Here's a quick heads-up for those wondering what TyRaNiD's been up to lately. The developer was spotted over at the recently concluded 24th Chaos Communication Congress, where he gave a lecture on the matter of PSP Exploits. The video's available for viewing in the full article.

QJ.NET PSP Development forums member Cpasjuste has released a new version of Custom Firmware Extender. Pretty fast, considering version 1.8 was released only a couple of days ago. For the uninitiated, Custom Firmware Extender is a set of plugins for custom firmware 3.71M33.

It adds some extra options for your PlayStation Portable such as letting you make in-game videos with the help of TyRaNiD's remotejoy app and enabling USB Mass Storage at startup. For this version, 1.8.1, Cpasjuste has added the following changes:

• Fixed a bug in usbhost iso redirection, now normal mode (umd inserted) is working great. No need to change anything in recovery, if you want more compatibility, just put an umd in the drive before using usbhost iso redirection, else do not put any umd. (thanks psp.padawan for our sharing)
• Fixed a few bugs regarding usb mass storage. (thanks madridi4ever for all the reports)

For a complete list of all of Custom Firmware Extender's functions, please read the readme file bundled in the download below. Installation and usage instructions are also in the readme, so read it carefully before installing.

Download: Custom Firmware Extender v1.8.1
Visit: QJ.NET PSP Development Forums thread

Developer StoneCut dropped us a line earlier to announce that the latest build for the iR Shell homebrew is primed and ready for use. iR Shell version 3.7's biggest feature is its support for the Team M33's Custom Firmware 3.71 on the PSP Phat. It also carries several other new changes since version 3.62:

• Added support for M33 3.71 CFW for PSP Phat.
• Screen redirection via Tyranid's remotejoy. UMD Game compatibility has also been enhanced and save/load dialog boxes will no longer crash. Thanks to Tyranid for making this possible.
• 2 Player PSOne games via usbhostfs/nethostfs keypad direction using 2 PC joysticks/keyboard. Screen redirection via remotejoy is also supported for PSone games.
• Support for M33 popsloader when iR Shell running under M33 3.52 CFW. Only the latest version popsloader is supported (that is, the one for pops from 3.00 to 3.52). All other previous versions of popsloader won't work with iR Shell. If you're running iR Shell under M33 3.71, the "POP Version" setting in iR Configurator is ignored. This is due to popsloader currently doesn't work with M33 3.71 due to changing NIDs by Sony.
• Support for M33 UMD Video ISO feature under iR Shell File Browser. This will also work with USBHostFS & NETHostFS. Again, for legally owned backups only.
• The number of iR Shell EBOOTs for various firmwares have been consolidated into just 2. One for firmware 1.5, and the other for firmware 2.x/3.x. This should make it earier for users.
• A new autoboot seplugin is introduced to replace the old "irsfw30x.prx". This plugin will work under all firmware versions, including 3.71.
  

In case you're wondering, the PSX 2 Player Adhoc that StoneCut and AhMan demonstrated before via video won't be included in this release. The devs explained that it was still in the Alpha phase of development, and hence was still unstable. Users - especially first-timers - are advised to read through iR Shell 3.7's User's guide and FAQ. Both can be found in the file bundle.

Also be sure you download the other tools that StoneCut included - you'll need them to make the most of the application. You may also want to visit StoneCut's release thread over at the QJ.NET forums to get the iR Shell Skin Pack 1, and to say hello to the devs. Enjoy the downloads!

Kudos to Hatter for tipping us off regarding this release!

Download: iR Shell 3.7
Download: Pronto Codes (2000+ infrared devices)
Download: USBhostFS v1.7 incl. RemoteJoy
Download: NetHostFS v1.7
Download: RemoteJoy4iRS Easy GUI
Visit: QJ.NET PSP Development forum
Donate:AhMan's Paypal

Weltall has successfully ported TyRaNID's Remotejoy and Screenshots prx to work with the custom firmware 3.71 M33. This was done because the homebrew developer pointed out that the last Remotejoy build made use of the wrong switches and required psplink to run the application.

This release is a essentially a rebuild of both programs for compatibility with the 3.71 kernel due to the amount of changes done. The code has been cleaned up and various bugfixes were implemented which removes the previous problems of not being able to start games and the various lines that would pop up on the screen for no apparent reason.

So try out this version if you're using 3.71 M33. It seems to be working perfectly fine and should not interfere with other programs you're running on your PSP.

Download: RemoteJoy and Screenshot prx for 3.71 M33
Visit: QJ.NET PSP Development Forums

We recently posted an article reporting the release of Cpasjuste's Custom Firmware Extender 1.4. Our report showed off the new video capturing feature of the said PSP homebrew. Now we bring you another coverage this time dealing with the actual release of the program to the public.

