Industry guru Dave Taylor answers free tech support questions about a wide variety of business and technical topics, including blogging, Google AdSense, MySpace, Sony PSP, Apple iPod, Mp3 players, management, Linux, SEO, Mac OS X, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Microsoft Windows.

What kind of Memory Stick can I use with my Sony PSP?

I'm confused. Can I use my older Memory Stick Duo devices with my Sony PSP, or do I need to go and buy new Memory Stick PRO Duos?


Dave's Answer:

I'm also a bit confused by the many different names of Sony memory devices, actually. According to the Sony PSP manual, all of the following types of memory sticks will work with the device:

  • Memory Stick Duo
  • MagicGate Memory Stick Duo
  • Memory Stick Duo (MagicGate / High Speed data-transfer compatible)
  • Memory Stick PRO Duo

Sony generally talks about the "Memory Stick", but it encompasses all four of those formats.

Oh, and did I mention that they're different sizes too?

Here's a picture that shows the Memory Stick PRO Duo from Sony and the Memory Stick adapter so you can get a sense of the relative sizes:

    Memory Stick PRO Duo

Wondering about what MagicGate is all about? It turns out it's a copy protection mechanism. Here's what Wikipedia says about it:

"MagicGate is a copy-protection technology introduced by Sony in 1999 as part of the SDMI. It works by encrypting the content on the device and using MagicGate chips in both the storage device and reader to enforce control over how files are copied."

Having said all that, I still recommend you stick with Memory Stick PRO Duo devices are explicitly indicate that they're Sony PSP compatible. I have heard of some reports of problems with devices that weren't specifically indicated to be PSP compatible...

Hope that helps clear things up!



Help others find this article at Del.icio.us, Digg, Netscape, Reddit, and Simpy.
Still Have Sony PSP Questions?
Looking for all your Sony PSP answers in one place, organized as a convenient quick reference work? Then you need Dave's Everything Guide to the Sony PSP, a 150-page ebook ready for you to download right now!
buy now!

Subscribe!

Never miss another useful Q&A article again! Subscribe to AskDaveTaylor with Google Reader.

Comments

How do I Put the update 2.6 to my psp and Videos to My memory pro stick

Posted by: Wilmir Thomas at February 5, 2006 9:59 PM

I have a lot to say, but ...
Starbucks coffee cup I have a lot to say, and questions of my own for that matter, but most of all I'd like to say thank you for all your efforts on this Web site by buying you a chai!

I do have a comment, now that you mention it!









Remember personal info?


Please note that I will never send you any unsolicited commercial email. Ever.

While I'm at it, please note that by submitting a question or comment you're agreeing to my terms of service, which are: you relinquish any subsequent rights of ownership to your material by submitting it on this site.









Search
Find just the answers you seek from among our 1700+ free tech support articles by using our Lijit search engine.


Help!





Subscribe to
Ask Dave Taylor!

Add to Google Reader
Add to My Yahoo!
Subscribe in NewsGator Online

RDF   XML

Free Updates!
Sign up and get free weekly updates and special offers on books, seminars, workshops and more.


Recent Entries
Join the List!
Join my author info mailing list, where you'll learn about my upcoming books, speaking gigs, and more!


Book Links
© 2002 - 2008 by Dave Taylor. All Rights Reserved.

Note: This web site is for the purpose of disseminating information for educational purposes, free of charge, for the benefit of all visitors. We take great care to provide quality information. However, we do not guarantee, and accept no legal liability whatsoever arising from or connected to, the accuracy, reliability, currency or completeness of any material contained on this web site or on any linked site.

[whiteboard marker tray]