It is recommended that PSP Blender members do not update their firmware to 3.10 for the time being.
Sony released their PlayStation Portable firmware update, 3.10 and now makes demos even easier to check out.

Sony announced the release of the Sony PSP firmware 3.10. It includes Conserve Memory to optimize your Internet browser to see more data while using less memory. Also included with this firmware update is Dynamic Normalizer in the sound settings allowing automatic volume adjustment settings for playback of music and other audio sources with variable output levels.

Sony is also making it easier to check out their demos. Demos are downloadable at the official Sony PSP site as well as at the PlayStation site.

Some of the demos that can be downloaded are Killzone: Liberation which is a third-person shooter putting players into 16 intense missions to rescue hostages from the evil Helghast. Other demos include Syphon Filter: Dark Mirror and SOCOM: U.S. Navy SEALs Fireteam Bravo 2, both of which are set for release in the next few weeks.

It’s been a while since I’ve played with my PSP. Recently I got my hands on the Sony Location Free Base station and decided to try out the LF Player on the PSP. To do this I needed to upgrade my PSP’s firmware, but I did not want to lose my homebrew, otherwise all of my LUA apps, and other software would stop working. I’ve decided to figure out how to use DevHook to emulate a new firmware, and while I was expecting a long and complicated process, it was actually really simple to do on my PSP.

This is due to the hard work of a lot of developers, and I applaud their efforts for making it to this point. A user on PSPUpdates has posted a simple tutorial detailing the process. What it does is pretty slick… You need to download 3 things. The normal PSP Update PBP, DevHook, and a script that will extract the update file and make it usable in DevHook. In less than 5 minutes I was running an emulated PSP Firmware 3.01.

I was able to get the locationfree base station streaming to the PSP after manually linking the two using Sony’s Setup mode button. When the base station is streaming to the PSP, the LF LCDTV just goes black. No message is displayed to let you know what’s happening and why the video signal has been lost. Apparently you can only stream to one device at a time. Pretty Lame.

The video quality to the PSP wasn’t great, watchable, but not for a long period of time. The sound wasn’t very good, but I think that was because the sound on my cable box was too low. I cranked the PSP to it’s max volume and it was not loud and sounded very tinny.

Bottom line, the LCDTV + Sony base station works great, but the PSP player is not very useful, and the 1 stream limit needs to be increased, I’m not sure if slingbox has the same limitations, but I think I’m going to give that a shot next.

Also, you may want to take a look at PMP, which will allow you to stream media from your PC to your PSP. It works quite well, and the video quality is not bad. They have just released version 1.02 which includes even more GUI improvements and lots more. This is a much better streaming solution for your media.

Download PMP - the PSP Media Streamer/Player Solution here

The Following guide is for newcomers to the PSP and is to give you as much knowledge as needed to use the PSP

NOTE: Please refer to your PSP Manual for detailed instructions for playing UMD-related games/music/videos as well as Music/Videos on your Memory Stick.

Background of Sony in Handheld Market:

The PSP (Playstation Portable) is Sony’s first handheld gaming device. Sony has created many handhelds before, but not in the gaming industry. Sony’s most popular line of handhelds are the Sony Cliés. Sony Cliés are a Palm-powered handheld and vary in many different handheld structures. Sony isn’t new to handhelds, but they are new to the famous industry of “handheld gaming”.

The PSP Unit

The Playstation Portable is what many refer to as the PSP. The PSP has the greatest graphics of any current handheld. The graphics are comparable to the PS2. Although it is not as powerful (graphics-wise) as the PS2, it yields better graphics than the PSOne, partly due to the smaller screen size. The PSP offers less buttons than the first Playstation Dual Shock Controller (Missing buttons include: L2, R2, and the Right Analog stick), but it does offer many more features than the PSOne had to offer. The PSP is slightly larger than the Nintendo DS and other handhelds in thickness, but the screen makes up for this. With a screen of 480×272 pixels, this screen is the largest handheld screen to date. The US price for the Sony PSP is retailed at 250$.

Firmware

The most important part of the PSP is its firmware. Many owners refer to the firmware as the PSP’s OS (operating system) or BIOS (Basic Input/Output System). The firmware of the PSP is located in the PSP itself and not on your memory stick. The firmware on the PSP is replaceable/ upgradeable. Sony issues updates to the firmware every few months and adds new features. With these new features usually come security updates. These security improvements fix up holes in the firmware that may be accessible to the user. Sony does not like homebrew due to the piracy of UMD games on the memory stick and would stop it at almost any cost (Piracy/Isos/Loaders are discussed in a few sections below).
The Updates are downloadable on Sony’s PSP website (Playstation.com) and only allows you to download the latest update. Once you have the update downloaded, move it to your PSP/Game/UPDATE folder (the eboot file) and it shall update your PSP. Once installed (the update) you can delete it from your memory stick

