Sony PlayStation Portable (PSP) Fat and Slim





The Sony PSP is one of those devices that is a "must own" item. The technology contained inside of it is fairly advanced. This article describes both the original PSP (from now on called PSP Fat) with model number PSP100x released in 2004, and the newer (PSP Slim) PSP200x models released in 2007. The following article details the specifications and capabilities of this portable device assuming the latest firmware was installed, and contains very useful information for many different kinds of people. If you find this article helpful, feel free to visit the main link at the bottom of the page and search for a paypal donation button and make a donation so this page gets updated with more useful information. Here are the Sony PSP model numbers (Note models may have appended characters like K for value pack, G1 for Giga pack):



PSP Discussion Forum

PSP FatPSP Slim
  • PSP1000: (Region 2) Japan
  • PSP1001: (Region 1) North America
  • PSP1002: (Region 4) Australia and New Zealand
  • PSP1003: (Region 2) United Kingdom
  • PSP1004: (Region 2) European Union
  • PSP1005: (Region 5) South Korea
  • PSP1006: (Region 3) Hong Kong and Singapore
  • PSP1007: (Region 3) Taiwan
  • PSP1008: (Region 5) Russia
  • PSP1009: (Region 6) China
  • PSP2000: (Region 2) Japan
  • PSP2001: (Region 1) North America
  • PSP2002: (Region 4) Australia and New Zealand
  • PSP2003: (Region 2) United Kingdom
  • PSP2004: (Region 2) European Union
  • PSP2005: (Region 5) South Korea
  • PSP2006: (Region 3) Hong Kong and Singapore
  • PSP2007: (Region 3) Taiwan
  • PSP2008: (Region 5) Russia
  • PSP2009: (Region 6) China
Here is a run-down of the features:

Main Specifications (Original Japanese PSP Fat):
Motherboard Revisions




The gaming functionality is the main selling point of the machine, but after using it awhile, you will start appreciating the MP3 player and MPEG4 video player. You can actually squeeze a DVD movie onto a memory stick and play it on the wide-screen LCD display. It can function like an MP3 player (comes with speakers too). You just need to find a high capacity Memory Stick like 1 or 2 or 4 Gigabytes.


Some features that are not as obvious:





PSP Secrets and Special Features

Firmware flashing via Battery

Around 2 and a half years after the release of the fat PSP in 2004, it was discovered by some people outside of Sony that you can flash the PSP firmware using a specially initialized battery. The battery usually communicates with the PSP indicating it's charge level, and if it was told to give a special parameter to the PSP, the PSP went into service mode and can reflash it's internal flash using data inside the inserted memory stick.

Photo

Groups are Directories on the PSP. In directory /PSP/PHOTO/ you can make as many sub-directories as you want and place photos inside those directories. The directory becomes the equivalent to a GROUP inside the PSP. Different GROUPs can hold different sets of pictures, and there is a way to slideshow all groups by pressing the "triangle" button while the current selection is on the Memory Stick icon under the PHOTO icon. If you have a Sony digital camera along similar lines to the Sony Cybershot P10, then the PSP will also read the pictures you took with it (assuming you placed the memory stick duo inside the adapter so it will fit into the Sony Cybershot digital camera). The directory for Sony Cybershot camera digital pictures is /DCIM/101MSDCF/ and all .jpg pictures there will show up under its own group icon. The /MISC directory created by Cybershot digital cameras are ignored by the PSP.

Music

Similar to Photo, in directory /PSP/MUSIC/ you can make as many sub-directories as you want and place music files (.mp3, .mp4, .m4a, .3gp, .wav) inside those sub-directories (but only one layer deep). The directory becomes the equivalent to a GROUP inside the PSP and you can turn on the GROUP mode, thus only songs in that GROUP are played. In the XMB navigational menu, a GROUP (directory) looks like a 3D box, and the name of the box is the name of the directory on the Memory Stick. To jump to the next group or previous group, just select the "previous group" and "next group" icons when in playback mode. (Be sure that you pressed the triangle button to get these options).

MP3 Playlists on PSP

The PSP actually supports .m3u playlists. These playlists are nothing more than text files (but with file extension .m3u) with the names of the music files to be played listed top to bottom. Note that playlists must reside in GROUP directories, and not the main /PSP/MUSIC/ directory. Once placed there, the name of the GROUP is not the name of the directory, but the name of the playlist file (without the .m3u extension of course). The playlist must only list files in the directory it resides in, so you can't include songs from other GROUPs. Once a directory has a playlist, only songs from the list show up for the GROUP. You can only have one playlist per GROUP, so if you have more than one of them in the directory, only the first one will be accepted. In addition, the regular "mp3" GROUP logo is replaced with a "m3u" logo. (Unless you happened to have added picture to .mp3 files, as described below).

Adding Pictures to .MP3 audio files

You can add images or pictures inside each .mp3 file, so that the image shows up when playing inside the PSP. If there are multiple pictures, only the first one will be shown. Just obtain a good .mp3 ID3V2 editor that supports the PIC option. Sony's Connect.com even offers a free SonicStage software that allows you to do this. If you are using other software, make sure the description is empty for the PIC (or the PSP won't show you the picture). The picture can be in .BMP, .PNG, or .JPG format but it must not be too big in dimension (something smaller than 431x631 or equivalent in total area). If they don't show up, you need to resize the pic smaller. If you are taking digital pictures using 1 MegaPixel cameras, you need to get a paint program to resize them. Most mobile cellphone digital cameras supporting 300k resolution seem to work fine. You can even search sites selling CD's for the pictures. The picture inside the first file (in alphabetical order) in a GROUP sub-directory will actually be inside the picture of the GROUP 3D box. If you have playlists, on the other hand, the picture from inside the first listed mp3 file will be inside the GROUP's 3D box icon.



ATRAC3 and ATRAC3PLUS

The PSP supports Atrac3 and Atrac3Plus music formats (Sony's proprietary audio format) on both the UMD and Memory Stick Duo. For Memory Sticks, Atrac uses MagicGate functionality, so you must use special software to copy over songs to the Memory Stick. Sony's Connect.com has SonicStage that supports this format. To make it work, simply plug in a Memory Stick Duo into the PSP, and connect the PSP to your computer using the USB cable. Enable the USB Connection from PSP, and SonicStage will recognize the attached PSP via USB port. Note that at this moment, only Memory Stick Duo (similar to the one that came with the Value Pack), and not Memory Stick Pro Duo (those supporting high capacities) is supported. You can use SonicStage to convert files to Atrac3 or Atrac3Plus formats by right-clicking on the songs from the "My Library" tab. SonicStage will merge the two files (pre-converted and converted) into one entry in the scroll list after conversion. To remove the pre-converted file, right-click on the entry and select "Properties", then select the "File Info" tab. From there, select the pre-converted format and click on the "Delete File" button. To transfer the ATRAC file to the Memory Stick Duo, right-click on the entry and select "Transfer To->Memory Stick (PSP)" menu option. This menu option will only appear if your PSP with Memory Stick Duo is attached (and USB connection turn on) via the USB port. You have the option to create new groups (like directories or folders) to place your song. Note that for ATRAC3 and ATRAC3PLUS songs, the bitrate can be seen in the playback mode (it substitutes the MP3 icon). In addition, groups (boxes) don't display M3U or MP3 logo for ATRAC songs (assuming the first song in the group has no album image).

Here is a breakdown of the directory structure for ATRAC song files when transferred to the PSP Memory Stick Duo. Bold are directories. Italic are files.

Adding Pictures to ATRAC3 and ATRAC3PLUS song files

You can add pictures to ATRAC songs via the SonicStage (version 3 or higher) software from Connect.com. Simply enter the "My Library" tab and right-click on the song entry and select "Properties". From there, select "Track Info" tab and there is an "Add..." button to add your pictures. You may need to use images that are not too large for it to show up on the PSP (similar to MP3 songs). Note that you cannot add pictures to your ATRAC files once it is on the Memory Stick Duo, so add the pictures before you transfer it to the PSP. If the first song for an ATRAC group has an album image, then that image will show up in the Group (box) icon similar to MP3 Groups.

