Gadget cage match

August 13, 2005 9:17 PM

PSP or Ipod?

i.e. which of these do you think would be the most entertaining piece of mind candy in the long run? I realize that as a pure mp3 player, but I just played with a playstation portable, and they are just sooo cool and hackable.

posted by mecran01 to technology (44 comments total)

A) I don't think this is a very good comparison... if you want an MP3 player, you should ask about devices devoted to that purpose, one of which is the ipod. If you want something for games, you should ask about devices devoted to that purpose, one of which is the PSP.

B) iPod.
posted by odinsdream at 9:24 PM on August 13, 2005

iPod. Because you don't have to pay attention to it when you use it. I.E. you can walk down the street and use your iPod without walking into traffic.
posted by ebeeb at 9:29 PM on August 13, 2005

Along the same line as odinsdream: you aren't doing a fair comparison. What you might want to consider is how and when you are going to use this device. I have a shuffle and I have briefly played with someone's PSP. What I value in my shuffle is its portability. The PSP isn't going to be a device for listening to music on the go. Its not going to fit in your pocket for example as you tool around the city or the office. With that said, clearly my device only lets me listen to audio and carry files around with me. If your planned usage patterns differ from that, then the PSP might make more sense.
posted by mmascolino at 9:30 PM on August 13, 2005

What do you mean by PSPs are hackable, and assuming they are (though I have the UMD specs and they're rather complex), what would you wish to achieve by hacking them?
posted by forallmankind at 9:34 PM on August 13, 2005

If you want to play games other then Solitaire then get a PSP, since that sounds like what you want to do, buy a PSP and stop asking for impossible comparisons.
posted by cyphill at 9:37 PM on August 13, 2005

It's fine to be 34 and own an iPod. But if you're still playing video games...
posted by cribcage at 9:37 PM on August 13, 2005

. . .that means you are way cool. Go for the PSP.
posted by Quartermass at 9:41 PM on August 13, 2005

IPOD!
posted by justgary at 9:43 PM on August 13, 2005

GAMEBOY!
posted by cyphill at 9:54 PM on August 13, 2005

I have both, and I love both. Hands down, though, I get much more use out of the iPod than the PSP. The PSP is great at killing time and it's cool to get SNES games playing on a SONY product, but the iPod is just much more portable and requires no attention.

Plus, there haven't been many really good games on the PSP since launch.
posted by SAC at 10:12 PM on August 13, 2005

If you go mp3, don't choose fashion over quality and features -- go iRiver H320 or H340. Trust me on this one. [/slightly tangential]
posted by stavrosthewonderchicken at 11:41 PM on August 13, 2005

On hackability: it'll run a bunch of emulators for the gameboy, snes, and others. It has wireless. It has a lot of hacker mojo directed at it and I think something very cool will emerge.

I should have asked, "if you were on a desert island and had to choose..." but probably would have gotten the wrist slapping anyway.

I hadn't thought about portability, and the psp would make a poor backup flash player, plus you couldn't really whip it out in meetings.

Still willing to hear other perspectives, however. Other than, "you're an idiot for asking" of course. Oh, and if the rumored video ipod ever comes to market, then that would seem to indicate that there are some connections between the two devices. So there.
posted by mecran01 at 11:45 PM on August 13, 2005

Chicken of Wonder: refurbed Ipods are liked $189, vs. the Iriver's higher price, which tips the tables for me if I go that route.
posted by mecran01 at 11:49 PM on August 13, 2005

I've bought both in the past month. I was much more excited about the PSP, but have been getting a lot more use out of the iPod.

Basically the PSP is another thing to hack. It's a cool device with a pretty screen, and it will do all the same crap that (presumedly) you've already hacked you're XBOX to do. Being practically limited to about a GB of storage on it is a pain, as is the short battery life (especially when you set the cpu clock to 333 for emulators). Mostly I've used it to play GBC and ScummVM games while sitting in my living room, which is nothing that I couldn't do before.

