Portable PlayStation

Presentation

The PSP is a portable console which in addition to the plays, offers a multi-media whole of functions. The console acts thus as:

musical reader;
reader of vidéos;
bill-poster of images;
navigator Internet, by a connection Wi-Fi.

It has a small built-in memory, supplemented of a memory card Memory Stick Duet whose sizes can vary from 32 Mo to 8 Go) in which the player can store his photographs, vidéos, musics and the safeguards of the plays which he played.

Plays and films are marketed in the shape of small discs to the format UMD.

The PSP is distinguished from the other existing portable consoles by its widened connector industry:

output port USB, allowing to connect it with a computer or to adapt various equipment: camera, webcam, GPS, system of loudspeakers… ;
equipment wi-fi, allowing to go to sail on Internet or to connect themselves to other PSP without telegraphic connection;
the PSP functions according to an operating system (which one calls the Firmware ), with identical of the operating systems that one finds on the computers.

The operating system of the PSP has two characteristics:

It is regularly updated by the manufacturer, to propose new functionalities. Thus, the interface was improved with the wire of the updates, a navigator Internet was added, the software to make go a camera (Go! Camwood, sold separately), or of the options more advanced like the support of flows RSS. The last updates make it possible to make it function with the news Playstation 3.

It is possible to install another operating system in the place. That is invited to install a custom firmware . Although not supported by the Sony manufacturer, this handling makes it possible to have a firmware of appearance similar to the firmwares of the manufacturer and being able moreover to carry out programs carried out by independent programmers. These programs (also called Homebrews which means “made house”) propose various functions. Their publication depends on the good will of the community of developers amateurs. A notorious example is the software Mapthis! which makes it possible to make function navigation with receiver GPS. The custom firmware also make it possible to make function copies of plays (also called backups ) to the ISO format.

Marketing of the PSP

History and models

Exit the December 12th 2004 on the market Japan board then the March 24th 2005 in North America, it is marketed in Europe on September 1st 2005. It is sold in the shape of several versions being characterized by the provided plays and accessories.

A new version of the console, lighter and having some improvements, left on September 6th, 2007 to Europe.

The PSP exists in several variations of colors (black, white or pink), or on topics carried out specifically for a play.

Context of marketing

At the time of its exit, the PSP is in competition with its colleague Nintendo DS, but is characterized by its power and its functions multi-media, where its rival marks her originality in her ergonomics (stylet, double screen) and her spectrum of ludic applications broader. The first two years game library PSP is made up for broad part an adaptation of already existing plays PS2, where the DS proposes original applications resting on the system of stylet, or of the tests of memory for example. It also makes vis-a-vis democratization mobile devices like the IPod of Apple with its musical and video functions, and of multiple derivatives to the functions multi-media.

Features

Summary technical description

Colors : black, white, pink, blue, silver plated or gold champagne according to the countries
Dimensions : 170mm (length) X 74mm (width) X 23mm (thickness)
Weight : 280g approximately, battery included
Its : internal stereo loudspeakers

Detailed technical description

main Frame ( CPU Core ): Architecture MIPS RS4000 on 32 bits, given rhythm to 333 MHz (for the microsoftware official lower than 3.5, speed available is only of 266 MHz) on a bus report 128 bits. Two integrated calculating units: FPU and VFPU (unit of parallel processing). Processing capability of 2,6 GFLOPS.

main Memory: 32 MIB RAM and 4 MIB eDRAM (embedded DRAM) with 2,6 Gio /s.

multi-media Processor ( Media Engine ): second processor RS4000 with 2 Me of memory eDRAM dedicated.

Two graphics processors: 3D Curved Surfaces + 3D Polygon ( Core 1 ) and Moteur of returned 3D and treatment of surfaces ( Core 2 ), given rhythm to 166 MHz on a bus 256 bits, 2 Me video memory eDRAM with 5,3 Gio/s for a maximum processing capability of 664 M pixels/s, 33 M polygones/s (T&L), support color RGBA.

audio Processor ( Sound Core Virtual Mobile Engine ): Reconfigurable DSP 128 bits, 5 GFLOPS.

material Décodeur MPEG-4 AVC (H.264) Main Profiles Level3 .

Supported formats

Readers: PSP has a disk player UMD on the back frontage, and the left side of a port to place memory cards of the type Memory Stick Duet. Some is the place where it is marketed, the PSP can read UMD of plays and UMD musical coming from everywhere in the world. On the other hand, the film UMD are limited by a system of zones. Thus, a video UMD bought with the the United States (zone 1) cannot be read on a Japanese or European PSP (zone 2).

