The PlayStation Portable (PSP) is the seventh generation handheld video game console from Sony. The PSP’s main microprocessor is a multi-functional device called Allegrex, which includes a 32-bit MIPS 32R4k-based CPU, a Floating Point Unit, and a Vector Floating Point Unit. There is a secondary processor called Media Engine comprising of a 32-bit MIPS 32R4k-based CPU, hardware for multimedia decoding, and a programmable DSP called a Virtual Mobile Engine. The system has 32 MIB main RAM and 4 MIB DRAM.
The PSP console’s drive is compatible with Sony’s Universal Media Disc Format. This means, though essentially oriented towards gaming, you can also use the PSP to watch a movie or play music. The controls consist of two Shoulder buttons, the PlayStation’s face buttons, the Start and Select buttons, the digital flow directional pad, and the sliding analog nub. Another set of multimedia buttons is located below the screen. The PSP’s default battery allows you to run it for up to three hours while accessing wireless networks and 11 hours during MP3 playback. The console’s main menu interface is the XrossMediaBar (XNB), the PSX 9DVR hardware, and the PlayStation 3. It consists of six icons, placed horizontally, which show a vertical sequence of sub-icons when highlighted.
The PSP displays a different background colour for each month. All settings including the default theme can be customized. Currently there are 13 themes available: Lemmings, Wipeout, Cookies, Pink; six themes based on the game Pursuit Force; and three themes related to the game Syphon Filter: Logan’s Shadow.
The core pack of the PSP console consists of the console, battery and an AC adapter. The Value Pack has an added 32MB Memory Stick Pro Duo, earphones with a remote, a slip-case, a wrist strap, and a sample disk. The Entertainment Pack also includes a copy of ATV Offroad Fury: Blazin’ Trails, the UMD movie Lords of Dogtown, and a 1GB Memory Stick Pro Duo. The Giga Pack has a Memory Stick Pro Duo with 1GB memory and includes a USB cable and a stand. You can choose between piano black, ceramic white, pink, metallic blue, silver, champagne gold, The Simpsons yellow, and deep red. On the base of each PSP is a model number, which indicates the region for which it was designed. In some regions, the PSP camera, Quick Shot, was released as an add-on. The PSP has an embedded micro browser for accessing the Internet with limited display capabilities (it has a very basic user interface). Some custom-made software like the PSP Video 9 allows you to convert any video file to a compatible PSP format. The PSP console also supports Wi-Fi and allows you to play with two to 16 players at a time.
PSP games can be accessed through the PlayStation network service, PlayStation 3 or a PC. In 2006, Sony released their first batch of titles consisting of their best-selling games. An improved PSP Slim and Lite is scheduled for release soon.
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