Update: CXMB 3.2.1 is here…

• Fix bug (freeze while applying theme)
• Fix bug (restore to original official XMB when returns from game)
• make official XMB not a choice of random.

Yes yes y’all… Just what you were waiting for — Poison’s CXMB version 3.2 with official support for custom firmware 4.01 M33. Customize it, theme it, skin it — make it yours.

CXMB v3.2 changes:

• Add 4.01 compatibility.
• Select the random.ctf, then cxmb will randomly apply your themes in /PSP/THEME/
• Compile universal binary, cxmb.prx should work on 3.71/3.80/3.90/4.01
• Fix some wrong io operation (I wrote some sceIoClose where there should be sceIoDclose)
• Clean up sources

Download: CXMB v3.2.1 | Custom PSP Themes

- source: 2alien.info

Auraomega has issued a new version of Project4 for those who experienced the nasty BSoD error. Also, as the title implies, the Project4 installer now works with custom firmware 4.01 M33.

See our previous Project4 V1.6180 news coverage for a clearer understanding.

And Happy Canada Day!

Project4 v1.6180 - 2:

FIXES:

• Removed the BSoD caused by the missing p4ml.prx

UPDATES:

• Updated the installer to include a patch for the new 4.01M33

INFO:

• p4ml.prx was an external module to run Project4’s module loading, it was removed about half way through coding but both me and my testers already had the file in their flash, so when testing none of us received the BSoD. The offending segment of code has been removed. This was a truly stupid error caused by lack of time to test on a fresh firmware install, hopefully a repeat of this will not happen in the future.

Download: Project4 v1.6180 - 2
(documentation included; see Project4Readme.pdf)

- source: darkmessiah

Thanks djinc.

Switch things up a bit with Mr. Shizzy’s XMB Editor for custom firmware 3.90 M33. Longtime users may recognize Mr. Shizzy’s earlier work when PSP Wardrobe was the name. After steering his homebrew in a new direction, we’re now left with a full-fledged XMB editing tool.

Download includes 5 themes and plenty of XMB mods. Have fun.

XMBeditor V.2 changes:

• Should have fixed all compatiblity issues with PSP PHAT models
• Made process of flashing theme 2 - 3X faster
• Added color selector for XMB date/time
• Added color selector for XMB busy signal
• Added color selector for XMB Battery
• other small bugs fixed

Download: XMBeditor V.2

- source: pspplayground

The ‘brew known as Project4 just received one hell of an update… Serving as a complete XMB replacement; Open Beta 4 adds more functionality, eliminates many bugs likely experienced in past versions, and features a new super speedy installer—less than 20 seconds now.

Auraomega isn’t clownin’ around. She’s a big one…

• Added a “faded” look to menus.
• Flash3 mounting in read/write mode.
• Added disc0:/ mounting in read mode.
• Split the fonts allowing for separate main fonts and clock fonts.
• Fix background loading some files, this will be used in the next version more.
• Changed the way the album art is displayed, when a song is played with “Album.jpg” the image is placed in the centre of the screen with a black background surrounding it.
• Icons now have a transition effect instead of just appearing they now slide from each other, this can be turned off for a speedup or just to fit more with the theme.
• Added the ability to change CPU and bus speeds via the config, the default is 222 and 111, these can be lowered for normal use if the transition effect on icons is switched off.
• BSoD errors can be bypassed by pressing the 2 shoulder buttons and square, although users do so at their own risk, most of the time errors just stop functions working, but they could lead to some serious errors, use with caution.
• Removed sysDump for this version.
• Added an errorLog dump which dumps the information that appears when a BSoD occurs which means you can post errors even if you don’t have a computer around at the time.
• Added an alternative load menu which can load files in different ways. Current options are:
  • Extension Mode
  • Hex
  • Delete
  • Rename
  • Create Directory
  • Copy File
  • Paste
• Utilized the PSPs OSK.
• Icons can be linked to both folders and files for even faster use of Project4
• Date now added to the “Extended Menu”, along with current folder location.
• A “Message Box” has been added to tell you what mode you are in, and when you have changed modes.
• Extended the filebrowsers file list to now show up to 10 pages, instead of the old 4. If anyone finds this value to low let me know so I can increase it further.
• Volume checking (thanks to sakya for helping with the kernel exports).
• Volume bar.
• Image viewer movement smoother as now uses both frame buffers and culling. This removes a lot of graphical glitches.
• “Extended Menu” now has the ability to change what loading mode ISOs work in, meaning you can load video and music ISOs (this is untested as I do not have any video or music UMDs, feedback on this would be helpful).
• Added a screensaver functions.
• System idle time can be changed for the screensaver, anything 0 or less will disable the screensaver completely.
• Sped up the change from the image viewer to the filebrowser / main menu.

And of course, plenty of bug fixes. Please see Project4’s readme for everything of the utmost importance; it’s encouraged you read that over before installing/using. Enjoy!

Download: Project4 Open Beta 4

- source: darkmessiah.byethost13.com
- Donate to Auraomega

Tired of that?

Want a little more of this?

Then you best be downloading this CXMB package with 50+ themes. Add a whole new look and feel to the XMB.

To install: copy the themes, poisonhzkj’s cxmb prx plugin, and backgrounds to the corresponding directory on your memory stick. The extracted file structure is self explanatory — just be sure to not overwrite ms0:/seplugins/vsh.txt if you have other plugins installed; instead, add the appropriate line manually, “ms0:/cxmb/cxmb.prx.”

Set your new custom theme by browsing to System -> Theme Settings. Enjoy!

Download: PSP Custom Theme Pack (50+) with CXMB Plugin

- source: 2alien.net

Thanks David.

