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Portables (Games) Handhelds Hardware

Inside the PSP 320

Posted by timothy from the packing-it-in dept.
fogez writes "We have seen numerous hacks for the PSP in the last couple days, but have you see what is inside this marvel? This might scare off many new PSP owners, but if you are curious and want some direction, this article is a good place to start. See the PSP laid bare, from LCD to wireless network card. BTW, any attempt to imitate will result in a void warranty :)"
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Inside the PSP More

Inside the PSP

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  • Criminal... (Score:5, Funny)

    by wyldeone ( 785673 ) on Tuesday March 29, 2005 @10:28PM (#12085350) Homepage Journal
    Am I the only person who feels that this is almost criminal?

    • Re:Criminal... (Score:2, Funny)

      by Anonymous Coward
      yeah, destroying a perfectly good device is anarchy in action.

      • Re:Criminal... (Score:5, Funny)

        by TimeTraveler1884 ( 832874 ) on Tuesday March 29, 2005 @10:38PM (#12085436)
        yeah, destroying a perfectly good device is anarchy in action.
        It's like book burning when you think about it. Except without the fire... and without the books.

        Those crazy anarchists, PSPs are for kids.

      • Anarchy isn't crime or destruction (Score:5, Insightful)

        by billstewart ( 78916 ) on Tuesday March 29, 2005 @11:02PM (#12085652) Journal
        Using the hardware for something new and creative that the designers never thought of is anarchy in action. Finding ways to use it that escape the "intellectual property" model the games companies want is also anarchy in action.

        Disassembling somebody *else's* PSP is criminal. Disassembling your own is merely art. Or Boredom in Action.

        • Re:Anarchy isn't crime or destruction (Score:4, Funny)

          by mshawatmit ( 825042 ) <mshaw@NoSPaM.MIT.edu> on Wednesday March 30, 2005 @12:39AM (#12086127)
          Disassembling somebody *else's* PSP is criminal. Disassembling your own is merely art. Or Boredom in Action.

          "Disassemble! No!!!! Number 5 no disassemble."
          I think we just killed a PSP--hope it wasn't alive
        • Using the hardware for something new and creative that the designers never thought of is anarchy in action.

          Really? Taking apart a PSP will result in the dissolution of any governing political authority? That's fascinating. It's not "anarchy in action" at all. "Subversion in action", maybe, but even that is a bit tenuous given that there aren't really any rules against taking it apart--it merely voids the warranty.

        • PSP modification outlawed? (Score:5, Interesting)

          by karstux ( 681641 ) on Wednesday March 30, 2005 @07:16AM (#12087488) Homepage
          Disassembling your own is merely art.
          Well, I wonder about that. Using common sense,I'd be inclined to agree, but TFA says:

          Sony explicitly outlaws any modifications to their PSP. If you don't believe me, check out page 15 of the manual where they state, "No authorization for the analysis or modification of the system, or the analysis and use of circuit configurations, is provided."

          Can they really do that? Is there any legal basis for this? With software, it seems to be like this: when you purchase a program, you don't own the program, but are merely granted a license to use it. As such, the licensor can set limits to what you are allowed to do with the software.

          However, the medium you buy the software on, as I understand it, is entirely your property.

          So how does this translate to a hardware purchase, like the PSP? Of course, the hardware design is Sony's intellectual property. As is the firmware and all other software stored on a PSP. However, the PSP itself ought to be my property, and it should be within my rights to do with it however I may please. Including any modification and extension of it.

          • Re:PSP modification outlawed? (Score:5, Interesting)

            by kin_korn_karn ( 466864 ) on Wednesday March 30, 2005 @08:08AM (#12087671) Homepage
            IANAL

            This kind of thing is a manipulation of the common-law system that results in, basically, legislation being written by the Sony corporate legal department.

            The USA uses common law, which works almost entirely by precedent. If a new issue (such as a new license, like the PSP's) comes up, the first court ruling a judge enters to address it is considered to be the law until it's legislated by the government or overruled by a higher court.

            Sony (and other companies that have done this such as MS) write a license agreement that they would like to see as a law, find the most business-friendly jurisdiction in which to sue someone, and wait for someone from that jurisdiction that can't afford to appeal to violate it. They sue them, the judge gives them their precedent, and voila, instant legal credibility for this sort of corporate fascism.

