Dark AleX today update his custom firmware to 3.02 OE-C. This is a major update to the firmware providing many new features as well as an updated version of POP Station. Because of the many changes, the update must be installed in the same way firmware 3.03 OE-A. As a result, you will require official Sony firmwares 1.50 and 3.03. So what’s new in 3.03 OE-C, you ask? Well, CPU Clocking is now allowed in XMB, Wi-Fi now works at 333Mhz, Flash0 and Flash1 can now be accessed via the USB port and more, see below for a full list of changes.

Changes in Firmware 3.03 OE-C

• AVC videos bitrate limit patched.(The Firmware bitrate of AVC videos was limited to 768 Kbps, by Sony. OE now forces the limit to be 16,384 Kbps.
  (Note: this doesn’t mean than the PSP can actually handle such a high bitrate.)
• The boot speed is now approximately 3 seconds faster than previous versions. (without plugins)
• CPU speed of XMB can now be changed
• Wi-Fi can now work at 333 Mhz
• Added access to flash0 and flash1 via USB (can be enabled via in the recovery menu), this option is based on the great idea of USBSSS by Booster. (Note that writing is enabled, so this is intended only for advanced users only. Because of this addition, the rest of the flashing options were removed.
• PSP ISOs can now be deleted as any normal memstick game. (also the size of the ISO now shows when you press TRIANGLE > Information).
• When formatting memory stick, GAME150, GAME303 and ISO directories will be automatically created
• Various changes made to the internal HEN core

Changes to POPStation

• The writing is now a bit different. This will avoid “Memory stick blinking too much” bug when using the plugin to load the 3.02 pops.
• PSPStation now lets the use of non-encrypted DATA.PSP. If DATA.PSP is in the same directory as the application, PSPStation will use that as the DATA.PSP of the EBOOT. Otherwise, it will use the one from BASE.PBP. A DATA.PSP that imitates the original Sony one is included.
• EBOOT.PBP generated with a non encrypted data.psp won’t need the file KEYS.BIN at all. (Note: these EBOOT.PBP cannot work in versions prior to 3.03 OE-C due to a bug that those versions had.)

Screenshot

INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS:

Creating the DATA.DXAR file

• Copy the’oeupdmaker’ and ‘oeupdmaker%’ folders to X:/PSP/GAME/ if you are using Firmware 1.50 or to X:/PSP/GAME150 if you are using whatever version of 2.71 SE or 3.02/3.03 OE.
• Download the 1.50 and 3.03 Sony Firmwares and copy them to the ‘oeupdmaker’ folder with the names “150.PBP” and “303.PBP”, respectively.
• Run the ‘oeupdmaker’ program from the XMB. This program won’t write to the flash, it will just create a file called DATA.DXAR in the same directory (oeupdmaker).
• The program will verify that the SHA-1 of the generated file is correct once the extraction is complete.
• Once that you have done this, you can save the DATA.DXAR file to skip this step in the future.
• The process of generating the DATA.DXAR file will only take a few minutes.

Installing 3.03 OE-C to the Flash

• Copy the ‘oeflasher’ and ‘oeflasher%’ folders to X: /PSP/GAME or X:/PSP/GAME150 if you are 2.71 SE or 3.02/3.03 OE)
• Copy the generated DATA.DXAR file into the ‘oeflasher’ directory.
• Run the flasher from the XMB. If your battery is less than 75%, the program will display a error saying and will return to the XMB.
  • If you have battery problems, you can bypass this check, at your own risk, by executing the flasher program with triangle and the L-trigger pressed.
• The program will then show an agreement. Press X to continue the installation process flash the custom firmware, or R to cancel and exit to the XMB.
• If you accept, the program will flash the custom firmware. During the flashing process, DO NOT shutdown the PSP or remove the Memory Stick, doing either will brick your PSP.
• Once the flashing process is complete (usually takes a few minutes), shutdown the PSP and restart to 3.03 OE-C.

