ONLY FOR PS2 SLIM not the fat one
For those with existing PS2 slim installed in there X5 or those looking for a cheap and handy solution which can be achieved pretty cheaply if you lookout for the right equipment. This uses some freeware software called Free Mcboot (FMCD) installed onto the memory card to hack the OS and then a piece of software called SMS in order to play your media files. So far it has played every DVD copied to the harddrive and every avi I have thrown at it, which are all stored on a 2.5" external hardrive plugged into the PS2 USB slot. It's a bit of a dog to understand but well worth the trouble IMHO. Note you can also burn all your PS2 games onto the hardrive and thus never need to bother with CD's ever again, but I have never bothered to figure this part out.
If you have a PS2 slim already installed, then just read the PS2 Slim for requirement of PS2 then jump to Now the software
It's pretty confusing sorry if this guide not clear, it's hard to string this altogether I done this in stages and don't really have a step by step in sequence to make it simple.
Equipment Required:
PS2 Slim - All consoles made before mid 2008 work with FMCB. The new Slim SCPH-9xxxxx models with a Date code of 8C and a BIOS v230 dont work with FMCB. All models after this version also will not work with FMCB. The most common UK model is SCHP-7xxxx and I have installed 3 different model and it's worked fine.
Original 8MB Sony Memory Card- Although the hack may work on any memory card it is highly recommended and tested that you use the original 8MB Sony memory card. Easy to buy for cheap around £5 if you don't have the original one.
Connect PS2 to Car - This is a whole different How-To that I will let someone else cover. A number of options are available either from the rear modules, the TV out in the center console then selecting whether your connecting 1 audio/video device or going through an AV switcher. This part I will let you figure out for yourselves or someone else can write a How To as my setup was already there so my knowledge is not complete in this area and thus prefer not to advise.
External 2.5" hardrive - This will be used to store all your video files, I prefer to hold them as single .avi files. You can use any size hardrive you feel, I run a 100Gb drive, dirt cheap to buy eBay £24 approx. Try to get a self powered unit that only requires 1 USB and not a second power USB although that too is not an issue as the PS2 slim has 2 USB's, so either way works fine.
How to start and control PS2? - This is the messy part depending on how fussy you are.
If your PS2 is stored in the rear and you don't want to get out the car to start you have a couple of options. To remote start the PS2:
1 - Start button also includes Power Supply - http://www.thebassbin.co.uk/product.php?id=4288 then to control the PS2 once it's on use an RF wireless controller example: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Njoy-Wireless-2 ... 138&sr=8-8
2 - The PS2 Slim's come with IR built in if you get a 12v IR Extender which I managed to pickup from eBay for cheap but since have not seen it on there. You can lookup others remember it needs to be 12v else you will need to downconvert the power and whether it works or not depends on the frequency it can send, as I said I got quite lucky here on price. This usually involves places a wired transmitter eye in the cabin of the X5 and the receiver in front of the PS2 IR. The one I am using http://www.darkplanets.co.uk/product_info.asp?pid=765
For this solution you also need the original Sony remote with the green reset button, the older remote does not have one and thus cannot start the PS2.
This is a much neater solution as no controller is required and its much easier to control the PS2.
Power Supply - You can use a 12v cigarette charger which you can cut and hard wire, cheapest solution: http://www.amazon.co.uk/PS2-adapter-cha ... 123&sr=8-1 else you need to buy a 12v inverter. Used the car charger method in 2 cars and seems to be fine.
The other option which I mentioned above with the start button included: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Njoy-Wireless-2 ... 138&sr=8-8 or just a normal 12v inverter will do the job.
I think that covers all the parts.
Now for the software
You need to install Free Mcboot Noobie Package (contains SMS the software we really want to use), there website http://freemcboot.psx-scene.com/ has an installation tab showing you all the different methods, each require some equipment or software. If you don't have the means to do this or don't want to bother you are welcome to send me your Sony 8Mb Memory Card and I will take care of installing the software. For the pleasure I will ask for £10 to cover my time (Nandoos) and for you to include a addressed stamped addressed envelope to make it easy for me to sent the card back to you. Please do not post here, just PM me directly.
Note once installed this actually launches Free Mcboot, my demo video at the start of this post goes dircetly into SMS, I will post exactly how to do this later, need to go check the car to get the steps.
THATS ALL.
Now start your PS2 with your 8Mb memory card plugged in and youe 2.5" external hardrive pre-loaded with your videos.
Some more pics:
