How-To Hacks finalist: Controlling your home with your PSP

Today's How-To is the second finalist in our PSP vs. DS hacks contest. We'll keep 'em coming and you'll be able to vote for the winner at the end of the week.

Controlling Your Home with your PSP
by LiquidIce

When the wipeout browser hack came out, I saw someone controlling XBMC from their PSP browser. It's great that you could control XBMC from your PSP, but what if your XBOX isn't on, and your TV isn't on, and your TV is not on the right input?? You still have to get up or find the remote and adjust all of that...

I've come up with my own solution...

Step 1: Setting up the DNS Hack

The first step was to be able to redirect the Wipeout Browser to any url I want. To do that I turned to MooPS, which is a DNS/Web server that you run on your computer. It automatically forwards ingame.scea.com to the url of your choice. Once Sony releases their browser this step can be skipped, assuming sony gives us an 'address bar' or homepage.

 

More info about MooPS
Download MooPS

Step #2: Controlling A/V equipment

By using a controller device called the WACI NX you could turn on the TV, turn on the XBOX, switch to the correct input on the TV, and send the PLAY command to XBMC all in 1 button press on your PSP.










So far I have the ability to turn my lights on and off. Have full control (Play, Stop, Pause, Menu) of my DVD player, TIVO, and High Def TV, all wirelessly from my PSP. I can also send commands to my PC running Winamp to tell it to Play Stop and Pause my music, or even browser my playlists.

To do most of the controlling I used this tiny little web server control box called the WACI NX. It's great because it has an HTTP and FTP server and uses regular HTML to issue the commands making it the perfect match for my PSP, which does not support any fancy Javascripts or DHTML. The PSP talks to the WACI NX via wifi through the network. In turn the WACI emits the IR signal to the TV through one of my IR Emitters, just as if I had pressed the button on the remote.



The WACI NX has a built in IR Learner so you can grab all of your remotes, learn all the button commands, and save them in the WACI to be played back and emitted later. You could even do macros so it sends out a sequence of button presses with a specified delay between each button press.

 

The pages it hosts are constructed using Layers and Div tags. I put an image map on the graphics and created some HTML pages which have special links which are crafted so that when the PSP highlights and clicks on a spot on the image map, it instructs the WACI NX server to send an IR signal to my A/V equipment or triggers it's relays to cut power on the lights.



The actual links are name value pairs going to a script I made on the WACI NX. (http://192.168.1.102/rpcpost.asp?
method=IRSend&Param1=1&Param2=DVD&Param3=Play)
That script is written to execute the IR Send then redirect back to the referring page. To change which command I run, I just change the url string in my link.



I'm sure that if you rigged something up you could do something similar with special software that runs on your PC. However, by using the WACI I have a dedicated piece of hardware that's only function is to send commands to my stuff no matter which interface I create to control it. Unlike Sony who hides their protocols, the WACI NX has an open protocol which you can access from just about any web programming language. I can program using, Flash, ASP, HTML, Javascript, C#, C++, and Java. It's great for developers, and fairly simple to get started using the provided sample code. For more info on the WACI NX you could check out waciworld.com

Step #3: Controlling Winamp



Another web server you could set up is a plugin for Winamp called BrowseAmp. This program will set up a mini web server that uses the same kind of special urls to send commands to the Winamp player running on your computer. I've put together a skin that looks good on the PSP screen. I will post it on http://psphacks.blogspot.com

In the meantime, download BrowseAmp at:
http://www.browseamp.com/

I have a lot more ideas on how to improve this system, but I am waiting to see what Sony does with the web browser first. Right now navigation is clunky because every button press causes the page to refresh. This is the same reason why PSPIRC keeps refreshing the entire screen. I want to explore sending the commands to the WACI using an IFrame or XMLHTTPRequest object, but AFAIK these basic HTML features are not implemented in the wipeout browser.

