Source - Engadget

Every Wednesday Ross Rubin contributes Switched On, an opinion column about consumer technology, multimedia, and digital entertainment:

The XBox 360 is a great networked media client for Windows XP regardless of whether its host is running Media Center software, but it is surprisingly poor at handling such media on its own. The 360’s hard drive can not be used for storing content other than the same ripped CDs the original XBox allowed, and Microsoft’s “integration” with iPods and PSPs is limited to playing content from these devices.

This represents a partial retreat from the last media-savvy game device launched from a major manufacturer. Perhaps because the PSP is less likely to be connected to a fast and reliable network and because Sony has a vested interest in Memory Stock Duo purchases, the PlayStation purveyors have so far favored local storage to network streaming for the PSP (although the latest firmware does enable it to stream video across a network using Sony’s Location-Free TV system).

Sony took another step toward bolstering the PSP’s media features recently with the release of its PSP Media Manager. Available for just under $20 online or $30 in a box (which also includes a USB cable and five free songs from the Connect music service), the offering attempts to bring Sony closer to the tight integration of hardware and software that Apple has benefited from with the iPod and iTunes. Sony’s decision to charge for the software seems short-sighted compared to Apple’s approach with iTunes. Unlike iTunes, which is a useful music jukebox even to those without iPods, PSP Media Manager has almost no incremental value to anyone but PSP owners.



In addition to replicating several features that have been available from third-party offerings, such as transferring and transcoding several formats for photos, music and video and backing up saved game files, PSP Media Manager includes a media-focused Web feed reader that enables the downloading of podcasted music, photos and videos. And, for those challenged by other ways to get their CDs into digital form, the software can handle the process itself, although I wonder if it would work with Sony-BMG’s XCP copy-protected CDs that were recently pulled from the market.

Speaking of which, it’s encouraging to see that PSP Media Manager pulls no funny business. While the software will transcode ATRAC, it converts the Sony-developed compression codec and other formats into standard MP3 files at a choice of bitrates (although it doesn’t offer variable bitrate transcoding). In terms of podcasts, the software is a bit ahead of the PSP itself as audio podcasts are dumped into the same folder as other music, instead of a separate menu branch like on the iPod.

PSP Media Manager did not start out endearing itself to me due to a forced registration process that took two attempts to communicate all the “required” data that I needed to send to Sony. However, from there it soon proved itself to be a welcome improvement from previous maligned media manipulators such as SonicStage and Connect. For example, in contrast to RnSK Softronics’ iPSP, which costs the same as Sony’s downloadable program, PSP Media Manager didn’t hit me with a string of error messages when launched without the PSP connected.

Also unlike iPSP, which assumes you want to send folders whole-hog to the often space-constrained PSP, Sony’s software uses an easy browsing model based on a two-pane view to transfer from your PC to your PSP. You can also drag files directly from Windows explorer to the PSP pane to have them transferred. User interface niceties include photo thumbnails that get larger when you mouse over them and universal preview for any media using its default application.

The one difficulty I encountered was getting PSP Media Manager to recognize the Motion-JPEG AVI files taken by my Canon digital camera. However, other PSP transcoding tools I tried failed at this as well. iPSP froze when I chose such a file. PSP Video 9 got the furthest with it, but would up converting only the audio from the movie.

Alas, also unlike iPSP, PSP Media Manager has no Mac version available. For Windows users, though, Sony’s software is a polished companion to its namesake hardware, one that would likely return its development costs in higher-capacity Memory Stick Duo card sales if Sony made it freely available. It makes content easy to grab for that shiny black slab. ...

Can someone please help me get a xbox 360 core unit!!

I have the cash to pay for everything but i'm not about to spent $600 to buy a core off ebay (what a joke). but if someone can help get me a core please contact me via the forums.

Ps. spread the word !!! PSmonkey needs an xbox 360 to play ridge racer 6. So HELP ME PLEASE !!

-- EDIT --

I've ordered a japanese xbox 360 insted. I will be getting mine sometime next week (i ordered a while ago but just now updating the first post so the site reflects it). ...

-- For website viewers, Visit forum link for files --

Here is the latest version of the map viewer & a map pak to play with (includes maps & textures).

Do enjoy !!

Please note, if you wish to view your favorite quake 3 map, you will probably have to conver the textures to 24bit or 32bit uncompressed TGA images. Quake 3 uses a mix of TGA & JPG images.


From Readme.txt
////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
// Quake 3 Bsp Map Viewer (ver 0.2a)
////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
// By PSmonkey ( nemo.dcemu.co.uk )

// Icon by pochi
http://pochistyle.pspwire.net/

// Info
////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
This is a simple app that lets you view a quake 3 bsp map
file on the psp. Development is on going so this is far from final!

// Suported Features
////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
.) Renders Quake 3 Bsp Maps.
.) Suports Polygon Surfaces.
.) Suports Mesh Objects (statues, candles, etc).
.) Preliminary Bezier Suport. (only some draw).
*Note: For debuging purposes, the bezier control points will be rendered as lines.
.) Suports Vertex Coloring.
.) Suports 24bit RGB or 32bit RGBA Uncompressed TGA Images
.) Simple Camera Navigation.

// To Do
////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
.) Add Suport for Billboard Surfaces.
.) Fix Bezier Surfaces.
.) Suport More Texture Formats.
.) Suport "Quake 3 Shaders" (do not confuse with pixel shaders).
.) Transverse the BSP for Hidden Surface Removal.
.) Optimise Rendering

// To Use
////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
1) Make sure you have a Quake 3 map named testXX.bsp in "fatms:/BspMaps/". XX represents a number from 0-99
..) Example "G:\BspMaps\test00.bsp" (replace G: with your psp drive letter)
*Note: Texture path is relative to map location. So put the texture folder into "fatms:/BspMaps/"
..) Example "G:\BspMaps\Textures\" (replace G: with your psp drive letter)
2) Run BspView

// Controlls at title screen
////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
Change Map - D-Pad Up & Down (Down increments)
Load Map - X

// Controlls in Viewer
////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
Movement - D-Pad (think quake style)
Move Camera Up - Right Trigger
Move Camera Down - Left Trigger
Rotate X Axis - Triangle & X
Rotate Y Axis - Square & Circle
Reset Camera - Start
Debug Mode - Hold Select (Note, input changes to below but no menu shows)

// Controlls in Debug Mode
////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
Disable Textures - Left Trigger
Enable Textures - Right Trigger
Modulate Texture Mode - D-Pad Up
Blend Texture Mode - D-Pad Down
Additive Texture Mode - D-Pad Left
Replace Texture Mode - D-Pad Right


// Where to obtain more Quake 3 maps
////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
.) Go to http://www.fileplanet.com quake 3 map section.
.) If you get a .pk3 file, rename it to .zip, open the zip then go into the maps folder to get to the bsp maps.

// Greetings
////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
Clessy, wraggster, Pochi, Zeenbor, MGFox, Produkt, all at dcemu, everybody who suported ngPsp!!

// Special Thanks
////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
ID Software, People who wrote the docs on parsing the Q3 Bsp file & the guy who made the chq2 dm mappak! ...

Whos working on an App for WinDS? im gonna have a pop and chances are i will get NOWERE! but im still gonna try if you dunno what im on about click the link below ...

Hi,

in 2001-2002-2003 there were 5 issues of ADCANCE magazine released in the UK. Anyone got issue #4 and #5 and wanna sell them? I have 70+ ebay references.

Thanks
Davidgilmour ...

Hi all, can anyone tell me how long a set of high powered batteries last say 2300mAh during normal use of the GP2X. I really would love to buy one of these console but am really put off by the thing being powered by AA batteries. I would mainly use it for emulation but have heard this is a bigger drain on batteries than normal use.

Thanks in advnace... ...

GP2X UK Posted this news:

The GP2X is a runaway success - we are shipping orders as fast as we possibly can, including taking on extra staff. Please try to be patient and check gp32x.com forums.

Also, there is now a Devkitpro for the GP2X for Windows & a toolchain for the Mac. ...

GP2X Update: First Edition out now in Korea & UK - Second Edition hopefully coming to Lik-Sang in 2006

The full article from Lik Sang

Gamepark Holding's GP2X is something that many of you have been looking forward to: It can play games. It can play your movies. It can play your music. It can view photos. It can read Ebooks. It runs on just 2 AA batteries - and it can do all this in the palm of your hand or on your TV screen. Yes that's right, this handheld can connect to the TV, console style. Watch your DivX movies on the TV. Play emulated classics on the TV. Try big screen Quake. Or just play them all on the GP2X's large 320*240 backlit screen. You get the best of both worlds.

