Author Topic: Questions for PSP Owners (Read 7436 times)

GGKoul · « **on:** April 07, 2005, 10:56:45 am »

I'm interested in finding out how the PSP handles/runs MP3s?

- What is the screen used for when you are playing MP3s? Is it on and displaying the song name? Can you turn off the screen?

- What is the battery life when you play mp3s only? As the standard 3-4 hour battery life would suck if I was using it just to play mp3s.

- I assume your using a Sony memory stick to play mp3s. But does the PSP use Sony's ATRAC3 compression so you can fit more songs on the memory disc?

Hoagie_one · « **Reply #1 on:** April 07, 2005, 11:06:25 am »

From what i read (dont have a PSP)

it plays mp3's and ATRAC3's

battery life is more like 10-12 hours for songs

oldsage · « **Reply #2 on:** April 07, 2005, 12:34:38 pm »

Quote from: Hoagie_one on April 07, 2005, 11:06:25 am

battery life is more like 10-12 hours for songs

I think you're exaggerating a bit... I own a PSP, although i never play MP3's on it and it's usually plugged in...
Anyway, i think with the screen turned off you might get a good 8 hour play time, but not more than that...
BTW, they sell external battery packs for it... It's actually just 4 AAA's, but it probably could add a little bit... Also consider car adapters...

pmc · « **Reply #3 on:** April 07, 2005, 12:39:31 pm »

The MP3 player is fairly barebones. It can read subfolders, so my music is organized by folder. It reads and displays ID3 tags when a file is selected or played. When playing, the bottons control RW, FF, Pause, next track, etc. There's no visualizer, support for playlists, or any other WMP/WinAmp/iTunes type features.

I'm expecting that a future release of the player software will offer far more in the way of features.

There's a "hold" position on the power switch. Slide the power switch down into "hold" and the PSPs buttons are all locked out. The idea is that you start playing an MP3, turn on "hold" and then slide the PSP into your pockets secure in the knowledge that an accidental button press will not ruin your musical nirvanic state. The screen will automatically turn off after x-minutes.

I have a 512MB SanDisk Pro Duo card that holds a small set of music files. I think it's the Apple 512MB iPOD Shuffle that cites 120 tracks and/or 10 album capacity. I'd suggest that spring for the 1gig stick until the 2gig sticks drop in price. The new high performance "gaming" sticks appear to be of little extra value on the PSP. The regular Pro Duo cards will do you fine for MP3 playback.

PSP plays MP3 and ATRAC but I've never bothered with anything but 128/256/192kbps MP3 and I've been happy enough given the quality of the included headphones. It won't play Apple's AAC format or MSFT's WMA.

I cannot comment on battery life. I plug it in often enough that I have yet to test it. I'll test that during travel later this month, but I'll ruin the test by playing games along the way.

oldsage · « **Reply #4 on:** April 07, 2005, 12:45:23 pm »

Quote from: pmc on April 07, 2005, 12:39:31 pm

The screen will automatically turn off after x-minutes.

Stupidly unnecessary and small note: there is a small "screen button" on the bottom of the PSP that can also turn off the screen...

BTW, a semi-related question - are the PRO DUO's the only ones that work? Will a regular DUO or just a plain MS work too?

EDIT: spelling...

SkateDetroit · « **Reply #5 on:** April 07, 2005, 12:48:42 pm »

I rip all of my cds with EAC (Exact Audio Copy) and then bring the bitrate down to 64 kbps. Saves soooo much space and sounds just fine through the PSP.

gprime · « **Reply #6 on:** April 07, 2005, 04:29:21 pm »

The screen button doesn't turn the screen off, it just dims it.

For your memory stick, the keyword is "DUO" that you are looking for. "PRO" just indicates whether it's a high volume memory stick or not (i think 256MB+ are pro?). Normal memory sticks will not work, since they are twice the size of duos. You can buy an adapter that allow them to work, but it looks so messy that it's not even worth it.

I don't use the mp3 feature so I haven't a clue how good the battery life is.

