PlayStation Portable homebrew

PlayStation Portable homebrew refers to the process of using exploits and hacks to execute unsigned code on the PlayStation Portable (PSP).

Contents 1 History of homebrew 1.1 Dark_AleX 2 Motivation for homebrew 3 Sony's position 4 Homebrew software types 5 References

History of homebrew

Soon after the PSP was released, hackers began to discover exploits in the PSP that could be used to run unsigned code on the device. Sony released version 1.51 of the PSP firmware in May 2005 to plug the holes that hackers were using to gain access to the device.^[1] On 15 June 2005 the hackers distributed the cracked code of the PSP on the internet. Hackers refused to apply updates which would render their hacks unusable so Sony attempted to convince users that there was a benefit to upgrading by including new features in the firmware updates, such as a web browser, and not just security patches to plug the vulnerabilities. BusinessWeek dubbed this the "carrot-and-stick" approach.^[2]

In August 2005 Sony released version 2.0 of the firmware which included the web browser, file compatibility updates and other features.^[3] Hackers and other homebrew enthusiasts then encountered the first trojan for the PSP. Symantec called this trojan "Trojan.PSPBrick". Users attempting to downgrade their PSP using this software instead found that it was rendered inoperable as this software deleted mandatory/important system files.^[4] Over the course of 2005 Sony released six different versions of the firmware and hackers typically responded to it by downgrading to avoid the new security updates.^[2]

In Mid-2006, after several months of problems in defeating the PSP's firmware a file was posted online which allowed new PSPs running firmware version 2.6 to downgrade to 1.5 so they could then be hacked using older methods. This reportedly caused more buzz in the community than any recent official offerings for the device.^[5]

Dark_AleX

Dark AleX (aka Dark_AleX, Dax) is a Spanish programmer who writes homebrew applications for the PlayStation Portable. Dark AleX, as well as other variations of the name, is a pseudonym under which he works. ^[6] One of the drawbacks of downgrading the PSP is that new official media may require the presence of a new firmware edition. Dark_Alex had released a custom firmware called "Dark Alex's Open Edition firmware" or "Custom Firmware (CFW)" which opens the firmware but allows users to use the existing feature set of the current edition. Sony quickly patched the firmware again, continuing the cat-and-mouse game with the hackers and users.^[7] In 2006 Sony released six updates to the system firmware and in 2007 they released another six updates.^[3] In July 2007 Dark_AleX officially stopped his work on the PSP, citing perceived problems with Sony as one of the reasons for his departure.^[8] Some people even suggested that Dark_AleX was paid by Sony not to release any more custom firmware, but Sony denied this.^[9]

Custom Firmware allows the running of unsigned code such as homebrew applications and UMD backups, emulators for other consoles, as well as PlayStation games when the disc images are converted into PSP format.^[10]

Motivation for homebrew

The conglomerate of developers and users of computer products, developing and using applications ("Homebrew") that do not have vendor support, are due to internet.

The Scene, is using errors and vulnerabilities within the system or more recently, various security flaws, bugs, or exploits to get unsigned code running on them. These exploits appear in commercial video games or more commonly appear in promotional demos of Sony distributed before launching a new video game.

The scene^[11] is important for fans of gadgets, not only for his work, but because it opened the door for other developers could continue to expand the possibilities of using this console to get is as versatile as the console GP32.

Some hackers have stated that the motivation for unlocking the PSP has nothing to do with piracy, but allowing individuals full access to the products they've purchased and the freedom to do what they want with the item as well as the interest in exploring something unknown.^[2][12] Fanjita, a member of the hacker group "N00bz!", stated,

"Everyone has the right to do what they want with their own hardware. Piracy does upset me, and because what we are doing opens the way to piracy it's harder to justify it morally. But our stance on piracy is clear, and we hope to be role models. Sony have never been in touch with me, so I am confident that what we are doing is legal."^[7]

Additional features added including the ability to emulate and play the ROMs of other consoles, play homebrew games, share music, print photos, watch videos from streaming sites such as YouTube, and run additional video formats originally unsupported by the device.^[2]

Apart from free software original, software developed for other devices and other electronic dictionaries, PDAs, GPS viewer, desktop computers 80 and 90, etc which is no longer for sale by the simplicity of its interface, new original software developed by amateurs in relatively unknown computer languages ​​(such as LUA, PAlib, etc), or for other reasons, free programming is available on the PSP and has attracted to fans of such software, to the world of PSP.