In case you missed our previous coverage, this software allows users to capture screenshots, record in-game videos, start and stop an ftpd server from the PSP menu, reset the PSP with a button while under the VSH, and more. Here are the other things that this program can do:

• Power off the PSP with a button while under the VSH (PSP Menu) or in-game (UMD/ISO).
• Change the speed of the PSP CPU/FSB while under the VSH (PSP Menu) or in-game (UMD/ISO).
• Start and stop Usb Mass Storage under the VSH (PSP Menu) while browsing.
• Set a default CPU/BUS speed at startup.
• Set Usb Mass Storage at startup.
• Configure your buttons mapping (combo button + your selected button).
• Enable brightness button to go to the max level

If you're using an older release and are thinking to upgrade, here's the changelog for the program:

• Tested on M33 52-4 custom firmware.
• Fixed some bugs and probably added some.
• Capture folder for screenshots can now be set in the config file.
• Use the code from remotejoy by TyRaNiD @ ps2dev.org to record some in-game videos. All remotejoy functions are still available.

So go download this program and try it out. Be sure to go over the Read Me document included with the compressed file. It has instructions on installation, a bug report, and making video captures.

Download: Custom Firmware Extender 1.4
Visit: QJ.NET PSP Development Forums

DeMoN X has posted a new version of his Remotejoy GUI on our PSP Development forums. This is a GUI for TyRaNiD's Remotejoy SDL which lets PSP owners use their PC to display what's on their PSP's screen. A perfect little app for PSP owners who have problems with their unit's screen.

Here's the changelog for Remotejoy GUI v1.51:

• Added full credits to TyRaNiD 2k6 for Remotejoy SDL and Schrade for batch files and script files, tutorial, and compiled binaries
• Added killall batch to MyBase.Load
• Accurate process checking of USBHost FS
• Added mode menu, Not completed.

You need to have .NET Framework 2.0 installed on your computer before you can use this GUI. The Remotejoy GUI has been tested on Dark AleX's Custom Firmware 3.40 OE only. It may work for older versions but they have yet to be tested. Don't forget to read the readme files included in the download. Also, check out the video tutorial included in this post.

Download: Remotejoy GUI V1.51
Download: .NET Framework 2.0
Visit: PSP Development Forum

Emanuel of NGine Software has a very detailed How-To on controlling your PSP using your computer keyboard, and simultaneously view the screen from your PC in real-time. Yep, all those lol-kitteh image macros should come to mind: "your in your PSPz, and yur nowhere nearz it."

Now before you head to the How To, there are a few prerequisites: First you need an PC running Linux, they used Ubuntu 7.04); a PSP running Firmware 3.40 OE, although they do note that other versions may work; and a few software packages, the SVN versions of PSPLINK and RemoteJoy.

Below is a demo video just so you folks will get an idea of what you're going to get into:

Oh, and please, no complaints about not having a windows version. As the author of the How-To, Emanuel, says: "Linux is the better OS for PSP development, no arguments. all the tool chains depend on Linux. At the moment. this hack is primarily aimed at developers, not gamers."

So don't go spamming Emanuel, okay? We'll have our internet hamster try to dig up something for you Windows users, we'll update you when we find something.

---

UPDATE: We've been informed that yes indeed, this is possible on Windows, still, the point is, that there is no Windows means in Emanuel's How-To. Anyhow, on to what we promised to get you folks: how to do this on Windows. What you will need: PSP Link v2.99 (USB) Beta, Remote Joy SDL for PSP (C) TyRaNiD 2k6, and the batch files and script files and binaries created by Schrade.

Below is a download link for TyRaNiD 2k6's Remote Joy SDL for PSP, there should be a tutorial included on how to get it to run for Windows.

Download: RemoteJoy SDL 2007

PSP homebrew developer, Insert_Witty_Name has recently released a very nifty application over the forums. It's called VSH Analog v0.1 and this plug-in allows use of the analog stick for movement in the VSH. It is a simple plug-in, but nonetheless, it could be useful to some people.

Anyhow, this will just work on all OE firmwares...for now. Hopefully, the dev finds a way for this to work on other firmwares as well. Aside from that, the known bugs for this release is that if you're viewing photos, the analog will stop working in the VSH. Rest assured that he would be fixing this for the next release.

Insert_Witty_Name gives his props to MaTiAz for the idea, and to TyRaNiD. Installation procedures could be found in the readme file that comes with the download, so you better read that up if you wanna use this.

Download: [VSH Analog v0.1]
Discuss: [Forum Release Thread]

Quick results well appreciated. Dark_Alex has released (oh yes, you've got to love a jump in the tenths) 3.10 Open Edition Rev. A (OE-A), which means that our PSP users will have a very busy time with the download site after reading this. And as a first release, installation will have to be done the long way around, as a full installation using OEUPDMAKER and 310oeflasher.

Instructions are at the Readme, as well as the all-important checksum values that tell you whether the entire process came out right or... gulp, not. We encourage you to read the Readme. As always, the installation process has a small chance of bricking your PSPs, which is yet another good reason to read the Readme.

Finally, the changelog he provides, also known among us as "Reasons to be Grateful":

• Change from 3.03 firmware to 3.10
• 4th level of brightness (aka battery eater) can now be selected also without ac adaptor.
• Changes in hen core:
• Static user elf's can now be executed in the 3.10 kernel. (this includes snes user version between other programs)
• Tyranid's patch (added in 3.03 OE-C) consequences was not explained very well in the changelog of 3.03 OE-C:
• For programmers: it allows kernel modules to have user imports, making kernel programming in 3.03/3.10 less strict.
• For users: plugins and applications that worked in 2.71 SE, but not in OE, *may* now work in 3.03OE-C and 3.10 OE-A.

POPS-related important note:

The plugin to load 3.02 pops won't work anymore in 3.10 OE, due to some changes in pops modules structure (meaudio fused with popsman, idcanager/idmanager behaviour slightly changed). A new plugin for 3.10 could be written next week.

We'll hang around for that one. Why aren't you clicking on the Download link yet?

Download: [Dark_Alex's 3.10 OE-A custom firmware]
Download: [PSP Firmware 3.10 [US] Update]

Out of the blue, Dark_AleX has once again released the latest update to his 3.03 Open Edition custom firmware. And this one's a major upgrade, which means that you will have to install it the long way. And yes, the feature list has been beefed up again, with a lot of new things and updates. Without further ado, here's what's changed in the latest version:

• AVC videos bitrate limit patched. The firmware limited the bitrate of avc videos to only 768 Kbps. OE now forces the limit to be 16384 Kbps. (Note: this doesn't mean than the psp can handle such a high bitrate, this means than they won't show error. I don't know which is the real maximum bitrate than the psp can handle at full speed)
• Speed of OE boot is now ~3 seconds faster than previous versions. (without plugins)
• CPU speed of XMB can now be changed.
• Wifi can now work at 333 Mhz!
• Added access to flash 0 and 1 via usb in the recovery menu, based on the great idea of USBSSS by Booster. Note that writing is enabled, so this is intended only for advanced users that know what they are doing in each moment.(It is not a great idea to change anything from the kd folder). Because of this addition, the rest of flashing options were removed.
• PSP isos can now be deleted as any normal memstick games. (also the size of the iso now shows fine when you press triangle->information).
• When formatting memory stick, GAME150, GAME303 and ISO directories will be automatically created!
• Changes in internal HEN core:
• If a EBOOT.PBP with a plain DATA.PSP had a data.psar, modulemgr took as size of the executable the size of data.psp+data.psar. Fixed. (this fix enables psx games to have plain data.psp without causing a memory error).
• Added a couple of patches found by Tyranid. One allows syscalls instructions to be used in kernel mode without causing a crash. The other allows sceKernelQueryModuleInfo to work with sceInit and previous modules.

And this is just the stuff in the actual firmware. Dark_AleX has also updated the popstation with the following things:

• The writing is now a bit different. This will avoid "Memory stick blinking too much" bug when using the plugin to load the 3.02 pops.
• popstation now lets the use of non-encrypted DATA.PSP. If data.psp is in the same directory as the app, popstation will use that as the DATA.PSP of the eboot.pbp. Otherwise, it will use the one from BASE.PBP. A DATA.PSP that imitates the original sony one is included.
• EBOOT.PBP generated with a non encrypted data.psp won't need the file KEYS.BIN at all. (Note: these EBOOT.PBP cannot work in versions prior to 3.03 OE-C due to a bug that those versions had.)

Since this is a major update, you have to do the full update by generating a DATA.DXAR using the OEUPDMAKER and then using that DXAR and flashing it using the 303oeflasher in the archive. Please refer to the readme for the full instructions. As always, please be careful with this mod. Since it modifies your PSP's flash0, there is a minor chance of bricking. Neither Dark_AleX, nor QJ.NET can be held responsible if something happens to your PSP as a result of flashing this firmware. With that said, here's the download.

Download Link: [Dark_AleX's 3.03 OE-C Custom Firmware]