    • Re:Criminal... (Score:2, Funny)

      by Guppy06 ( 410832 ) *
      Yeah, they should have waited until the PSP was of legal age before exposing its naughty bits.

    • Re:Criminal... (Score:5, Funny)

      by Lehk228 ( 705449 ) on Tuesday March 29, 2005 @11:01PM (#12085646) Journal
      Am I the only person who feels that this is almost criminal?

      nah they haven't bought that law.... yet.

    • Re:Criminal... (Score:3, Insightful)

      by senatorpjt ( 709879 )
      yeah, according to the DMCA, it is almost criminal.

      Reverse engineering. Maybe not, but I'm sure they could claim it as "intent to reverse engineer."

  • Sudden popularity (Score:4, Funny)

    by Look KG486 ( 867105 ) on Tuesday March 29, 2005 @10:29PM (#12085355) Homepage Journal
    I can't believe how much run Paint Shop Pro is getting lately.
    • Yeah, I mean, WTF?! Hello, everyone knows g1/\/\p r00lz over all

    • P acronym city (Score:3, Interesting)

      by michaeldot ( 751590 )
      Yes, it is necessary to read headlines carefully these days. At a casual glance it's easy to confuse:

      PSP, P2P, PS2

      (which refer respectively to the release of PlayStation Portable, the Supreme Court case of peer to peer sharing, and the PlayStation 2 patent infringement, all big topics in the news this week).

  • um no (Score:4, Funny)

    by NoGuffCheck ( 746638 ) on Tuesday March 29, 2005 @10:29PM (#12085357)
    but have you see what is inside this marvel?

    I havent seen, im so excited... is it.. um.. electronics?

  • Obvious? (Score:5, Insightful)

    by Upaut ( 670171 ) * on Tuesday March 29, 2005 @10:29PM (#12085358) Homepage Journal
    "Sony explicitly outlaws any modifications to their PSP. If you don't believe me, check out page 15 of the manual where they state, "No authorization for the analysis or modification of the system, or the analysis and use of circuit configurations, is provided.""

    Not much of a legal threat. I take it this simply mean the obvious - that Sony voids the warranty if we start moding. Outlaws might of been a bit strong in this context, prohibits would of been a bit better. Not that Sony will have a black van show up in front of a teenager hackers door...
    Nice pice of technology, all things considered. Next all we need is for someone to tinker with the buttons to increase the sensitivity of the leftmost button on the right side, which I hear from many is significantly less sensitive then the rest, which adversely affects game-play.
    • I thought the button sensitivity thing only affected Japanese systems?
    • Have you actually used one? I don't notice it on mine, and the reviews never mention it (see ArsTechnica's review on its main page), but I always see it on Slashdot.
      • It is deffinately not sensitive. I currently work at Best Buy Canada, while looking for a real job. There is a known issue that the button is not lined up perfectly with the pad underneeth.

        I bet if you took apart your PSP and left those 4 buttons off when putting it back together you'd see the sensor pad is off centre of the hole for that one.

        What's weird is listening to the sales staff offer the PSP [bestbuy.ca] on their PSP [playstation.com]

        • Re:Obvious? (Score:3, Informative)

          by John Courtland ( 585609 )
          Yeah, the square button is not directly above the sensor/microswitch or whatever is down there. It has a little standoff and you can feel it when you push on the edge of the button; it has a sort of 'flex' to it that the other buttons don't have.

  • Rights (Score:5, Interesting)

    by deutschemonte ( 764566 ) <lane@montgomery.gmail@com> on Tuesday March 29, 2005 @10:29PM (#12085360) Homepage
    How long do you think it will be before hacking/reverse engineering like this is made illegal DMCA style?
    • How long do you think it will be before hacking/reverse engineering like this is made illegal DMCA style?

      As soon as some sort of modification allows you to play illegally downloaded games on your PSP. Which I imagine won't take too long; my friend gets xbox games before they're even released.

    • Re:Rights (Score:5, Insightful)

      by Total_Wimp ( 564548 ) on Tuesday March 29, 2005 @10:42PM (#12085465)
      I doubt it will ever be illegal. We're a nation of tinkerers. Your dad and mine took apart their cars. Our grandfathers took apart their houses. We take apart our computers.