[Download Firmware 3.03 OE-C]

Sony has just confirmed the release date of the PS3 via a press release. The PlayStation 3 will be released in Europe and Australasia on 23rd March 2007 with an initial shipment of 1 million units and over 30 titles, including Resistance: Fall of Man, MotorStorm, Genji: Days of the Blade, FORMULA ONE CHAMPIONSHIP EDITION and Ridge Racer 7. Only the 60GB version will be released on this date, retailing for EUR 599/GBP 425, with the 20GB version to follow later on this year. Along with the release of the PS3, a new System Update will also become available to enhance the entertainment potential of the PS3.

The Playstation Network will also debut on this with the availablility of Tekken 5: Dark Resurrection and Gran Turismo HD Concept, which has already been downloaded by more than 350,000 users since it was released in December 2006 in North America and Japan. Check out the full launch line-up below:

PS3 Launch Title – Publisher – Network or Disc based

• Resistance: Fall of Man – SCEE – Disc
• MotorStorm – SCEE – Disc
• Genji: Days of the Blade – SCEE – Disc
• FORMULA ONE CHAMPIONSHIP EDITION – SCEE – Disc
• Ridge Racer 7 – SCEE – Disc
• Tekken 5: Dark Resurrection – SCEE – Network
• Lemmings – SCEE – Network
• Go! Sudoku – SCEE – Network
• Go! Puzzle – SCEE – Network
• Blast Factor – SCEE – Network
• flOw? – SCEE – Network
• Super Rub’a’Dub – SCEE – Network
• Call of Duty 3 – Activision UK Ltd – Disc
• Marvel: Ultimate Alliance – Activision UK Ltd – Disc
• Tony Hawks Project 8 – Activision UK Ltd – Disc
• Gundam – Target in Sight – Namco Bandai Games – Disc
• Full Auto? 2: Battle Lines – Sega Europe Ltd – Disc
• Sonic the Hedgehog – Sega Europe Ltd – Disc
• Virtua Fighter 5 – Sega Europe Ltd – Disc
• Virtua Tennis 3 – Sega Europe Ltd – Disc
• World Snooker Championship 2007 – Sega Europe Ltd – Disc
• NBA 2K7 – Take 2 International SA – Disc
• NHL 2K7 – Take 2 International SA – Disc
• Blazing Angels Squadrons of WWll – Ubisoft Entertainment SA – Disc
• Enchanted Arms – Ubisoft Entertainment SA – Disc
• Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell: Double Agent – Ubisoft Entertainment SA – Disc
• The Elder Scrolls lV: Oblivion – Ubisoft Entertainment SA – Disc
• Def Jam: Icon – Electronic Arts Ltd – Disc
• EA SPORTS Fight Night Round 3 – Electronic Arts Ltd – Disc
• NBA Street Homecourt – Electronic Arts Ltd – Disc
• Need for Speed Carbon – Electronic Arts Ltd – Disc
• The Godfather The Don?s Edition – Electronic Arts Ltd – Disc
• Tiger Woods PGA TOUR 07 – Electronic Arts Ltd – Disc
• Untold Legends Dark Kingdom – Electronic Arts Ltd – Disc
• F.E.A.R. – Vivendi Universal Games Intl SA – Disc
• Gripshift – Sony Online Entertainment – Network

PLAYSTATION 3 Peripherals Available at Launch Peripheral
RRP in Euros

• SIXAXIS? Wireless Controller – EURO 49.99
• Blu-ray Disc Remote Control – EURO 24.99
• HDMI Cable – EURO 24.99
• AV cable – EURO 16.99
• Component AV cable – EURO 24.99
• S Video cable – EURO 16.99

[Via: SCEE Press Office]

Last month Square Enix announced Final Fantasy Tactics for the PSP. To accompany the article, here are 39 screenshots of what it will look like on the PSP. The PSP version will include a new job class, and you can also expect an appearance from Final Fantasy XII’s Balthier. Until we have more information, check out the below screenshots.

