Guides \ PlayStation Portable – General Guide
MyPSP - Playstation Portable General Guide
Sony describes the PSP as “a multimedia portable entertainment device which can be used for playing 3D games, full-length movies, music and viewing photos. In addition, PSP features Wireless (WLAN) capabilities for multiplayer gameplay as well as an in-built browser for accessing content downloads.” The Sony PSP had sold over 41 million units as of August 2008.
This guide is intended to help those in need of some general info about the PSP. Hopefully it opens some doors of knowledge for you.
Australian release date:
September 1, 2005
Release price:
$349.95
Sometimes referred to as
the PSP Phat or PSP 1000
First appearing prior to E3 in 2003, the first concept images and mock-ups of the PSP were released in November 2003. At E3 in 2004, audiences were given the chance to see the PSP for the first time. Sony shipped 200,000 units for release in Japan in December 2004. Australia had to wait until September 1 of the following year.
The Playstation Portable revolutionized Sony’s catalog upon release, giving gamers a whole new experience when it came to gaming on the move. Since the PSP’s release, mobile gaming has followed suit, with much improved graphics on greatly improved games.
The PSP originally floated around for sale in the Value Pack, including the console, a battery, an AC adapter, a 32 MB Memory Stick Pro Duo, headphones with remote control, a carrying pouch, and a wrist strap.
Australian release date: September 12, 2007
Release price: $279
Sometimes referred to as the PSP 2000
Two years following the initial release of the PSP, it was remodeled into a smaller and more compact size, bringing the name Slim and Lite. It was advertised to a great extent that the PSP’s second version was 33% lighter and 19% slimmer. Other hardware improvements aimed at fixing the previous PSPs poor load times for UMD games, by improving the internal memory (RAM and Flash ROM) from 32 MB to 64 MB, which in turn improved the web browser's performance also. To enable the reduction in size of the PSP, the batteries were also reduced in size, therefore also reducing the capacity of the battery by 1/3. Due to more efficient power usage, the run time of the PSP was still the same as the older model.
The Slim and Lite was originally released in only the 2 colours, Ceramic White and Piano Black, in September 2007. The following November saw the arrival of a Limited Edition yellow Simpsons version, to help celebrate the release of The Simpsons Game. In March 2008 an Ice Silver God of War PSP was released as a bundle with the game. Later in June 2008 the Ice Silver PSP was released with Final Fantasy VII Crisis Core.
Australian release date: October 23, 2008
Release price: $299.95 (Bundle package inc. a game)
The PSP 3000 boasts a much improved screen, with the LCD featuring an increased color range, five times the contrast ratio, half of the pixel response time to reduce ghosting and blurring effects, a new sub-pixel structure, and anti-reflective technology to improve outdoor playability. However, soon after its release it emerged that the new screen showed visible dark lines, similar to traditional scan lines, and displayed interlacing-like artifacts during on-screen motion. This was ousted as a consequence of the improved response time, and since it was a hardware fault it has been heralded as unfixable.
Further Reading:
PSP 3000 Recall on the Way?
The 3000 has an integrated microphone for use with Skype’s Wi-Fi Internet Phone. Apart from all of that, all it has is a few small changes to the buttons and logos.
Hot Tips
• Available in Black and Silver
• The general consensus on the screen issues is that it is noticeable, but not a problem, the improvements seem to far outweigh the flaws.
• The Home logo was changed to a PS logo, just like a PS3 has.
Firmware
Official Firmware
Sony has released a series of updates for the PSP over the years, these are officially known as Firmware. Firmware upgrades have gradually decreased in frequency as the PSP has aged, though they do come in handy when the PSP receives new features, whether it be PS3 connectivity or using your PSP with a television. Nevertheless, Firmware updates are generally used to bolster the PSP’s security and wane off hackers.
Custom Firmware
As with any console in the modern day, people wish to exploit it for all it is worth, whether it is to play games illegally or just for the fun of having beaten a big company such as Sony. Custom Firmware is the name of the “edited” versions of Sony’s official firmware. Custom Firmware is seen to be open firmware, it allows users to use homebrew, though also allows users to use the existing feature set of the official firmware (eg. Your 3.52 M33 -4 can still use Official Firmware 3.52’s features).
Homebrew
What is it?
