PSP homebrew glossary

This page serves as a glossary of commonly used terms frequently encountered when working with homebrew on the PSP, as well as some PSP-specific terminology.

A

ATRAC3

An audio codec from Sony that is largely similar to mp3.

AVC MP4 (Advanced Video Coding Mpeg-4)

A superior codec that allows for a better quality video with a smaller file size. Requires at least Firmware Version 2.00 or higher.

C

CFW

CFW, or Custom Firmware, refers to third-party-built firmware for the Sony PSP. Custom firmware generally allows the PSP to execute unsigned software (homebrew), and backup ISOs.

D

Downgrade

Reverting firmware to a previous, older version.

DRAM

Dynamic Random Access Memory, a type of memory used in most personal computers.

E

EBOOT

An EBOOT file is a compiled executable program that runs on the PSP.

eLoader

The eLoader is a program written by Fanjita and Ditlew to run hombrew software on Firmwares 2.0 and above.

F

Firmware

The operating system of the PSP is stored in firmware. Different exploits exist for different firmware versions.

Flash memory

The PSP stores its firmware in flash memory. Critical portions of the firmware reside in Flash 0, and less essential portions (web browser, settings, wallpapers, etc.) are stored in Flash 1.

I

IrDA

Short for Infrared Data Association, a communication protocol using infrared light frequently used by remote controls. The IrDA emitter is only available on the PSP 1000.

M

Memory Stick

The native removable storage device on the PSP is Sony's proprietary Memory Stick format. Adapters exist to use Memory Sticks with PCs.

MIPS

The central processor in the PSP is a MIPS Technology 333 MHz R4000. Most games ran at 222 MHz, but as of version 3.50 of the firmware, Sony removed this limit and games can run at 333 MHz.

O

OFW

OFW, or Official Firmware, refers to the Sony-built firmware for the Sony PSP.

P

PARAM.SFO

Similar to a .ini file, this is the part of an EBOOT.PBP package which contains the "instructions" for running the code (DATA.PSP/DATA.PSAR), as well as supplying other information on the program, such as region and program title.

PBP

The main executable format for the PSP's operating system. An example is the EBOOT.PBP package used to boot applications with a custom firmware.

PGE

The Phoenix Game Engine is a Lua script interpreter for building games on the PSP.

PMF

A proprietary media format from Sony. The audio track is in ATRAC3 format.

PMP

A video format that allows full resolution video to be played using PMP homebrew.

S

SIRCS

Sony's proprietary infrared protocol. Used in most, if not all Sony TVs and the Playstation 2. It is the native IR format for the PSP.

U

UMD

Universal Media Disc, a Sony disk format used to store games, music and movies.

X

XMB

The Cross Media Bar (XMB) is main user interface on the PSP and PS3.

General terms

This section is included from the main Glossary article and covers general homebrew terminology.

B

Brick

A console that is no longer working due to damaged hardware or an error with the internal software/filesystem. Usually the fault of the owner. Sometimes recoverable through special means.

C

C

Without going to assembler, one of the lowest-level languages used in homebrew. C code is far more portable than assembler, and most standard libraries have been ported to the different console development toolchains.

C++

An object-oriented language homebrew developers program in, essentially an upgrade to C. Applications built in C++ can, for the most part, use all the same libraries that C programs can use.

E

ELF

The Executable and Linkable Format (formerly named Extensible Linking Format), is a common standard file format for executable files.

Exploit

A piece of software/code that takes advantage of a bug, glitch, or vulnerability in the target system to execute arbitrary code. In the case of proprietary game consoles, an exploit allows the execution of unofficial homebrew software on the system.

F

Firmware

Fixed low-level code written directly into a programmable chip. The bootloader that loads the PS3 hypervisor or that loads up the memory card screen on the PlayStation are examples of firmware. High-level applications like the Wii Channel Browser or DS menu are not firmware.

I

ISO

An ISO file is a exact digital copy of an optical medium, such as CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, or UMD. It usually has the exact capacity of the data stored on-disc at an uncompressed size, so can often be compressed to a smaller file. The name comes from the ISO 9660 standard, the file format used on CD-ROMs.

R

ROM

A dump of a game file from a cartridge, such as from the NES or SNES.