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PSP Hardware Review Site

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the now-that's-some-strange-gadgetry dept.

Busshy writes "DCEmu have opened a new dedicated PSP review website featuring over 40 unbiased reviews of PSP accessories including Neuros MPEG4 Recorder 2, Neo-PSP Pad 8in1 & Intec Sound System."

36 of 71 comments (clear)

  1. Apparently no one cares? by painQuin · · Score: 2, Insightful

    About sony anymore?

    --
    A guilty conscience means at least you've got one.
    1. Re:Apparently no one cares? by joe+155 · · Score: 1, Insightful

      they won't because all that can be said is that:

      1) SONY IS ACE!!!!!!! (which will get modded down as troll), or

      2) SONY IS SHIT!!!!! (which will get modded down as troll), or

      3) this site has actually helped me in deciding what to buy (which won't get modded at all)

      seen as we are all glorified karma whore at base we won't do any of these things, because that would lose us karma... if only it was a number with no uper limit we could have real karma whoring competitions...

      --
      *''I can't believe it's not a hyperlink.''
    2. Re:Apparently no one cares? by legallyillegal · · Score: 2, Insightful

      that, or they're trying to get their SONY-BMG music cds to work and have no time to get their PSP to work

      --
      ?giS
    3. Re:Apparently no one cares? by PatboyX · · Score: 2, Informative

      i just rifled through about a dozen reviews randomly and they all seem to be 7+. in fact, most of the ones i click on are excellent ratings...and poorly written. really poorly written. with some of the price tags for these items, im not sure i would trust it. which doesnt even address the obvious concern that anyone who upfront claims to be unbiased before an accusation already makes me nervous.
      now that i think about it the claim of "no bias" appears to be the only well-editorialized piece of information connected to this site.

  2. bah by Turn-X+Alphonse · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Reads just like a google text ad.. How.. strange.

    Come on Taco, you know as well as I do this is a worthless advertisement at best.

    --
    I like muppets.
    1. Re:bah by woolio · · Score: 2, Informative

      Come on Taco, you know as well as I do this is a worthless advertisement at best.

      You must be new around here...

      Taco likes posting articles that will either generate ad revenue (imflammatory articles generate lots of page views, or ones that are flat-out ads [kickback??])

      I wonder what Taco's cut is...

    2. Re:bah by Turn-X+Alphonse · · Score: 1

      Turn-X Alphonse (789240)

      woolio (927141)

      Pardon?

      Normally the ads are at least a little hidden as an article and even then someone makes a post like mine. I just got to it first.

      --
      I like muppets.
  3. Unbiased? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Insightful

    40 unbiased reviews of PSP accessories

    An unbiased review, even if possible, is worthless since the whole point is to give an opinion. The important thing is to find a reviewer with similar biases to your own. One without biases doesn't bring any opinions of his own to the table so is limited to regurgitating stats.

    1. Re:Unbiased? by jbrader · · Score: 4, Insightful

      I think the idea is that the reviewer starts out with no bias and then develops one based on the actual merits or flaws of the product. Rather than writing the article based on existing (fanboy) bias.

      --
      You are so boring that when I see you my feet go to sleep.
    2. Re:Unbiased? by Peyna · · Score: 2, Insightful

      An unbiased review, even if possible, is worthless since the whole point is to give an opinion. The important thing is to find a reviewer with similar biases to your own. One without biases doesn't bring any opinions of his own to the table so is limited to regurgitating stats.

      There is different between being biased in your reporting and forming an opinion based upon results.

      A reviewer with bias would already been leaning toward preferring a certain result before even looking at anything.

      A reviewer without bias would start everything on the same level and work from there.

      Just because one starts with bias and one starts without, doesn't mean that the latter won't come to form an opinion.

      I think you've confused "bias" with "opinion." "Bias" is something you have before you even know the facts. "Opinion" is something you form based upon facts that you are aware of.

      --
      What?
    3. Re:Unbiased? by KDR_11k · · Score: 1

      If the reviewer doesn't have an oppinion on capacity vs. speed he can just tell you the facts on that and you use your own scale. You don't need a review for knowing stats like that, what the review is supposed to cover is what the manufacturer won't tell you, e.g. flaws in the product.

      If there's a factor that by itself doesn't have any influence on the quality of the good (e.g. its color) then the review shouldn't assign any weight to it. The reader should know enough whether that's a drawback for him.

      --
      Justice is the sheep getting arrested while an impartial judge declares the vote void.
    4. Re:Unbiased? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Insightful
      Why would I want to do that? It's exactly my point that a reviewer who isn't partial to anything can't form a meaningful opinion on a product.

      Because that's redefining the word. "Unbiased" means unbiased in things that are generally considered to be irrelevant to a fair review, such as an irrrational hatred or love of Sony, it doesn't mean being an emotionless robot, it's a negative concept. It's just common sense that a handheld video game reviewer would be expected to be partial towards video games. No one failed to get this concept but you, so perhaps you should take that as a clue and move on.

      The ultimate point is that you think you're being cleverly pedantic, but you're really just being a jerk. It's not like you're even technically correct in what you're pointing out. The only thing worse than a nit picker is a picker of delusional nits.

