I like the idea of a no-UMD version of the PSP IF it it is done right:

--some sort of program that would allow you to "unlock" or download games that you already own, so there's no loss of your library/investment.

--a big enough hard drive to actually mean something. I have a 4GB stick that is completely full and yes, I will be buying the 8GB stick as soon as it is available. I'm willing to pay a premium price for a premium product.

Reply

Dont be daft.
Since when has sony made a console that wasn't backwards compatable.

It will probably not be a draw but a push in, but it will be there.

Reply

If the PSP2 didn't have a UMD slot, it wouldn't be the end of the world. The marriage between the PSP and PS3 has proven to be fruitful, no? If the PSP2 didn't have a UMD slot, Sony could easily make it such that you can transfer your current UMD collection via PSP1 to the PS3, and then transfer over to the PSP2 (wirelessly, or USB). That's the easiest way, should the next portable be without a UMD slot (which I think is unlikely, considering Sony's commitment to backwards compatibility).

Reply

How about a non-UMD PSP2 with an external UMD drive that connects via USB. It can be used to load UMD games and movies to the HD, where they can be run without having the external drive.

It would allow backward compatibility while removing a large component from the portable section of the handheld. This would free up more room for a larger HD.

Reply

For it to be cartridge, it would cost more then the usual price, especially if its flash base. Nintendo's DS cartridge is up to 1GB, If they are going with better graphics (PS2), then the size of it will be much bigger. I would like them to still use UMD. I wouldn't want to only be able to get my games from one source. especially imports. If its download only, they will risk the lost of sells for those without wifi or basic net access.
I hope for them to increse read access times in the future psp.

Reply

it would be cool if it had both. that way you can download new games online, or if you a)dont have a computer b) dont have high speed they could sell a small amount in UMD format. but the HD would have to be pretty big. how much does the UMD hold? 1.5 gigs or sometihng? or am i just making that number up? the HD would need to be able to hold many games if it would be useful, like 10 or something. though i dont even have 10 games but id figure people do

Reply

There's simply too many people (at least half) who don't take their PSP's online for Sony to give up on half their customer base by doing away with UMD's. If anything it'll probably be an option - you can download games online but at the same time, you can still walk into the local game store and buy a copy.
A download-only service would effectively put places like Gamestop out of business.
Maybe 10 or 15 years from now when the majority of us have access to broadband, yeah possibly.. but now? No way.

Reply

You're wrong the cartridge on the DS is limited to only 128 mb ... from wiki "Data size: Up to 1 gigabit ( = 1024 Mb or 128 MB)." i don't think that flash memory is cheap enough to be offered ... a 1gb MS duo cost like 30 - 40, and that's only for the card. I think UMD is ok ... for the graphics that the PSP uses needs a lot of space.

Reply

the psp2 could be far enough away for blue laser drives to be cheap and economical even on that level. and for a portable that may be more powerful than the ps2, (not hard to expect.), than 9-12 gig of media space is needed to match dvd.

universal blu-ray minidisc with 10gig of space anyone?

(the only thing i don't like about umd is that the clear plastic window keeps caving in on me)

Reply

Yeah, I think it's much more likely that what we'll see will be a PSP-esque Walkman - i.e. a PSP, without the UMD drive, but with a hard drive - that won't play games. I think that would be a pretty killer bit of gear - but with Apple reinventing the world soon, who knows how successful it will be?

Reply

Well i like the idea of no umd's cause it's a space saver on the psp unit. that space can be used for the HD or for a bigger battery... can fit maybe those new solid state memory chip there up to 16 or 32 gigs.. and then just release games online thru the ps store and hopefully by that time u can connect with the psp or psp2 by wifi... also sony can release the games on memory sticks which can solve the backward compatibility issue for early adopters of psp and still lets videogame stores make money.. so i think that covers every way to please psp,psp2,and also videogames stores... wat does everybody think is this idea possible?

Reply

Just to Clarify the DS can handle a 1Gb carts thats Gigabit boys and girls 128 megs, not Gigabyte

I think the UMD works great, the load times for some games was pretty poor but that is not that fault of the hardware it lies on the developer.

I have 9 games and the only one that takes a bit to load was Star Battlefront II, my others
Ridge Racer
Outrun 2006
Star Trek TA
Medal of Honor
Namco Battle Collection
Midway treasures
Ace Combat X
& Lemmings
They load up really fast

The need to include both UMB and Hard Drive

Reply

I honestly like UMD... for games. Only for games. It's nice to be able to borrow or loan them without DRM or anything getting in the way. HDD crashes, you lose everything and mobile HDDs love to die. Lots might post that they've "never had any problems" but I've watched a bunch of poeple order new iPods because the drives have been flaking out. Lots of little bumps lead to problems.

I'm ok with backing up save data, or even playing games over again if I was too dumb to back up the save, but if I need to re-download my whole collection of games over again because the drive goes? What a blowful situation.

Reply

In any case, UMD has to go. now. far away. From here.

Reply

I would actually like for the next psp to not have an UMD drive as long as it does include a hard drive and all of your original psp games could be transfered to the new version of the psp.

Reply

In any case UMD needs to stay close very close
NOW...

Reply

I wont be buying a PSP2 if it doesnt have a umd drive, or the option to get one, I currently like how the PSP is just now, 2 analog sticks would be great and the other things mentioned, why not have a slot for the umd drive and a hard drive, I dont see why do away with the drive, thats just dumb IMO..well scratch that, its a portable device, I dont want any add ons..it should all be in one nice lil lightweight package..but..like said, if they came out with a way to download the games you already have and put them on the hard drive, that would be a interesting idea..

Reply

Well, we seem to live in an age of dual SKUs, with the 360 and PS3 offering different variants. If Sony offered a cheaper UMD PSP lite for those with large game/movie collections and a more expensive HDD version for those who hate loading times and want to go exclusively the DLC route, they could please everyone. As long as those buying the UMD-less version know they're gimping themselves with regard to their old games there would be no cause for anyone to complain.

Reply

UMD drive isn't mandatory.. however if you're not going to support it then there needs to be a way to transfer UMD games over to the psp, in all honesty, it might be better off without it... or maybe a psp1.5 w/ umd support, and large hard drive, and then when psp2 comes out, no umd drive... a psp1.5 would be great in transitition users over to an all digital media network... also, it's a good practice model for when sony try to be more digitally oriented when the ps4 or 5 drops. little read only flash sticks would be better served for games...

Reply

Cartridges or UMDs only please, unless 8GB is going to be big enough to hold every game, ever. Swapping out memory cards is no more convenient than swapping out UMDs.

Reply