moneytoo in the QJ forums, PSP homebrew developer">Madruscoe (aka moneytoo; the maker of PMP Mod AVC) has informed us about this bit of homebrew news. PMPlayer AdVanCe (PPA) by cooleyes (cooleyes_lf) has been updated. The homebrew application plays PMP files with AAC support. It also has skins, standby, TrueType (TT) fonts, and more features. More importantly, it has an English skin (although you have to do a little tweak to get it):

• To have an English skin for PPA, edit the config.xml by changing MHP to normal-en (you change the part that says "MHP" into "normal-en").

The release notes are in Chinese, but for those who are curious, you can try to read the nasty Google translation which you can find by clicking on the "Full Article" link. If anyone can read Chinese and translate it for us, though, that would be great too, and we will be forever grateful.

There are several versions available. There is an EBOOT version for FW 1.5 and an EBOOT version for 2.71 SE and 3.XX OE. There may also be other versions, but the links at cngba.com don't seem to work (you can try - just follow the "Via" link below).

Download: PMPlayer AdVanCe (PPA) build 20070324 1.5
Download: PMPlayer AdVanCe (PPA) build 20070324 1.5 EBOOT
Download: PMPlayer AdVanCe PPA 20070324 2.71SE 3.XXOE
Download: PMPlayer AdVanCe PPA 20070324 2.71SE 3.XXOE EBOOT

UPDATE: Just as the title says, Dark_Alex claims that the recently released TA-082 downgrader is a fake. Chatting with jas0nuk (thanks for the heads up!), DAX mentioned a couple of reasons as to why he thought this release is not a legitimate one: "eloader don't load prxs", "the text file with keys that it generates don't seem to be used at all", "the person that creates it is not very reliable", and - probably the clincher - "the first result in google of him: a virus page".

Now, Dark_Alex is Dark_Alex and his word is always taken for the truth. TA-082 users have been waiting for this downgrader for such a loooong time now that we won't blame them if this time they take DAX's word with a grain of salt and scamper to try out this downgrader. But in the words of QJ blogger Pranav, "we don't want to be part of the confusion" and also since we don't wanna take part in you guys bricking PSPs, we decided to take down the file.

Now, we have warned you: This downgrader is a fake. If anyone does decide to go somewhere else for the files, you're doing so at your own risk.

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As some of you in the forums have noted, ChaosZero of PSP HaXors wrote about the release of a TA-082 PSP downgrader for people to use. Made by dark_thug, he notes that with the proper additional software, TA-082 units with 2.50, 2.60 and 2.71 firmware types can now switch downgrade to 1.50 or 2.71 SE-C.

Now, on to the tough bits of this little article. There are a lot of warnings that need to be given in case you feel the urge to use this app. Here's the combined weight of PSP HaXors warnings and our own:

• Some games will lock up in 2.71 SE-C.
• On 1.50, trying to change settings menu gives a Blue Screen of Death. You won't be able to change your Video Options, System Settings, etc.
• On a brighter note, the BSoD could theoretically be fixed, using an app like X-Flash to flash a new system reg from a 1.50 user! Or, while making the dump, switch the 2.50 reg with the 1.50 reg. This is risky however.
• The TA-082 Boards can also be downgraded to 2.71 SE-C! The BSoD will be gone. The catch again, you may not be able to return (to 1.50). If you can, it will most likely use the same update made to downgrade from 2.50. That still has not been tested.
• Using this to downgrade to either 1.50 or SE-C leaves you with that particular state. Attempting to upgrade, according to 0okm, will most likely brick your PSP so you probably shouldn't try it.
• We haven't tested this on our unit, so you'll be attempting this at your own risk. Make sure you know what you're doing before you try it out.
  

In any case, we wish you all the best of luck. Again, make sure you know what you're doing or you might lose your PSP. Feel free to check back on this article or on our forums for more information, as we're pretty sure everyone watches each other's backs in the homebrew scene. Take care!