Video

The device only plays back Motion-MPEG, .mp4, and .wmv formats, so regular MPEG2, and AVI movies won't play on it. Once you have converted movies to MPEG-4 (or created one using more recent digital camcorders), a matching .THM file extension with the same named .MP4 file provides a picture of the movie in the XMB navigational menu. Be sure the .THM files is in a format supported by the PSP (JPEG, 72 Pixels/Inch, 160 x 120 pixels). A popular free program called the 3GP Converter will create this file automatically for you. For .mp4 videos, special care must be taken to be sure it is compatible with the PSP. The framerate must be 29.97 or 14.98 fps for SP MPEG-4 .mp4 videos and 29.97 fps for AVC MPEG-4 .mp4 videos. SP MPEG-4 encoded .mp4 videos require AAC audio at encoded 24KHz, while AVC MPEG-4 (H.264) videos require AAC audio encoded at 48KHz. Special tags must also be enclosed inside the .mp4 to let the PSP know it is capable for PSP playback.

High Resolution Video

Note that if the resolution for AVC MPEG-4 .mp4 videos are greater or equal to 480x272, you must place them in the new /VIDEO folder at the root of the memory stick. The thumbnails must be in .jpg format with a file name matching the video file name.

Game

The PSP allows game playing mainly through UMD discs, but there are two other options of running games.

Game Sharing

Some UMD games allow you to share games with other PSP owners who have not purchased the same game. One particular game that utilizes this feature is the Namco Arcade Museum, but the games transmitted contain only one level (to entice the receiver to buy the full game apparently). The person transmitting the game has a "transmit" option inside the game itself, while the other PSP owner who is receiving the game would chose the "GAME->Game Sharing" Menu option. Note that the received games will disappear once the PSP is powered off, and there is no option to save the game to memory stick.

Memory Stick Games

In the /PSP/GAME directory, you can create any directory name there. If the directory contains a EBOOT.PBP file then it will show up in the "GAME->Memory Stick" menu screen. From there you can select it to load it. Note that a special directory called /PSP/GAME/UPDATE is reserved for updating the firmware of your PSP. You can place the EBOOT.PBP update file there and launch the update from the XMB menu.

Network Update

The PSP is able to update its own firmware via the "SETTINGS->Network Update" Menu option. Once a valid connection is initiated, the PSP will check (for Japan model PSP) http://fj01.psp.update.playstation.org/update/jp/psp-updatelist.txt for a list of the most current firmware versions. If one is found it will try to download and save the new EBOOT.PBP firmware image on a memory stick at /PSP/GAME/UPDATE and then update itself from that firmware image. The first PSPs were released in Japan, and it came with version 1.0 of the firmware. On March 24, 2005 version 1.5 was released for it, which coincided with the USA version of PSPs which had version 1.5 built in. The major changes provided in the 1.5 version are bug fixes and better language support for many countries.

In order for the PSP to check for updates, you must make sure you have valid Wi-Fi settings. In the "SETTINGS->Network Settings->Infrastructure Mode", if you selection the triangle button while the cursor is on a connection name, you can select the "Test Connection" and the PSP will actually try to reach this URL: http://fj00.psp.update.playstation.org/networktest/trial.txt

Note that depending on your location and PSP hardware version, the URL's will change slightly to reflect your location and hardware.

When the firmware is updated, more functionality are available.

Miscellaneous Secrets

The background of the PSP (when not in game mode) changes colors at the beginning of each month. Since there are 12 months, there are 12 colors total. Changing the year offers no new colors. If you go to "SETTINGS->Date & Time Settings" and modify the month, your PSP background will change colors instantly to the matching month. You can override this feature and set your desired color manually in newer firmwares.

The PSP2000 (Slim and Light) model added more colors and allowed you to set the theme of the background and icons, opening up the ability to fully modify the look and feel of the graphical user interface.

The power button (slider) actually has three purposes.
  1. Slide it down: Hold mode, where all buttons on the PSP are disabled (in case you are jogging).
  2. Slide it up and release immediately: Puts the PSP in sleep mode.
  3. Slide it up and release after 3 seconds: Turns off the PSP.


