PSP

PSP stands for Sony's handheld gaming console, Playstation Portable.

The console was released on December 12, 2004 in Japan, March 24, 2005 in North America and September 1, 2005 in Europe after originally being announced at the E3 event in 2003.

The PSP's CPU is MIPS R4000-based and all firmwares before 3.50 are clocked to run at 222mhz. Firmware 3.50 removed this limit allowing the CPU to run at 333MHz.

The PSP is also touted for its media capabilities. It can play UMD movies and all games are produced on UMD media. More importantly the console has a memory card slot allowing for gamers to play video and music off Memory Stick PRO Duo memory cards. It plays MP3s, WAVs, WMAs, ATRAC3+ and MP4s.

Using the PSP you can also connect to the internet using the built in Wi-Fi (802.11b). Using this you can also connect to other PSPs and exchange video, music and play games online.

As of writing, the PSP had sold 41 million units worldwide, making it wildly successful.

In late 2007, Sony release the PlayStation Portable Lite and Slim which is 30 percent lighter and 20 percent slimmer than its bulkier predecessor.

Arguably what has made the PSP so popular has been the ability to run homebrew. The original PSP firmware allowed the running of homebrew without the need for exploits. However, an updated firmware, v1.50 changed that, locking out homebrew code. That didn't stop the hackers however, who through the use of exploits could launch homebrew on PSP 1.50.

See: (PSP v1.50 firmware cracked).

Two later versions of the firmware, v1.51 and v1.52 fixed the problem for Sony, and were a nuisance to users who bought their brand new PSPs to discover they had been sold with either of these firmware versions. Some months later, Sony released the next version of the firmware, v2.00.

See: (Sony releases PSP 2.0 update in North America)

Once again, hackers got the better of Sony. A flaw discovered in the image viewer allowed some homebrew code to be run. The first homebrew code to run on PSP 2.00 only changed the colour of the PSP screen. However, that was enough to excite 2.00 users as it was simple proof of concept.

See: (Progress being made with PSP v2.0 cracking)

Finally a solution emerged for 2.0 users. A downgrader (by MPH) was released which made it possible to change the PSPs firmware to v1.50. Though the process did show some error messages and came with a warning, it still has not shown any major problems for PSP users who downgraded, and can also be safely upgraded again. Also, homebrew code runs perfectly on a downgraded PSP.

See: (Downgrade PSP 2.0 to PSP 1.50)

Sony will continue to fight against homebrew being launched on a PSP. It is not surprising that so far, PSPs have not required a hardware solution (like modchips) to bypass security measures. Compare the PSP against the PS2 and XBOX, what are the major differences? The PS2 and XBOX were merely gaming consoles (expect for offering some music features and others) whereas Sony has created the PSP as a portable entertainment device that can do more than play games. With a PSP you can listen to music, view photos, watch videos, browse the internet (with firmware above 2.00) through a wireless network and the latest PSP firmware (2.50) has come even more feature packed.

See: (Sony releases PSP 2.50 firmware)

Also you can store any files on a Memory Stick, provided that you have enough free space. Therefore all these extra features meant that some bugs that could be exploited, most likely exist. When they are found by hackers, another solution is created to run homebrew code on a proprietary platform.

Another example of how a software flaw led to the possibility of running homebrew, is the PS2 Independence Exploit. Some versions of the PS2 console had a buffer overflow bug in the BIOS. Hackers discovered how to modify a file (TITLE.DB) to trigger a buffer overflow and ultimately run code from a Memory Card (unencrypted) when a specific PS1 game was run.

This allowed homebrew to be run on an unmodified console. Sony corrected the problem, but using a Modchips with a PS2 is by far the best way to launch homebrew code on the console.

Manufacturers will probably never stop their customers from finding ways of running unauthorized code on their products; homebrew is most likely here to stay.

Here are a few examples of the PSP in the news recently:
PSP outsells all other consoles in Japan ( 4 May 2008)
PSP firmware gets updated (19 March 2008)

Guides relating to the PSP:
Convert DVD video for iPhone, iPod (Classic, Touch, Nano), Zen, PSP and more
Convert DVD video to files for PSP with CloneDVD Mobile
Convert video files to MP4 for PSP
Stream multimedia files to PSP without encoding
How to encode files for the PSP with Nero Recode


For even more information please visit the PSP entries in our Hardware Section.