Homebrew is a term covering the programs and video games produced by consumers. An exploited PSP may use these. It is generally accepted that the use of Homebrew is perfectly legal; however the use of Homebrew to play pirated games and ISO files is illegal. This website shares those values, please no talk of ISOs.
Formatting
What is it?
Formatting is basically the ‘resetting’ of the PSP Memory Stick’s memory, so it will delete all information off of the stick. Make sure you back up all important or useful information before formatting.
• Back up all memory you might need in the future (copy to a folder on your computer)
• Make sure your Memory Stick is inside the PSP, connect your USB cable
• Go to your XMB
• Settings > System Settings > Format
• Marvel at all of the empty folders on your PSP
Formatting, why?
Formatting your PSP will create all of the folders you need to add content onto your PSP. For example you must copy music into the MUSIC folder on the PSP, instead of having to create the folder MUSIC, formatting does it for you.
XMB
What the hell is a XMB?
The PSP’s XrossMediaBar (XMB) (pronounced Cross Media Bar) is basically the menu, your central station, your access to everything. You are able to edit the XMB’s wallpaper (by changing the color or adding your own photo) and theme.
PSP Themes
Sony made Themes for the PSP’s XMB usable in official firmware update 3.7. Since then the tool has been mainly driven by user made Themes, evident in our own section.
Adding Themes is quite simple. I learnt for the first time in just 30 seconds just then. Download the Theme, you may have to unzip it, but you will ultimately receive a .PTF file, this is the Theme. Connect your PSP via USB, copy the file into the directory: "Removable Disk:/PSP/Theme".
Then on your PSP, go into: "Settings > Theme Settings > Theme" and select the new theme.
Further Reading:
Installing Custom Themes onto Official Firmware
Making your own Custom Themes (Using GIMP)
Firstly open GIMP. Your image background must be transparent to work, so add an alpha channel ("Layer>Transperancy>Add Alpha Channel"). Use the Fuzzy Select Magic Wand Tool to select the white area around your image, delete it. Change the image size to the desired icon size ("Image>Scale"), view right to see the required sizes. Set the opacity at 99% or below ("Dialogs>Layers"). Save as a .PNG file, using default .PNG options.
Now open PNGtoPTF Image Convertor, open up the relevant file, convert it to 256 colors 8-bit format. Now open the Custom Theme Converter, and click on the desired tab. If you created a 48x48 image then it is a First Level Icon. Then select whether it was a Body or Focus image. Once you have done this with all of the images, go "File>Export" and create your .PTF. Follow the options above to transfer it to your PSP.
Links
• Download: GIMP
• Download: PSP Theme Creator
• Download: PNGtoPTF Image Convertor
• Need more help? Here's a helpful tutorial
• PlaySation Blog: How to: Make your own PSP themes
Transferring files onto the PSP
Music
• Copy the specific file(s) into the MUSIC folder on the PSP.
Note: You can only use files that are in the first root folder.
Eg.
"PSP > MUSIC > Artist Name" 
"PSP > MUSIC > Artist Name > Album Name" 
Photos
In the same manner as Music, just copy the files into the PHOTO folder on your PSP.
Video
You may choose to use Sony’s Media Manager or another video transferring program such as Pspvideo9, these make converting video files to the correct format and transferring them to the PSP, very easy. The PSP only runs MPEG-4 video files.
Both free programs:
• Sony Media Manager
• PSPvideo9
MyPSP’s most talked about games
Comments
Kudos: 6
Mates: 0
Kudos: 2
Mates: 0
azn_kvn69 said: I never knew the phat was also referred to as the 1000.
It's just the model number, look behind your battery 
Kudos: 1,256
Mates: 73
I never knew the phat was also referred to as the 1000. 
Kudos: 495
Mates: 14
Great work! How about a section about face plate swap options?
03/01/2009
The good part of Springvale
We should make more of these Super Duper Guides!!
21/12/2008
www.lewace11.co.uk |::| Edinburgh, UK
Kudos: 1,778
Mates: 24
IAMColonel said:
iddy said: very nice, but small tip on the theme creator for OFW,
blog.us.playstation.com/
it's another (more recent) official theme compiler, i prefer this one, as it has a bit more to it and has less errors
Cool. I added the link to the list, might look at using that instead of the other in the article. Thanks!
you're welcome
19/12/2008
On the ceiling, NZ
Kudos: 2,086
Mates: 20
WC_Loc said: Do people really talk about Manhunt 2?
