PSP Meets the TV?

[NoName]

While I'm a bit sceptical myself, PS2NFO is claiming (http://www.ps2nfo.com/modules.php?name=News&file=showarticle&threadid=4975) that in the works is a device that will allow you to hook your PSP up to a TV.
It also includes features such as turbo auto-fire, and best of all NO soldering is required so all PSP gamers can enjoy it.If something like this does come out, would that increase the usefulness of the PSP, combined with all the homebrew stuff out there?

[Abednigo]

Since the PSP screen is widescreen, would the games then play in widescreen format? Or would it just squish it? Does the article say and I should just shut up and read it? ;)

[NoName]

Since the PSP screen is widescreen, would the games then play in widescreen format? Or would it just squish it? Does the article say and I should just shut up and read it? ;)
No, the article doesn't say, that's a really good question. I would assume it stays widescreen, else it would look horrid.

And for anyone else not reading the article, the other interesting thing is that you can hook a PS2 controller up to the device, so the PSP becomes more of a PS with this.

[Hewie]

If this proves to be true and works well enough, I'll go out and buy a PSP in a heartbeat.

[rein]

Since the PSP screen is widescreen, would the games then play in widescreen format? Or would it just squish it? Does the article say and I should just shut up and read it? ;)

There looks to be a 16:9 toggle switch on the back view image.

[Gamewatcher]

Considering that movies (and probably most games) are scaled to the PSP screen resolution, it's likely they'll look horrid on a decent TV. Might work OK on a cheap 13-inch analog TV, but forget about watching or playing on your 42-inch HDTV. (FYI, I blogged about this back in March (http://www.gamestay.com/categories/blog/2005/03/28.html) - movies don't actually look all that great on the PSP's screen either.)

FWIW, I saw the Nintendo DS blown up onto two larger screens at PAX. It sure made it easy to watch someone else play, but the games were seriously jaggy. The PSP wasn't shpwn at PAX - so I haven't seen how they do in a kiosk. Anyone see them on display at another show, like E3?

-=Gamewatcher

[NonSoft]

While I'm a bit sceptical myself, PS2NFO is claiming (http://www.ps2nfo.com/modules.php?name=News&file=showarticle&threadid=4975) that in the works is a device that will allow you to hook your PSP up to a TV.
If something like this does come out, would that increase the usefulness of the PSP, combined with all the homebrew stuff out there?


I think the only thing that will increase the usefulness of the PSP is a decent library of games. The only thing I've found to be even fairly interesting about the system is the homebrew aspect of it, and sony seems to be doing everything in their power to kill that. At this point having TV-Out on the PSP doesn't serve a major purpose. So you can watch stretched out UMD's on it? I'd rather watch a DVD. As for playing games, well...what are there? 3 or 4 decent games? No thanks.

[Aero Leviathan]

UMD movies are roughly twice the PSP screen resolution.

The resolution of PSP games is greater than that of many PS2 games.

[Ernst_Jager]

You know PSP on a 36"+ would have to look like total shit. Big difference between the sizes of the screens. Hell watch a movie on your computer at 640x480 then size it up to 1280x1024. You will see a difference.

[Hewie]

You know PSP on a 36"+ would have to look like total shit. Big difference between the sizes of the screens. Hell watch a movie on your computer at 640x480 then size it up to 1280x1024. You will see a difference.

Good thing I only have a 27" :D

[TrackZero]

Good thing I only have a 27" :D

Ditto. But I'd find this device more useful to bring with me to a friends place or someone who's lacking the tech to playback movie files. This would be a nice quick easy way to show off things I've downloaded. Good stuff.

Edit: By 'tech' I mean, things like a computer, a DVD drive, broadband, etc....I know it's crazy, but those people do exist. Some may even be people you know!

[Lon Lon Rabbit]

I'd hafta class it as more of a novelty than anything.
I forked out for these sort of things in the past with Nintendo (Super Gameboy, Game Boy Player) and I hafta say they never got THAT much use.
If I was at home and was planning a bit of a marathon session of a GB game I occasionally used it (Advance Wars, Fire Emblem, Metroid) but generally a handheld console is used on the go, so these occasions were rare. Perhaps with the movie playback there's more of an excuse, but I still think people won't use them as much as they might expect, I thought I would use my GB player more than playing my Gamecube itself, but I often found myself just playing the games on the GBA anyway even if I was at home, sitting on a chair right next to my Cube.

