Datel unveils 4GB PSP hard drive
by James Ransom-Wiley 
{ Oct 7th 2005 at 12:15PM }
Datel has revealed its latest PSP product, a
4GB HDD with built-in X2 battery (3600mh). The device will obviously add some heft to your PSP and looks to be
incompatible with the popular Logitech PlayGear Pocket case. But the HDD will double the current maximum storage (2GB)
available on Pro Duo Memory Sticks. Unfortunately, there's no suggested retail price listed. But the post does mention
that the HDD will cost less than a 2GB memory card, which runs between $150-200. Media junkies rejoice!
[via MaxConsole]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
b @ Dec 18th 2005 10:00PM
Ok, umm. A 60 Gigabyte iPod for $399 dollars OR or a 4 gigabyte PSP for $299 + "$150-200" ?
pete @ Dec 18th 2005 10:00PM
Does an iPod do video, wireless internet, and PS2-level games?
No? Doesn't sound like such a great deal after all...
n8 @ Dec 18th 2005 10:00PM
b. PSP is $250, so if this comes in at $150 it'd be a total of $400. And comparing it to an iPod isn't really the best analogy - you don't play games or movies on an iPod (yet), nor does an iPod have WiFi and web browser.
Of course, I own both so I'd rather just have the option to use an iPod or other HD MP3 as external storage for my PSP.
One thing that is a little unclear is how this thing is going to work though - the battery is on the opposite side from the memory slot on the PSP, which is where presumably one would need to interface the HD. So is there a cable that is going to run around the back? Or is it going to be some big backpack?
JRM @ Dec 18th 2005 10:00PM
built in battery?? Does that mean the PSP will have even more moving parts?
I guess now we'll see if a hard drive will succeed in portable videogaming (though "videogames" take even more of a backseat with the PSP).
Atrix @ Dec 18th 2005 10:00PM
Well, its most likely flash, not a hdd. And, there is a cable that runs from the battery to the duo slot. I wonder what the access speed is going to be.
YoYo-Pete @ Dec 18th 2005 10:00PM
They need to make it so it's an entire back for the PSP... Some other battery does that and I think it's better than a big buldge. Plus it would take care of the cable issue.
Flash drive makes sense, but why only 4GB?
Christopher7xii @ Dec 18th 2005 10:00PM
"Ok, umm. A 60 Gigabyte iPod for $399 dollars OR or a 4 gigabyte PSP for $299 + "$150-200" ?"
It's amazing how ignorant the PSP haters make themselves sound.
The PSP isn't $299... Don't know where you pulled that number. Then they said it's cheaper than the 2gb card, which is 150-200... So that's looking at probably $100-120 for a price range. Not too shabby. I could easily pop on two full anime seasons on that. Delicious!
So yeah, haters, just shut your hole. Why mock something that improves upon something that's already bunches of happiness?
J @ Dec 18th 2005 10:00PM
Bye Bye battery. Nothing less, nothing more. Its just not worth it.
Jason @ Dec 18th 2005 10:00PM
Come on guys, This is a good idea. 4 GB allows you to store alot more music and movies on your system. Only the fanboys will fight you over the fact that the PSP's games so far are few and far between on quality, but this adds more function to something I already have. I like that.
Ill still play my DS more, but its good as a movie player and maybe it will add some space for that damn internet browser.
Ryan @ Dec 18th 2005 10:00PM
"It's amazing how ignorant the PSP haters make themselves sound.
The PSP isn't $299... Don't know where you pulled that number. "
Yeah? And it's amazing how ignorant some American's can make themselves sound. :)
$299 is the msrp for the PSP in Canada. This site is read and used by people all over the globe. Don't jump on someone so quickly, and make rash conclusions.
b @ Dec 18th 2005 10:00PM
"It's amazing how ignorant the PSP haters make themselves sound"
It's amazing how stupid sony fanboys can be by thinking there are actually "PSP haters". LOL
Christopher7xii @ Dec 18th 2005 10:00PM
Not a fanboy, B. Apparently seeing potential or having enjoyment in a product is a fanboy? That term is so fucking played out and overused now.
