PSP differences

[koiti]

Hey all, so I'm thinking of buying a PSP soon but theres quite a few things I'm confused about. I went to the shops to ask, and I know you can buy the original which can only play real games, and the ones where they've edited which can play downloaded games. If I buy the edited one, does that mean the downloaded games are to be stored on a memory stick, which is then inserted into the PSP to play? I've got a few friends who have PSPs, and I see that at startup they can choose which game to load.. this isn't a real game then, right? Since the real games are on UMD discs and only one game can be loaded at a time.

Another question is if I buy the edited PSP, will I be able to play real games also, or be limited to downloaded ones, and can I also play the "fake" ones sold in Mong Kok, etc? Cos I know they sell UMD discs there, but does that count as real or downloaded?

Sorry if this seems like basic stuff, I want to know the differences before I buy one and realize I got the wrong thing.

Thanks in advance!!

[phooey]

I've got the version where you can't play the pirated games but I'll try and answer your questions

If I buy the edited one, does that mean the downloaded games are to be stored on a memory stick, which is then inserted into the PSP to play? - YES

I've got a few friends who have PSPs, and I see that at startup they can choose which game to load.. this isn't a real game then, right? - You can still store 'real' games

UMD discs can only be played at one at a time.

If I buy the edited PSP, will I be able to play real games also - YES, although someone told me that the version number is important and sometimes when i put in a new UMD it requires me to update my PSP version so maybe you can't play the newer games.. you should check with someone else on this.

[Tom1985]

Type "psp hacking" in google and choose the second link (dcemu i think). That site, and the messageboards will tell you everything.

Essentially you need a psp with firmware version 1.5. It's not hacked, it simply doesn't check for signed code i.e. Sony messed up.

Newer psp's have different hardware which stop you from downgrading although there are ways being released all the time.

Since you don't seem to know much about doing all the downgrading to the older firmware, I'd suggest buying a psp with version 1.5 firmware so you don't risk bricking your psp. Also, never update the firmware, EVER! Look out for a program called devhook which will let you play backups off the memory stick!

[Bungle]

The info from Tom1985 is essentially correct. You want a PSP with firmware version 1.5.

If you get any firmware version up to 2.80, then you can run certain "patches" or hacks to downgrade the firmware back to 1.5. The risk (albeit very small) is that you are "flashing" the built in ROM and if it goes wrong, your PSP is dead forever (known as bricked).

Once you have a 1.5 PSP, there is a problem - newer games will not run on 1.5 and ask you to update to a later firmware in order to play the game. This is where the Devhook emulator software comes in. You run this from the memory stick and it tricks the PSP into thinking it is upgraded, but in reality it is still 1.5

I have been using a 1.5 running Devhoook for over a year now and love it. It can be a bit daunting at first, but I have set up a few for friends' young children and even they can get the hang of it, so don't be put off by the jargon and talk of bricking.

In the last few weeks a new alternative to Devhook has been created, adding even more functionality. It is called 3.02 OE-B and again requires you to flash. This also allows you to play converted Playstaion 1 games. There have recently been hundreds of these appearing for download on the web.

I installed this last weekend and it certainly has several benefits over Devhook (not least being able to play Gran Tourismo 2).

Here are some useful links:

http://www.psp-hacks.com/

http://www.psp-hacks.com/psp-hacks.php

http://www.psp-hacks.com/forums/about60396.html


If you have any other questions, have a look through the forums on that site, or ask here and I'll see if I can help.

[entropyfan]

I live in the US and I'm interested in picking up a PSP here with region 1 UMD drives in the random event I buy a PSP Movie. Do any stores in Sam Shui Po or Wan Chai carry US REgion PSPs??

[sp1key]

and the one that can only play real games cost slightly cheaper than the other