[Royal Fool]

Wow, this could transform the PSP into a PS2.5... widescreen games, higher resolution... but only one analog stick and two shoulder buttons. Perfect!

[Dracula-X]

UMD movies are encoded at 720x480...

[Azrikam]

Am I the only one shaking my head here? Why on earth would you want to bother with this, let alone consider it a selling point, as one poster mentioned. Is shelf space at such a premium in your home that you'd pay a small fortune for a low-resolution (as far as your TV is concerned) game system that plays just a handful of games? Couldn't you almost pick up all 3 consoles for the price of a PSP bundle?

[TrackZero]

I'd hafta class it as more of a novelty than anything.
I forked out for these sort of things in the past with Nintendo (Super Gameboy, Game Boy Player) and I hafta say they never got THAT much use.
If I was at home and was planning a bit of a marathon session of a GB game I occasionally used it (Advance Wars, Fire Emblem, Metroid) but generally a handheld console is used on the go, so these occasions were rare. Perhaps with the movie playback there's more of an excuse, but I still think people won't use them as much as they might expect, I thought I would use my GB player more than playing my Gamecube itself, but I often found myself just playing the games on the GBA anyway even if I was at home, sitting on a chair right next to my Cube.

Well, for one, this isn't a gameboy. It plays movies, displays pictures, plays music, etc. So it makes perfect sense to have a device to output to a television. As has also been stated, UMD's resolution would look great on a TV, as this doesn't need to output at the PSP's native res. I know I'll find some uses for it, specifically when I'm visiting friends in the country who don't have access to broadband so I can show them shit instead of just describing it to them all the time.

[Lon Lon Rabbit]

Well, for one, this isn't a gameboy. It plays movies, displays pictures, plays music, etc. So it makes perfect sense to have a device to output to a television. As has also been stated, UMD's resolution would look great on a TV, as this doesn't need to output at the PSP's native res. I know I'll find some uses for it, specifically when I'm visiting friends in the country who don't have access to broadband so I can show them shit instead of just describing it to them all the time.

So far as I can see, the biggest use I'd have for it is playing the games. It'd be far simpler to hook up my laptop to the TV when I want to show movies to friends. Therefore, the only "new" thing this would get any use out of from me is being able to play PSP games big screen.
If/when I buy a PSP, I will never buy UMD movies. I'd much prefer a DVD with more space/extra features, which again I can just stick in the DVD player/laptop and not need to play it through my PSP onto the TV.
And don't tell me a laptop "isn't portable", because there's no way I'd carry a PSP in my pocket, which means it gets shoved in my backpack, just like my laptop does day in and day out.

[TrackZero]

So far as I can see, the biggest use I'd have for it is playing the games. It'd be far simpler to hook up my laptop to the TV when I want to show movies to friends. Therefore, the only "new" thing this would get any use out of from me is being able to play PSP games big screen.
If/when I buy a PSP, I will never buy UMD movies. I'd much prefer a DVD with more space/extra features, which again I can just stick in the DVD player/laptop and not need to play it through my PSP onto the TV.
And don't tell me a laptop "isn't portable", because there's no way I'd carry a PSP in my pocket, which means it gets shoved in my backpack, just like my laptop does day in and day out.

Yes, well, I'll get right on that "owning a laptop" thing, when I have $2000 Canadian to blow on it for the same functionality that we're refering to here.

I have absolutely nothing against laptops (in fact, I do plan on getting around to buying one some day when I pay off my loans). But just to respond to the last one, a PSP is far more portable than a laptop, unless you're insane. Oh and not everyone wears a backback there sport.

Funny, this reminds me of the whole PC versus Consoles argument already.....