Yes, there are PSP haters. They hate it without TRYING the games. They say "well I played it on PS2 or dreamcast already...". They don't just sit down and play it... probably too expensive for the lower middleclass like yourself. So all you can do is slam it based off of knowledge you gathered off the internet that people have come to say themselves based off of speculation as opposed to playing the game.
Spanky @ Dec 18th 2005 10:00PM
Ryan: maybe you should get your own denomination for your currency then, or at least a different symbol. Get a , or of your own. Or maybe when you spout off on a site from the USA you could just maybe mention you're talking CAD so that others around the globe (all of whom know USD but have likely never seen a loonie) aren't confused.
b @ Dec 18th 2005 10:00PM
"...probably too expensive for the lower middleclass like yourself"
Holy shit, you must have investigated all my background, right you preconceiving dipshit? LOL. If I was complaining because I have no money, you think I'd be planning on getting a PS3 and install into it a two or four terabyte hard-drive?
Also, being whatever high (or low) class someone is doesn't mean one has to spend like a tard (unless you are american I suppose, for what I'm learning now). If I spend, I spend well, not stupidly like americans.
And dude, you ARE a fanboy, just look at all your friggin' posts, ask anyone. And nobody hates PSP, shut the hell up. Those that say "I played it before", well, are just not attracted to it, period. Of course, you say that "calling someone a fanboy is getting tired", but haven't you done it before? LOL i've seen you, and it's also getting tired to call someone "low economical class" to actually make an argument. Like someone cares.
And frankly, who cares if PSP costs 299 or 250? With this add-on it costs the grand total of 399, so I can fit five movies, and 200 songs tops. Unless I want it just for music, but then again I might just get for half of the price (or less now that nano is out?) an ipod mini with 6GB space. Hopefully you'll be happy when iPod Video comes out, that way sony will be forced to get some useful tools for the PSP called "games", and all PSP fanboys will be delighted, and I will consider getting it.
aDub @ Dec 18th 2005 10:00PM
I think the 4GB drive/battery combo is a great idea, IMHO.
Nathan @ Dec 18th 2005 10:00PM
Maybe this may lay some insight, but I saw the PSP for $298.98 at my local EB Games...
J @ Dec 18th 2005 10:00PM
@christophervii
You gotta stop being the defendent of sony. You constantly take offense to anything any one writes that is in opposition to any sony product. I own a PSP and I think its a great machine. Not every comment is a diss. You shouldn't care about what other people think as long as your happy. SOme of the games out for psp are pretty good but the racing genre is raped at this point. And yes, just like on the other page, we are all awaiting popolo crois and a couple other RPG's. Lunar for the DS is not really a dissapointment. I mean you played through SSS and EB and you must have noticed that the battle system was pretty crappy in all those games. The magic was corny looking and compared to FF7 it was a flop EXCEPT for the nearly perfect story and the beautiful cut scenes. At the time it came out fo sega cd, there was no such thing as full anime cut scenes. That was what drew me in. The story as well, but the battle system sucked. Now the new Lunar has the same feel and the crappy battle system to go along with it LOL!!!!!! But I like the game any how b/c its fun no matter how repetative it is and I am in no rush.
Now as for the 4GB HD, I think it is a bad idea. It will eat battery life alot worse then a flash card and sooner or later they will have a 4 gb memory stick duo. I'd rather use a flash. I got it b/c it is a playstation PORTABLE. If I have to add a HD and batteries and all this other garbage then it isnt very portable. I like my PSP the way it is. I have the Nyko theatre experience and it serves as an extra battery,aluminum case,docking station, and has speakers built in. It could have been made a little better but it is good for what it is and what it can do.
And stop hating on PSP and DS b/c they are both very good systems (leaves to play castlevania..........)
J @ Dec 18th 2005 10:00PM
uh defender not defendent.