Snowmydog, a developer from our forums has released a new version of his popular homebrew game for the PSP, Sci-Fi Yoyo today for use with the recently-released Homebrew Enabler Rev C from Dark_Alex, allowing 2.71 users to play this homebrew game for the first time! Believe me, you'll enjoy this one. Sci-Fi Yoyo is a puzzle game replica of a minigame included in "New Super Mario Bros", and may look like just another Space Invaders clone but instead has much more substance as a puzzle game.

In this game you have to get rid of the space aliens by selecting adjacent aliens of the same color. Failure to get rid of all the aliens in the allotted time will prompt the 'emergency' siren and you will have failed your mission. Along with CPS2PSP, PSPMaster and SNES9xTYL v0.3, 2.71 firmware users can now play an original homebrew game that will provide hours of fun-filled gameplay. Don't believe me? Try it out for yourself!

Download: [Sci-Fi Yoyo v0.9 for Homebrew Enabler Rev. C (fw 2.71)]
View: [Forum release thread]

PSP Coder Dark_AleX has just released his DevHook Launcher port for 2.71 firmware. In his previous release, which was a 2.71 XMB homebrew launcher, the project was limited to user mode and homebrew had to be a single PBP/PRX which was not in ELF format. He was also originally aiming to have the kernel mode available via the TIFF exploit, but in this version, he has achieved just that. With this new launcher, people with 2.71 firmware can now emulate 1.50.

However, as with any other hack of this kind, caution must be exercised in order to not brick your PSP, so make sure to go over the compatibility chart and the readme file which have been included. Installing this launcher involves installing another HEN first which will be flashed, so be careful.

The creator also cautions that this version has only been tested on 1.50 and 2.71 firmware, so PSP owners with other firmware versions other than the ones indicated might want to steer clear for now. Dark_AleX has also included the following instructions:

• You need Homebrew Enabler for 2.71 revision B (minimum) to run this port.
• Get the files to emulate firmwares yourself.
• Run the pbp with the title "Devhook 0.4X launcher for 2.71". The 1.50 launcher is also included because in the emulated 1.50 you can launch it.

He also notes that "When going from firmware 2.71 to 1.50, you will get the error 'Couldn't start game'. Don't worry, this is normal and it is done in purpose as a current temporal solution for reboot.bin parameters being different in both firmwares."

Download: [Devhook launcher port to 2.71] (Requires HEN revision B)
Download: [Homebrew Enabler for 2.71 - Revision B]

After a lot of hype, some skepticism, and a lot of fanfare, the Epsilon BIOS is finally released. Billed as one of the true Custom Firmwares, and one of the main reasons to buy the Undiluted Platinum modchip, it has quite a feature set. Among other things, it supports homebrew right on 2.71. We didn't have a modchipped PSP at the QJ labs to test it out, but given some of the early reviews coming out, it does seem to do its work quite well.

Here are some of its features:

1. Runs alongside 2.71 firmware, so you get all the features of 2.71 such as RSS feeds, web browser etc combined with the advantages of homebrew software and ISO loading.
2. Allows execution of homebrew software in kernel mode, removing all limits previously in place while running homebrew on firmware versions above 1.50.
3. Built-in recovery menu which can be used to to update your Epsilon BIOS installation or restore your PSP flash contents if it becomes "bricked".
4. Ultra reliable, near transparent UMD emulation allowing users to run their backups from a Memory Stick with ease, including games which require 2.0+ firmware without rebuilding the backup or relying on nasty hacks.

An excerpt from the User Manual:

"Epsilon BIOS can be compared to a "bootloader". It is stored on the U.P. flash memory and executed when your PSP is powered on. Once Epsilon BIOS is running it loads and "piggybacks" the real firmware from the PSP flash. Currently only 2.71 firmware is supported, you must upgrade your PSP onboard firmware to 2.71 in order to use Epsilon BIOS. If you attempt to boot Epsilon BIOS with an unsupported firmware version you will be taken to the recovery menu where you can upgrade the PSP firmware. The great thing about Epsilon BIOS is that since the "bootloader" always runs before the real firmware we can apply whatever patches are necessary to disable whatever protection Sony tries to add in the future, making a U.P. modified PSP using Epsilon BIOS very future proof."

