Most Asked Questions About the PlayStation Portable, or PSP

Q: What are the PSP's specs?

A: The PSP is basically a PS1 with a processor that can run up to 333 mHz. It comes with a 32 MB memory stick for storing stuff, a tiny – but easy to play on – 4.3 inch widescreen LCD, a USB port for connecting it to a computer, and even a WiFi receiver so you can connect to the internet, or other PSPs. The battery lasts between 4 and 7 hours, and takes about 3 to fully charge while it's in use.

Q: What Do I Have To Do To Maintain/Repair/Upgrade My PSP?

Basic maintenance for the PSP dictates that you should use a screen protector so your screen doesn't get scratched up and hard to use, and to always keep the PSP in a case when you're not using it – a hard case is much better then the soft one it comes in.

Also, avoid programs that flash the PSPs internal memory at all costs, as this can actually make your PSP no longer work – they turn it into an expensive hunk of plastic and worthless parts.

Luckily, the PSP is extremely durable, so don't worry if you drop it – I've known people who have dropped their PSPs on cement and concrete, and they still work just fine.

Also, many people prefer custom firmware with a recovery mode option, so you have the option of restoring it in case of a crash. Your firmware has to be 1.5 or lower in order to use custom firmware.

Tons of the components are completely replaceable, like the battery, and even the memory stick. You can even get a PSP skin to change the color of the case!

If you're serious about upgrading, check out the site PSP Mod.

Q: What's a UMD and Is It Related To A WMD?

A: UMD stands for Universal Media Disc, which is the primary method in which movies and games run on the PSP's mini disc drive. A UMD can only hold 1.8 gigabytes, and as of now there's no way to write a UMD.

The contents of a UMD can be backed up a memory stick of the PSP, or on the computer using programs like Dark Alex's UMD Dumper.

You should always use protective covers for your UMDs.

Q: What Kind of Media Can The PSP Handle?

A: Tons.

For games, it can handle PS2, Genesis/Master System, GBA, NES and SNES, PS1, and of course, PSP games.

Where music is concerned, it can handle .mp3, .mp4, .wav, .ac3, and .wma.

With videos, it takes .mp4, .ogg, .mpeg/.mpeg-2, and of course, .avi files.

It can handle almost any kind of photo file, including .jpg, .bmp, .tif, .png, and .gif, and it takes Java, Javascript, Flash, RSS, SMS, IRC, Telnet, and email very well.

Q: What Extra Stuff Can I Buy For My PSP? What Should I?

A: A lot!

For the basics, you'll need a USB cable, and a hard traveling case with plenty of space for UMB discs. A screen guard is a wonderful idea, so you don't scratch anything up. You'll probably want a larger memory stick, too – most games or 1GB or less, so that should be your minimum size. Prices are steadily falling, and you can find a 4 gigabyte stick on sale for under $100.00.

Also, although not a need, headsets are available. You should wait to get a camera until they become better quality, as they're not very good yet.

However, the GPS navigational system is simply phenomenal, and should be a staple for anyone who often drives.

If you want to watch cable on your PSP (Which is just an awesome idea), try buying a TV Tuner Card. You can get them for as little as $10.00 and it totally worth it.

There are two PSP-to-TV adapters on the market – one which attaches to the front of the screen, and a kit that adds a circuit board to the PSP itself.

You can send TV and videos from your hard drive to your PC over a WiFi network using 'homebrew' applications like PiMPStreamer, Portable VNC, and PMP VLC – these also let you control your computer remotely.

Q: How Can I Get Games and Stuff Onto My Memory Stick Without Messing Something Up?!

A: To do this, you need an A-B USB 2.0 cable. They usually only cost between 5-10 bucks, and last forever. When you connect your PSP to a USB port, you get a folder that shows up in My Computer that has everything on your memory stick. Simply cut and paste the information over!

Q: Where Should I Put The Files?!?

A: Game backups should go into \ISO. Most programs and games go into \psp\game directory, and there should be two folders. If there's only one, it's meant for firmware 1.0, or custom – you can split the file into two folders using PSP Brew.

Music should be placed into \psp\music, but it can't go too deep -- \psp\music\rock is fine, but \psp\music\pop\Donnas, The won't work.

.mp4 videos need to be placed in \mp_root\100MNV01, and they have to be named something very specific to work – the first movie needs to be named M4V10001.mp4, and the second should be M4V10002.mp4, and so on and so forth.

Q: What Sort of Emulators/Games/Applications Are Available For My PSP?

A: There are literally tons of emulators for old consoles that work wonderfully on the PSP – basically anything older then the PS1 can be emulated to near perfection on the PSP. One of the best emulators is the completely functional PS1/PSX emulator, as it plays all PlayStation games flawlessly. It's available for custom and Sony firmware.

Also, there are dozens of 'homebrew' applications, like e-book readers, organizer programs, SMS and IRC, are available for a PSP.

Q: Can You Only Play Games With 1.5 or Lower, Or Can I Use Them With 2.0-3.10?!

A: Thankfully, exploits have been found so that it is possible to play homebrew applications on newer firmware – 1.5-2.80. However, to fully take advantage of the PSP and it's many uses, you should still downgrade to the 1.5. You should also never upgrade your firmware, because you can be missing out on so many games!

Q: Will I Lose Stuff When I Downgrade To 1.5?

A: Nothing that's of any real importance. Any updates or features you might lose are still available in homebrew programs, and custom firmware.

Q: What's The Difference Between One Firmware And Another??

A: 1.0 is the original firmware, but there isn't anything different from 1.0 and 1.5. These two, and custom firmware, are the only ones that run all games and applications.

Firmware 3.10 and higher cannot be downgraded at all.

Q: Can a Homebrew Hurt My PSP?

A: Because they're all open source freeware, they can get a little funky at times, and you may freeze the PSP once and a while, but that's the worst of it. Make sure to download from trustworthy sites!

Q: How Much Stuff Can I Put On My Stick?

A: For an idea on how much will fit on a one gigabyte stick, here is what someone keeps on his:

  • 1 PSP game ISO
  • 1 movie
  • 4 music albums
  • 100 NES roms

Q: Is There Only A Browser For 2.0 and Up?!

A: Of course not! There are a couple homebrew browsers that work just as well with 1.5 – my favorite is Full Screen Browser.

Q: How Do I Load My ISO Files?! Can I Play Online With Them?? They Won't Automatically Update My PSP... Will They?

A: You'll be able to play most online games fairly well with custom firmware (It's iffy with official), but some simply don't work because of the way they were copied. Forced updates are automatically bypassed, too, so you don't have to worry.

The best two programs for loading ISO files are Daxz ISO Loader, and DevHook. Check them both out and see which one you like best.

Q: What Are Some Of The Reasons I Should Use Custom Firmware?

A: A recovery mode is the single best reason to use a custom firmware. You can restore your PSP when it crashes, so that you don't have an expensive, yet worthless, piece of plastic.

You can also completely customize your firmware – nearly everything in it can change, so you can have a truly unique firmware that is perfect for you.

You can also do tons of things that you can't do with official firmware, like play PS3 games and more.

Q: What are...

Downgraders are programs that literally downgrade your PSP to a lower firmware – one that makes it easier to run open source programs.

eLoaders are hacks that allow open source programs to run on official firmware that's higher than 1.5.

Custom Firmware is a modified version of official firmware, with features that are added by the user. They allow homebrew programs to run much better, and often enable multitasking.

Homebrew are programs and games that are made by users, not official developers, and are usually free and open sourced.

ISOs are backup files of games and UMDs that run from the memory stick of your PSP, using an ISO loading program.