Alternative Uses and Interesting Mods for a PS1?

carolinamagi asks: "I've got an original Playstation collecting dust in my garage that I only use when I've got a fix for Final Fantasy VII. I know the original Playstation is a dated system but I can't help but wonder if there are any 'after market' or non-game mods which others have tried (with success) to give their Playstation some new life. The catch is that I'm a total novice when it comes to mods (although I am handy around the house and around a computer) and I would still like the ability to play games with my modded Playstation. Any ideas?"

Comments

Cool

[anss123]

But how are you getting the PS1 on the net?

Re:Audiophile Quality CD Player

[Anonymous Coward]

I don't doubt it's a decent CD player, but it's nothing special, and the article you linked to is full of complete bullshit. It tells you to leave to console on for at least three days to "break it in" - if that doesn't raise red flags in your head, there's nothing I can do to explain it to you.

Re:Audiophile Quality CD Player

[Slashcrap]

The PSX is almost an audiophile quality CD player.

According to one of the linked articles, it has a very bog standard looking 16 bit DAC. The analogue output stage looks singularly unremarkable.

Some other choice quotes from the articles :

"Michael told me to look for a PlayStation with the model number SCPH-1001, which is the unit with separate audio and video RCA output jacks. That particular model allows audiophiles to use their own (expensive) audio cables to get "perfect" sound."

"Before I started my listening tests, Michael had a warning for me: "Plug in the units -- turn 'em on -- and don't turn them off." It seems the PlayStations sound best when left on all the time. Michael was right. You shouldn't even listen for the first three days. Both units need every second of the break-in period."

To me, both of those quotes raise red flags. The flags have "Audiophool" written on them in big letters.

I also doubt that simply removing two caps and replacing them with the expensive polyester variety is going to make a difference audible to anybody not already skilled in the art of self deception. And apparently if you have one with a mod chip, you should definitely remove it just in case it ruins the sound. I would have thought it would be obvious whether it does or not to somebody with such golden ears.

Don't do anything to it

[acidrain69]

Just keep it handy so you don't have to use a PS2 or PS3 to play them. Having seen about every PS2 I have ever come across die at some point due to laser alignment issues, it helps to not use the new consoles if you have an old one that will play the games. I keep a gamecube around so I don't put any additional wear on the Wii by playing GC games on it. Same for the PS2. I softmodded mine and play almost everything off the hard drive, and I have a slim model for the stuff that won't work on the hard drive.

I know GP asked about PS1, but for the PS2, they tend to be able to read CD games long after they get finicky on DVD discs, and part of the softmodding process involves booting a PS1 CD.

If you just want something geeky to do, restrain yourself. This hardware is only going to get harder to find/more expensive to buy on ebay.

Re:Don't do anything to it

[Grave]

Given that more than 100 million were sold worldwide, and how many are sitting around collecting dust since the PS2 and PS3 play PS1 games, I disagree with your "harder to find/more expensive to buy" statement. Sure, a lot of them are wearing out and failing now. But there are plenty that still work, and really, I'm not convinced there's going to be much in the way of "collector" status attached to the PS1 consoles.

Re:Don't do anything to it

[Hatta]

This hardware is only going to get harder to find/more expensive to buy on ebay.

Of course emulators are only going to get faster and more accurate.

Re:Audiophile Quality CD Player

[Anonymous Coward]

Audiophiles determine how good something sounds by how much is costs.

Re:Audiophile Quality CD Player

[Anonymous Coward]

>This is the classic debate between engineers and audiophiles; the engineer determines how a piece of equipment will sound by looking at a schematic, an audiophile determines how a piece of equipment will sound by listening to it.

Sounds like the classic Western vs. New-age Medicine debate: A "Western" doctor figures out a cure through double-blind tests and publishes the results in a medical journal. Then a phamaceutical company makes medicine from the findings. A New-age doctor just tests it on himself (or others), observes the effects, and publishes the results on a website, and usually sells the item as well.

To any audio engineer, Audiophiles are the engineering equivalent of Alex Chiu.

PSST: I hear putting the immortality rings around the power cord on your amplifier makes the sound warmer and deeper. And it extends the life of the tubes!

Re:Mod parent dubious?

[Reaperducer]

Of course, since he HAS a PS1, and NOT a DS, it makes your comment pretty worthless. Why would he go out and buy another game machine just to mod it? The point is to re-use what he has, not to satisfy one fanboy club or another.