Yeah that would have been because of the ban.
Kudos: 6,353
Mates: 98
Do people really talk about Manhunt 2?
17/12/2008
Cairns, Queensland [MGS GANG LEADER]
Kudos: 23,945
Mates: 0
you have to give credit to the people who have contributed in making this possible to ! D:
(just look in profiles for this medal 
)
(me)
Fantastic work IAC!
17/12/2008
Melbourne, Victoria
iddy said: very nice, but small tip on the theme creator for OFW,
blog.us.playstation.com/
it's another (more recent) official theme compiler, i prefer this one, as it has a bit more to it and has less errors
Cool. I added the link to the list, might look at using that instead of the other in the article. Thanks!
Kudos: 1,778
Mates: 24
very nice, but small tip on the theme creator for OFW,
blog.us.playstation.com/
it's another (more recent) official theme compiler, i prefer this one, as it has a bit more to it and has less errors 
16/12/2008
On the ceiling, NZ
Kudos: 442
Mates: 11
wow this is cool
Kudos: 1,872
Mates: 32
Very nice
16/12/2008
Sydney, www.teamxdesigns.downthe.net
Kudos: 1,492
Mates: 45
wat a guide!
16/12/2008
Manchester, UK http://kunill.mybrute.com
ROOK1E said:
fancy a bum ?
No.
16/12/2008
www.lewace11.co.uk |::| Edinburgh, UK
Kudos: 10,723
Mates: 613
Kudos: 11,327
Mates: 99
looks like someone's in the running for content award
Icam0007 said: wait who wrote this
That would be me
UPDATE: Making your own Custom Themes now added.
Kudos: 23,945
Mates: 0
eye axe zorr.
but i got a lot of info
Kudos: 3,363
Mates: 200
wait who wrote this
15/12/2008
akbar's fish sticks from the sea they bake so tender and flakey whip some up for you me pass them your making a big mistakey
Kudos: 23,945
Mates: 0
I contributed to this
i'm proud 
Lewace11 said:
Nothing at all! Just er.. Fancy a change?
:P
fancy a bum ?
unr3al said: i was just sayin you could put a small exp. here so the noobs dont have to click around and get lost lol
Put the link to the creator in. Might put an explanation in later, but as for now, i don't know how to use it
jimmiq said: btw u forgot God Of War in MyPSP’s most talked about games
Well, it wasn't even in the top 20, so i can't really 
It was done by the amount of comments on the game's page.
Kudos: 4,699
Mates: 52
btw u forgot God Of War in MyPSP’s most talked about games
Kudos: 832
Mates: 10
i was just sayin you could put a small exp. here so the noobs dont have to click around and get lost lol
15/12/2008
Ondor 9 - Sec. 3
IAMColonel said:
unr3al said: MHF2!! go monster hunter, if i ever get the chance im making a MH gang yo!, you could add something about the official custom theme creator?
Been done www.mypsp.com.au/
Lewace11 said: Want a new header for it?
I went through the liberty of making one...
What's wrong with my one?
Nothing at all! Just er.. Fancy a change?
:P
I prefer the one you made for the News article
But this one's good tooo!
15/12/2008
www.lewace11.co.uk |::| Edinburgh, UK
unr3al said: MHF2!! go monster hunter, if i ever get the chance im making a MH gang yo!, you could add something about the official custom theme creator?
Been done www.mypsp.com.au/
Lewace11 said: Want a new header for it?
I went through the liberty of making one...
What's wrong with my one? 
Want a new header for it?
I went through the liberty of making one...
15/12/2008
www.lewace11.co.uk |::| Edinburgh, UK
Kudos: 832
Mates: 10
MHF2!! go monster hunter, if i ever get the chance im making a MH gang yo!, you could add something about the official custom theme creator?
15/12/2008
Ondor 9 - Sec. 3
Awesome guide 
Holy rofls. I forgot I had a guide :S
15/12/2008
www.lewace11.co.uk |::| Edinburgh, UK
Kudos: 5,284
Mates: 268
What the hell is a XMB? that made me laugh
ADMIN: Added
15/12/2008
Geelong, Vic - [X] Krew Co-leader - [X] Krew for life =D
If you think there is anything else that could be added, please PM me. We want to progressively update this.
Enjoy
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