Computer/PDA

Of course, it is not complete without mentioning features that it is destined to be: a mini-notebook or PDA. It actually comes with a WI-FI adapter inside (802.11b with WEP/WPA encryption), providing the possibility for you to upgrade its firmware and download games, music, video, and other content. The USB port allows you to attach a webcam, GPS, keyboard, mouse, modem, GPRS/CDMA/3G Phones, and practically any type of device the firmware supports. Since the UMD disc can store 1.8 gigabytes of memory, that is enough to store a whole operating system. If that is too large, you can use the memory stick to store 8GB (or more) of programs. Adding the operating system to the memory stick might be easier for companies other than Sony (since Sony controls UMD disc creation technology). It can function as a full-fledged computer and the networking ability allows you to use it as an internet browser. The USB (version 2.0) port is actually the expansion slot of the PSP. Add a GPRS/CDMA/3G adaptor, and you can use the PSP to make mobile cellphone calls. Add a USB camera and the PSP can function as a digital camera or camcorder with sound. Add a USB HDTV receiver (over the air or not) and you can watch TV. Add a USB radio receiver and you can listen to radio. The list is endless.

Note that the PSP uses the USB port in client mode, so you cannot use off-the-shelf USB devices, they must have Host-capable ability (in other words, it uses a special Sony proprietary protocol). There is internal infra-red support as well, so slower IR devices like remote-controls and the like are compatible if you do not wish to use the USB port. This IrDA port functionality was removed in the PSP2000 models. One thing it doesn't come with is internal Bluetooth, but it might be possible to support it via a Bluetooth USB gadget.

PSP Accessories

ModelNameDescription
PSP-100PSP AC Adapter This came with the original PSP. When attached to the PSP allows running off of wall sockets and charging the battery.
PSP-110PSP Battery The original PSP1000 battery is actually lower in voltage (3.6V) than the AC adapter (5V). When running on batteries, the fourth brightest screen setting is disabled. It has 1800mAh. You can fit this Fat PSP battery inside the Slim PSP.
PSP-S110PSP Battery This PSP battery is made for the more modern PSP2000 Slim and Light models. It is 3.6V with 1200mAh. You cannot fit this battery inside the Fat PSP.
PSP-120Remote Control The standard remote control for the PSP can actually control more than just music playback. It can actually turn ON your PSP when you press the PLAY button on the remote (takes it out of sleep mode). In addition, it offers control for Photo, Music, Movie, and Game playback.
  • PHOTO
    • Play: Start/Pause slideshow.
    • Previous: Previous picture.
    • Next: Next picture.
  • MUSIC
    • Play: Start/Pause song.
    • Previous: Previous song.
    • Next: Next song.
    • Previous (held down): Fast reverse.
    • Next (held down): Fast forward.
  • VIDEO (when selection is on a video)
    • Play: Start/Pause video.
    • Previous (held down): Fast reverse.
    • Next (held down): Fast forward.
  • GAME (when selection is on the UMD game)
    • Play: Starts game.
The remote control (PSP-120) of the Sony PSP provides audio in and out and remote button control of the PSP buttons.
PSP-130Headphones The standard PSP headphones can also be replaced with high quality ones. The plug is standardized, so just get the best one you can afford. You can even attach it right into the Sony PSP-120 remote control without problems.
PSP-140Headphones with Remote Control The PSP-140 accessory is simply the combination of the Remote Control (PSP-120) with the Headphones (PSP-130).
PSP-170Soft Case and Wrist Strap The PSP-170 is a combination of the PSP Soft Case and Wrist Strap.
PSP-180Sony Car Adapter The Sony Car Adapter allows charging and operating the PSP inside a car.
PSP-190Battery Recharger The Battery Recharger allows you to charge batteries separately.
PSP-220Sony UMD Accessory Pouch and Cloth The pouch allows storage of UMD discs and two cleaning cloths.
PSP-240PSP Talkman The PSP Talkman is a microphone. It allows voice input.
PSP-250PSP Hand-Strap The PSP Hand-Strap is a cord that you can tie to the Sony PSP for easy carrying.
PSP-280PSP Battery This battery pack lasts 20% longer than the one shipped with the original PSP Fat. It is 3.6V with 2200mAh. It also fits inside the PSP Slim.
PSP-290PSP GPS This accessory allows receiving GPS signals from satellites for navigational games or applications.
PSP-300Video and Audio Camera Allows recording video and taking pictures along with audio via its built in microphone. VOIP is supported.

