PS3 Debug TEST stations FAQs

Hi All,

I couldn't find dedicated info on PS3 debugging stations and just wondered if we should perhaps start a thread where people could post model numbers, regions, what it can/can't do etc and firmware information etc. and collate it all into one thread.

I don't know much about the PS3 debugging station (my brain is filled up on too much dev PS1 and PS2 stuff instead!).

Question: Can a UK test PS3 play NTSC PS1 and PS2 games? will they output properly to a TV or is the alignment messed up?

 

To answer your questions, a test (or debug) PS3 can playback PS1 games from all regions, PS1 CD-Rs. The older models can play back PS2 games from all regions and PS2 master discs. For all practical purposes test/debug units are exactly the same hardware wise as retail units. It's really all firmware/software/IDs that makes a debug act like a debug station. Sony even has special software to change a retail into a debug and vise versa.

As far as the display goes I don't know 100% what happens with the component/composite output but I believe they operate similar to PS2 test units. HDMI output and up scaling are two possible ways around these limitations.

Rather than typing the list of models, here is a link to a good reference list of models http://www.ps3devwiki.com/wiki/SKU_Models.

 

I have recently acquired a PS3 slim Text version (debugging station) but I have no clue what it does, can you guys tell me the special features of this system and most importantly, can I play games on it ?

 

It has two LAN ports, one for debugging, and it supports booting games from an external HDD. It basically emulates the external HDD as a blu-ray drive (IIRC)
It can play games, but I'm not 100% on retail games. I know it plays back-ups and images of games.

 

Retail games discs can be played on a debugging station just fine. In fact you just pop in the disc and play the game (assuming your firmware meets the minimum required.)

Now game updates, PSN content, copies games is a bit more complicated. The jist of what needs to be done is the game eboots must be decrypted and converted to an fself (fake self) before it can be ran. Tools exist to perform these functions but they aren't exactly user friendly and there are some complications when it comes to more recent games (the keys aren't public knowledge yet for more recent firmwares.)

As far as features goes it is a region free PS3 that plays back games or applications in development. There are extra debug settings for performing various tests with your game such as software induced latency for network testing, access to the PS3 hard drive with appropriate software, BD emulator, the ability to ignore the owner of a saved game. The purpose in all of these features it to aid in testing of games in development.

 

That is wrong, the only PS3 with 2 Lan ports is the TOOL (DECR1400 or DECR1000a). TEST don't have anything special hardware wise, they are 1:1 retail hardware with a TEST identity as stated previously. TEST play retail discs but can't install updates, it can't play backup images from retail discs as these images need to be remastered and BD-Emu images are not allowed to carry retail binaries on them.

@Keberasky: PSN Content does not need to be made fself, packages need to be repacked only.

Basicly a TEST was made for QA testing, also member of the press got them to play review copies and pre release master sent by studios. Thats why you can get them mostly. Even if the SDK tools work on a TEST, these are not actually used for active development. Licensee buy TOOL kits for this task.

 

Yeah, that's what I meant :grief:

 

Stupid question (but hey, I have to ask): When you say TEST can't install updates... I would assume you're talking about game updates, is this correct? I mean, it would be pretty f*cked up if they can't install firmware updates.

 

yes, he is talking about retail game updates.
but you also can't install retail firmware on a test ps3. there are seperate firmware updates for retail (cex), test (dex) and reftools (decr).

 

roberto_blankhoe is right, retail game updates don't work (like everything else packed with retail NPDRM). Updates are different.

@roberto_blankhoe: cex, dex, deh (thats what tool says it is )

 

If you don't mind for a few seconds, does kiosk/shop fws uses retail pkgs like psn content, game demos, etc.. correct? Thank you!

 

you are right, kiosk firmware accepts retail pkgs only.

 

lol i knew it was either one of them because im using a kiosk/shop 4.20 fw untill i can starting using the dex-cex special software

 

Where does one get the latest firmware for a PS3 Test unit? I have one that I bought off ASSEMbler a while back that is in need of a firmware update. Thanks.

 

The latest I have seen so far is 4.55 OFW, I am in need of an update to 4.60 OFW myself to get my kit back on PSN/NP.

 

*Bump* I'd nearly forgot all about the ability to convert cex2dex thingy! though i've heard the newer dex firmware updates makes it harder to install nowadays. Can anyone fill me in if this is true?

 

Can a PS3 Test unit be loaded with a CFW?

I'm thinking I'd update my PS3 Test to OFW Dex 3.55, then update to CFW PS3ita 4.5 Cobra Dex?

Would this work?

Any disadvantages to doing this?

Thanks.

 

There's no need too & also i believe you can't install OFW on TEST units as it'll brick i think vise versa

 

oh, why do that? people will happy use retail cfw ps3 trade your dex.

 

true either one doesn't matter but, DEX feels more useful imho compared to retail cfw