Masi Oka is much more than the star of NBC’s breakout comic book-driven hit, “Heroes”, and the man behind the special effects you’ve enjoyed for years in movies like Star Wars Episodes I and III, Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines, War of the Worlds and Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest, he is also a gamer. When he’s not playing Hiro Nakamura on NBC, Oka spends some of his free time working with George Lucas’ Industrial Light and Magic (ILM). When he is on set, he spends his free time playing on the PSP.

“I like playing the puzzle games, because as an actor, I’m always trying to kill time on the set,” said Oka. “On ‘Heroes,’ there’s a lot of waiting. I can’t play a long role-playing game, because once you get into that, you get so hooked, you don’t want to stop. The AD is trying to get you to the set and you’re in your trailer yelling, ‘Hold on, I’m almost done.’ But you’re never really done. I like playing self-contained games like sports or puzzle games.”

Oka, who returns to Japan routinely and travels a lot for work, also finds his PSP system a godsend on airplanes.

“On planes, it’s great to watch a movie or games,” said Oka. “That’s all I do on planes, is whip out my PSP and just stay focused on it the whole ride through. I won’t even get food. I’m not a big fan of flying, so the PSP system helps me. I usually bring 10 games with me, like Loco Roco or Star Wars Battlefront II. I play a lot of Capcom Classics, Mercury, Sudoku. I also like compilations like the Sega Genesis Collection, Midway Arcade Treasures and EA Replay.”

Oka’s into all type of technology and games. He said he didn’t even realize the full potential of the PSP system when he first got one. Now he uses it for everything from watching UMD movies to listening to MP3s.

Oka’s psyched about the new Remote Access for the PSP system, which allows any Wi-Fi connected home to share content between PLAYSTATION 3 and the PSP system. The actor recently received a PS3 and he’s looking forward to Sony’s next step in Remote Access, which will expand the technology in 2007 to allow for instant access of PS3 content from any hot spot anywhere in the world.

“As an actor, Remote Access will allow you to connect to the Internet with the PSP,” said Oka. “It’s so much smaller and lighter than lugging around a laptop. I can be on location and surfing the Web with my PSP. It just gives you a lot more versatility and a lot more options.”

When the acting quiets down at some point down the line–with 14 million people tuning in each week to “Heroes,” it likely won’t be soon–Oka said he’d like to get involved in videogame development. Through ILM, he has friends that work at game companies like Electronic Arts and Activision. And he has a lot of ideas that would be great for games, including one for a “Heroes” game.

That show has certainly changed Oka’s life. No one out there knew he was the guy who made the water effects in blockbuster movies, but everyone knows him as Hiro.

Gamers will likely hear a lot more from Oka, both through his TV role, his behind-the-scenes work on films, and, some day, through his videogames.

[Via: PlayStation NA]

European gamers still have a little more waiting to do before they get their hands on the PlayStation 3, and compared to the November 2006 release of both the Japanese and US versions, its seems like ages. Sony remains confident that they will be able to meet the March launch date, despite speculation that further delays would be likely. A Sony spokesperson today told journalists, “[President of SCEE] David Reeves has confirmed again today that we are still on course for a March release.”

A spokesperson for SCEA confirmed:

“In a recent interview, Sir Howard Stringer stated that the launch for the PS3 in Europe and other PAL countries is slated for April. Sir Howard meant to say the launch was set for ‘this Spring.’ The release for the PS3 in Europe and other PAL countries remains March.”

In a previous interview, Sony CEO Howard Stringer said that “the European launch in April…is very important to us." European gamers will be glad to see the launch back on track.

Also Today, Sony’s Irish PS3 Web site quoted a price for the console of EUR 629.99 (approx USD 815/GBP 415) for the 60GB model, a higher amount than the previously confirmed price of EuR 599 (USD 775/GBP 395) for Europe. Sony stated that this was due to Ireland’s VAT rate, which is currently 21 percent, and not any pricing changes by Sony. The price for other regions will be announced next week.

