While the PSP's Chotto Shotto (aka the Go!Cam) camera boasts a handy set of functions, one issue some peopel have with it is that it sits prominently on top of the frame, and really messes up the PSP's otherwise streamlined exterior. Rex over at the AcidMods forums apparently had the same issues, given this new modding project that's just been finished.

This mod has the camera installed directly inside the PSP Phat, in place of where the UMD drive used to be. Here's Rex's video demonstration to give you a better idea of how it works:

Rex further noted that future projects include plans to build the Chotto Shotto into the PSP Slim. What makes this attempt interesting is that it won't involve removing the UMD drive. That's it for the moment, although you guys may also want to keep on the lookout for a tutorial - the modder plans to release one soon.

Kudos goes to F00 f00 for tipping us off regarding this mod!

Not exactly something Sam Fisher'll be packing in his PSP, but still cool. PSP owner/youtube member FreakzCreations released a short vid on the net showcasing one of several features that Sony's Go!Cam is capable of pulling off: time lapse.

FreakzCreations explained that the video was actually two hours worth of footage compressed into 10-15 seconds. We're not too sure on what editing software was used in conjunction with this piece, but given the timeliness, we're assuming it's probably the recently released Go!Edit application by Sony.

While the video is disagreeably short, it is admittedly pleasant on the eyes - almost like watching something out of a National Geographic Special. Keep a heads up in case more guys post their Go!Cam experiments - it'd be even better if Sony came up with some some sort of homemade video contest, much like how Nokia did for their Nokia N93i...

A couple of days ago, Europe's PSP community enjoyed the release of the Go!Cam digital camera attachment, aka the Chotto Shotto camera in Japan. Sony Computer Entertainment Europe (SCEE) is following up this good tidings by announcing the release of the Go!Edit application for the PSP.

This official Sony app is an editing program intended to compliment the Go!Cam, and will allow viewers several creative ways to view and edit any videos/pictures they have loaded on the PSP's memory stick. One feature users may take a liking to is the app's ability to convert videos into .AVI format - easing up the process of transferring files for the PC.

The download link and user's manual should be available at the read link below - you will need to have an active account with either WipeoutPure.com or EU's PlayStation.com begin your download.  The Go!Cam is currently out in Europe for an estimated price of  € 49.99 (£ 34.99, US$ 67).

Kudos to phillyfreek for informing us of this news!

The Chotto Shot, a camera for the Sony's PSP which is currently being sold for US$ 49.99 at Play-Asia, has been reported to have a problem with bright lights. This was discovered by accident and was promptly posted on MNGRO.

The PSP attachment proved its worth as a main camera during the trip to Paris by Joel Monegro. However, after he took some really good shots, he decided that the Eiffel Tower would look great with the sunset in the background. Then things went downhill.

I wanted to take a pic of the et (Eiffel tower) with the sunset. And guess what happened: for one little second, the sun was SO bright my eyes hurt and I had to close them, and the camera went completely black. The sun killed the lens for some time. I watching and taking pictures, all black, until I turned off the PSP completely, and rebooted it, and it was working again.

The user had an idea on what could've caused this little incident. "My hypothesis is that the Sun might kill the lenses for a little time if it’s too bright." All in all though, he said that that the Chotto Shot is pretty good as a main camera. We, on the other hand, were caught up thinking about what would happen if we use the night vision mod and took a picture of the sun.

You've seen Neubit's Acidmod of Chotto Shotto into an IR-based night vision camera, and suffice to say, you pray one's not looking down on you as you sleep. Keep praying. F00 f00 tells us that Neubit got around to posting in Acidmods, Part One of his how to turn Sony's Chotto Shotto into an invasion of privacy lawsuit waiting to happen a night-vision camera.

We'll leave it as a Read link for the technically inclined to work on, that they may have dark-room recording capabilities, too. We can explain some of the details of the mod (Part One), not to mention how night-vision works, so that people who are still confused as to how night-vision devices (NVD) work will understand the mechanics behind this mod.