Memory Stick

The PSP Fat Value Pack comes with a 32MB Memory Stick Duo (PSP-M32). The PSP Slim Value Pack comes with 1GB. All memory sticks are basically the same, so just go for the largest you can afford (and that is 8GB at the moment). The high capacity ones all come with MagicGate, so if you should want to download music from Sony Connect in the future, you are all set to go. It is the lower capacity (those lower than 128MB) memory sticks that you should pay attention to the MagicGate feature. MagicGate allows protected content storage.

USB power cable

There is a USB cable you can purchase that allows you to connect one end of the cable to the USB port of any computer and the other end to the power plug port of the PSP. What this allows you to do is charge your PSP without the PSP power adapter (which is quite inconvenient to carry around as it is almost the size of the PSP itself). Note that you cannot recharge the fat PSP via the USB port on the top of the PSP (which would have been a nice feature to have along similar lines to the Motorola RAZR V3). This feature was added to the slim PSP, but you must enable USB mode via the XMB for it to start charging.

PSP Software

PSP firmware versions:
VersionRelease DateDescription
Firmware 1.00December 12, 2004
  • Original firmware shipped on Japanese PSP.
  • Able to run unencrypted code from memory stick.
Firmware 1.50March 24, 2005
  • Release March 24, 2005
  • Default firmware shipped on USA PSP
  • German, Spanish, French, Italian, Dutch, Portuguese and Russian languages system support
  • Game sharing with other PSP
  • Resume play when from sleep mode for video and music
  • Disabled "direct" ability to run unencrypted code from memory stick.
Firmware 1.51May 18, 2005
  • Security update
Firmware 1.52June 15, 2005
  • Able to play UMD music
Firmware 2.00August 24, 2005
  • Default firmware shipped on European PSP
  • Web browser
  • Custom wallpaper backgrounds
  • WPA-PSK (TKIP) WiFi security
  • .mp4 (AAC) and .wav (LPCM) audio support (under /psp/music/ folder)
  • .mp4 (AVC) video (formatted MAQxxxxx.MP4) support (under /MP_ROOT/100ANV01/ folder)
  • .tiff (.tif), .png, .gif, and .bmp graphics support (under /psp/photo/ folder)
  • Korean system language support
Firmware 2.01October 3, 2005
  • Security update
Firmware 2.50October 13, 2005
  • LocationFree TV
  • Unicode (UTF-8) web browser support
  • WPA-PSK (AES) WiFi security
  • Copy protected video support
  • Korean language system input
Firmware 2.60November 29, 2005
  • RSS Channel audio support
  • .wma audio support (under /PSP/MUSIC/ folder)
  • Copy protected video download via web browser support
  • Simplified (GB18030) and Traditional (Big5) Chinese encoding for web browser
Firmware 2.70April 25, 2006
  • Flash 6 web browser support
  • Game demos (encrypted) downloaded from internet can be saved and run from memory stick
  • RSS channel audio feed data can be saved to memory stick
  • .m4a (AAC) file extension supported (under /PSP/MUSIC/ folder)
  • Simplified and Traditional Chinese system language support
  • Fix free available space for memory sticks greater than 2 GB
Firmware 2.71June 1, 2006
  • Fix playing of videos for LocationFree TV with external tuner
  • Game demos (encrypted) downloaded via PSP web browser and saved and run from memory stick
Firmware 2.80July 27, 2006
  • Pictures and Video support for RSS Channels
  • .3gp AAC audio extension supported.
  • Storage of video files under /VIDEO/ directory on Memory Stick (480x272 resolution or higher).
Firmware 2.81September 7, 2006
  • Support for Memory Stick Pro greater than 4GB.
  • Support MUSIC, VIDEO, and PICTURE directories in root of Memory Stick.
Firmware 2.82October 26, 2006
  • Security Patch
Firmware 3.00November 20, 2006
  • Remote Play from PS3
  • M-JPEG (Motion JPEG) support for PSP Camera.
  • PS1 Game support
Firmware 3.01November 21, 2006
  • Security Patch
Firmware 3.02December 5, 2006
  • Security Patch
Firmware 3.03December 19, 2006
  • Add more support for Plastation Network titles.
Firmware 3.10January 10, 2007
  • Less memory useage option for PSP Web Browser
  • Dynamic Normalizer option is Sound Settings
  • Support for PS1 PAL games
Firmware 3.11February 7, 2007
  • Bug fixes
Firmware 3.30March 28, 2007
  • Support playback of MPEG-4/H2.64 AVC resolutions of 720x480, 352x480, and 480x272 in /VIDEO folder
  • Jpg thumbnail support in /VIDEO folder
Firmware 3.40April 16, 2007
  • Minor tweaks
Firmware 3.50May 30, 2007
  • Remote Play functionality with PS3 works through internet.
Firmware 3.51June 29, 2007
  • Security patches
Firmware 3.52July 24, 2007
  • Minor changes
Firmware 3.70September 11, 2007
  • Custom Themes support
  • Scene search for videos
  • Sequential playback of multiple videos
  • Multitask playing music and watching pictures at the same time
Firmware 3.71September 13, 2007
  • Scene search and sequential playback support from Memory Stick videos
  • Viewing slideshow while music is playing now supported
Firmware 3.80
  • 1
Firmware 3.90
  • 1