CamBOB @ Dec 18th 2005 10:00PM
I am a PSP hater. It's getting to the point where I could get a decent laptop for the price of a tricked-out(useful) PSP. PSP is trying to be jack of all trades... but at this point I'd rather get a mini-laptop with an emulator.
n8 @ Dec 18th 2005 10:00PM
I agree with you J - if this is very big it's not going to suit my needs. But I like the idea of having more storage (who doesn't?) and if it's priced at $150 then it really isn't that much more than memory sticks were going for not too long ago. And it does say that it comes with a 3600 mA battery, which should be enough extra juice to keep it running for a long time.
For those of you who are saying this is flash, I really doubt it. I think it's more likely that now that Apple has dumped the Microdrives from the iPod Mini, there's a glut of production and prices have come down quite a bit. Keep in mind the Microdrive is exactly the same size as a CF card too, and in terms of memory density the Microdrives are really about the most efficient things out there that are reasonably priced.
b, if you want an mp3 player, get an iPod already! I don't understand why everyone needs to compare the iPod and the PSP - they really are completely different markets. I like my PSP for playing games. I like the fact that I can add a few MP3s to the PSP if I want (especially if it's part of the game), and that I can watch some video too. I like the fact that it's flexible for a variety of things. But it's like 3 or 4 times the size of an iPod Mini and when I want to listen to music, most of the time I get my iPod out. So I don't really consider them addressing the same needs. If you have only a couple hundred bucks to spend and listening to music is your priority, I agree the iPod is the better value for that (well, actually there are dozens of better 'values' but that's another issue).
Oh, and I don't agree with that lower-middle-class comment either. That's crap. Can't we just get along on the basis of a common interest in video games? You want to talk like a snob, go live with those royalist Canadians.
jk.
why not? @ Dec 18th 2005 10:00PM
Look...if you're gonna spend $250 on a PSP...its understood that you'll invest in memory for it...
people have been complaining about its mp3 capabilities because you cant store enough on 1 gb memory stick pro duos...
well, here, for the same price as a similar thing, a 4 gb Ipod Nano...is a 4gb microdrive for your psp...now, you have a device that plays ps2 games (although they may be questionable) and has the same memory as a Ipod Nano...well, the psp now has the same memory as a nano/mini...yes its bigger, but seriously, if you want convergence, you gotta start to settle and compromise SOMEWHERE...
why not? @ Dec 18th 2005 10:00PM
also meant to add...its the same price
so if you're gonna buy two devices, why not just buy the accessory that works with one you already bought.
250 for psp + 250 for nano is the same as 250 for psp + 250 for 4gb drive...
Christopher7xii @ Dec 18th 2005 10:00PM
Eh, I just defend the PSP on shit like this because I have fun doing so. I'm not on a holy crusade or anything, it's just fun to argue or correct people. No, this isn't an internet anonyminity thing. I argue with all friends on random topics all the time for the sake of argument. I DO think it's rediculous that when something comes out to make something better it gets slammed by, as I call them, haters. Like I don't particularily like the DS, but I'm all for it getting it's online WiFi support. That was one of the initial reasons why I bought the thing.
Philip Wesley @ Dec 18th 2005 10:00PM
The new battery and hard drive are not connected items. They are part of a bundle that comes with a USB cable. So, this adds two grips to your PSP.
A 4GB hard drive is nice. I've been using a 4GB Compact Flash on the GBA Movie Player for a while. Something about holding complete 26 episode anime series is appealing.
The problem though, is that this hard drive is another moving part in an akward angle. It should be good if they give you a cradle, because moving around with this unit attached may be a bad idea. The added girth is unavoidable, but okay.
Personally, I don't use the PSP as an MP3 player. That's just stupid when dedicated players have better headphone output or hold more. This is good for those who love movies, pictures, and *cough* homebrew *cough*.
As for price? The PSP is a bit pricey, but it works reasonably well as a multi-media machine. This accents that use. It just.. never really leaves the house. Especially when there are more games coming out for my other handhelds that I want. When I pull a handheld system out of my pocket.. it is to play games, or take notes. Movie watching is a bit superfluous. I've already outgrown that ability.
