|
This article describes what the Memory Stick Duo is, how to prepare it for your PSP, how to use it and where to get it.
Memory Stick, Pro and Duo
You will need a Memory Stick Duo (or a Memory Stick Pro Duo) to be able to connect the PSP to your computer as this is where all data will be stored. Without a Memory Stick you won't be able to save your progression in games either, so if you haven't got one already you should go get one. It's important that it is the small version, also called Duo, since the older and bigger Memory Sticks won't fit. If you can, get a Pro version, since they are faster.
MagicGate Technology
The Sony PSP can use Memory Sticks with the MagicGate technology, which is a copyright protection technology that makes sure that you won't be able to illegally transfer copyrighted material. You should be able to use Memory Sticks that don't have this technology though but to transfer MP3 files you've created yourself to and from the PSP it won't matter.
Formatting the Memory Stick Duo
The first thing you should do before you start using a Memory Stick with the PSP is to format it with the formatting tool on the PSP. This isn't strictly necessary, as they should be formatted already, but it will make sure you have a clean file system on it and all needed directories setup.
Turn the PSP upside down and open the Memory Stick slot cover on the right and insert the Memory Stick Duo with the slanted corner pointing in towards the PSP and the text on the Memory Stick should be facing up. Next you should put the cover back on and turn the PSP over again.
To format the Memory Stick, turn the PSP on if it isn't already and go to the Settings category on the far left of the XMB menu. Select System Settings and then Format Memory Stick and if you're really sure you want to format the stick and lose all data on it, select Yes. The formatting should go quite quickly and you are now ready to start using your PSP.
Prices and Sizes
You can get Memory Stick Duos in sizes up to 1 GB at the time of writing. Two companies who create Memory Sticks are Sony (obviously) and SanDisk. The Sony Memory Sticks might cost a little more and I don't think the ones from SanDisk are of any lower quality. I have a 512MB SanDisk Memory Stick Pro Duo which works perfectly for me but can be a bit small. If you can, I recommend that you get a 1 GB version. They are still a bit hard to come by, but they should only cost about $120.
With high quality mp3 files I'm able to fit about 100 songs on my 512 MB Memory Stick, as well as game save data. If I use lower quality I can squeeze in about 150. This is not a lot, but at least it's about 5-6 hours worth of songs and I'm very rarely out on trips longer than that and if I am I won't mind with lowering the sound quality a bit to squeeze in a couple of hours more. I'm also thinking of getting an additional 1GB Memory Stick so that I'll have some space left for video as well. |
