The internet is swarming with rumours and gossip of the new PSP Modchip that is in production (apparently), DCEmu have got details and photos of the hardware, for those of you who are interested.

The U.P. (Undiluted Platinum) is a flash Replacement system for the PSP™ which allows the use of previous flash updates or custom firmware builds, opening up the possibility to run unsigned homebrew code on even the latest PSP systems. The U.P. contains 32MB NAND flash which is programmable from the PC via a high speed USB connection, using our user friendly software. You may boot the PSP from either its onboard flash or the flash contained on the U.P; the flash which is used is determined by a button press as the PSP is powered on (U.P. flash is used by default, hold L1 to use the PSP onboard flash). Since U.P. provides a secondary flash which the PSP can boot from, it can even be used to restore a PSP which has been “bricked”. Every effort has been made to make our flash updater software, which will be freely available for download, both as easy to use and reliable as possible. The software also contains diagnostics which can be used by installers to determine if an installation has been successful or not.

This Modchip will effectively allow you to run whatever firmware version you wish on your PSP, meaning that those PSP owners who have upgraded beyond version 2.0 can now return to a PSP running firmware 1.5. You may wonder why you would want to run a PSP with an old firmware version – the main reason is that the volume of homebrew software available to run is highest for that firmware version.

Of course, firmware version 1.5 will also mean that ISO loaders will once again be available to PSP owners who upgraded their PSP to firmware 2.01+. Whilst I believe in a persons right to choose what they do with their PSP, be it change a faceplate or downgrade the firmware, I am struggling with the concept of opening up the PSP to piracy in this manner.

I’m not going to get on my high-horse about copyright theft or infringement, but ISO loaders and software piracy can only harm the Sony PSP, as it devalues the development houses products, meaning less games will be produced.

Regardless, this Modchip may or may not work, I await an official tester to report back once the product is released. How long the Modchip will be available for once it is marketed may be very short, its unlikely Sony will sit back and let the device be sold without putting up a huge fight.

See also : Engadget and MaxConsole