Recently while working on a new mod I discovered a new method for downloading and installing pkgs, Its actually an old method, but I rediscovered it and learned a few new things too.
Those who know the PS3 xmls may be aware of the PS Home item in the category_psn.xml.
This item can be used to download any pkg quite easily by just replacing the links and changing the content ID. nothing special about that really, Im sure some of you already knew that. There is a big drawback to this and that is the fact that you need to be signed into PSN to use this item..normally.
So I was playing around with this item trying to see how many entries I could get rid of and keep it working, I quickly discovered I could remove the "instruction_rsc" and the "focus" lines. While doing this I figured out that the "info" string used in these type of items is not like any normal info string, what I mean by that is it is not a bit of text that gets displayed on the XMB. It is actually very similar to a "module_action", This is where it gets interesting, because then I looked in the explore_full.sprx and found these 2 sections relating to this type of XMB item.
So here (with some tips from @kozarovv) I ended up replacing "home_install" with "net_package_install" (edit: replaced it in the xml, this does work without any patches to the sprx), this had a very positive effect, now PSN login was no longer required. Also I can patch the "pkg_src_qa" in the sprx to just read "pkg_src" then I no longer need to include that entry in the xml. I also had limited success when patching out the "content_id" entry in the sprx, It allows the pkg to fully download but not install regardless of the content id of the pkg, normally it fails instantly if its wrong, so this was a partial success.
So anyway, here is the type of xml entry required to get a package to download and install without any PSN login, and without using any external plugins or sprx patches, this is completely an official function.
Now its not perfect. Cons are, No background download, and the title must be included in the explore_full.rco.
I have a work around for the title problem that anyone can use quite easily, it involves having an icon within an icon. See here.
As you can see from the video, its a prettier solution then the normal XMBPD, no overlapping text when installing (like with the webman mod solution), and it shows the proper icon when downloading/installing along with the actual pkg name.
Anyway, that's that bit, oh yeah, if the icon doesnt exist at the prod_pict_path it will default back to the user icon which is handy.
But aswell I also discovered something else while experimenting. It seems that the "info" field in this type of item can be used to call on other things. For example if you just put "package_install" in there you can use it to enter the install pkg files item, but then I tried some other things like "account_management" and "nas_test" and "widget_control" and "registration" and "me". These items showed up some interesting stuff, Some XMB items I had never seen before or they were behaving differently.
Keep in mind I am not logged in, don't even have a PSN account tied to this user:
When I open up the nas test item I get this page which is not opened in the web browser, no web controls, can only exit.
If I open up "account management (NAS)" it takes me to this page:
I have also noticed that this different type "info" string is used at the same time as "info_rsc" in the category_psn.xml, which is interesting. There are lots of entries like this.
This makes this section of the wiki misleading.
Anyway that's all for now. Happy Modding!
Those who know the PS3 xmls may be aware of the PS Home item in the category_psn.xml.
Code:
<View id="seg_home">
<Attributes>
<Table key="home_install">
<Pair key="info"><String>home_install</String></Pair>
<Pair key="pkg_src"><String>http://pkg.ww.home.playstation.net/home/ww/home/EP9000-NPIA00005_00-HOME000000000001-E.pkg</String></Pair>
<Pair key="pkg_src_qa"><String>http://pkg.ww.home.playstation.net/home/xx/home/EP9000-NPIA00005_00-HOME000000000001-E.pkg</String></Pair>
<Pair key="content_name"><String>msg_playstation_home</String></Pair>
<Pair key="content_id"><String>EP9000-NPIA00005_00-HOME000000000001</String></Pair>
<Pair key="instruction_rsc"><String>msg_playstation_home_explanation</String></Pair>
<Pair key="prod_pict_path"><String>/dev_flash/vsh/resource/explore/icon/icon_home.png</String></Pair>
<Pair key="focus"><String>last</String></Pair>
</Table>
</Attributes>
<Items>
<Item class="type:x-xmb/xmlnpsignup" key="home_install" attr="home_install" />
</Items>
</View>This item can be used to download any pkg quite easily by just replacing the links and changing the content ID. nothing special about that really, Im sure some of you already knew that. There is a big drawback to this and that is the fact that you need to be signed into PSN to use this item..normally.