This mod falls under the category of active IR NVDs: they use infrared light (e.g., a remote control IR diode) as a "flashlight" to light up the night. The NVDs you might be more used to are passive NVDs used in the military, such as the one pictured left. They rely on low-light amplification with image intensifiers to lift the blanket of the night. IR NVDs are not normally used in military applications, as the opposition can detect the IR flashlight with their own IR NVDs.

IR-wavelength light is invisible, so our eyes can't pick them up. The Chotto Shotto camera can pick up IR light, but an IR light filter in the assembly filters out the IR spectrum. Part One of the mod involves taking this filter out of the picture, which (in low-light conditions) turns the Chotto Shotto into an active IR-ready NVD. Part Two, when Neubit posts it, will cover the IR flashlight built into the mod, but even with Part One, you could probably use a remote control as a mobile flashlight for your purposes, if it's powerful enough.

Now if that purpose involves videos that may require HideMov/HideMedia BETA II video file stealthing... you did not get this idea from us.

Thanks, F00 f00, for getting this idea to us, but we swear we're not getting any ideas (on how to use this thing)!

Here's another cool video from AcidMods' Neubit">Neubit. Yes, the same person responsible for the AAA PSP Battery mod. Behold, the new PSP Chotto Shot night-vision mod, in which your PSP Camera is apparently able to capture decent quality video in dim / dark lighting situations.

As much as we'd want to enjoy this mod, and as much as we eagerly await his promised mod tutorial - which he promises to release later this month - there was something about this mod just creeps us out. For one thing, he says that his brother (the one seen waking up in the vid) didn't even notice him (Neubit) filming him.

But what about future implications? How long will it be before we hear more complaints of shaky cam amateur adult content creeping on the PSP?

2006 was a heck of a year for the PSP, ain't it? You got people who wanted to write it off, but in the end the world that revolved around Sony's little handheld that rallied together and punched stuff out that made people take notice. Great released and upcoming games, from Loco Roco to MPO to even Full Auto 2, surprisingly, that show that the PSP can be more than just game-on-the-go and PS2 ports. The launch of the PS3 with its PSOne emulator and Remote Play. (And let's not forget the other side of the PSP world, who've also had their own reasons to celebrate).

Eh, but the champagne corks have been popped, and we're still hung over, and now it seems that in wine there is prophecy... or outright silliness. We've decided to come up with a list of a few forecasts we have for the PSP because, well, it don't hurt to dream. More to the point, with such a great ending for the PSP in 2006, we want to believe that the trend can be continued through 2007. So many dreams, ideas, rumors, speculations, and blue-sky guesses to entertain.

Well, except for the last item in the list. That one's a byproduct of endlessly toasting the New Year.

PSP redesign announced. Not necessarily a PSP2, even if the rumors are flying as thick as the fireworks at the stroke of midnight. The most conservative estimates we've got point to an announcement in late 2007, for potential release somewhere in the following two years - probably long enough to get much worth out of gamers' investments in THIS generation's PSP. Those conservative estimates also point to an 8-12GB flash memory, still the same 333mhz clock speed, a better analog nub, and instead of UMDs, the games will come on proprietary flash chips, or be DL'd off the net.

But hey, perhaps this writer could be bolder. Fortune, after all, favors that. Could it be, you and I never imagined... a dual-core PSP? Or even a Cell (re)designed for the PSP. And finally, the full DualShock2 control suite (four shoulders, two sticks), but still in a slim yet ergonomic format. Who knows?

Even more great games, thank God. This season will get off to a good running start with three words: Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII (yes, I consider FFVII as one word), and that's just at the previews. And it won't stop there for the PSP, either. Enough said. But guess what we found out? Remember when Kojima Productions' Ryan Payton said they'd like to do an MPO sequel if the sales are hot enough? Well, sales ARE hot, and we just found indicators that there WILL be a sequel! Guess we can't quit you, Big Boss. Hey, let all the devs take notice of this. PSP games can be done right. So do them right.

