| I'm fairly certain there are folks at Nintendo | | | | device. In each instance, simply connecting the |
| feeling some serious self-loathing right about now. | | | | PSP to your PC with a 5-pin USB cord will let you |
| You see, back in the mid-90's Nintendo contracted | | | | drag files from your hard drive onto the PSP's |
| Sony to develop a CD-ROM drive for the Super | | | | Memory Stick. Pictures and music are fairly |
| Nintendo. As the project progressed, a number of | | | | straightforward, while video is less so, requiring |
| factors (one of them being the spectacular failure | | | | you to convert it to .mp4 format and set up a |
| of the Sega CD and its' followup the 32X) led | | | | separate folder on the Memory Stick.Picture |
| Nintendo to can the project. Sony was left holding | | | | viewing is a breeze. The PSP interface is set up in |
| the bag, with a CD-based gaming system but no | | | | a horizontal heirarchy displaying each function; you |
| one to sell it to.Making proverbial lemonade from | | | | simply navigate left or right to choose the |
| lemons, Sony turned around and produced what is | | | | application and then vertically to choose the |
| perhaps the most successful game console in | | | | source. Selecting 'Pictures' and then 'Memory Stick' |
| history, the Sony Playstation. The result? For the | | | | will let you browse whatever images you have |
| first time in history, Nintendo took second place in | | | | stored on your Memory Stick. Since the PSP uses |
| the video game console market, while fellow rival | | | | standard Memory Stick Duo format chips, if you |
| Sega got out of the console business | | | | have a digital camera that uses MS Duo sticks, |
| altogether.One segment of the gaming market | | | | you can simply slap the stick from your digican |
| Nintendo still has a stranglehold on, however, is | | | | into the PSP and browse to your heart's content. |
| the handheld sector. Beginning with the original | | | | The PSP allows you to zoom in or out and pan |
| Gameboy, the name Nintendo has been a | | | | the photos in any direction using the nub.Music is |
| veritable synonym for handheld gaming. This | | | | just as easy...you just drag your ATRAC (ech!) or |
| dominant streak has held sway through several | | | | .mp3 (yay!) music files onto the Memory Stick, |
| subsequent iterations of the Gameboy. Some | | | | and then navigate to them the same way you did |
| have claimed Nintendo's dual screen DS handheld | | | | the photos. One thing the PSP is not, however, is |
| system to be a revolutionary step forward in | | | | an iPod...you have to set up folders for each |
| portable gaming. Others have decried it as | | | | group of tunes you want, though you can assign |
| gimmicky. Whichever side you fall on, there's no | | | | tracks to song groups and play them back at will. |
| doubt Nintendo execs are fingering their collars as | | | | That said, the PSP's music playback functionality is |
| Sony prepares to rain on their parade with their | | | | great. The PSP comes with a decent set of |
| new Playstation Portable - aka the PSP.Comparing | | | | earbuds and a remote extension allowing you to |
| the two systems, I'd say there's a real chance | | | | control the PSP's music functions without having |
| Nintendo may finally have a serious challenger to | | | | to dig the unit out of your pocket. More |
| the portable gaming throne. Most assuredly, | | | | importantly, it sounds great. If you know how to |
| Nintendo will claim that they are pursuing a | | | | edit .wmu playlists, you can even assign thumbnail |
| different demographic than Sony (read 'kids'), and | | | | images to the tracks which will appear when you |
| to their credit the pre-teen crowd will probably | | | | play back the tune on your PSP.Videos are the |
| favor the DS over the PSP. But for anyone over | | | | biggest pain in the arse, mainly because you have |
| the age of 12, the PSP is definitely a serious | | | | to do the most fiddling. Luckily, homebrew PSP |
| contender for your pocket change.Okay, so | | | | programmers have already jumped to action, and |
| enough Nintendo-bashing. Review the damn thing | | | | there are already a number of freeware apps |
| already.The first impression one gets from the | | | | available online which will let you drag 'n drop video |
| PSP (once you've ravenously clawed your way | | | | onto your PSP with little or no trouble.The biggest |
| through the packaging) is just how sleek the | | | | drawback to all this media fun is the fact that the |
| system is. From a purely aesthetic standpoint, the | | | | PSP ships with a measly 32mb Memory Stick. By |
| PSP is one seriously sexy piece of cutting-edge | | | | the time you start messing around with music |