    5. Re:Unbiased? by Grey+Ninja · · Score: 1

      You bring an excellent point to the table with the colour thing. Several of my favorite products routinely get bashed because of their colour. GameCube and Ubuntu Linux are two of the biggest. However, I happen to have an orange laptop... Not my favorite colour by any means (I like cold colours), but I bought the laptop anyway, because I loved the specs. There are very few cases where aesthetics should enter into a review in my opinion.

      Like MP3 players. All I ever hear about is iPod because of the aesthetics, even though there are many more affordable and better spec'd MP3 players.

    6. Re:Unbiased? by Peyna · · Score: 1

      I figured that guy for a troll a few days ago and gave up.

      Judges are supposed to be unbiased, but that just means they don't favor one party over the other at the start of the trial. It doesn't mean that once the facts come out, (assuming it's a bench trial), they don't weigh them and make an ultimate assignment of blame.

      --
      What?
  4. What's the point? by Daetrin · · Score: 1

    The site seems slashdoted so i can't see for myself, but is it really that big deal? Sites with reviews are a dime a dozen, even sites focused on a single machine aren't that uncommon, and if the quality of their reviews is any better than the average you'll see them rise to the top of the GameRankins lists after awhile anyways. (You're allowed to rate each review for each game and the aggregate score is displayed when you look at the list of reviews.)

    --
    This Space Intentionally Left Blank
    1. Re:What's the point? by djupedal · · Score: 1

      but is it really that big deal?

      No. Small deal...smaller than small. Micro deal would be a stretch.

      You aren't missing a thing. This is some high school kid's PSP wet dream, which is more of a demo on how good canned sites can look, even when the content is mindless. I'm sure he put his heart into it, but the writing is terrible, predictable and best ignored. Examples...
      - Site title in browser window: The Review Site
      - Snippet from a review on wireless headphones:
      If you're in a noisy environment, putting the volume on full blast wouldnt make a difference. Inorder to fully hear the sound without any noise is to lock yourself in an empty house and in a closet. - Also, it seems he needs to learn how to escape quotes. Project for next semester, obviously.

      As for wireless headphones and a PSP, I use the MSI Bluetooth transmitter and Motorola HT820 Bluetooth headphones, and have no urge to lock myself in a closet :)

  5. PSP World by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Informative

    PSP World has more reviews than this site and has been do so for a lot longer.

    http://www.pspworld.com/

  6. Re:Uh... What do you call that? by humble.fool · · Score: 4, Funny

    Just plain "Whore"?

    --
    Being anonymous is not cowardice.
  7. tag slashvertisement tag filler tag remove by ziggy+the+zagnut · · Score: 4, Insightful
    I'm a hardcore PSP fanboy and developer (see PSPKick.com) and even i think this is out of place here.

    How about some stories about trying to get linux onto PSP? still doesn't work in pure form. efforts are being made to write directly to the flash on the mobo, but the DRM has so many layers, no one has been able to boot arbitrary code. There's so much more story there and prophecy of what's to come with DRM than in a bunch of screen protectors and junk that all PSP fans already know about anyway.

    And yes, it's obvious that typical linux would be kind of pointless b/c there's no (non-virtual) keybd on PSP, however, linux would be a LOT better for developers because of the PSPs tendency to crash often. Also, it would be much more convenient to have DHCP code used for homebrew (currently only static IPs are available for homebrew).

    While we're at it, can anyone comment on implementing DHCP? thanks.

    While I'm at it, the product list they review isn't even close to complete. They only represent about 1/3rd of what you can get in terms of ntsc converters, carrying cases, etc. it doesn't even include the talkman, the socom headset, blah blah blah. definitely a work in progress.

  8. Re:tag slashvertisement tag filler tag remove by Mikachu · · Score: 1

    -it's obvious that typical linux would be kind of pointless b/c there's no (non-virtual) keybd on PSP So? I was always under the impression that these systems were hacked with different OSes just for the fun of it. Like the Xbox. I mean, is there any true advantage to having linux on an xbox?

  9. Re:PSP Reviews I would like to read... by KDR_11k · · Score: 3, Interesting

    Knock yourself out.

    --
    Justice is the sheep getting arrested while an impartial judge declares the vote void.
  10. A few good sites by code+shady · · Score: 1, Informative

    Since we're plugging PSP sites, today, check this one out:
    http://www.psp411.com/
    Lots of good reviews on everything from software to hardware, and the forums are decent. I am not affiliated with this site in anyway, just passing it on.

    --
    Look out honey cause I'm usin' technology
    Ain't got time to make no apologies
  11. all those reviews... by seibed · · Score: 1

    and still no keyboard. I don't need a case. I don't need batteries. I already have planty fo storage. I really want a keyboard. They don't seem to exist. Bad Sony. Bad.

  12. Uh? by NVP_Radical_Dreamer · · Score: 2, Interesting

    Maybe I'm way off, but does the psp REALLY have so many accessories that it needs a website dedicated to reviewing them? Also, is this really news?

    --
    The best argument against democracy is a five-minute conversation with the average voter.

