Inside the PSP 320
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 :)"
Criminal... (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Criminal... (Score:2, Funny)
Re:Criminal... (Score:5, Funny)
Those crazy anarchists, PSPs are for kids.
Anarchy isn't crime or destruction (Score:5, Insightful)
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)
"Disassemble! No!!!! Number 5 no disassemble."
I think we just killed a PSP--hope it wasn't alive
Re:Anarchy isn't crime or destruction (Score:2, Insightful)
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)
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)
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)
Re:Criminal... (Score:5, Funny)
nah they haven't bought that law.... yet.
Re:Criminal... (Score:3, Insightful)
Reverse engineering. Maybe not, but I'm sure they could claim it as "intent to reverse engineer."
Sudden popularity (Score:4, Funny)
Re:Sudden popularity (Score:2, Funny)
P acronym city (Score:3, Interesting)
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).
Re:P acronym city (Score:2, Funny)
Re:P acronym city (Score:3, Interesting)
Not to mention anything relating to old IBM PS/2 machines
Re:P acronym city (Score:3, Informative)
Re:Sudden popularity (Score:2)
Paint Shop Pro really came into it's own in version 9. It can do just about everything Photoshop can, and I think it has a better UI. One place it still could use some work on is it's vector graphics, but they got a huge boost from v8 to v9.
But hey, for 1/5th the cost of Photoshop (1/10th if you upgrade), it's an amazing deal.
Re:Sudden popularity (Score:2, Insightful)
Re:Sudden popularity (Score:3, Insightful)
Your logic is a bit flawed. No design company would request "Experience with GIMP". Most expect/require you to know how to use Photoshop. Hence your work doesn't have to be 'good' to justify the use of Photoshop; you ca
Re:Sudden popularity (Score:3, Insightful)
um no (Score:4, Funny)
I havent seen, im so excited... is it.. um.. electronics?
Re:um no (Score:5, Funny)
*Bzzzt!* Sorry, you're wrong. If you had bothered to RTFA, you would know that the PSP is actually powered by 14 extremely tiny, very angry weasels. Noone is sure how Sony has managed to harness the power of the weasels for good, but I, for one, welcome our new micro-weasel overlords.
But, as a parting gift, I give to you the knowledge that the people have been sacked. And I, for one welcome our new posting overlords!
Re:um no (Score:4, Funny)
Obvious? (Score:5, Insightful)
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.
Re:Obvious? (Score:2)
Re:Obvious? (Score:2)
Re:Obvious? (Score:2)
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)
Rights (Score:5, Interesting)
Re:Rights (Score:2)
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)
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)
Re:Rights (Score:2)
haha. am i the only one who did a double-take after reading that as "horses"?
Re:Rights (Score:5, Funny)
My grandfather helped take apart the german war machine. If that isn't a DMCA violation, I don't know what is.
Don't kid yourself (Score:2)
Re:Rights (Score:2)
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.
Helpful Information (Score:5, Funny)
First off, thank you Captain Obvious.
Re:Helpful Information (Score:5, Funny)
Easy to read and print (Score:3, Informative)
Re:Easy to read and print (Score:5, Funny)
Now that we've seen the PSP nude, (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Now that we've seen the PSP nude, (Score:3, Funny)
1. mount
2. mv ~/.pr0n
Re:Now that we've seen the PSP nude, (Score:4, Funny)
Re:Now that we've seen the PSP nude, (Score:5, Informative)
Re:Now that we've seen the PSP nude, (Score:2)
If I recall correctly, there was an article on browsing the web on the PSP a day or three ago...
First line of the article (Score:5, Insightful)
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)
"Reasonably Priced" for one.
Re:First line of the article (Score:3, Informative)
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)
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)
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
PSP is not a DVD player. (Score:3, Insightful)
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.
