Linkinpark9812 and Branin, from our forums, have released a new PC program that will help you with XFlash (PSP flashing program). The name of the program is XFlash Help Program, however the name of the actual application reads as X-Flash (small difference) Many have picked up XFlash and have found themselves lost, not knowing what to do and what the program does - this is a perfect solution for people like that. Even if you have flashed your PSP before, this is a great program to educate you on what each option of XFlash does before you open the program on your PSP and before you flash your PSP.

With a nice GUI setup, it's very hard to get lost in this XFlash help program, all you do is click a button and a description of that XFlash option is shown on the left. I have never used XFlash before - I prefer my PSP just the way it is, but this shows great descriptions to enrich us on what all the options are and do. I had absolutely no idea that XFlash included all of these options, something of which I will definitely check out now! So, if you are an experienced PSP user like myself, or a new 1.50 user - I suggest checking this program out

Download: [XFlash Help Program]
Download: [X-Flash v14]

Complete your PMP AVC tools collection by downloading pegasus' simple GUI for patch MEncoder that he named PMP AVC Converter. Make note that this converter gives more priority to speed rather than quality.

He didn't go into the nitty gritty on his post, but if you've been a loyal follower of developments made on the PMP AVC, the whole of QJ crew do not underestimate your PSP knowledge, you know what to do.

Here's what pegasus has to say about his application:

Hi I've created a simple GUI for patch mencoder (AVC).. basically this is built for speed if you are a fan of much higher quality then i suggest using other encoders.. =) ive also added shutdown after encoding option. put this together with your pmp_muxer_avc.exe and mencoder.exe. this is created using vb.net, might as well you install .net framework

Download: [PMP AVC Converter]

It's been a while since Glynnder have had us take a look at his Lowser modification application, LuaMainframe2. Aside from being a GUI replacement for the Lowser included in the Lua Player, it has, according to Glynnder, "Lua script execution, USB connection, image viewer, Lua script execution, system stats and much much more." Simply put, it is a GUI replacement on acid.

Now, he shares what's been happening with the project recently through a video he posted on PSPro. If you're worried about getting nauseous while watching the video, don't worry, he assures us that this time he already bought a tripod. Let's close this article with a reminder: Mark this coming Friday on your calendars.

Thanks Alex for letting us in on this one!

To kick things off, do not mistake this homebrew app for TyRaNid's PSPLink. These are two different apps, who happen to share the same name. This is the creation of danny_kay1710, and it is also called PSPLink. Just what is this thing?

danny_kay1710's PSPLink is a small application which is basically a USBHOSTFS or NETHOSTFS with an interface. This program adds the option to enable or disable the server modes easily as well as allowing them to run at startup and change the folder that USBHOSTFS or NETHOSTFS shares to your PSP. It no longer has to be in the same folder as the application. Small app, but quite nifty. With all that said, here is the changelog:

Version 1.2
* Actually fully fixed the autostart problems, sorry it took two versions, had to
  re-arrange code and forgot to move one line!!
* Site references in installed README removed to hopefully stop PS2NFO providing
  non-working versions of my software.

Version 1.1
* Fixed WiFi directory changing bug.
* Fixed the autostart problems in which it would only share the default installation path
  upon application restart.

Version 1.0
* Driver is included in the installation path (default = "C:Program FilesPSPLinkDriver")
* Release Version
* GUI for USBhostfs and nethostfs (SystemTray based)
* Start with Windows
* Choose what server to run when program starts
* The folder to share doesnt have to be in the same location as the exe.
  This can be changed through the settings page.
  NOTE: You still cannot select the actual ISO or PSP folder you must select
        a folder that conatins the ISO and PSP folders e.g
        ms0
        ---ISO
        ------Your isos here
        ---PSP
        ------GAME
        ----------Your Homebrew Here.

Also, don't forget to tell us what you think through your comments. Here at QJ, your comments are valued, so don't hesitate to think out loud in the comments section.

Download: [PSPLink v1.2]

Every time, Winnydows makes an update on XviD4PSP, a conversion tool that can easily turn almost any media to PSP ready content (PMP, AVC, MP4), expect a ton of changes. Good changes. And since what we have here is a version boosted by two updates, you're guaranteed to have a good time using it.

4.018 changes:

• Enhanced minimum and maximum audio bitrate.
• Also step for audio bitrate now = 8kbps.
• XvidSet not used anymore. Now used direct XviD settings in registry.
• MediaInfo GUI moved to Tools menu, converted to Form and now localized.
• Fixed anilize multichannels AVS.
• Fixed bug "there is no function named NicAC3Source".

4.017 changes:

• Fixed PopupNotifer.
• Button close work now.
• Don t showed in taskbar anymore.
• To menu tools added Base64 Decoder. Decode base64 strings. Useful for VirtualDub scripts.
• Fixed import and export files lager than 1.5 Gb. Fixed DVD and VOB import.

This highly customizable program gives you a lot of options when formatting videos, and it is certainly worth considering the next time you need something to watch on your PSP. Keep on giving us updates Winnydows! Thank you so much.

Download: [XviD4PSP 4.018]

SephZero and Team Shadow have released another update to SimpleAmp, a very slick-looking music player for the PSP. This is certainly one of the best MP3 players to for the PSP with the great GUI, the professional design and amount of features. It works at 333 Mhz, supporting MP3 files with bitrates from 128 up to 320. Skin features are also included if you want to personalize your player!