| tech. The system's faceplate is fashioned of one | | | | and video files, you'll be sorely aching for a big 'ole |
| glassy piece, interrupted only by the protrusion of | | | | 1GB Memory Stick.So okay, I'm sure you're |
| the various buttons. The backside is just as nice, | | | | wondering whether or not any of the horror |
| with the UMD disc door featuring a prominent PSP | | | | stories you've heard about the PSP are true. One |
| logo inside a silver metal ring set flush against the | | | | of the bigger points of contention that's hounded |
| backplate. The two shoulder buttons are clear | | | | the PSP is the dreaded 'dead pixels' issue. Reports |
| plastic, and the perimeter edge is accented in | | | | have circulated widely that a number of PSP units |
| silver giving the whole thing a very streamlined | | | | have been plagued by 'dead pixels', pixels which |
| look.Of course, looks are one thing, but how does | | | | are either permanently light or dark, depending on |
| it actually play? I'm happy to report that the PSP | | | | how they're stuck. My unit does indeed have a |
| delivers very well in this regard. For a portable | | | | handful of these dreaded dead pixels, but |
| system, weight is an important factor, as it is by | | | | seriously...I think you'd have to be a real |
| nature handheld. The PSP is fairly lightweight, | | | | anal-retentive type for it to be considered truly |
| especially considering all the hi-tech goodness | | | | bothersome. I'm certain that a handful of PSP's |
| crammed into it's slim chassis. In fact, it weighs | | | | have some serious issues, and Sony has agreed |
| just about the same as the Nintendo DS, if you | | | | to repair or replace these units at no cost. |
| need the comparison. You could easily play this | | | | However, seeing the problem first-hand, I can |
| thing for hours straight without feeling weighed | | | | honestly say that it doesn't seem to be that big |
| down.One thing that takes a little getting used to | | | | an issue. In fact, over the last week or so, some |
| is the somewhat cramped form-factor. While the | | | | of the 'dead pixels' seem to have disappeared, |
| PSP's controls may be perfect for Japanese | | | | leaving only two barely noticeable spots. The |
| gamers, most Westerners will find that having a | | | | other standout problem with the PSP's screen is |
| go with the PSP will involve a short learning curve | | | | that it is a veritable magnet for smudges and |
| while hunting for a comfortable grip. Really, | | | | fingerprints. Sony thoughtfully includes a microfiber |
| though, it's no worse than any handheld system | | | | cleaning cloth with the unit, and believe me, you'll |
| before it, and there's no denying that Sony | | | | get a lot of use out of it. If this really bothers |
| designed the PSP with ergonomics in mind. The | | | | you, be aware that for less than $5 you can buy |
| back of the PSP has a very subtle curvature on | | | | a number of PSP 'skins' which protect the screen |
| each side, creating a natural shallow channel for | | | | from smudges or (gasp!) scratches.The second |
| placing one's fingertips...it's a small detail, but it | | | | biggest concern about the PSP has been the |
| counts.Sony smartly modeled the PSP's controls | | | | battery life. So far, in my experience, the power |
| on the PS2's Dualshock controllers, minus two of | | | | supply is adequate for what the PSP is...a portable |
| the front triggers and the right control stick. | | | | gaming system. With average use, you should |
| Replacing the left stick is an analog 'nub', which | | | | expect to get between 4-5 hours of use |
| works much better than it sounds. Rather than tilt | | | | between recharges. I generally use the PSP to |
| on an axis, the nub moves gently in a horizontal | | | | while away lunch breaks or spare moments in the |
| direction, giving you the same control as a stick | | | | evening when I've got nothing better to do, and I |
| but without the height a stick would require. It's | | | | have yet to encounter a situation when I've been |
| actually a small bit of genius, and works great in | | | | left with a fully discharged PSP. If you really |
| action.As you've probably heard, the PSP's main | | | | expect to put some time into the PSP, you will |
| selling point is its' 4.3-inch hi-def screen. While 4.3 | | | | probably want to get into the habit of carrying |
| inches doesn't sound like much on paper, the | | | | around the included 5v power supply or invest in a |
| PSP's screen really must be seen to be | | | | secondary power source (Pelican currently sells a |
| appreciated. Both games and feature films look | | | | 'power brick' which will recharge your PSP twice |
| absolutely fantastic, and since the screen is | | | | on a single charge for a mere $10). Other reports, |
