How Tos

How to purchase music on your PSP

Sing when you're walking

How to purchase music on your PSP
|
PSP

We like to think we can be pretty philanthropic about certain things. Which is why, before we plunge into the deep, dark world of PSP homebrew with these How Tos, we thought we'd get a few lighter elements out of the way.

If nothing else, it might remind a few people that their PSP is capable of more than just playing some excellent games. And this week in particular, it may stop one or two of you going out with both an iPod and PSP in your pockets. Imagine it: it'd be like crossing the streams (for those old enough to get the reference).

Anyway. Whilst Sony may have lost interest in supplying music to the masses with the closing of its Connect music service, there are still some great ways to buy and listen to music directly on your PSP.

True, many of them need you to pull the tunes down to your PC first, but a few will let you download straight to your PSP. We show you how below.

You will need:

• PSP with firmware 2.0 or higher
• DRM-free music account such as Amazon
• Wireless network
• Some headphones

Got all those? Great. Here we go, then.




















Configure wireless connection
1. Select Network | Internet Browser to launch the browser and set up an internet connection.
2. If you haven't already connected to the internet, select [New Connection] when prompted.
3. Select Scan to view available wireless networks.
4. Select the network to use and press X.
5. Work through the Connection details by tapping right on the D-pad. Ensure that you enter any security passwords. For example, if you have a WEP key on your router (check your wireless router documentation for details), you need to enter it in the WEP Key field.
6. Press X on the last page to complete the set-up.
7. If you require more information on the above, you'll find plenty here – it's our How To on setting up a wireless network on PSP
How to music psp 1

Start Internet Browser on PSP
Now you can start the browser:
1. Select Network | Internet Browser to launch the browser and set up an internet connection.
2. Select the connection you set up in Step 1.
How to music psp 2

Browse to DRM-free online music store
Once you're on the web, and before you get distracted by anything else, get to where you need to go:
1. Enter the URL of your preferred DRM-free music service. As an example, we've gone for Amazon.
2. Browse the music collection and add your favourites or the latest and greatest to you basket.
How to music psp 3

Add bookmark
To make it easier to return to this page in the future (and because no one in their right mind enjoys having to type out urls on PSP), add a bookmark:
1. Have your music site homepage open in the browser.
2. Press Triangle to access the options screen.
3. Select the Heart icon with the D-Pad and press X.
4. Select My Bookmarks and press X.
5. Select [Add to Bookmarks] and press X.
6. A new entry will now be added for your music supplier.
How to music PSP 4

Purchase music
Right, you can now buy and download the music directly to the PSP:
1. Once you have chosen your MP3 downloads click Purchase MP3 to purchase the music.
2. On the download page click the skip this stage link (pictured) to avoid downloading the PC application.
3. Pay for the music.
4. Save the music file to your memory stick.
How to music PSP 5

Play music
Okay, now for the fun bit of listening to your new music on the move:
1. Your new music will have downloaded and be stored on your Memory Stick.
2. Select Music | Memory Stick to access the tunes.
3. Plug in some headphones and away you go. As ever, check out our past PSP How Tos to discover the many various ways of increasing your handheld's functionality.
How to music PSP 6