Sony comfirms faster PSP CPU speed in firmware 3.50

Posted by multippt

A Sony Computer Entertainment representative has comfirmed that developers of games can take full advantage of the PSP’s CPU, following the release of firmware 3.50.

Originally, the PSP’s CPU speed was capped at a lower speed (266MHz), and usually homebrew was used (way before the firmware 3.50) to make the PSP run at full CPU speed (333MHz). Faster CPU speed meant that games will run and load much more faster (but at the expense of shorter battery life).

The increase in CPU speed affects newer games designed to make use of this “feature” in firmware 3.50. Older games still continue to run at the lower CPU speed they are originally programmed to run at.

*The change in CPU speed was first reported by Quick Journal members.

Sony: We didn’t recall PSPs in Netherlands

Posted by multippt

In an earlier report, we stated that Sony had done up a recall in the Netherlands. Of course, that report is not comfirmed. It turns out that the report turns out to be, false. Speculation on the PSP recall was first brought up when some retailers claim that they have to send back their supply of PSPs.

In a statement by Sony, Sony (Europe) said that they did not request for a recall. However, the PSP still remains in a shortage (out of stock), due to an increase in demand (caused by price-cuts) in certain European countries like the Netherlands.

Via MaxConsole

Rumor: PSP recall in the Netherlands, possible attempt to reduce homebrew?

Posted by multippt

There are rumors ongoing that Sony has recalled all of it’s current PSPs from retailers in the Netherland in order to replace it with new, “unflashable” units. This might have been in response to the growing popularity of custom firmwares.

Of course, this piece of information is not comfirmed yet, and if these new units were to be “unflashable”, it probably could render the PSP un-updatable even with the official PSP firmware updates. Poor game sales was seen as a possible reason as to why Sony attempted this move.

Due to the nationwide recall, the PSP would be out of stock for a period of time in the Netherlands. It’s not known if Sony would do the same for other retailers in other countries.

Via MaxConsole

PSP official firmware 3.50

Posted by multippt

Sony has just brought up a new update (for the US) for the PSP. This time it’s firmware 3.50.

This firmware was released just yesterday (the US version was released hours after the Japan one), and an increase of 0.10 in firmware revision number tells us it’s going to add some nice features, and so it does.

Here are the features:
-Ability to connect the PSP to the PS3 via the internet (using “Remote Play”)
-New option in “Remote Play” (”Communication Settings”)
-New option in “RSS Channel” (”RSS Channel Guide”)

This firmware does not support homebrew (as usual), and once you upgrade to this firmware, you cannot downgrade to any earlier versions (for now).

Via PSP official US site

*We missed out the PS3’s firmware 1.80, but you can view the PS3 site to get more information as well.

Easy Video to PSP Converter 1.4.2 Released!

Posted by signup

Looks like Ether Software just released a program for converting many popular video formats very, very easily for the PSP. The files that can be converted are AVI/DIVX/XVID/DIV, MPEG/MPG/DAT, WMV/ASF/ASX, RM/RMVB, MOV/QT, 3GP/3G2, MP4/M4V, FLV. Yes FLV, which you could download most of the video site like Youtube and download the flv file at www.videodownloader.net

This program is recommended. You can download at here: http://asia.cnet.com/downloads/pc/swinfo/0,39000587,39002883r-39259530s,00.htm

3.40 OE-A and 3.30 OE-A’ custom firmwares

Posted by multippt

Dark_Alex has recently released an update to his series of custom firmwares. First off, we would start on the 3.30 OE-A’ custom firmware. This is a relatively minor update to the 3.30 OE-A custom firmware. The changes are as followed (from 3.30 OE-A):
-Some security patches [related to RAM usage]
-Reimplemented autoboot

Now for the custom firmware of interest - 3.40 OE-A. Just after a few days of the official 3.40’s release, Dark_Alex managed create 3.40 OE-A, which has the features of his custom firmwares, plus the features of 3.40. Here are some features in this custom firmware (changes from 3.30 OE-A):
-Features from 3.40
-Improvements in flasher. It would generate the flash 1 directories [so chances are, you won't lose your settings], and checks the generated DATA.DXAR file [to check if you are using the right file].
-Some security patches [same as 3.30 OE-A']
-Reimplemented autoboot [same as 3.30 OE-A']

Via Dark_Alex.org

*This news is actually quite old :P. It should have been made on 20th Apr *sign*

PS3 official firmware 1.70 and PSP official firmware 3.40

Posted by multippt

Sony sure is busy about these updates. First was the first appearence of the PSP update at the PSP official korean site [the English translation is quite vague], and now an update for the PS3.

First things first, lets look at PSP firmware 3.40. The firmware was first spotted on the Korean site, followed by the Japanese site. Now, it has appeared on the US site, and seems to have a few features in relation to gaming:
-Support for more PLAYSTATION network titles
-Saved data from PlayStation format software can be used on both the PSP and PS3
-”Certificate Utility” was added

Of course, don’t expect any homebrew friendliness from Sony on this firmware. As of yet, there is no downgrader for a firmware past 3.10.

Now for the PS3. Sony has dished out yet another software update, this time it’s 1.70. This update is released roughly at the same time as the PSP’s. This update first appeared on the Japan site, but it is accessable at the US site as well. This update apparently allows the PS3 to use saved data from the PlayStation format software.