies can resume from the frame they are stopped. [even if you go the XMB (cross media bar)] is it the same situation with mp3/atrac files?

these are potentially useful FAQ additions.

Thanks

michaelm · 04-01-05, 12:01 AM

I made an FAQ that was submitted by Chris earlier today in the Tutorials section. Check it out if you can. Maybe we can sticky that here too.

roboto · 04-01-05, 12:02 AM

Great FAQ, Thanks. I been looking for a good place of info whenever someone needs some quick help.
Cheers!

GordonNL · 04-01-05, 12:15 AM

@hyedipin, I can ad these if you have the answers for me :)... Can someone test these things for me and give me the results? Thanks

mahadewa · 04-01-05, 04:06 AM

What about the fact the the early batch of PSP is using SHARP LCD, whereas the later ones are using SAMSUNG LCD.

I read that SHARP one is better than SAMSUNG

GordonNL · 04-01-05, 05:02 AM

added: A other difference it that the JP PSP has a screen made by Sharp and the US PSP has a screen made by Samsung. The Sharp screen is sharper but has more reported dead pixels than the samsung one..

mahadewa · 04-01-05, 05:35 AM

This HAQ FAQ should be included as well.

I'm very interested in the one which tells you how to play PSP Multiplayer Games across the NET.
When I get my hands on some of these games I will definitely try this.

mahadewa · 04-01-05, 05:35 AM

Ups, I forgot the link ...

http://www.engadget.com/entry/1234000720038308/

GordonNL · 04-01-05, 06:00 AM

Thanks, the links are added

imported_hyedipin · 04-01-05, 10:05 AM

Originally Posted by GordonNL

@hyedipin, I can ad these if you have the answers for me :)... Can someone test these things for me and give me the results? Thanks

I have answers to 1 and 3.
We need hardcore players & video'rs to check those. I belive those are the information that advanced users/players will ask. We should dig a little deeper.