1.0 Firmware:

The first firmware version that was installed on a PSP is firmware version 1.0 (Japanese PSP’s only). This firmware version was pre-installed on the first PSP’s released. The 1.0 firmware is unable to be downloaded since it was never released as an update. You can find various dumps of the firmware, but these dumps are not complete. (Dumps are basically files from the 1.0 firmware that were dumped onto the memory stick). The 1.0 firmware allowed for unsigned code to be ran on the PSP, and all that was required was an eboot.pbp compiled file. This file was run straight from the PSP/Game folder located on the memory stick. (Homebrew code is described in the section: Memory Stick located under Games on the PSP)
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1.5 Firmware:

This firmware was the first update to the Sony PSP in Japan. This version was also pre-installed on the US PSP release. This update changes from 1.0 JP to 1.5 JP include: Support for German, Spanish, French, Italian, Portuguese and Russian language options on the PSP menu (it will not affect in-game menus), a setting to retain the screen mode on videos, and a quick-resume function to resume playback of audio and video after coming out of the PSP’s sleep mode (it won’t automatically keep playing the media file, but you can jump right into the track or movie exactly where you left off before sleeping.) Download the 1.5 update here: [Click Here to download] This update, however, did not allow for the execution of eboot.pbp files from the memory stick like the 1.0 firmware did

After a few months of the US PSP release there were rumors of people finding a way to run homebrew on this new 1.5 firmware. Many did not believe this at first, but a few days later, on June 15th, they had to. You can find this news-breaking coverage at the following link: [Click here to view the PSPUpdates.QJ.Net Article] Two days after this hack of the 1.5 firmware, a safer exploit was produced. The previous exploit required two memory sticks that you switched once the PSP booted the split eboot (The file is split using the KXploit program that PSP-Dev created.). The new method does not require this and only requires the original MS1 folder contain a % at the end and the second folder to remain the same name. This was a major accomplishment.

To find out how to install these 1.5 homebrew, please read below for further instructions.
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1.51 Firmware

The second update for Japanese PSP’s (first for the US) was the 1.51 update. Update changes: The new Firmware update fixes various security issues in the PSP’s v1.0 firmware which effectively fills holes to stop unsigned code from being executed.

As stated above, this new firmware does not allow for unassigned code to be run on the PSP (same as 1.5 but with heightened security). At the current time homebrew code is unable to be ran on this firmware; read the section on 2.0.
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1.52 Firmware

The third update for JP PSP’s (2nd for US) was the 1.52 update. Update changes include: UMD Music to be run from the main menu and higher security.
Once again, homebrew can not be run on this firmware version; read the section on 2.0.
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2.0 Firmware

This is Sony’s first major update to their Sony Playstation Portable. There have been numerous changes in this version and all are very significant.

Update: 2.0 PSP’s can now run homebrew This is done by updating to the 2.0 firmware and then using Fanjita’s eLoader or downgrading to 1.5 via the MPH downgrading method.

For a list of all the changes and any question that you might have, please go to [this link]I have compiled this complete guide for the 2.0 firmware that lists all its features and includes a large…a very large FAQ section on the new firmware.
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2.01 Firmware

This is Sony’s response to the overflow exploit found in 2.0. Aside from this “security patch,” nothing else was added to this firmware package.

Update: 2.01 PSP’s can now run homebrew using Fanjita’s eLoader.
Update: 2.01 PSP’s can now be downgraded using the noobz downgrader.

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2.50 Firmware

This firmware version was released only a few days after the 2.01 firmware patch was released. This contains a new major addition (Location Free Technology) and other small changes.

Update: 2.50 PSP’s can now run homebrew using Fanjita’s eLoader.
[UPDATE July 1 2006] At this point in time, --escaped_anchor:f1639ce01788f26dcc790ebce9ba5edb--

Updated parts of the firmware include:
--escaped_anchor:a65dae2b1db3e6b304e6335e877bbc87--

• [--escaped_anchor:f8a43017cfb954313ebea0c27dab9a02--] has been added as a feature under [Network].
• [Auto-Select] and [Unicode (UTF-8)] have been added as options to [Encoding] under [View] in the [Internet Browser] menu bar.
• Settings for [Text Size] and [Display Mode] in [Internet Browser] can now be saved.
• --escaped_anchor:ea2aaa6393400215e429370dc5b307d1-- accessed through [Internet Browser] can now be saved.

--escaped_anchor:dd1fdb9369c87fdf6f0e962dcb36b491--

• Copyright-protected video can now be played under [Video].
  • (This applies to video saved on Memory Stick Duo* media).
  • For details, contact the video content provider.
  • Note that fees may be charged to obtain or use copyright-protected video.
  • Downloadable copyright-protected video may not be available in all countries

  and regions.

--escaped_anchor:1808d10fa46564c2a0d7dfad773efa61--

• [--escaped_anchor:c36b592707b869629b821a62fcc3109f--] has been added as an option to [Date and Time] in [Date & Time Settings] under [Settings].
• [WPA-PSK (AES)] has been added as a security method under [Network Settings].

