PSP games region-free after all, but UMD movies locked
By Dan Wu 
posted Mar 25th 2005 10:50AM
posted Mar 25th 2005 10:50AM
We've reported before on the fact that some games for the
PlayStation Portable do indeed sport a
region-coding number, but now that the US games are finally
out, we're happy to note that Sony (as promised) did not put a region lock on any of their games. Which means that yes,
you can play any Japanese game on that fresh, mint-condition, scratch-free PSP you just picked up (or if you've had a
PSP for a few months, there's now a few new American titles you can add to your library). Sony did lock up the UMD
movies, so those of you with Japanese PSPs won't get any Spider-Man 2 action.
Got mine yesterday with a DEAD PIXEL everso apparent in the bottom left of the screen..... Other than that it's a beautiful machine...
Although I don't have a dead pixel on mine, I suspect that Sony had better reconsider their policy regarding dead pixels, in light of Nintendo's great policy regarding the matter. Otherwise, there will be a lot of unhappy PSP owners.
Unfortunaltely from what I gather, Nintendo's policy seems to be the exception, and not the norm when it comes to LCD's.
I also have one dead pixel on the very bottom row, just right of center. Makes me sad :(
I love it how in the picture there are these sexy hands playing the PSP.....
Okay, so movies are region locked; games arent. BUT... what about the flashing issue? If I pick up a psp-1000, can i flash it to a psp-1001 with region 1 coding?
i don't think there's a flash for the usa version, but there is one for the 1000; sooooo.
Would some brave soul try and flash your psp with the psp-1000 rom and see if it changes the region?
PLEASE!!??!!??
I really dislike everything that has region protection! DVD, HP printers... DualDisc???
Where's the global economy???
Why do I have this feeling that the PSP will become the most "hacked" machine EVER. And that Sony, withtheir new consumer friendly ceo, will just turn the other cheek, smile and profit hugely........
"And that Sony, withtheir new consumer friendly ceo, will just turn the other cheek, smile and profit hugely........"
One word: Australia.
Hugely hacked is a terrible thing for Sony since they loose a ton of money on each unit.
So the current games aren't region locked, but is it at all possible to lock games to a region? If so, some publisher is going to eventually.
so either no one who reads these comments has a psp or no one who has a psp has the nuts to flash theirs with the japanese firmware.
doesnt this at all seem like an obvious thing to try? especially if you're a import/export shop trying to push your psp-1000s?
And now we laugh at all those who were bitterly fighting the point that there is no region coding on the PSP.
Does anyone plan on buying movies on UMD just to watch them on the PSP?
It is great that they stuck to their word (on games - less great about the movies). I probably will be buying Japanese imports of certain games in the future.
However, I'm not sure I see the point of UMD movies yet. If they were cheaper than DVD-video-discs, or you could use tv-out with them, then maybe they would make sense to me. But, right now, I would far prefer to just transcode a dvd to a format that I can put on a memory stick. (So what if it isn't native full screen =P)
I'd rather buy a DVD, rip it and put it onto my PSP that way then buying a UMD that only plays on the PSP.
"Where's the global economy???"
Well, in theory, they do the region coding for the sake of THEIR global economy...! But you're right, it's not very "global friendly" as far as consumers are concerned.
#16: and by built into PCs you mean put into Vaios while everyone else looks at Sony funny?
#19 - by "PCs," he probably meant "the PS3." However, crazy people will probably find a way to make UMD dumps any day now, and that will probably be good enough for... whatever.
Is it possible to get TiVO shows to play on the PSP. I am seeing conflicting stories about this. Has anybody who actually purchased a PSP actually been able to do this?
Pretty sure that Region Locking for movies was known from the get go. I think it was less Sony's decision and more of the movie distributors, etc. Region locking still comes down to those making the disc (game, movie, music), but while the PSP enforces this, it isn't the cause of it.
If you get games that feature "headline characters" such as Rockman/Megaman, the main character's name changes due to conflicts in local markets, not necessarily due to translation problems. Movies and music on the other hand usually are due to the milking of the industry we've all enjoyed. Funny how the "problem child" of the industry seems to be the most progressive of the three.
What about someone hacking the firmware of the PSP much like a XBOX or PS2's or Early DVD-Roms firmware is changed or flashed to allow for Region Free UMD Movies?
#23 - would probably make it impossible to play games released after the fact that can detect the firmware change. Then it would become a cat-and-mouse game - new firmware every couple of months. Would become annoying fast...
Further, it would almost definitely void your warranty. Considering all the psp returns going on right now, seems like a warranty might be something to hold on to for as long as possible.
As I've said before, I don't see the appeal in UMDs as they exist right now anyway... memory stick video is "where it is at." Play what you want.
#22 is right about this having been coming from the beginning by the way....
How does the regions work for the PSP? Is it based on DVD regions? And is there any truth to the rumour that the Japanese PSPs are multi-region?
I purchased a Japanese PSP for my son's bday in Jan. and now find that it's region locked for videos. I would like to get an update to the US version and/or change the region code to USA. Does someone have a pointer a file and/or know if this can be done? I'll send mail to Sony, but thought this might be faster.
After checking up, it seems that Japan is the same DVD region code as Europe. Does this mean if I buy a PSP imported from japan, it won't differ from the UK version at all?
Thanks
if you have a jap psp it will work with english umd movie because they are the same region 2.