[Lon Lon Rabbit]

Well, just as in your person situation (not having a laptop) I have mine (I'm a uni student with a backpack with me day in day out). For me, the most I would get out of this item is to play games on big screen. Along with everyone else I know at uni, they carry a laptop or simply even carry a CD wallet to a friend's house and hook their PCs up to tvs with nothing more than a single cable when they want to watch something "portable" and not on an official DVD.
People had not been having any troubles viewing this sort of media before the PSP came out, and I don't see how an extra expense is required just for YET ANOTHER alternate method to watch these things. I'm not saying these features are pointless, just that the times when they are going to be the most convenient are going to be far and few between when there's so many ways to view them already.
And obviously yes, I WOULD be stupid if I thought that laptops were the same size as PSPs, but what I was talking about is that I have my backpack, making the size difference negligable. My backpack does not shrink to the size of the PSP while I'm carrying it, or grow to the size of my laptop when I try and stuff it in.
And I have to say, I think if I were to take my PSP somewhere, I'd stick it in my backpack even if it was the ONLY THING in there. Sure it's nice and slim, but I don't want a bulge that length sitting in my pocket all day long, it's gotta be awkward.
I do agree with your final comment however, we are arguing the most mundane points 8(

[TrackZero]

Well, just as in your person situation (not having a laptop) I have mine (I'm a uni student with a backpack with me day in day out). For me, the most I would get out of this item is to play games on big screen. Along with everyone else I know at uni, they carry a laptop or simply even carry a CD wallet to a friend's house and hook their PCs up to tvs with nothing more than a single cable when they want to watch something "portable" and not on an official DVD.
People had not been having any troubles viewing this sort of media before the PSP came out, and I don't see how an extra expense is required just for YET ANOTHER alternate method to watch these things. I'm not saying these features are pointless, just that the times when they are going to be the most convenient are going to be far and few between when there's so many ways to view them already.
And obviously yes, I WOULD be stupid if I thought that laptops were the same size as PSPs, but what I was talking about is that I have my backpack, making the size difference negligable. My backpack does not shrink to the size of the PSP while I'm carrying it, or grow to the size of my laptop when I try and stuff it in.
And I have to say, I think if I were to take my PSP somewhere, I'd stick it in my backpack even if it was the ONLY THING in there. Sure it's nice and slim, but I don't want a bulge that length sitting in my pocket all day long, it's gotta be awkward.
I do agree with your final comment however, we are arguing the most mundane points 8(

Of course your friends do. They're in university! You've got all the time in the world. Hell, I remember lugging my PC back and forth for LAN parties and the like. It's also now almost expected cost that you get a laptop if you're in school (at least, at most well-to-do places, god forbid there are people who are hard-up for money not having the same capabilties).

"and I don't see how an extra expense is required just for YET ANOTHER alternate method to watch these things"

Once again, you're not listening. Most people do NOT own laptops. The cost of a PSP versus that of a laptop is significant. Especially when one has little use for a laptop. I've been in the work force for going on 6 years now, and I have a computer there, I have a computer at home. I run into rarely any situation where a laptop would be useful at all, even while travelling (when I want to unplug from the net anyways). I also own a PSP, because it's a great device for playing movie files and emulators, not to mention a few games (and again, didn't cost as much and is far more portable).

So having this device, which is what this article is about, is a great little extension for it for those times when I am visiting friends places and want to show them something. This device IS useful and does have a market. It just doesn't include you.

Note: Just aside from this device and going back to having a laptop or a PSP for similar functionality....something you might not yet realize, some workplaces don't want you bringing in a laptop to sit at your desk all day (as for all they know, you're sitting there playing StarCraft on it, or copying company files to bring home). Whereas as PSP is far more discrete and can just be pulled out when you're on a break.

Oh, and there are alternates to backpacks. Such as (drumroll) laptop bags (which IMHO look far better than backpacks to bring to work). But even with many of those, lugging a laptop around is a heavy pain in the ass, unless you get a sexy lightweight one (which always costs yet more money).

Anyways, once again, I'm sidetracked. My point is simple. The PSP has much of the same functionality of the laptop at a much smaller price point and is far less to carry around. That being said, this product in particular will find some use. If it doesn't float your boat, hey that's fine, it's not meant for everyone obviously.

[Lon Lon Rabbit]

This isn't about PSP functionality, I won't argue that the PSP is a handy little portable video player, I'm arguing about how often you'll really actually want to blow up whatever you're showing to someone to TV size.
The "many other options" I'm speaking about to show a friend something don't only include a laptop, as I said, in a lot of cases you can simply stick a DVD in a player, or stick a cd in their PC at home. I'm pretty sure most households have a computer with a CD drive by now...
And if they don't, then they are the EXTREMELY marginal uses you'll get out of this device that I'm talking about.
And if you're "just quickly showing a friend" some little clip or something, what the hell is wrong with just doing it on the PSP?!
And as for the silly argument over laptop portability again, everyone here quickly learns not to bring laptops in laptop bags.
Easily identifiable laptop = stolen.
Sadly that has now been extended to those brand name laptop carrying specific backpacks, so our "safe" laptop carrying options are limited.
Anyways, just in case you yet again misunderstand me, and tell me that I'm misundestanding YOU;
1: I am not a PSP hater, I plan to adopt one soon when I have the money, it's an awesome little portable media center.
2: I am not a hater of the device in this thread, I merely say its use for putting MEDIA to full screen will hardly get used in the face of all the other pre existing methods, including just showing the damn clip on the PSP. I'm not saying it's USELESS, I do understand the fact that others would have more use than ME, but believe me, wait till you buy this, and come back and tell me how often you bother to pack it and how long it gets used in the face of doing whatever the hell you do now to watch movies.
3: I WOULD use this device mostly for big screen games, as I have with these products in the past, but even then, I would mostly be using my PSP on the go, not sitting at home in front of the TV.

I hope the stubborn two of us drop this soon 8(

[TrackZero]

This isn't about PSP functionality, I won't argue that the PSP is a handy little portable video player, I'm arguing about how often you'll really actually want to blow up whatever you're showing to someone to TV size.
The "many other options" I'm speaking about to show a friend something don't only include a laptop, as I said, in a lot of cases you can simply stick a DVD in a player, or stick a cd in their PC at home. I'm pretty sure most households have a computer with a CD drive by now...
And if they don't, then they are the EXTREMELY marginal uses you'll get out of this device that I'm talking about.
And if you're "just quickly showing a friend" some little clip or something, what the hell is wrong with just doing it on the PSP?!
And as for the silly argument over laptop portability again, everyone here quickly learns not to bring laptops in laptop bags.
Easily identifiable laptop = stolen.
Sadly that has now been extended to those brand name laptop carrying specific backpacks, so our "safe" laptop carrying options are limited.
Anyways, just in case you yet again misunderstand me, and tell me that I'm misundestanding YOU;
1: I am not a PSP hater, I plan to adopt one soon when I have the money, it's an awesome little portable media center.
2: I am not a hater of the device in this thread, I merely say its use for putting MEDIA to full screen will hardly get used in the face of all the other pre existing methods, including just showing the damn clip on the PSP. I'm not saying it's USELESS, I do understand the fact that others would have more use than ME, but believe me, wait till you buy this, and come back and tell me how often you bother to pack it and how long it gets used in the face of doing whatever the hell you do now to watch movies.
3: I WOULD use this device mostly for big screen games, as I have with these products in the past, but even then, I would mostly be using my PSP on the go, not sitting at home in front of the TV.

I hope the stubborn two of us drop this soon 8(

So now I need to assume they have a DVD player or a PC? Meaning I'd have to convert my video over to DVD and burn a disc to let them watch it, or alternatively bring it over and watch it on their PC (if they have one) on a smaller screen. Yes, those are options. However a PSP plus this device elimates the needs for me to go searching for alternatives. EVERYONE owns a TV and that's all this requires they have, period. The onus is on me instead of them.

Well let me just break this down to the simple fact that I specifically have 3 different people I often visit where this device would immediately come in handy with. I consider that worthy of me picking this device up assuming it's somewhere in the sub $100 range (Canadian). Therefore, under the assumption that I'm not some one in a million guy, I'd say they have a market to sell this, despite whether or not you like it. There's really nothing else to be said.

[Groo]

It sounds like the Nintendo fanboys are up in arms because this is yet another reason why the PSP is better than the DS.

[TrackZero]

It sounds like the Nintendo fanboys are up in arms because this is yet another reason why the PSP is better than the DS.

Well, not in my case. I own both and enjoy them equally. I'm living in portable paradise. They both have their own strengths.

[Lon Lon Rabbit]

Groo, as I said, I plan on picking up a PSP soon, I'm far from a blind fan boy... I'm arguing from the point of owning similar devices.
So TZ, wait wait wait...
I am not allowed to represent "the market" because I own a laptop and think that there are other easier alternatives, yet you are allowed to because YOU think you have a few uses?
You don't think you're one in a million, but you think I am?
That sounds a bit off to me...
On DVDs: I mean instead of bringing a UMD to someone's house, bringing a retail DVD movie; NOT burning a movie to DVD and then taking it in for their computer. This can be played straight onto the TV through a standard DVD player.
On "Movies from your computer": These can be burnt to CD/stuck on a USB key/portable HD/transferred to laptop etc with less effort than converting a video to PSP dimensions and then transferring it to the PSP.
If I want to grab a file and get out of the house, I know which method I would use, even if I had my PSP; the faster and easier ones. Those methods are also ones which allow me to trade the file on to these friends I'm showing it to if they want a copy. They also mean I can view the file in a lot more ways. And if my friends don't have a PSP, then they can take it to THEIR friends' houses on their own laptops/CDs/USB keys/HDDs!
Almost everyone owns a DVD player these days, and if your friends don't, chances are
A: Live in a retirement home
B: Wouldn't care in the least about the size difference in watching a film clip on a PSP screen/TV screen/monitor.
I don't think I know a single person who doesn't own a computer without a CD drive either, even the friends and family of mine who are the least proficient with, and the most paranoid of technology.
Finally now, as I'm getting called a fanboy and NO ONE listens to what I'm still saying after all my ranting; I DO NOT HATE THIS DEVICE. I MERELY THINK ITS PRIMARY USE WILL BE FOR BIG SCREEN GAMES, AND 90% OF USERS WILL NOT BOTHER TO USE IT FOR OTHER MEDIA PURPOSES IN THE FACE OF EASIER ALTERNATIVES.
And with a 10% adoption rate with that use in mind, I think I'm justified to call that functionality a novelty.
I think we're starting to blur the line here with opinion and fact, this damn thing isn't out, neither of us has figures or impressions, and the name calling has started just because people don't like my prediction on this currently non existent device.

[TrackZero]

Groo, as I said, I plan on picking up a PSP soon, I'm far from a blind fan boy... I'm arguing from the point of owning similar devices.
So TZ, wait wait wait...
I am not allowed to represent "the market" because I own a laptop and think that there are other easier alternatives, yet you are allowed to because YOU think you have a few uses?
You don't think you're one in a million, but you think I am?
That sounds a bit off to me...
On DVDs: I mean instead of bringing a UMD to someone's house, bringing a retail DVD movie; NOT burning a movie to DVD and then taking it in for their computer. This can be played straight onto the TV through a standard DVD player.
On "Movies from your computer": These can be burnt to CD/stuck on a USB key/portable HD/transferred to laptop etc with less effort than converting a video to PSP dimensions and then transferring it to the PSP.
If I want to grab a file and get out of the house, I know which method I would use, even if I had my PSP; the faster and easier ones. Those methods are also ones which allow me to trade the file on to these friends I'm showing it to if they want a copy. They also mean I can view the file in a lot more ways. And if my friends don't have a PSP, then they can take it to THEIR friends' houses on their own laptops/CDs/USB keys/HDDs!
Almost everyone owns a DVD player these days, and if your friends don't, chances are
A: Live in a retirement home
B: Wouldn't care in the least about the size difference in watching a film clip on a PSP screen/TV screen/monitor.
I don't think I know a single person who doesn't own a computer without a CD drive either, even the friends and family of mine who are the least proficient with, and the most paranoid of technology.
Finally now, as I'm getting called a fanboy and NO ONE listens to what I'm still saying after all my ranting; I DO NOT HATE THIS DEVICE. I MERELY THINK ITS PRIMARY USE WILL BE FOR BIG SCREEN GAMES, AND 90% OF USERS WILL NOT BOTHER TO USE IT FOR OTHER MEDIA PURPOSES IN THE FACE OF EASIER ALTERNATIVES.
And with a 10% adoption rate with that use in mind, I think I'm justified to call that functionality a novelty.
I think we're starting to blur the line here with opinion and fact, this damn thing isn't out, neither of us has figures or impressions, and the name calling has started just because people don't like my prediction on this currently non existent device.

My points have been well made that there is a market for this device (a market meaning people who want to buy it, so yes, obviously you're not a part of that). Other than that, this conversation is long over. There's nothing more to accomplish. And don't attack my friends. They live in the country and are quite disconnected from broadband. I don't think you're a fanboy by any stretch. I just think you're going way too far into this, drop the subject, let it go, walk away.

(Note: I have no idea why you brought UMDs into this. I never referred to them once. So I can only assume you're not reading what I'm saying but projecting your own ideas onto me.)