--escaped_anchor:1b6797fa4260e1238b961bbb5a899beb--

• Korean input mode has been added to the on-screen keyboard.

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2.60 Firmware

This firmware version was released on November 29th, 2005.

Update: 2.60 PSP’s can now run homebrew using Fanjita’s --escaped_anchor:515eff8e01e0f42ede5e35caae0541b8--.
[UPDATE July 1 2006] At this point in time, --escaped_anchor:1772684b5a018847c13831084192eab6--

Updated parts of the firmware include:

• [RSS Channel] has been added as a feature under [Network].
• [Simplified Chinese (GB18030)] and [Tradition Chinese (Big5)] have been added as options to [Encoding] under [View] in the [Internet Browser] menu bar. (Characters may be indistinct in some cases when these encoding options are selected.)
• [Volume Adjustment] has been added as a feature to [LocationFree Player]
• You can now download video data that supports copyright protection using the [Internet Browser].
• WMA has been added as a codec that can be played under [Music]. (This applies to music data saved on your Memory Stick.) Note: You must adjust a system setting to enable playback of WMA format music data. A connection to the internet is required to adjust the setting.

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2.70 Firmware

This firmware version was released on April 25th, 2006. At this point in time you cannot downgrade or play homebrew on a 2.70 PSP! read the section on 2.71.

Updated parts of the firmware include:

• [Internet Browser] now supports Macromedia Flash contents playback.
• You need to enable the Flash contents playback in the [System Settings].
• The version of the flash player is Macromedia Flash Player 6 (a part of the functions is not supported).
• The settings of the [Internet Browser] is added into Settings]
• The audio contents from channels in the [RSS Channel] section now can be saved into your memory stick.
• [Auto] option added to [Rate Change] in [Location Free Player].
• [Music] Added file extension to playable AAC format.
• Added [Enable Flash Player] in [System Settings]. To change this option, you need to connect to the internet.
• “Simplified Chinese” and “Traditional Chinese” added to System Settings].
• Added [RSS Channel Settings].
• Added [UMD Video L & R Button] into [Video Settings].
• Fixed some issues when using a memory stick with more than 2GB free space. This problem has not happened among the memory sticks sold in Japan until April 24.

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2.71 Firmware

This firmware version was released on June 01st, 2006.

Update:you can downgrade, or play homebrew (Homebrew Enabler or eLoader) on a 2.71 PSP!

Updated parts of the firmware include:

• [Internet Browser] can now be used to download demo version of games to memory stick.
• [LocationFree Player] now displays correct image when selecting the external tuner.
  • This affects users using LocationFree base station model LF-B1 (North America/Taiwan/Korea model) and LF-X11 (North America model). To know your hardware model number, just check you user manual.
  • LocationFree base station models for Japan/Europe are not affected.
• The icon “Goto Network Service” has been added into the “Network” column.

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2.80 Firmware

This firmware version was released on July 27th, 2006.

[UPDATE NOV 15 2006]: 2.80 PSP’s can now run usermode homebrew using the latest eLoader.
[UPDATE DEC 23 2006]: 2.80 PSP’s with TA-079 to TA-081 motherboards can now be downgraded.
[UPDATE JAN 03 2007]: FW2.80 DownDate to FW2.71 for TA-082~086 PSP.

Updated parts of the firmware include:

• [RSS Channel] You can now download video and image content.
• [Location Free Player] You can now register devices via a wireless LAN access point.
• [Music] You can now play AAC files with the .3gp file extension.
• [Settings] [Automatic] has been added as an option under [Network Settings] > [Infrastructure Mode]. Select this option when using an access point that supports automatic setup.

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2.81 Firmware

This firmware version was released on September 7th, 2006. At this point in time you cannot downgrade or play homebrew on a 2.81 PSP!(UPDATE: see 3.03 section below)

Updated parts of the firmware include:

• [Security Patch] A patch has been added to address a security vulnerability in the system software. Namely, to block the libtiff exploit.
• [Memory Stick] The ability for the PSP to correctly recognize high-capacity Memory Stick PRO Duo* with more than 4 GB of free (recordable) memory space.
• [Other] Support for the playback of content stored in [MUSIC], [PICTURE] and [VIDEO] folders at the root level of Memory Stick Duo* media has been added.

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2.82 Firmware

This firmware version was released on October 26th, 2006. At this point in time you cannot downgrade or play homebrew on a 2.82 PSP!(UPDATE: see 3.03 section below)

Updated parts of the firmware include:

• [Security Patch] Added security strengthening revisions. Details unknown.