Hello i was wondering because i am getting my psp imported in less than a week now !! :D , i imported from hong kong, is this same region as europe? please tell me because jap psps are same as europe :D cant w8 till i get psp
alright peeps my jap psp just turned up today and ive been trying to find software to rip my dvds onto pc convert it to mp4 then put it on memory stick.PLEASE HELP!!!! if anyone knows anywhere i can get this software PLEASE email me at ricjoh356@orange.net im in the uk by the way. thanks guys
Also if i get the jap psp firmware update will my psp become jap so i can have region 2 movies if it isnt already.
28. Sorry, UMD movies from the US will NOT play in the Japanese PSP..different regions....still looking tho...........
Does anyone know a good US importer of Japanese UMDs? I am so bummed out because I just discovered today that I cannot play US movies on my PSP. Those of us who believed the propaganda about the PSP being sold out at launch and bought through an importer are OUT OF LUCK if we want to watch movies on our PSP.
Does anyone know a good US importer of Japanese UMDs? I am so bummed out because I just discovered today that I cannot play US movies on my PSP. Those of us who believed the propaganda about the PSP being sold out at launch and bought through an importer are OUT OF LUCK if we want to watch movies on our PSP.
ordered myself a jap PSP. it should be here today or tomorrow. can't wait. glad to hear that its the same region as europe (i'm from england). but then again, the main purpose is for gaming so the movies are just a bonus.
Great news Jap movies are going to be available in English in the next few weeks and will be Available at www.GBAX.com. Unlocking the region will be cracked soon for movies.
anyone know what goes on in the psp right under umd in main menu it says memory card and when u click it it says no games available. I wonder if u could put games lik pacman or something...it would be hard because of the format, bu ti think it mite work im actually trying that but i need that luck. Neways i have atleast 20 dead pixels...gay as hell
just got my PSP today. its a jap one. no dead pixels that i can see. n im loving it. got ridge racer and metal gear acid. both excellent, especially ricer racer. i suggest #37 complains to sony as they might exchange it. after all, having alot of dead pixels is pathetic.
hey , i just got a US PSP and i was wondering if it plays english games , i know it only plays region 1 movies but are european games playable on my US psp? , hey could someone reply to me at lonesoldier_5@hotmail.com , thanx
Same question as number 30 above. Please can someone let me know huw.manning@gmail,com
Thanks
Same question as number 30 above. Please can someone let me know huw.manning@gmail,com
Thanks
just wondering if i get the US update for my jap psp will it give it an american region code?
Hi, I'm just wondering will the Autralian PSP UMD movies have the same region coding as the European UMDs. 'Cuz I wan't to import a Japanese PSP but I also wan't to be able to play future Aussie UMD movies.
i just bought a psp from singapore(i live in the uk) i am wondering whether i can play UMD games i buy from uk on this psp? and wat bout UMD movies? which region is singapore in?
does the region of the UMD game or the psp have to be same in order to play multiplayer?
are there any other difficulties i might face in havin a psp of a different region than that of mine? is it true that 'x' button is used to select in some psp's while 'o' button is used in others? how does this differ?
need help urgently....
cud sum1 please e-mail me the answers to azax7@hotmail.com
Or post a reply in this forum as soon as possible
THANX
#44 singapore is rc3
I also bought a psp in singapore, just wondering where I can buy umd movies somewhere for it?
oh and I also got poploiscrois with it, but I'm wondering if there's any way to change the language?
thanks for any help
I oso juz bought a psp in Singapore(asian version). could anyone recommend whether i should upgrade to firmware version 2.0 or not from the Japanese psp site? will there be problem for my singapore psp? pls share ur exp if u started using asian version ver 2.0 downloaded fr the japanese site. tks
i would suggest that you DONT upgrade your psp to version 2 yet. as the homebrews only run on 1.0 and 1.5. the only good extra from version 2 is the web browser. but seriously, without a keyboard how would your surf around. anyway there is a free homebrew browser available.
Anyone know if there are ANY region 3 UMD's out there, friend from sony singapore said they would never make any because sales in region 3 is very bad. any answer deeply appreciated
i got a region 3 psp and found a site where i can buy region 3 umd videos. just go to http://www.play-asia.com and then click the movies tab and then click umd video. you will then get a list with region 3 and 2 umd movies. Next to the film it will say UMD Video (RC3/Asia). Here is a list of the films you can get Final Fantasy, xXx 2 the next level, Anacondas: the hunt for The Blood orchid, Bad Boys, Black Hawk Down, Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon, Daddy Dare Care, Charlie's Angels, Hitch, Hollow Man, Hellboy, Once upon a time in Mexico, xXx
I work in a game shop and the British UMD movies run on my Japanese PSP, Spread the good news!
Currently i had version 1.52 updated fr the Hongkong psp site. Can't play any homebrew application. Anyone knows when will psp region 3 ver 2.0 out? i read reviews n most of them discussing abt psp (US version)2.0 updates fr the Jap site. Will i void my warranty or will there be errors for my region 3 psp if i update 2.0 fr either the US site or Jap site?
Currently i had version 1.52 updated fr the Hongkong psp site. Can't play any homebrew application. Anyone knows when will psp region 3 ver 2.0 out? i read reviews n most of them discussing abt psp (US version)2.0 updates fr the Jap site. Will i void my warranty or will there be errors for my region 3 psp if i update 2.0 fr either the US site or Jap site?
I have a jap psp and have just bought a uk umd movie but it dosent work on it has anyone else found this out yet as i thought that there region was the same as us it keeps saying this disc cannot be played