Tipstaff

Thought I'd start a little thread on the PSP now that it's out here in NorthAM. Mainly I thought I'd post some little tidbits or helpful info on using it, so here's the first post:

First, make sure you format the Memory Stick with the PSP. If you don't you will not get the proper directory structure on it. If you insert the stick, play a game, then save you will only have the Savedata folder inside the PSP folder. If you format the stick first you will see a few other folders inside that PSP folder: Game (presumably for downloadable/homebrew/demo content), Music (where you put all your MP3, of if you have a Mini-Disc player you can dump your ATRAC3plus files here too), Photo (jpegs), and Savedata (game saves). Of note, all movie files (MP4 format) must be in a folder called '100MNV01', and must be placed in a folder called 'MP_ROOT' which in the root of the memory stick.

Edit: BTW. All movie files need to be labeled like this: start M4V and end with .MP4 , and it's best to stick with 8.3 labeling.

Lastly, for all those having trouble with backing up save games, and not knowing which folder is for what game here are 2 hints: each folder has a *.png (picture) file relating to the game. Easy stuff. However, if your smart you will notice something about the folder labels. Here's a hint: look at the binding on the game cases. All the folders corrispond to the listings on the bindings of the game cases. Example, Lumines has a listing of ULUS10002 on the bottom of the binding, and the corrisponding folder on the memory stick will start with the same label.

Well, there's 2 .. um.. tips. If you have any more please post them.

-Tip

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Tipstaff

As the title suggests you might wanna check out GameFries article on how to get the PSP to display E-Books. It's all a matter of converting a txt/word document into a series of jpegs. Even though the text will be small, it's at such a high contrast that it's actually readable.

At anyrate, give that article a read HERE .

-Tip

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Tipstaff

Anyone familiar with the process of getting the Xbox to play LAN only games over the Internet (like Halo2 Co-Op or what not) by using XLink, can use that same process to enable playing AdHoc (unit to unit) only games, such as Wipeout Pure, on the Internet. The process is called 'tunneling', but there is a little difference.

Here's how it works:

Your PC must have 2 network cards: 1 wireless, the other can be either wireless or wired. You setup the wireless card to accept AdHoc communication, and you use the PSP network setup to talk to that wireless PC card. The idea is that you will use the PC to 'tunnel' to the other systems using XLink. This method (at the moment) does not work from PSP to Wireless router directly. With exception to the Linksys WRT54G router (there is a firmware patch that embeds the Kai engine into it), you must use a PC running XLink to tunnel.

I won't get into the details on the 'how-to' and what not, but you can read the entire "Getting your PSP online with Kai" article HERE . Also, be sure to check out this page HERE for a list of tested compatible cards as some will not work, and HERE for the PSP & Kai FAQ.

Believe me this works. It's the most fun I've had with a handheld unit in a long time (outside of the bedroom that is ).

-Tip

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Tipstaff

I scoped this on PSP.IGN just now, and immediatley I knew I had to post the link. One of their users, krypt0nian, put together a series of jpegs that span the spectrum of colors that a pixel can render (those being black, blue, green, red, white, and yellow). What this will allow you to do is check each pixels ability to display those colors. If one of the pixels doesn't light up a particular color.. well.. then that pixel is dead (soft of).

When I first got my unit I laughed, pittied, and snickered at all the fools that had units with dead pixels. Do I ever feel like a fool now! I ran these series of jpegs on my unit.. sure enough, 1 pixel would not light up on the blue spectrum. That means it's DEAD (again, sort of)! SOAB! Oh well.. He who laughs loudest gets laughed at too.

Check out PSP.IGNs site HERE to read and download the files needed. Once extracted you will see a folder called 'PHOTO'. Just drop that folder into the 'PSP' folder on the memory stick, and use the PSP to view the jpegs. Then, use the L and R buttons to flip through the jpegs... then, keep your fingers crossed.

-Tip

Edit: I was just going through the pics again, and noticed that the same pixel what won't display blue.. well.. it won't display white either (shows up yellow). I guess when it rains it pours. <sigh> S@#$!