      People will be able to convince the old timers that reverse engineering code ("you mean like spies?") is criminal and they'll be able to convince our dads that copying and selling a patended machine is criminal, but our dads and grandpas wont stand still for a law the won't let them take the cover off of something they own. They may not understand electronics, but they understand ownership. They may not want to take the cover off of their TV but they'll be damned if someone trys to tell them they can't.

      TW

      • Re:Rights (Score:2, Insightful)

        by InfiniteWisdom ( 530090 )
        Unfortulately we are much more a nation that is electing "representatives" that are wholly owned and operated by various corporate interests, and have showm more than once tht they're willing to throw away individial rights, innovation and anything else that comes in the way of corporate profits.
      • Our grandfathers took apart their houses.

        haha. am i the only one who did a double-take after reading that as "horses"? :-P

      • Re:Rights (Score:5, Funny)

        by prockcore ( 543967 ) on Wednesday March 30, 2005 @12:24AM (#12086048)
        Our grandfathers took apart their houses.

        My grandfather helped take apart the german war machine. If that isn't a DMCA violation, I don't know what is.
      • The preceding generations could often be marked about how they fought for their rights. Ours can likley be marked by how many we let slip away.
      • "Our grandfathers took apart their houses. We take apart our computers."

        Yes but look at how much the US has changed since then. During the lifespan of your grandfather there was a global war against terror, homosexuals could not marry or join the military, and evolution was being litigated in the courts.

        Er um never mind.
  • BTW, any attempt to imitate will result in a void warranty :)

    First off, thank you Captain Obvious.

  • Now that we've seen the PSP nude, (Score:5, Funny)

    by syntap ( 242090 ) on Tuesday March 29, 2005 @10:39PM (#12085439)
    How do we get nudes on the PSP?

  • First line of the article (Score:5, Insightful)

    by bonch ( 38532 ) on Tuesday March 29, 2005 @10:41PM (#12085457)
    The PSP has redefined handheld gaming.

    Uh...it has? Because it plays movies/music and browses pictures?

    What aspect of handheld gaming has been "redefined" because of this?

    Not only have these things been done before, but the PSP hasn't redefined anything other than the idea of selling PS1 games I already own. I'm sure it's a nice system. But it's not redefining handheld gaming, other than redefining the phrase "customer service" (Sony says you're shit out of luck over dead pixels, unlike Nintendo who will happily fix your unit).

    I heard these same overhyped comments about the DS, which actually does do some pretty cool things (which also had been done before).

    • Well... (Score:5, Funny)

      by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday March 29, 2005 @10:54PM (#12085584)
      "What aspect of handheld gaming has been "redefined" because of this?"

      "Reasonably Priced" for one.
    • It hasn't redefined anything, I agree. I'd say its refined the style of handhelds, but nothing new.

      Also, they will fix dead pixels; don't believe you read on slashdot. You have to jump through a lot of hoops with customer service though.

      The DS didn't revolutionize anything either, and so far its title base is pretty weak. The stylus is novel and fun, but I prefer the sleek design of the PSP better. (And Lumines is addicting as hell.)

      All my statements are unqualified, I work in a game store. ;)

    • Redefining Handheld Gaming? (Score:5, Insightful)

      by billstewart ( 78916 ) on Tuesday March 29, 2005 @10:58PM (#12085627) Journal
      Let's see, you're holding a small thing with a screen on it, twitching your thumbs for a long time, and making noises unless you use a headset. To me that sounds like you're following the *same* definitions of hand-held thumb candy that have been around for a long time, but the picture's better :-)

      Wireless is potentially a real change - if it's doing things with multiplayer games that you couldn't do before in the handheld space, that's somewhat new, though they've been done with console/pc-based games, so the main new feature is that you can play them from somewhere other than at home, as long as there's a WiFi connection you can use. I assume it's supporting downloadable games as opposed to just cartridges, though they could do things with Memory Stick if they wanted, and that's a bit of a change, but as long as the prices are similar, it's not really much change.