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3.00 Firmware

This firmware version was released on November 20th, 2006. At this point in time you cannot downgrade or play homebrew on a 3.00 PSP!(UPDATE: see 3.03 section below)

Updated parts of the firmware include:

• [Network Remote Play] Remote play is a new feature in Firmware 3.00 that allows you to remotely control your PlayStation 3 from your PSP. This also includes the display of PS3 content on the PSP. “You can display a PLAYSTATION®3 system screen on a PSP* system and play content that is on the PS3* system. To use this feature, you must adjust the necessary settings on the PSP* system and the PS3* system.” Using this new mode of playback, one can control the Photo, Music, Video, and Internet Browser features of the PlayStation 3 from a remote location via their Playstation Portable.
• [Video Compatibility] In this updated version of the Playstation Portable firmware, you are also able to play a few new video formats. The Motion JPEG format (M-JPEG), is an “informal name for multimedia formats where each video frame or interlaced field of a digital video sequence is separately compressed as a JPEG image” (Wikipedia). The PlayStation Portable plays both the Linear PCM and the ?-Law versions of the Motion JPEG video format. In addition, you will now be able to access the Camera (functionality) from the photo option menus, for quicker easier access when taking photos or video. Another nifty function is the ability to finally turn off Auto Play for inserted UMD Discs via UMD Auto Boot.
• [PS1Games] Here’s the big tip you’ve been waiting for. Finally, Sony is going to drop their highly anticipated PlayStation One emulator onto the PSP. From the manual however, there seems to be a unavoidable catch. If you don’t have a PS3, your not going to be enjoying PlayStation One games emulating on Sony’s PlayStation One emulator for PSP anytime soon. From the manual it states that you must connect to the Playstation Online store with your PSP connected to the PlayStation 3 in order to download and play the games. In addition, they mention that you can in fact share the games, but you must activate the other system in the Friends menu as a PS3 Network Account.

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3.01 Firmware

This firmware version was released on November 21th, 2006. At this point in time you cannot downgrade or play homebrew on a 3.01 PSP!(UPDATE: see 3.03 section below)

Updated parts of the firmware include:

• [Bug/Issue correction] Fixed an issue found within the title: Jeanne d’Arc.
• [Security Patch] Added security strengthening revisions. Details unknown.

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3.02 Firmware

This firmware version was released on December 5th, 2006. At this point in time you cannot downgrade or play homebrew on a 3.02 PSP! (UPDATE: see 3.03 section below)

Updated parts of the firmware include:

• [Security Patch] Added security strengthening revisions. Details unknown.

——————-
3.03 Firmware

This firmware version was released on December 19th, 2006.

[UPDATE] As of January 28th, 2007 3.03 Firmware can be downgraded using the GTA exploit.
[UPDATE] As of January 28th, 2007, Homebrew Enabler is now supported using the GTA exploit to run homebrew on 3.03.

Updated parts of the firmware include:

• [The PLAYSTATION Network] Titles which can be played from the PSN have been increased.

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3.10 Firmware

This firmware version was released on January 30th, 2007. At this point in time you cannot downgrade or play homebrew on a 3.10 PSP!

Updated parts of the firmware include:

• [The PLAYSTATION Network] Network tie frames and the function for was strengthened.
• [LOCATION FREE]Function to record MPEG-4 AVC from LocationFree Player. Model LF-PK20 (Japan) or LF-B20 and LF-B10 (United States) LocationFree base stations are required for this.
• [SETTINGS] Memory economy function added to Web Browser settings. When using the Web Browser, it uses less memory. However, picture quality decreases.
• [SETTINGS] Dynamic normalizer function added in Sound settings.
• [DYNAMIC VOLUMIZER] The volume level for playing music is regulated.

Undocumented updates to PSone/PS1 emulator settings:

• Added [Assign Controller Ports]
• Added A “Zoom” Screen Mode
• Added [Black Level Adjustment]
• Added [Volume Adjustment]
• Added Support For PAL Games

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3.11 Firmware

This firmware version was released on February 7th, 2007. At this point in time you cannot downgrade or play homebrew on a 3.11 PSP!

Updated parts of the firmware include:

• [The PLAYSTATION Network] This update fixes the freezing bug found in the downloadable-for-PSP title R-Type.

Undocumented updates to PSone/PS1 emulator settings:

• [Reset Game] feature

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3.30 Firmware

This firmware version was released on March 28th, 2007. At this point in time you cannot downgrade or play homebrew on a 3.30 PSP!
Updated parts of the firmware include:

• [The PLAYSTATION Network] Expanded support for PlayStation Network-downloaded PSOne games.
• [RSS Channel] Support for thumbnail images of items has been added under.
• [Video] Support for thumbnail images of videos that are stored in the “VIDEO” folder of Memory Stick Duo* media has been added.
• [Video] Added Playback of MPEG-4/H.264 AVC Main Profile (AVC CABAC) video files of the following sizes: 720 X 480, 352 X 480, or 480 X 272
• [Network Settings][Use Wireless Hotspot] has been added as a feature under

The Memory Stick

The memory stick/storage that the PSP uses to save saved game files is called the Memory Stick Pro Duo (The regular Memory Stick Pro will work, but it will stick out of your PSP since it is much larger in length). This flash media format was created by Sony for use with their handhelds (Including their PDAs and Ericsson phones). The MSPD varies in allowable size. The maximum storage size of these memory sticks at the current time is 2 gigabytes (bigger than the UMD’s allowed size). The memory stick can be used to play movies, save game files and play music on your PSP (able to play games on select firmware versions of 1.0/1.5).