Vidéos : the user can look at films coded according to the standard MP4/AVC. The codecs used are H.264 /AVC MP Level3 and MPEG-4.

Music: the supported formats are MP3, ATRAC3 and WMA not protected (since version 2.60 of microcodes). The codecs used are WAV (LPCM), ATRAC3plus, MP3, WMA not protected and AAC.

Images: the displayable formats of images are numerous, one counts in particular the principal formats such as JPEG, BMP, png…

Internet: the PSP supports the reading of wire RSS by means of the integrated navigator.

Screen

LCD TFT of 11 cm (4.3") of diagonal to the format 16/9

Resolution: 480×272 16/9 or 320×240 4:3 in 16,76 million colors

Exchanges of information and connector industry

Port USB 2.0 (connector standard mini B).
Adapter Wi-Fi (chips Marvell Libertas 88W8010 and 88W8380, resp. transmitter and treatment) the standard Wireless LAN IEEE 802.11 B of a range from 30 to 200 m, ad hoc infrastructure modes and, désactivable.
Reader of Memory flash Memory Stick Pro Duet and Duet (support of the capacities > 8 Gio since firmware 3.30), reader UMD (optical support, owner).
Port of extension, reserved.
Left audio stereophony (Taken jack 3,5 mm), integrated loudspeakers.
infra-red Port IrDA, protocol Sony Control-S (SIRCS).
Connecteur food continues 5 volts

Officially, one can connect the PSP only in catch USB (with an adapting cable of a catch of the type has towards Mini B) of a computer having like minimum operating system Windows XP, a system recent Linux like Ubuntu or even on a Mac or SuSE. The PSP is also accessible on other systems on the condition of placing the files in specific repertories, according to their type (the memory of the PSP is recognized like media of storage of mass).

There currently does not exist engraver UMD for the general public on the market (Sony will leave there probably never).

Microsoftwares and updates

Possibilities offered by the microsoftwares

The PSP with the characteristic to have a Microsoftware which can be updated by the user. At the time of its exit in December 2004, the PSP is equipped with a microsoftware in version 1.00, which does not prevent from freely carrying out software developed using tools not provided by Sony, usually qualified “developed house” ( homebrew ). The homebrew , today largely available on Internet sites of community PSP, are software allowing the management of calendars, the personalization of the PSP, the organization of documents, navigation on GPS, or are quite simply of true plays carried out by amateurs.

The possibility of carrying out homebrew seems fought by Sony. Since the version 1.50 (North-American exit), the programs carried out must be signed and show thus that they come from tools approved by Sony. To circumvent these protections, of the software faults was discovered in the management of the Memory Sticks (exploits known under the names SwapXploit and KXploit ). These vulnerabilities made it possible nevertheless to manage to carry out the homebrew .

Race with the updates: between additions of functionalities and corrections of faults

Sony regularly updated the firmware of the PSP, proposer of new functionalities and correcting faults. In same time, the developers of community Internet PSP always seek faults for launching software house known as homebrews . The method currently used consists with downgrader towards the version 1.50, then to install new a custom firmware more recent and profiting from the famous security breach described previously.

Thus, with each new version of official firmware , the developers seek a means of downgrader about the 1.50. The developer known under the pseudo one of Dark_AleX largely contributed to provide these systems.

Go! Messenger

Sony announced at the time of the Ranges Convention of Leipzig the exit in Europe of Go! Messenger a new option which makes it possible the PSP to act as communication system without wire. Thus, in the territories SCEE, of the million users PSP will be able to communicate free the ones with the others thanks to the audio and video cat (voIP). Developed in collaboration with British Telecom, Go! Messenger will be available free on all markets SCEE. To make function Go! Messenger one will need a wireless connectivity, of a numerical camera PSP and/or helmet PSP. Go! Messenger will leave at the beginning of year 2008 within the framework a new update the software system.