Gunstar Hero · « **Reply #7 on:** April 07, 2005, 04:37:35 pm »

If you kill the screen, lock the controls and use the remote, the battery life during MP3 playback is damn near forever as far as I can tell. It's the screen light and UMD drive that kill the battery. I know I've gone to bed listening to MP3's, woke up 7 hours later and still had 3 bars on the battery meter.

oldsage · « **Reply #8 on:** April 07, 2005, 05:10:52 pm »

Quote from: Gunstar Hero on April 07, 2005, 04:37:35 pm

If you kill the screen, lock the controls and use the remote, the battery life during MP3 playback is damn near forever as far as I can tell. It's the screen light and UMD drive that kill the battery. I know I've gone to bed listening to MP3's, woke up 7 hours later and still had 3 bars on the battery meter.

Are you kidding? If not, my PSP is probably really really messed up...

Zathras · « **Reply #9 on:** April 07, 2005, 05:19:08 pm »

Quote from: gprime on April 07, 2005, 04:29:21 pm

The screen button doesn't turn the screen off, it just dims it.

If you just press the button it dims it - but if you press and hold it it will turn off the screen. Same with the note button - if you just press it it will cycle between the sound modes but if you press and hold it - it mutes.

It does recognize directories but I believe from reading the manual it doesn't support nested directories (so you can't have a directory in a directory).

Edit: Actually the "Pro" designation has to do with throughput. - it does take non-"pro" cards but they can't keep up with video (it actually comes with a non-pro card) I don't know how they would do with audio.

oldsage · « **Reply #10 on:** April 07, 2005, 05:24:01 pm »

Quote from: Zathras on April 07, 2005, 05:19:08 pm

Edit: Actually the "Pro" designation has to do with throughput. - it does take non-"pro" cards but they can't keep up with video (it actually comes with a non-pro card)

SaiNRuB · « **Reply #11 on:** April 07, 2005, 07:59:08 pm »

I hope this is ok to post this but dell home has got 1 GB Memory Stick PRO Duo's for $95

oldsage · « **Reply #12 on:** April 07, 2005, 11:15:51 pm »

Quote from: SaiNRuB on April 07, 2005, 07:59:08 pm

I hope this is ok to post this but dell home has got 1 GB Memory Stick PRO Duo's for $95

woodywood · « **Reply #13 on:** April 08, 2005, 08:43:28 am »

Thanks for the DELL tip. Have been lookin for a couple of these but ebay prices are crazy.

pmc · « **Reply #14 on:** April 08, 2005, 06:42:04 pm »

Wow. $95. I just paid $60 for my 512MB stick last week.

gprime · « **Reply #15 on:** April 08, 2005, 07:02:50 pm »

Quote from: Zathras on April 07, 2005, 05:19:08 pm

Quote from: gprime on April 07, 2005, 04:29:21 pm
The screen button doesn't turn the screen off, it just dims it.

If you just press the button it dims it - but if you press and hold it it will turn off the screen. Same with the note button - if you just press it it will cycle between the sound modes but if you press and hold it - it mutes.

Awesome, I never knew that. I always used to wait for the screen to turn off.

But, I still think that Pro doesn't affect read/write speed at all. The PSP can't take advantage of the really expensive ultra high-speed cards.

Gunstar Hero · « **Reply #16 on:** April 09, 2005, 11:51:52 am »

I've put 1 minute video clips on the standard card in damn near DVD quality video.

And I don't see the 1gb stick on that dell page. The PSP needs the smaller stick.

caffinefiend · « **Reply #17 on:** April 09, 2005, 04:28:36 pm »

psp is a horrible system, many will buy it and be disapointed and come up with excuses to make it seem like they didn't waste their money...

mark my words.

pointdablame · « **Reply #18 on:** April 10, 2005, 08:45:55 pm »

Quote from: caffinefiend on April 09, 2005, 04:28:36 pm

psp is a horrible system, many will buy it and be disapointed and come up with excuses to make it seem like they didn't waste their money...

mark my words.

which words of yours should we mark??? the ones in your post where you give us no information whatsoever except for your obviously biased opinion? Those words?

Tell us... WHY will they be disappointed?

shmokes · « **Reply #19 on:** April 10, 2005, 11:36:11 pm »

Quote from: caffinefiend on April 09, 2005, 04:28:36 pm

psp is a horrible system, many will buy it and be disapointed and come up with excuses to make it seem like they didn't waste their money...

mark my words.

