A look-see at Undiluted Platinum, the PSP modchip

Not merely a modchip for your PSP, Undiluted Platinum, as we know, is supposed to be a complete flash / firmware replacement solution. But there were a lot of unanswered questions when we first found out about it a few days ago, but thanks to MaxConsole, we've got some answers. The 32MB flash storage area is booted to by default when installed in your PSP (shown above -- default PSP firmware can be accessed by holding L1 when booting), and can be written and modified freely with its own USB connector, which is routed through the battery compartment, making it completely enclosed, isolated, and independent. So much so, in fact, you can supposedly restore a bricked PSP with this thing. Expect a $90 US MSRP, and keep an eye out for more deets and pics as we get 'em.

[Thanks, Brad]

[Karl Entwistle @ May 28th 2006 5:50PM]

Cant wait to get one!

[Lambda @ May 28th 2006 5:50PM]

Wow. I'm gonna get this and slap it on my 2.7 firmware PSP, ISOs here I come!

[Simon @ May 28th 2006 5:58PM]

That looks great, and I'm especially impressed with the open-source approach they're taking. For those of us stranded on 2.7 Firmware, this is a good day.
Gentlemen, permission to rock out.

[kutagari @ May 28th 2006 6:00PM]

After reading the feature list, it looks this "modchip" has many potentials.

Can't wait till it can do something great, like XBMC perhaps? cool..

[Scott Canoni @ May 28th 2006 6:17PM]

I would only get this if it were easy to connect. From some other pictures I've seen, you have to solder a lot.

[Beavis A. Cornholio @ May 28th 2006 6:46PM]

Cool. Bet that I will be able to buy a PSP with one of these pre-installed during my next trip to Bangkok. Gotta love Pantip Plaza!

[Jonathan Keim @ May 28th 2006 7:04PM]

I like the idea of booting a bricked PSP. I'm sure I could buy one off ebay for $25 and then buy this modchip for a second homebrew psp.
I just hope the modchip isn't $90 like the article states

[187 John Doe @ May 28th 2006 7:11PM]

Does this mean I could switch between old and new firmware versions? Or can I run the new one while running some homebrew apps?
Sorry, I'm not sure how this works. Does it overwrite the old update or what?

[Jonathan Keim @ May 28th 2006 7:22PM]

#7
the way it works is it "dual boots". By defult it will go into the modchips ram, whatever you put in the ram (1.5 firmware or a custom made one) it will load.
But if you hold L1 down while it boots up it will go into the origanal psp ram

[pspsmallz @ May 28th 2006 8:43PM]

finally i can buy a new psp for games

[Jerome Demers @ May 28th 2006 9:22PM]

I think this is really nice!!

They should of done the other way around, you press L1 to get the modchips ram.

I hope to see more info soon! People review

Way cool!

[Will @ May 28th 2006 9:37PM]

Wow, all I can say is WOW!, I have a 2.0 PSP (I upgraded because I didn't care about ISO's I just wanted my Classic Nintendo and Web Browser) But when this comes out I will upgrade to a 2.7 (PSP) and 1.5(modchip)

[biatch @ May 28th 2006 10:39PM]

so lets say that you buy this thing and it works. Can you do this...

Have all the features you want (PSP's browser, Flash, etc.) but still have the 1.5 exploit? because it says you can customise.

[Merkur @ May 29th 2006 5:22AM]

This is the best news I heard for a while !!! Finally a way to crack the PSP and release the monster inside !!! Many thanks for such a great mod !!!

[Quartus @ May 29th 2006 2:11PM]

Custom firmwares!
Let's just hope people will port Linux to it.
Imagine the possibilities.

[Darius @ May 29th 2006 4:12PM]

lol, I wondered how long it would take before someone threw down a Linux comment. With this thing I'll finally be able to really control my home theater in 1.5 and get some Flash on that baby as well.

[David Kaspar @ May 30th 2006 7:36AM]

@14

"I'll finally be able to really control my home theater in 1.5".

What does that mean?

[Pal @ May 30th 2006 10:45AM]

Will: Why not use a downgrader if you have 2.0?

David Kasper: There's a homebrew app that allows older firmware versions to make your PSP into a multi-media center remote. A gimmick at best, but interesting.

[Steve @ May 30th 2006 12:45PM]

I wonder how this chip will play new ISO's that require a newer firmware. I'm guessing that firmware on the chip will be upgradeable as well.