Christopher7xii @ Dec 18th 2005 10:00PM
"250 for psp + 250 for nano is the same as 250 for psp + 250 for 4gb drive..."
They said less than the 2gig pro duo's... which retail for $150-200... So how do you figure 250 for the 4gb HDD? Also the Nano can't play movies, store PSP ISOs, ebooks, play or Mutant League Hockey roms. Boggles the mind how much people want to deny good things.
Baghdad Boys @ Dec 18th 2005 10:00PM
Hello All,
Pls, can't u c the positive points in this, if this is true (the HDD is available) it will be really fantastic idea, the size or the weight is not really big deal (it'll never be 10Kg) and mostly it'll never effect the PSP.
On the other side, can u imagin how many games u can put on yr PSP, Music, TV Series, Videos, MP3s and alot of other softwares and programs.
At least u don't have to delete the demos and music from the games that u dumb from the UMD to reduce the size anymore.
Be optimistic and look to the positive points, at the same time it's still cheap (much cheaper than the 2G memory sticks).
Still one question hanging without answer, how and what and where the interface between the HDD and the PSP going to be???
b @ Dec 18th 2005 10:00PM
"Eh, I just defend the PSP on shit like this because I have fun doing so. I'm not on a holy crusade or anything, it's just fun to argue or correct people. No, this isn't an internet anonyminity thing. I argue with all friends on random topics all the time for the sake of argument. I DO think it's rediculous that when something comes out to make something better it gets slammed by, as I call them, haters. Like I don't particularily like the DS, but I'm all for it getting it's online WiFi support. That was one of the initial reasons why I bought the thing."
You are right dude, correcting is fun, but if you're going to correct someone, correct well. It's ridiculous, not "rediculous, its anonymity not anonyminity, and particularly as opposed to particularily. It's annoying to keep correcting you though. One time it's fun, sure, but it gets old. For example, the other day you said that killer instinct, Donkey Kong Country, etc. were NOT 3D just because they had pre-rendered graphics, but I got too tired of answering your bull that I didn't even mind, but now that we're at it, who cares if it's "rendered" or "pre-rendered" as long as you can fully interact with it? Isn't that the whole debate against the PlayStation consoles, that the CGIs are NOT interactive and therefore don't count as gameplay? Or do you think that it actually matters that your console renders the models without counting interaction? I'm surprised that you, being a Sony fanboy, don't really get what's important in a game and why it wouldn't matter if it was pre-rendered as long as you can interact with it (a la Killer Instinct or DKCountry). If you think you need to render a game for 3D, then any Sony console should be the last you get, hypocrite.
b @ Dec 18th 2005 10:00PM
"b, if you want an mp3 player, get an iPod already! I don't understand why everyone needs to compare the iPod and the PSP - they really are completely different markets."
The thing is, Im deciding between the "cool looking" yet big PSP and an iPod. Why can't they sell the PSP with a fucking decent hard drive for a decent price? At least if it was 400 with a 20 GB hard-drive, maybe i'd buy it. But then again, that would be expensive compared with a 360 with a 20 GB hard drive and a lot more things, SPECIALLY GAMES (They should add a 60 GB HD for that price then). And even if I severely dislike Xbox, but even Xbox is beating PSP now on games, and that's a shame. And at least the 20 GB hard-drive for 360 costs 100 dollars AND its a 360 hard-drive, thats why its expensive, as opposed to this piece of shit that costs almost twice for a fifth of the value.
I don't want the PSP ONLY as an mp3 player, I want it as a video player, image storage device, AND an mp3 player, but most importantly, gaming. Yet, there are no (good) games for it (yet). I mean, they could have really made a portable PS2 with blu-ray mini discs, and a 60 GB hard drive (who knows if thats still enough), and that would have really been an iPod killer. You COULD buy movies on DVD MPEG-2 format that fit on mini blu-rays (due to the density), and make the PS3 compatible with those mini discs too just in case, instead of bullshit UMD. You could hear the music you like while playing games and not necessarily having to hear prodigy while playing wipeout. Store up to 12 uncompressed DVD movies, or tons of compressed ones, let alone mp3s and images and other kinds of files. In fact, why not add the option to make it a mobile phone? Sure, it would be expensive, but hell Id buy it, it would almost solve my life. But it just seems like a PS 1.5, not quite a 2 unfortunately. Maybe in E3 2006 when Nintendo announces Gameboy Evolution, hopefully Sony will announce PSP2 not long later, and perhaps it will have all of the above mentioned and more, while the GBE would be solely for games.
n8 @ Dec 18th 2005 10:00PM
Okay. Now I understant better why you're complaining. You have techoplexy: the condition of being overwhelmed by the myriad choices available, reulting in not being able to buy anything and instead waiting until the price drops, more features are added, or until some entirely different device catches your eye.
The truth is that the PSP is a great piece of kit for $200 (okay, it's $250 for the "value pack" but the price for the device is really $200, and they'll be selling it for that soon). It has an amazing screen, amazing processing power, WiFi, the ability to play music, movies and the potential to play some great games. If you compare this to say a PDA, you could easily compare it with the higher end of the PocketPC market, and you'd find that the PSP is less significantly less expensive. Sure, one's more for business and the other for gaming, but they're pretty much the same device. And the PSP is a great value in that kind of comparison.
But you're right - the PSP doesn't have a hard-drive and it would be exponentially better if it had a 20-40 gigger. But you really can't have everything in one device - there are going to be some compromises, either in features or price. You can't have it cost $200 and have a hard-drive, a phone, Blue-Ray, etc PLUS all the stuff it already has. "They" can't make that device in the real world just because you can put it together in your mind. It's just not feasible, especially in a portable device.
The only thing you can do is decide what your priorities are, how much you're willing to spend, and then look for the device that works with those needs. For you b, if you can see your way out of techoplexy, it sounds like you are probably looking for the Archos 400. It's got the 20 gig drive you want, plays MP3s and movies, is the size of an iPod, plays games (crappy ones) and has a number of other little tricks.
And you're right: there are really no great games for the PSP right now. I use mine primarily for portable emulation - which was one of my "priorities" so the PSP works for me. Since there are no great games, and great games is your primary need (as stated above) I would recommend that you NOT get the PSP. Just wait until there's a game you absolutely MUST play, and then you'll know that it's time to buy. Or maybe something better will come along that will catch your eye (gizmondo?) and you'll forget all about the PSP and the iPod you wanted.
retro @ Dec 18th 2005 10:00PM
Spanky, Canadians do have our own symbol for our currency, and that's an S with two streaks down the middle. It's kind of not our fault that there is no character like that, so we have to stick to the American single streaked "$".
b @ Dec 18th 2005 10:00PM
"I would recommend that you NOT get the PSP. Just wait until there's a game you absolutely MUST play"
LOL, dude, that's what I said, but thanks for the explanation, it was very informative. I said I will consider getting a PSP when it either hass all those functions, or great games (or both of course). A price drop would be nice, but it's not necessary.
I just think that the industry is taking too long to add hard drives. No console will have a hard drive as a must, it will only be an option (nintendo only flash memory). I've heard some say "HD is so 20th century", but are there flash memories with a similar price and storage amount yet? I've heard that they have 2 GB tops. A 2 TB hard drive for a PS3 would be awesome (I'd love to install all my ps1, ps2, and ps3 games (to avoid loading times or having to switch discs), movies, videos, and perhaps some images).
b @ Dec 18th 2005 10:00PM
I forgot to say something
" "They" can't make that device in the real world just because you can put it together in your mind. It's just not feasible, especially in a portable device."
I think it's definitely possible. It's basically an ipod video (I know its not out yet, but its just an ipod with a video codec)with an optical blu-ray drive (which makes it a little bulkier, nothing special) and a cel-phone chip which shouldnt make the device any bigger. The only problem is changing blu-ray discs size since its possible judging mini-discs and gamecube discs, and the price. But I bet Sony (or MSFT) will launch this device in 5 years if not less. That way they will have researched or done enough engineering and costs will have gone down.
