Hardware Worth it got get a 3g vita for integrated microSD?

[DeadOneWalking]

So, I have a slim PS Vita, with a 32GB memory card. I got into the Homebrew scene to use a custom theme, and well my interests grew.
32GB is not enough space for all my digital stuff, but I don't like the idea of paying $100 for a 64 GB card.
SD to Vita would be nice, except I have a collection of physical games I switch out.
So, would it be worth it to spend the money on a 3g vita, the microSD card reader that replaces the cellular modem, and go from there?
I have less then 100mb on the 32GB card, and I don't want to be banned for dumping games I own, so that's another concern.

Sent from my LG-US998 using Tapatalk

 

[DeadOneWalking]

Never mind, seeing how I will be online and syncing Trophies, it's better to just deal with what I got or get a 64GB card.

 

[Vinceherman]

I have a PSVSD Vita in replacement of the 3g modem, it would certainly make it very easy for you if you do still intend to play on your physical games, it also makes it very easy to backup your physical games.

However with that said you could just backup your game collection to PC, go for SD2Vita and move all your physical games onto the SD2Vita. A lot cheaper than spending money on a 64gig vita memory card.

 

[DeadOneWalking]

My main concern is getting banned. From what I saw, playing the dumped games online can cause that, and I have digital stuff on PS3, 4, and the vita.
If I can play online without much to any concern of a ban, I can look further into backing up games, dumping them, and running off sd2vita.

 

[Hayato213]

My main concern is getting banned. From what I saw, playing the dumped games online can cause that, and I have digital stuff on PS3, 4, and the vita.
If I can play online without much to any concern of a ban, I can look further into backing up games, dumping them, and running off sd2vita.

It is bad idea to link all of the system to one PSN account, especially for one that use homebrew/cfw.

 

[DeadOneWalking]

It is bad idea to link all of the system to one PSN account, especially for one that use homebrew/cfw.

I get that, but what I'm doing is rather minimal. From what I saw my risk is rather minimalistic at this point given what I'm doing.

At this point I use a custom theme, plugin to show the battery percentage, and Adrenaline for the filters on purchased PSP/PS1 games.
Forgot, also nodrm and patch for one game that needs a higher firmware version.

 

[Madridi]

So many wrong assumptions here:
- Unless you are willing to cheat online, there has been no bans ever being reported, especially now that the vita is officially at end of life.
- Dumped or downloaded games behave exactly as retail games (assuming you are using NoNpDRM). It’s undetectable afaik. Just avoid stuff like maidump and you are good.

Everything you are mentioning in regards to bans might be true to ps3, but not the vita.

Also, I am not sure what you think getting a 64gb is going to do for you opposed to sd2vita or psvsd.

For sd2vita, you can play those physical games off the sd2vita (they share the same serial as dumping them or getting them off psn, so your save is intact if that’s a worry, though make sure to back it up before)

Psvsd will allow you to use both, and is still a better option than getting a 64gb card. Besides being prone to corrupt easily, it’s on the long term not as effective as that will run out as well. Not to mention needing to use vitashell to back it up rather than the pc or any easy method with microsd cards

 

[DeadOneWalking]

So many wrong assumptions here:
- Unless you are willing to cheat online, there has been no bans ever being reported, especially now that the vita is officially at end of life.
- Dumped or downloaded games behave exactly as retail games (assuming you are using NoNpDRM). It’s undetectable afaik. Just avoid stuff like maidump and you are good.

Everything you are mentioning in regards to bans might be true to ps3, but not the vita.

Also, I am not sure what you think getting a 64gb is going to do for you opposed to sd2vita or psvsd.

For sd2vita, you can play those physical games off the sd2vita (they share the same serial as dumping them or getting them off psn, so your save is intact if that’s a worry, though make sure to back it up before)

Psvsd will allow you to use both, and is still a better option than getting a 64gb card. Besides being prone to corrupt easily, it’s on the long term not as effective as that will run out as well. Not to mention needing to use vitashell to back it up rather than the pc or any easy method with microsd cards

This is why I came here, because I don't know this stuff. I am being cautious before I buy or do anything. I can easily get the things to do it, but I want to do it right.
Obviously I'm not going to cheat online, or offline for that matter.
So from what you said, the cheapest and easiest option is to get a sd2vita.
I assume that the process would be as fallows (after prepping the card) :
1. Backup/copy my downloaded games and saves to it in Vitashell.
2. Remove the games from the official memory card.
3. Dump my physical games using a tool (not sure which one, but I'm not there yet anyway.)
4. Cry over how long dumping and transferred takes.
5. Install the games to the sd2vita in Vitashell.
6. Cry over how long I stalling dumped games take.
7. When done, use a plugin to auto load sd2vita at startup.
8. Enjoy

 

[Vinceherman]

1, https://gbatemp.net/threads/how-to-...o-micro-sd-adapter-sd2vita-on-windows.477967/

2,

If you go SD2Vita option you will need to transfer them all to your PC and then back to your Vita, with the PSVSD /3g SD card you can transfer directly to that

 

[Madridi]

This is why I came here, because I don't know this stuff. I am being cautious before I buy or do anything. I can easily get the things to do it, but I want to do it right.
Obviously I'm not going to cheat online, or offline for that matter.

Alright cool. You should've clarified all of that from the start. Your post seemed like you were already set on what you wanted to do. So I never understood the purpose besides getting some positive reinforcement or something

So from what you said, the cheapest and easiest option is to get a sd2vita.
I assume that the process would be as fallows (after prepping the card) :
1. Backup/copy my downloaded games and saves to it in Vitashell.
2. Remove the games from the official memory card.
3. Dump my physical games using a tool (not sure which one, but I'm not there yet anyway.)
4. Cry over how long dumping and transferred takes.
5. Install the games to the sd2vita in Vitashell.
6. Cry over how long I stalling dumped games take.
7. When done, use a plugin to auto load sd2vita at startup.
8. Enjoy

Assuming you are already hacked and all, best decision would be:
- Buy SD2vita and however large micro SD card that you want (I would recommend 200gb at least, but go for higher if you can.)
- Set your PC in settings to "show hidden files and folders"
- Connect your vita to your pc through vitashell usb option, and copy everything from your official memory to your PC (You should see your entire sd, including your hidden folders)
- Format your new microsd with zzblank image (check instructions on how to set up sd2vita card) .. Once it's useable, copy the entire thing from vita memory or pc to your new microsd
- set up your tai config to include the following plugins: storagemgr, nonpdrm, ref00d, repatch (if you want to mod your games) ..
- Install pkgj (No need to dump your games. It would be easier to just download them through pkgj.. Make sure it's the same region as your original games so that your saves get recognized)
- Enjoy

I hope I didnt forget anything, but that's the gist of it.

 

[DeadOneWalking]

Alright cool. You should've clarified all of that from the start. Your post seemed like you were already set on what you wanted to do. So I never understood the purpose besides getting some positive reinforcement or something

Ya, sorry. I am trying to figure out what to do. I'll try to remember to state that in any future topics.

Assuming you are already hacked and all, best decision would be:
- Buy SD2vita and however large micro SD card that you want (I would recommend 200gb at least, but go for higher if you can.)
- Set your PC in settings to "show hidden files and folders"
- Connect your vita to your pc through vitashell usb option, and copy everything from your official memory to your PC (You should see your entire sd, including your hidden folders)
- Format your new microsd with zzblank image (check instructions on how to set up sd2vita card) .. Once it's useable, copy the entire thing from vita memory or pc to your new microsd
- set up your tai config to include the following plugins: storagemgr, nonpdrm, ref00d, repatch (if you want to mod your games) ..
- Install pkgj (No need to dump your games. It would be easier to just download them through pkgj.. Make sure it's the same region as your original games so that your saves get recognized)
- Enjoy

I hope I didnt forget anything, but that's the gist of it.

Ya, I'm at 3.65 Enso. It cut the amount of compatibility patches I needed down to one in comparison to running 3.60. Also, I didn't loose anything I personally use by going to 3.65.
I already have PKGj and repatch. Easy to check for compatibility patches.
Why would it be easier to use PKGj then dumping?
Is there really no risk difference between dumping and downloading? I'm going to be playing online and syncing Trophies, and using the store. I have a number of games that are digital only, and 15 physical games.

Sorry for the numerous questions, but I do want to make sure I understand this stuff enough before committing to anything.

 

[Smoker1]

I am on 3.65, with the 3G Card->MicroSD. It is perfect. Got 400GB, and I have room to spare. So I have 3 Storage Options. 3G Storage, Vita Storage, and the VitaCard Storage.

Also, best to keep a Config File somewhere Safe, just in case there is a Problem and the System has to Rebuild the Database and it goes to the Vita Storage. Keep the main Config in ur0 so it does not get messed with.

 

[Madridi]

Ya, sorry. I am trying to figure out what to do. I'll try to remember to state that in any future topics.



Ya, I'm at 3.65 Enso. It cut the amount of compatibility patches I needed down to one in comparison to running 3.60. Also, I didn't loose anything I personally use by going to 3.65.
I already have PKGj and repatch. Easy to check for compatibility patches.
Why would it be easier to use PKGj then dumping?
Is there really no risk difference between dumping and downloading? I'm going to be playing online and syncing Trophies, and using the store. I have a number of games that are digital only, and 15 physical games.

Sorry for the numerous questions, but I do want to make sure I understand this stuff enough before committing to anything.

There is no difference whatsoever between physical dumps or psn downloads. They all share the same serial. The games don’t have any headers afaik similar to the 3ds and stuff. So save yourself the trouble and just download them. If for whatever reason you still want to dump them, I can guide you through that as well later once you get to that step.

There is no difference between being on 3.65 and 3.60 anymore, even when it comes to launching games that require higher firmware. In fact, 3.60 might hav the slight upper hand having some plugins working on it that was never updated for 3.65. But it doesn’t really matter.