      Cell-phone wireless data standards would be more revolutionary (if less compatible) - you could do game things like EA's Majestic or whatever it was that have location-dependent clues or interaction, or could do things with nearby people or provide portable games that let you talk to the people you're fragging\\\\\\\\cooperating with the way wired games let you do, or you could exchange pictures of where you are when you're somewhere other than your basement.

      But building tools that can be used for cool games is one problem - writing games that actually turn out to be cool, or turn out to be popular, is a much different skill, and can be a lot harder to get right.

    • Re:First line of the article (Score:5, Insightful)

      by Total_Wimp ( 564548 ) on Tuesday March 29, 2005 @11:02PM (#12085651)
      Uh...it has?

      Yep, it has, just like the iPod. The iPod was little more than a copycat product as far as technology was concerned, but it delivered just about exactly what people wanted, which was something that had somehow eluded previous products.

      The PSP does almost exactly the same thing. High quality 3D gaming, a bigger screan, better controls, more expandability and more media do not, in and of themselves, make this product genre redefining. Delivering almost exactly what people are looking for does.

      The real proof will be in the demographic numbers. If Sony hits a big market beyond kids then it will be a redefining product by definition. If it cuts into the handheld DVD market then it will be a genre redefiner. If Nintendo files chapter-11 then it will be a redefiner. If none of these things come to pass then it was just a really cool product.

      TW
      • If it cuts into the handheld DVD market then it will be a genre redefiner.

        Considering the PSP can't play DVD's this will be difficult.

        I don't know how many people are going to repurchase all of their DVD movies again in some proprietary format with inferior picture quality just to watch them on a PSP.

      • That might be a valid point with regards to the iPod comparison if the PSP was selling extremely well. However, as Slashdot's article last weekend showed, sales are "lukewarm."

        The iPod hit a sweet spot in simplicity and design coupled with an online music store that people actually liked. The high quality 3D gaming of the PSP is really PS1 games many people already own, on a system priced at $250. I can buy a new Playstation 2 for less than that. Sony won't be hitting a market beyond kids, because most
    • What aspect of handheld gaming has been "redefined" because of this?

      Sounds just like someone that hasn't seem the PSP in action. I got to try out the PSP a couple days ago playing Dynasty Warriors and I was blown away. The graphics are so crisp and beautiful. I also played the DS a little in Target once. The DS doesn't stand a chance when put up against the PSP. A review featured here on Slashdot earlier before the PSP release, we should wait for Nintendo's response to the PSP because the DS wasn't d
      • I see. Anyone who disagrees that the PSP isn't "redefining handheld gaming" is merely "posting asinine knee-jerk comments." Are you a Sony fanboy or something? I didn't say it wasn't a technically nice system. If gamers loved it so much, sales wouldn't be lukewarm [slashdot.org]. Just because it's technically nice doesn't mean everyone is going to spend $250 to make it a success. And it doesn't mean it's redefined anything in gaming.

        There's a big graveyard of technically superior handhelds with pretty graphics and

  • batter upgrade? (Score:3, Interesting)

    by etheriel ( 620275 ) on Tuesday March 29, 2005 @10:42PM (#12085462)
    What are the chances of upgrading the battery on this thing? Or better yet, can I expect sony to improve the battery life if i wait a while? If so, how long should I wait?

  • Amateurs don't carry static charges? (Score:5, Funny)

    by TexVex ( 669445 ) on Tuesday March 29, 2005 @10:48PM (#12085519)
    From TFA:
    If you are a professional, then you might want to ground yourself using a static strap to prevent any sudden static discharges from killing your PSP.
    Because your skill in hardware hackery determines how much of a static charge you can build up?

  • Sony still focusing on the wrong things (Score:3, Insightful)

    by briankoenig ( 853681 ) on Tuesday March 29, 2005 @10:49PM (#12085524)
    This comment is probably doomed to "Troll" status, but I am merely trying to start civilized discourse.

    I feel that the PSP continues Sony's trend of focusing on the wrong things when designing a game console. Sure, the PSP is complicated inside, and draws "Ooohs" from people that see the big screen, but that isn't what gaming is about. From an engineering standpoint, Sony made several stupid decisions, starting with the whole idea of using the PSP as a launching point for the UMD. Developers are already complaining about the slow transfer rates, and the load times are VERY long compared to other handhelds. The physical placement of the square button sacrifices gameplay for aesthetics, something which former-sony-head Ken Kutaragi admitted. Thirdly, the short battery life is a major downside, which is related to the UMD itself. Finally, the system spits out the UMD when you slightly twist the console, so be careful in public places or anywhere there is a distance between the system and the ground. Obviously, the design team focused on the system's aesthetics at the great expense of gameplay, usability, and battery life.

