Proof-of-concept video: The Project4 XMB Replacement

If all goes well for Auraomega‘s current work, we could literally be changing the way we browse the PSP in the near future. The developer dropped us a line earlier to announce the existence of Project4, a proof-of-concept project that will replace the PSP’s XMB. Interested in the 411 on this project? Head to the full article!

Visit: QJ.NET PSP Development Forum

If all goes well for Auraomega‘s current work, we could literally be changing the way we browse the PSP in the near future. The developer dropped us a line earlier to announce the existence of Project4, a proof-of-concept project that will replace the PSP’s XMB.

Here are Project4’s specs, according to Auraomega’s post over at the Darkmessiah forums. Keep in mind that being a proof-of-concept, this app is far from complete:

• Current Abilities
• ISO loading.
• CSO loading.
• ISOFs NoUMD mode.
• Editable GUI.
• 3.XX Kernel loading for EBOOT, PRX and ELF files.
• 1.50 Kernel loading for EBOOT, PRX and ELF files.
• PNG loader.
• JPG loader.
• HEX reader.
• UMD loader.
• Internal keyboard (soon to be replaced by Sony keyboard).
• File Copying.
• Config Changing.
• Error notification, and notes about common loading errors (such as incorrect kernel when loading a game).
• Faulty but working to some extent
• MP3 Player.
• Text Reader.
• File Deletion (Does not delete folders if there are files or folders insde).
• NoUMD compatibility (M33 driver and NP9600).
• Known Bugs
• NoUMD compatibility is semi working, any games that do not appear to work with the ISOFs will not work with Project4, this is a minor issue that I am trying to work on.
• PSX Kernel loading may not work.
• MP3 files will not play due to a lack of memory.
• Images larger than 2048×2048 will not load.
• XMB loading currently broken.

The developer notes Project4 is written to the PSP’s flash0 and edits firmware files. It’s not just a boot up from the console’s memstick.

Auraomega also released a video to give readers an idea of how the whole thing looks. The video is divided into three parts (according to Auromega):

• In the 1st clip it shows the installation. Once its finished installing the PSP must be manually shut down. Upon startup the Project4 splashscreen is shown, and all images are loaded.
• In the 2nd clip an alternative theme is flashed, this can be done by anyone using anything, not just the specific ones in this video.
• The 3rd clip shows that plugins aimed for the XMB still generally work in Project4, and I have shown (accidentaly may I add) that SCEP can be loaded still.

That’s the basic rundown on this homebrew project. Any fellow developers interested in lending a hand will want to visit the author’s discussion thread over at the QJ.NET PSP Development Forums. With a little luck (and help), Project4 should meet its scheduled release date this December 24.

Visit: QJ.NET PSP Development Forum