Re:First line of the article (Score:2)
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
Re:First line of the article (Score:2)
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
Re:First line of the article (Score:2)
There's a big graveyard of technically superior handhelds with pretty graphics and
Remakes? (Score:3, Interesting)
If shrinking them down into handheld size and/or adding new 'content' counts as new games/versions, then Half-Life 2, Doom 3 and Halo 2 were revolutionary. New content (maps, skins, models), new engines (either updated or brand new), new graphics (feel free to look up polycounts), new features (gravity gun, flashlight that isn't a worthless gimmick to show off lighting effects, dual wielding). Hell with the right advertisement, change the title name and the
batter upgrade? (Score:3, Interesting)
Re:batter upgrade? (Score:2)
Re:batter upgrade? (Score:2, Funny)
batter upgrade?
vegetable oil tends to work better if you deep fry, make sure your mix is nice and fresh, plenty of eggs and a good flour
walnut oil is the best if you can afford it, plus it gives a nice nutty taste !
Re:batter upgrade? (Score:2)
Re:batter upgrade? (Score:2)
length of a piece of string (Score:2)
This one is easy...
It's twice the length from the middle to the end.
Amateurs don't carry static charges? (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Amateurs don't carry static charges? (Score:2)
Re:Amateurs don't carry static charges? (Score:2)
Amateurs are expendable.
Sony still focusing on the wrong things (Score:3, Insightful)
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)
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.
I'm glad you said it. (Score:2)
Re:Sony still focusing on the wrong things (Score:3, Informative)
Re:Sony still focusing on the wrong things (Score:2)
I Got Yer "Authorization" Right Here... (Score:5, Insightful)
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
I Got Yer "Authorization" (Score:4, Funny)
How's that for enforcement?
Hmm, now why does this seem familiar (Score:5, Informative)
Pixels deader than Johnnie Cochran (Score:2, Interesting)
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)
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)
I've never seen snuff porn (Score:3, Funny)
DMCA! DMCA!! (Score:2, Funny)
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)
I mean, who in the target customer group of the PSP hasn't already seen it?
He can afford a PSP ... (Score:2)
PSP website (Score:3, Informative)
Professional ??? (Score:2, Informative)
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)
Revolution will be in network enabled media device (Score:3, Interesting)
Interesting... kind of pointless... but interestin (Score:2, Funny)
"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)
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.
Re:Hardware Hacking warning. (Score:5, Informative)
No, however (Score:2)
Re:Hardware Hacking warning. (Score:2)
Bah. Cheap for a paperweight. And probably prettier than this one. [ebay.com]
At that price, you could get several.
Re:Ads (Score:2)
Re:Ads (Score:3, Funny)
Re:Linux? (Score:5, Funny)
I mean, I don't mind that (I'd take the same tack with him -- see if I could hack better Wi-Fi, new input devices, etc.) but I can imagine the average guy getting to step 6 with a pile of parts on his desk reading "tune in next week...". *AW CRAP!*
Re:Linux? (Score:3, Funny)
Just take it back to Walmart and tell them it came that way.
Re:Linux? (Score:4, Funny)
I kind of saw that coming when he wrote on page three:
I wasn't sure at first where to start, but eventually trusted my gut instinct and went with the brute force method.
heh. good choice. always go with brute force. especially when dealing with electronics....
Wishful thinking (Score:2)
Re:Wishful thinking (Score:2)
Re:Images from a .cx machine? No Thanks.... (Score:2)
hell, I own spike.cx. sheesh.
I always end up behind that guy... (Score:2)
As part of the experience, I bet he will claim that his two year old got a hold of it for just a few seconds and managed to disassemble it and he not only wants to return the PSP but complain to Sony and tell them they should have designed the unit to be more robust. This will take an hour ending with a manager will show the "Void if Removed" st
Re:Waiting for this (Score:5, Funny)
Re:PS1 emulation? (Score:4, Informative)
the PSP isn't a general-purpose computing device
Turing say what? Or are you referring to signature requirements?
and its processor is quite a bit underpowered compared to a desktop PC.
333 MHz for PSP vs. 33 MHz for PS1 looks like it'd have the required tenfold margin of speed difference for interpretive emulation. Video (GPU and GTE cores) can be virtualized, as in PocketNES on GBA [pocketnes.org]. True, the PS2 doesn't run PS1 games in emulation, but a 300 MHz PC managed to run at least some N64 games in emulation during the days of UltraHLE.