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PSP developer interview (Part 3) - UMD, Memory Stick, Networking.
Today, in the final instalment of our PSP developer interview series, the head of Sony's Network System Development Section, Mr Izumi Kawanishi, discusses the PSP's boot-up time, saved data management and network functionality.
The previous instalments in the interview can be found above.
UMD BOOT-UP TIME SIMILAR TO PLAYSTATION 2
Q: Regarding the UMD, what level of shock and vibration can it tolerate?
Kawanishi: Internally, there is a mechanism to cache a certain amount of data while reading. It is similar to the anti-skip mechanisms that aleady exist in current products. While playing a game, the UMD is not always spinning; it can be controlled by software so there will be continuous read/pause operations.
Q: What happens if data cannot be read?
Kawanishi: For most game software, it will try and re-read the data so, as long as the disk is not badly damaged, it should be OK.
Q: For example, you shouldn't eject the UMD during game play should you?
Kawanishi: Of course, we don't want you to do that but, if you did, there are counter-measures implemented. The cover of the UMD drive can basically be opened anytime but, if the UMD is removed, we can deal with it through software. The Playstation and Playstation 2 also have that kind of software mechanism to deal with the the disc being removed. For example, if you open the tray of the Playstation 2 during a game, in most cases, the game can be resumed if you close the tray again.
Q: Getting back to the UMD - there isn't a cover on the read section on the reverse side and one section is completely exposed. Will the production discs be the same? Will the discs be OK?
Kawanishi: The production discs are the same. DVD and other media are already handled in an uncovered state. It will be OK.
Q: Can the UMD be manufactured in a similar way to DVDs?
Kawanishi: Yes, that' right. The UMD can be manfactured without the need to change much infrastructure. As a result, it can be mass-produced at a cost that doesn't differ that much from DVD.
How long does the UMD take to start up?
Kawanishi: It takes about the same amount of time as the Playstation 2, I think.
Q: When you considered the concept of viewing movies from UMD, I'm sure you also considered that some people would like to be able to record to UMD. Have you given any thought to a standard, or the sales of an external drive, for that?
Kawanishi: That's not part of our thinking. The UMD standard is being advanced as a read-only standard.
Q: Given that the UMD is read-only, where will saved game data be recorded?
Kawanishi: On Memory Stick. If there is no Memory Stick, game data cannot be saved. The reduced-size "Memory Stick DUO", in both normal and high-speed "PRO" types, is supported. If you are only going to save data, it is not necessary to have MagicGate support.
Q: Until now, the ability to save game data on a generic memory type was probably not the established practice for game devices. This was probably due to uneasiness related to the fact that it would be easier for data to be tampered with. What sort of strategies does Sony Computer Entertanment have in place for that?
Kawanishi: Yes, we have measures in place to deal with it by default.
Q: Will it be possible to copy game data saved on a Memory Stick to a PC for storage?
Kawanishi: Yes, that will be possible. There are two reasons for that - one is that we want to protect game data. The other is, because the media is generic, you might want to use or copy other data, such as JPEG image files, from a PC. Our thinking is to support both types of use.
For example, things like a specific character or data, you want to be able to easily take them anywhere, don't you? Memory Stick can be used for those types of things as well.
Q: What about when the PSP and a PC are connected via USB?
Kawanishi: If you connect the PSP to a PC via USB, the Memory Stick will be recognised by the PC as a mass-storage device and you can write directly to the Memory Stick. For example, you can do things such as write JPEG images to the Memory Stick and then view them on the PSP.
Q: What about, for example, downloading data from a network via the wireless LAN, writing it to a Memory Stick and then running it - game demos could be distributed this way, I think - will that sort of thing be possible?
Kawanishi: It's technically possible. However, we want to promote UMD first, so software will be released on UMD in the beginning.
NETWORK CONNECTIONS - NO PROBLEMS
Q: I'm sure you held discussions with game developers, where there any specifications that they particularly wanted?
Kawanishi: Yes, wireless LAN was particularly important. Also, things like the easiness of game development. After all, if you pursue those sorts of things, you will want to make good games (laughs). The game manufacturers certainly didn't say, "it's portable, so it's OK if the specs are a little low." We wanted to answer their requests as we want to quickly pursue better and better things. On the other hand, because it's a mobile device, easy and fun games are also OK and we hope that content will increase due to that.
Q: What were the reasons for wanting to include network functionaility?
Kawanishi: That was our thinking from the start. We considered it necessary functionality to have as a method of communication.
Q: I'm sure there was a lot of spirited discussion but what was the reasoning behind the decision to go with IEEE 802.11b?