Important: When you first obtain your memory stick you must format it using your PSP. To format it, please go to system settings and select format memory stick. Formatting will erase all data on your memory stick. Be aware that due to discrepancies in calculations used by memory and hard drive manufacturers, as well as formatting requirements, means that your actual, useable space will appear smaller than the listed size of the memory stick. This is normal.

Games on the PSP:

UMD:

The main way of playing games on the PSP is via the UMD disc. This disc is the game format that is playable on the PSP. UMD’s can not be burned or copied as there is no way to do this via regular hardware. These discs hold up to 1.8 gigabytes (that is approx. 1,800mbs). To play games that are on the UMD: Read the instruction booklet that came with your PSP. Just insert the UMD game that you bought and scroll over to the Games section of your PSP’s “OS” and click X. This will launch the game and you will then be able to play games J

Memory Stick (Can only be used on 1.5/1.0/Custom firmware version PSP’s)

The second way of playing games on the PSP is via the memory stick. Like gaming consoles, save game files are stored on memory cards/sticks (this is the same with the PSP). The memory stick is both versatile and user-friendly. The only games that can currently be played on the PSP via the memory stick are made by PSP owners and licensed game companies. These games that can be run off of the memory stick are referred to as homebrew. Homebrew is any application that is made at home All of the current PSP emulators, PSP games and such that run off of the memory stick are called homebrew. The installation of these games can be found in the Installation of Homebrew section. Recently, Sony has released several game demos, such as LocoRoco. These games require higher firmwares, and are available at dl.qj.net

What is Homebrew?

According to google, hombrew is: Homebrew video games are video games written by hobby programmers. Homebrew can be thought as games for the PC that are refered to as Freeware. Homebrew shares the same general concept: be free, be fun. Some examples of hombrew games for the PSP include: Squarez , Various emulators (eg. SNES TYL is a SNES emulator) and other homebrew applications.
Emulators are basically: An emulator, in the most general sense, duplicates (provide an emulation of) the functions of one system with a different system, so that the second system appears to behave like the first system. (Contrast with simulation). ROM files are the “games” that are emulated on the system and are universal in a way with all emulators of that console/unit.


Music on the PSP:

UMD:

With the Playstation Portable Handheld and the UMD format disc, users are able to place Music UMDs that they buy and play the music on their Playstation Portable. To play UMD Music:

1.)Buy a Music UMD
2.)Open up the package and take the UMD out of its case (remove according to manual instructions as removing in a different way then told may damage the disk
3.)Place it in your PSP (disc side forward facing the laser)
4.)Close the disc draw and go and select UMD from the Music menu and enjoy
5.) Please be sure you have the proper firmware before purchasing the UMD music or opening its package.

Memory Stick:

One of the most used aspects of the PSP, besides its games, is its ability to play music on your Memory Stick Pro Duo. The PSP will only play a select few formats (types of music) on the system with the firmware. As firmware updates come, we might see support for different/new types as well.
Here’s a list of supported song formats for each firmware:

1.0/1.5/1.51/1.52: MP3 and Atrac3 and Atrac3 Plus

2.0: MP3, Atrac3, MP4 and Atrac3 Plus (Atrac formats only work with 2.0 on Pro Duo sticks)

For information on how to convert to these formats, please visit [here] and download Sonic Stage and follow the necessary instructions (if it asks you to update your PSP, do not!)
Place songs that have been converted in the PSP/Music folder

Videos/Movies on the PSP:

UMD:

UMD videos (also known as movies) can be played on your PSP. These movies are purchasable at almost any store that sells DVD’s. These UMD Videos contain full-length movies with a possibility of extras as well. To play the UMD Movies/Videos: Follow the same steps as with the UMD Music except select the UMD from the Video menu.

Note: Most movies are region-coded. This means that in certain countries, if you imported your PSP you will be unable to play your country’s movies. JP and EU (European) share the same region code but the US shares a different region code.

UMD Movie prices have been found to vary widely in range. Shop around for the best price.

Memory Stick:

The memory stick also allows movies/videos to be played via the PSP. At the moment only a few formats are supported and they are listed below.

Supported formats: MPEG4 (all firmware), AVC (requires 2.0+)

To convert videos to MPEG4 format, I would suggest downloading: PSP Movie Creator and then download PSP Video9 to encode/format for AVC/MPEG4.