Just when you thought Auraomega was gone; *snap, crackle, pop* — Project4 is back on! The project aiming to serve as a complete XMB replacement is back on track after a devastating loss of source code.

Contrary to a “PSP shell” which runs on top of the XMB, Project4 installs and operates directly from flash memory — replacing the XMB entirely.

Unlike open beta 1 & 2, this installation differs… Please see the always important README.TXT before continuing.

What’s new since Open Beta 2?

• Added a boot sound with option to turn on/off.
• Added an optional filebrowser background, perfect for people who find their normal background doesn’t go well in the filebrowser or gets in the way.
• Added a clock with configurable options
• Changed the code to load the EBOOT menu when entering a folder with an EBOOT.PBP inside, only applies if using the “Request” option.
• Allowed the icons to be varying sizes, giving the ability to customize the menu even more than before. Icon sizes are determined during bootup, so no editing in the config required.
• Moved the selected icon to the centre, instead of the first.
• When playing music, album art can be showed as long as Folder.jpg is present in the directory.
• Added M3U playlist support, which works in all directories above or below unlike previous versions.
• Added the “Low Key Music Player” which is like a very basic version of LightMP3 installed in the flash, when booting up the PSP if you press the left shoulder button it is loaded, and plays music in the file ms0:/PSP/MUSIC/LKMP.m3u. The clock speed is drastically reduced, making this a good option for those who use their PSPs as their main mp3 player.
• Added some notes saying how to save, and how to temp save the config.
• Changed the about screen to make it appear neater, and compacted the lists.
• Centralized the menus (mount, request, extended) which looks neater, also changed the colour scheme for them.
• Updated the default config written to comply with the updated code.
• Added a [#] to each of the options that do not yet work, these are mounting of flash3, XMB loading, and resetting the PSP.
• Added a device mounter that can mount: Flash0:/ (read mode only), Flash1:/, Flash2:/, Disc0:/ (untested but should work), Host0:/ (assuming RemoteJoy or other plugins are loaded
• A couple bug fixes…

Download: Project4 Open Beta 3

- source: darkmessiah.byethost13.com

For all the skeptics and non-believers out there, PSP Hacks presents an Auraomega production — Project4!

We’ve witnessed proof-of-concept videos over the past couple weeks, and today — this fine Christmas eve — we have open beta numéro un.

If you’ve missed previous Project4 coverage, then we’ll have you know it’s a complete XMB replacement. Contrary to a “PSP shell” which runs on top of the XMB, Project4 installs and operates directly from flash memory; substituting the XMB entirely.

Everything is documented in README.pdf — known bugs, installing/uninstalling, theme specifications, etc… It’s strongly encouraged you read that over before jumping the gun.

Happy holidays!

Download: Project4 Open Beta 1

Project4 working/non-working functions: (more…)

You watched this video earlier in the month. Sadly it was somewhat of a poor quality.

The team, only a few moments ago, sent word of a new video posted on YouTube. Behold Project4 — the complete XMB replacement!

We’ve witnessed fake videos and countless deceptions in the past. So to be clear on things, this news should be taken with a grain of salt. Personally I’m a bit skeptic, but I’ve been wrong before. Who hasn’t? Nonetheless I have high hopes; a complete XMB replacement would be one hell of a righteous hack. Stay tuned!

Tired of the plain ol’ boring XMB? Sure you can theme it with custom icons and whatnot; but what if you could replace the XMB entirely — with a whole new menu-ing system!? Well, by the looks of it, it is possible and we may see a public release sooner rather than later. Developer Auraomega and djinc present Project 4…

I was also asked to post these quick notes from the dev:

I planned to record the installer installing from scratch, but unfortunately the installer is making an error that I can’t track down, most likely with the firmware patching. This is aimed at all current Custom Firmwares out there, but is highly unlikely to work with 1.00 and 1.50 firmwares. M33 has a few issues, the main one being that NoUMD does not function correctly, and a UMD must be inserted. OE firmwares are fully functioning, and an installer for these versions should be made separately if anyone requests it. This is tested on 3.40OE-A and LE-A, and also on 3.52M33-4, any other versions SHOULD work, but without testing I can’t be sure. This is a Proof of Concept release, and many things such as a full image viewer, music and movie players have been omitted from this build, but rest assured they will appear in the full builds (and possibly the next Open Beta). The possible release date is 24th December - Christmas Eve - assuming that I can fix the installer bug before then, lets call it my Christmas gift to everyone within the PSP Homebrew scene.

Pure speculation? You decide.

PSP theming has sure come along way, and we can thank ZiNgA BuRgA for providing the necessary customization tools allowing various aspects of the XMB to be personalized. RCO Editor enables easy manipulation of localized resources (*.rco files) — icons, sounds, text, etc… Basically anything & everything that makes the XMB what it is.

Changes in 1.15c:

• Fixed another bug in GIM conversion routine

Changes in 1.15b:

• Fixed a bug in the decompression and GIM conversion routine

Changes in 1.15:

• Rewrote GIM < -> BMP conversion routine
• Dimension restrictions removed, as well as the “visible dimension” nonsense (RCO Editor automatically fixes that)
• osk_utility.rco icons no longer cause crashes
• Support for creating 4 bit and 32 bit GIMs (previously, only 8 bit supported) - effectively removing the 256 colour restriction
• You can now use ICO, PNG and GIF files as inputs, in addition to 4 bit BMPs
• Other minor changes and bug fixes
• Added option to disable compressing resources - this is for some 3.7x RCOs not working properly with compression enabled

Download: RCO Editor v1.15c

- source: endlessparadigm

p.s. Apologies for the downtime