PlayStation Portable
PlayStation Portable Slim and Lite

Sony Gaming Consoles
Sony PlayStation 2 Sony PlayStation 3 40GB Sony PlayStation 3 60GB Sony PlayStation Portable Sony PlayStation Portable Slim and Lite

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Comment this glossary entry!
donpugz44 29 April, 2007 13:25
One of the best portable systems out.
judehag 21 July, 2007 12:41
its so sweet
21Q 6 August, 2007 11:34
Awesome device with many features such as music, movies, photo's, internet, and video gaming. A portable device that is well worth the price. Remember though, there is a new version of the psp coming out, so get that one.
foxrider 6 August, 2007 14:17
its not just cool it is a GOD among other portable game systems
CeOwned 18 August, 2007 9:16
It's probably the best portable console.The multimedia is great!
jhudson24 14 September, 2007 0:19
Hey, Wsup? No sir I don't like it! For a start, the back case is gloss black so it shows up ALL your grubby fingerprints and is easily scratched! But wait there's more!! The remote control from the previous version doesn't fit and the one that does fit won't be available for quite some time! And how about an "Anti-glare screen to cut down outside reflections? And why couldn't it have backlite keys so that you can easily find them in the dark car on those long trips? The firmware has the same troubles that the previous version had in that with Murphy's Law, 99.999% of the time, the song, Vid or pix that you want to get to, is ALWAYS towards that bottom of the column. So you have to press & hold the "Down" directional button for an hour until you finally get to where you want, that's if you can stand that annoying "clicking sound! When you're on the first song, Vid or pix at the top of the column, why can't you press the "Up" directional button and it will cycles down to the last song, Vid or pix? Also why can't the "Left & Right" buttons (L1 & R1) be "Page Down & Page Up"? Or is that too much sense? As for loading games quicker, my "Tiger Woods PGA 2006" still took the same amount of time to load! Or is that option only for the latest games? And another thing, why can't you have a repeat and shuffle for vids as well as songs? And how about creating a Playlist so that you can play both songs AND vids for whatever mood that your in? I know, "bitch, bitch, bitch! Someone's on their rags!! Am I going to buy a new PSP slim? No thanx!!! I'll keep my first version thank you VERY much not until Sony get their head out of the sand and do the above to make the thing HEAPS more user friendly! Do I think that will happen? Yeah, right! I've got a better chance of going to a slumber party with Megan Gale and lingerie model girlfriends! I WISH!!! Cheers!!
Zaffan 5 October, 2007 0:30
psp is the best gadget ive ever encountered with. The featured capabilities made u able to crack up ur mind!this is one heck of a console.
lemnur 5 October, 2007 1:22
psp is nice but i want to play homebrew files on version 3.71 please help me?
lemnur 5 October, 2007 19:45
pls help me downgrade version 3.71
PSP1407 6 October, 2007 15:11
yea, wat he said
meliav 14 October, 2007 5:28
hi i have installed on my psp the devhook 0.52 but only have the emulator max. to 3.03 and i needed to put to 3.70. what do i need to do to put my psp with an emulater with 3.70? thanks
uzinakz 24 October, 2007 15:27
I HAV A PSP VERSION 3.71M33 ANFD I DOWNLOADED A PS1 GAME WHICH IS MORTAL KOMBAT TRILOGY IT CAM AS AN EBOOT .PBP AND I PUT THE FILE IN MY ISO FOLDER BUT IT NEVER WORKED CAN SOME ONE PLEASE HELP ME
bailey76 10 December, 2007 16:29
i just bought a psp and its 1.50 can i play downloaded games i just downloaded worms 2 as a iso file put the psp does not pick it up do i need to callit a special name please replay cos its for my kid for xmas
foxrider 26 December, 2007 9:22
shut up shut up shut up and yes. forums are for asking questions.
junior101 26 December, 2007 17:57
okay i just got my PSP,i dont know how to get my internet. i was wondering how do i hook up to the internet? and what are the steps?
jordan2k8 27 December, 2007 14:31
i got a usb thing 2day n i dont know how 2 use it plz can help me please tell me by email man.u.fan.4.ever@hotmail.com
danish111 4 January, 2008 13:01
hi im danish i just downloaded a iso from limewire but i dont know how to make it work on my psp plz help me out n give me a detailed answer on how to make it work on my psp
Sayvon963 4 January, 2008 23:34
hi im new & i need majer help wit putin music on mi psp. p.s i have windows vista
raakiboy 9 January, 2008 23:47
Kia Ora (greetings) Can someone please help me, I have bought a PSP for my grandson and wish to have it ready for him to download games,etc to his memory card and dont know how to set up the gadget. I live in New Zealand so I dont know whether PSP's are all the same. Can someone take me through how to set it up from beginning to end. If you need to contact me personally you can email me on gail.tagaloa@manukau.govt.nz or gtagaloa@hotmail.com Gail Tagaloa
633 17 January, 2008 21:07
