Alot of people like to ask questions about all of the consoles and handhelds available on the market, but now here comes the most comprehensive FAQ to date that will continue to be updated as more questions arrive, but for now we start off with the PlayStation Portable (PSP) and PSP-Go.
So lets get down to it and start the best known FAQ to date for the PSP:
Q: Do Downloadable PSP Games Load Faster than UMD Games? A: Great Question, OK most will load faster, but not all games, I have tested a few like Prinny, God of War, Killzone: Liberation and Patapon and they all loaded a little faster. Prinny loades alot faster then the UMD version of the game.
Now is this a rule? the answer is no, but it seems to not only load faster then their UMD version, the PSP console seems to last longer with the downloadable version of the game than the UMD release because the PSP has less work to do in acquirring data from a memory stick than it does from a UMD, this means the PSP's battery has less work to do which means you can continue gaming o nthe PSP for even longer. This is a huge relief for me since the battery life of the PSP is one of the big three issues that the PSP suffers from.
Q: Do PSP original games work on the PSP Slim/Lite? A: Yes, all PSP games work on all models of the PSP, in most cases they work a lot better on the Slim/Lite (PSP-2000) because from the PSP-200 onwards, the handheld included more RAM than the former PSP Phat (PSP-1000).
Q: How can I improve my sound experience on my PSP? A: Now first off, if you think any old ear phones will do the job here, your in for a real shock. I didn't buy the really expensive ear buds ether, I got a generic version from GameStop (Electronics Boutique to the rest of the world) and what I found out was interesting as testing the ear buds that were designed for the PSP was far better then the same quality ear buds from Walmart or Bestbuy, I also found out the reason is all in the thickness of the cord, it is way thicker on the PSP ear buds then any of the other products you would pick up.
Q: What does AD-HOC mode mean in PSP terms? A: So here is what I gathered from the US Playstation Website, hope this answers your question:
AD HOC mode allows multiple PSP systems to communicate with each other within a limited range. For example, if you want to play a game against someone else with a PSP® in the same room, use the Ad Hoc mode. Other things to know about Ad Hoc mode:
AD HOC mode lets you connect a PSP system to other PSP systems without having to set up a WAP (Wireless Access Point).
You can use AD-HOC mode to play games with other PSP system owners.
You can connect up to 16 PSP systems for wireless play using AD-HOC mode.
You can also use AD-HOC mode to send and receive images from one PSP system to another.
Q: Why does my PSP lose power even when switched off? A: Battery power is used even when the PSP system is turned off. Charge the battery frequently and remove the battery from the PSP system when it is not in use for extended periods of time. Yeah, but there is no reason for it to take from 10-100 % of your battery power when it is turned off, come on Sony.
What to do about it : Remove the battery when the handheld is not in use, this will save you from recharging it all of the time, as continually recharging the PSP system could burn out the battery and force you to buy a new one within six-eight months.
Downside : Yes, you have to reset the time and date on your PSP everytime you re-insert ythe battery back into the handheld, luckily the firmware and all of your saved data is still there. That is all that really matters.
Q: What is a WEP Key? A: WEP – Wired Equivalent Privacy, here is the official description:
WEP is a to deprecated code to secure IEEE 802.11 networks. Wireless networks broadcast messages using radio and are thus more susceptible to hacked than wired networks. When introduced in 1999, WEP was intended to provide extra security comparable to that of a traditional wired network.
UPDATE : Loads of e-mails about the PSP have been making their way in recently, asking this and that so Iinstead of doing like fourteen different questions and answers. Here it is, but only still in the same format that most people like so much. Enjoy.
The FAQ is for the PSP-1000/3000, but a lot of these questions will also link to the other versions of the PSP like the PSP-Go.
Q1 : How long does the battery last? A : It says one-four hours, for the 1200 MAH battery that comes with the console, but that is wrong, as it is about two-three hours for gameplay, but it is much longer for the music player and about two and a half hours for playing movies.
Q2 : Are there any good games? A : Yes, they are depending on your style. Check our reviews section before you spend your money.
Q3 : How are the graphics? A : Really amazing, of course depending on what game. I say better than a portable DVD player screen by far.
Q4 : How easy is it to learn the controls? A : Well if you are a Playstation fan (PSOne, PS2 or PS3), then it maybe easier. But just to let you know, the X button is usually the power button in all the games on the console version, but on the PSP, this is not normally the case and the analogue nub is really annoying. It takes some time playing the PSP to get use to it. It took me about one month to get use to it.
Q5 : How much are the games? A : About US $9.99 - $59.99 MSRP (UK £9.99 - £39.99 RRP) per game brand new.
Q6 : How much is a new battery? A : About US $29.99 - $59.99 MSRP (UK £25.99 - £45.99), but of course you can get it cheaper.
Q7 : What is a UMD? A : UMD Means (Universal Media Disc), basically it is Sony's attempt to protect their mini CD's from being copied. Good try Sony, as it was cracked in less than a month.
Q8 : Are the UMD games fragile? A : Yes, very, very fragile. Although people will fight this point, look at them and see. Drop it and it's toast.
Q9 : Are UMD movies worth the price? A : In most cases no way, but then again, most are 50% cheaper than normal DVD format (in North America & Canada) from US $9.99 - $19.99 MSRP (UK £19.99 - £29.99), but of course there are ones for more. But be aware you can only play them on your PSP, so the best decision is to pass on UMD movies and just buy the DVDformat instead.
Q10 : Are UMD music worth the price? A : Nope. Other then music videos on the disc. I would say get it from some other source (like DVD & CD) and these are also very, very hard to find in North American, Canadian and UK markets.
Q11 : Does the PSP LCD screen scratch easily? A : Yes, way too easily. Most people will want to buy a case or LCD screen film for their PSP consoles. These retail for about US $9.99 MSRP (UK £14.99), but these are very hard to find on the American & Canadian markets (Easy on the UK market).
Q12 : Does the body of the PSP scratch easily? A : Yes, but not as easily as the screen, it smudges like crazy and requires an anti-static cloth to keep the system clean.
Q13 : What games do you recommend for first time gamers? A : There are a few, although it does depend on what type of game you like:
1. Ratchet and Clank : Size Matters - Platformer
2. Killzone: Liberation - Shooter
3. Patpon - Music
4. God of War: Chains of Olympus - Action
5. Untold Legends 1 or 2 - Action RPG
6. Crush - Puzzle
7. GTA: Liberty City Stories - Action Adventure
8. Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker - Stealth Action
9. Syphon Filter: Dark Mirror - Action Adventure
Well that is all for now. More information will be added if we receive more questions.
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