On the other hand, I use my iPod constantly. I'm the kind of person who hacks every gadget I get, but I haven't wanted to hack the iPod , because I like to use it the way it is. The one thing I wasn't prepared for with the iPod was having to deal with iTunes, which forces you to use to manage your music the way Apple wants you to. You can get around that using a plugin for Winamp, but for me that was even more of a pain.

The one thing I would say is that if you're set on getting a PSP at some point, and you don't want to have to crack it open to solder a (yet to be developed) modchip in it, you might be better off getting one now. Right now, homebrew code only runs on revisions 1.0 and 1.5 of the firmware, and I think they might already be shipping some units with 1.51 or 1.52.
posted by cosmonaught at 12:12 AM on August 14, 2005

Well, mecran01, I just bought a refurb H320 for the equivanlent of US$250, but that may be Korea only, but that's still a fair difference.

But them, I've wacked in the latest Korea firmware, and now I have video (5 movies and some Adult Swim cartoons automagically converted using IRiverter), about 500 ebooks (text reader built-in), picture display, an mp3 recorder, FM radio, iPod-destroying sound quality, and Sennheiser earbuds in the package and more. Can't be beat, and I reckon at $60 extra (if you can do it), even for a po' boy like me, was well, well worth it.
posted by stavrosthewonderchicken at 12:35 AM on August 14, 2005

(Also, it mounts as a drive letter in Windows (noting the iTunes complaint above), which makes file management a breeze, although there are tools available from the very useful misticriver community site that you can use as well. Apologies for coming off like a shill, but I almost never buy things like this, or much of anything, and so I tend to do my research exhaustively. I could not be happier with my choice.)
posted by stavrosthewonderchicken at 12:42 AM on August 14, 2005

Wait, where do you buy refurbed iRivers, iAudios, and iPods?
posted by NickDouglas at 12:51 AM on August 14, 2005

I got mine direct from Iriver Korea, or rather my cunning wife did. One year warrantee, same as a new unit.
posted by stavrosthewonderchicken at 1:05 AM on August 14, 2005

PSP, just lately, has hacks available that will run a limited set of actual PSP games from backups stored on your computer. While I don't own a PSP, I imagine this involves linking a USB cable to your computer and watching the game crash an immensely frustrating number of times.

But at least you can be encouraged you can use the PSP for backup games in the future just like you can use the iPod for backup songs.

I recall also seeing some info about software to revert your PSP to older firmware and skip some game/BIOS version checks. I wouldn't worry at this point for PSP hackability... if worse comes to worst you'll take the PSP to someone knowledgeable and they'll flash it back the HARD WAY (ie with a soldering iron and EEPROM flash tools).

But, uhhh, these are such completely different devices a good comparison doesn't exist. At least at this point.1
posted by shepd at 1:29 AM on August 14, 2005

On a desert isle with internet access - PSP.

I'm assuming that you want both, but your budget (logically) precludes getting both.

Do you already have a portable music player? If yes - PSP.

It depends, though - do you have a lot of time to kill where you're limited to portable electronic devices on a chronic basis? - I bought a PDA on the assumption that I'd read eBooks while I'm on the bus. Turns out, I'm not on the bus long enough to actually enjoy reading. It was a blessing (yeah, sorry, I keep bringing this up on askmefi) I found kMoria (a Moria port for Palm) and now my PDA serves both to entertain me while I'm on the bus as well as leech time away from me when I'm weak.

So a multi-function device might be more usefull (some PDAs offer music-playback, but battery life is an issue).

Also, what are your music listening habits? An iPod has a lot of storage - are you away from a laptop/desktop enough to require that you have a large library of music always at hand? I have my laptop at work, and a desktop at home - a 512 MB flash MP3 player is more than sufficient for my needs; I load up five or six hours of whatever I think I might want to listen to for... well, the next five or six hours.

ymmv
posted by PurplePorpoise at 1:31 AM on August 14, 2005

The one thing I wasn't prepared for with the iPod was having to deal with iTunes

You don't have to. On windows try EphPod. Combined it with your favorite CD ripper (e.g. audiograbber or EAC + lame) and you never have to touch iTunes.
posted by George_Spiggott at 1:32 AM on August 14, 2005

If we're okay with recommending an iRiver over an iPod, presumably I'm not out of place recommending a Nintendo DS rather than a PSP. It has more better games, it's hackable (if that's such a big deal... surlely anything's hackable, though...)
posted by nthdegx at 4:07 AM on August 14, 2005

I don't think this is a very good comparison...