So, why doesn’t it mater which firmware for compatibility? The answer is ref00d plugin. You shouldn’t use repatch and compatibility packs anymore unless you want to mod your files. If the purpose is just running the games that require higher firmware, stick to ref00d.

The only downside to ref00d (which personally doesn’t bother me) is that it takes a few extra seconds to load the game that requires higher firmware because it’s decrypting on the fly. So if a game usually launches in 5 seconds, it will launch with ref00d in maybe 10.

 

[DeadOneWalking]

The only downside to ref00d (which personally doesn’t bother me) is that it takes a few extra seconds to load the game that requires higher firmware because it’s decrypting on the fly. So if a game usually launches in 5 seconds, it will launch with ref00d in maybe 10.

I just tried that, not sure how I like it. I might just use the patch because it's only one game, and the used space is about 30MB.

Before I order stuff, I assume a SanDisk Ultra would work? I don't think I really need more then 128GB, but the 200GB is only $25.
Full model for the 200GB is SDSQUAR-200G-GN6MA.
The other one I am looking at is a SanDisk Extreme 128GB. The price difference between 128 and 256 is not worth it in this range.
The 128GB full model is SDSQXA1-128G-GN6MA
I will order from Amazon, ensuring they are the seller.
The sooner I find out what I am ordering, the sooner I have a lot more space on my Vita.

 

[Madridi]

I just tried that, not sure how I like it. I might just use the patch because it's only one game, and the used space is about 30MB.

Before I order stuff, I assume a SanDisk Ultra would work? I don't think I really need more then 128GB, but the 200GB is only $25.
Full model for the 200GB is SDSQUAR-200G-GN6MA.
The other one I am looking at is a SanDisk Extreme 128GB. The price difference between 128 and 256 is not worth it in this range.
The 128GB full model is SDSQXA1-128G-GN6MA
I will order from Amazon, ensuring they are the seller.
The sooner I find out what I am ordering, the sooner I have a lot more space on my Vita.

Up to you about the ref00d plugin. It will save you problems down the line, whether it’s a new game you are downloading, or an update that requires the higher firmware.

Go for the 200gb. I initially said the same about 128, but after applying updates and dlc, it does really take up space. Better be safe than sorry. There is also psp and ps1 games that you might end up downloading, so it’s not just vita games to worry about.

Go for the ultra. The extreme isn’t really worth the extra money for the vita in particular. That 200gb model is the same one I am using.

When formatting the card though for sd2vita, all guides will tell you something different about allocation size. I think they specify using default allocation size. That information is not entirely correct. That is only correct for 128gb cards and under. Cards higher than that should be formatted with allocation size 64kb

 

[DeadOneWalking]

Up to you about the ref00d plugin. It will save you problems down the line, whether it’s a new game you are downloading, or an update that requires the higher firmware.

Go for the 200gb. I initially said the same about 128, but after applying updates and dlc, it does really take up space. Better be safe than sorry. There is also psp and ps1 games that you might end up downloading, so it’s not just vita games to worry about.

Go for the ultra. The extreme isn’t really worth the extra money for the vita in particular. That 200gb model is the same one I am using.

When formatting the card though for sd2vita, all guides will tell you something different about allocation size. I think they specify using default allocation size. That information is not entirely correct. That is only correct for 128gb cards and under. Cards higher than that should be formatted with allocation size 64kb

Great. I'm ordering the stuff now. I'll refer to numerous places to properly set everything up once it comes in.
Thanks for your help and advice.

 

[Madridi]

Great. I'm ordering the stuff now. I'll refer to numerous places to properly set everything up once it comes in.
Thanks for your help and advice.

No problem. Hope you get it all in working order

 

[DeadOneWalking]

FYI, I should get everything today.
I started copying everything off the Sony memory card. I like using this little program called xxcopy. throw in the switch "clone", and I don't need to do anything else. It makes a 1:1 copy of wherever the source is to where I set the destination. It doesn't matter if it's marked as hidden, system, read-only, etc. It will keep all the date data as well.
I work on computers, so it's great when I need to do something like upgrade a MicroSD to a bigger size and transfer everything.

So, from just as a quick verification, after I ZZBlank and format the card as eXfat and default allocation size, I copy everything to the memory card.
Insert the SD2Vita adapter with the MicroSD card, and setup the driver for SD2Vita.
Finally I reboot, and I can enjoy having a realistic amount of space.

 

[DeadOneWalking]

Update : The card was miss transported, so I canceled the order and ordered a 256GB card. Another SanDisk Ultra. Exact model : SDSQUAR-256G-GN6MA

Just to verify, after writing ZZBlank to it, I need to format it with eXfat with a 64KB cluster size, correct?

 

[Vinceherman]

Update : The card was miss transported, so I canceled the order and ordered a 256GB card. Another SanDisk Ultra. Exact model : SDSQUAR-256G-GN6MA

Just to verify, after writing ZZBlank to it, I need to format it with eXfat with a 64KB cluster size, correct?

yes 64kb cluster size is correct for 256gb