Sony's PSP Media Manager available for $20
So is Sony finally going to lend you a hand managing all that media you've been trying to squeeze into your PSP? Sure, if you're ready to fork over 20 bucks for the privilege. Their new PSP Media Manager covers and expands on the capabilities you can get with 3rd party offerings such as iPSP and PSP Video 9, but we're surprised they're bringing this so late, and still expecting your cash for it. There's a two pane interface for viewing your respective PSP and PC files, and you can manage files on both systems, along with the required conversions, right in the app. Not much of the rumored Sony Connect support is mentioned, but you do get 5 free downloads with purchase of the $25 packaged version, which also includes a USB cable for data transfers. The Media Manager supports MPEG, MOV, and WMV files for video conversion, most music and image types, RSS feeds including news, podcasts and video downloads, along with management and backup of game saves. So pony up and get your on with PSP Media Manager self.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
js @ Dec 19th 2005 2:31AM
Does this come preloaded with spyware?
retsel @ Dec 19th 2005 2:31AM
so they now have a kinda itunes... does it connect the their store... it should... but... then why would they make u pay for it...
Zoob @ Dec 19th 2005 2:31AM
Just when you think Sony is really starting to come around, they go and prove beyond a shadow of a doubt that they still don't get it. Don't get me wrong! The PSP is smash hit, but it could be so much more. If it could natively support output to TV like a recently released device from Apple, they could put some serious hurtin' on the old iPod 5G. Make that media manager free, get it to connect to Sony Connect (Oh the irony!), and add some TV out. Then the PSP is a kicking portable media system! And don't worry about cannibalizing PS3 sales (Possible reason why there is no TV out?) That is a whole other beast.
NICK @ Dec 19th 2005 2:31AM
GREAT! no mac support. I was dying to give them my $20
Liam McNulty @ Dec 19th 2005 2:31AM
The videos it creates are in the AVC format, so you'll need firmware version 2.00 or above to play them.
Otherwise the software is completely functional on any version of PSP firmware.
I should also mention that it supports the conversion of unencrypted DVDs. Not that I have a lot of those lying around...
fanboy @ Dec 19th 2005 2:31AM
but does it come with the rootkit feature? ;)
sk @ Dec 19th 2005 2:31AM
i just posted about this today, and basically i dont think anyone should purchase this because there are other great free alternatives.
http://blogger.sahaskatta.com/2005/11/sony-psp-media-manager.html
murph @ Dec 19th 2005 2:31AM
and sony drops the ball...again. this should be free. this should be packed in on a CD with the PSP. there should be a mac version. if i didn't know any better, i'd say sony was TRYING to kill the PSP.
even the 3rd party Media Boss PSP software company is smart enough to offer a free 15 day trial.
does this software come with it's own rootkit like the other sony DRM software?
eric @ Dec 19th 2005 2:31AM
Note that the software includes 5 free downloads from sony Connect. So I guess that means it will include support for Sony's devil DRM.
Porkchop @ Dec 19th 2005 2:31AM
I would buy this simply because it's an official Sony product, and the layout is nice too. Too bad it's not Mac compatible :(
Gman @ Dec 19th 2005 2:31AM
Why everyone is only blaming sony for selling a software?
U have to buy Quicktime Pro for Ipod 5g just like Sony PSP.
Ben @ Dec 19th 2005 2:31AM
Were I to get a PSP, I'd do all my media stuffs on my PC, and then put it on a personal server or webpage only accessable by me. Streaming or downloading whatever movie you want to your memory stick would allow much more content on demand.
Sony should build in an OSS server or something to their software. Leave your PC on, get your IP address, then go to a friends house or anywhere there is an 802.11B/G connection and stream the video right then and there. How cool would that be? (Upload speed from your pc could be an issue. Video might not work the best, but audio would be awesome. Improve battery life and the PSP would be a full enterainment system.
anonymous @ Dec 19th 2005 2:31AM
**Sounds of crickets chirping**
Andre @ Dec 19th 2005 2:31AM
n12 I believe that already exists...
It's called LocationFree
http://products.sel.sony.com/locationfreetv/owners/psp.html
AIM @ Dec 19th 2005 2:31AM
It's a step into the right direction, but there are better alternatives available.
Spyvie @ Dec 19th 2005 2:31AM
Sony can kiss my ass
The only thing they are good for is CRT monitors
Brian @ Dec 19th 2005 2:31AM
Oh, and did Sony mention anywhere that this is not compatible with Win2000? I just paid for the download only to find I couldn't use it. Great! Way to go Sony!!
Tom @ Dec 19th 2005 2:31AM
You guys are correct this should be a free offering, as it makes the PSP more useable. On another note, why has Sony not delivered a keyboard for the PSP, why has the other vendor in the UK, delay delivery so many times.? Maybe the PSP cannot really support a keyboard.
Ken @ Dec 19th 2005 2:31AM
Could you name names of the better alternatives? My little brother has a PSP and I'd like to hook him up but I really don't know jack about the thing.
Kim @ Dec 19th 2005 2:31AM
I don't have PSP, but I'll buy it because it may be helpful to convert all my movie files into iPod video format. Right? So glad that PSP and iPod are compatible in video format. They are genius. Next PSP will be available with 60GB HDD like iPod, then I'll buy one. Or if 60GB Memory Stick Duo card is available at under $100, it would be great killer for iPod.
