Some Questions About The Gp2x Before Ordering...

[Zebulunite]

Hi. I'm close to purchasing a GP2X, but there are a few things I am unsure of...

1. How good is the official screen protector? Should I buy it along with a GP2X, or are there better alternatives? Link

2. Are there any cheaper alternatives to the official power adapter? I plan on primarily using the GP2X to play Xvid videos via the tv-out, and I'd prefer not having to worry about changing batteries while watching a video, but 20 dollars isn't worth that connivance (since I could easily buy several rechargeable AA batteries for the same price)

3. What is the analog stick on the GP2X closest to: A PSX/PS2 analog stick, a PSP analog nub, or a Neo Geo Pocket 8-way stick? (I have each of them, and I'd like a good idea of how the analog stick on the GP2X feels compared to my other systems)

4. Are there any attempts currently being made to either expand the official video playback software on the GP2X to decode H264 video, or to create a separate H264 player?

5. Using the latest version of SquidgeSNES, can a GP2X play Super Mario World at full speed (60 fps) with frameskip 0 and sound enabled? The GP2X wiki seems to suggest that, but isn't clear.

Thanks for you time.

EDIT: Fixed the link.

 

[Shikaku]

Please search people...

1. Don't buy that, you don't need it.
2. If you don't want to risk blowing up something in the GP2X, buy it anyway. Most AC adapters that are not the official one have blow something up from the inside
3. Neo Geo Pocket 8-Way, it's NOT ANALOG!
4. Wait for the MPlayer source to be released before we can answer that question
5. Yes. No really, YES. (Might need to overclock, but not a lot).

And buy it from a country NEAR YOU, not Lik-Sang!

 

[Magnulus]

I got it from Lik-Sang. Worked perfectly.

 

[tshroom]

A great deal of these threads have popped up in the past few days. The GP2X is really aquiring a good deal of interest from random people these days.

 

[aapje89]

A great deal of these threads have popped up in the past few days. The GP2X is really aquiring a good deal of interest from random people these days.

definitly a good thing

 

[nickspoon]

4. Wait for the MPlayer source to be released before we can answer that question

The MPlayer source will supposedly be released shortly. I have a copy, but sshh. H.264 is very improbable, it uses proprietary stuff and sometimes encryption, and generally takes ages to decode.

 

[Magnulus]

I have a copy, but sshh.

You're very good at keeping secrets, Nick. *chuckles*

Regarding Lik-Sang and lots of new interest, I actually hadn't heard a word about the Gippex (Stupid name for it, I know, but it has stuck with me.) until one day in february when I was browsing Lik-Sang, mostly looking at and considering getting the "NES" console they're selling. The Gippex suddenly caught my eye while I was looking at the portable famicom machine, and after a reading a bit about it, I decided I'd get one after the "final" release. In comes the month of June, and I'm suddenly reminded of the little thing. A little bit of googling etc finally convinced me that it was the thing to get. So I got it. And by then, it was sort of a given that I'd get it from Lik-Sang, since they "introduced" me to it, albeit by chance.

I hope we FIVE of these threads each day!

 

[semyaza]

For power adapter this was recommended by gbax
http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/part...d%2Bsockets.htm

And as for gp2x, had mine 6 days now and I have not put it down. Loving it. Was playing transport tycoon and then ultima 7 till 1 last night.

My 8 year old son is also playing it...loves doom (wasn't rated at the time ;-) ) and batman the movie on the cpc emulator.

 

[Radek]

Hi. I'm close to purchasing a GP2X, but there are a few things I am unsure of...

1. How good is the official screen protector? Should I buy it along with a GP2X, or are there better alternatives? Link

Imho it's not worth. The build in plastic cover of LCD in GP2x is very resistant to a damage. I was experimenting with my GP2x much and to my surprise I didn't scratched it at all. But I wasn't putting my GP2x in pockets for an example. If you are planning to do so then perhaps this screen protector would be a good idea?

2. Are there any cheaper alternatives to the official power adapter? I plan on primarily using the GP2X to play Xvid videos via the tv-out, and I'd prefer not having to worry about changing batteries while watching a video, but 20 dollars isn't worth that connivance (since I could easily buy several rechargeable AA batteries for the same price)

3. What is the analog stick on the GP2X closest to: A PSX/PS2 analog stick, a PSP analog nub, or a Neo Geo Pocket 8-way stick? (I have each of them, and I'd like a good idea of how the analog stick on the GP2X feels compared to my other systems)

The GP2x stick isn't an analog. It a discrete controller thought its bar can move freely in X and Y, but output is digital.

4. Are there any attempts currently being made to either expand the official video playback software on the GP2X to decode H264 video, or to create a separate H264 player?

The current videoplayback code is still closed source wise for most important parts. As it's now only GP can change anything in this regard. Ask them - I don't have an idea.

 

[Magnulus]

And as for gp2x, had mine 6 days now and I have not put it down. Loving it. Was playing transport tycoon and then ultima 7 till 1 last night.
My 8 year old son is also playing it...loves doom (wasn't rated at the time ;-) ) and batman the movie on the cpc emulator.

How do you type without putting it down? Come to think of it, how does your son play it if you're still holding it WHILE you're typing? That is some amazing multitasking right there.

 

[Draco]

And buy it from a country NEAR YOU, not Lik-Sang!

Truth.

It's possible to get a damaged unit like what happened to me, I'm glad I ordered mine from ED afterall

 

[semyaza]

And as for gp2x, had mine 6 days now and I have not put it down. Loving it. Was playing transport tycoon and then ultima 7 till 1 last night.
My 8 year old son is also playing it...loves doom (wasn't rated at the time ;-) ) and batman the movie on the cpc emulator.

How do you type without putting it down? Come to think of it, how does your son play it if you're still holding it WHILE you're typing? That is some amazing multitasking right there.

See that's how much I love it. I forced a multitasking time slicing system

 

[Zebulunite]

Thanks for all of your responses.

I was going to order the GP2X from Play-Asia, but after shipping the GP2X and tv-out cable cost slightly over $200. At GP32Z, I can get both the GP2X and tv-out cable for about $207, which is probably a better deal since its in the US (less chance for shipping damage and quicker shipping). Are there any better deals on different sites, is the price at GP32Z the best I can get?

As far as the screen protector, I usually prefer to have one just in case of any damage. At GP32Z, I saw that they have for sale replacement covers for the screen. Does anyone here know how well using one of these works (how difficult it is to replace the screen). If the process is easy enough, then I'd probably skip the screen protector, and instead buy one of these as a backup.

4. Wait for the MPlayer source to be released before we can answer that question

The MPlayer source will supposedly be released shortly. I have a copy, but sshh. H.264 is very improbable, it uses proprietary stuff and sometimes encryption, and generally takes ages to decode.

H.264 itself isn't improbable; using CoreAVC, TCPMP can easily playback H.264 video on higher end arm-based PDAs. I'd imagine that Picard (the main programmer of TCPMP) could easily port an optimized version of TCPMP (supporting H.264) to the GP2X (seeing as how he was able to release an optimized version to the Zodiac, supporting the ATI video hardware)

 

[Magnulus]

I was going to order the GP2X from Play-Asia, but after shipping the GP2X and tv-out cable cost slightly over $200. At GP32Z, I can get both the GP2X and tv-out cable for about $207, which is probably a better deal since its in the US (less chance for shipping damage and quicker shipping). Are there any better deals on different sites, is the price at GP32Z the best I can get?

My guess is that you can't get much better deals than that. Just like with the PSP and the iPod and most other technology like that, you're unlikely to find anyone that goes much lower than what the norm is, because they'd be selling them with a loss. Retailers probably don't make that much money on the GP2X, and if they do, they're not likely to be sacrificing their profit on the system for a few reasons:

1: There is little EXTRA they can make you buy except from memory cards and some cables. No games means no recurring customers that come to get new games for it.
2: It's not a hot product like the PSP or the iPod, which means there's not that much competition, and there's not that much to gain by getting people to your store for the GP2X. iPods are considered a must-have these days by retailers because if you have iPods you garner attention from customers, who are then MORE likely to buy other things.