History of the firmwares

the Sony firm corrected the bugs version 1.50 in the versions 1.51 and 1.52, which equipped the PSP at its exit in Europe, in September 2005.

microsoftware 2.00, suggested on UMD in the promotional Parcelling of the PSP as of its arrival in Europe, and Remote loading on Internet for the American and Japanese versions, laid out like main new thing a Navigateur Web and the change of the verification system of the achievable ones.

a new fault was discovered in September 2005 in this microsoftware (a library used for the posting of the images, libTIFF , having a fault of the type Dépassement of plug or Overflow Buffer) and was quickly exploited in order to downgrader the console of microsoftware 2.00 to the 1.50 (there does not exist file of installation of the version 1.00), and thus to freely be able to carry out homebrews . A version 2.01 exit then, correcting this fault.

a developer found how to exploit the core microsoftwares 2.50 and 2.60 with the fault of the play Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories on June 28th, 2006. A few days later, the July 2006, a functional downgrader left, allowing all the users in possession of a PSP into 2.50 or 2.60 (like into 2.01 in the upgradant into 2.50 or 2.60) to return in 1.50. This one year after the discovery of the KXploit . A bug in the core of microsoftwares 2.50 and 2.60 was discovered in July 2006, opening the door with new downgraders . This fault was corrected in version 2.70 of the microsoftware.

on August 28th, 2006, a new fault was discovered on microsoftwares 2.00 to 2.80 - i.e. 2.00,2.01,2.50,2.60,2.70,2.71 and 2.80, using another fault in the library tiff that of microsoftware 2.00 (considering this fault was corrected starting from version 2.01), and thus, does not require Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories to exploit it. This fault makes it possible to launch code not signed; the first program available was a “Hello World”, but on September 2nd, 2006 (that is to say five days after the discovery of the fault), a functional downgrader was available for microsoftwares 2.70 and 2.71 (via update for the 2.70 since the downgrader functions only on 2.71). But for some time the programmers made a success of the downgrader 2.8 and one put in remote loading. Since September 7th, 2006, there exists a version 2.81 in remote loading correcting these bugs, making it possible to have a Memory Stick of 8 gigabytes.

Thursday, October 26, 2006, a new microsoftware was proposed, the 2.82.

At the end of November 2006, 3.00 fate quasi simultaneously with the first update of PS3. It integrates a function under the photo section of the menu called “camera”. He adds animations in the style of the Lecteur Windows Media. Then a miter of connectivity with the PlayStation 3 under the miter network. The “PSone emulator”, awaited so much with this version 3.00, appears in a form rather restrictive since it obliges to have PlayStation 3 to download the plays. The plays are indeed only available on the PlayStation Network, the online shop of the PlayStation 3.

Semi December 2006, the 3.03 arrives to Europe with practically any innovation.

the official microsoftware 3.1 brings to him also its batch of innovations, while in particular making it possible to automate the remote loadings of photographs and vidéos via the use of flow RSS. Options related to the Hiring Free Player were also added (dealt with of additional remote controls, possibility of recording apparatuses via a lan). It also makes it possible to read the audio files AAC equipped with the extension 3gp. An automatic function connection was also added with the options networks. From now on the audio, photo and video files placed at the root of the Memory Stick can be read since the menus of the console. Sony also benefits from this publication to propose to the Net surfers the remote loading playable Démo of World Tour Soccer 2 . Each new microsoftware is generally composed of correction of faults allowing of downgrader towards the version 1.50.

on January 28th, 2007, one discovers a new exploit making it possible to reinstall the version 1.50 of the software system and thus, to be able to launch homebrew .

Running February 2007, the 3.10 arrives with some innovation and at the same time, corrects the security breaches.

February 2007, the 3.11 arrives correcting some bugs of Playstation Network.

on March 27th, 2007, arrives the 3.30, without much innovation.

Since, the microsoftwares evolved/moved, there still without large innovations: 3.40 then 3.50.

the TEAM Noobz discovers a fault in the play Lumines and version 3.50, making it possible to launch houses applications. A downgrader was even created to turn over in 1.50.

