PSP 2000 or 3000?

[evil_ash_xero]

Another system question.

I'm buying a backup PSP. I have a 2000 model.

I want to know if the 3000s are good, as they are a lot cheaper. Are they as easily hacked into? I wouldn't want a PSP if I couldn't hack it.

[shinjig]

I hacked my psp 3000 pretty easily. Its just more of a soft hack. Meaning if you completely turn off the PSP it'll undo the hack. But the program that you use is still on there and you're able to restart the hack in a couple seconds.

[evil_ash_xero]

That's how my 2000 is hacked, so that's good news.

[speedlolita]

3000 have a gross interlaced screen though so beware of that.

[evil_ash_xero]

HMM....Yes, I see that. I think I'll skip that model.

[Fudoh]

If you consider hooking up the PSP to a TV or monitor, consider a PSP Go. Fully hackable and you can pair it with a DS3 controller, so you can use it like a "real" console.

[shmuppyLove]

I was aware of the interlacing on the 3000 screen, but honestly I never noticed it.

I never compared it side-by-side or anything, but I don't think it's quite as bad as people say.

[Ed Oscuro]

I can notice the PSP 3000's "interlaced" look sometimes, but I think the general picture quality improvement probably makes up for it. It probably depends on what you do - if you play a lot of shooters and into-the-game movement it doesn't matter much. Games with lots of fast rotation of 3D scenes around the camera will show it more.

Haven't needed any hacking, just CFW for firmware 6.60 and it does everything I want, though I haven't screwed around with overclocking the CPU or anything like that.

[blizzz]

I can only advise you to check the PSP in person before you buy it if possible. My PSP 2000 has the worst screen I've ever seen. It pretty much ruins the fun for anything.

If you're only interested in a few games, a PSVita might also be a good option too. They are super cheap and you can play PSP games from PSN with pixel doubling or a soft filter on a glorious screen. The only downside is that the memory cards are extremely overpriced and not available anywhere. I ordered a 32gb card for 55€ from Amazon in early december and it's still sold out.
The PSPgo is also a lot better than people think. It has a good screen, the buttons are nice, it can be used as a home console with a DS3 controller (needs the charging cradle) and it can be hacked.

[speedlolita]

I was aware of the interlacing on the 3000 screen, but honestly I never noticed it.

I never compared it side-by-side or anything, but I don't think it's quite as bad as people say.

Oh for sure. For me it is just annoying though.

[Thrill]

I know I should just use Google but hopefully someone here may know and be able to give tailored advice.

I'm going to be going after the Final Fantasy IX world record on PSP. This means I have to be able to play for just over 9 hours. I don't really wanna have to hold a PSP for that long (especially as I will have to mash lots) so I thought it would be better to pair my DS3 with a PSP Go. The problem is I also have to be able to output video from the PSP Go to a capture card at the same time.

Obviously since I will be playing for a decent amount of time, the DS3 and PSP Go batteries become a worry. I'm guessing I just plug the AC adapter into the Go and stick the video out into the bottom. That will take care of the PSP Go. How can I run the DS3 while ensuring it never dies? I usually just plug it into my PS3 but I obviously don't want to keep my PS3 powered on to do this.

[shmuppyLove]

Pretty sure you can plug it into any USB port that has power.

If you're going to be capturing, I'm assuming your PC will be running, just plug it into a USB port on your PC.

[blizzz]

Obviously since I will be playing for a decent amount of time, the DS3 and PSP Go batteries become a worry. I'm guessing I just plug the AC adapter into the Go and stick the video out into the bottom. That will take care of the PSP Go. How can I run the DS3 while ensuring it never dies? I usually just plug it into my PS3 but I obviously don't want to keep my PS3 powered on to do this.

The PSPgo uses the same port for charging and video out. You need the charging cradle to do both at the same time. Luckily they are cheap on eBay. Even the official PSPgo component cable costs only a few euros on eBay.

For the controller, any USB port should do. As long as it doesn't pair the controller with your PC.

[evil_ash_xero]

I actually went ahead and ordered a PSP 2000. It was twice the price of a 3000. Ugh.

I like my 2000 fine enough, and didn't want any unpleasant surprises. I looked into 3000s screen issues online, and it rubbed me the wrong way. And I need to be able to use physical discs...so..

What were the changes from 1000 to 2000 anyway?

[HydrogLox]

How can I run the DS3 while ensuring it never dies? I usually just plug it into my PS3 but I obviously don't want to keep my PS3 powered on to do this.

For the controller, any USB port should do.

Sony even released the PS3 USB AC Adaptor (CECHZA1) in 2009 - primarily to charge 2 DS3 controllers independently from the PS3 but it can be used to charge other devices like PSPs and PS Vitas - though the current per port is limited to the 500 mA USB standard (dedicated PSUs: 2000mA-PSP 2000, 1500mA-PSP Go, 1500mA-PS Vita).

What were the changes from 1000 to 2000 anyway?

• Lighter (33%), slimmer (19%).
• Brighter display.
• 64 MB instead of 32 MB of RAM (UMD Cache)
• TV out (progressive for game-play only, only the 3000 could output interlaced for games)

[Lord of Pirates]

I actually went ahead and ordered a PSP 2000. It was twice the price of a 3000. Ugh.

I like my 2000 fine enough, and didn't want any unpleasant surprises. I looked into 3000s screen issues online, and it rubbed me the wrong way. And I need to be able to use physical discs...so..

What were the changes from 1000 to 2000 anyway?

A better screen, 64mb of ram (32 on the 1k), TV out, and it weighs a little less. The earlier 2Ks can also be hacked the same as a 1K, so you can recover from bricks.

[speedlolita]

I don't care about the RAM myself. You state UMD cache but I've used UMD about once in my ownership of the PSP. UMD are awful.

The weight and feel of the 1000 in my hands is the best - even if that dpad is awful.

[StarCreator]

I think I would have gone for a 3000 over a 2000. Interlacing issues are a minor tradeoff for being rid of the 2000's horrible ghosting, and the 3000 has more hardware capabilities than the 2000 has.

[kamiboy]

Personally I am going to purchase a E1000 soon. It has a better screen than 2000 without the interlacing issue of 3000 and has UMD support.

It is a scrapped down model that lacks certain things such as wifi I belive but I could not care any less.

[Ed Oscuro]

E1000 has no wifi (which is not a big thing for me, but I do use it to set the time) and only a mono speaker. The matte surface sounds appealing though.

I would consider a PSP Go, but its screen is smaller (agh!) and the analog nub looks to be in a ridiculously awkward place. I might get one someday just for the heck of it, but there's nothing wrong with just leaving the UMD slot of a PSP 3000 empty, either.

[gray117]

Interlaced is the worst for me can't stand it I notice it all the time on 3000s :/ 2000s not great, but much better for me.

... Personally I would second the shout for e1000 or go version these days, depending on your needs... but, of course, if you want wifi and umd in one unit then yeah 2000 it is... Nevermind the cost differences - get the one you want, or you'll end up never using it

[Astraea FGA Mk. I]

I just got a PSP Go, I love it so much I'm playing it right now.

As for 2000 vs 3000, the biggest argument is regarding picture quality as mentioned above, there isn't a consensus. If you could somehow compare the screens to see which you prefer, that would be the best option.
I have two 2000s bought several years apart, as I prefer the 2000's screen and the ability to have CFW permanently installed. Although it seems like the cfw issue is irrelevent after getting my Go, it takes 5 seconds to reinstate the CFW after a hard boot.

[dieKatze88]

I only find the PSP 3000 to be unusable for Gradius collection. if Gradius is a concern for you then I would go with the 2000 (And not even the 1000, I've never seen a screen with so much blur)

[Zorator]

I think I would have gone for a 3000 over a 2000. Interlacing issues are a minor tradeoff for being rid of the 2000's horrible ghosting, and the 3000 has more hardware capabilities than the 2000 has.

Maybe I'm an unobservant boob but I don't really notice this. On the PSP screen itself that is, it's super obvious when I plug it into my LKV-7000 VGA converter(the fact it zooms the picture to make it fullscreen doesn't help that either). Maybe I don't see the ghosting because I rarely play actual PSP games. What are the are the additional hardware capabilities the 3000 has?

Also can anyone explain how is the general picture quality improved? Could you swap out whatever hardware that does it into a 2000?

[evil_ash_xero]

My 2000 came in. It has a bloated battery that won't charge. Good times.

[PC Engine Fan X!]

What's nice about the PSP-2000 is, you can use one of those Sony 1st-party Extended 2400mah PSP battery packs for a bit more juice to power it up. The only thing is, it tends to bulge out a bit (no biggie though). Of course, there are 3rd-party PSP Fat & Slim battery packs that can go as high as a 3600mah rated charge.

PC Engine Fan X! ^_~

[evil_ash_xero]

I actually ordered one of those 1st party extended life batteries, as soon as I figured out what was going on.

It's just a shame that I just bought it. And buying a battery, when it should have a working one with it, is so expensive.

[Tigershark]

I have the PSP GO. I have a number of shooters for it but to be honest most of them don't work well due to lag issues and the fact that the Dpad and stick are pretty useless.

Almost all PSX games suffer terrible lag.

What works really well however are the MD games. They also look great on the small screen.

[BazookaBen]

You should have gone with the 3000. It's biggest perk is that it has a much higher contrast ratio than the older models. Much brighter and more lifelike colors. You can also set it back to the 2000 color gamut for older games that may have been designed for that screen. Interlacing isn't a big deal at all, considering that the motion blur isn't nearly as bad.

The European redesign might be worth looking into though. If it has the good color and no-interlacing, it might be the best model

[Ed Oscuro]

The European redesign might be worth looking into though. If it has the good color and no-interlacing, it might be the best model

What model number do you have in mind?