Thank god I read this post in time. I could have made a big mistake and wasted 250 perfectly good dollars if I hadn't stumbled across this bit of sage advice.

Your words are so marked. Thank you.

oldsage · « **Reply #20 on:** April 11, 2005, 12:21:50 am »

Quote from: shmokes on April 10, 2005, 11:36:11 pm

Quote from: caffinefiend on April 09, 2005, 04:28:36 pm
psp is a horrible system, many will buy it and be disapointed and come up with excuses to make it seem like they didn't waste their money...

mark my words.

Thank god I read this post in time.

Stingray · « **Reply #21 on:** April 11, 2005, 12:32:57 pm »

Quote from: caffinefiend on April 09, 2005, 04:28:36 pm

psp is a horrible system, many will buy it and be disapointed and come up with excuses to make it seem like they didn't waste their money...

mark my words.

Exactly what is horrible about it? I don't own one, but they certainly look amazing to me. I expect I'll own one before the year is out.

-S

Hoagie_one · « **Reply #22 on:** April 11, 2005, 12:45:23 pm »

Quote from: Stingray on April 11, 2005, 12:32:57 pm

I expect I'll own one before the year is out.

-S

ditto

GGKoul · « **Reply #23 on:** April 11, 2005, 12:53:48 pm »

If they can fix the battery life problem, as I travel alot and a 3 hour battery life doesn't cut work for me, I'll probably get one too.

triplebud · « **Reply #24 on:** April 12, 2005, 08:52:14 am »

I use mine as a MP3 player at work all the time. I have yet to go under 3 bars in an 8 day. i put the psp on "hold" slip it in my pocket, the light turns off when ever it turns off and i listen. If you are looking for something more folder based then ipod (or whatever). If you just want to listen to songs, dont mind hitting the skip button then its a cool extra feature to games movies and pictures.

skim36 · « **Reply #25 on:** April 12, 2005, 01:24:48 pm »

I just got one and I think it's really cool. Yes, the battery life is an issue, but here's some good news: Mad Catz are coming out with a battery for it that doubles the life. It's a little bigger than the standard....but it has a built-in cover so it's actually the battery and cover all in one....it's out next month...be on the lookout...I also heard that when they launch in Korea it will have built-in browser capability. That is in May also. Let's hope they put it in the next firmware update.

caffinefiend · « **Reply #26 on:** April 12, 2005, 02:53:17 pm »

sounds good, psp is looking better but I have a wishlist of 25 games for the DS and i've already sunk a lot of money into it, so just like the dreamcast... i'm gonna stick it out with my DS until the end...and then keep it since I'll have a nice little collection...

mad catz...hmm... i don't trust third party electronics when it comes to systems...better hope they don't explode...mad catz is definitely not very trustworthy...

Scott84 · « **Reply #27 on:** April 12, 2005, 03:24:19 pm »

Im not a fan of the PSP.... Im not a Sony Hater. Never owned a Sony system until last november when i got the PSTwo.. the smaller ps2.

PS2 has been really good so far.

However the PSP has things i just cant overlook.

- Lack of battery life (Technology just isnt there yet)
- Load Times (Portable should be quick and painless.)
- Cost (Games are expensive, system is expensive, memory sticks are expensive)

If PSP comes out with an upgraded model that sports faster load times, better battery life and a better price. I will be first in line.

I dont blame sony, the technology just isnt there to make the PSP as good as it could have been.

orntar · « **Reply #28 on:** April 12, 2005, 11:32:55 pm »

Quote from: caffinefiend on April 12, 2005, 02:53:17 pm

sounds good, psp is looking better but I have a wishlist of 25 games for the DS and i've already sunk a lot of money into it, so just like the dreamcast... i'm gonna stick it out with my DS until the end...and then keep it since I'll have a nice little collection...

mad catz...hmm... i don't trust third party electronics when it comes to systems...better hope they don't explode...mad catz is definitely not very trustworthy...

that was a quick turnaround. what happened to horrible system?

and madcatz has been around forever, nothing to not trust about them, just do research and see if the item you think you want really is what you are looking for. just like every purchase in one's life.

delta88 · « **Reply #29 on:** April 13, 2005, 02:56:07 am »

1. psp Rox
2. psp rox sumore
3. needs a cheaper media.
4. Incredible screen
5 RidgeRacer is the only game I got and I am hooked.....
6. promising future apps as well as emulation.
7.
8.
9.
10.........