While the feature set definitely sounds impressive, I'll be the first to stick my neck out and say that it still doesn't have enough to 'force' everyone to buy a modchip, unless they're stuck on 2.7+ firmware.

If this was a few months ago, I would have easily pestered myself to buy one of them chips, but looking at the really great programming coming out in the last few weeks, I'm not so sure now. Apart from the only advantage of loading kernel mode homebrew in 2.71, it doesn't offer any feature which the homebrew community haven't got already.

But then again, let this not be a bad review. I am personally looking forward to the stuff which they can offer in the future. I do understand that given the minimal time frame they had to make this, they have really done a great job of packaging it all together. I'm sure that given a substantial amount of time, these guys can accomplish a lot of really great things, for the simple reason that they can work with a lot of hardware which will aid them.

Unfortunately, we can't give it out since it does contain a large portion of the official Sony firmware. If you have a modchip and haven't yet received your copy of Epsilon BIOS, please contact your modchip dealer.

Download: [The Epsilon BIOS User Manual]

Proof that once the great developers start, they simply keep rolling out amazing updates! And proof that Booster is one of the greatest developers to have graced the PSP hacking scene.

Just like the last update which offered 2.71 emulation, this one will rock your socks off too! It apparently supports homebrew launching right on 2.71 firmware. Couple it with harleyg's custom firmware mod which allows you to directly load DevHook on startup, and you're practically in PSP heaven. Together, these two mods offer almost all of the functionality of the $90 modchip, for free!

Here's a detailed changelog, translated by our very own Jeff Chen:

• Support for loading EBOOT.PBP on memory stick and EBOOT.BIN on UMD(ISO) in ELF format.
• Fixed problems that made 1.50 NoUMD not functioning.
• Added more exclusive controls added to flash emulation. As well as other memory stick breaking countermeasures.
• Memory map changed for rebooting.

To-Do

• FW2.71 registry initialization failure problem.
• Stabilize flash emulation (file access).
• NoUMD for FW 2.xx
• NAND driver level emulation

Now I don't know about you guys, but the To-Do section lists some pretty revolutionary things too! If you're new to the whole 'devhook' thing, don't worry. One of our dedicated forum members, chriscooke109, has written a great guide on how to make the magic work. Although it still reads as a Devhook 0.44 guide, the steps mentioned there will work just as well for the new version.

Isn't it great how the PSP scene is suddenly bursting out with great discoveries and creations everyday? And this just begs the question- "What next?". And I personally can't wait for the answer!

Download Link: [Devhook v0.45]

Digg it!

Harleyg from our forums has released another custom firmware mod for all you firmware flashers out there! Harleyg's custom firmware mod adds a menu and submenus inside recovery mode, so you can replace vshmain.prx, index.dat and recovery.elf via recovery mode with all safety checks, etc. Not satisfied with that, Harleyg has also added the option to change the CPU clock speed, USB mode, and remove custom firmware patch.

Harleyg has also modded another custom firmware so you can now "dual boot" into 2.71 firmware by auto-loading DevHook at startup by holding the left trigger while booting, otherwise you go into 1.50! This ingenious idea should make it much easier to launch higher firmwares or keep in 1.5 with minimal hassle! Although this custom firmware mod has been tested by Harleyg many times, bricking your PSP is always a possibility when writing to the flash memory - please be careful!

