PSP NEWS: Neo Mini PSP Convertor 4GB Release

[Ishiyoshi]

Neo Mini PSP Convertor 4GB Release

The Neo 2 in 1 Mini-converter for PSP is a perfect add-on to your PSP for user that require memory space Use multiple cheap memory source like CF card, Microdrive or Micro HD via this converter on your PSP!

Product specifications:

* Acts as a CF card, Microdrive and Micro HD converter all-in-one. You can use any type of card/drive just like you will use a standard Memory Stick!

* CF/MicroDrive/MicroHD/Memory Stick auto detect and auto run: Plug and play! - Support up to 4GB memory size on PSP. * Built-in PSP Ready/Busy/NULL, 3 states status indication. - The 2in1 Mini-converter can exchange data between PC and PSP through any standard PSP USB cable. It supports direct CF/MicroDrive/MicroHD/MS formatting on PSP.

Operating instructions:

[1] plug the soft cable into your PSP;

[2] Plug one SD or Mini-SD or MMC or RS-MMC or CF or MicroDrive or Micro HD or Memory Stick to the corresponding slot;

[3] Turn on PSP and play!

Ordering information: neoflash.com

[Ishiyoshi]

Excerpt from Lik-Sang’s Hands-On: First Generation Sony PSP Compact Flash + SD + MMC Card Adapters

First Generation Adapters Flash Card Adapters for PSP

After Datel's direct approach with a 4GB Hard Drive solution for the PSP, there are now three new products entering the market. On the first look, all three products definitely allow greater flexibility but we wanted to look a bit closer at the 2in1, 4in1 and whatever-in-one features. Just like with USB card readers on the PC, it may well be that behind a 21in1 device stands actually just a standard card reader that supports three different card slots with all its different card versions. Memory Stick, Memory Stick Duo, Memory Stick Pro Duo, Memory Stick with and without MagicGate, and of course you can connect it to the PC and have it sitting on your desk. That already makes it a 7in1. Do not underestimate (or overestimate) the creativity of Chinese third party manufacturers ;-)

The beta samples that Lik Sang has available for this hands-on report were all directly from the factory and they are all still work in progress. We were already able to collect a first impression and forward our feedback to the manufacturer. We hope that all the flaws we have discovered are fixed in the final stage of the products, and that the manufacturing quality et all will be improved.

We were particularly unhappy with the fragile flat cable (flexible PCB type) and the connector that goes into the PSP Memory Card slot. It has been particularly difficult to plug into the Memory Card slot, and there was a constant feeling that the cable will get damaged easily, having no protection whatsoever on the outside.

Datel addressed that problem by developing their own flexible Memory Stick adapter and not just using a flexible PCB. They've used a flat cable on the inside that is protected on the outside with isolating rubber material. The cable on the Datel HDD is naturally also much shorter because the hard drives position near the Memory Stick slot. On the other hand, the cable on all these new first generation adapters seems to be replaceable with a special connector, while the Datel one is not replaceable if you ever break it (but would still be fixed through Datel's 1 year warranty).

The next question we had to ask ourselves (at least with the 2in1 and 4in1 version) was where to actually put the device. Because the device looks basically like a PC card reader that connects to the PSP instead of a PC, there is not a lot of choice. You can't have it hang down on your PSP because that wouldn't only disturb your gameplay and look foolish, it would also break the Memory Stick adapter cable and in worst case even your PSP Memory Stick slot. The only way of putting your adapter out of sight is to use a double sided tape and stick it on the back of your UMD drive. While not included with our beta samples, the manufacturer told Lik Sang that the final units will come with Velcro to hold it on the back of the PSP, on the UMD lid covering the PSP logo and symbol.

We noticed that the overall quality of the card slots and the casing feels a bit dodgy when compared with a normal mass produced PC Card Reader. Again, we hope that this is still something that they improve for the final production but chances are that this won't change. Spring loaded slots like with the PSP itself would definitely help to increase customer satisfaction on this point. We also noticed that a Microdrive barely fits into the CF card slot, meaning that over time it will become scratched. We nearly had to force the drive in, which is a risky thing to do with a $250 Microdrive. The Memory Stick slot on the other hand seems too large, which means a smaller stick like the one that the PSP natively uses may need two attempts to sit perfectly. General impression of the hardware, parts and assembling was that it is of inferior quality, but this may change (at least a little bit) with the final version. Don't expect too much though, we have already received word that the 4in1 case will be re-used for the 2in1 (with the 'slot' for the SD/MMC card just closed and the words SD/MMC still sitting right on top of the unit). These are unfortunately the small details that low-fame manufacturers often don't understand, always looking to decrease production cost further.

Just as the Compact Flash adapter from the inside of the Datel 4GB PSP Hard Drive, the first generation flash card adapters also don't support anything larger than 4GB. This is not a flaw or design problem of these adapters, it is a simple limitation of the PSP firmware that Sony may change in the future. We have hoped that they developed a way around this by using two partitions and/or by implementing a switch just like Sandisk does with some of their higher capacity Compact Flash cards. Although this wouldn't show 6GB at once, it would at least make a 2GB and a 4GB partition available. Some users have also successfully connected real hard drives via standard CF/IDE adapters, and if this develops further (or in other words someone finally makes an adapter that lets us use multiple partitions), it could become very interesting: 8 GB Compact Flash cards, Microdrives, 2.5" and 1.8" hard drives with up to 60GB. Sitting right on the back of your PSP or in your glove compartment if you want.

To make a long story short, even if you connect a 6.8GB Microdrive from Hitachi or a 8GB Compact Flash card from Sandisk to one of these reviewed adapters, it will only format them as 4GB max.

The built-in Memory Card slot on all the tested devices basically functions as pass-through port. This means if you want to use a Memory Stick once in a while, you don't need to remove the adapter from your PSP. This is especially helpful considering the fragile Memory Stick slot flat cable, you just don't want to touch that too often or it may get damaged.

The Memory Stick slot also supports the older and larger (outdated) Memory Sticks, which is another positive side effect of the pass-through port.

What's the right one for me?

When considering buying one of these adapters, please keep in mind that this is the first generation and none of the adapters comes with an X2 or similar battery pack. If you connect a Microdrive to your PSP you will end up with limited battery life. Datel is a serious manufacturer of videogame devices with a top-notch laboratory. It is probably difficult for small Chinese developers to keep up with them, also when it comes to worldwide service and support, international warranty, and product design. However, as a first generation, and if you are ready to play around with the hardware a little bit, this is the only option you have next to wait for something more advanced or of higher standard. If you are only after a 4GB drive for your PSP, you should just go with Datels 4GB Hard Drive and look no further.

Compact Flash Adapter for PSP: Neo 2in1 (ships in 1 to 2 weeks)

The most simple adapter of all the new first generation PSP adapters is the 2in1 Converter for the PSP, it should be available by next week. It is actually a simple Compact Flash Adapter for the PSP that also allows you to plug in a Memory Stick using its pass-through port, hence the 2in1 product name. Apart from using it on a PSP with a Compact Flash card plugged in or a Memory Stick plugged in, it won't do anything else. You can't use both together, and it is comparable with the adapter that you find inside Datel's PSP 4GB Hard Drive, just with its own case and with a Memory Stick pass through slot.

Features:

• Supports Compact Flash Cards or Microdrives on Sony PSP

• Supports Memory Sticks without unplugging the device (pass-through)

• Supports flash cards and drives with up to 4.0GB

• Also works with the older physically larger Memory Sticks

Con:

• Fragile memory stick connector and flat cable

• Uses double sided tape or Velcro to go on the back of the PSP

• Doesn't come with X2 or similar battery pack

Compact Flash + SD Card + MMC Adapter for PSP: Neo 4in1 (ships in 4-6 weeks)

The second adapter we have tested is supposed to hit the market a few weeks later, in about 1 month. Additionally to Compact Flash, it also features an SD card and MMC card slot. Same as with the 2in1 version, it also allows you to plug in Memory Sticks using its pass-through port. Unfortunately we didn't have any Mini SD and MMC Mobile or MMC Micro cards available for our testing session, but as long as you have an adapter it should still work. We have tested the unit with normal SD and MMC cards though.

Features:

• Supports Compact Flash Cards or Microdrives on Sony PSP

• Supports SD Cards and MMC Cards on Sony PSP

• Supports Memory Sticks without unplugging the device (pass-through)

• Supports flash cards and drives with up to 4.0GB

• Also works with the older physically larger Memory Sticks

Con:

• Fragile memory stick connector and flat cable

• Uses double sided tape or Velcro to go on the back of the PSP

• Doesn't come with X2 or similar battery pack

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