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Can You Connect PSP to Play Through a Home Stereo?

The Sony Playstation Portable (PSP) is designed to use either the built-in speakers or a standard portable headset. However, with the right connection, you can also set the console's audio to play through a home stereo system. This allows the user to take full advantage of the often complex and detailed musical scores made for a number of games, as well as enjoy PSP-compatible movies with full stereo sound.

Materials
- The PSP's headphone jack is made to be compatible with the standard headphone connector, called a TRS connector. In order to connect your PSP to a home stereo system, you will need an appropriate TRS connector with the other end made to be compatible with the auxiliary input for your stereo. Most stereos made since 2000 come with an auxiliary TRS-compatible input. However, if your stereo is older, you may need to purchase another connector with TRS at one end and a different size or style on the other. Alternately, you can purchase TRS-adapters for other common jack styles, such as the three-color RCA connectors. Check the auxiliary input commonly located on the back of your stereo to determine which size and/or style you need.
Connection
- Plug the TRS connector cord into your PSP, and the other end into the auxiliary input on your stereo. Set your stereo to "auxiliary" input, usually found as an option alongside "CD" or "AM/FM" selectors. Some more recent stereos simply call the auxiliary input "MP3" or "Portable Player" as the auxiliary input is most commonly used for MP3 players. Once connected, turn on your PSP. You should hear the sound coming through your stereo with no problems.
Troubleshooting
- If you do not hear any sound, try each of the following tests. First, make sure the PSP's sound is all the way up and the mute is disabled. (You will have better sound quality, anyway, if you use the PSP's maximum sound output and control the volume with your stereo.) Second, remove and reconnect the TRS connector at each ends. In older PSPs, especially, the headset jack can start to come loose, and it may require a few tries for a secure connection. Finally, check your stereo's auxiliary input. In some older stereos, the PSP's output may not be compatible with the stereo's audio system, especially if you are using a TRS converter to connect a standard TRS cord.

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