Brad Twitty @ Dec 18th 2005 10:00PM
Nintendo DS all the way.
Nearly 10 hours, with its standard $15 battery. Compare to the new Sony battery, $50.
Touch screen.
Voice, which I think the PSP will soon be getting an attachment to have voice and it might sale at $50 and make the PSP even bigger.
So you're PSP plays music, but not true iTunes. Video equals alot of money on memory.
Lets compare:
Nintendo DS $130 + Play Micro $50 + 1GB SD $50 = $230
PSP $250 + 1GB Duo $90 + Talkman $50 + Better Battery $50 + No software library (free) = $440
Nintendo DS $130 + 4 GB Nano $250 + 2 Games = $440
And I would say that picking apart these numbers in your defense, is a sign that you have no real ground to argue on.
Sorry, but I've owned both and the PSP is a grade A piece of crap.
Christopher7xii @ Dec 18th 2005 10:00PM
"Sorry, but I've owned both and the PSP is a grade A piece of crap."
that "piece of crap" is selling millions.
And B...
Correcting, in the sense of actually accomlpishing something. Hitting me up for corrections on nothing more than spelling is petty and REdiculous. If this was an english class, sure. As it stands, you understand the sentences that I've typed, so the goal was achieved. I'm not writing a fucking novel. I'm gabbing online. Also, there is a big difference in pre-rendered NOT being 3d. The characters DO NOT have three demensions. We're not talking quantom fucking physics here. The characters do not actually "turn" when you push the other direction. The character isn't 3D. They were generated before hand in 3D, then pictures were taken to create stills, in turn were translated into sprites. Yes, Donkey and Diddy Kong are sprites and exist not of a single rendered polygon from your system. Even IF they were 3D, the game itself is not 3D. It's a very linear "go left, go right, jump". You don't even have a background that you can jump into. I don't know how you can justify something with TWO DIMENSIONS(X and Y, no Z) as being 3D. CGI pre-renders are also different from in game engine(think FFX) cutscenes. You can't interact with it(you watch it), but it's still three demensional.
Anyways, comparing prices or even gaming experience on the DS and PSP is trivial. You get two dramatically different experiences. That's like saying "A NES plays games, an Xbox360 plays games. One is $10, the other is $400. The NES is clearly the better buy since you can buy 200 games AND the NES for the same price of the X360 alone". The PSP creates FUN experience that last, the DS creates cheap gimmick play with a touch screen and horrific microphone. On that topic, WHY does a screen being touchable supposedly "enhance" gameplay? Who is stuck in the world of control mechanisms determine the gameplay? Oh yeah, the "innovative" N and their assault on conformity. But hell, if you wanna waste your $$$ on Nintendo's quickies, go right ahead. I'm sure you'll *REALLY* be enjoying Nintendogs still in February... Cuz ya know, they don't make their games with short lifespans so you keep dumping money on the next system to justify your money.... Nope... not at all.... not good ol' Nintendo...
ryan @ Dec 18th 2005 10:00PM
The hard drive will be sold with the 2x battery, but they are separate devices
the hard drive will connect directly to the memory card slot
ryan @ Dec 18th 2005 10:00PM
oh reply to 25
According to pricewatch.com 2gb memory stick pro duos run from $314-$499 at least for the sony brand
Christopher7xii @ Dec 18th 2005 10:00PM
"But the post does mention that the HDD will cost less than a 2GB memory card, which runs between $150-200. Media junkies rejoice!"
Taken from the article.
http://www.busybeavershopping.com/bbs-5067902.html
$175. What the hell were you looking at on PriceWatch? I can't even find a listing when I look up 2gb
Escobarcc @ Dec 18th 2005 10:00PM
This is gonna be the best thing, no need for an Ipod when you can play music and play a game at the same time and carry movies.