My adventure with a PSP2TV..aka RIP my PSP

[LiquidPolicenaut]

A few of you may have heard of the PSP2TV adapter, which lets you play your PSP games on your TV screen. I will admit I was interested in it, figuring I walk to work here in NYC so playing my PSP on the go isn't really an option, and it'd be kinda fun to play my PSP games on my TV (as I also enjoy playing my GBA games on my TV). Now, I knew in advance that you'd have to disassemble your PSP to connect it, but it didn't look too difficult by the video or the pics so I figured I'd try it. We'll now chalk that up to mistake number 1 :) Today I received the unit plus three faceplates and a composite/s-video cable. I went to work on my PSP and thus my troubles began. First off, the screwdriver they sent with the unit wasnt the best quality one, which in turn went on to nearly completely destroy the head of one the screws, almost making the whole installation impossible. Thankfull, I saved the screww before it ws a goner. Another problem was the included instructions which, while also having an incredible amount of grammatical errors, had many pics, but sometimes not detailed enough to help in certain circumstances.

The disassembly of my PSP was going well so far...except for the damn analog nub opening up and the spring flying out! I got mad, cursed every possible thing around me, but eventually moved on. I then installed their new thin strip board and went on to put on one of the included faceplates (I chose the black one). I screwed it on, turned on the power, heard the boot up sound effect...but no picture. Hmmmm. I now unscrew everything again only to find that the edge of the faceplate pressed the bottom ribbon of the LCD screen into a metal corner of the housing assembly and proceeded to tear a small hole in it! First my analog nub, now the screen, which basically killed my PSP. I once again cursed everything around me. My beloved PSP is now dead.

I thought to end it all there but I decide to try and finish this infernal affair by finally hooking up a half dead PSP to the PSP2TV unit then to my TV via the S-Video cable. I attempted to play Lumines, Ridge Racer, Wipeout and GTA on it. I loaded each one seperately and tested out as best I could without an analog nub. You know what my verdict is? The picture is crap! Granted, I knew the pic would be nowhere near the beauty of the PSP screen, but this is kinda nasty. Most of the text in any game was very pixelized and very illegible. While Wipeout looked passable, as did Lumines to some extent, GTA looked like what GTA would have been like on the PSOne...muddy textures, awkward controls, etc.

So there you have it. My long winded review of the PSP2TV adapter. I wouldn't recommend it at all. Hopefully, my sacrificing my PSP will help others avoid this same fate. BTW, anybody wanna buy some PSP parts or a PSP2TV adapter, like new? ;)

[Neil Koch]

Hm, that sucks. I was thinking of trying that for GTA:LCS.

BTW, you might wanna try some line breaks to make that post easier to read.

[aaron7]

Yah, that sucks. I figured the picture would look like shyt, but not that bad!

Watch, Sony will come out with a TV adaptor for Christmas LOL

[Cmosfm]

I seen this advertised and knew instantly that it would be crap, then I realized you had to take apart your PSP to get it working...and knew that I didn't want anything to do with it.

I hate to hear you messed up your PSP. :(

[Ed Oscuro]

Yikes, that's a really lousy way of doing things. Sony should have offered TV output. Make the adapter big and bulky, but at least include it.

[TheRedEye]

The picture is crap! Granted, I knew the pic would be nowhere near the beauty of the PSP screen, but this is kinda nasty. Most of the text in any game was very pixelized and very illegible. While Wipeout looked passable, as did Lumines to some extent, GTA looked like what GTA would have been like on the PSOne...muddy textures, awkward controls, etc.

I don't think that's the adapter's fault.

[fishsandwich]

That's a terrible story! I am very sorry for your loss.

:bawling:

[aaron7]

The picture is crap! Granted, I knew the pic would be nowhere near the beauty of the PSP screen, but this is kinda nasty. Most of the text in any game was very pixelized and very illegible. While Wipeout looked passable, as did Lumines to some extent, GTA looked like what GTA would have been like on the PSOne...muddy textures, awkward controls, etc.

I don't think that's the adapter's fault.

Sure it is, the picture was being stretched to fit the TV, when it was never meant to be bigger than the PSP screen. So, technically, the adaptor is at fault. BUT I don't think any other brand would be much better if they made one.

[johno590]

Wow, that sucks. I wouldn't of ever done something like that to an expensive handheld though, just because I wouldn't have the money to replace it if I ruined it.

[rbudrick]

I'm starting to think I really do need 2 PSPs...one to upgrade to whatever firmware I pleasse and never do emulation or mods to, and one just to fuck around with and do stuff like this with.

