UPDATE::: Decalgirl.com recently put up a new faceplate (from a previously unheard of brand). This faceplate is called DGX Mirror Gold. A picture with some info can be found before the FAQ section at the bottom of this post. I have ordered one and will be updating this thread when I recieve it.

the faceplates pictured in this thread are available online @
E-Linksoft.com - the original creators of the Asterix brand PSP faceplate and custom buttons
Decalgirl.com - a carrier of Asterix and XCM brand faceplates and Asterix buttons
Lik-sang.com - Hong Kong video game importer carrying faceplates and buttons (unsure of the brands)
if you need help changing your PSP faceplate/buttons, click this link for my Tutorial Thread. this Tutorial Thread contains a link to a PDF, faceplate instruction download and video.

Asterix:

The Asterix brand of PSP faceplate was one of the first available for purchase and definitely the one to launch the PSP into the world of faceplate modding with the introduction of their Liquid Platinum/Sliver line. These faceplates look and feel like a high quality and definitely are up to the standards of the original PSP faceplate. One of the unique things about these Asterix faceplates is that they can be used in combination with the Asterix buttons sets too (note that these Asterix buttons are ONLY AVAILABLE FOR USE WITH THE ASTERIX BRAND FACEPLATES) to make the whole PSP look more uniform.

The one visible downside to the Asterix brand is that where the LED lights on the PSP are, they are unprotected by plugs. There are just holes where there should be some kind of covering. These holes are small though and don't present much harm to the PSP. Other than that, Asterix faceplates are great but only come in a limited amount of colors.

9 out of 10

Depending on where you buy this brand of faceplates from will determine the prices available.

E-Linksoft.com: $17.90 = additional buttons set

$29.90 = faceplate core pack (contains only the faceplate and lens)

$49.90 = contains faceplate, lens, buttons set, replacement screws and instructions

$59.90 = contians only the Liquid Platinum/Silver faceplate

Decalgirl.com: $15.00 = button set

$34.99 = contains only the faceplate (clear and solid colors)

$44.99 = contains only the Liquid Silver faceplate

Lik-sang.com: $ 8.95 = button set

$28.95 = contains only the faceplate (clear and solid colors)

$34.95 = contains only the Liquid Platinum/Silver faceplate


Clear Blue Asterix faceplate w/ Clear buttons Clear Blue Asterix faceplate w/ Scarlet Red buttons



Clear Asterix Faceplate w/ Scarlet Red buttons Picture of Solid Red faceplate






finally found my clear buttons. here it is combined with my Clear faceplate



Yellow Asterix with yellow buttons



XCM Metallic:

These faceplates are some what cheap in comparison to the Asterix brand and could cost anywhere from $6.99 to $18.99. To my knowledge, they are only available at Decalgirl.com. The sparkle like material embedded in each faceplate gives it its metallic sheen. Unlike Asterix faceplates, these XCMs are covered in the sections above the PSP LED lights. A plus in my book.

Down side to these faceplates are that the lens', are non-replacable so if you want to get rid of scratches, you'll have to buy a new faceplate. Sometimes this could work to your advantage if you have one of the lower priced faceplates because $10 and below are cheaper than a replacement Asterix lens too. These faceplates feel like a sort of rough plastic, not too much to might liking but they are of a good quality. Another issue that some will find buggy is that the screw holes on these faceplates are very small and make screwing screws in a chore when they don't need to be. Be very carefull here because you may end up stripping your screws. The one major thing people might not like are that they can only be used with the original PSP buttons so they might not look too good (check out the pictures below).

Still pretty good for the price you'll be likely to pay for one.