Download: [Haryleyg's Custom Firmware mod - Devhook on startup]
Download: [Harleyg's Custom Firmware mod Recovery.elf]
View: [Forum Release Thread]

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Update #1: We have also received word of another Custom Firmware module, this time released by Zettablade from our forums. Here's the details:

Zettablades' Custom firmware mod adds the ability to take screenshots using the note key, an automatic USB function (just plug the USB cable in and it works), and overclocks your PSP's CPU to 333Mhz. There is currently only one bug : If you go into the USB menu under system, the auto usb will stop working until you do a full restart; so don't use it! Remember: When using Zettablades' custom firmware mod there is no need to use the USB connection menu because it has auto-USB connect.

Update #2: Zettablades has released v0.01a, details available in the forum link below.

Download: [Zettablades Custom Firmware All-In-One Mod v0.01a]
View: [Forum Release Thread]

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Admin Note: Phew! If nothing else, the PSP scene can't ever be accused of not being dramatic - some of you guys need to lay off the pixie sticks! Many of the reports of these mods bricking PSP's were falsified - dupe posts made by a few people. It should be noted that these mods are as safe as Dark_Alex's original Custom Firmware application, they are just mods. If directions are properly followed, there should not be an issue - especially since there is a recovery option.

The PSP 'scene' is having some of its best times lately, what with the recent deluge of downgraders, and one of the most awesome pieces of homebrew, Devhook. And guess what? Booster has just raised the bar with his latest incarnation of Devhook. Apparently, the latest release supports 2.71 reboot. Or in other words, 2.71 Emulation! Now that we're caught up, the ball is in Sony's court!

Here's a small guide on how to get it running:

1. Download Devhook 0.44 and put everything on the memory stick as usual.
2. Download the 2.71 Firmware update from our site.
3. Open the EBOOT.PBP with PBP Unpacker or a similar application and extract the DATA.PSAR file.
4. Put the DATA.PSAR in the root of the memory stick. (Not in any folder)
   
5. Run the included Devhook installer on the PSP (install flash0 and flash1).
6. Extract Devhook 0.44 again and overwrite everything in the dh folder (its going to be a couple of .txt files which include the path for the prx's)
7. Use the 2.71 Decrypter to obtain your own copy of a decrypted reboot.bin file, or make use of Google to find one online
   
8. Place reboot.bin in ms0:dh1reboot.bin

For a more detailed guide, check out the Devhook Tutorial on our Forums!

Now you can enjoy all that the latest PSP firmware has to offer on your 1.50 PSP - including the flash-enabled PSP Web Browser! Want the rest of the world to know about one of the greatest PSP conquests yet? Be sure to Digg it!

Download: [Devhook 0.44]
Download: [PBP Unpacker v0.94]
View : [Forum Discussion Thread]

Hell, yeah it's good!

That's if this turns out to be true, as there are many hesitant members in our forums (follow the PSP Hacks Forum Thread below) about this Flash replacement for the PSP. But no matter how dubious this "news" seems, we'll still give you the details of this custom flash replacement for the PSP.

The team developing the Epsilon BIOS custom replacement flash is claiming that this program will allow PSP owners to use homebrew software, run UMD ISO games from the memory stick on the latest firmware releases including the 2.71 firmware update, and still enjoy the built-in features to the OS such as WMA support and RSS feeds, among other things.

The Epsilon BIOS team can't release this program yet as they are still fixing some bugs and are still finalizing the modifications they made with the custom replacement flash that's been made to work with Undiluted Platinum (you need this to be installed in your PSP to use the Epsilon BIOS).

Features if this program in development include:

• ability to launch homebrew software from the memory stick;
• kernel mode access for software requiring this app;
• support for 1.0 and 1.5 EBOOTs;
• simple UMD ISO loading; and,
• has own compressed ISO format.

The team developing this program stated that they will be releasing a video of the Epsilon BIOS working in the coming days. The release of this depends on how long it will take them to resolve some problems with the application.

If this isn't just a hoax, we're all in for a treat. So I'm hoping it really isn't.

Follow [PSP Hacks Forum Thread]