The new version is called Simple Amp: Reborn, and here's the changelog:


- id3 v2 skipping (to avoid header read errors)
- .mp3 songs buffering
- clock work frequency reduced to 266 to enhance battery duration
- new audio functions: NORMAL, SHUFFLE and REPEAT
- improved graphic visualisations: EQUALIZER, OSCILLOSCOPE and BOTH
- Audio Gain Volume
- Fast rewind / Fast forward
- main graphical restyling
- enhanced graphical core
- various bugs fixed

Thanks to SephZero of Team Shadow for letting us know about the new release!

Download: [SimpleAmp: Reborn]

Sammy Fatnassi has emailed us with a new release today, PSP Kanji. This is the first release of PSP Kanji, a Japanese Kanji learning tool for the PSP. For those of you that don't know what Kanji is, it's a form of Japanese character writing, originally derived from Chinese. So if you fancy learning a bit of Japanese writing, or you just want to brush up on an old skill, feel free to try this out!

This version is quite good as it splits different forms of Kanji into different Japanese grades associated with them. Although this is pretty basic, Sammy Fatnassi plans to add many new features for future releases, including quizzes and other learning tools to make Kanji learning even more fun - as if it isn't already! Also, Sammy plans to release the source code when he is satisfied with it, allowing all you budding Kanji masters to write your own version of this one or modify it.

Features:

• Prototype version, got some nicely animated windows, displaying Kanjis information.
• Ground work mostly completed

To do list:

• Add different quiz mode
• Add ability let user create their own kanji list for quiz
• Add support for french
• Work on GUI
• Add shadow to fonts

Sammy would also like to thank James Green for his Kanjis compilation Kanjidic, which inspired Sammy in writing PSP kanji.

Download: [PSP Kanji v1.0]

Cpasjuste has updated his PSP shell - My PSP Shell - to version 2 bringing with it a lot of changes and improvements. The great thing about My PSP Shell is that while it isn't the prettiest shell around, it does use effectively the the power of PSPLINK and that allows you to do some pretty nifty things such as change cpu speed on the fly, load/start prx, take screenshots, debug psp and much more!

New in Version2:

• Pslink USB Shell now fully working in usbhost mode. You are now able to connect your PSP via USB while still in your homebrew game or application.
• Launch your own Psplink scripts from the GUI.
• Load and Start .prx modules files.
• Through the use of 'Direct Start' and 'Kill My PSP Shell' you are now able to launch your homebrew in two different ways.
• Easier installation for all custom or non-custom firmware PSP.
• Resolved a big memory stick corruption bug on 1.50 PSPs without custom firmware.
• Some bug fixes including the SceKernelExitGame bug.
  

Installation instructions are included with the readme within the download archive (so be sure to read them!) and Cpasjuste welcomes any bug reports from 1.50 non-custom firmware PSP users.

Download: [My PSP Shell v2]

SephZero from Team Shadow is best known in the community as the person responsible for crafting one of the most engaging MP3 player for the PSP both in function and aesthetics - the SimpleAmp. This has been tested with audio files at 128, 160, 192, 256 and 320 bitrate.

And get a load of this, SephZero just revealed to us that he tried playing a song about 70MB checked as corrupted data in the Sony dashboard, but played effortlessly in SimpleAmp. Even an audio file as big as 222MB played smoothly in this application.

A lot of people would probably remember the player most of all because of it's wonderfully crafted user interface. SephZero, has created another delightful interface for the SimpleAmp. Your curiosity on the new GUI will only be heightened by these interface screens that was posted in the website. The tagline says, "Like a phoenix rebirth from his own ashes" which proves to be true for the SimpleAmp.

It must be a night for big homebrew releases! First DevHook was updated, then Sonic Battle Arena, and now this! SodR has updated his ThemePSP homebrew flashing tool for the PSP to version 1.2, adding a great-looking GUI, DevHook support and much much more! ThemePSP was made for those that are unsure how to install themes, and provides an easy GUI in order for you to do just that without knowing any of the technicalities.

Even the biggest PSP newbie on earth could use this to customize his PSP! All you have to do is either create a theme using SodR's easy to follow instructions in the ThemePSP creator pack, or alternatively download a pre-made theme from the official ThemePSP theme thread. Then install the correct files in the correct place on your memory stick, and choose a theme to install using the actual program on your PSP! Here's the full changelog according to the ThemePSP readme:

• New nicer GUI!
• Options screen now added! You can now complete choose if you just want to install eg. the font and the BG of a theme
• Ability to install Themes for DevHook FW 1.5, 2.0, 2.5, 26 and 2.71 (the program can't install custom menu names for fw 2.xx due to a different standard between the fw's)
• Removed the bundled 'GTA style Theme' to reduce the file size
• If you try to install a theme 4 times in a row the program will automaticlly quit instead of freeze (the freezing was caused by an unknown bug)
• Updated ThemePSP Creator Pack with the correct image resolution (300x170 pxl)

  

The best part of this release for me is the ability to flash a theme to a DevHook firmware, allowing you to use it with complete piece of mind. When flashing to a DevHook, theme, you cannot brick your PSP! If you want to pimp your PSP, download this now.

Download: [ThemePSP v1.2]
Download: [ThemePSP Creator pack *Updated*]
View: [Forum release Thread]