Datels 4GB PSP drive tested and dissected

For everyone who thought the Datel 4GB PSP drive seemed too good (or suspect) to be true, import gaming giant Lik Sang gave it the once over after receiving a unit before their first shipment of the devices comes in. We really like the idea of Datel selling these things as a straight enclosure so we can roll our own drive (specifically a large capacity CF drive, for example), but make sure you're not counting on more than 4GB of space if you're going to buy and mod it—the PSP can't address more than 4GB of Memory Stick memory, so you can't exactly go nuts on the thing. Coming soon via LS for $200 cash money.

[Via PSPnews]

[Snax @ Dec 19th 2005 12:55AM]

Dope. I'd get one for about 50 bucks less

[777php @ Dec 19th 2005 12:55AM]

The drive sticks out much further than the initial pictures would lead you to beleive. A little too bulky for my tastes.

[Orc Man @ Dec 19th 2005 12:55AM]

receiving receiving the unit must mean they have two?

[Gah @ Dec 19th 2005 12:55AM]

I do like the option that a CompactFlash card may be used in lieu of MemoryStick or the MicroDrive. Compact Flash is much cheaper and reliable than either of them in my opinion.

Still, I'm crossing my fingers for a hard-drive installed PSP. That would enable PSP to be more capable as a personal media player.

[Humberto @ Dec 19th 2005 12:55AM]

Dumb question: Are MicroDrives the same as CF? I assume they are but I've never used either.

[Jaxim @ Dec 19th 2005 12:55AM]

I've been holding off from buying an iPod, but if Sony comes out with a PSP pre-installed with a harddrive,(20-60GB), making this Datel drive obsolete, then I would buy that iPod-killing PSP in a second. (And I'm not even a gamer! - but if Sony did this, I can see myself getting into games.)

[chudgoo @ Dec 19th 2005 12:55AM]

Not that I don't appreciate the progress here, but I would still love to see the Toshiba 1.8" drives used instead of microdrives.

MK2004GAL 20GB drives can be had for around $80. (These are the same ones used in iPods)

They could be mounted on the back of the UMD hatch vertically. It could be secured with the two screws on top and the two little indents on the bottom. Maybe even mounted sideways and secured by some other method...

Point being this is possible and with much higher storage capacities and lower costs.


And for the record, some analyst saying that something *might* happen does not mean it will.

Sony has a vested interest in keeping UMD the format of choice for movies and MSD the format for other user writable files.

They hava captive audience and would not change that. Ever. Kiss those PSP-with-HardDrive pie in the sky dreams goodbye.

Or if not, here's another "analyst's" view.
I think...uh, I mean the analyst has reported that Sony will come out with advanced TeleDildonics Accessories for use with the PSP around Q3 2006. Yeah. ANALyst.

[Whuh? @ Dec 19th 2005 12:55AM]

"the PSP can�t address more than 4GB of Memory Stick memory, so you can�t exactly go nuts on the thing"

So, PSP can't read memory stick with more than 4gb?

[Blademonkey @ Dec 19th 2005 12:55AM]

Ok, so what's stopping someone from making a memorystick2IDE adapter, or even MemoryStick2USB (with the option to hook up an external HD?).

though cumbersome, the HD wouldn't be as hefty as the sony battery pack..

{= D

[Maxwellion @ Dec 19th 2005 12:55AM]

#5 No, upto 4GB only.

I'd like to see a hard drive built into the PSP. Let me just say, has anyone actually tried carrying the PSP around as an MP3 player? It's the silliest thing in the world. I "wore" mine on the way into uni today and that thing would only fit in my hoodies front pocket leaving no room for my hands. I truly looked like a goon.

If anything they need to make this device smaller, not bigger. Zodiac etc have done it... It's time for the PSP. Oh, and how about a touch screen for keyboard input?

2 my two "pence".

[Bernd W Kl?er @ Dec 19th 2005 12:55AM]

This is a great product !

[Nath5000 @ Dec 19th 2005 12:55AM]

#4.(jaxim)- Either way, even if my psp had 20-60gb of memory, the only benefit over an ipod would be the screen and the gaming and the downside would be its size over the ipod. The psp just LOOKs like a potential ipod killer, but I will never agree with anyone who claims that until sony releases an itunes like syncing platform with the PSP. Its a pain in the ass to copy stuff into the annoyingly gross folders and convert video and all that stuff. I like how my psp shields me from all of that crappy stuff. I dunno maybe some of us geeks do enjoy that little bit of consumer hassle... Many people take pride in figuring out and repeating non user friendly interfaces, but for something as simple as multimedia id rather have it all done for me. The real thing you should wait for is for nintendo to team up with apple and release an Iboy-pod.... that would kick anythings ass and finally kick apple into gaming the real way. Well at least in north america... whatever. if your not a gamer just get an ipod dude.