Running homebrew software

It is possible to run homebrew software on a Sony PSP. The original version 1.0 firmware allowed running unsigned code. Later versions were patched so that this ability was not allowed directly. However, there were indirect ways to run homebrew software. Selecting the "Settings/System Settings/System Information" menu item allows you to view the version of firmware your PSP has installed. If it has version 1.0 or 1.5 you are able to download homebrew onto your memory stick and run them without any major effort. If you have firmware version 2.0 or higher, you may need to use special software loaders or install a custom firmware that allows such ability natively. Search the internet for more info.

Although you can take out the memory stick, and stick it into another computer to do the copying, then place it back into the Sony PSP, it is not as convenient as manipulating the files with the memory stick still in the PSP. To activate the PSP as a USB hard drive (using memory stick as the drive), simply connect the PSP to a computer using a USB cord, and then select PSP's "Settings->USB Connection" menu option. On PSP Slim, this activates the battery charging also.

PSP Games

PSP Programming

The PSP is in a unique situation in that it is a device funded by a gaming industry. This provides a very low pricepoint for the hardware, which in effect makes it possible for it to become a mass production item similar to televisions, microwaves, etc. There will be more Sony PSP sold in a years time than all the Sony CLIE PDA's ever sold in its lifetime (which are not sold any more). This provides a very unique situation in that the PSP (with its CPU core more powerful than the Sony CLIE) can actually replace the CLIE and act like a PDA. But it is on par with a notebook because the feature set of the PSP is way higher than that of a PDA. There is only one functionality that is needed to make the full transition to a computer, and that is support for large monitors (via USB most likely). A harddrive would be nice, but by that time 8 or 16 gigabyte memory sticks would be available. PSP programming is going to be a hot industry, but Sony would have to provide free or very low cost development kits for the average person, and not only to large game companies. Something like a personal version for those that wish to develop programs to run off of the memory stick only, as this would catapult the Sony PSP from a nitch product to a common household item. There will be software or shareware programs for anything under the sun. It may even eclipse the PC as the standard computing device because everything is becoming mobile (look at how notebooks sell more than desktops these days).

The PSP Slim allows a higher resolution output via the TV-Out socket. This would answer need for programming on the PSP itself and outputing the code on a large display. Can the PSP be used to program PSP games? With the release of the PSP Slim, this has become a reality (with its extra 32MB main memory). The only missing piece is a nice official keyboard or a touchscreen add-on for the PSP display.

PSP program formats

The PSP uses ELF (Executable and Linking Format) as the executable format. These are packaged into a EBOOT.PBP along with other files for easy distribution and loading. When loaded, the MIPS cpu can run the code in kernel or user mode. Most of the XMB and drivers for the hardware boot in kernel mode. Most of the kernel code and device drivers for the PSP are coded in a relocateable executable format with the extension .prx. This format is a proprietary format made by Sony. Note that .prx format code need not run in kernel mode, but a vast majority of them are because Sony provided them to control the PSP hardware.


