Console Hacking 2016 (33c3)

Why HN readers recommended it

Recommended as an approachable, detailed look at console hardware architecture, FreeBSD in the PS4 and console hacking.

This is a summary from the source dataset, not an endorsement by Hacker News or the video creator.

Video & recommendation details

Creator / channel

media.ccc.de

Topic

console hacking

Format

talk

Level

intermediate

HN recommenders in dataset

4

HN mentions in dataset

9

Recommendation years in dataset

2017–2024

These counts and years describe the included Hacker News records; they are not YouTube views or the video’s publication date.

From the original HN conversations

Excerpts from the recorded comments. Follow each source for the full comment and surrounding discussion.

• While the CPU is indeed x86-64, the architecture of the SoC and the device is rather different so emulation still won't be all that easy. This 33c3 talk gives a lot of fascinating information on how PS4 differs from your run-of-the-mill PC and what kind …

• `It's interesting to note that the PS4 OS is also a forked FreeBSD variant as well.` Here's a nice talk at CCC last year which explains some bits of FreeBSD in the PS4. It's mostly about hardware and how to run Linux on it, but …

• The key is on the console (not server side). Historically either they made some silly choices or there was a hardware bug or glitch that let you read out the key that the processor has to be able to access to decrypt the firmware. Search …