Install MP4 videos in the: MP_ROOT folder (F:/MP_ROOT).

AVC videos go in the 100ANV01 folder, in the format MAQxxxxx.MP4 i.e MAQ10018.mp4

MPEG4 go into the 100MNV01 folder in the normal way.

Homebrew Installation
Read more here

Misc. Homebrew Questions (Commonly Asked Questions)

1.) What is fileassistant?
File assistant is a homebrew application for 1.0/1.5 PSP’s that allows you to view the contents of your memory stick and allows you to delete, copy and paste files and folders on your memory stick. This program can also view some internal PSP files and can run ISOs (some) and flash the firmware with files.
2.) —More to be added at a later date–

Firmware Hacking/Cracking Section for “Noobs”

Possible methods of allowing homebrew on non-hacked firmware:
Downgrading:

Downgrading refers to the installation of a previous firmware version over your firmware. Basically it allows for users to literally un-update to a previous firmware. The only problem with this is that Sony’s Updates are encrypted and once edited they can not be viewed properly and we can not create our own updates. The PSP also recognizes your firmware and will tell you that you can not upgrade to a lower version. The only theoretical way to create a working downgrader is to:

A.) Somehow hack the Sony official updates (the ones that you want to downgrade to) and place the firmware number higher than your current firmware); this would require a way to modify an update without corruption which isn’t possible at the moment.

B.) Create an exploit that will skip security checks and firmware checks (ie: folder names, eboot splitting, file renames etc.)

At the current time it is only possible to downgrade 2.0, 2.01, 2.50, 2.60, 2.71 and 2.8 to 1.5.
Ultimate Downgrader Guide

Exploits (Cracking/Hacking)

All hardware is theoretically “hackable”. The PSP is of no exception. Sony has released many security updates with every firmware update and in doing so indirectly told us that the security on the previous firmware version was insufficient or “just not good enough”. It took a team of very skilled developers (PSP-Dev.1emulation.com) to crack the 1.5 firmware (the first PSP firmware to be actually exploited/cracked). An exploit is (Google definition): …a common term in the computer security community to refer to a piece of software that takes advantage of a bug, glitch or vulnerability, leading to privilege escalation or denial of service on a computer system.

This is the most logical way of being able to play homebrew (rather than downgrading) because it allows you to keep all the features of your current firmware and still be able to play homebrew. The PSP is one of the most secure handhelds ever made for a few reasons: The UMD format is only made by Sony (and can not be made any other way) and the security on the PSP is extremely high.

A possible exploit may be using the new 2.7 internet browser flash player and finding a bug in it. Once the bug is found, hackers could find ways of using it against the firmware security. This, though, is not very likely, but it may be possible if Sony rushed on the creation of the firmware. There is no guide to hacking a PSP, but it is more of a trial and error sort.

ISO Loaders/Memory Stick Launchers

What are they?

The two terms in the title of this section describes the execution of UMD files from the memory stick. These UMD files were obtained through a program executed on the 1.5 firmware and dumped the files onto your memory stick. Once dumped, with these programs, you are able to run the files without the UMD.

Where can I get the files to run them?

PSP Blender offers access to all files needed. Not only does PSP Blender offer access to loaders, they offer downloadable games, movies, music, and more!

The Wii’s Twilight Hack has been a big hit for the homebrew crowd. Using the software flaw, they’ve been able to play Tetris on their Wiis and even create some custom Wii channels. Nintendo tried to shut that program down, but 8 hours later, it was back. Nobody can keep the homebrew devs down, and over the past week there have been two more major breakthroughs in “hacking the Wii.”

A group called Waninkoko has created a custom firmware for the Wii which allows writable DVDs to be read by the system. This means that downloading Wii titles to your PC, and then playing them on a burned disc could be right around the corner. The second crack for the Wii came from teamshift. They were able to create a PSP emulator that can play whatever games you wish.

Of course, neither of these hacks have actually been confirmed, so take heed before you try to install the Waninkoko hack. Do so at your own risk. The PSP emulator rumor from teamshift comes from a single image posted on NintendoMax showing Puzzle Bobble Pocket playing on a Wii. The image doesn’t hold much credence, and could be completely fake, but if it’s real then PSP games may become the new black for a while in Wii owner’s homes.

As more information is revealed on this, we’ll let you know.

Read more at engadget and DCEMUuk

Lets get one thing straight first: you cannot directly install any custom firmware on the official SONY firmwares higher than 1.50. This means that you have to downgrade your PSP to 1.50 before you can run any of the installation programs. For certain firmware versions below 3.03, you can directly use a glitch in GTA: Liberty City Stories to downgrade. However for firmwares above 3.03, there is no such way. Instead you have to use something called Pandora’s Battery. This is a modified PSP battery that allows you to boot any code on any PSP, including the programs that will downgrade your PSP. The process is quite long and complicated, so I will not be writing a guide on this blog. However there are many good ones that come up from a simple Google search.