[Lou @ Dec 19th 2005 12:55AM]

They won't come out with a built-in hard drive - they are making to much from the memory cards.

[Nath5000 @ Dec 19th 2005 12:55AM]

#4.(jaxim)- Either way, even if my psp had 20-60gb of memory, the only benefit over an ipod would be the screen and the gaming and the downside would be its size over the ipod. The psp just LOOKs like a potential ipod killer, but I will never agree with anyone who claims that until sony releases an itunes like syncing platform with the PSP. Its a pain in the ass to copy stuff into the annoyingly gross folders and convert video and all that stuff. I like how my psp shields me from all of that crappy stuff. I dunno maybe some of us geeks do enjoy that little bit of consumer hassle... Many people take pride in figuring out and repeating non user friendly interfaces, but for something as simple as multimedia id rather have it all done for me. The real thing you should wait for is for nintendo to team up with apple and release an Iboy-pod.... that would kick anythings ass and finally kick apple into gaming the real way. Well at least in north america... whatever. if your not a gamer just get an ipod dude.

[ela2 @ Dec 19th 2005 12:55AM]

Not impressive at all. If it were 60GB then I'd be impressed. The best solution would be to have a large hard drive accessible via a wireless connection. That way you could PSP at home with a respectable library of games/movies. Outside of that, I would rather have a 4GB memory stick. Too big, bulky, and not enough space.

[British @ Dec 19th 2005 12:55AM]

Remember, that's $200 cash money!

[Eli @ Dec 19th 2005 12:55AM]

God the memory stick is a shitty product. It has an onboard memory controller like an SD or CF card, so theoretically it should be infinitely upgradable and the device you're plugging it into shouldn't care what size it is.

First they screwed everyone who bought a first generation MS device with that retarded 128mb limit, now they're making an arbitrary 4gb limit? How dumb do you have to be to make the same mistake twice?

While we're at it, I wholeheartedly agree with #5 there. They need to add a 60gb hard drive and allow drag-and-drop file transfers. Then it'll be an iPod killer.

[Jaxim @ Dec 19th 2005 12:55AM]

PSP's screen and video capabilities seem to blow the iPod "Video" away. The only real thing that the iPod has over the PSP is that it has a harddrive. As for the user experience, I think that's a software interface fix that SONY can solve by issuing a new firmware patch (or some hackcker could solve by issuing a modified version of the PSP OS.)

The real downside of the PSP is the size, but I can deal with the larger size of the PSP especially since I'd be using it for games and watching videos.

But for now, I'm content with my $90 RCA expandable flash memory mp3 player that I bought a few years ago. I can wait until someone makes a combo video and music player right. IMHO, a PSP with a harddrive would be my answer. Perhaps it wouldn't be your cup of tea, but it would be mine.

[YoYo-Pete @ Dec 19th 2005 12:55AM]

They wont make a PSP with a HD. Trust me on this.

#13 is right. This is Sony's vision. The PSP and/or Location Free is how they are going to do it. You dont need storage. You need bandwidth.

[Gah @ Dec 19th 2005 12:55AM]

iPod got the size, design, and the infrastructure to sell the contents right. PSP got the design right, but has more potential expendability.

I think Sony sticking with MemoryStick was not cool, but still, I bet they are making huge bucks off of it! Especially if you calculate that about half of PSP gamers bought extra MemoryStick. However, if they want PSP to beat iPod, they will have to make it smaller, integrate a hard drive, and get their online music/movie store right.

I'm just not sure if they could do all that while keeping the price for PSP under $300. Shrinking the screen will help, and hopefully flash-based memory can support up to 20-60gb at affordable range.

With Sony putting much effort behind their latest cellphone, I say it's time PSP gets a makeover too. It's not gonna happen soon though, not soon enough.

Lastly, for video iPod? It's not going to go far unless Apple can come up with a way to magically increase the battery life. At least PSP can change batteries.

[Brad Twitty @ Dec 19th 2005 12:55AM]

This is a great prodeuct.
I have a use for my PSP again.
I'm going to buy it.
But, only so I can sit my PSP on its' back and give my DS a pedestal to rest on.

Good Day!
Brad

[Andrew Tanasescu @ Dec 19th 2005 12:55AM]

ok...

So I see its pretty much a memory stick duo (Pro) with a hard drive on it...

So, will it work with other sony products..

such as, can I plug this thing into my k750i and expect it to work. I mean, It supports Duo Pro... Sooo

[ChillyWilly @ Dec 19th 2005 12:55AM]

I don't think I want a hard drive on my PSP, but I can say that I'll look forward to ver. 2.0 of this Datel drive kit where it's a thinner option, comes in kit only form (where you get to add your own CF card or Microdrive) and adds less bulk to the PSP.