The EBOOT.PBP is an archive format to store many different files filled with data inside one larger file. Below is a breakdown of the different files that are known to exist inside a PSP EBOOT.PBP...

File NameDescription
PARAM.SFOBasic header file describing the program
ICON0.PNGGraphical icon for the program that shows up in XMB
ICON1.PMFAnimated icon for the program that shows up in XMB
UNKNOWN.PNGBackground graphic for the program that shows up in XMB
PIC1.PNGLarger icon for the program that shows up in XMB
SND0.AT3ATRAC3 music that plays in the XMB for the program
UNKNOWN.PSPThe program itself
UNKNOWN.PSAREncrypted contents of the program


The minimum required files needed to exist inside a EBOOT.PBP so that it can run from firmware 1.0 or 1.5 is PARAM.SFO and UNKNOWN.PSP

The PARAM.SFO (from the EBOOT.PBP above) is a variable length file containing information on the program. It has many optional labels that can be set as a parameter for the program. Below is a listing of a majority of them and common values for a typical update PBP that you place in /PSP/GAME/UPDATE on the memory stick...

LabelValue
BOOTABLEInteger: 1
CATEGORYString: MG
DISC_IDString: MSTKUPDATE
DISC_VERSIONString: 1.00
PARENTAL_LEVELInteger: 1
REGIONInteger: 32768
TITLEString: PSP Update ver 3.71
TITLE_0String: (Japanese title)
TITLE_2String: (French title)
TITLE_3String: (Spanish title)
TITLE_4String: (German title)
TITLE_5String: (Italian title)
TITLE_6String: (Dutch title)
TITLE_7String: (Portuguese title)
TITLE_8String: (Russian title)
TITLE_9String: (Korean title)
TITLE_10String: (Traditional Chinese title)
TITLE_11String: (Simplified Chinese title)
UPDATER_VERString: 3.71

A typical homebrew EBOOT.PBP's PARAM.SFO would contain these labels

LabelValue
BOOTABLEInteger: 1
CATEGORYString: MG
DISC_IDString: UCJS10000
DISC_VERSIONString: 1.00
PARENTAL_LEVELInteger: 1
PSP_SYSTEM_VERString: 1.00
REGIONInteger: 32768
TITLEString: MyHomebrewProg

Homebrew programs are normally loaded and run in user mode. In firmware 1.0 and 1.5, programs can actually load and run in kernel mode unencrypted from the memory stick. The difference is mainly the packaging of the EBOOT.PBP. Firmware 1.5 required two EBOOT.PBP in separate directories, while firmware 1.0 needed only one. This unencrypted loading (and running in kernel mode) ability was disabled in later firmware versions, however. Because of this, the vast majority of homebrew (homemade) software were made to run on either firmware 1.0 and 1.5. Many firmware downgraders and exploits were made in order to get PSPs flashed with official Sony firmware 2.0 and higher to "downgrade" back to firmware 1.0 and 1.5 in order to allow it to regain the ability to run homebrew software unencrypted (unsigned by Sony essentially). As a result, homebrew authors wrote code targetting firmware 1.50 (or 1.00) specifically because it is an official Sony firmware that actually did not prohibit running unencrypted (unsigned) code. This trend was solidified when later firmware releases complicated the loading of homebrew software, requiring special loaders that took advantage of bugs or exploits in either the XMB or commercial games. Because of this, homebrew software targetting these firmware versions are very very few, and people often just downgrade to firmware 1.50 or 1.00 to run homebrew software. However, downgrading to lower firmware often results in less features available from the XMB, thus an effort was made by some to make custom firmware that basically took Sony's latest firmware and put back the ability to run unencrypted user mode code (with some offering ability to run in 1.50 kernel mode as well, which allowed old homebrew software to run unmodified). This custom firmware trend started when the latest firmware was 3.xx. Homebrew software authors nowadays thus still write for either firmware 1.00/1.50 (kernel or user mode), or in user mode for the latest custom firmware (3.xx). Because custom firmware are constantly changing with each official firmware upgrade from Sony, a stable environment for coding on custom firmware is still in flux. The PSP Slim, however, provided an extra 32MB of main memory that can be open for homebrew programmers. This extra memory is not available in firmware 1.0 and 1.5, and the PSP Slim hardware is so vastly different that firmware 1.0 and 1.5 cannot run on it (inside a custom firmware) without major modifications. Because of these reasons the newer trend is for some homebrew authors to basically break away from coding for firmware 1.0 and 1.5 and rely strictly on the latest version of unofficial custom firmware to provide them with the mechanism to run user mode code unencrypted from the memory stick. How this trend affects the homebrew community as a whole is still being sorted out.

