[Isakill]

Honestly, i've been following all this CEX/DEX crap for almost a week now. There is so much contradictory information all over the place that I can't keep it straight.

Currently i'm sitting on a 30xx PS3 with 4.2 FW

Things I do understand (mostly) is this:
CEX = Consumer
DEX = Developer

The DEX conversion uses a method of installing Linux (but is being developed to not use this method) There is a NAND tutorial that is a nice handholding guide.. But being a user of a NOR console it won't work.

DEX converted consoles can run unsigned .elf's and from what I may understand can procure the per-console key.

Now.. what i'm NOT understanding.
Could I do the DEX conversion on my PS3? According to the banner 4.2 consoles can now be downgraded.
Would I still need a flasher or not? According to this post, Yes I will:
http://www.ps3hax.net/showpost.php?p=397596&postcount=7

But other than this single post, I've not found any reference to needing a flasher in this process.

Let the n00bflamez begin...

[spectlze]

The 3000 series PS3 are not downgradeable at least for now. So you cannot downgrade unless you get one of the old slim models.

[hellsing9]

http://www.ps3devwiki.com/wiki/SKU_Models @Isakill check SKU models, like @spectlze series 3k and 4k (incoming) not downgrade possible even with a hardware flasher.

[StriderVM]

I think both NOR and NAND consoles can use be turned into DEX. In one condition, that PS3 must be running on 3.55 CFW or OFW. Since there are some PS3 that cannot go back to 3.55, there will be PS3 units that cannot be turned into a DEX based on the leak.

If I remember correctly, that 4.20 downgradable info refers to the usage of E3 and similar devices in order to downgrade the firmware. There's also the DEX thing but it's a different matter all together.