[Zach] sent in his temperature controller and display for PS3, and even though it only works with a PS3 fat, we like our PS2 backwards compatibility very much, thank you.

The build stated off with [Zach] putting thermal sensors on the CPU, the RSX, and Northbridge of his PS3. After starting out controlling the fan with his laptop, he moved on to an integrated fan and display controller after seeing this post about a ‘hidden display.’ In the end, one of the coolest looking PS3 mods we’ve ever seen was born.

The build runs off an Arduino Pro that gets the temperatures from the sensors, prints everything to a custom 7-segment display board, and controls the fan. [Zach] thankfully made the Arduino source available and also put up some board files if you’d like to make your own. It’s a pretty impressive build that’s completely invisible when the PS3 is powered off.


http://hackaday.com/2011/07/08/inter...t-ps3-display/ ...

Lantus released a new version of FBANext, after FB Alpha (Final Burn Alpha). Remember, this is a multi arcade emulator based on the source code for Final Burn.

New / fixed: - Numerous changes to the code and that will interest mainly developers: - No more sound Separate class to go through - AudioInterface for PS3 now implements audio_check, audio_init, audio_constructor, and is in audio_destructor icts member functions (static function) . - Main loop emulation Improvements - Audio Is Now a straight function call to audio_check INSTEAD of going-through the first audio interface class (audio.check) - put the 'box Emulating:' block inside a do-while loop - not only is this faster (Because We Do not Have To Go Through The Whole switch again to see if GameStatus == Emulating Is True - But It Will Also allow us to do frame advance from Within the ingame menu. - Bugfix - when a shader WAS loaded - only the fragment program WAS loaded - and the vertex shader program from the previous Would Remain active. Both vertex and fragment Now Programs get updated with the ones from the shader .. Being loaded - Changed audiosample rate from 48,050 to 48,030 - the Closest We Can Bring this to 48,000 Without audio crackles - We Will Ensure the more video Will Be blocking - giving us better video performance. - Set audio samplerate from 48030 to 48020 - still no audio crackles - Cleaned up PSGL video driver - cut down on code duplication, made a lot of the OpenGL functions static namespace Into macros (So They Can Be Straight Into inserted vid_psgl.cpp - Where They Are Needed) - Moved the static variables from vid_psgl.h to vid_psgl.cpp - Removed broken shader-2xSaL HD.cg - Added experimental jararaca's retro shader - Cleaned up PSGL video driver code - Added shader dot.cg - Changed audio samplerate from 48020 to 48010. - Commented out VidSScaleImage in all of the rendering functions - is no longer needed - Auto-aspect ratio modes - this aspect ratio to select Automatically determines the proper aspect ratio for the game and then you're loading Automatically use it. There are Two automatic aspect ratio modes - 'Auto' and 'Auto FBA' - 'Auto' Does Some calculations to arrive at the proper aspect ratio while Auto FBA 'uses FBA's built-in aspect ratio settings for EACH game. - Cleaned up PSGL video driver - Some video optimizations to do with Three nested for loops - CPS3 - Pallet exchange WAS only Being done When loading / saving a state - putting this inside the function Draw Frame WAS WAS only cps3_palette_change Unnecessary When set to 1 ounce in cps3Scan - so the color palette Changing Moved to cps3Scan and out of the main frame function. Tested on Both 360 and PS3 - Nothing is Affected by this. burn.cpp-Speed ​​Improvements to and burnint.h - static functions Which are Used only in one ounce function inserted straight in - In Particular, biggest improvement cam from turning DrvClearOpposites Into a macro. - Is Now Button input blisteringly fast - Tested on Both PS3 and 360. For the user: - Implementation of a jog in the ingame menu - use either the Cross or hold R2. - The shaders can be can now be activated from the ingame menu - press left or right D-pad or analog stick from the shader to change. Then load the shader of your choice via the button CROSS. - Reorganization of the code of the aspect ratio - the ratio following aspects are now available - 4: 3, 5:4, 7:5, 8:7, 12:7, 16:9, 16:10, 16:15, 1:1, 2:1, 3:2, and a Custom mode (scaled). Custom mode corresponds to that previously available. You can also switch to this mode if you have selected a different aspect ratio from the ingame menu, via the 'Resize Screen' and then leaving again. - You can now change the aspect ratio from the ingame menu - The Bilinear filtering can be enabled / disabled from the ingame menu - Added rotation options in the menu ingame. Support the following platforms: - Support for Roma Capcom CPS-1 - Support for Roma Capcom CPS-2 - Support for Roma Capcom CPS-3 - Support for Roma Cave - Neo Geo roms Support - Supports roms Sega System 16 (and similar systems), System 18, X-Board, Y-Board - Support for Roma Toaplan - Support for Roma Taito 68k - Support for Roma Psikyo 68EC020/SH2 - Support PGM Roma - Roma Konami Support - Support for Sega Megadrive roms (savestates not supported) Features - Full Support Graphics / audio - Resizing the screen - Explorer for Roma easy to use. - Option for filters according to the drivers - Option to hide duplicates - Option to show only allowing multiplayer games (3 or 4 players) - 1080p 60fps for most Roma - Pixel Shader Support - Support up to 4 controllers - Options screen rotation - Filter Options Hardware (Linear, Point filtering) - Triple Buffering Installation : - Place your roms in the folder: / dev_hdd0/game/FBAN00000/USRDIR / roms / - The first time you run FBAnext, a file-fbanext ps3.xml will be generated. This file contains your options. - If you want to change the path of your roms, edit fbanext-ps3.xml ...