    - Winston Churchill
    1. Re:Uh? by Lave · · Score: 1
      Well there aren't any good games to review ZING!

      (Except Loco Roco - that looks awesome!)

      --
      http://skeptobot.blogspot.com/ - A site for the Renaissance man and woman
  13. Great Stuff by Sv-Manowar · · Score: 1

    It's good to see aftermarket modifications finally getting their own review sites, with the huge amount that are available it is about time that they recieved some recognition as being geniuine parts instead of just niche products that some fanatics of the product buy. Kudos to the owners of this site for taking the dip and making such a great research, I for one have already bookmarked it.

    --
    Business Voyeur
    1. Re:Great Stuff by FSWKU · · Score: 1

      Where's the "-1: Shill" moderation when you need it?

      And please don't get me started on the horrible grammar. I've seen 5th graders produce higher quality writing than this.

      --
      "So after all this, you make my case for me. To end this stalemate, you must die..."
  14. Ads! Get ad-block! by APE992 · · Score: 1

    Yeh this is a biased review and Wragg will be reading this. His site is full of ads, last count about 40 were there. He claims it's to break even but when ZTNet hosts for free there is no need to break even, only turn a profit.

  15. Re:tag slashvertisement tag filler tag remove by jdbartlett · · Score: 1
    "it's obvious that typical linux would be kind of pointless b/c there's no (non-virtual) keybd on PSP"
    iPod Linux disagrees with you - an open operating system is a bonus regardless of input method. Because of iPod Linux, people have been able to play OGG files, fit Wikipedia in their pocket, extend their games library, etc. I'm sure it'll be the same for PSP if it isn't already.
  16. Not all PSP games take too long to load by tepples · · Score: 1

    ya know psp is just terrible gaming machine. The load time are horrid.

    You mean some PSP games' load times are horrid. Compare WWE: Smackdown vs. Raw to the much better engineered GripShift . And some DS games have horrid load/save times too: for instance, Animal Crossing: Wild World is said to take too long to load or save your town on the cart's 256 KB memory card.

    1. Re:Not all PSP games take too long to load by richman555 · · Score: 1

      Most games on PSP take too long to load. All you need to do is sit down and try one, and wait... wait... wait... . Honestly, it just doesn't play well for a handheld. Im not a Sony hater, but I expected much better from PSP.

    2. Re:Not all PSP games take too long to load by DrXym · · Score: 1
      It's all in the optimization. Games like GTA: Liberty City Stories load surprisingly fast on the PSP. If GTA can boot from cold in perhaps 30 seconds then so can any other game. Some of them don't though - Virtua Tennis boot times are excrutiating.

      Like most things it depends on whether the games makers have bothered to optimise the experience for the platform. The PSP does have one advantage though - turn off the device and you can resume instantly the next time you turn it on.

    3. Re:Not all PSP games take too long to load by tepples · · Score: 1

      10 seconds to compress and flash 256KB worth of the entire state of a town isn't bad.

      Yes it is, for people who own both a DS and a PSP. Writing 256 KB happens much faster on a Memory Stick.

  17. Re:PSP Reviews I would like to read... by electr01nik · · Score: 1
    can't use SD or CF with a PSP right off, but this adds a SD/MMC/CF/MicroDrive converter.

    i know i know...don't feed the trolls... but the above is kinda neat.. just wish it came in white.

  18. Re:tag slashvertisement tag filler tag remove by DrXym · · Score: 1
    I'd love to see Linux on the PSP. If Sony were to develop a version, it would spawn a huge boom in the homebrew, increase sales and strike a mortal blow to the firmware hackers. After all, the only legitimate reason people have for hacking the firmware is for homebrew.

    A decent version of Linux, which boots from the UMD but can use the memory stick as storage and run apps built with downloadable tools would totally satisfy the homebrewer's needs. At the same time it would protect the legitimate game makers because the Linux consumes memory and abstracts the hardware, rendering it useless for piracy. It would still have to be able to access the wifi, controllers, graphics and sound of the PSP. It needn't offer native performance but open GL would be extremely desirable.

    Sony tried it before for the PS2, but the setup was prohibitive (you needed to buy a kit containing a harddrive, network adapter and keyboard). None of that would be necessary for the PSP. The PSP plugs straight into a PC and also has wireless. It would be easy enough to SSH to it, or develop using cross-compilers. The ability to instant-on the device means people could have Linux in their pocket. It would be a very compelling environment for people into that kind of thing and done properly could sell a lot more PSPs.

  19. Re:tag slashvertisement tag filler tag remove by DrXym · · Score: 1
    Depends on what you're using the Linux for. For example, you stick a pretty GPE front-end onto it and it would make a good occasional organiser. Or a decent media jukebox. Or an arcade game emulator using MAME. Or you could use the wifi to ssh to it from a PC. Or (and I don't put this past someone), produce a dongle that reverses the USB so you can plug a mouse and / or keyboard into it.

    While it's annoying that the PSP has no kind of peripheral adaptor, it's certainly not useless and Linux would be very worthwhile.

    The same goes for the XBox. The main attraction for the XBox is that it's a low end PC in a small form factor and has a TV and audio outputs. Perfect as a networked media player.