PSP Glossary


The PSP scene in general uses many acronyms and technical words.
This aims to be a list explaining what the acronyms and words mean.​

1000: The original model of the PSP, also known as the Fat or Phat model.
2000: The first revision of the PSP, known as the Slim.
3000: The second revision, known as the Brite.
N1000: The model number for the PSP Go.
E1000: The model number for the PSP Street.

Brick: A PSP that's been rendered broken by corrupt or missing firmware files. A brick can be recovered from via a Pandora Battery assuming you're using an older PSP model, such as a 1000 or early 2000. A semi-brick is possible, where the PSP appears to be bricked, but there's something else minor wrong with it that can be fixed under normal methods.

CFW: Custom FirmWare. A modified version of the standard firmware, custom firmware often includes the ability to run homebrew and game backups, as well as modify parts of the system that are normally locked off. Generally has the format "#.## XXX-X#", such as "6.20 PRO-B5". The first number set identifies the original firmware it's based off of, then comes the abbreviation for the team's name, and then comes the specific revision of the CFW.
CSO: Compressed ISO. A format developed for the PSP to allow games to take up less space through a combination of compression, resampling, and ripping methods. The file size shaved off and the loading performance of the CSO depends heavily on the facts that went into making it.
cwcheat: A popular cheating plugin for the PSP, with some other features as well.

Dark_AleX/DaX: One of the original PSP hackers, creator of the old OE and M33 firmwares.

EBOOT.PBP: The PSP's executable type.

Flash: The internal firmware storage areas of the PSP. Consists of flash0 through flash3. Flash0 is the main internal firmware storage, Flash1 holds settings, Flash2 holds PSN license/activation info, and Flash 3 seems to not be officially used in most cases, with many CFWs treating it as a holding area.
Fully-Hackable: Denoting a PSP that can have CFW permanently installed through the CIPL method (1000s and earlier 2000s), these models can also use a Pandora battery. Later models can use a different method of "permanent" installation, but still rick bricks as there's no using normal pandora batteries on them.

Gen: An old custom firmware for the 5.03 and 5.50 versions.
Go: A later revision of the PSP, a major change from the previous models in that it's smaller, slides open, and has 16GB of internal storage.

Half-Byte Loader: A method for loading a subset of homebrew even if your PSP isn't properly hacked. Rarely used now since any homebrew that could be run through it (user-mode only) can be signed to run on OFW.
HEN: Homebrew Enabler, a small mod to allow you to load up homebrew without modifying your PSP (usually in conjunction with half-byte loader).
Homebrew: Unofficial programs/code/games, things made by normal people instead of big companies.

ISO: A copy of a PSP game disc.

LCFW: Light Custom Firmware. A cross between a HEN and a CFW, it does more than a HEN, but does not permanently install like a CFW.

M2: A type of memory card designed by Sony, used for the PSP Go.
M33: AN custom firmware for the 5.00 versions.
Memory Stick: A type of memory card designed by Sony, used for the PSP 1000, 2000, 3000, and E1000.
MMS: Magic Memory Stick, a modified memory stick that's used in conjunction with a Pandora Battery.
Motherboard: The main control board of a PSP, sometimes a determining factor in if a PSP is fully-hackable or semi-hackable.

OFW: Original FirmWare. Generally has the format "#.##", such as 1.50 or 5.00 or 6.35.

Pandora: A modified type of battery that can be used in conjunction with a magic memory stick on some older PSP models in order to downgrade them, and fix them if they brick.
Plugin: A program that can be used in conjunction with a CFW or LCFW to add additional features to the PSP, such as cheating, screenshot saving, and more.
POPS: Playstation On PSP System, the name given to Sony's official PSX/PS1 virtualization system that allows the PSP to play PS1/PSX games.
POPSloader: A plugin used to tweak custom-made POPS games to fix compatibility issues.
PRO: A modern custom firmware for the 6.x versions.
PRX: The format for the PSP firmware's system files. Also the executable format used for plugins.
PSN: Playstation Network, Sony's online system.

Save State: The ability to save progress in any PSP game at any moment and then restore it later.
Semi-Hackable: A PSP that cannot have custom-firmware permanently installed through the CIPL method. These PSPs either need to use the newer 6.20 method, or deal with having a temp custom firmware.
Signed: A homebrew that is signed like an official PSP program, and will run on an unhacked PSP.
Street: The latest revision of the PSP, only officially released in EU. A cut-back model, with no wifi, mono sound, and a cheaper build.

TA-0XX: Motherboard revision identification model.
TempAR: A newer cheat plugin designed for faster operations and more searching features.
TN: A custom firmware.

UMD: Universal Media Disc, Sony's disc format for the PSP.

version.txt: A file that can be used with custom firmwares (light or normal) to choose which firmware version information the PSP thinks it has.
VSH: Refers to the PSP's native menus and operation of it's firmware.

6/2/2012 - Added TempAR, changed some of the CFW and permanent wordings to better reflect modern situations, expanded on the flashes, added E1000/street.
5/16/2011 - Added Flash and Brick.
5/11/2011 - Changed layout to alphabetical spoilers.
5/10/2011 - Initial version.

 

[Costello]

I'm not sure why you put everything inside spoilers.
It slows down the reading and makes it hard to skim through the post and find a word quickly

heck, Firefox can't even find words when they're hidden (using Ctrl+F)

 

[Rydian]

Unspoilered like this it looks like a big mess. I might just put it in tables to segregate the term from the definition (since the terms are of varying lengths).

EDIT: If I stick it in a table it inserts a buttload of linebreaks or something before the table actually starts. Headers it is.

EDIT2: Headers add too much length.

I don't know how to make it look better.

 

[xist]

Don't bother with header tags, just top each section with the class (#:, A:, B: etc...) in bold and/or with a different colour, font or size.

 

[Arm73]

Thank you, I'm kind of new to the PSP hacking scene, and there are a few terms here I wasn't familiar with.
Maybe you could link some of the terms to a faq or wiki page with more in-depth explanation.
Cheers.

 

[Rydian]

Hm, which ones?

Some are self-explanatory, but those that could use more info (such as the magic memory stick and pandora) have a guide in the PSP section.

 

[shyam513]

Thanks, these terms really gave me a hand when I was modding. I'm kind of new to the scene.

 

[Satangel]

Loving this man, been using it a lot whenever I feel confused. Bookmarked + rated!

 

[toptenmaterial]

very helpful, thanks a lot!

 

[Rydian]

Totally forgot about this until you posted. XD Went and updated it.