So the Slim PSP comes out this Friday. 5mm thinner, 19% lighter, video-out, twice the RAM, usb-charging. I'm looking for user opinions from PSP owners or former owners.

My interests:
-Using as a video player for movies and TV shows (I could care less about UMD movies).
-Using it as an mp3 player at my desk or while travelling (NOT AT THE GYM)
-Using it as a web browser

The whole gaming side is a plus and makes the $170 price tag a pretty good deal. The only "downside" to the new PSP that currently concerns me is no support for homebrew software. What i'm mostly worried about is how the PSP fares as a media player. I've got TONS of memory sticks, so using flash media is no big deal and I don't mind swapping sticks when wanting to listen to something different.

What want to know is:
-How would you rate the PSP experience as a media player?
-What do you think of its video capabilities? is converting full-quality video down to PSP-resolution an annoying task?
-How would you rate the mp3 player? How does it function when compared to the iPod? I'm concerned about playlists, shuffling/random, ease of use etc.

Any insight would be appreciated.

[Edited on October 1, 2007 at 12:38 AM. Reason : ]

10/1/2007 12:36:57 AM

I think most people using them as a media player are using homebrew media players for extra codec support. If you wanna test the vanilla player, take a stick or 2 to walmart and play with the one on display

10/1/2007 1:00:51 AM

There is a ton of support for homebrew software. They actually released a hacked firmware that allows for the booting of ISO's and other homebrew for the slim the same week it came out. Tons of emulators and they don't even utilize the extra ram yet.

10/1/2007 7:53:04 AM

If you're considering using a psp as an ipod replacement there isnt a damn thing anyone on the internet is going to say to persuade you from making the decision you've already (and how I don't know) justified.

just buy it, Dude

10/1/2007 8:27:25 AM

how much flash storage does it have?

If you want to convert DVDs to PSP format, I've noticed DVDFab has an option for that....might make the process easier at least. its pretty nice software.

but yeah, just buy it, Dude.

10/1/2007 8:38:17 AM

You have to buy the storage, I think it supports up to 8gb cards right now though, with 16gb cards in the future. Most games are anywhere from 100-400 meg with a very few (and most newer games) being around 800 meg.

10/1/2007 9:12:12 AM

there are plenty of free programs out there to convert video to PSP...I've never had a problem with it. watching videos on a PSP is much nicer than on an ipod - the screen size makes a huge difference.

you can't beat it for the price. in order to get an ipod (touch) somewhat similar to video viewing, you're going to have to shell out way too much cash and lose the flexibility of removable media

and the games continue to get better and better

and don't mind quinn...he's just a microsoft bot

[Edited on October 1, 2007 at 10:28 AM. Reason : .]

10/1/2007 10:27:40 AM

Comes out this friday? I've had mine for about 3 weeks now.


Also this:

Quote :

"The only "downside" to the new PSP that currently concerns me is no support for homebrew software."

is not even remotely true.

10/1/2007 10:40:08 AM

I got one. Love it.

My only problem, and thing I hate about it (and PSP in general) is battery life. I know it's telling me I have 5 hours but it's always half of that. Sucks.

Also I'm afraid of modding the firmware and bricking it. If anyone can do this on a Slim with good success (borat!), let me know, cause i'll pay for a dependable process to get it setup.

10/1/2007 10:56:30 AM

Quote :

"Also I'm afraid of modding the firmware and bricking it. If anyone can do this on a Slim with good success (borat!), let me know, cause i'll pay for a dependable process to get it setup."

It's ridiculously easy to do with 0% chance of permanently fucking something up. Even on the >.1% chance you do brick it, they make unbricker software now so there's really nothing to worry about.

10/1/2007 11:03:52 AM

Yeah but you gotta know what to do? (which i don't). Also pandora's battery or whatever? What is that? Can't I just download something to a memory stick and blammo? I need just generally the steps to get it done. Maybe someone from TWW can help me out with that.

10/1/2007 1:45:09 PM

There are some do-it-yourself guides on how to make the pandora thing where you can use the same battery that you play with. I believe pandora works with the slim as well too

10/1/2007 1:52:00 PM

I never understood the complaint about battery life on the PSP. I've got a PSP + a DS Lite and I'd say the PSP battery outlasts my DS anyday. I always leave my PSP on standby and it lasts forever anyway, but my DS will only last in standby for 1 day max.

note: I do not use UMDs in my PSP, mem stick only + wifi off so that might have something do with it. I'm sure that UMD drive sucks the battery dry.