Sony response immediately and leaves its 3.51, correcting only this fault, which will be followed in the tread by one 3.52 to corrective goal.

on July 24th, 2007, Sony leaves the 3.52 with like innovation the extent assumption of responsibility of the titles PlayStation Network.

a version 3.60 sees with the exit of the PSP Slim & Lite on September 5th in Europe. Certain functionalities should not function with the PSP first generation. The functionalities are a system of Cache for the plays UMD, the possibility of reloading its battery by connecting its console to a computer by USB, a new sub-menu in the parameters which will include/understand the options of parameter settings of the video out of the new PSP Slim & Lite. Other topics are also available.

on August 23rd, 2007, TEAM C+D and of many actors of underground PSP reveal finally their last project in date: the universal downgradeur/debrickor. This one requires to modify a battery and Memory Stick PSP in a particular way. All PSPs are from now on downgradables and débrickables, however American of the nickname of Gamedeals affirms to have tested this technique on the PSP Slim & Lite without any result in Penny Arcade Expo 2007.

on September 11th, 2007, Sony leaves the 3.70 which adds possibilitée to define topics personalized in “Parameters topic” under “Parameters” as well as the assumption of responsibility of the assignment of the keys was added in “remote Reading”, One fonctionnalitée search for scene was added under “Video”, the sequential reading is henceforth taken of load by the PSP, One can sail in the PHOTO menu while listening to music.

This update is well seen by the majority of the members of communautée the PSP because one can can now have of true personalized topics and she adds useful functions.

on September 13rd, 2007, Sony updates the firmware of the PSP by proposing firmware 3.71, This firmware removes the PSPspot icon which remains exclusive with the Japanese PSP, Sony had promised the large ones nouveautées for this firmware 3.71, they were thus deferred.

on October 30th, 2007, Sony updates the firmware of the PSP by proposing firmware 3.72, this Firmware increases the number of compatibility of title Playstation Network, as well as an update of the 1Seg of the Tuner TV in completely useless Japan for Europeans.

on November 29th, 2007, Sony updates the firmware of the PSP by proposing the firmware 3.73.Ce firmware corrects a bug at the time of the stop of a part with a UMD

Various versions

Colors

The console Playstation Portable is currently available six colors: black, white, pink, blue, silver plated and gold. The white version is available in all Asia since 2004 and in Europe since 2006. The version silver plated and the blue version, proposed since November 2006, are available only to Japan and HongKong; the pink version, presented at the same time is available also in these two countries, like in Europe. A version “gold champagne” is proposed in Japan since February 22nd, 2006.

Packs

The PSP is sold with various accessories which are joined together into different packs. The Pack Base, Been worth Pack and Giga Pack. There exist also packs including/understanding a minimum of accessories and a play.

The Base Pack left on December 12th, 2004 to Japan (under the name of Standard Pack ) and in Europe on March 22nd, 2006 for a price 199,99 $. It includes/understands in addition to the console, a Accumulateur lithium as well as a disc UMD of demonstration. Certain stores add there a chart Memory Stick Pro Duet of 2 or 4Go, which can raise the price up to 329,99 $. The Value Pack is the first pack left to Europe (the September 2005). It is a Base Pack which also includes/understands a cover of protection, a dragonne of maintenance, stereo ear-phones, a chart Memory Stick Duet Pro (32Mo, 1Go, 2Go, 4Go), a chiffonnette like often a play. It is sold between 229,99 to 329,90 $. Giga Pack includes/understands the accessory of Been worth Pack whose Memory Stick is of 1Go, by adding to it a cable USB and a base for a price of 249,99 $.

PSP Slim & Lite

This version of the PSP left on September 5th, 2007 to Europe and on September 10th, 2007 to America, according to the official site of Playstation. The changes compared to the old version are:

a reduction in its mass of 33% (91g of less) and of its size of 19% (4,4mm of less);
the possibility of connecting its PSP ( Slim and Lite ) to its TV (to look at vidéos or to even play);
it will be equipped with a system to temporarily store the data of the UMD on its memory card to reduce times of loading;
change of the battery (3.6V, 1200mAh, 30g whereas the old one is of 3.6V, 1800mAh, 45g) (autonomy will be the same one);
the recharging of the battery by port USB (on PC or even the PS3);
a new compartment UMD;
new a slot Memory Stick Duet (more discrete);
change of place of the Wlan button (from now on with the top);
the infra-red disappearance of port;
the first firmware of this version is the 3.60;
the UMD of music will not be accepted any more;
the ear-phones and the remote control are changed (and are compatible only with the PSP Slim and Lite );
the configuration code of this new console is PSP-2000 and the mother chart is a TA-085;
it has 64Mib RAM;
the “button square” is not inserted contrary any more to certain PSP-1000.

Development house

A case of development (SDK) Open Source independent of that distributed by Sony to the studios of development quickly appeared. Following various engineering opposite and research, this one quickly became important and makes it possible to use all the capacities of the PSP or almost: USB, WiFi like of course the graphic chipset. The development via this case is carried out in C or C++ with libraries identical or very close to their Unix equivalent. There exists also an adapted of the language of programming Lua, named version Lua Player and making it possible to easily program applications and plays without large compétances data-processing.