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BiGBrOwNPimpsta

wicked, that PSP is a tiny little beast i gotta say

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Sound Blaster X-Fi Xtreme Music | Logitech Z-5500 THX 5.1 Surround Sound Speakers | 2 Lite-On 20x S-ATA Burners | ATI TV Wonder Elite | Logitech G7 Mouse | Logitech MX5500 Bluetooth Keyboard

Customgamer1

Well I just got my PSP yesterday and WOW it is great. I downloaded that program to see if I have any dead pixels because I can't notice any on my unit but I would like to know a little bit like how much is that USB cord you have to buy? because I can't find them online at bestbuy and I forgot to look at the store. And the other thing is that I hope the memory sticks come down a little big because they cost to much

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Asus Laptop: 2.5 Intel Core 2 Duo, 4gigs DDR 2, Windows 7 64bit! Windows 7 > OSX!

Tipstaff

If you have a newer Sony Mini-Disc player (such as a NetMD or HiMD), or a Sony camera you might be able to use the USB cable that comes with it (as I was able to). Your essentially looking for a Mini USB "Version 2.0" connector, or more commonly known as Mini USB 2.0 (not to be mistaken for USB 2.0 spec.. stupid mini usb crapola.. ONE FORMAT PLEASE!). I recall NewEgg selling them for $3.50 each HERE .

As for the pricing of Memory Sticks.. I wish the same. SanDisk makes compatible sticks, and you can find them cheaper than the Sony brands. Of note: Any Memory Stick that says Duo, or Pro Duo will work in the PSP. The Pros are faster, and there are HighSpeed versions (Sony), and Ultra/Extreme versions (Sandisk) too. Also, whether an MStick has MagicGate (protection scheme) doesn't effect compatibility. The 2Gig Pro Duos will be coming out in the next month or 2, and hopefully that will drop the prices a bit.

-Tip

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Customgamer1

Well thanks for the info! I think it would be cool if they would have put a hard drive in there but then again we would be paying for it also lol and for the usb i did try my camera usb and it did not fit... so I will have to buy a new one.

btw: At Bestbuy a usb cable is $25 and it is about the same one from newegg.

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage....=1091099783284

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Asus Laptop: 2.5 Intel Core 2 Duo, 4gigs DDR 2, Windows 7 64bit! Windows 7 > OSX!

Tipstaff

Holy #$@! that's expensive! I see why too: it has gold plated connectors. Which, btw, are useless unless the other ends, the ones on the devices, are gold plated too. $3.50 for that cable off of NewEgg is pretty good for an online purchase, and is good enough for a PC to PSP transfer.

Oh, and now that you've mentioned an external hard drive you've given me an idea.. as soon as I get to work I'm hooking up my external 2.5" 60Gig drive to my PSP! Hope it works. If not, I might be able to rig something up.

-Tip

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Counterfe1t

im not complaining i returned my PSP because of 3 dead pixels and i get a new one soon the funny part is i only returned the handheld and headphones but i forgot to put the charger and memory stick but they didnt seem to care. they were more worried that i didnt have the original receipt on me.

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Tipstaff

Nice.. wonder if you could have kept the battery too? Pays to have a spare.

-Tip

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Counterfe1t

i would have they seemed to care more that the spiderman 2 was in the box rather than the charger and memory stick. also i would have but they placed the battery to see if there were dead pixels.

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Customgamer1

I hope that works!!! make sure you post the update!! Maybe thats what I should do if it works

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Asus Laptop: 2.5 Intel Core 2 Duo, 4gigs DDR 2, Windows 7 64bit! Windows 7 > OSX!

Tipstaff

While not a big deal, it's kinda cool and interesting (I'm easily pleased you know). Come April 1st people are gonna notice something interesting: their PSP background will change colors. This is something I remember from using the Jap version, and it's been tested with this one too (not to mention it's in the manual.. you did read it, right?). With every new month comes a new colored background. Some are nice, some are just butt $@$! ugly. I wish you could personalize the colors... I mean, let me choose the color, please?. Better yet, let me use a wallpaper. Let's keep them fingers crossed, and hope they add this feature in an update to a later firmware.

-Tip

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Tipstaff

Wanna personalize that PSP? Hate the glossy blackness of it? Do you hate how it looks like you've used and abused it with all those finger prints on it, but you only touched it once? Well, have I got something for you. Pimp that @#$ with a new skin! Yep, nothing says "This is mine" better than a personal skin. While there are a few companies out there that make them, these 2 companies are top on the list.

First up, DecalGril.com . I recommend these guys the most as their skins are easier to remove, and they don't leave any crap behind that can't be cleaned off with anything less than a belt sander. These skins come of clean, and are reusable (which is perfect for warranty replacements.. including the fact that these won't void them). They make skins for every console, the Mac Mini, and iPod. My personal favs are Accident, American Abstract, Industrial, Max Volume, Microverse, Portal Alpha (which I have ordered), and Tubular Dreams. Best thing is.. it's only $8.00 US! I've used these guys skins on a bunch of Xboxes, and PS2s, plus I've used the PS2 skins in some PC case mods.

Second up, VinzDecals . These guys make decals and skins for everything from cars to motorcyles, every console, and the Mac Mini. Unlike DecalGirls skins these are full wraps, front and back, and are less peronalized (more traditional car style/colors). Personally I don't like the seperate pieces for the inner areas of the direction pad and buttons compared to Decals. Their PSP skins run about $9.00 a pop. I can't pick one fav as I like DecalGirls variety, but if I had to choose: top pick would be the Brushed Aluminum, with the Chrome one right behind it. Do these skins stand out or what?

What can I say.. I'm easy to please. When I get the chance I'll show you the skin job my friend did on my PC. Why the hell did that come off as sounding kinky?!?!

-Tip

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Counterfe1t

oh great dont encourage them now by next week everyones going to want one.

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Tipstaff

Wha?

I know.. too much money on my hands. These are pretty durable skins (at least DecalGirls ones are), so it will help with the finger print problems. I just hate looking, and wiping off my PSP after I've used/touched it everytime. This should help... plus some of them just look cool.

-Tip

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Zardon

Tipstaff, great thread.

Customgamer1

Well you seem to know a LOT about the decals and about everything. You must really love that psp a lot I just really want to know if that harddrive works!

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Asus Laptop: 2.5 Intel Core 2 Duo, 4gigs DDR 2, Windows 7 64bit! Windows 7 > OSX!

Counterfe1t

yeah its real easy to get attached to your psp when i had to return mine it was like a mother giving away her children. that and during spring break instead of turning on the tv or my PC i would just sit in bed and play games on my psp. i would play online if there were any other people playing darkstalkers online.

as for the skins they look cool and i would buy one if i didnt fear looking obsessed over my psp thats the same exact reason i returned a carrying case because it would be weird to carry a psp an in aluminum case that looked like it could a small tatical nuke.

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CATALYST maker

Just got mine today, and having fun with wipeout pure. What other games you guys recommend?

Great toy!

Sorry I have no tips to share yet but I ran into a webpage with lots of mods on it. If I see it again I will re edit this thread.

Tipstaff

If you like puzzle games, like Tetris or Columns, than I would recommend Lumines. Addictive as hell. Hell, that's an understatement. @$@#! addictive is more like it. Untold Legends is pretty good, and the co-op mode (a-la Gauntlet) is probably the highlight of the game. If you liked Baldurs Gate for the consoles then you'll like this one. NFL Street Unleased is a quick and dirty football game. Pretty good, but I like football so I'm a bit biased.

Truthfully that's really about it. Coming up in April is that is top of my list: Fifa (25th), MLB Baseball (19th), Mercury (puzzler)(6th), Midnight Club 3 (12th), ATV Offroad (19th), and MVP Baseball (25th). May should be fun too. Hotshots Golf, GTA, Death Jr, and Rengoku (classified as a dungeon crawl, but the best thing about it is that the dungeons levels are are randomized) are tops for me that month.