I have some pictures, mp3's, and Vids on my memory card but with it being a 32mb card my saves are already up to 1.35mb's!!!. I recomend the Pelican screen protector and grip case and look forward to the madkatz batt. I still love my MK DC controllers witht ther rubber grips in stuff.

All this granted I have $13.00 invested into my PSP system and 1 game total.. Gotta love BLockbuster and there trade in program!!!!

caffinefiend · « **Reply #30 on:** April 13, 2005, 08:30:19 am »

i just looked at the list of games comming for the PSP and it makes me shudder. DS will have FF3, the dragon warrior series, vandal hearts, and shin megami to name a few...not to mention monster rancher...plus ds is the only system you can play madden on portable right now (current systems not game gear or something like that)

The DS is more durable as well, with optical media you will have psp games looking like the ps1 games...this is what happens with a mass appeal product...gaming has become way too mainstream these days...it needs to back to being an underground nerd thing like it was in the late 70's early 80's...

delta88 · « **Reply #31 on:** April 13, 2005, 02:11:20 pm »

........Nuff said......---->

wrxh8r · « **Reply #32 on:** April 13, 2005, 07:42:39 pm »

We wont know much about the games lineup till after e3.You would have noticed the general lack of info on games for both systems lately.

Developers arnt even using much of its processing power at the mo.

caffinefiend · « **Reply #33 on:** April 13, 2005, 07:47:04 pm »

you do realize that in the DS pic they were placeholder explosions...

I work at eb games and have access to a release list of about 300 games on each system...

the psp looks sad compared to the DS release list...

but people invested so much into the psp already that they wont dare speak against it, by doing so they invalidate their "investment"

oldsage · « **Reply #34 on:** April 13, 2005, 08:51:13 pm »

Quote from: caffinefiend on April 13, 2005, 07:47:04 pm

you do realize that in the DS pic they were placeholder explosions...

I work at eb games and have access to a release list of about 300 games on each system...

the psp looks sad compared to the DS release list...

but people invested so much into the psp already that they wont dare speak against it, by doing so they invalidate their "investment"

Compare the amount of time both systems were out... Good...
And besides, who cares about the amount? I care about quality... Also, i really hate having 100 exact same games for a system, each mildly intresting me, but none blowing me away, as opposed to 10 amazing games i would be more than glad to spend a furtune on!
And the DS won't have Marvel vs. EA!!!!
Or GTA!!!
Or GTM!!!
Or any game that doesn't have a very Japanese-ish name!!!

BTW, why don't you post that list, or sell it to some gaming site or something?

SOAPboy · « **Reply #35 on:** April 14, 2005, 06:07:11 am »

Quote from: oldsage on April 13, 2005, 08:51:13 pm

Quote from: caffinefiend on April 13, 2005, 07:47:04 pm
you do realize that in the DS pic they were placeholder explosions...

I work at eb games and have access to a release list of about 300 games on each system...

the psp looks sad compared to the DS release list...

but people invested so much into the psp already that they wont dare speak against it, by doing so they invalidate their "investment"
Compare the amount of time both systems were out... Good...
And besides, who cares about the amount? I care about quality... Also, i really hate having 100 exact same games for a system, each mildly intresting me, but none blowing me away, as opposed to 10 amazing games i would be more than glad to spend a furtune on!
And the DS won't have Marvel vs. EA!!!!
Or GTA!!!
Or GTM!!!
Or any game that doesn't have a very Japanese-ish name!!!

BTW, why don't you post that list, or sell it to some gaming site or something?

The release list is public domain.. ive actually got them printed out around here somewhere..

wrxh8r · « **Reply #36 on:** April 14, 2005, 06:43:54 am »

Those pics were supposed to be showing bias.I looked around and found a game that doesnt do the ds justice and one that shows a reasonable looking psp game.