The PSP has a lot of potential in terms of just Web Apps. With minimal effort, Sony can unlock browser functionality on everyone's PSP's in the form of a network update. Until then we wait, and hope Sony does the right thing...

[Rich @ Dec 19th 2005 1:20AM]

WOW! nice job, thats sweeet. this alone makes me want to purchase a psp

[Mitch Incognito @ Dec 19th 2005 1:20AM]

Why do all of these 'hacks' revolve around using this browser? it's not hacking if it can do something normally :P

[Scott @ Dec 19th 2005 1:20AM]

Mitch, a hack is making something do something it's not intended for. I dont think the PSP was designed for use as an IRC client, or remote control for your house. Therefore it's a hack in my opinion.

[nellydoom @ Dec 19th 2005 1:20AM]

now that is cool it makes me want to import a psp right now.

[Glickstar @ Dec 19th 2005 1:20AM]

that black box costs 14000....

[Glickstar @ Dec 19th 2005 1:20AM]

i ment $1,400

[ernie @ Dec 19th 2005 1:20AM]

Glickstar: In the US, they are only $1,400

http://www.waciworld.com/?section=Order

[Rob @ Dec 19th 2005 1:20AM]

Brilliant.

Now if only I could understand more than half of that i'd be set. It would be interesting to see this streamlined with some less programming intensive interfaces that were created pre-programmed with this purpose in mind. Also, if Glickstar is correct, perhaps a less costly intermediary. Besides that, quite an impressive display of creativity.

[chris26 @ Dec 19th 2005 1:20AM]

screw that...
As cool as it may be (and very cool it is indeed).
These are all EXPLOITS and NOT hacks
(ok, maybe the browser action in wipe-out is a "hack"...)

I hope pete and ryan and the rest of you guys keep that in mind when choosing a winner.
word.

Not to be a troll or anything cause Im loving the expanded functionality on my psp.

[lupinstel @ Dec 19th 2005 1:20AM]

This is impressive, but it still doesn't feel like a hack. Its cool and everything, but really you are just using the psp and an input device and a monitor, all that other gear is doing the hard stuff. I don't think we will be happy until we see a full fledged hack where somebody cracks the psp open, solders something to it, messes with its innards and makes it do something cool all on its own, or at least does something with its own software.

[Phil @ Dec 19th 2005 1:20AM]

well this is more useful than that freaking IRC or MSN hack, i mean this is kind of cool, but yea, i dont really count this as a hack either

[nemi @ Dec 19th 2005 1:20AM]

The fist specs of the PSP mentioned that it had IRDA and an infra-red remote control application. As I do not yet own a PSP can anyone confirm if those fatures made it to the shipping version?

I.e. is that an IR window somewhere on the unit? Is there a remote control app built into ROM?

[lupinstel @ Dec 19th 2005 1:20AM]

If you want to do this in a cheaper way look into X-10 products. You may know X-10 as having annoying popup ads on the internet selling voyeur cameras. But X-10 Is actually a protocol, not a specific brand name; the people selling X-10 cameras were sort of ripping off the name. Anyway... X-10 compatable products are used for home automation, and I know they have computer interfaces.

[elton @ Dec 19th 2005 1:20AM]

I recently installed a couple different X10 systems in my household and I'm becoming a huge fan of home automation. X10 receivers (those that appliances/lamps/etc plug into are by and large all compatible, as they communicate via the X10 protocol.
X10.com is a popular place to get cheap X10 products. Smarthome.com has better service and higher end products.

[Brian @ Dec 19th 2005 1:20AM]

A number of people apparently don't know the way the word "hack" is being used in this context.

From Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hack :

"In any event, it came to mean either a kludge, or the opposite of a kludge, as in a clever or elegant solution to a difficult problem. In the term "hack value" it also acquired a meaning of anything that was simultaneously fun and clever."

See "Hack Value": http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hack_value

In the case of using the PSP as part of a home control system, hack is being used in this context and the winner is an excellent example of a PSP hack.

[Danielle @ Dec 19th 2005 1:20AM]

gee, I wonder why Americans are getting fatter?