PSP Emulators

Are there Sony PSP emulators available? Yes. In fact, the most accurate ones come from Sony. You run them on a PC and is available for game developers. But it would be pointless to get one if you can actually run the software on the PSP itself.

Conclusion

If you take a closer look at the evolution of electronic devices, you will find that they all seem to be input devices for two of our five senses. We have five senses:
  1. Sight
  2. Hearing
  3. Touch
  4. Taste
  5. Smell
Notice that televisions, radios, movie theatres, etc all tailor to our first two senses. Sight and Hearing. Because touch, taste, and smell devices are difficult to make, all the major electronics improve on the sight and hearing mainly. However, it is possible to merge or elevate sight and hearing to incorporate other functions. If you look at the PSP, notice the left to right order of the icons...

First PHOTO (sight), then MUSIC (hearing), then MOVIES (sight and hearing), then GAMES (sight, hearing, and some touch). But there is something else that GAMES provide, and that is brain entertainment and interactivity (game solving skills). But what comes after GAMES? A COMPUTER. That is the next logical point in the elevation (or evolution). A COMPUTER provides an extension beyond GAMES, as you can now engage your brain in all sorts of activity (besides solving puzzles or hand-eye coordination procedures in finishing GAMES.) And that is why the browser and keyboard is coming to the PSP, and that is why all the trappings of a computer are the logical next step for the PSP.

PSP2000 (PSP Slim and Light)

In September of 2007, Sony released a "Slim and Light" version of PSP with model name PSP2000. It fixed features missing from the "Fat" version. Noteably, Video out, charging via USB (you must enable USB via the XMB for this to work though), and more flash memory and main memory. It is now possible to have games and programs that have a screen size larger than 480x272 as long as the output is via the new Video Out jack at the bottom left of the Slim PSP. The maximum video size supported can probably reach 1080p. At a minimum 720x480p for games and apps is supported.

PS4 or PSP3

Of course nothing is complete without mentioning the PS4 and PSP3 when discussing PlayStation devices. The PS4 is actually very similar to PSP3 (the next version of PSP). If you want to take a look at what the PSP3 will look like, just take a look at any standard notebook computer like the Sony VAIO S notebook. It has a widescreen (like the PSP), and you can fold it down to protect the screen (similar to Nintendo DS/DS Lite). Of course it may not be that big, but you get the idea. It will be able to play games and have all the standard fast graphical chips, but this time with a powerful operating system to do more than just games. After the "GAME" will come "COMPUTER" apps in the XMB menu. Note that the PSone comes with a portable LCD screen. If the PS4 comes with one, then it will actually be a bigger cousin of the PSP3, or even be the PSP3 if it is small enough.

Technology is merging and these newer versions of Playstation devices should incorporate phone, video camera, digital camera, and webserver technology. The input devices should expand to transparent glasses that have a large display projected at 1080p or higher in the lenses. That way you are not stuck with a small screen while mobile with the PSP. And if you are at home, the PSP should be able to be plugged into a high definition display (HDTV supporting 1080p) so you can view movies and photos and play games on the high resolution HDTV. The next generation PSP should support phone calling and serving not just game data in multiplayer games but should be able to allow you to host a webserver and open up endless protocols for connectivity besides just the webpages of the internet.

Sony PSP discussion group

For those that have questions or wish to discuss the Sony PSP, or make a donation, visit the Games Depot.


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