    A console is made popular by its games, and so far all the PSP games are just watered-down ports of PS2 games. They're fun to play, but designed for a TV-console setting. Whereas the DS and GBA already have many games perfect for on the subway or between meetings/classes when you only have 10-15 minutes, none of the current or announced PSP games have shown any innovation at all or any design choices aimed at handheld gaming other than "we'll let you save and pause wherever you want to."

    While the PSP is destined to be more of a nerd status symbol because of its sleek metal case and high price (the article mentions $200, but they aren't available outside of $250 bundles around here in the LA area), I don't think that Sony is going to attract and new gamers or fulfill any serious gamers' desires, and I think they made several design flaws that will keep the system from ever feeling completely natural.

    • Re:Sony still focusing on the wrong things (Score:5, Informative)

      by be-fan ( 61476 ) on Tuesday March 29, 2005 @11:05PM (#12085676)
      There are a number of inaccuracies in your post.

      I feel that the PSP continues Sony's trend of focusing on the wrong things when designing a game console.
      Yes, because Sony was *so* off base with the PS2...

      Developers are already complaining about the slow transfer rates, and the load times are VERY long compared to other handhelds.

      There are already games in Japan (Tales of Eternia), that have no load time. The PSP has a large amount of RAM. Developers *can* use it to minimize load time.

      The physical placement of the square button sacrifices gameplay for aesthetics, something which former-sony-head Ken Kutaragi admitted.

      I have a PSP in front of me right now. The square button feels the same as every other button. It was a problem in the Japanese consoles, but it's fixed in the 1001 revision.

      Thirdly, the short battery life is a major downside, which is related to the UMD itself.

      The UMD, if it is descended from the Minidisc, is not the problem. I have a minidisc player that gets 40 hours on a single AA battery. The UMD disc is even smaller and lighter, and should thus use even less power. It's the heavy-graphics that cause shorter battery life (see IGN's battery-life review). Of course, if you want longer battery lives, you can always play games with DS-level graphics.

      Finally, the system spits out the UMD when you slightly twist the console, so be careful in public places or anywhere there is a distance between the system and the ground.

      No it doesn't. Again, I have one right here. The PSP is very rigid --- I just tried to twist it, and nothing happened. If you really do manage to eject the disc by twisting it, then you're doing it hard enough to cause serious damage to the console. There is no way you can get that sort of torsion in regular use.
    • Finally, the system spits out the UMD when you slightly twist the console
      Every review I've read suggests that rumour is untrue. Is this something you've experienced?

  • I Got Yer "Authorization" Right Here... (Score:5, Insightful)

    by ewhac ( 5844 ) on Tuesday March 29, 2005 @10:50PM (#12085533) Homepage Journal
    "While taking apart the device is not technically reverse-engineering, Sony explicitly outlaws any modifications to their PSP. If you don't believe me, check out page 15 of the manual where they state, "No authorization for the analysis or modification of the system, or the analysis and use of circuit configurations, is provided."

    Very funny. Fortunately, as we all know, Sony does not have the right to make, much less enforce, this request. "Authorization" for opening and/or modifying the machine is embodied in the receipt from the retailer. Sony can void your warranty, of course, but you knew that when you started unscrewing the thing.

    Let us not take such histrionics seriously; it gives people the wrong idea.

    Schwab

  • Hmm, now why does this seem familiar (Score:5, Informative)

    by mcc ( 14761 ) <amcclure@purdue.edu> on Tuesday March 29, 2005 @10:50PM (#12085541) Homepage
    Ah yes, that must be it [slashdot.org]

  • Pixels deader than Johnnie Cochran (Score:2, Interesting)

    by Anonymous Coward
    Awesome. Can we learn how to fix dead pixels next?

