Few questions before purchasing a psp

hello, i am completely new to psp, but i had a browse around in the forum.

Where should i get my psp???
1) from local shops (hmv, Games, Gamestation>>) and find one with 2.71 ? but i heard there's risks of downgrading it to 1.5 and i dunno if i can do it

2) from ebay and get a 1.5 one??? i was wondering since i heard 1.5 are not made any more, how can those sellers claim their 1.5 psp are original and brand new?? However they are already 1.5 don;t have to downgrade it myself. But i heard those ones they are selling are made 1.5 by modifying the modchip or sth

3) get an used one from stores and ask for one with <2.71 fw??

Also, do i have to purchase an original umd as well to run homebrew? since i heard i may need it to access some programs?? (i am not sure )

thx guys.

Where should i get my psp???
1) from local shops (hmv, Games, Gamestation>>) and find one with 2.71 ? but i heard there's risks of downgrading it to 1.5 and i dunno if i can do it
Well youll most likely get a 2.71 Ta-082 whichis downgradeable, but we dont know maybe sony ships 2.81 now which are not downgradeable noone confirmed this thought

2) from ebay and get a 1.5 one??? i was wondering since i heard 1.5 are not made any more, how can those sellers claim their 1.5 psp are original and brand new?? However they are already 1.5 don;t have to downgrade it myself. But i heard those ones they are selling are made 1.5 by modifying the modchip or sth
Um i think they are old and just kept for now, orjust used I don't know
3) get an used one from stores and ask for one with <2.71 fw??
Sure why not, byt idk if theyll understand you
Also, do i have to purchase an original umd as well to run homebrew? since i heard i may need it to access some programs?? (i am not sure )
Um not really unless you want to run isos ( Games that are ripped )

where do u reckon i should get my psp then??? :P

Ebay ?
Divineo China are selling Brand New PSP Homebrew Firmware 2.71 PSPs in White and Black for $218.95

http://www.yesasia.com/?/cgi-bin/div-cn/index.html

try ebgames...get a used one...

or you could try out preowned ones in game and gamestation and ask to try it out, taking a look at the firmware en route.

if u get used ones from gamestop or ebgames, the employees have to upgrade it due to homebrew issues.

go to your local store and look for the letter code on the side of the box: http://forums.qj.net/f-guides-genera...006-28718.html

awwww they will upgrade the firmware if i get an used one????!!!!!!

thats bad news :(

i had a look at ebay:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d..._promot_widget

this one sounds gd to me :P the sellers show the labels on the photos as well

Yes that can be downgraded and is a good one to go for