The file extension CSO is used for compressed ISO images created by an ISO Compressor for the Sony PlayStation Portable gaming device. Compressed CSO files are used to play games on a PlayStation Portable and allow the games to be played using a memory card.
The CSO file extension is categorized as a compressed file archive and contains PSP games in a highly compressed format. The format is commonly used with a UMD or Universal Media Disc and can use up to nine different levels of compression. This allows for faster file transmission but typically results in delayed loading.
Once CSO files are created with a Sony ISO Compressor, the PlayStation Portable device is required to have the necessary firmware installed which is compatible with CSO compressed files. This enables the device to read the CSO file format effectively, which maximizes file loading efficiency.
How to Open CSO Files
The most common way to open CSO files is by using a Sony PlayStation Portable device with the appropriate firmware installed for reading the CSO format. Since CSO files are created using an ISO Compressor capable of the CSO format, you can open CSO files using a CSO compression utility application.
If you are using the Windows operating system, you can open Sony CSO files using the PlayStation Portable ISO Compressor. The PSP ISO Compressor is available for download on the Dashhacks Network website when you establish an account on the site.
CisoPlus is a command-line tool which will open CSO files in Windows and the Linux operating system. CisoPlus 1.0.11 is available as a free download on the PSP Gen website and provides different compression modes which help to reduce loading time for PSP games.
You can also opt to open CSO files using YACC, which stands for Yet Another CSO Compressor. YACC uses a graphical interface which provides a compressed ISO converter booster that compresses the CSO file into a smaller file size to improve efficiency and loading time. YACC is available as a free download on the PSP Gen website and is compatible with the Windows operating system.
For Mac OS X, you can open CSO files using Prometeus, which is a compression utility program capable of handling the CSO file format. Prometeus is available on the Dashhacks Network website when you establish an account on the site.
CSO files can also be converted to another format such as ISO or DAX using a file conversion program. There are a number of file conversion programs available as a free download on websites such as CNET and Softpedia which will convert CSO files for you.
You can also opt to use an online resource such as Zamzar which will perform free file conversion for you as long as the content is not copyright protected. Simply log onto the Zamzar website, browse for the CSO file, choose a new format, enter your email address, and click on Convert. Within minutes you will receive the newly converted file in your email inbox.