Originally, when the console came out with its first firmware, 1.00, the Sony device allowed the execution of unsigned code on psp console. A small group of fans achieved successfully carry some homebrew code PS2, and remove the software from some UMD optical discs using the wifi, being able to copy and run the software extracted from the Memory Stick. Sony was understandably feared by the reduction of the benefits in its investment. A few months later, with the release of Firmware 1.50, Sony changed its security and prevent any free access to its console, regardless of which software were use in the console, copyright or not. However, the hobby continues and thousands of programmers around the world are contributing to that. Every day there are more and more applications and games "homebrew" for the PlayStation Portable.

Although often questioned the legality of homebrew, in Japan these programs are called Dojin Soft which is the way to say that this software is not illegal. The Dojin Soft is widespread among users. The use of the term piracy is totally incorrect, as most software is completely original and as high as this one paid by Sony. The criminalization of the creatives is an exaggeration to equate the act of sharing or innovate, with the violence of the pirate ships. The Free Software Foundation includes this meaning with others, in its list of expressions to avoid. ^[13]

The scope of protection of copyright works at international level are governed by the "Berne Convention for the Protection of Literary and Artistic Works", which establishes a minimum term of 50 years from the death of the author. The way to treat legislation these offenses is a topic of controversy in many countries of the world. However, most of the homebrew is free and of course, these measures do not affect them. The console owner has the right to use its console as like and do it.

Sony's position

Sony has told the media that any issues resulting from running modified code on the device would void the warranty.^[1][2] They have also stated that the problem is not with homebrew but piracy.^[7] However their constant firmware updates are seen as attempts to hamper homebrew development.^[14] According to Phillip Torrone from Make Magazine, this hampering could be due to the attempts to curb piracy and may cause more harm than good.^[12]

"I think the really smart companies should release their products to the alpha geeks for six months and let the alpha geeks play around with them. It seems to me they'd save a lot of money on R&D, and they'd come out with much more solid products."

However, Sony has also said that, when questioned about homebrew game support, Jack Tretton replied with,

"I think that is something that is in the works. We certainly see some of the stuff that has been done via homebrew, and it's incredibly creative. And I think we'd like to try and tap into that a little bit more."^[15]

The homebrew of the PSP or software unofficial, consists of applications and games created by amateur programmers and experts, and software programs developed to eliminate barriers to operation. This homebrew software is characterized by to be free and open.

Homebrew software types

• Downgrade In slang, is how to say down PSP to reach a version without the blocks implemented by newer versions of the official Sony firmware, to install an alternative firmware or custom firmware that is capable of running homebrew and backups and more. Another way even inappropriate, but common to call this method is to "hack". The accepted term is "to free".To run homebrew on the PSP this must have firmware called alternative or custom firmware CFW^[16].The firmware console can be upgraded by downloading via Wi-Fi from the servers of Sony or by downloading the (EBOOT.PBP) update from computer and transferring it via USB to the \PSP\GAME\UPDATE of the PSP and then running it as if it were an application. In addition, most of the games contain the updates necessary to play if you have one prior to that required firmware. The firmwares are compatible system for a machine anywhere in the world, but Sony strongly recommended to use the upgrade of the region concerned. Firmware updates must be digitally signed and to be superior to the console firmware for perform the update. Firmware upgrades have included a web browser, an RSS reader, AVC video compression, ability to change the wallpaper, various audio codecs (WMA AAC, etc). Firmware upgrades have numerous changes in system security trying to limit the use of homebrew. Currently, the official version of the newest firmware 6 .31, which has added the ability to group and view the games based on their format. Out of the officially established by Sony, psp can return to a previous firmware, uploading unofficial firmwares developed and distributed by independent programmers and internet fans. There are several programs that have achieved that psp return the console to a previous firmware, this applications Downgraders have been developed in numerous of this unofficial firmwares. The latest firmware from Sony that allowed homebrew and homebrew applications to load is the 1.50 firmware, one of the firmwares that was used in the PSP 1000, it allows to load any unsigned software from Sony, and a large variety of homebrew games and emulators for consoles like the Super Nintendo or Sega Mega Drive. The work of amateur and independent developers of this console, called "scene"^[17], opens the door for other developers to continue expanding the usability of psp and make it as versatile as the console Korean GP32 or American Tapwave Zodiac. Individual work from internet in common projects with open source libraries to build new homebrew. The most notable to date is the "Recovery Mode Menu" that has given rise to everything else. To execute homebrew in the PSP you need to have a firmware custom firmware. Due to the variety of firmwares and hardwares in the console Sony, many homebrews work on a console and not in other psp. Some backups are executed in the "M33" and others in the "Sony 9660". This has led to several firmwares, like the 5 .00 M33-6^[18] or PRO-B7 LCFW^[19] Many have been developed trying to make them compatible with applications developed for all models and kernels, and the other firmwares.