So I was playing around with this item trying to see how many entries I could get rid of and keep it working, I quickly discovered I could remove the "instruction_rsc" and the "focus" lines. While doing this I figured out that the "info" string used in these type of items is not like any normal info string, what I mean by that is it is not a bit of text that gets displayed on the XMB. It is actually very similar to a "module_action", This is where it gets interesting, because then I looked in the explore_full.sprx and found these 2 sections relating to this type of XMB item.
So here (with some tips from @kozarovv) I ended up replacing "home_install" with "net_package_install" (edit: replaced it in the xml, this does work without any patches to the sprx), this had a very positive effect, now PSN login was no longer required. Also I can patch the "pkg_src_qa" in the sprx to just read "pkg_src" then I no longer need to include that entry in the xml. I also had limited success when patching out the "content_id" entry in the sprx, It allows the pkg to fully download but not install regardless of the content id of the pkg, normally it fails instantly if its wrong, so this was a partial success.
So anyway, here is the type of xml entry required to get a package to download and install without any PSN login, and without using any external plugins or sprx patches, this is completely an official function.
Code:
<View id="seg_pkg_test">
<Attributes>
<Table key="pkg_test">
<Pair key="info"><String>net_package_install</String></Pair>
<Pair key="pkg_src"><String>http://www.link-to.pkg</String></Pair>
<Pair key="pkg_src_qa"><String>http://www.link-to.pkg</String></Pair>
<Pair key="content_name"><String>msg_title</String></Pair>
<Pair key="content_id"><String>EP9000-CONTENTID_00-0000000000000001</String></Pair>
<Pair key="prod_pict_path"><String>/dev_xx/path-to/icon.png</String></Pair>
</Table>
</Attributes>
<Items>
<Item class="type:x-xmb/xmlnpsignup" key="pkg_test" attr="pkg_test" />
</Items>
</View>Now its not perfect. Cons are, No background download, and the title must be included in the explore_full.rco.
I have a work around for the title problem that anyone can use quite easily, it involves having an icon within an icon. See here.
As you can see from the video, its a prettier solution then the normal XMBPD, no overlapping text when installing (like with the webman mod solution), and it shows the proper icon when downloading/installing along with the actual pkg name.
Anyway, that's that bit, oh yeah, if the icon doesnt exist at the prod_pict_path it will default back to the user icon which is handy.
But aswell I also discovered something else while experimenting. It seems that the "info" field in this type of item can be used to call on other things. For example if you just put "package_install" in there you can use it to enter the install pkg files item, but then I tried some other things like "account_management" and "nas_test" and "widget_control" and "registration" and "me". These items showed up some interesting stuff, Some XMB items I had never seen before or they were behaving differently.
Keep in mind I am not logged in, don't even have a PSN account tied to this user:
When I open up the nas test item I get this page which is not opened in the web browser, no web controls, can only exit.
If I open up "account management (NAS)" it takes me to this page:
I have also noticed that this different type "info" string is used at the same time as "info_rsc" in the category_psn.xml, which is interesting. There are lots of entries like this.
Code:
<Table key="cam_profile">
<Pair key="info"><String>cam_profile</String></Pair>
<Pair key="info_rsc"><String>msg_profile_info_psn</String></Pair>
<Pair key="icon_rsc"><String>item_tex_cam_icon</String></Pair>
<Pair key="title_rsc"><String>msg_profile_psn</String></Pair> </Table>This makes this section of the wiki misleading.
wiki said:
Anyway that's all for now. Happy Modding!
Last edited:
