| The PSP is encrusted with more buttons, switches, ports, and other doodads than a king's crown is with jewels. Everywhere you look on this thing, there's something to press or slide or open or otherwise fondle. Let's take a look at this stuff all over your PSP. The front of the unit (Figure 1.7) contains, from left to right: A four-direction D-pad in the form of four buttons in the north, south, east, and west positions. An analog thumb controller, which is sensitive not only to movement, but also to the degree at which you move it. Smaller movements have less effect in games than full movement does. The WLAN on/off switch. Leave it off when you're not connected to a Wi-Fi network or another unit for multiplayer gaming. A Home button for displaying the main interface menu. You can use this button to end games without shutting the unit off. Volume Up and Volume Down buttons. A Display button, which adjusts screen brightness. A Select button, which is used in games. A Start button, also used in games. The game-control buttons, in the familiar Sony triangle, square, circle, and X configuration.
Figure 1.7. The front of the PSP. 
On the bottom of the unit are the following: The headphone port, which can be used with standard headphones or Sony's special headphone/remote accessory. The power connector, to connect to the included power brick for charging the unit and running it off main power.
On the right side are the following: Power On/Off and Hold switch, which you use to power up and turn off the unit. The hold position prevents input from any of the unit's controls.
 | Use the hold position of the power switch judiciously. It's handy to keep from turning the unit on by accident, and also when you're using the PSP for listening to music or watching movies to prevent accidental input from various buttons and controls. |
On the top of the unit (Figure 1.8), you'll find the following: A pair of trigger buttons, called the L and R buttons, used in gaming. The UMD hatch release. The USB port, for connecting the PSP to a computer for file transfers. The currently unused IR port.
Figure 1.8. The PSP shown from above. 
Finally, the rear of the unit has the following: The battery cover. Remove it to insert or remove the battery. The UMD hatch, into which you fit UMDs with movies or games. The MagicGate, which is the covered port into which you insert Memory Stick Duos.
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