can someone help me, i have a psp slim version 3.71 but i updated it to version 3.80 and mest up my whole m33 version for it so i need help
633 17 January, 2008 21:12
well if u need 2 contact me personally my email is steven_lz@yahoo.com
moolchand 24 January, 2008 10:16
i have a psp of cfw 3.51 m33 I upgrated it to 3.52 m33 and then to 3.52 m33-4 then to 3.71 m33-2. in that up grate it says that you have to change your setting it says to do so press x.the the system came to main menu then again i stsrted 3.71 m33-2 again it was sawing error. then i switch off my psp.And after some time when I on it just yhe green light was blinking and even screen was not displaying and then memory stick was also not readind. please help me from this problem if you no any thing about it please replay me again if any body know
ckariya 16 February, 2008 22:57
Hi, I am new to psp's and I just got a psp 2000 for my birthday. I have modded it and have version 3.90 M33. I know how to put games on my psp, but really want to know how to put emulators on it. If someone could tell me I'd greatly appreciate it. I am looking to put an NES, N64, and PS1 emulators on my psp, since i really want the games super mario bros. 3, super smash brothers, Donkey Kong, Pokemon ruby, NHL rock the rink, Rampage throughout time, Tiny Tank, and Crash Bash. Thank you for taking the time to help me!!
pspdummy 6 March, 2008 9:03
hey i recently purchased a psp with firmware 3.71 m33-2 and games it worked fine now i cant get the games on it. the memory is used but i cant find the game. Could someone please help me.I dont have a clue about this stuff!!!!
MuMbles01 14 March, 2008 1:19
if i downgrade my psp slim to 1.50 and install 3.40 oe would i be able to upgrade it backto normal or my psp will always be like that? ima noob with this iso stuff if someone can please teach me wats going on it will be nice
AliJaan30 2 May, 2008 0:14
Psp Great Handheld Device Million Times Better Then Poor ds With Same pld Mario And zelda or PokeMon D;/
AliJaan30 2 May, 2008 0:18
Hey ppl Who Want to down grade Just Go To psp fanboy.Just google it EnjoY
MAPESA 6 May, 2008 8:56
ULTIMATE HANDHELD
vineshety 14 May, 2008 22:12
What is the minimum custom firmware required to create Pandora Battery. How to create Pandora battery using friends PSP(CFW PSP) for the program downloaded from this site: http://forums.afterdawn.com/thread_view.cfm/610313 Here only hardmod & Datel Pandora method is available, I need the procedure to create Pandora Battery using CFW PSP. please help me..!
hack4life 20 May, 2008 18:15
im so happy about this psp!! i made a pandora battery and magic memstick, and hacked my psp to put on CWcheat! now im hacking like crazy!! woo hoo! i love it for its ability of multimedia. if only it could play videos on youtube.......
ILoveSnes 8 June, 2008 6:34
GREAT!!! A site where there talk about PSP's just what I was looking for. All right guys I need help bros. I got a 3.95 PSP slim & I want to put Emulators on it.I no I need a cfw & Pandora to do this cause I saw it on U TUBE. Now what is the latest cfw out there?
largelf 4 August, 2008 21:15
hi i need help im like a total nood and im trying to hook my psp up to the internet i just bought a god of war psp and i relly need help can any 1 out there plz help me ? im me at amby133@aol.com plz
largelf 4 August, 2008 21:16
ps is therte lise a chat room for this kinda of stuff is there is plz let me know thank you
inot611 2 September, 2008 8:03
plz help me how to transfer games 2 my psp after dwnloading games @ torrentz. i hav 3.71 m33-2. plz help me.
nuttyju1c 10 September, 2008 23:59
Need help!!!! I have a slim ver 3.95 on my psp!! I aslo got a battery service tool 1gb memory stck. did the files into the memory stick but when i put the phat psp battery in it does not start all. help plz!!!!!!!!!!!!
joshmeg 3 October, 2008 13:11
hi there...can anybody help me? i got a slim psp with a 3.71 custom firmware in it but i updated it to 3.73 via umd not knowing that i wont be able to play games from my memory stick anymore...how can i go back to 3.71? or update to other custom firmwares...i downloaded 4.01m33 already and i tried updating but can't update.....appreciate your help....
sheffy 7 October, 2008 3:17
hey friends... how are you... i am sheffy.. my younger brother gave me a psp as gift,its system software is 4.05 and its nick name is P17 can any one tell me how can i doanload games on my memoy card and play them on my psp. i will be very thankful to you guys... you can even add me on yahoo messanger sheffy_yours@yahoo.com or me the details thanks for your help... and we can stay in touch...
NIGG_BOI 15 October, 2008 0:28
HEY I HAVE BEEN GOIN NUTZ TRYING TO PLAY GAMES WITHOUT UMD AND ALL THIS FIRMWARE STUFF BUT ALL I GOT NOW IS 3.03 Software and NEED FOR SPEED MOSTWANTED WITH THE 2.0 update I NEED HELP!!!!!! message me at MIKEISME2@hotmail.com PLEASE!!!!
adaxme 15 January, 2009 11:11
i love get psp slim but relatively expensive
trivedi11 27 May, 2009 0:30
can Dark alex's fw 5.0 m33-2 plays iso and cso game

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