What is "Location Free" on my Sony PSP?

I have two LF-PK1s (the Location Free base stations) running out of my place and I'm totally satified with the performance.

Locally (near enough to access the base station's WIFI directly) they work extremely well at the maximum quality settings (used with a PSP, I don't have a standalone TV unit). I won't replace my wired TVs with Location Free TVs just yet since it's not quite perfect and the cost of the Location Free TVs are much too high, but as an additional feature to the PSP, it's great.

Externally (e.g. at a coffee shop) I have to downgrade the quality settings (3/5 usually) but it's still fairly clear and there're only occasional hitches.

For setup, I didn't get anywhere using the "Easy" mode, but the "Advanced" mode had all the controls I needed for setting up the server port, dynamic DNS, password settings, etc.

As a bonus, I didn't realize that the software included with the base station would also give me access to the signal through a laptop - but it's Windows only software.

My cable connection gives me enough upload bandwidth (typically > 500Kbps) to handle the signal (Sony recommends > 300Kbps) - YMMV.

Along with an IR controller and a database of remotes, the base station has an internal TV tuner, so I can just input cable directly to the unit and change the channels from the PSP easily, which is good.

I had thought that the base unit would also have some support streaming files off the network - it doesn't. That was a minor disappointment. That can probably be worked around by connecting the PC's TV-out to the base station and controlling the PC from a web interface. Haven't tried it yet, though.

Sony's description implies that a PC is required. However, it isn't - you can do all the setup from just the PSP.

Only four clients (PSPs, PCs, etc.) can be registered to a single base unit which hasn't been an issue, but it does seem like a unnecessary restriction. Although it is easy to delete and add clients.

However, only a single client can access the base station at once, which I can understand from a performance point of view but it does make it more difficult when you want to adjust the server settings from the PC and check the performance from the PSP at the same time.

The big features I'd like to see in the future:
1. Access to local video, image and music files
2. Some DVR capability
3. Ability to cache a stream on the memory stick to view when you're out of WIFI range.

Overall,
+10 for working as advertised and better than expected
-2 for no local file support
-1 for cost of standalone TV units
+2 for including PC viewer software for laptops
-1 for PC viewer software being Windows-only
-1 for being too restrictive with both number of registered and simultaneous clients
= (7/10)

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Sony's links to the User's Guides on their site were broken when I looked. So here's the direct links:
http://products.sel.sony.com/locationfreetv/owners/public/LF-PK1_U_IM.pdf
http://products.sel.sony.com/locationfreetv/owners/public/setting_usage_guide_LF_PSP.pdf

how do you play games from the internet?

i downloaded music off of itunes and i cant figure out how to get it from my itunes library to my PSP.please help!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I got a brand new base station for $90 on www.ebay.com.

I picked up a base station on ebay for $160, now im watching crossing jordan streaming on my PSP here at work.
due to the connection i set the display properties low so the visual is pretty choppy but the sound is great. And with the limited amount of memory available for the PSP this is a great solution.

Thanks for the info and review
Just got one on ebay for $60!

I recently got a PSP and I was wondering how to get my PSP online.

hi i just enquiring about the sony base station what upload and download speed do i need on my broadband

hey i just got a psp and i have a wireless router but i dont know how to connect to the internet it keeps on saying dns error plz help mee

You can also use it to play PS2 games on your psp. ^_^ (i read it on IGN)

Okay about the problem with the dns error i believe you need to go through you router settings and also make shure that it accepts wireless b products the psp is a b product. and make shire you wlan switch is on of course lol and how to get it online go to settings and go down tonetwork settings its at the very bottem and go to infrastructure mode and click on [New Connection] and that will take you to WLAN Settings from there you can ether scan for a network or do it manualy also i notice a Use Wireless Hotspot but i dont know much of this option but i will check it out and i am a cheap person. i like to do things for free lol

i am able to connect at home but when i try to connect at work, it just says that it is unable to connect to the base station. how do i remedy this?

When I use the rss crackle search what are ther different chanells I can search for I found a couple like youtube,myspace, I type in a couple of different words like hiphopdx and it found stuff but not pertaining to hiphop I also searched lime wire and acid planet but there were no feeds can you give me a list of names to search for Music,music videos. Also I have the flashplayer enabled but on the net some sites say I need macromedia what is that when you try to get it it sends you to another site help.
I've had my psp for a many months now and I know this machine is evolutionary I'm a fanatic there's something about this machine that tells me sony broke ground. Also if you have upgraded you system to 3.7 will you still be able to fun homebrew what is homebrew and how can I get started using it please help

ok dns error means u didnt type the address right (the url) and as for the music fomr itunes, copy and paste the files striaght from ur library viewer into the psp music file

I have got PSP (received from US) and have the 4 GB scan disk memory stick. When i copy the photos and music, i can able to view and play the songs from Scan disk.

when i copy the video files (in the format mpeg and mp4), the video is not playing in the psp.(it is showing message pls copy the files from PS3 system or from a PC)

my question does PSP supports scan disk memory stick for videos....

pls give your reply...