Accessories

One finds at the same time a whole of derivative products for the PSP, and the accessories (connected most of the time on port USB) which extend the functionalities of the console.

GPS

A receiver GPS, connecting on this port and requiring a specific UMD, is available right now for the Japanese market. In France, it is available by the purchase to the importation or on sites of auction for about fifty euros.

This system is designed to function with certain plays (next the opus of Metal GEAR and Everybody' S Golf in particular).

In Japan, the GPS is marketed with a software and charts adapted. No information as for the marketing of this system elsewhere in the world is yet known.

In the rest of the world, a homebrew named Mapthis! and realized by the developer Deniska makes it possible to make function receiver GPS. This software allows:

to view charts (in addition easily realizable with GoogleMaps);
to make Géolocalisation;
to make situation compared to a target (i.e., to know its distance and its orientation compared to a destination);
to post the points of interest (service stations, hotels,…) ;
to activate a route mode (to go from a point has to an item B). However this route mode requires data geoData . They are available for the USA and Canada in particular, but the European Union still prohibits their free use. Without these files, Europeans cannot make function assisted the way mode.

Mapthis! function only on the firmware 1.50 or Custom firmware.

Tuner TV

A tuner, making it possible to collect a chain of emissions herziennes, is on the way to be marketed in Japan. It connects, like the camera and the GPS, on the top of the PSP. Sony presented this accessory with PSP Lite , more powerful than traditional PSP . The tuner will not function with the latter. There still, not of information on a possible sale of this accessory out of Japan.

Camera/Numeric camera

A numeric camera (Go! Camwood) especially drawn for the PSP available, is since May 16th, 2007 accompanied by a software named “Go! Edict” which makes it possible to improve the photographs. It makes it possible to take photographs but also to film with an objective of 1.3 mega pixel and an audio recorder. To make it function, you must lay out of version 3.00 minimum. It is sold with small limps of protection. The camera is connected on the port USB of the PSP and is screwed in order to avoid an accidental disconnection.

Enclosures

A system of enclosures into which are integrated a support is also marketed by Logitech. Of approximately 2 times the purpose of the size of the console, the unit is to make it possible to transform the console into mini-chain. It is sold with one limps of protection, two cables of connection (small and a length) and an electric cable. One can also use all types of amplified mini-enclosures.

Derivative products

In the trade are in particular (nonexhaustive list):

cables of connection at exit USB to connect the console to a PC;
hull of transparent protection which is placed around the PSP;
dragonne (attaches which is placed around the wrist to avoid the fall of the console);
various models of covers for the console, and the UMD;
of the protect-screen;
of the ear-phones with order (adjustment volume, change of the tracks);
adapter cigar-lighter to charge or make function the console in a vehicle;
support windshield to fix the console in the vehicle;
kit for battery and hard drives of better capacity;
kit so that the PSP resembles a lever of PS2;
key wifi USB for PSP;
produced cleaning various.

Other accessories

Sony had also envisaged a keyboard USB especially designed for the PSP at the time of the advertisement of the specifications of the console, but to date this accessory is not marketed, whereas a prototype was in demonstration with the living room E3 in 2004. An independent company, Logic3, eager to develop such an accessory, had to give up its development because Sony did not want to reveal certain information to them. It could be that the fact that Sony has a bearing Brevet on a system of entry of text had an influence on this decision.

Hacking

Quickly, much of Homebrews appeared thus that emulators of the principal consoles, for example BORN, the superNES, Nintendo 64, the CPS1 and 2. The principal microsoftwares to measure are the 2.71SE, 3.02OE, 3.03OE, 3.10OE and 3.40OE, then the 3.51M33 and the 3.52M33, 3.71M33 (OEs and M33s were made by the same developer). This last custom-firmware makes it possible to have all the functions of microsoftware 3.52 with all the possibilities of hack of the 1.5, of which in particular the emulation PlayStation 1 (already available into official with certain firmwares.

The PSP can be Downgrade are. What allows the installation of a custom firmware. Some are indeed given the responsability systematically to find the keys of decoding used by Sony in order to protect its signed modules.

Several people left their own Custom-Firmware (3.51 M33, 3.72 HX, 3.73 HX…)

See too

References

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