Moonlight PSP

2026-05-29T23:23:29Z

K4idyn:

{{Infobox PSP Homebrews
|title=Moonlight PSP
|image=MoonlightPSP.png
|description=PSP-native H.264 Game Streaming Client.
|author=k4idyn
|lastupdated=2026/05/29
|type=Other
|version=1.3
|license=[https://github.com/k4idyn/Moonlight-PSP/blob/main/LICENSE GPL-3.0]
|download=https://github.com/k4idyn/Moonlight-PSP/releases
|website=https://github.com/k4idyn/Moonlight-PSP
|source=https://github.com/k4idyn/Moonlight-PSP
}}

Moonlight PSP is a Moonlight-compatible game-streaming client for Sony PSP systems, designed around a custom PSP-native networking, decode, audio, input, and rendering stack.

The project streams H.264 video from a host PC running Sunshine, decodes video on the PSP main CPU, and uses the Media Engine for accelerated YUV-to-RGBA conversion.

== Features ==
* Host discovery (mDNS, known-host probes, optional subnet scan).
* Pairing + TLS transport auth (Runtime identity, PIN flow, authenticated confirm).
* Game library + icons (Sunshine box-art download, static PNG decode, raw RGB565 cache).
* RTSP / RTP / FEC pipeline (PSP-native transport with CAVLC host profile required).
* OpenH264 decode + ME conversion (PSP-optimized software decode path).
* Audio (Opus playback when enabled; Performance preset disables local audio work).
* Input (Xbox and Browser modes, customizable PSP combo mapper).
* UPnP hotspot/remote assist (Temporary IGD UDP port mapping for stream ports).
* Multi-host support (Up to 8 paired hosts).

== Installation ==
=== Requirements ===
PSP:
* PSP-1000 / PSP-2000 / PSP-3000
* Custom firmware: ARK-4 on 6.60/6.61 is the supported target
* 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi

Host PC:
* Sunshine current stable release recommended
* H.264 Baseline + CAVLC configured for PSP-compatible streaming

=== Instructions ===
* Extract both files to ms0:/PSP/GAME/Moonlight/.
* Both EBOOT.PBP and moonlight_me_helper.prx must be in the same directory.
* Requires custom firmware.
* Host must run [https://github.com/LizardByte/Sunshine Sunshine] on the same LAN.

For full setup, pairing flow, and troubleshooting, see [https://github.com/k4idyn/Moonlight-PSP/blob/main/INSTALL.md INSTALL.md].

== Encoder settings guides ==
* [https://github.com/k4idyn/Moonlight-PSP/blob/v1.2/docs/AMD_SETTINGS_GUIDE.md AMD (AMF)] - 13 settings with Web UI locations and recommended values
* [https://github.com/k4idyn/Moonlight-PSP/blob/v1.2/docs/NVENC_SETTINGS_GUIDE.md NVIDIA (NVENC)] - 8 settings covering presets, rate control, and AQ
* [https://github.com/k4idyn/Moonlight-PSP/blob/v1.2/docs/QSV_SETTINGS_GUIDE.md Intel (QSV)] - 3 settings with generation-specific notes
* [https://github.com/k4idyn/Moonlight-PSP/blob/v1.2/docs/SOFTWARE_ENCODING_GUIDE.md Software (x264)] - CPU fallback preset and tune options

These guides matter because the PSP's software H.264 decoder is extremely constrained - wrong encoder settings on the host will cause failed streams, visual corruption, or massive frame drops. The guides explain which settings work and why.

== Preset guide ==
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Preset
! Use When
! Stream
! Audio
|-
| Performance
| You want the most responsive PSP-1000 profile
| 300x170, 30 fps, 384 kbps, 1056-byte packets
| Disabled
|-
| Balanced
| You want a middle point between detail and smoothness
| 360x204, 20 fps, 480 kbps, 1200-byte packets
| Enabled
|-
| Quality
| You want native PSP resolution
| 480x272, 10 fps, 576 kbps, 1200-byte packets
| Enabled
|}

== Screenshots ==
https://dlhb.gamebrew.org/psphomebrew/images/MoonlightPSP4.png

https://dlhb.gamebrew.org/psphomebrew/images/MoonlightPSP5.png

== Known issues ==
* The PSP Wi-Fi radio is 2.4 GHz only and remains the main practical bottleneck.
* H.264 CAVLC is required for normal playback; CABAC is not recommended for PSP use.
* High resolutions above the native PSP display are outside the intended operating range.
* Some fast-motion content can still expose the PSP display and network limits.

Detailed notes at [https://github.com/k4idyn/Moonlight-PSP/blob/main/docs/KNOWN_ISSUES.md docs/KNOWN_ISSUES.md]