[Edited on October 1, 2007 at 2:29 PM. Reason : d]

10/1/2007 2:28:39 PM

Funny thing about the PSP Slim, it actually has worse battery life than the original from what I've read. I guess that's expected given that it has twice the ram.

10/1/2007 2:31:43 PM

Everything I've read says the Slim has a better battery life combined with a smaller battery (part of the reason it's so slim) so overall the battery life is the same.

From what I've experienced with both I'd say that seems about right.

You wouldn't believe the battery life you'll get with the screen turned all the way off (with the component out cable)

10/1/2007 2:47:24 PM

Quote :

"I've got a PSP + a DS Lite and I'd say the PSP battery outlasts my DS anyday. I always leave my PSP on standby and it lasts forever anyway, but my DS will only last in standby for 1 day max."

I can't vouch for standby mode (why leave either of these in standby for any long period of time?) becuase I only use that for pauses that are more extended, but in terms of actual gameplay time - there is no comparison that DS Lite Battery lasts longer than the PSP Slim, and that's a fact jack. I should know considering I play both often. Not a suprise why I mean...the UMD drive spin and the backlit and BEAUTIFUL lcd screen takes a serious hamster in a wheel I guess.

Now, keep in mind, that I'm playing regular UMD titles at middle screen brightness. That should be average, but many PSP users run games/apps/whatever off of their memory stick that really do considerably give you more battery life. I'm not bitching too much, i was just pointing out one of the only negatives about it for me. It's not just the PSP, modern electronics in general do this - it drives me nuts that technology can't make a better fuckin' battery! Ah well.

[Edited on October 1, 2007 at 3:28 PM. Reason : Johnny 5]

10/1/2007 3:27:09 PM

those were just my observations. I keep mine in standby all the time b/c that's kind of the whole point for me: being able to jump in and out of a game + play it for 5-10 minutes rather than spending those 5 minutes waiting for it to load.

I'm sure loading from the memory stick vs the UMD drive makes all the difference.


something else that probably makes a difference: I've got an M3 adapter on my DS Lite, and I'm sure that thing taps a good bit of juice on its own (even in standby).

[Edited on October 1, 2007 at 3:37 PM. Reason : f]

10/1/2007 3:36:18 PM

What type of m3 loader fanatik? Slot-2 or 1? (gba slot or nds flash slot). Becuase if its the former, that eats battery significantly more than slot 1.

10/1/2007 3:54:59 PM

Quote :

"I'm sure loading from the memory stick vs the UMD drive makes all the difference."

Exactly. I routinely get 4-5 hours of battery life from my PSP. I've never seen anything like it from the DS. Aside from quicker load times, the battery savings on running games from the memory stick is awesome.

10/1/2007 4:20:36 PM

Quote :

"and don't mind quinn...he's just a microsoft bot"

My mouse is microsoft branded! Thats where the brand loyalty ends!

10/1/2007 6:28:31 PM

Logitech mice are far superior to MS ones.

10/1/2007 7:10:57 PM

how does the wifi work on the PSP? and is the browser any good?

we recently setup wifi in my house and i've been looking at el cheapo laptops just so i can take advantage of it. all i want is to be able to surf the web. would the PSP be a better investment, considering it can do that and a whole lot more?

10/1/2007 7:35:26 PM

it can surf the web but not at the speeds that you are looking for. I suggest a laptop or tablet personally if all you care about is wifi. It's not that the PSP can't do it...but I've yet to see a console pull that off in any way that's reliable and efficient.

10/1/2007 7:41:38 PM

yea the browser is pretty slow on the psp. I like being able to control my PS3 with it though. Some of the stuff Sony showed off at TGS this year was pretty promising, like being able to remotely turn your PS3 on and off from your PSP. And you can already stream video, music, and even play some of the games over the internetz. It's all pretty slick.

10/1/2007 8:46:47 PM

do you guys mean the loading times are slow? wouldn't that depend more on signal strength?

also, are there lot of free games to download? this thread got me looking, and even if the web capability isn't all that great, for the price it seems like i could have a lot more fun with one of these than a laptop.

10/1/2007 8:55:21 PM

The web browser on the PSP sucks ass to put it lightly. Slow as shit, very little compatibility with all but the most basic of websites, Tons of memory errors in loading large pages. To be honest, I'd rather browse the internet on a cell phone than a PSP. I really like the PSP, but surfing the web is not one of the things that it's good at.

Also as far as free games go, there are tons of free homebrew games and emulators that allow you to play NES, SNES, Genesis, N64, PS1 games. Practically every console game before the Dreamcast can be played on the PSP. As well as being able to play all the "backups" if you're into that sort of thing.