Kawanishi: It's the most widely supported standard and that's why we adopted it.
Q: Is it possible to access the PSP from a wireless router?
Kawanishi: There should no problems in particular with connecting to wireless routers or access points in homes.
Q: A question concerning game development, will it be possible to make MMO (Massively Multiplayer Online) games?
Kawanishi: That should pose no problems. Network games that connect to standard networks can be developed in the same way as for the Playstation 2.
Thankyou very much for your time.
Until now, not much information on the PSP (Playstation Portable) had been released but it appears that hardware development is complete and more progress has been made than was thought, including in the area of software development. With sales set to begin by year's end, the PSP is certainly a piece of hardware that will continue to capture our attention.
And now,
Sony PSP on sale from 12 Dec at £107.00 (usd195)
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Posted: 2004-10-27 21:16:35
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Looks like Sony is reusing their "TOOL" Playstation 2's as part of their PSP development kits. I guess I never realized how similar Playstation 2 and PSP hardware really is. And I'm just guessing, but is that a UMD emulator that uses DVDs instead of Sony's proprietary discs? I know some pirates who would kill for something like that.
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Posted: 2004-11-01 15:04:45
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Have any of guys seen this?...
http://www.esato.com/board/viewtopic.php?topic=73995
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Posted: 2004-11-02 14:09:14
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nickorooster Posts: > 500
I would buy it if I wasn't broke. But I am. SO there.
I have been looking forward to the Gizmodo (Formerly Gametrac) because of it's GPS and SMS sending capability. I bought a p800 instead, and now am no longer interested. Their web-site says the release is "summer" but summer's over and no sign of even a publicity release. They never reply to any emails either. SO I don't trust them.
But PSP looks AWESOME. When it goes down dramatically in price, I think I'll take a serious look at that.
Nick
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Posted: 2004-11-02 14:54:59
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Nintendo DS vs. PSP
Width
Height
Depth
Nintendo DS 148.7mm
84.7mm
28.9mm
Playstation Portable, "PSP" 170mm
74mm
23mm
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Posted: 2004-11-06 19:07:18
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what are the main differences between the DS and PSP???
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Posted: 2004-11-06 19:48:50
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Quote:
On 2004-11-01 15:04:45, axxxr wrote:
Looks like Sony is reusing their "TOOL" Playstation 2's as part of their PSP development kits. I guess I never realized how similar Playstation 2 and PSP hardware really is. And I'm just guessing, but is that a UMD emulator that uses DVDs instead of Sony's proprietary discs? I know some pirates who would kill for something like that.
What kind of PS 2 is that
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Posted: 2004-11-06 20:09:31
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Probably been made out of cardboard
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Posted: 2004-11-06 20:12:28
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but seriosly, what PS2 version is that ?
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Posted: 2004-11-06 20:38:44
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Sony has updated the product information page for the "Playstation Portable,they have made details evident such as specific information about the video and audio formats the PSP is capable of playing, as well information regarding how to create supported files.
Sony had previously announced that the PSP would support the playback of MPEG-4 AVC (H.264) video from "UMD" media, and would release video titles. However, they did not make clear any specific details about playback of video files from Memory Stick Duo.
Made clear during the page update was that the PSP will be capable of playing videos in the MP4-standard "Memory Stick Video Format" which have been created using the "Image Converter 2" video conversion software to be released by Sony Marketing. Image Converter 2 is also bundled as "Image Converter 2 for CLIE MP4" with the Clie "VZ90" released in September.
Video files are recorded on a Memory Stick Duo, and can be played on the PSP. A preview version of the software is planned for release on Decmber 13th, the day after the PSP's reelease. Also, movies that have been recorded with digital cameras capable of recording MPEG-4 video, as well as videos recorded with the Cybershot "DSC-M1" can be played on the PSP.
Audio files remain the same as was announced in the previous report; in addition to ATRAC3plus/ATRAC3 and PCM, it will support the MP3 format. Supported bitrates for ATRAC3 are 66, 105, and 132kbps, while the ATRAC3plus supported bitrates are 48, 64, and 256kbps.
Furthermore, although the PSP can playback data obtained by music distribution services or those purchased with dedicated devices, playback of these files requires that they are recorded onto a Memory Stick Duo that supports MagicGate (MG). However, MP3 files can also be played from Memory Stick Duos that do not support MagicGate.
Still image support will be in the form of the JPEG format (DCF 2.0 / Exif 2.21). Further information regarding the details of video, audio, and still image playback is planned for explanation of a dedicated page, but the page reads "Planned for early December."
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Posted: 2004-12-04 13:00:28
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