Actually, I think it's a "real world" comparison. You're not really comparing an iPod to a PSP. You're comparing one desire with another (should I have an iPod or a PSP?).

We're often confronted with "apples/oranges" comparisons like this. It's more about "I have this limited amount of money, what should i spend it on?"
posted by Taken Outtacontext at 4:37 AM on August 14, 2005

I have this limited amount of money, what should i spend it on?

I dunno...seems to me if you truly have a limited amount of money, you really shouldn't be spending it on expensive luxuries like these.

/channeling my dad
posted by Thorzdad at 5:38 AM on August 14, 2005

I dunno...seems to me if you truly have a limited amount of money, you really shouldn't be spending it on expensive luxuries like these.

Let me introduce you to irrational poverty consciousness, although technically I'm not poor (anymore).
This is my secret slush fund accrued from selling spare junk and some small consulting jobs.
If you have a chunk of money, you hurry and buy something, because if you don't, your crappy car is going to break and slurp it all away, or something else will come up, but if you buy something then you've got something to show for it that could also presumably be pawned later.

Thanks to all for the generous answers. Although I have a laptop with me for most of the day, an ipod seems like a nice complement, as I don't listen to my laptop when driving or otherwise mobile. I currently commute 45 minutes one way, but we're moving closer to work, at which point I will be riding by nerdy recumbent on occasion. The ipod/iriver would also be great for the car, for longer trips with the kids, for books on tape, etc. We currently have a portable divx player which has been awesome for longer trips and also for air travel, to save the ibook batteries for higher priority tasks.

I had a palm for many years, but found it gathering dust after I got an ibook, although I miss the scheduler (but realize I can import my calendar onto an ipod, and using applescript, the iriver, which mounts as a HD).

Thanks to all for helping me reflect upon my secret gadget desires.
posted by mecran01 at 7:15 AM on August 14, 2005

I find it very strange when people recommend iRiver/Creative/Sony over the iPod, bearing in mind the fantastic things you can do with iTunes that you can't do with any other MP3 software.
posted by ascullion at 7:36 AM on August 14, 2005

Let me introduce you to irrational poverty consciousness, although technically I'm not poor (anymore).

Trust me, my friend, I know exactly from whence you come.

the fantastic things you can do with iTunes that you can't do with any other MP3 software.

I challenge you to describe one.
posted by stavrosthewonderchicken at 8:07 AM on August 14, 2005

Apple sells the refurb iPods through the "Special Deals" section of their online store. [Look for the red tag near the bottom of the right column.] As mecran says, a 15GB, 3rd generation iPod is $189 right now. The refurbs are a bonus because they come with the dock and FireWire cable for which Apple now charges extra with new iPods.
posted by ijoshua at 8:07 AM on August 14, 2005

If you have pals with PSPs, you'll get more use out of it. I love mine, but I do use my iPod more. Plus, PSP requires games (more $), while the iPod can use your existing CD/MP3 library.

If you're looking for less practical, more fanciful, PSP. Otherwise, iPod.
posted by robocop is bleeding at 8:58 AM on August 14, 2005

"I challenge you to describe one."

I'm not aware of any other MP3 software that keeps such fantastic metadata. That means you can build smart playlists that change the music they play depending on certain factors. So, for example, I have one playlist that plays a mixture of things I've played recently, things I've added recently, things I've listened to a lot, and things that were recently released.

It's much more satisfactory than a completely random shuffle, and is genuinely like having my own, personal radio station.

I'd like to see anyone do similar by dragging the files directly onto the hard drive.
posted by ascullion at 9:22 AM on August 14, 2005

get a nintendo DS. I've played mine every day since I got it.
posted by mcsweetie at 9:39 AM on August 14, 2005

ascullion: Media Player does... not that I'm a huge fan of it.
posted by SAC at 11:06 AM on August 14, 2005

It's fine to be 34 and own an iPod. But if you're still playing video games...

This is absurd and not appropriate for askmefi. Please keep character judgements to yourself.
posted by surferboy at 11:07 AM on August 14, 2005

SAC - I don't think Media Player keeps track of what you've listened to on your portable device as well.
posted by ascullion at 11:58 AM on August 14, 2005

One word: Creative Zen Vision
posted by blag at 1:51 PM on August 14, 2005

I'd like to see anyone do similar by dragging the files directly onto the hard drive.

Playlists, generated, created on the fly by the player, or created using any external tool, including iTunes, if you're so inclined -- although on Windows, I find it abysmal -- are supported by the iRiver. The metadata isn't unique to iTunes, you realize -- any good player will use the tag metadata in your files.

I prefer listening to albums than any random shuffle, but both and much more are supported with m3u playlists.

MusikCube or of Foobar2000 are featureful complementary players on the PC that do all the things you're talking about, if as I do, you loathe iTunes.
posted by stavrosthewonderchicken at 4:27 PM on August 14, 2005

Also, dragging files is only one option, as I mentioned. I'm using and liking this open source file/tag management tool for the iRiver at the moment.
posted by stavrosthewonderchicken at 4:28 PM on August 14, 2005

Shit. Oops. Here.
posted by stavrosthewonderchicken at 4:31 PM on August 14, 2005

cribcage, regularly at game party meets (LAN party just sounds so... silly) I sometimes find people who are at least 30 or 40, sometimes older.

The only time you're really too old to play video games is if you can't work the controller anymore. :D
posted by shepd at 5:45 PM on August 14, 2005

And I'm not 34, I'm 39 (almost). Excellent thread.
posted by mecran01 at 7:05 PM on August 14, 2005

My old MP3 player broke under Best Buy warranty, and I got a check for a replacement... one week before the PSP came out. I was faced with the same dilemma!

In the end, I went for the iPod. I just *need* my music, lol. I still want a PSP, but I am patient enough to wait until it comes down in price, no matter how long that takes. Hey, I waited 2 years for my PS2, and I only got a GBA SP last December.

I want my music to be with me as much as possible, which isn't so easy on the PSP. And I'll still enjoy the games just as much in a year or two, when they cost a few dollars less, even if there's better technology already out.

The other benefit of having waited for my PS2 and my GBASP... there are already extensive reviews out for all the games I want to try. I don't have to wait. Same reason I often wait a while on a new PC game... the patches will already be out by the time I pick them up.
posted by IndigoRain at 10:27 PM on August 14, 2005

To continue the informative derail, Stavros, have you checked out the Rockbox stuff yet? Open source firmware for the iRiver that will allow you to play lossless formats like .flac and .wav, create on the fly playlists, etc. No DRM of course. Anytime you can get an open source community behind your gadget, the sky's the limit.
posted by sic at 2:39 AM on August 15, 2005

Rockbox isn't ready for the H3xx platform yet, but when it is, I'll be all over it.
posted by stavrosthewonderchicken at 5:18 AM on August 15, 2005

the fantastic things you can do with iTunes that you can't do with any other MP3 software.

I challenge you to describe one.

It's Applescript-able., which compared to Sony's crappy transfer software M-crew or [that other one I can't remember] make it miles ahead in my opinion, do what ever you want - make it open the garage door when a certain song plays, call you on your cell phone and play songs at you, etc, etc, etc. It's harder to think of things you couldn't do, because it's scriptable. Also the software itself lets you play anyone else's library on your subnet, now tell me that ain't cool.

About the topic at hand, I have both and if I could get a big enough card (which isn't likely anytime soon, it's possible, but way more than the price of the unit itself) I would just use the PSP for both, it has a decent MP3 player built-in and the remote control is almost the same.
posted by milovoo at 8:53 AM on October 21, 2005