| formatted to a 16:9 ratio both applications can be | | | | from UMD's ejecting from the unit when its' |
| appreciated in full widescreen, high-definition glory. | | | | twisted, to poorly fabricated 'square' buttons, |
| Watching Spiderman 2 (which was included in the | | | | have really been overblown. I'm sure you can find |
| first million units sold in the US) is a remarkable | | | | faults with the system, but overall, it's very well |
| experience; when I first booted it up, I laughed at | | | | manufactured and should withstand years of use |
| the game store manager and proclaimed 'It looks | | | | provided you take care of it.A minor issue of |
| better than my television!'. And sure enough, it | | | | mine lies with the UMD movie lineup. While I'm all |
| does. The screen is bright and crisp, and you may | | | | for enjoying fan-favorite fare like Hellboy and Kill |
| find yourself picking details out of the image that | | | | Bill, I wonder if film studios will truly embrace the |
| you might not have noticed the first time | | | | format. Will we ever be able to enjoy Citizen |
| around.Of course, movies are one thing, but the | | | | Kane or the works of Jean Cocteau on the PSP? |
| PSP is primarily a game platform. You wouldn't | | | | I think not. Considering the highly proprietary |
| think so, but games benefit from the PSP's hi-def | | | | nature of the UMD format, I can't imagine the |
| screen moreso than films. Watching something like | | | | studios taking a risk on less bankable material for |
| Wipeout Pure in motion is amazing; not only is the | | | | consideration for UMD release. I suppose those of |
| image in razor-sharp hi-definition, it's also | | | | us who enjoy the occasional foreign or classic film |
| widescreen, allowing a larger view of the playfield | | | | will have to resort to storing flicks on the |
| than ever before. Again, you'd think a 4.3-inch | | | | Memory Stick. Oh well...least common |
| screen wouldn't capable of very much, but it just | | | | denominator, I suppose...Film snobbery aside, the |
| isn't so. Without a doubt, the PSP's screen is one | | | | PSP is truly a remarkable piece of engineering. |
| of the greatest single innovations the handheld | | | | When the PSP's specs were first unveiled a mere |
| gaming world has ever seen.Powering the PSP is a | | | | two years ago, it was widely believed that Sony's |
| single 333mhz processor, which may not sound | | | | handheld system was vaporware in the making, |
| too impressive up front, but visually, the PSP | | | | and that the final product couldn't possibly deliver. |
| stacks up favorably with it's bigger sibling, the PS2. | | | | Amazingly, they have. Nearly every point on |
| All the flourishes you've come to expect from | | | | Sony's ambitious list is intact. With numerous |
| the full-size gaming platforms, sharp textures, lens | | | | hardware and software improvements on the |
| flares, hi-poly models, can be found on a device | | | | way (digital camera attachments, installed web |
| roughly the size of a scientific calculator. Pick up | | | | browser and chat clients, PSP MMORPG's), Sony |
| Ridge Racer, perhaps the most visually impressive | | | | has crafted the first true challenger to the |
| title in the PSP's launch lineup, and you won't miss | | | | handheld gaming throne...and suddenly it feels like |
| the PS2 iterations one bit. Ditto for the | | | | 1995 all over again.Alex Mayo is a graphic designer |
| aforementioned Wipeout Pure, which actually | | | | of Irish/Filipino descent who grew up in Cincinnati, |
| manages to overtake the PS2's Wipeout Fusion | | | | Ohio. He was raised on comic books, punk rock, |
| by a fair mile...and not merely by virtue of it's | | | | and grade-B kung fu movies, which explains his |
| portability. It's actually a better game...if that | | | | complete and utter inability to deal with real life in |
| doesn't say anything to you about the power of | | | | a rational manner. He is reasonably well-educated |
| the PSP, nothing will.The PSP also lends itself to | | | | (if Art school counts), reasonably well-read (if |
| other applications, such as viewing photos, | | | | graphic novels and the 'Letters to Hustler...' |
| watching videos, and playing music. Though these | | | | columns count), and reasonably well-fed (if Sliders |
| are definitely secondary uses for the PSP, they | | | | from White Castle count).Alex currenty supprorts |
| are no less good selling points, as the PSP handles | | | | himself as a freelance graphic designer and as the |
| them well enough to be a serious consideration | | | | helmsman in charge of a popular Asian-American |
| for anyone looking for a secondary media display | | | | Pop Culture webzine. |