Both systems actually look like they have good games coming out.It would be nice for the e3 impressions and more news though.
Although ds does have all those gba games to steal.

caffinefiend · « **Reply #37 on:** April 14, 2005, 08:57:51 am »

yea the list is very easy to find, lol

wrxh8r · « **Reply #38 on:** April 15, 2005, 05:07:32 pm »

I personaly just cant wait for unnamed rpg#1 or was that #3.Ah well i know i like one of them anyway.

oldschool · « **Reply #39 on:** April 15, 2005, 09:15:46 pm »

Just bought my PSP a couple of days ago and it is incredible. Great purchase.

dabone · « **Reply #40 on:** April 16, 2005, 09:50:16 am »

A coworker brought his in to the office yesterday, and I was amazed at the clarity of the screen and the great sound they get from those tiny speakers.

I think sony has a great portable media center with this product that as a bonus plays games.

Offering movies on disc for this thing is a great marketing tool.
(also the ability to transcode your own movies and put them on flash memory)

The psp has alot of features the expensive no name portable media jukeboxes have, but the support of sony and the games mean that the psp will probally steal alot of their business.

I mean here is a link to someone selling the creative media player.

http://www.futurepowerpc.com/scripts/details.asp?PRDCODE=MPCR-70PF095000&REFID=PW

Same functions as the psp for media, except it has a hard drive.

But the price!!! owww!!

I'll probally pick one up just for a mp3/movie player for the majority of the time, with the occasional game.

Later,
dabone

oldsage · « **Reply #41 on:** April 16, 2005, 10:49:24 am »

Quote from: wrxh8r on April 15, 2005, 05:07:32 pm

I personaly just cant wait for unnamed rpg#1 or was that #3.Ah well i know i like one of them anyway.

Awwww! So that's the list you were talking about...
They have that @ ign... only about a quarter of the games are named though, and i thought you were talking about a larger list, with actual names and stuff... Oh well...

I still love my PSP, and you just can't beat watching SouthPark episode 904 on that thing... And it actually fitted onto my 32mb card without a problem, and the quality is the same as the original recording...
Awesome episode...

caffinefiend · « **Reply #42 on:** April 17, 2005, 11:26:33 pm »

the psp speaker is not stereo... LOL

MKULTRA · « **Reply #43 on:** April 20, 2005, 04:20:24 pm »

Its kinda long but couldn't be any more fitting here.

http://www.hcn.zaq.ne.jp/cabic508/rsf/frame1.html

P.S. Virtual boy owns all

pointdablame · « **Reply #44 on:** April 20, 2005, 06:28:47 pm »

Quote from: MKULTRA on April 20, 2005, 04:20:24 pm

Its kinda long but couldn't be any more fitting here.

http://www.hcn.zaq.ne.jp/cabic508/rsf/frame1.html

P.S. Virtual boy owns all

kinda long? I made the mistake of clicking that on Penny Arcade today... it's like 30 minutes long!!!! I kept waiting for the end and it never came.

SaiNRuB · « **Reply #45 on:** April 21, 2005, 02:05:50 pm »

Oh the grandpa gameboy died

Funny stuff, i liked the TFT attack, lol.

pmc · « **Reply #46 on:** April 24, 2005, 01:08:58 pm »

Quote from: caffinefiend on April 17, 2005, 11:26:33 pm

the psp speaker is not stereo... LOL

Sure it is.

http://www.us.playstation.com/consoles.aspx?id=4

It's a little tinny sounding which is understandable given how small the speakers are, but the stereo separation works very nicely. Good headphones make a world of difference.

I just spent a week with my PSP on the road and I give it thumbs up as an MP3 player, battery life, and gameplay. I didn't use it to watch movies. My only gripe was the glare off the screen. I had to close airplane windows so be able to make sharp corners in Ridge Racer.

A guy at BestBuy said that there'd be 500 major theatrical releases on UMD by year end. Honestly, I don't see myself regularly watching movies on the PSP unless my airline travel life increases significantly.

- pmc


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Author Topic: Questions for PSP Owners (Read 7436 times)

triplebud