    I spent $150 and all I got were 4 dead pixels out of the box, another 5 after two days of play, and $100 of GameStop store credit. I could have just given GameStop $100 and kicked an LCD monitor while playing Dynasty Warriors 2 for a couple days and been as well off.

  • Old news and better site for this - lik-sang (Score:5, Informative)

    by gorim ( 700913 ) on Tuesday March 29, 2005 @11:02PM (#12085648)
    Lik-sang tore a PSP apart back in mid-December.

    Here http://www.lik-sang.com/psp.html/ [lik-sang.com]

    Less annoying adds and page flipping. Everything is on one page.

  • God that's detailed (Score:5, Funny)

    by Manuel Lafond ( 854635 ) on Tuesday March 29, 2005 @11:03PM (#12085659)
    basicly, all this article says is "take your screwdriver, find the screws and unscrew them" it actually changed my life
  • But I bet that watching it feels a lot like reading that article.
  • Who the hell does this author think he is? You cant take apart hardware! You might accidentally learn how to circumvent some form of copy protection! What -- do you actually think you own that hardware just because you paid for it? HAHAHA, not in my country, you COMMUNIST!

    The lawyers are en route to your house, big boy. Let the bending and grabbing of ankles commence.

  • Why are they bundling spiderman 2 anyway? (Score:3, Interesting)

    by 3770 ( 560838 ) on Tuesday March 29, 2005 @11:37PM (#12085838) Homepage

    I mean, who in the target customer group of the PSP hasn't already seen it?
  • ... but he can't even afford a decent Husky micro screwdriver as apparent in the bottom right corner of this picture [informit.com].

  • PSP website (Score:3, Informative)

    by ksaville00 ( 833015 ) on Wednesday March 30, 2005 @12:19AM (#12086026) Homepage
    I started a website to help combine all the information that has been coming out. http://www.winbeforeyouplay.com Check it out..I am trying to update it frequently and more updates are coming soon.

  • Professional ??? (Score:2, Informative)

    by Liquid Len ( 739188 )
    If you are a professional, then you might want to ground yourself using a static strap to prevent any sudden static discharges from killing your PSP.

    A professional ? You'd better to do that any time you want to take an electronic device apart, professional or not...

  • Why? (Score:2, Interesting)

    by Cliff.Braun ( 825786 )
    Why would anyone dismantle something that just cost them $250, I could understand when it was an ipod shuffle, and they got it for free, but if you pay $250 and are willing to take the risk of breaking it just to see what's inside, send it to me instead, I'll send you pictures, and then tell you that it broke and keep it.

  • Revolution will be in network enabled media device (Score:3, Interesting)

    by mike3411 ( 558976 ) on Wednesday March 30, 2005 @01:05AM (#12086264) Homepage
    I think the most signficant advances of the PSP may be in the increased network connectivity. Depending on how easily software is written for the device, I can imagine users downloading or streaming tv shows, movies, news, or other user-created content over publicly accessible wireless networks, sharing that content with other nearby and remote users, all in a completely portable and fairly straightforward manner. While laptops are certainly capable of doing all of this, for $200 a user could have portable access to unlimited media content, and the possibility of other network-enabled applications is very significant. The slew of apps designed for palm pcs and personal organizers could find a new niche here, becuase with Sony's market there would be a huge number of users on a standardized platform. It remains to be seen, however, how open Sony will be with content developers, how much of the PSP can be modified, and to what extent users will be able to easily utilize these features.
  • I really don't see major point in all of this. What good could come out of this? It's not exactly dinner table talk...

    "So Jimmy, what did you do today?"
    "I took apart my PSP"
    "You mean that $250 toy we bought you?
    "Yup that's the one"

  • PSP can execute from the MS drive (Score:4, Interesting)

    by bindster ( 533597 ) on Wednesday March 30, 2005 @06:08AM (#12087278)
    I was at the Game Developer's Conference a few weeks ago, and the guys at the Sony booth were showing off the PSP. One of the things they had there was the dev-kit, which appears to be a regular VAIO desktop with a UMD drive. It also comes with a special PSP which has an umbilical to the desktop and subsequently, has no UMD drive.
    I asked one of the guys if the unit can execute code off a memory stick and he confirmed that this is possible. He then went on to add that this functionality is disabled in the consumer unit. Fascinating.

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