• QJ.Net Tutorial
• MaxConsole Tutorial (with screenshots)
• IRShell Tutorial

You don’t have a friend with a PSP? Well, all hope is not lost. There is a way to physically modify the battery and make it act as a Pandora’s Battery. However it requires you to crack open the battery, and place a pin between two connectors. Some guides that describe this process are here:

• How to create a Pandora’s Battery and Slim MS without a Fat PSP (with Pictures)
• GUIDE:HOW TO MAKE A PANDORAS BATTERY WITHOUT A PSP WITH CFW

GOOGLE POWERED MULTIMEDIA SEARCH

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Audio Video Archiv Torrent Iso-Images SEARCH

This thing does
Info:

For some reason, this tool is not working 100%. Everytime I do a search, all I see is a standard google start page. But when I hit the back button of my browser (Firefox) and do he search again, everything works fine.

Supported files:

Audio: mp3, mp4, wav, wma

Video: mp4

Archive: zip, rar, tar and gz

Torrent

Iso Images: iso, cso,eboot

These demo’s are official Sony releases of some of the best PSP games available.

PSP Demo Download Instructions (using a PC):

1) DOWLOADING - simply download the PSP Demo you wish to play onto your desktop (you can download it elsewhere but it is easier to find on the desktop).

2) EXTRACTING - right click the zip file and choose ‘Extract All…’ to bring up the Extraction Wizard (built into Windows XP and Vista). Click the ‘Extract’ button and after a few seconds a new window will popup with a single folder in it and should have 4 letters followed by 5 numbers such as ‘UCJS10036′ … some demos have a suffix such as ‘-1′ or ‘-demo’, don’t delete they are important. This is the demo’s folder you need to copy onto the PSP’s memory stick. Right click this folder and select ‘Copy’.

3) TRANSFERRING - the easiest way is hooking the PSP up to the PC via USB. Once the PSP is detected you usually see a popup asking what you want to do, select “Open folder to view files” which will open a window which has your PSP’s folders listed. Open the PSP folder … then open the GAME folder. This is the location you want to copy the demo’s folder. Right click on a blank area of this window and select ‘Paste’. After a few seconds of transfering the demo folder (files are contained) you are ready to disconnect your PSP and play the demo.

KEY TO REGION CODING:

(U) - US REGION DEMO
(E) - EUROPEAN RELEASE DEMO
(J) - JAPAN RELEASE DEMO

The Games:

Airport Hero NaHa
Requires Firmware 3.40 and up - (J)

Airport Hero Narita
Requires Firmware 3.40 and up - (J)

Ape Academy 2
Requires Firmware 2.81 and up - (E)

Ape Escape Racing
Requires Firmware 2.82 and up - (J)

Ape Escape: Saru Saru
Requires Firmware 3.50 and up - (J)

Blokus Club Portable
Requires Firmware 2.81 and up - (J)

Bounty Hounds
Requires Firmware 2.80 and up - (J)

Brain Trainer Portable 2
Requires Firmware 3.40 and up - (J)

Computer Science Lab 1
Requires Firmware 3.40 and up - (J)

Computer Science Lab 2
Requires Firmware 3.40 and up - (J)

DJ Max Portable 2
Requires Firmware 3.11 and up - (J)

Doko: Let’s Gakkou!
Requires Firmware 3.40 and up - (J)

Eiyuu Densetsu
Requires Firmware 3.40 and up - (J)

Exit 2
Requires Firmware 2.81 and up - (J)

Full Auto 2
Requires Firmware 3.40 and up - (U)

Go! Sudoku
Requires Firmware 2.71 and up - (J)

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Gurumin
Requires Firmware 3.40 and up - (J)

Homestar Portable
Requires Firmware 3.40 and up - (J)

Hot Pixel
Requires Firmware 3.50 and up - (E)

Intelligent License 2
Requires Firmware 3.40 and up - (J)

Kanji Trainer Portable
Requires Firmware 3.40 and up - (J)

Killzone: Liberation
Requires Firmware 3.02 and up - (U)

LocoRoco #1
Requires Firmware 2.71 and up - (U)

LocoRoco #2
Requires Firmware 2.81 and up - (J)

LocoRoco #3
Requires Firmware 2.82 and up - (U)

LocoRoco #4
Requires Firmware 3.02 and up - (U)

LocoRoco #5
Requires Firmware 3.40 and up - (J)

Lumines 2
Requires Firmware 3.11 and up - (J)

Mawaskes
Requires Firmware 3.51 and up - (J)

Medal of Honor
Requires Firmware 3.03 and up - (E)

Mercury Meltdown #1
Requires Firmware 2.80 and up - (J)

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Mercury Meltdown #2
Requires Firmware 3.02 and up - (E)

MGS Portable Ops
Requires Firmware 3.40 and up - (E)

MLB 07
Requires Firmware 3.30 and up - (U)

Moto GP
Requires Firmware 2.81 and up - (E)

NBA 07
Requires Firmware 3.03 and up - (U)

Ridge Racer 2
Requires Firmware 2.81 and up - (E)

Shichoka Crossword
Requires Firmware 3.40 and up - (J)

Smash Court Tennis 3
Requires Firmware 3.40 and up - (E)

Socom FTB 2 #1
Requires Firmware 3.40 and up - (U)

Socom FTB 2 #2
Requires Firmware 3.50 and up - (E)

Syphon Filter
Requires Firmware 3.03 and up - (U)

ToCA Race Driver 3
Requires Firmware 3.03 and up - (E)

World Tour Soccer 06
Requires Firmware 2.80 and up - (U)

World Tour Soccer 2
Requires Firmware 2.80 and up - (U)

Worms Open Warfare 2
Requires Firmware 3.52 and up - (E)

Xyanide: Resurrection
Requires Firmware 3.50 and up - (U)

The new PSP slims have been on the market for less than 24 hours but, if we’ve learned one thing from the Internet, it is that the hackers move quickly. Many have feared that the hardware update may make hacking much harder, but the firmware has already been dumped, and it has been confirmed that the system has 66MB of NAND memory, double that of the original PSP.

While Sony is mainly touting the extra memory as a way of decreasing load times in new and existing games, it will have the bonus side effect of giving hackers and homebrew coders much more memory to work with. Will we begin to see homebrew games taking advantage of the extra headroom and requiring the new PSP to play? Perhaps.

The hacking world moves fast. We’ll try to keep up.

One of the biggest if not THE BIGGEST development in the PSP hacking scene has just unfolded. A collective group of hackers including the likes of Dark_Alex, Noobz and Booster have released a new piece of software which will replicate the exact functions of Sony’s Jigkick battery (even better) - that means it is now possible for homebrew enabled PSP’s to UNBRICK and DOWNGRADE their systems at their own will. The respective software will transform any regular PSP battery into one which can perform all the functions of the Official Sony JigKick which is used by Sony repair staff themselves. Even if your PSP is not homebrew enabled, you can just ask a friend who has a homebrew enabled PSP to run the software and transform your battery too! Read more on the software at the official release thread as launched by legendary hacker Dark_Alex HERE. Spread the word and DIGG THIS! And on a FINAL note, while the team is a bit too proud to apply pressure for DONATIONS, just do it even if it is just a dollar - ig390@msn.com via PAYPAL (Authorized by Dark_Alex, Noobz and all on the C+D development team).

Read More/Download: here

2K, a publishing label of Take-Two Interactive Software, today announced that Ghost Rider, the action-packed combat and motorcycle video game featuring Marvel Comics’ iconic supernatural superhero, is now available in North America for the PlayStation2 computer entertainment system, the PSP (PlayStationPortable) system and Game Boy Advance. The title will be available in Europe as the movie releases in different regions. The Ghost Rider video game reflects the stylized action of the successful Marvel comic series and Sony Pictures’ upcoming Ghost Rider movie.

The game was developed by Climax and its storyline was authored by famed comic writers Garth Ennis and Jimmy Palmiotti. In the video game, stuntman Johnny Blaze is brought back as his alter ego, Ghost Rider, to protect others from experiencing his Hell on Earth. Ghost Rider haunts America’s highways, inflicting his righteous wrath upon the souls of the wicked and the damned. The unique storyline takes Ghost Rider to a large variety of scenes and locations, while facing off against familiar faces from both the Marvel comic universe and Sony Pictures’ movie.

“The Ghost Rider video game offers an exhilarating gameplay experience in a fast-paced environment. Ghost Rider can battle multiple enemies from the Marvel Universe using his trademark weapons, the Hellfire Chain and Hellfire Shotgun,” said Christoph Hartmann, President of 2K. “Fans of the comic book series will love its true-to-form style.”

Features:

-Ride the terrifying Hell Cycle, swinging Ghost Rider’s chain at enemies and using the bike’s powers to ride on water, boost over jumps, and power down under obstacles.

-Travel through several locations from the movie, including the Quentin Carnival and Caretaker’s Graveyard and take a ride down the skyscraper that links Earth to the depths of Hell.

-Upgrade the Hell Cycle, gain new moves and increase Ghost Rider’s stats using the essence of defeated foes as currency.

-Besides possessing superhuman strength, speed and durability, Ghost Rider can force criminals to experience a level of emotional pain equivalent to that which they have caused in others with his Penance Stare.

-Fight in spectacular boss battles with key Ghost Rider villains, including Lilith, which will put players’ combat skills to the test.

-Unlock original Ghost Rider comics, artwork, “making of” footage and developer interviews.

-Extended replay value with bonus characters, challenging players to dig deep into the experience.

-PSP offers new gameplay including game sharing, and Wi-Fi multiplayer racing for up to four players.