• Application: players (MIDI^[20], PMP^[21]...), displays images and files, browsers, information programs, plugins with different features, such as the display screen PSP on PC, etc, but also provides, among other things, complete Command Line or shells^[22] that have a variety of functions. In media players, one of the applications play files from audio MIDI and wav. There are Web browsers, language dictionaries^[23][24], drawing tools, viewers for formats cbr pdf txt ... adaptations of games from other platforms etc ...as the application Irshell, which have a variety of functions. Bookr, for example, is widely used for its high quality as PDF format file reader. Currently, many homebrews are "signed" which allows them to be run on any PSP with the official software. For example, the reader bookr signed, used to read books and comics in pdf format on any PSP, and monitor them even in a TV screen, if desired.

• Emulators:The emulators for Java^[25] and others. The existence of a large number of gadgets, such as mobile phones and other consoles like the free software GP2X, allows a wider range of adaptations of free software such as MAME4ALL, a emulator software from different companies, grouped under the name Multiple Arcade Machine Emulator or MAME, that was created for GP2X and has been ported to PSP directly from the GP2X version and then to Nintendo DS. The most important are emulators for Java, Game Boy Advance, Play Station, SNES, Super Nintendo, Sega Genesis, Nintendo 64, Mame, Mega Drive, or Nintendo DS among others. One of the most notable is the creation of several programs VJM, virtual java machine, that allow run virtual java programs such as dictionaries, media players of sound files MIDI, e-Books Viewer format Epub and all kind of commercial software created for mobile phones. Use of emulators and wireless, PDA, keyboards, through the infrared port, with drivers developed by members of the scene, etc., have turned the psp on a computer completely portable and very sturdy. It is capable of emulating scientific calculators, 1980 computers as the Commodore Amiga, the Sinclair ZX Spectrum and 1980 year Personal computers with the operating system MS-DOS. Applications have been developed office such as word processors, spreadsheets, calendars, etc. Its use is limited, although some applications use an external keyboard or connected to the computer via the infrared port or by wireless.

• Plugins: Plugins are small applications with a specific function in the PSP running through Recovery Mode. His role on this platform is quite interesting, some plugins can, for example, allow code execution gameshark, make screenshots or extend the functionality of the firmware in general. It is computer application for a new function and usually very specific. In the PSP will run through the Recovery Mode. the pluggin need had to put them in a folder called SEPLUGINS, and modify the txts GAME, GAME150, and so on. Some plugins may, for example, allow code execution gameshark, make screenshots or extend the functionality of the firmware in general, as a flashlight, go into USB mode when connecting the cable, calculator, download PlayStation games directly play files MIDI or to listen music while reading a text, a pdf viewer book or playing a backup, remotely^{[26] [27] [28] [29]}control a PC and vice versa psp control with keyboard or mouse from the computer to play in it, movies, music, games and comics, plugin can do the same with other devices such as touch screens, mobile phones and PDAs, etc. Plug-ins are loaded when the console start by first time and will not have to load them manually.

• Game: There are both games made specifically for the PSP, as ports from other platforms. They are often called backup.

To install homebrew programs sometimes is not easy. Comics viewer described is for firmware 3.80 M33-5, but fits most. Epubs viewer psp fits all. The format cbr to read comics part of an archive in rar or cso as compressed folders, that must be copied to the folder ISO without decompressing, if you want the backup to work.

The backups loaded must be compatible with the firmware in question, we must select properly the parameters of the program and we must put the files into the appropriate folder, which can be GAME,ISO, etc. depending from the OS in psp.

Programs like bookr^[30], come in their own folder and just need to copy the bookr aplicattion to GAME folder, the bookr program can open all folders in the console until it find the one that contains PDF files. Some people find it more stability in the original version and others do better with that of NCT2K, depending on CFW to have the console and the PSP model, for which will do best by example, bookr original version, which displays files fully photo as comics, the PSP 1000, the new versions designed for PSP Slim bookr not get it and vice versa. PSPComic^[31][32] being easy to install can be confusing and discourage their installation.

In the comic viewer cbr and cbz format, PSPComic, normally the people try to put the program on "/ISO" folder, but that folder is for Image ISOs for normal programs is the folder "/PSP/GAME". To read e-books in epub format, PSP need a EPUB viewer in format Java, since there is even an psp application that read directly epub format. Then PSP must use a emulator java. First must install for example, the version of PSPKVM^[33] (0.5.5) to emulate the Java platform and to use for example, the java epubs viewer open source Albite Reader 2.1^[34] (version not Touch).

PSPKVM program begins, once inside, it must be to install the application of Albite Reader. Then it must create a root folder on the Memory Stick with the name "pspkvm" and to copy the books in EPUB format inner, this can be done from the Windows file explorer, having connected the PSP to the computer. When the program starts Albite Reader, opening a location request, it must be select the root. It is a very complete player with an English menu that allows regular changes in epubs readers.

References