- Tip

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Tipstaff

External drive was a bust. There was activity between the PSP and it, but nothing fruitful. I'm gonna look into some of the other units out there that have built in controllers for use with flash cards. Might have better luck with them. Oh well.

-Tip

Edit: BTW. Notice that their is mention of a Sony PSP USB memory/flash drive coming out. I know it's an April Fools joke, but from the activity I got out of trying the external case says that it is possible. Anyways, now I'm GONNA have to figure this out for sure cuz it's going to nag the crap outta me.

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Tipstaff

Yeah, you read that right. All over the net you can find one video-to-PSP how-to guide after the other, plus tons of convert programs (including Sonys Image Converter 2.. shame on the be'atch that posted the download for that!), but with the exception of one converter.. they all suck. Until now I've held back on posting the links to one of these guides, but I figured the time was right.

That one converter I mentioned, it's PSPVideo9, and is the most user friendly, and functional converter out there. It supports conversion of AVI, MPEG, WMV, VOB (DVD), and Quick Time videos to PSPs MPG4 format. It will autoname videos according to the required naming scheme the PSP needs, has a ton of presets (you can convert to specific bitrates/screensize, but it won't go beyond the screen size of the PSP), and it will even tell you how much space the movie will take up on the Memory Stick before you've converted it. Best thing though, it has presets for specific 'types' and 'lengths' of movies such as anime, normal movies, or music videos, and will convert with the best options for those settings.

But, that wasn't the reason for this post. Mobile Deviant Community put up 2 definitive 'how-to' guides for doing Video File to PSP, and DVD to PSP which use PSPVideo9. Both are step by step, and they have pictures for you guys that need them.

Have fun these guides. It took me a while to figure out how to convert stuff for the PSP, and had these guides been out before my converting fun would have been just that... fun to do. Now that everything is point and click it makes it that much easier to bring my porn on the road.. no more slide shows.

-Tip

Posters note: I'll say this right now.. the DVD to PSP guide details the use of DVD Decryptor. I in no way endorse the use of this program outside of making personal backups. If you own the movie, and want to watch it on your PSP like me, great, otherwise you should pass on it.

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CATALYST maker

Here it is
http://www.engadget.com/entry/1234000720038308/

Sargentwhitey

It's a shame that I can't connect to two out of the three sites I want to on those hacks.

PS Edit: Everyone's main PSP menu background should be pink starting today

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Mobile:Intel Celeron M 1.5GHz, 40GB WD, 1GB PC24000, Intel Mediocre Graphics 2, SB Audigy 2 Notebook

Tipstaff

Thanks for posting that link Catalyst. Some of those things on the site I've been reluctant to post myself for a few personal reasons, but guess it would have gotten posted sooner or later by someone, which is cool.

The one about the THM files was new. Was on that site last night too, and didn't see it. At least now I know how to properly make thumbnails for my porno.

I recommend following Mobile Deviants Video/DVD to PSP guides though. 3GP is not that great, and I've used every single one of the converters out there (including Image Converter 2 since it came with a Sony product I bought). Take it from me, PSPVideo9 is still the best of the bunch.

-Tip

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Customgamer1

I want to know how to look at web pages on the psp but that link does not seem to be working........... and thats the only one i wanted lol that really got me mad.

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Asus Laptop: 2.5 Intel Core 2 Duo, 4gigs DDR 2, Windows 7 64bit! Windows 7 > OSX!

Tipstaff

THIS is the main page you want Custom, with THIS one being the mirror (hosted by FuManChuu).

One thing I should mention is that the American PSP firmware version is 1.50. When it was launched here the Japanese firmware was updated to 1.50 too. However, Sony released it as an upgradable file that you could plop onto your memory stick for those that didn't have wireless access. Right now there are people taking that thing apart, and it's only a matter of time before we see 'firmware' hacks come out.

-Tip

Edit: BTW, take a look at the page-hit counter at the bottom of the main page.

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Customgamer1

So much reading lol.................. just don't feel like it now


but thanks! I will read it a different time.

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Asus Laptop: 2.5 Intel Core 2 Duo, 4gigs DDR 2, Windows 7 64bit! Windows 7 > OSX!