Square Enix has announced the release of Final Fantasy Anniversary Edition and Final Fantasy II Anniversary Edition for the PSP as part of the 20th Anniversary of Final Fantasy. To clear things up, these two games will not be ports of the originals but will include the gameplay system and scenarios from the Game Boy Advance and PlayStation ports, including the opening FMV sequences as well as a music player mode and monster gallery.

So what exactly makes this not a port? Simple, Square Enix has remade the sprites and backgrounds to fit on the PSP’s widescreen TFT and added new battle effects. The screen layout remains the same and the game will still be in 2D. Some may feel disappointed that Square Enix’s big FF Anniversary resulted in a few minor updates, however, it turns out that this is just the first of many projects. Square Enix executive producer Shinji Hashimoto says to look forward to April for more surprises.

Dark_AleX has updated Custom Firmware 3.03 OE yet again, Revision B of 3.03 Open Edition (OE) has full resolution support for MP4-AVC videos. Unlike the Official Sony Firmwares, OE-B supports full 480 x 272 resolution so you can watch your own views in “UMD-Video” quality. No special video players are needed since OE-B updates the native video player so you can watch full-screen videos directly from the XMB. In addition to this feature various bugs have also been fixed.

Here is a breakdown of the changes:

• Patched the firmware to allow decrypted MP4-AVC videos to play at 480×272 resolution.
• Problem with PIC0.PNG not being shown in PSP ISOs has been fixed.
• Problem with a few games not running at the selected speed from the recovery menu has been fixed.
• The structure of the program has been changed to free up more RAM for game mode.
• Docmaker now supports upto 1000 PNG images (up from previous limit of 100)

[Download]

The PSP is to become available in yet another colour. This time its Champagne Gold (PSP-1000 CG), bringing the total available PSP colour range to six. The new PSP will go on sale in Japan on February 22nd retailing for 20,790 Yen (inc. tax), which is approximately GBP 90/USD 175/EUR 135, which is quiet cheap for a [Base Pack] PSP. For a limited time only, the Gold PSP will be bundled with Monster Hunter Portable 2, which will be released in Japan on the same day. No details about a European or North American release so far, but Sony has mentioned a wider release if it is successful in Japan.

So, the full PSP colour range as it currently stands is:

• Black
• Ceramic White
• Silver
• Metallic Blue
• Pink
• Champagne Gold

[Via: PlayStation Japan]

The Official Sony 8GB Memory Stick (Sony Part no. MSX-M8GS) will be available to purchase in the US next month, with a heavy pricetag of USD 300. The advantage is more space on your PSP so you can store over 1,500 hi-resolution photos, over 18 hours of video or lots of games! The Memory Stick can be purchased from Official Sony Resellers, Sony Stores and online at Sony Style.

The Memory Stick will be compatible with PSPs running Firmware 2.81 or higher. Weighing only 2g and measuring 1.22″ long, its tiny and can fit entirely in your PSP, unlike the Datel 4GB PSP Hard Drive. How much porn will you be able to fit one it?

Dark_AleX recently updated his latest Custom Firmware, 3.03 OE-A, to OE-A2 (or A’). The minor update fixes a few bugs in the firmware while adding a new feature. Custom Firmware 3.03 OE-A was released only a few days ago and Dark_AleX is already working hard to correct bugs. To update to OE-A’, simply copy ‘oe_a2update’ folder onto your PSP and run the program. You must be running firmware 3.03 OE-A in order for the update to work, so if you are not already using 3.03 OE-A, install it before updating.

Here is a list of changes:

• Added CPU Clock selection for UMD/ISO games.
• Fixed various bugs regarding the recovery menu
• Fixed a small part of code in UMD emulation that was not multithread safe.

[Download]