For now, I'm sticking to my PSP and MS cards for watching TV shows and other videos on the go.

[Eli @ Dec 19th 2005 12:55AM]

I just feel it necesary to point out that if you want to get this to listen to MP3s, you can get a 4gb Nano for the same price, or a Mini for $100 less.

[Dull @ Dec 19th 2005 12:55AM]

Strange they didn't just market this as a CF adaptor, with a 4gb card, they might have even sold more if people new you could swap out the cards, view photo's from your DSLR.
But, this is great news, just buy 17in1 Compactflash (CF) Converter Adapter and then you can use just about any memory card including Memory Stick duo (with adaptor.

[Dull @ Dec 19th 2005 12:55AM]

Humberto,
MicroDrives are tiny hard drives in a Compactflash case. The main differecne is that MicroDrives tend to be cheaper, but they have moving parts, flash memory don't. Compactflash is flash memory.

[Bob S. @ Dec 19th 2005 12:55AM]

You don't need a whole lot of storage on the PSP. I ripped Arrested Development S2 episodes the day the DVDs came out; each episode is well under 40 megs, so the season (well, the good episodes, half a dozen were awful) fits on a 512MB stick. I can fit a ton of Three Stooges shorts, even Game 4 of last year's World Series. The PSP is a muuuuuuch better media player than the iPod. (It fast-forwards.) I own both and love both, but the video iPod is a screwdriver being used as a hammer.

Anyway, I'm not saying I have no use for a 4GB storage device for the PSP, just that it's overkill for all but folks who want a real whole lot of video without swapping sticks.

[Thomas Averin @ Dec 19th 2005 12:55AM]

wow.
Now I can pay up to 500 dolars for a peice of crap with a somewhat reasonable data capacity!

[Jeebus @ Dec 19th 2005 12:55AM]

I use my PSP for MP3 playback. Sure it's a bit hefty, but it fits into my snowboarding jacket that I wear around town without any extra bulk. It's not an ideal MP3 player, but it does the job.

As for the Datel product, I don't think I'll be buying it, it makes the PSP a little too big.

Just my two yen.

[Aharon @ Dec 19th 2005 12:55AM]

I'm wondering if this would work with other memory stick duo limited gadgets, like Sony Ericsons s710a mp3 phone.

[viktor @ Dec 19th 2005 12:55AM]

... hummmm

how about battery consumption?

4gigs more with crappy batteries duration...

[Tom @ Dec 19th 2005 12:55AM]

Forget about the PSP, what about using this on the SE phones (as others wrote already)?!

Does it work with the W800/K750?

Cos that would be pretty damn sweet. Take the W800's included stick for the daily dosis and those 4Gigs for travel, holidays aso.

[strider_mt2k @ Dec 19th 2005 12:55AM]

Once again we run into a memory wall constructed by Sony.

4GB? 4? And the UMD is how big?
I smell one big heap o BS people, Sony style!

I'm really glad I dumped that brick when I did.
Sony enjoys punishing their customers a bit overmuch.

Maybe if there were a couple of good games for the thing it would be different, but I find all this scrambling to enhance the PMP features a sign that the games just aren't coming.

Get what you can for that investment upon investment upon investment...I guess.

[Tim @ Dec 19th 2005 12:55AM]

couldnt u just partition a bigger hard drive into lots of 4gb partitions? and make that work somehow?

[GraphixCub @ Dec 19th 2005 12:55AM]

This week I spotted these at BestBuy in Portland, Oregon. $230. At least 5 of them on the shelf. I must admit, it made my adrenaline run for a bit. Maybe Santa will put one under my tree...? wink wink

(,,,)Grrrr!(,,,)

[Snax @ Dec 19th 2005 12:55AM]

Dope. I'd get one for about 50 bucks less

[777php @ Dec 19th 2005 12:55AM]

The drive sticks out much further than the initial pictures would lead you to beleive. A little too bulky for my tastes.

[Orc Man @ Dec 19th 2005 12:55AM]

receiving receiving the unit must mean they have two?

[Gah @ Dec 19th 2005 12:55AM]

I do like the option that a CompactFlash card may be used in lieu of MemoryStick or the MicroDrive. Compact Flash is much cheaper and reliable than either of them in my opinion.

Still, I'm crossing my fingers for a hard-drive installed PSP. That would enable PSP to be more capable as a personal media player.

[Humberto @ Dec 19th 2005 12:55AM]

Dumb question: Are MicroDrives the same as CF? I assume they are but I've never used either.

