Ask PSP Fanboy: Volume 41
by Justin Eaton 
{ Sep 28th 2008 at 8:12PM }
It's the end of the week, which calls for a new volume of Ask PSP Fanboy! Each week we'll collect your questions, and each weekend a new volume of Ask PSP Fanboy will appear on the front page. If you've got a question, send an email to justin.eaton @ weblogsinc .com with the subject "Ask PSP Fanboy."
Q. Can the PSP-2000 be upgraded through firmware to display games over composite just like PSP-3000, or is that not possible?
A. The PSP-2000 only supports gaming through progressive scan, which requires component or D-terminal cables. The PSP-3000 model does support 480i, but this functionality is limited to the model, not the software.
Q. Can I ask whether or not you think that the PSP will finally support WPA2 encryption protocol in any near Firmware updated? It just annoys me how I cant connect to the WiFi at work due to the protocol not being supported! Although I do work in IT and could downgrade the security on the AP, but thats not really a good solution.
A. Several friends of mine have asked that same question, wondering why Sony hasn't included WPA2 support. I'm unaware of any hardware restriction; I just don't think it's one of Sony's priorities right now.
Q. I was wondering if there is any way to listen to music on your PSP while playing games?
A. Aside from a few select titles (GTA: LCS, NBA Live 07), playing music during gameplay is not currently possible. In fact, Sony has just recently added this functionality to the PS3, so it may be more of a hardware restriction.
Q. Are the weight, size, or dimensions between PSP-2000 and PSP-3000 different?
A. There are no significant differences as far as physical dimensions are concerned; just an added microphone and a brighter, higher-contrast LCD screen. There is a slight change in the button shape for the "start" and "select," and the home button has been replaced with a "PS button."
Q. I just recently bought a D-terminal cable for the PSP and I was wondering if this cable is meant to only work on Japanese TV sets or are there US TVs compatible with this cable? I've had no luck finding a TV in the US with this TV output.
A. Unfortunately D-terminal is a Japanese standard for video output, and you'll have a very difficult time finding that same input on an American TV. You'd be better off with component cables, which will support video output for games, and give you that "higher-definition" (480p).
Q. What I want to know is if I continue with my plan and buy the PSP-3000 pearl white import from Japan, what am I going to have to expect? Will it play games I buy here in America and the UK (moving soon), what type of adapters will I have to buy, are all the memory cards compatible? I know the movies don't work but in truth I don't care about them. Will the Japanese PSP play my mp3s and what programs will I not be able to use. Will I have to learn Japanese to use it or is my plain old English good enough?
A. Imported units are always a bit tricky, because while most functionality of the PSP isn't region locked, you'll still notice a few differences, based on the firmware alone. One obvious example would be the "X" and "O" buttons switching, where the Japanese controls tend to use "O" as a select button. While Sony only recommends using the corresponding firmware with the region your unit came from, you can technically load any firmware update on any PSP. Format support won't change on an imported unit, so you won't have any trouble loading your mp3 files. Memory Stick compatibility also isn't an issue.
Q. Does my PSP web browser support websites that have embedded Flash games/programs?
A. As long as your PSP has firmware 2.70 (or later) you'll have Flash Player 6. Compare that to the latest desktop version, Flash Player 9, and you'll see that some games and videos will run well, others will be quite laggy, or unsupported altogether.
Q. Will the new PSP have better speakers than the PSP-2000?
A. From what we've heard, the only major hardware improvements involve a brighter, anti-glare LCD screen, and a built-in microphone. We're not aware of any changes to the speakers.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Gurbinder @ Sep 28th 2008 8:57PM
I dont understand how homebrew unlocked so many of these yet Sony still fails to include these in firmware updates. If they did less people would be using cfw and pirating and more people would buy a psp.
lorddshadow @ Sep 28th 2008 10:51PM
well i know a lot of people who got a psp to get cfw so sales actually could have been worse if sony did that BUT third parties would definitely be putting out more games.
Christopher @ Sep 29th 2008 10:00AM
@lorddshadow
It's an fallacy to blame poor third party game support on home brew or even piracy. Piracy is RAMPANT in Japan, yet we've seen the PSP not only pick up sales in Japan, but absolutely TROUNCE the DS in Japan this year. It just doesn't add up that piracy=fewer games. Primarily, I blame the early support for the DS for slowing PSP sales. Last year you couldn't find a DS anywhere and everybody wanted a second or third one. Of -course- developers are going to develop for the hotter console.
Now look though. Everybody has a DS, but only a portion of people are even using them. The Wii is very similar in that respect. Now that people are seeing how capable the PSP is, it's picking up steam. Even in the US, the last few weeks have been slightly better. Japan has fallen in love with the multifunctionality of the PSP only since last fall. I predict next year will be much better for the PSP.
Diogo @ Sep 28th 2008 9:13PM
Actually, about the listen music while playing games thing, there is a homebrew that let you do that and some more, called iRshell, so it is not a hardware restriction. At least, when I used it, I didn't notice any loss of performance.
Gurbinder @ Sep 28th 2008 9:31PM
Yeah, thats exactly what I mean, along with another application for homebrew that allows you to play games full screen on any kind of tv. Sony's ghetto like that.
Hashbrown Hunter @ Sep 29th 2008 5:25AM
The only reason Sony may or may not be developing something like iRShell is because they are a lot more careful when introducing new technologies with the PSP. In the past, whenever they've added something hackers found a way to exploit it and use it to run custom firmwares and homebrew. They're being a lot more careful and if they are adding major things to firmware (like for example the PSP Store) then they're going to take their time with it and make sure there aren't any loopholes. They can't afford any more mistakes.
Prism @ Sep 29th 2008 9:08AM
Yeah, I asked about the music, but I don't want iRshell. I just want to one thing, and iRshell is overkill. I guess if it's the only way though ...
Hashbrown Hunter @ Sep 29th 2008 5:30AM
...am I the only one who is a little pissed off at Sony for introducing a third PSP model after just one year? It makes me feel inferior with my PSP Slim as I would've preferred to have a mic and a better screen. And even the bundles are at a better price! And the composite cables now show the games?! I plunked down $15 for that and I only had a SD TV so I was hoping that maybe Sony would implement the use of it like the homebrew scene did. But they didn't.
I feel like I've been left behind :/
Gurbinder @ Sep 29th 2008 7:03AM
Your not the only one, i was ranting about it earlier in August until several people were against me and said " why do you care, just dont buy it".
Whatever... Im tired of arguing with Sony, if i ever get a console or handheld I'm going with Nintendo, I've had too many issues with Sony, from their walkmans , earphones, and Sonicstage.
devilmaker @ Sep 30th 2008 5:50PM
I still use my PSP-1000, how do you think I feel. Heh. At least it shows I got a PSP from the start, which I like.
Diogo @ Sep 29th 2008 9:37AM
To Prism:
After some googling
I think this can help, I can't test it now, but I will definately give it a try when I get home:
http://techismything.blogspot.com/2008/08/psp-play-games-while-listening-to-music.html
conor @ Sep 29th 2008 3:12PM
i have 2 years accidental damage so i just chuck psp 200 out the car boom! i get a new one.
Angel @ Oct 2nd 2008 9:49PM
Its been a while since the last PSP firmware upgrade, what you think Sony is up to... hummmm...... :-?
mr judg @ Sep 30th 2008 3:10PM
will the new model allow me to view my location free player stream via component cables? as the latest model doesnt appear to let me be able to which was my main reason for the purchase of the component cables and was told at the sony playstation store at the metreon that this feature was allowd but seems to actually be limited when using compponent cables.