8 out of 10

Jade Green



Light Red



Steel Blue



Purple



for those wondering why Asterix buttons will not work on anything but Asterix faceplates, look at this picture below. As you can hopefully see, the notches on the O button do not fit into the slots on the XCM Steel Blue faceplate. This is the one visible cause as to why only the original buttons will work



If you feel like trying to put Asterix buttons on your XCM or original faceplates, try shaving the notches as needed. Don't over shave or you'll ruin your buttons. Also, the PSP custom base buttons, no matter what, will not fit on the XCM or original faceplates because of the overall size which will more than likely break your PSP button sensors in the future. Done the correct way, you could make some faceplates look rather nice.

eat your heart out iPod U2 Llimited Ed.

Clear XCM:





Pictured above is a clear, light blue XCM Clear faceplate. These clear faceplates come in a variety of colors and can be just as nice as the Asterix brand while wiping the floor with its metallic coated relatives, but like their relatives, are only available (to my knowledge) at Decalgirl.com and are within the $6.99 - $18.99 price range depending on the color. All together, aside from the clear qualities of this XCM type of faceplates, they share a lot of traits with the metallic XCMs from a rough feeling plastic to the covered LED light sections. Another issue that some will find buggy is that the screw holes on these faceplates are very small and make screwing screws in a chore when they don't need to be. Be very carefull here because you may end up stripping your screws. Refer to the Metallic XCM section for more.


All in all, these faceplates are better than the Metallic XCMs although to me may not be as good as Asterix

8.5 out of 10

Clear Light Blue XCM w/ Original PSP buttons



Here is the new DGX Mirror Gold faceplate. It is currently listed on Decalgirl.com for $19.99. Once my order comes in, you will be the first (other than myself) to get a look at it (maybe).



FAQ

Q: I installed my new faceplate but stripped/lost a couple of screws. Where can i get replacements?

A: Unfortunately, the screws are not for sale on their own. You'll have to order a faceplate pack ($49.90) from E-Linksoft.com which will come with replacement screws.



Q: I installed my new faceplate but now the shoulder buttons/face buttons are stuck. What's wrong?

A: For the shoulder buttons, you may have over tightened the screws on the top corners causing them to clamp down on the shoulder buttons. Loosen the screws a bit till the shoulder buttons move. If that doesn't work, you may have to take off the faceplate and check for damage to the shoulder buttons themselves. As for the face buttons, you may have aligned the notches wrong on the faceplate so open it up and try again. Another thing could be that you bought Asterix buttons and tried using them with the original or XCM brand. Unfortunately, you can't do that unless you shave the notches on the buttons you are having trouble with.



Q: Everytime I put on my faceplate, i get dust trapped underneath on my screen. What to do?

A: The best way to avoid this is to change your faceplate in a dustless environment, preferably a bathroom. Just beware of moisture. To remove dust that is trapped, simply open up the PSP again and wipe both the inner side of the lens and the LCD screen itself. Don't apply too much pressure to the LCD or you'll break it.



Q: What size screw driver do i need to change my faceplate?

A: You need a #001 size Phillip's screwdriver. You could pick them up at Sears or any hardware store for about $1.50 by itself or $14 in some of the cheaper sets. It would be better if you called ahead of time to check pricing and availability. Also, take your PSP in with you to verify the right sized screwdriver with a sales clerk to make sure you don't end up buying the wrong size and ruining screws.



Q: So do the original buttons work with any PSP faceplate?

A: Yes, but only the original buttons will work with the original faceplate.



Q: When ever I look at faceplate sites, it keeps mentioning "lens" this or "lens" that. What is a lens?

A: The lens is the clear part of the PSP faceplate that you look through to see the LCD screen.



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


if you have any more questions that you would like to see added to the FAQ, feel free to pm them to me.

Wow, so do we get commission for this ad?

bad news for you, I just sold my PSP!

:P

Looks aside, what else can you do with a PSP? :P

I don't see the need for alternative faceplates. Anything that doesn't include any hardware/performance additions seems like a waste of money to me. But that's my opinion

:lol:

I'm discussing that with our lawyers now :P

Looks fugly

i didnt make but fashionis everything lol