PSP for a portable video player?

[Kejtar]

OK, so I'm looking to pick something up to entertain me on long boring flights. I originally wanted one of those portable mp3/vid players but they get really expensive. Then I came across a deal on a refurb PSP for $124.... and I'm strongly considering it. Any pros/cons? Anyone has any experience with PSP's? Btw, I don't play much games but it might be nice to have it on the airplane.

 

[Beej]

Pros: nice graphics, lots of things to do with it, pretty good market support for movies, games, etc.

Cons: you pay through the nose for every little upgrade. Right away you'll want mega-memory if you want to have movies on file, etc, but the list doesn't stop there. We've put lots of moola into my son's, but I think we'd do it again...

 

[Kejtar]

Cons: you pay through the nose for every little upgrade. Right away you'll want mega-memory if you want to have movies on file, etc, but the list doesn't stop there. We've put lots of moola into my son's, but I think we'd do it again...

Well... that's the downside.... I know... memory would cost mega bucks.... but..... well... I'm still thinking

Btw, do you rip the movies as mpeg4? or do you buy 'em or what? If you rip 'em what do you use?

 

[JoesXJ]

I have a program that will work well for you, it will rip and burn to DVD or rip to Ipod or PSP...PM inbound for more details.

 

[KarlVP]

I love my PSP.

I got the 4GB memory card for it. I'm in the navy and it keeps me entertained on those long boring days underway.

 

[Kejtar]

ok, here's a question to those that have it and rip movies to it... what size do you get to shrink a movie to (lets say a 90 minutes one) and still keep it decent quality? how long do batteries last?? That is probably one of my biggest factors in making a decision.... 16 hours of travel (no matter what I do, I can't seem to be able to fall asleep on airplanes) get boring FAST

 

[casm]

One thing to bear in mind about the PSP: no video out until September when the revised units hit the shelves. This may not be a massive consideration, but it might be nice to be able to play games on a larger screen sometimes. Well, there is video out as long as you like using a giant carbuncle like this.

If you don't care about the gaming aspect that much (though Ratchet & Clank: Size Matters is pretty fun), skip it and go for a video iPod. Remember prerecorded Minidiscs that you could buy in the store alongside CDs and cassettes? Rumour has it that UMD is going to go pretty much the same way over the next 18-24 months: into oblivion.

 

[scoobyxj]

I to say go for a video iPod too. The 30gig isn't to bad at just under $300 out the door. Will hold several movies, and music too. More than enough to keep you entertained for half a day. They have some basic games on them, and you can get more at the iTunes store. The best way to get movies on to it is with a program like JoesXJ is talking about.

 

[karstic]

OK, so I'm looking to pick something up to entertain me on long boring flights.

A book?

 

[XJ Dreamin']

A book?

A video book.

 

[Kejtar]

problem is that I read too fast and I end up having to fly with couple books..... Plus I got spoiled. Last few business trips I flew with my laptops and watched some movies. This time I'm flying for pleasure and don't want to have to deal with carrying a laptop with me.

 

[Beej]

I didn't mention this before, since I don't know how long its been since you've flown long distance, but on my recent trip to Australia and back I was extremely impressed with the services available on all the carriers. Individual seat-rest mounted movie screens with hundreds of movies and TV shows available at your finger tips. I watched about 6 hours of rally racing on the way from New Zealand to LA along with all sorts of other stuff, including movies and games - playable with our seat mounted personal remotes. We flew different legs on several different air carriers and every one had entertainment services that they didn't have even two years ago. Just a thought. Where are you flying and who's your carrier?

 

[casm]

Where are you flying and who's your carrier?

On a slight tangent - I highly recommend Air New Zealand. Flown them from LA to London a couple of times, and they're excellent.

 

[Beej]

We flew Air New Zealand on the last leg from Christchurch to LA, the service was unbelievable for the same price as the other carriers...