The official hype aside, it seems that this was too good to be true and this is just not yet supposed to happen. Indeed the system was already released in Korea and the UK in quantities of about thousand units during the past couple of days, but unfortunately the release didn't really go as smoothly as hoped for. Distributors and Gamepark Holding are currently working hard (and overnight) in order to get their units shipped and literally fixed. The good news is that many of the problems that users reported can be fixed with a simply Firmware update. But the bad news is that many unlucky gamers and developers who already received their units have reported hardware and design issues with the GP2X.

Flawless Second Edition at Lik Sang (hopefully) comes in 2006

Considering all this, Lik Sang has decided to wait until Gamepark Holdings has the hopefully stable Second Edition of the GP2X ready, and will not ship broken or malfunctioning units to customers. As you may agree, we find it unacceptable to get something that may or may not work for hard earned US$ 179.90 + shipping cost and custom fees. Distributors agree that the current unit is (quote) "something for developers and people having fun poking around with a system that actually has some firmware bugs."

Furthermore, no news are available on the TV-Out cable or the GP2X power supply that have yet to be released. We hope that you understand the situation and agree with us in case you have placed a pre-order. If you still want to get your hands on a GP2X right now, there is a solution. Read on for more.

If you have placed a pre-order please check your Inbox, we've sent you an email (and in case you have already paid we've refunded your money). We have sent you an email to check if you would like to keep your pre-order until next year, or if you would rather want to cancel and order a first edition from one of the GP2X Distributors.

We have not yet received Gamepark Holdings feedback about the postponed release at Lik-Sang, but we do hope that they can be convinced to revise the unit for a release to a broader user base, not just system hackers and professional technicians.

Hardware and Software Faults

From reports of worried customers on our pre-order list, and from hundreds of posts in GP2X forums around the world, we have gathered a quick list with the most common issues so far. Please be aware that this may still grow, as hundreds and hundreds of units have not yet arrived at the user's doorstep. Please note that the distributors have also informed customers up-front by email about possible problems, and it is recommended to check GP32X.com frequently if you have received your unit already.

• Practically many videos are not playable without capping them.
• There are reports of Xvid playing too fast, and DivX sound not in sync with video.
• There is a battery problem, 2 hours battery-life with standard batteries only.
• There is no power supply or charger included with the GP2X.
• Stereo jack sinks on some units, because of poor soldering.
• The speakers are mono instead of stereo.
• Headphone channels are switched, left is not left.
• The action buttons are too small. Your thumb can cover all four.
• There is a large joystick deadzone (that can be fixed with a "mod" according to a distributor).
• Uneven color distribution on the screen and other LCD problems.
• Long boot time (28 seconds).
• Compatibility problems with some brands, types or sizes of Flash Cards.
• USB Connection and incompatibility problems with Windows XP (apparently fixed with latest Firmware).

Several of these problems were indeed noticed by the Lik Sang team with the prototype that we received early October, but there were hopes here (and promises from Korea) that it would all be fixed for official release... and that obviously didn't happen.

Doesn't this happen with other system releases?

Unfortunately the list of GP2X faults is quite expansive. Too overwhelmingly expansive for something you'd want to have under your Christmas tree (unless you are beta tester for Gill Bates or you love "that type" of things). If this would be about Nintendo or Sony, the press would be using the keyword "scandal", you'd seriously be asking if the company behind wants to commit commercial suicide and by now you'd have at least a President or CEO who resigned "for personal reasons".

Some of you may say that every console release comes with problems ...

bakablah has updated Psilocybeing’s pIRC app, heres whats new:

Revision history from version 0.3
0.4
- Improved stability, would not crash after first couple minutes of joining
- added ctcp version autoreply
- able to tell the difference (and to show it) between channel message and private message

0.5
- can tell the difference to:
- Notice message
- Action messages (/me slaps joe bloke around a bit with a trout)
- Join/Part/Quit messages
- Fixed a bug where the program would crash when it joins a specific type of irc server (Unreal3.2.3)
- much importantly! much more colorful and pretty than the previous version!

0.5b
- improved channel joining time!

pIRC is an application that allows you to connect to IRC with your PSP via WiFi. This was all based upon Danzel’s peldet program. To connect with your PSP you must have a WiFi connection and edit the file named ‘config’ with an IP address, port, nickname and channel.

Download via the comments. ...