SONY PSX DESR-5100 queries

All going well, I should have (thanks to UF) obtained a SONY PSX DESR-5100. I've found a pile of information on it (and other varients) but the majority of it is in Japanese (not surprisingly).

Anyone attempted to translate the manual? Anyone found an English PDF version (there might even be one on the official website, but it all points everywhere in Japanese so I am lost from the off!) Nothing to say whether the PSU was automatically converting from 110vac to 220vac as I thought HK had the same rating as UK? Again my thinking is that it's 110vac only.

Perhaps, someone here has some experience in the areas I am interested in.

A) Can an external source be used to input video signals? I.e. I realise I'll not be able to use the internal RF as it'll be set for Japanese system NTSC, but can these units be tweaked to handle PAL and therefore a DVB input or perhaps some other video input to record on HDD?

B) Has anyone found a means by which games can be stored on the internal HDD?

C) Do these older systems still link to the PSP?

Lastly,

D) What benefit (if any) are Sony suggesting is possible by linking the unit to my Japanese PS3? Presumably to make a multi-media server system? I thought Sony had scrapped this in favour of a DVB box for the PS3?!

Noob questions as I haven't even seen one of these, switched it on or heard it kick into life and would like some input from anyone who'd got experience of it.

Thanks! ;-)

 

Im also interested in the above questions too...

Plus:-

I s there any way of modifying the PS2 side of things to allow you play games region free?

 

Is this one of those big white DVR style PS2's? That's damn awesome!

 

Thats the one...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PSX_(DVR)

 

Answering some of my own query as UF/FF is in the house: http://www.sony.net/SonyInfo/News/Press_Archive/200310/03-1007E/

Oh god, not ATRAC3....boo, hoo, hoo!

[SIZE=-1]Terrestrial analog(VHF1-12ch,UHF13-62ch,CATV13-35ch)
BS satellite analog(1,3,5,7,9,11,13,15ch)*10 [/SIZE]

[SIZE=-1]Is that a D-sub output? I.e. VGA? Anyone got a clearer image of the rear of one of these things? [/SIZE]

http://www.sbcr.jp/vwalker/img/re03_050119_sony_01l.jpg

 

is D-Sub that little vga looking thing oin the bottom right hand corner?

 

That's actually a D2 video connector - since the PSX doesn't have a PS2 style multi-av output, this connector is the way to get component video from the unit. However, you'll need a D2->component cable to do this. I provided a link for one of these cables in a couple of older PSX threads - I'll see if I can find the link later.

 

just to check actually that going by the connections on the rear, it does Composite also?
Cheers

 

I just want to see one of these beasts on my desk and opened up like a gutted Shark! :evil:

 

To attack some of Parris/FF's questions:
A:
I'm pretty sure they won't handle PAL on any input & there's not much (actually any) info that I've found on the net for modding them. This also applies to the question about region modding - they are region locked out of the box & though I've seen the question asked multiple times, I've never seen anyone answer in the affirmative.

B:
Maybe? If HDloader (or equivalent) is able to run on the PSX, then that might allow games to be stored on the HDD (at the cost of some video storage space) & would also provide a workaround for region-lock issues. I believe HDD games like FF:XI can be run from the it, but since I don't have a JP copy, I can't confirm that either.

C:
The PSP support is via a memorystick & is only directly supported on the 5700/7700 according to this article on engadget. I think the deal is that it can write PSP compatible mp4 files to the MS without the need for external transcoding.

Voltage: They're spec'ed at 100vac 50/60Hz (using US 120v is OK, according to NCSX, though mine is actually running on a 120v->100v stepdown). As far as I'm aware, they were never formally released outside of JP, so other regional voltages were never officially supported. I wouldn't assume they'll take 220v, unless you find a multivoltage supply whilst you're gutting the thing!

As for an English version of the manual - I've yet to find one. I did once see a msg from several years back on one of the PS2 boards that someone had done an English translation, but I never saw any more about it. I'll see if I can find that too....

BTW, here's the link to my earlier note about where to get the component cable. I note they now say CALL instead of a price, so maybe they're out/low on stock. It's the same cable used by some IO-data/Buffalo networked DVD/media players.

FF, there are composite & s-video in/outputs on the back of the unit.

Personally, I'm looking forward to Parris' patented PSX tear down guide to come out. (Frustratingly, I had at some point found a website where someone had dissembled one, but I can't find it now - I think it's been pulled down. In the meantime, have a MB pic.)

[edit:corrected name of company]

 

Found on lik-sang, here's the archived link:
http://web.archive.org/web/*/http://www.lik-sang.com/news.php?artc=3244
Some of the thumbnails won't show, but most of the full scale pictures are still up.

 

Thanks for the very accurate reply Limey. Thanks UJ for the link. That PSU (which I was HOPING was a standard PS2 one, isn't lol) isn't switchable and changing it to 220vac would probably result in some kind of plastic coated fire! :lol:

Diddydonn came up with a PSX modchip, but I'll need to get the details from him again.

 

He did?! I'd like to know about that, also. :nod:

And UJ, isn't the Wayback Machine great? I just wish it archived deeper into sites than it does - I hate getting my hopes up, only to find the page I want isn't archived. Nice find, either way - I knew I'd seen internal pics around.

 

These are the only internal pics I have seen of it thus far. I'd love to see more, which I guess will only happen when I've torn mine down. Something tells me it'll be in bits within 10mins of arriving here. h:

 

Well it s 10.15 am, its a saturday and im on my way to collect them!

Willl report back shortly...

Oh and Parris - I was hoping that you would be stripping it down!

 

Yes it is, I have been using it for years, not always successfully.
Lik-sang and their nice habit of opening any gaming machine upon release, just like Parris!

 

Ah, not quite as my PS3 (although now out of warranty) has remained intact thus far.....hmmmmmmm, but perhaps not for very much longer lol!

 

im back!!!!

3 units sat here ready for a full inspection. Will do so once the kiddies are in bed and ive hada few minuts to relax. (been travelling today and also been puting up the xmas decs!

 

Ok, been doing a bit of research, found out a few things about the unit and its capabilities

There is indeed a modchip for it called a ghost chip, i wont post the link due to the legalities, but if you do a google search you'll find it

As for using the internal HDD for games storage, this isnt possible, it is for use as a PVR and for media storage only, and also games that require the HDD such as Final fantasy XI do not work with the PSX.

You can however use the USBadvance / Extreme external HDD hookup method for games storage (theoretically possible to use in conjunction with the ghost chip as well instead of a bootdisc)

Hope that helps!

DD

 

The HDD seems to be available for use with at least the JP version of Virtua Fighter 4 - the HDD option shows up & it seems to run the install to HDD option without complaint. Usually, if no HDD is found, then the HDD options are greyed out. I need to hunt through my JP games & find if I have any others that have the option to speed up load times via the HDD...

After some investigations: Yes, the USB external hookup route works (though cut scenes will be painfully slow & a fair number of games are not compatible). And yes, using advance with the internal HDD won't fly - it does not find/like the PSX HDD - it will return a message saying that the PS2 hardware is incompatible.