[Jaxim @ Dec 19th 2005 12:55AM]

I've been holding off from buying an iPod, but if Sony comes out with a PSP pre-installed with a harddrive,(20-60GB), making this Datel drive obsolete, then I would buy that iPod-killing PSP in a second. (And I'm not even a gamer! - but if Sony did this, I can see myself getting into games.)

[chudgoo @ Dec 19th 2005 12:55AM]

Not that I don't appreciate the progress here, but I would still love to see the Toshiba 1.8" drives used instead of microdrives.

MK2004GAL 20GB drives can be had for around $80. (These are the same ones used in iPods)

They could be mounted on the back of the UMD hatch vertically. It could be secured with the two screws on top and the two little indents on the bottom. Maybe even mounted sideways and secured by some other method...

Point being this is possible and with much higher storage capacities and lower costs.


And for the record, some analyst saying that something *might* happen does not mean it will.

Sony has a vested interest in keeping UMD the format of choice for movies and MSD the format for other user writable files.

They hava captive audience and would not change that. Ever. Kiss those PSP-with-HardDrive pie in the sky dreams goodbye.

Or if not, here's another "analyst's" view.
I think...uh, I mean the analyst has reported that Sony will come out with advanced TeleDildonics Accessories for use with the PSP around Q3 2006. Yeah. ANALyst.

[Whuh? @ Dec 19th 2005 12:55AM]

"the PSP can�t address more than 4GB of Memory Stick memory, so you can�t exactly go nuts on the thing"

So, PSP can't read memory stick with more than 4gb?

[Blademonkey @ Dec 19th 2005 12:55AM]

Ok, so what's stopping someone from making a memorystick2IDE adapter, or even MemoryStick2USB (with the option to hook up an external HD?).

though cumbersome, the HD wouldn't be as hefty as the sony battery pack..

{= D

[Maxwellion @ Dec 19th 2005 12:55AM]

#5 No, upto 4GB only.

I'd like to see a hard drive built into the PSP. Let me just say, has anyone actually tried carrying the PSP around as an MP3 player? It's the silliest thing in the world. I "wore" mine on the way into uni today and that thing would only fit in my hoodies front pocket leaving no room for my hands. I truly looked like a goon.

If anything they need to make this device smaller, not bigger. Zodiac etc have done it... It's time for the PSP. Oh, and how about a touch screen for keyboard input?

2 my two "pence".

[Bernd W Kl?er @ Dec 19th 2005 12:55AM]

This is a great product !

[Nath5000 @ Dec 19th 2005 12:55AM]

#4.(jaxim)- Either way, even if my psp had 20-60gb of memory, the only benefit over an ipod would be the screen and the gaming and the downside would be its size over the ipod. The psp just LOOKs like a potential ipod killer, but I will never agree with anyone who claims that until sony releases an itunes like syncing platform with the PSP. Its a pain in the ass to copy stuff into the annoyingly gross folders and convert video and all that stuff. I like how my psp shields me from all of that crappy stuff. I dunno maybe some of us geeks do enjoy that little bit of consumer hassle... Many people take pride in figuring out and repeating non user friendly interfaces, but for something as simple as multimedia id rather have it all done for me. The real thing you should wait for is for nintendo to team up with apple and release an Iboy-pod.... that would kick anythings ass and finally kick apple into gaming the real way. Well at least in north america... whatever. if your not a gamer just get an ipod dude.

[Lou @ Dec 19th 2005 12:55AM]

They won't come out with a built-in hard drive - they are making to much from the memory cards.

[Nath5000 @ Dec 19th 2005 12:55AM]

#4.(jaxim)- Either way, even if my psp had 20-60gb of memory, the only benefit over an ipod would be the screen and the gaming and the downside would be its size over the ipod. The psp just LOOKs like a potential ipod killer, but I will never agree with anyone who claims that until sony releases an itunes like syncing platform with the PSP. Its a pain in the ass to copy stuff into the annoyingly gross folders and convert video and all that stuff. I like how my psp shields me from all of that crappy stuff. I dunno maybe some of us geeks do enjoy that little bit of consumer hassle... Many people take pride in figuring out and repeating non user friendly interfaces, but for something as simple as multimedia id rather have it all done for me. The real thing you should wait for is for nintendo to team up with apple and release an Iboy-pod.... that would kick anythings ass and finally kick apple into gaming the real way. Well at least in north america... whatever. if your not a gamer just get an ipod dude.

[ela2 @ Dec 19th 2005 12:55AM]

Not impressive at all. If it were 60GB then I'd be impressed. The best solution would be to have a large hard drive accessible via a wireless connection. That way you could PSP at home with a respectable library of games/movies. Outside of that, I would rather have a 4GB memory stick. Too big, bulky, and not enough space.