10/1/2007 9:49:25 PM

Interesting.

^ So have you successfully modded a slim PSP? The ability to play NES, Genesis, and PS1 games will seriously make me drive off and buy one immediately. From what I understood, Sony put even more measures into the Slim to prevent homebrew software installation and/or firmware downgrades.

10/1/2007 10:17:20 PM

I've succesfully modded 3 Slims and over a dozen regular ones.

Nothing to it.

10/1/2007 10:29:22 PM

Nacho, can you do this for me? I hear you need an old PSP for pandora's battery. I dont have anything for that...

I'll pay a limited amount for it done, i just dont want to screw anything up. Can deliver! A++ lol

10/2/2007 12:12:05 AM

Yeah, we can meet up at some point. The actual flashing process only takes a couple of seconds. I already have a spare battery and the memory stick ready to go.

10/2/2007 12:26:52 AM

I went ahead and got my Slim today. Did anyone else get the Daxter pack w/ the Silver PSP? Do they not have them in black around here?

10/5/2007 12:27:58 AM

the black just came out a few days ago. It's sold un-bundled for less, i think

[Edited on October 5, 2007 at 7:43 AM. Reason : f]

10/5/2007 7:43:27 AM

Hey Nacho, I sent you a PM about modding my PSP. I'm really looking forward to seeing what this thing can do.

Modded PSP guys: what software version are you running? Do any of them have a decent media player (something that supports more video, and maybe a music player that has some more features besides play/pause?)

Also, does anyone know if Crisis Core: FF7 is out yet in North America?

[Edited on October 23, 2007 at 1:32 PM. Reason : ]

10/23/2007 1:31:14 PM

By the way, Slim owners - I recommend El Nacho for this. He did mine and I'm very happy with it, although after its done there's some stuff you have to research but hardware wise, you're good to go. He does a good job, so throw him a 20 or something for it.

My Slim is at 3.71m33. As far as media player, I suggest getting just converting you Divx/Xvid's whatevers to MP4 with a converter, then loading them in.

10/23/2007 4:08:52 PM

id be willing to make a barter to get my psp modded(not slim). i looked around long enough to realize i didnt want to try to figure it out. plz to do it for me

10/24/2007 1:25:13 PM

My new PSP + Daxter pack is on the way, will be here by Tuesday. Wanted to find out what other games are essential on PSP.. I am an FPS fan, so should I get syphon filter / MOH / SOCOM / MGS ?? I also am picking up "Hot Brain".. coz it's kinda like Brain Age.

12/2/2007 9:53:07 PM

Star Wars Renegade Squadron is really fun. The single player stuff is meh. But there are always tons of people online. There are two forms of controls, one that works sort of like metroid on GC and wii and the other that's more advanced with less auto lock ons.

I personally really like MGS portable ops. The expansion MGS portable ops + just came out and is only $20 but only online play.

I would get MOH on the wii if you have a wii.

If you're a fan of Castlevania, get the new game, which includes both full games of the original Rondo of Blood and the orignal Symphony of the Night.

12/2/2007 10:02:17 PM

i love the socom games

12/2/2007 10:59:26 PM

I can't stand Sony's arrogance in wanting to use proprietary memory sticks Nothing uses that pro duo crap. While everything I own has an SD slot. If they switch to SD I'd be all over one.

12/2/2007 11:09:53 PM

Thanks guys.. So far I'm thinking of getting GTA:VC, MGS and either puzzle quest / hot brain.

^It's not too bad actually. I share the mem stick with my camera and it's definitely getting cheaper.

12/3/2007 2:26:54 AM

as opposed to no expandable memory like the DS has? it's an added bonus...if you only want the thing to play games, there's really no need to worry about the memory as the base pack will give you everything you need

[Edited on December 3, 2007 at 9:57 AM. Reason : .]

12/3/2007 9:55:33 AM

Quote :

"as opposed to no expandable memory like the DS has?"

What are you talking about? I have 4GB of expandable memory in my DS right now.

12/3/2007 1:57:50 PM

Quote :

"I can't stand Sony's arrogance in wanting to use proprietary memory sticks Nothing uses that pro duo crap. While everything I own has an SD slot. If they switch to SD I'd be all over one."

http://www.divineo.com/cgi-bin/div-us/zz-psp-max1gb

FYI

1/10/2008 1:43:04 PM

^thats microSD.

[Edited on January 10, 2008 at 2:12 PM. Reason : Still a cool idea though]

1/10/2008 2:12:00 PM