We don't know if anyone among you have tried this before but homebrew developer undertaxxx took a look at FW 3.50's code using RCO Editor from ZiNgABuRgA. And if all his interpretations are correct, we might be seeing our much-loved PlayStation Portable units hooked up to TV sets in the future.

The said code has a small reference to videout located in "impose_plugin.rco" complete with its own icon. Aside from this, undertaxxx also noticed a Line_Out Icon stored in the same rco. A good knowledge in coding will tell anyone that this is indeed is somehow connected to "video and audio out" functionality but Sony still has its mouth shut.

Another thing similar to this has happened before. It should be remembered that developer MATIAz found a hidden code in the decrypted version of "vshmain.prx" from FW 3.10 referring to Skype functionality. A couple of weeks after that, it was found out that California's Jajah Inc. will indeed be offering VoIP services for the PSP.

What do you think guys? It's not really impossible if we're going to consider the handheld's capabilities as it very much can do this thing. The only question here is if Sony is really willing to implement it.

PSP homebrew coder brethren passed by the QJ.Net Forums earlier to announce the release of the Easy Theme Flasher application. According to the developer, this homebrew gives PSP owners"the ability to first preview theme, the ability to flash theme, make a backup of all customizable files, (and) reflash backup."

Also included in this application are seven custom PSP themes, with credits going to homebrew developers evolve, MaDSouL, saizn, mrdude, blackskull, gSmoke, Undertaxxx, and Z33.

At the moment, brethren has developed two versions of Easy Theme Flasher - version 1.2 for PSP custom firmware *3.30 OE-A, and version 1.3 for Dark AleX's recently released custom FW 3.40 OE-A. In case the users run into any usage problems, we advise them to head over to brethren's thread over at the QJ.Net Forums for further clarifications. With that said, we hope you guys enjoy your download.

*We're note sure if brethren meant 3.30 OE-A or 3.30 OE-A'. Still, guys who've tested the app seem to indicate it's working. In any case, we'd appreciate it if the users commented either here or at the release threads in case they discover any issues with this app.

Download: PSP Easy Theme Flasher v1.2 (3.30 OE-A)
Download: PSP Easy Theme Flasher v1.3 (3.40 OE-A)
Visit: QJ's PSP Development Forum

The PSP's XMB aesthetics is the topic of this article, as we serve up another trio of custom themes just waiting to be loaded into your PSP. Today's themes are from homebrew coders innercy, undertaxxx, and desi_soulja8, and are titled Original XMB+, Bogus Firmware Theme, and Pirate Style XMB.

Original XMB+
First up is innercy's Original XMB+ icon theme. PSP owners may feel a tinge of nostalgia after seeing the sample shot above - innercy states that these are the same icons you see when you turn on your PSP for the very first time. The Original XMB+ theme comes in either a white or black set.

Bogus Firmware Theme
This XMB theme, as undertaxxx explains, is themed after a bogus firmware that Sony launched back on November 25, 2005 in Japan. The author further commented that this pack is the completed version of a similar "Bogus fw" that had reached 90% completion before he decided to cancel it.

Pirate Style XMB
Given that Pirates of the Carribbean: At Worlds End movie is coming up soon, desi_soulja8 over at the QJ.Net Forums decided it was high time to release this theme. As its name says, it's a Pirates XMB theme which uses 32-bit icons.

Downloads for each theme are available below - just be sure to back up your files in case anything happens. Also make sure to visit each of these author's threads over at the QJ.Net Forums, as they're looking for suggestions on how to make these themes better. That, and they should provide for pointers on how to install these themes to your PSP. Enjoy your download.

Download: Original XMB+ icons (white), by innercy
Download: Original XMB+ icons (black), by innercy
Download:Bogus Firmware Theme, by undertaxxx
Download: Pirate Style XMB, by desi_soulja8

Visit: innercy at QJ's PSP Mods and Media Forum
Visit: undertaxxx at QJ's PSP Mods and Media Forum
Visit: desi_soulja8 at QJ's PSP Mods and Media Forum

The full changelog list is available at the Full Article!

   

It seems that we've slowed down a bit on theme releases, however there are still a plentiful amount of creative minds out there that continue this hot trend. Having been through the unveiling of custom backgrounds (before firmware 2.0) and customized eboots, it's nice to see the PSP finally "fully" customizable. Today we feature two complete themes and two working-in-progress (WIP) theme for your enjoyment.

   

Mime, from our forums, has recently finished two versions of his Naruto Ultimate Theme. Naruto, a popular anime that has recently emerged in America and is still going strong in Japan has gathered a large following and has even emerged as a game on the PSP in Japan. Mime has done a great job in incorporating the village headbands as the main icons and varying sub-icons for the Network and Game section in version 2 of the theme.

Version 1 of this theme features only a few non-headband icons while Version 2 features different icons under the Network and Game tabs. The themes also both feature custom coldboot wave, text and sound. So whether or not you choose v1 or v2 is all up to personal preferences of the headbands or not, but both look great nonetheless. You can look at the differences in the release thread of this great theme here and make your decision.

You can read about undertaxxx's PSP Restyled Silver Theme, and AndroidKaita's Orange Theme after the break. These two themes both alter the original PSP XMB's icons to their liking, one even attempting to clone the PS3's XMB icons as they appear to be slightly different from those of the PSP.

Download: Naruto Ultimate Theme v1
Download: Naruto Ultimate Theme v2
Download: PSP Restyled Silver Theme
Discuss: PSP Mods & Media

 

Care for another serving of PlayStation Portable XMB themes? Homebrew developer pj1115 (recently responsible for the PSP Browser Sound Hack) is letting the PSP personalization aficionados out there know about his new project - VistaPSP R1. This homebrew XMB theme is based on Windows Vista, and aside from the slick visuals, also includes another treat: extra-long menu texts, accredited to ZiNgABuRgA's topmenu hack. Going into details on who made the icons:

• Savedata loading icon (Undertaxxx)
• Game loading icon (Undertaxxx)
• Photo loading icon (Undertaxxx)
• Topmenu Icons & Special extended menu text (3.03 OE-C only) (PSPculture; pj1115's custom text)
• Battery icon (undertaxxx)
• VistaPSP Wallpaper (By pj1115)
• Vista boot sound for opening audio, as well as custom coldboot text (By pj1115)
• "Duality" custom XMB waves (Nevada)
• System Navigation sounds (and browser sounds using my recent hack)
• Volume images (PSPCulture; modified by pj1115).
  

As a last note, remember that this XMB theme will work for 3.03 OE-C or 3.10 OE-A. Be sure to view the file README for full descriptions and installation details - read it BEFORE you install the homebrew application and try it out.

Kudos to pj1115 for the application - we look forward to seeing future updates for this pack.

Download: VistaPSP R1

Remember undertaxxx? Well, if you you could recall those XMB battery edits that you've grown so fond of, then you probably have heard of this guy because he is the creator of those mods. Anyhow, going through our forums, we were informed that he has concocted another way to pimp your PSP's XMB - the "ultimate" black PSP XMB. Check out the screens we got here:

 

Anyhow, undertaxxx mentioned that this was originally made by Sérgio Catumba and Innercy, but he decided to re-style everything on the XMB so that it would look perfect with the high-res icons. The package includes the following:

• 32 bits High-Res Black Icons
• 32 bits High-Res Battery Icon
• 32 bits High-Res Volume bar
• 32 Bits month background + Bogus Waves
• 32 Bits High Res Load Icon (game, savedata, photo & corrupt)
• 32 bits High Res Load Circle (Right Corner thing)
• Xmb line, Shadow, Selectbar  customized to Black/Cromé
• All other thats included and i forgot

He also mentions that this slick-looking XMB isn't gonna work on Dark_AleX's 3.10 OE. With all that said, the download link below contains the zip files for the Devianart icons noir black styled and the black glass photo load icon.

Download: ['Ultimate' black XMB]
Discuss: [Forum Release Thread]

If you liked the custom battery edits from undertaxxx, then maybe you'd fancy this next tidbit we're gonna share with you. PSP homebrew developer, vision, came up with custom color volume bars that you can use in your PSP's XMB. Current colors are red, blue, gold/yellow, and green. Check 'em out yourself:

   

It's pretty surprising how a simple change could affect your XMB's appearance. Anyhow, the dev mentions that these should work for custom firmwares (CFW) and homebrew capable firmwares. As for the instructions on how to use them, check out the readme file that comes with the download. He also would want to thank Zinga for the RCO editor.

On a last note, vision mentioned that he is taking requests on colors, so if you want a different color for your volume bars, then let us know through your comments.

Download: [Custom XMB Volume Bars]

matt13 passed by our forums recently to tell us about some very nice looking mods for your PSP's battery indicator. If you're already bored with the standard and sometimes boring battery image you see on the upper right side of your PSP, then you might find these as something that would tickle your fancy. matt13 shared to us some cool battery mods from undertaxxx, check some of them out.

       

Looks cool, right? If you find this awesome, then you're just one of the many people who have been raving about it. Anyhow, to make use of these mods, all you have to do is flash it to vsh/resource. After that, you're all set. The download link contains all eight mods, so you'll have plenty of options to choose from. And here's a preview of how it's going to look like on your PSP's XMB.

 

Thanks to spitfireuk for the tip! Check out our forum release thread for you to know more about these! Have fun you guys!

Download: [XMB battery edits/mods]
Discuss: [Forum Release Thread]