Sony's recently-confirmed 'PSN Pass' system will not make any money for the PlayStation 3 firm, reckons analyst Michael Pachter.

Communicating via Twitter, the Wedbush analyst called the PS3 online pass system - which is set to launch with Resistance 3 - poorly timed.

"PSN Pass is not timed particularly well. Curious if they make any money off this, I expect not," he wrote.

Sony confirmed this week that the game-specific initiative will see games include "a single-use registration code that grants the account holder redeeming the code full online access for that title."

It said: "This is an important initiative as it allows us to accelerate our commitment to enhancing premium online services across our first party game portfolio."

PSN Pass is very much like initiatives from other publishers such as EA's Online Pass and a similar system for THQ titles, which use one time access codes for online content and charge extra for pre-owned customers.

http://www.computerandvideogames.com...icularly-well/ ...

Sony has outlined details of a PSN problem that it temporarily stopping PlayStation Plus subscribers from accessing some of the free content on offer.

The issue stems from the infamous Welcome Back program, some legacy code of which is preventing full PlayStation Plus access.

“I just wanted to let you know that we are aware of the problem that Welcome Back PlayStation Plus Users are having and are working to get this fixed ASAP,” PlayStation Network product manager James Thorpe.

“Currently, the Welcome Back offer is not expiring and so those that have purchased a full Plus membership are not able to access the full Plus content. This issue is the cause of many of the other problems you have reported here on the blog, such as new content not showing up in the Store as expected.

“We are working on this problem now as a matter of priority and expect customers to see this fixed over the next few days.”

http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/tech-...members/061587 ...

If you don't have a PlayStation Move yet, but desire one primarily for its function as a semi-imaginary golf club, good news! Sony is offering a bundle with a Move wand, a PlayStation Eye, and a copy of Tiger Woods PGA Tour 12: The Masters. It'll be out next week for $99.99.

The bundle of a popular Move-enhanced sports game and the hardware seems pretty natural to us, but the timing of this bundle is somewhat less natural: Tiger Woods 12 actually came out in March. We're not used to seeing new hardware bundles for random already-released games. Perhaps this one got stuck in a sand trap, much like this post has become mired in a forced golf metaphor.

http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/08/ti...rdware-bundle/ ...

Nintendo's 3DS has returned to the top of both hardware and software charts in the company's home territory as a rush of new titles in the region dominates sales.

In stark contrast to the sparse UK and US release schedules of summer, eleven of the top twenty software offerings are new to market in Japan this week, although some have been available in the West for some time.

The Media Create figures show the 3DS's adaptation of Tales of the Abyss, originally a PS2 title, continuing the popularity of the series with close to 75,000 domestic sales in week one, putting it comfortably ahead of the PS3 sku of the latest Street Fighter variant. The 360 version of that title also makes it into the top 20 at 12.

Classic shooter port GoldenEye 007 on Wii hits fourth spot with 36,174 downloads. Another classic remake, Ocarina of Time 3D, maintains a healthy chart presence at sixth with 24,190 sales this week.

On a system basis, Sony dominates the chart once more with six games each on PSP and PS3 in the table. Nintendo manages two each for Wii, 3DS and NDS, with Microsoft claiming the last pair for 360.

Hardware sales fail to reflect that position, however, with 3DS inching ahead of PSP with 30,233 sales to Sony's 29,871. PS3 sits just behind that at 26,441 whilst the gap widens before Wii at 12,423. The discontinued PSPgo manages a paltry 7 units.

Japanese software sales chart, w/e 8 July, 2011.