[cafn8 @ Dec 19th 2005 1:20AM]

Very nice. Presumably you could also use this setup with any web enabled device. I'd be tempted to take the PSP out of the equation and control my home via my cell phone. I can't afford the WACI gear, though, so it looks like for now I'll have to control my home the old fashioned way: by training my cats.

[Eric W @ Dec 19th 2005 1:20AM]

The funny part is the guy waiting for his PSP to finish loading wipeout so he can turn the lights on.

loading...loading...

[chris26 @ Dec 19th 2005 1:20AM]

So brian,
If I use my PSP brower to point to a cgi-bin perl script that runs a universe simulator, you would consider that to be the mother of all psp hacks?
"Be Omnipotent! Run a universe from your PSP!!!"
no... it would only be a very cool website.

I understand what you are saying but IMHO you have a weak argument.

[elton @ Dec 19th 2005 1:20AM]

http://hacks.mit.edu/Hacks/

[Jaseone @ Dec 19th 2005 1:20AM]

The hack here is just the Wipeout browser hack the home control part of it has nothing to do with hacking the PSP.

If it does get classified as a PSP hack then so can loading any other normal website on it? Oh look I can use it to view a web cam of what my dog is doing at home in my apartment, does that qualify?

[arkowi @ Dec 19th 2005 1:20AM]

The contest should have been "Hacking The DS vs. Hacking the Wipeout Browser"

If some developer had come out with a game with a browser for DS, these exact same hacks would work. That makes them non-system specific.

[EdZ @ Dec 19th 2005 1:20AM]

Look, there is no feasible way to run code on the PSP other than:
* Becoming a developer
* Hacking 128bit AES (impossible in the lifetime of our universe)
* Incredible blind luck crossed with shoddy programming on the part of the developer.

Until the third comes along (which will probably be a while as Sony have VERY strict control on the code that's actually put on UMDs and sold) then we'll have to rely on thw wipeout browser exploit.


Now 'just making a webpage' may not sound very 'creative' to some people, but it is a lot harder than it looks to get a FUNCTIONAL website that can be interfaced with via the PSP. It has odd formatting quirks and nonstandard compliance, so getting things to run exactly as you want them to is no easy task. Let along controlling them without resorting to the keyboard API.


And by definition, this IS a hack. A hack within an exploit (and the exploit is itself a hack by definition). It is performing a task for which the PSP, let alone wipeout, and let alone the browser was designed to perform. Therefore; hack.

Q.E.D.

[EdZ @ Dec 19th 2005 1:20AM]

Apologies for the double reply.


"If some developer had come out with a game with a browser for DS, these exact same hacks would work. That makes them non-system specific."
No, they would not. Ever tried playing that Tetris hack in IE, Firefox, or anything that isn't the PSP? It doesn't work. Therefore it is PSP specific, and a hack, even by your own convoluted definition. I doubt this theoretical DS browser would exhibit the same characteristics of the PSP browser.


And since when does a hack have to be platform-specific to be a hack? PyMusique/SharpMusique is not platform specific, and is still a hack.

[naoki @ Dec 19th 2005 1:20AM]

Just wondering, has anyone been able to use the IR port on the PSP? (right next to the L shoulder button)

I've been wondering why they put it there; you could make the WACI box unneccessary by just sending the right frequency with the IR port on the PSP...

[EdZ @ Dec 19th 2005 1:20AM]

No-one (apart from sony themselves, and possibly developers) have access to the IR port.

[Jesse Andrews @ Dec 19th 2005 1:20AM]

While these are all cool "hacks" (don't want to argue about it), I am waiting for something more than a webpage before I purchase my PSP.

I hope someone figures out how to run stuff from the memory stick soon!

[chris26 @ Dec 19th 2005 1:20AM]

"Tetris Hack"?
Ok, Ill take the bait....
with that logic Sergey and Larry should win for their search engine hack.
Because its NOT platform independant should count as a minus rather than a plus.
(not to belittle dude's work cause its realy cool...)