Do you think if you had to install a PSP2TV again it would be a lot easier and would have had a better outcome?

-Rob

[EnemyZero]

wow, i really symphathize, my first attempt at modding a ps2 was a dissaster as well....its pretty crappy when you realize you just grabbed your money and lit a match to it

[youruglyclone]

sorry to hear about your experience but how much would you be willing to part with the kit...I'm tempted to brave this endeavor myself....let me know

[jdc]

Geez. That was one good thing about the Cube. The adaptation of handheld games to a TV was at least easy. Thanks for the heads up.

[rbudrick]

I wonder if we'll see hacks to make the video clearer...doubtful, but plausible, I suppose.

-Rob

[LiquidPolicenaut]

I'm starting to think I really do need 2 PSPs...one to upgrade to whatever firmware I pleasse and never do emulation or mods to, and one just to fuck around with and do stuff like this with.

Do you think if you had to install a PSP2TV again it would be a lot easier and would have had a better outcome?

-Rob

Honestly, I think it would have. The biggest issues I had were that one annoying screw, my analog nub somehow exploding and the ribbon tear of my poor LCD screen. If those issues never arose, then it was an ok procedure over all, although it did not take the supposed 10-15 mins. the makers claimed. Even with the messiness and my dead PSP, at least I got to see what the PSP actually looks like on a TV set, which I previously stated as crap. The control also seemed a little off somehow in Lumines. I DO have to say that Wipeout didnt look TOO bad...it just looked like Wipeout 3 but not in hi-res mode.


sorry to hear about your experience but how much would you be willing to part with the kit...I'm tempted to brave this endeavor myself....let me know

Well, I took all the parts out again of my PSP and I believe every thing is still in perfect working order. The site sells it for $119, but I'm willing to part with it for a much more reasonable price :)

Why am I being so nice you ask? I just received a Nintendo DS to ease my suffering...and next week I get DQ VIII. I've played what I needed to play on the PSP for the rest of the year already (which is VERY sad to be honest) so I will wait to buy a new one till next year.

P.S. - Thank you for all the condolensces :)

[evil_genius]

My prayers go out to your PSP and its family.

[djb1986]

Did you try any UMD movies? If so, how was the quality on those?

[njiska]

In nomine Patris, et Filii, et Spiritus Sancti.

[drummy]

Well, I have a similar story, but about a modded PS2. One day, the modchip stopped working, a Magic 3. All games worked except any burned ones; basically, the modded PS2 became a regular PS2. A friend and I opened it up and took everything apart. Turned out the modchip was sort of loose during modding and the modder had taped it down with some scotch tape. The modchip grew loose over time after the tape wore off. A friend and I taped it up again with decent tape. However, we were stupid, and we had made a mistake: the power cord was still plugged into it. While putting the PS2 back together, my friend touched something, and ZAP! We saw a blue flash and my friend looked at me surprised. When we put the damn thing all back together, it wouldn't close properly, but when we turned it on, guess what: it didn't power on. The power light never came on. I still don't know what it was to this day, but my friend and I both think we fried my motherboard. And that sucked. Never will I do that again. Never again will I open up a console. Except maybe the Xbox to softmod it, since it seems harmless and easy.

[Damion]

I'm sorry to hear that. I'm sure glad i didn't plunk down for one. having a ps2 controller to use for it while on the big screen would have rocked.

BTW what are you going to do with it? are you sure you can't just replace the ribbon? or is that sodered to the screen and board?

[intvsama]

Ashes to ashes, dust to dust, etc... 8*)

While I'm not a fan of Sony, it sucks the kit essentially distroyed your PSP.

I picked up the TV de Advance when it came out for GBA. Flawless installation and terrific picture. Had it up and running in about 1/2 hour. The composite vid was crap, but s-vid was damn nice.

Then the Game Boy Player was released. 8*)

[Mianrtcv]

That rots, sorry to hear that.

I am technologically challenged, so admittedly this will not happen to me. That is unless I try to recreate the scene from Eurotrip with a whole bottle of Absynthe.

I repaired an old joystick many years back and the meory of a spring or to being liberated SPROING across the room was definitely a challenge btoh for putting it back together and for not flying into a homicidal rage.

Anyway, better luck next time. (I wouldn't recommend it, though).

[Arkaign]

This reminds me of the time I replaced the rear drum brakes on an old F250.

Springs are teh Devil!

[tededfred]

how much for the psp parts?

[segagamer4life]

That's a terrible story! I am very sorry for your loss.

:bawling:


I empathize with you, sorry bout your loss, that blows big time. :(