More images from the crystal ball - or from the bottom of the champagne bottle - at the full article.

Well, Gamebrink's got themselves someone to review Sony's Chotto Shot camera and software, and it seems that he's not very impressed with the product.

For the most part, the review is informative as it enumerates all of the features of the Chotto Shot, from the different video filters and tweaks you can do to the pictures, to the options for viewing images in Album and Slideshow modes. While those are all good points, he also says that those same things are bad points because the editing software doesn't really add anything substantial to the mix.

His biggest issue, however, is with the camera itself. Like it or not, the Chotto Shot is only a 1.3 megapixel camera, when most camera phones these days do actually trump that in pixel power. The videos, while nice (as you can see below) don't really look all that good, even if you can edit them.

Still, we do think it happens to be something worth trying, if only because it tries to do something new. If they release it in the US and UK, hopefully they'll add more goodies into the package to make it worth our while. Of course, if you have one of your own, then let us know how you find it.

Lostprophet - ostensibly known as PJPSP until now - has just informed us here at QJ that the second release of the legal Chotto Shotto patcher is now available. This release now patches the usbcam.prx file needed by the PSP USB camera to firmware 3.02.

Instructions:

1. Dump the 'Flash0:KDusbcam.prx' file to the memory stick. If you're on firmware v2.71SE, it could be in the 'KN' folder, not 'KD'.
2. Place it in the same directory as the executable.
3. Open the program, and Press 'Crack'. If you want to keep a backup, tick the box in the window.
4. If the module is valid, it will be updated to firmware v3.02's version.
5. The output file will be called "USBCAM.PRX2". Rename it to "USBCAM.PRX", and place it in a folder on your memory stick.
6. Flash the file with PSPFILER to Flash0:KDusbcam.prx, or if you're in 2.71SE, you may find the PRX in the KN folder instead.

Click on the download link below to get the zip. Be sure to give the included readme file a look before installing the patcher. If done incorrectly, Flashing to the PSP's flash may cause your PSP to go bonkers, so always be careful.

Lostprophet is also looking for someone who can code a simple flasher with just a text GUI to reflash the module, so if you're able to do that then drop him a line at lostprophet@gmail.com.

Download: [USBCAM.PRX legal module patch [B]]

If you've been wondering what to do if you felt like messing around with your files, don't fret! Mediumgauge has come out with v1.9+ of his file management app known as PSP Filer.

PSP Filer v1.9+ lets you do everything from playing back wav and mp3 files, modifying file names, and even verify the contents of your files. Now, our Japanese is spotty, and the online language translators are acting up with weird translations, so we'll try and give you a (somewhat badly) translated list of new things that have shown up in this version of the app. Please pardon our troubles with interpretation.

Filer Changes:

• HACKER MODE was improved.
  
• Old: L, <- keeps pushing R is pushed in state. 　　　
• New: L, <-, among three keys of R, either one keep pushing two last 1 are pushed in state.
  

• File even when sticking and deleting it tried to retain the alignment state of the folder.
• File even when sticking and deleting it tried to retain cursor position.
• Folder alignment "alignment is not" state was added to mode.
• Folder procedure of compilation was modified.
  
• Old: With suitable name folder compilation -> change renewal the folder name
• When folder name input -> the folder of the name compilation
  

Text Viewer Changes:

• Fixed bug that cuts "line in the middle of full size letter" in long pieces of Japanese text. 
• Fixed bug that occurs when you start application with insufficient memory.
  

As with many homebrew apps, especially one requiring translation, please make sure you know what you're doing or you might accidentally rename something important while using it, or have a messy install process that can bog up your PSP. If you happen to know Japanese, a faithful translation of the site and the readme would be much appreciated.

Thanks to PJPSP, who actually mentions this app (which actually needs it, it seems) in his readme for the Chotto Shoto patch.

Download: [PSP Filer v1.9+]