[sato @ Dec 19th 2005 1:20AM]

"No, they would not. Ever tried playing that Tetris hack in IE, Firefox, or anything that isn't the PSP? It doesn't work."

im using firefox.

4 is left
6 is right
2 is down
space rotates the block

[Brian @ Dec 19th 2005 1:20AM]

Chris26,

http://www.oreilly.com/hacks/

Hack - a clever solution to an interesting problem.

Problem: Use your PSP to for home automation control (not web browsing, game/music/video playing).

The solution is clever. Don't get caught up on the use of the web browser and html interface. Just because he's using a hack (Wipeout browser)as part of his home control hack doesn't disqualify the fact that his combination of hardware, software and using the PSP in a novel way is in and of itself a hack.

[DarkFader @ Dec 19th 2005 1:20AM]

OMFG! That's totally awesome!

[ElCapitanAmerica @ Dec 19th 2005 1:20AM]

No people, these are all different uses of the same hack. Sorry.

The hack here is to enable a web browser on the PSP. Everything else is just an addition of this hack.

If we don't make the distinction, then you might as well submit every URL on the internet and make it usable on the PSP and call it a hack. C'mon.

[Vance @ Dec 19th 2005 1:20AM]

I was hoping the PSP hack contest would result in something actually useful, as in I can't do it with anything else. I have dimestore PDAs that can do this. What I don't have is a powerful pocket game station that can decently run all kinds of retro game emulators. (full speed, folks, I know about the Zodiac and Gamepark.)

[Matt @ Dec 19th 2005 1:20AM]

33: Word. The firmware has even been patched (as of today or so) which allows running homebrew code without a passme or wifime.

Once wireless and Sound are worked out....

[Viking @ Dec 19th 2005 1:20AM]

Fantastic hack! Although is there a cheaper alternative for the WACI NX??? Or is this machine "the" piece of equipment for this whole operation???

[geezalready @ Dec 19th 2005 1:20AM]

People are taking the phrase "hack" far too seriously. Who cares what it's reffered to. It's a contest and "hack" as it is used in this context is nothing more than a placeholder. Just a word. Get around the concept and life suddenly seems so expanded.

[Rocketboy_X @ Dec 19th 2005 1:20AM]

#23 ... " but it is a lot harder than it looks to get a FUNCTIONAL website that can be interfaced with via the PSP. It has odd formatting quirks and nonstandard compliance, so getting things to run exactly as you want them to is no easy task."

So if I make a web page that works better in IE or Netscape(Mozilla) than Opera, does that make it an IE/Netscape hack?

[foxy @ Dec 19th 2005 1:20AM]

Hi, i am completely confused,lol!! I thought that to hack or be a hacker was an illegal activity. Can someone explain all this to me please.
Thank-you

[renjuko @ Dec 19th 2005 1:20AM]

WOW is the only thing i have to say. i was thinkin about gettin a PSP and doin somethin simailar. great work this gets my vote twice

-renjuko

[paul @ Dec 19th 2005 1:20AM]

actually the term hacker was orignally a name for a person who is interested in computer hardware and liked to learn the inner workings of a computer or electronic device(if i remember correctly)

it was the media who made this term a little blurry and make it a black list title to have.

[TheZodiac @ Dec 19th 2005 1:20AM]

hmm.. more of a MOD than a hack?

[clay @ Dec 19th 2005 1:20AM]

You guys are way off!!

A "hacker" is someone that has a bad sinus infection. You can usually tell if it's a good "hack" by how much snot is in the tissue when you're done "hacking".

[mrasmus @ Dec 19th 2005 1:20AM]

Um, let's try to clear this up. A hacker is in NO WAY a bad person. They are, by their true definition, just a person who loves to explore technology. If you ever took apart a radio when you were a kid, trying to figure out how it worked, then tried (and maybe failed) to put it back together, that would be an attempt at "hacking". A very simple one, but a decent exploration to expand your knowledge.