Tales of the Abyss (3DS) - 74,173 (New entry)
Super Street Fighter IV Arcade Edition (PS3) - 54,924 (New entry)
To Heart 2 Dungeon Travelers (PSP) - 37,396 (New entry)
GoldenEye 007 (Wii) - 36,174 (New entry)
Little Battle eXperience (PSP) - 24,471
The Legend of Zelda- Ocarina of time 3D (3DS) - 24,190
Atelier Meruru- Alchemist of Arland 3 (PS3) - 23,756
Steins; Gate (PSP) - 21,830
Mashiroiro Symphony Mutsu-no-Hana (PSP) - 17,897 (New entry)
Test Drive Unlimited 2 (PS3) - 15,254 (New entry)
Gundam Memories- Memories of the Battle (PSP) - 13,701
Super Street Fighter IV Arcade Edition (360) - 12,326 (New entry)
Wii Sports Resort (Wii ) - 12,241
Yakuza Of The End (PS3) - 11,867
Bleach Soul Ignition (PS3) - 9,050
Moujuuzukai to Oujisama Portable (PSP) - 8,910 (New entry)
Kaidan Restaurant Zoku! New Menu 100 Selection (NDS) - 8,209 (New entry)
Power Smash 4 (PS3) - 7,999 (New entry)
Test Drive Unlimited 2 (360) - 7,764 (New entry)
Pokemon Black & White (NDS) - 7,623
Japanese hardware sales chart, w/e 8 July, 2011.

3DS - 30,233
PSP - 29,871
PS3 - 26,441
Wii - 12,423
DSi LL - 4,963
DSi - 4,504
360 - 2,244
PS2 -1,222
DSL - 138
PSPgo - 7

http://www.gamesindustry.biz/article...ardware-charts ...

The test kit firmware was nabbed by a hacker known as Consoledev at demonhades.org, where another member of the forums was keen to point out the leak will not lead to custom firmware creation.

"No, this does not mean CFW," he said. "But this hopefully can be useful to devs in establishing the future of CFW. This firmware is only for developers, researchers and this will only work on TEST units."

So, unless you've got a debug PS3 knocking around at home kids, the firmware won't be much use. Stick to the public 3.66 firmware that went live last month.

As mentioned above, though, it could lead to the emergence of custom firmware in the future.

http://www.computerandvideogames.com...re-366-leaked/ ...

If your PlayStation Plus membership is still active next week, you'll be privy to some deep, deep discounts between July 12 and July 19 thanks to Sony's PSN Summer Sale. If your membership has lapsed, you'll still get discounts, but only one "deep" worth.

Sony announced the 11 games that will form the basis of the sale, including Scott Pilgrim vs. the World, Shank, Pac-Man Championship Edition DX, Chime Super Deluxe, the Move-enhanced port of Dead Space: Extraction, and more. Plus members will save 50% off the normal price, while everyone else will grab a nice 30% discount.

Check out the full list after the break. If you see anything you like, we suggest going and purchasing a PSN card to pay for it, on account of ... recent events.
Back to the Future: The Game – Full Series (Sale price $13.99; Plus price $9.79; Regular price $19.99)
Chime Super Deluxe (Sale price $6.99; Plus price $4.89; Regular price $9.99)
Dead Space Extraction (Sale price $10.49; Plus price $7.34; Regular price $14.99)
Hard Corps: Uprising (Sale price $10.49; Plus price $7.34; Regular price $14.99)
Pac-Man Championship Edition DX (Sale price $6.99; Plus price $4.89; Regular price $9.99)
PixelJunk Shooter 2 (Sale price $6.99; Plus price $4.89; Regular price $9.99)
Risk: Factions (Sale price $6.99; Plus price $4.89; Regular price $9.99)
Shank (Sale price $6.99; Plus price $4.89; Regular price $9.99)
Scott Pilgrim (Sale price $6.99; Plus price $4.89; Regular price $9.99)
Swarm (Sale price $6.99; Plus price $4.89; Regular price $9.99)
Tales from Space: About a Blob (Sale price $10.49; Plus price $7.34; Regular price $14.99)

http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/07/ps...-an/#continued ...

Having pulled assets from old Castlevania games out of their graves for the XBLA release of Castlevania: Harmony of Despair, Konami is dusting off their creaky pixels once again for a PSN re-release of the multiplayer side-scroller.

The PSN version of Harmony of Despair will include playable Julius Belmont and Yoko Belnades characters, which were extra DLC on Xbox, as well as the Pyramid of Ruin level. In addition to that, PSN-ers patiently waiting for their chance to re-invade Dracula's castle will have access to a new local co-op mode for up to four players. The online mode still supports six.

Harmony of Despair is currently due on PSN "later this summer."

http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/07/ca...ummer-with-co/ ...