Hacking Should I get a PSP or PS Vita for emulation?

[taydor_b]

I have been itching to play PS1 games lately and I really don't care to play them on my laptop, even with a controller. I also really like the idea of playing my old favorites before going to sleep in the the comfort of my own bed. So how PS1 emulation on these two systems? I am mainly just going emulate games on it so I don't really care for their own games, so I think my obvious choice is the PSP. If the PSP is the better choice, which model should I choose? It looks like 3000s are still a little expensive compared to 1000s.

 

[Lurker2]

Get a PSP since there isn't a real PS1 emulator on the Vita unless your willing to buy games via PSN. You can always get a 2000 instead of a 3000.

 

[AngryGeek416]

PSP 3000 6.20 permanent patch

 

[Foxi4]

A PSP is infinitely cheaper and easier to get Homebrew running on. At the same time, the Vita has a better prospect for the future. Everything depends on whether you're willing to wait a year or two before the system is sufficiently hacked for proper Vita Mode use or not.

I'd think that right now a PSP is both a better option for homebrew and PSP games alike.

If possible, aim at a PSP-200x with a Data Code earlier than 8B because in the unlikely event of a brick, it's entirely Pandora-capable and thus the safest option, plus you can use cIPL for Permanent CFW even on the latest firmware, unlike the later models which use a Power Hack and are restricted to 6.20 Permanent or 6.60 with Fast Recovery rebooting.

If that's not an option, go for any PSP-300x or the PSP Go, depending on which control scheme you like better, whether you need Bluetooth or not and whether you find the internal storage crucial or not.

 

[signz]

A PSP is infinitely cheaper and easier to get Homebrew running on. At the same time, the Vita has a better prospect for the future. Everything depends on whether you're willing to wait a year or two before the system is sufficiently hacked for proper Vita Mode use or not.

I'd think that right now a PSP is both a better option for homebrew and PSP games alike.

If possible, aim at a PSP-200x with a Data Code earlier than 8B because in the unlikely event of a brick, it's entirely Pandora-capable and thus the safest option, plus you can use cIPL for Permanent CFW even on the latest firmware, unlike the later models which use a Power Hack and are restricted to 6.20 Permanent or 6.60 with Fast Recovery rebooting.

If that's not an option, go for any PSP-300x or the PSP Go, depending on which control scheme you like better, whether you need Bluetooth or not and whether you find the internal storage crucial or not.

Well, it's not like it takes long to start Fastrecovery. Plus, you'd only need to do that if you shut down your PSP. Just put it in standby and it's kinda "permanent".

 

[Foxi4]

Well, it's not like it takes long to start Fastrecovery. Plus, you'd only need to do that if you shut down your PSP. Just put it in standby and it's kinda "permanent".

It's really just a preference of mine, plus a safety measure. I used to experiment a lot with CFW modification, and that entails a distinct possibility of bricking the system (and that did happen once to me), so I always suggest Pandora-capable PSP's for beginners unless someone has literally no intentions to modify the system at all, opting for simply "Dragging and Dropping" homebrew or backups instead.

 

[taydor_b]

I've been searching ebay lately for a 2000 with little luck. I don't want to spend over $60 for an older system, especially since the Vita is around. Every time I find one it either looks beat to hell or is "for parts." Any of them that are actually well kept are at least $70 and 3000s are even more. I guess I'll just have to keep my eyes peeled.

 

[taydor_b]

A PSP is infinitely cheaper and easier to get Homebrew running on. At the same time, the Vita has a better prospect for the future. Everything depends on whether you're willing to wait a year or two before the system is sufficiently hacked for proper Vita Mode use or not.

I'd think that right now a PSP is both a better option for homebrew and PSP games alike.

If possible, aim at a PSP-200x with a Data Code earlier than 8B because in the unlikely event of a brick, it's entirely Pandora-capable and thus the safest option, plus you can use cIPL for Permanent CFW even on the latest firmware, unlike the later models which use a Power Hack and are restricted to 6.20 Permanent or 6.60 with Fast Recovery rebooting.

If that's not an option, go for any PSP-300x or the PSP Go, depending on which control scheme you like better, whether you need Bluetooth or not and whether you find the internal storage crucial or not.

Where would I find this data code 8B at? I assume it's probably hard to determine while shopping online. Most of the used PSP's on the market are updated to the latest firmware (6.60?), so does this mean they are easier to brick and/or harder to run homebrew on?

 

[Rydian]

It'd be in a sticker under the battery cover IIRC, so yeah hard to tell when shopping online.

The latest firmware is no problem, it's been hacked.

 

[Janthran]

I've been searching ebay lately for a 2000 with little luck. I don't want to spend over $60 for an older system, especially since the Vita is around. Every time I find one it either looks beat to hell or is "for parts." Any of them that are actually well kept are at least $70 and 3000s are even more. I guess I'll just have to keep my eyes peeled.

I would (and did) try Craigslist.

 

[taydor_b]

I would (and did) try Craigslist.

I check craigslist too, but there isn't ever anything good around my area. I could always see if someone is willing to ship though.

 

[codezer0]

PSP and PSP Go would be the way to go for now.

As it is currently, the Vita would require being able to ninja and get a compatible/vulnerable game to load the eCFW or homebrew loader with. And even then, it's still limited to PSP Mode.

PSX stuff theoretically should be better once those kinks are worked out with the Vita, but I'm currently waiting until there is a full-on CFW for the Vita before I jump on it.

 

[taydor_b]

I got a few offers from sellers today for a 3000. How big of deal is it if it has a later date code, like 8C or 8D?

 

[Rydian]

Date codes only matter for the 2000. Sony cut off pandora/cIPL support halfway through the 2000 series, so all 1000s can do it, half the 2000s can and half can't, and none of the 3000s can do pandora.

But modern CFWs doesn't rely on that anyways like I said, it's just extra brick protection.

 

[taydor_b]

Date codes only matter for the 2000. Sony cut off pandora/cIPL support halfway through the 2000 series, so all 1000s can do it, half the 2000s can and half can't, and none of the 3000s can do pandora.

But modern CFWs doesn't rely on that anyways like I said, it's just extra brick protection.

Ah ok, I'm probably going to jump on this offer for the 3000 then since I can get it for $30. Thanks for your help. BTW, where should I look to start for getting it setup to play PS1 iso's?

 

[Rydian]

Yeah a 3000 for $30, if in good condition, is a steal for portable emulation.

Here's the thread about converting PSX ISOs to run on the PSP.
http://gbatemp.net/threads/guide-to-converting-ps1-games-for-psp.206195/

You'll probably want to install POPSLoader and all the POPS files for maximum compatibility.
http://gbatemp.net/threads/guide-to-installing-popsloader-v3-on-pro-b8-through-pro-c-cfw.301579/

Or you can just pirate the official PSN versions of PSX games (Sony sells some PSX games in the online store), those have been modified officially to work, and so don't need the POPS setup... but not all games are available like this.