People who DO do illegal activities (phone phreaking, gaining access to data you don't have permission or rights to, etc.) is called Cracking. You can even learn to "crack" on your own computer, and it's just hacking in the end. Unless you don't have your own permission. Which would be strange. I mean, I hack my computer when it crashes, as I use non-native bootable discs, which allow me to retrieve data, or reset a password or troubleshoot. This is a long shot, but it works.

As for this "hack", I'm not sure I want to get into the argument. This is based on an exploit (the WipeOut Pure Web Browser) which was not designed to let you just browse. That's why you have to set up a seperate DNS, to get around the original purpose of the browser. This is a hack, certainly -- You're exploring a different, unintended use for the technology. Mind you, this may become obsolete, as Sony might make a real browser.

Now, to really address this topic -- As for the idea, it's great. I mean, pop on the page, then sleep the psp when I don't want to use it as a controller, and when I want it -- BAM! -- instant controller. This is very dependent on the setup of the web site controls, but it's not just visiting a site -- it's setting something up that adds functionality and affects the world outside of the psp, which is wonderful. The fact that it was just an adaptation doesn't take away from the overall goodness of it, it just makes it easier to set up. I mean, if this were just an "hey, you can see a camera in my house on my psp", it'd be relatively weak. But this goes the other way, it's "hey, you can turn on the lights in my house from anywhere with a psp and an internet connection" (something that can easily be done if you set this up right). This has an effect on the outside world, rather than just being affected.


I hope I didn't ramble too much, sorry if I did.

P.S.: On the subject of the I.R.: nobody I know of has figured out how to use it yet, but I read somewhere that they figured out how to run code compiled as binary from the memorystick. Maybe a rumor, not sure. If this is true, it may be the simple (not) matter of writing a psp driver for the IR port. They may even use the same standards as they do on regular computers. They used the same ISO format for the UMD's, so why not? Just a thought, I'm no expert on hardwaresoftware interfaces.

[hydrogen_wv @ Dec 19th 2005 1:20AM]

Wow, quit whining whether this is a hack or not. The folks judging the contest will decide whther it's a hack or not. You all are just wasting your time whining about it all. It's sad to see that so many people get so uptight about ONE WORD that they will sit here and argue about it.

Looks like a few people need to invest in a life, and I don't mean anything Electronic either. O_O

[hydrogen_wv @ Dec 19th 2005 1:20AM]

Oh, and personally, I think this is awesome.

[Corey @ Dec 19th 2005 1:20AM]

I think it should be possible for someone (not me because I dont know this all too well) to have a browser download for the PSP to install on the memory stick duo. It woulden't load on Music, Picture, or Movie... But if you knew what kind of file type it is, I dont see why we couldent even have I.E. on it. But it is just me saying it, I would have no idea how to do it.

[CrazyTurk @ Dec 19th 2005 1:20AM]

Hey,
OK if it's a hack or not I' not the judge for it. Being able to control you freaking home w/ a psp, other equipment or not, is awsome. I want the people that a crying and whining to come up with a "real" hack as they call it. I for one was surprised it came with as many abilities as it did (such as playing movies/music) from the memory card... I remember having to open and solder on my XBOX and PS2 to even get it to do that (well I gues not music on the xbox) c'mon people to hack is to explore and tinker... come up with something better you self and then you can call this a non-hack...
Phreaks

;)
E

[mapacheman @ Dec 19th 2005 1:20AM]

im confused

[Chris @ Dec 19th 2005 1:20AM]

What is it with about half of your obsessions about this being a hack or not!? Who cares? Just judge it for whether or not it's cool. IMO, this is pretty great, except for the price of the WACI thing.

[psp hack exposed @ Dec 19th 2005 1:20AM]

This is not a hack. My pocket PC can do the same thing. A real hack would be getting linux on a psp or making your own umd or even go as far as making your own umds. You should all feel dumber if you think this is a hack..