== Changelog ==
'''1.2.0 2026/05/18'''
* Streaming Presets
** Added a dedicated Preset row with PSP-focused Performance, Balanced, and Quality defaults.
** Performance now defaults to 300x170 at 30 fps, 384 kbps, 1056-byte packets, and audio disabled.
** Balanced now defaults to 360x204 at 20 fps, 480 kbps, 1200-byte packets, and audio enabled.
** Quality now defaults to native 480x272 at 10 fps, 576 kbps, 1200-byte packets, and audio enabled.
** Built-in stream sizes use the PSP LCD aspect ratio so presets fill the display without fixed black bars.
** The Resolution row is independent from the Preset row, so manual resolution changes no longer reapply the whole preset ladder.
** Packet size is now configurable from the settings menu and is saved to <code>config.ini</code>.
* Pairing and Host Flow
** Pairing now completes the authenticated HTTPS <code>pairchallenge</code> confirmation after the signed pairing secret.
** Failed or cancelled pair attempts now best-effort unpair from the host so later attempts do not inherit stale half-paired state.
** Stale paired-host entries are cleared when a host reports paired but returns an empty app list, allowing the user to pair again without manual config cleanup.
** App-list loading and launch transitions prime both display buffers to avoid stale host-list/loading frames during slow network work.
** Game-list fetch failure can fall back to a Desktop launch tile when the host app list is unavailable.
* Input
** Reworked the default PSP-to-Xbox mapping for full controller coverage:
*** L + Triangle/Cross/Square/Circle maps to right stick up/down/left/right.
*** L + D-pad Left/Right maps to LT/RT.
*** L + D-pad Down/Up maps to L3/R3.
** The Button Mapping UI now exposes the combo modifier, all virtual actions, and a right-stick source selector.
** Added an optional <code>modifier + analog nub</code> right-stick mode.
** Mapping files are versioned and legacy defaults migrate to the new v2 map.
** Browser mode now sends mouse/keyboard input only, with stronger analog mouse acceleration.
** App-owned combos such as HUD toggle and stream exit are consumed locally instead of also sending host input.
* Telemetry and HUD
** Added diagnostics telemetry for CPU, GPU, ME, RAM, media bandwidth, usable video bandwidth, audio bandwidth, local drops, loss, and FEC.
** Diagnostics telemetry updates once per second even when the HUD is hidden.
** HUD layout now places decode timing alongside latency and shows loss/FEC values from the RTP/FEC path.
* Low-Work PSP Path
** Performance preset disables local audio decode/playback by default to reduce PSP CPU, memory, and audio-thread work.
** Audio Disabled remains client-side and can be changed from the PSP settings menu.
** Video rendering applies the stream color/dither adjustment only to decoded video output, not to menu UI or HUD text.
** Retail builds compile out diagnostics-only logging, telemetry formatting, and debug sampling at call sites so public XMB builds do less PSP work.
* Build and Documentation
** Public docs updated for v1.2 presets, packet-size setup, pairing behavior, and controller mapping.
** Generated local build artifacts and internal audit notes are ignored so release diffs stay focused.
** Added <code>scripts/smoke_checks.sh</code> so <code>make smoke</code> validates release prerequisites and fails fast on unresolved merge markers.
** CI now validates <code>release/**</code> branches and uploads CI artifacts only; public release assets remain manual to preserve PSPSDK parity.

'''1.1.0 2026/05/06'''
* Networking
** Client-selected bitrate is now used directly for launch and transport bitrate setup (no implicit startup downscale).
** Connection quality classification now prioritizes transport-side loss/FEC recovery signals and no longer penalizes clean links for decode-side FPS stalls.
** RTCP Receiver Reports now use interval loss accounting and RFC3550-style jitter representation in RTP clock units.
** Adaptive bitrate fast-drop trigger now requires 3 consecutive drop signals before halving.
* Release
** Retail (non-dev) build artifacts are published manually for this release because CI uses a different PSPSDK and does not produce reproducible release binaries for this branch.
* Documentation
** Public docs refreshed for ARK-4-only CFW guidance.
** Installation guidance updated to remove risky flash-write install wording.
** Encoder setup instructions now present vendor-neutral CAVLC guidance for NVIDIA/AMD/Intel users.

'''1.0.0 2026/05/05'''
* Release Hardening
** Retail build mode is now the documented default for public packaging.
** Public docs were normalized from pre-release audit wording to release wording.
** CABAC compatibility documentation was clarified as normal-mode unsupported behavior with explicit CAVLC host guidance.
* Fixed (vs v0.2.3-beta)
** Pairing persistence now survives partial connection failures: successful pairing is saved even when launch/RTSP infrastructure fails later in the same attempt.
** RTSP/launch infrastructure failures now return a dedicated retryable status (<code>-3</code>) distinct from user cancel (<code>-2</code>) and pairing failure (<code>-1</code>).
** Settings UI now flushes controller state after OSK/button-mapping flows to prevent stale Start-edge saves on return.
** Config bootstrap now remembers default-loaded config when no file exists so first-session host/pairing additions persist correctly.
* Documentation
** Updated README status badges and version history for public release posture.
** Reworked release-validation documentation to include retail build commands and git-tag comparison notes.
** Removed internal blocker/audit wording from user-facing docs (<code>docs/KNOWN_ISSUES.md</code>, encoder settings guides, and UI/architecture headers).

'''Initial 1.0.0 publication 2026/05/04'''
* Release
** Stable v1.0 public documentation set.
** Security, memory, reliability, and architecture hardening work from the beta cycle is now integrated in the release branch.
* Networking
** UPnP IGD hotspot/remote assist is included for RTP/RTCP UDP mapping setup and cleanup during streaming sessions.
* Documentation
** Removed pre-release blocker workflow references and test-only publication content from public docs.
** Updated README, install flow, and known-issues content for v1.0 user-facing guidance.

== External links ==
* GitHub - https://github.com/k4idyn/Moonlight-PSP

GameBrew - User contributions [en-gb]

Moonlight PSP