Issue 12 of the Xtreme PSP Magazine is now available for download. Issue 12 is packed with over 110 pages of great content including Previews of Field Commander, Tekken and Astonishia Story, reviews of Daxter, Ape Escape P and Talkman. And all the regular content including tips and cheats, the latest news, a new competition and more… Download it now!
PSP Mod Chip Info
The U.P. (Undiluted Platinum) is a flash replacement system for the PSP which allows the use of previous flash updates or custom firmware builds, opening up the possibility to run unsigned homebrew code on even the latest PSP systems. The U.P. contains 32MB NAND flash which is programmable from the PC via a high speed USB connection, using our user friendly software. You may boot the PSP from either its onboard flash or the flash contained on the U.P; the flash which is used is determined by a button press as the PSP is powered on (U.P. flash is used by default, hold L1 to use the PSP onboard flash). Since U.P. provides a secondary flash which the PSP can boot from, it can even be used to restore a PSP which has been “bricked”. Every effort has been made to make our flash updater software, which will be freely available for download, both as easy to use and reliable as possible. The software also contains diagnostics which can be used by installers to determine if an installation has been successful or not.
The U.P. has been designed to minimize installation difficulty and effort. A FPC (flexible printed circuit) cable is included which routes the essential signals from the PSP motherboard to the U.P. main board and U.P. USB connector. Copper enamel wire is included, which will provide the connection between the FPC cable and the motherboard signal traces. The FPC cable also helps by reducing the mechanical stress placed on the solder points, making a U.P. modified PSP shock resistant which is important for handheld systems. Installation aids are included, and installation diagrams for all PSP hardware revisions will be available for download, together with flasher software application, from our reseller’s websites. More about installation together with install pictures closer to release.
The FPC cable end to which the USB connector board attaches is routed into the battery compartment and sits above the battery. The battery cover can be replaced after flash updating and the cable remains safely in the compartment until the next update is required, whereupon the USB connector can be clipped in place within a few seconds. This means that the U.P. is completely contained within the PSP under normal usage and avoids any unsightly external modifications to your PSP. PSP is after all portable, let?s keep it that way!
In order to maximise the benefits that U.P. can provide its users, we have decided to take an open source approach with U.P and will be releasing source code for any software we release as well as full documentation for the U.P. hardware interface – including information on how to control U.P. from within PSP programs. This will allow anybody to create software which can take advantage of what U.P. has to offer. We have also sent a few prototype units away to some of the scene’s best software hackers in order to give them a headstart at working on custom flash replacements – cant wait to see what people will come up with!
Features Announced:
- Ultra reliable and feature rich Actel ProASIC Plus FPGA
- Full Speed USB 1.1 ASIC onboard
- Branded 32MB NAND flash onboard (same flash as used in PSP)
- Stable and reliable flashing software freely available for download
- Installation verification using flashing software
- Ultra compact four layer PCB
- High quality Japanese connectors
- USB cable included
- FPC cable included, reducing installation effort and improving shock resistance
- Copper enamel wire included
- Open platform development system for software developers
- Installation has been optimized to fit entirely inside PSP
- All PSP hardware versions/regions supported
- User updatable flash
- Low power consumption
- Flash select via button press
- Ultra compact PCB has been designed to avoid signal bounce
Bundled Stuff:
- U.P. MAIN MODULE x1
- U.P. USB BOARD x1
- USB CABLE x1
- INSTALLATION AIDS 1 SET
- COPPER ENAMEL WIRE 1 SPOOL
- FPC CABLE x1
It will be priced at around 75 Euros, or $90. A bit high, if you ask me. But completely worth it. I guess this is enough to silence the skeptics. And making the PSP ‘brick-proof’? Wow, that’s something which will excite everyone. This would obviously lead to more hacks since the hackers can experiment without fearing bricking their PSP.
Website Downtime
Recently, we encountered some website downtime as we moved the site to a larger server. The downtime occured between 10:00AM and 12:00PM today. The website is now fully up and running with some minor changes.
If you link to our downloads through your website, please update all the links now. We no longer use the server anymore, this needs to be changed to http://www.xtremepsp.com/. The file names for the downloads have not changed.
UPDATE: Nerous MPEG4 Recorder for PSP
Neuros is now compatible with PSP Firmware 2.7. An firmware update for the device can be downloaded from the Neuros 2 Update Page. Remember to download the correct version for your region.
Aside from the Firmware 2.7 compatibility issue, the device is now compatible with Seagate 4GB and 8GB micro drives, Hitachi drives up to 6GB and IBM 1GB drives as well. The audio is now 30% louder, and new recording options for smart phone, mobilephone and PDA have been added.
UPDATE: Neuros MPEG4 Recorder for PSP
Following our review of the Neuros MPEG4 Recorder, we have learned that it is not compatible with PSP Firmware Version 2.7. Recorded shows need to be converted in order for playback on a Firmware 2.7 PSP.
The Neuros team is currently working on a firmware update for the device which should correct the problem, which will be available for free download. It is not clear wether Sony did this on purpose in order to prevent copyright infringement of digital content.
XTREME PSP Lite Now Live
The mini version of XTREME PSP is now live. Head over to http://www.xtremepsp.com on your PSP Internet Browser and experience our “mini” web site. The web site will be able to detect wether you are using a normal web browser or if you are using the PSP.
Don’t have a PSP? You can still access the “mini” site by going to http://www.xtremepsp.com/psp/.
Xtreme PSP Mag i011
Issue 11 of the Xtreme PSP Magazine is now available for download. Issue 11 is packed with over 120 pages of great content including Previews of The Godfather, Daxter and With Russia With Love, reviews of Outrun 2006, Syphon Filter and Splinter Cell. And all the regular content including tips and cheats, the latest news, a new competition and more… Download it now!
PSP System Software Ver. 2.70
Network
- Macromedia® Flash® content can now be displayed in [Internet Browser].
You must perform an activation procedure under [System Settings] to enable Flash® content to be displayed.
The system supports Macromedia® Flash® Player 6; however, some features are not supported. - [Connection Settings] has been added as a setting under [Settings] in [Internet Browser] > [Tools].
- Audio content from [RSS Channel] can now be saved on Memory Stick Duo™ media.
- [Automatic] has been added as an option under [Rate] in the control panel of [LocationFree™ Player]. For details on the LocationFree™ Base Station, visit http://www.sony.com/locationfree/ownerslounge/psp.
Music
- A new file extension has been added to playable AAC formats.
Settings
- [Enable Flash® Player] has been added as a setting under [System Settings].
You must be connected to the Internet to activate this setting. - [Enable Flash® Player] has been added as a setting under [System Settings].
- [RSS Channel Settings] has been added as a setting.
- [UMD™Video L/R Button] has been added as an option under [Video Settings].
Other
- Certain conditions that have occurred when using Memory Stick PRO Duo™ with free (recordable) memory space of 2 GB or more are now solved.
PSP Firmware 2.70
Firmware version 2.70 will be available from 25th of April from 2:00 PM GMT +7:00. Here is a summary of the changes/new features:
Network
- Macromedia Flash Player 6.
- [ Connection setting ] was added to Internet browser.
- Audio Downloads via RSS.
- [ Automatic operation ] was added to the location free player.
Music
- AAC format playback support.
Settings
- Flash Player Settings .
- Chinese Font Set .
- [ RSS channel setting ] was added.
- In video setting [ L ? R button ] was added.
Several bugs have also been fixed in this release.
Neuros MPEG4 Recorder for PSP
The Neuros MPEG4 Recorder is essential for any PSP owner. Retailing for £149.99, it allows you to convert any video source (TV, Camcorder, DVD Player, Satellite) to MPEG4 format onto your Memory Stick Pro Duo card or Compact Flash Memory Card. Simply remove the Memory Stick from the Neuros MPEG4 Recorder and pop it into your PSP for instant playback, without the use of a PC!
Measuring just 11.7 x 8.6 x 1.7cm and weighing 140g, it is ultra lightweight and compact. Once installed and linked to a video source, you can leave it in place just like a VCR.
Recording Time for 1GB card:
- Economic = 250min
- Normal = 143min
- Fine = 111min
- Super Fine = 60min
Complete System Includes
- Standard A/V RCA Interface Cables (European units may contain SCART adapters)
- 110-240V AC/DC Power Supply
- Remote Control
- User Manual Driver and Bundle Software Pack.
Using the Neuros Video Recorder, gamers will also have the opportunity to record their best game sequences from their console games. All they need is the Recorder and a RCA composite to miniplug adapter. Game enthusiasts will no longer have to try to explain their latest moves or achievements, as the video they record will do it for them.
Review coming soon.