Dinnie @ Dec 19th 2005 2:31AM
Ken, it's in the article.
Phil @ Dec 19th 2005 2:31AM
Um, has anyone actually tried this software and can they compare it to the currently most popular AVC creator pspvideo9? Also, does it really convert non-content-protected DVD's natively or do you have to use something else to get VOBs to MPGs first?
mehool @ Dec 19th 2005 2:31AM
Dinnie and all others: PSP video 9 sucks and most people already know that. Most of the video files that the program creates have audio/video sync issues, so that the video is not synced with the audio properly. I have yet to try the other program mentioned. If PSP Media Manager is able to produce something that syncs properly then it's worth paying a lil bit of cash for. Although yes, I do agree that it should be free and should come with the PSP on a cd-rom.
Engadget: you should have noted in your post that this program also supports .avi and .mp4
Hassan.L @ Dec 19th 2005 2:31AM
This is wack. 20 freakin dollar for a software that should be bundled with the PSP, hell no. Come on Sony, not even Apple is pulling this shit on people. They give us the iTunes for free.
Rich @ Dec 19th 2005 2:31AM
Maybe Sony should have released a simple manager application for free; then offered a paid for application that includes the video conversion too. If the video conversion was good enough, I may well pay $20 for it. If I can't find a Torrent anyway...
Bonhomme7heures @ Dec 19th 2005 2:31AM
20$US = Should be free
Windows XP only = Should include Win2000
No Mac support = Should include adless OSX 10.3
So, who's the dumbass at Sony who's going to take credit for this poorly designed app?
Daneeka @ Dec 19th 2005 2:31AM
Has anyone tried this to move TiVoToGo shows onto the PSP? Video9 always has audio/visual sync problems for me.
Also, can it convert (unprotected) .VOB directly?
alpex @ Dec 19th 2005 2:31AM
hi,
first off i have nothing to do with sony.
i gave media manager a whirl last night and was actually impressed.
everything stays as mp3's and it can transcode down.
more impressive was it'll transcode a DVD ifo down to an mp4.
wow i never thought i'd see sony allow that.
give sony some credit, this app does what's needed and doesn't prick about installing
'openMG security patch #32154'. it just plain works.
JAG @ Dec 19th 2005 2:31AM
Mmm, I really don't know who to get mad at, Sony, Apple o me? Sony for not paying attention as usual to the Mac platform, Apple for being so tiny that no developer wants to writte for Mac or, me for buying a mac knowing that nobody gives a sh.. to mac??? In any case I will sleep on it and either I will buy myself a VAIO, keep my PB or kick me in the ass.
pete @ Dec 19th 2005 2:31AM
I'm sorry, but nobody should be installing ANY Sony software until they sort out the rootkit fiasco, period.
I'm actually worried because I had Sony Connect on a laptop at one point.
I'm going to have to run RKR now.
Personally, I will never, ever install any Sony software ever again. Trust is lost.
kiki @ Dec 19th 2005 2:31AM
#7: "rootkit feature" ... love it.
#24: PSP video 9 sucks? is that why i watched every episode of Battlestar Galactica on my PSP last season, after PSPV9 flawlessly transcoded the AVI files? perhaps there's an error between the user and the keyboard in your case, hmmm?
Overall.... With the PSP's screen, it's a frackin' crime that Apple sold 1mm videos in 20 days that will be viewed on a comparitively miniscule screen. Sony owns a movie company for cripes' sake. They clearly can't get their house in order fast enough to react to the opportunities that exist in the marketplace.
Matthew Zoglmann @ Dec 19th 2005 2:31AM
Sony's approach to the downloadable media market (iTMS, Napster-to-go) is so amusing, its like they have a bizarro Steve Jobs clone that dreams this up.
If the 5G iPod enjoys significant success, it's because Apple had the solution in place to deliver content, for users that don't geek out and burn and transcode files. How Sony can OWN the library they do, and not push it hard in a downloadable format, is beyond me.
Never mind the use of A-TRAC encoding, and their DRM scheme.
Cbean @ Dec 19th 2005 2:31AM
I've sold my P$P on ebay to some sucker. Woohoo!
CBlanda @ Dec 19th 2005 2:31AM
this is BS, my comp. doesn't meet the system requirements!
RichardL @ Dec 19th 2005 2:31AM
Get off your high horse. If Sony needs to charge $20 to get a decent media manager for the PSP out the door let them. Sure it should be bundled with the device, but it's not. Sure it should support the Mac, but it doesn't, yet. Is $20 going to break you? Save your milk money for a week. It's not like Apple doesn't nickel and dime you for every accessory for the iPod.
This program seems to have been developed by the Sony Digital Media people who do ACID and Vegas. Based on their track record it should be good.
As for the free programs that are supposedly better than this, from my experience some are OK, but none are complete solutions. Even some commercial programs like MediaBoss are painfully. Ever tried to put .m4a AAC files from iTunes on your PSP? That should be simple. It's not.
If this program works I say keep 'em coming. And more power to Sony for fixing a glaring hole in the PSP.
JJ @ Dec 19th 2005 2:31AM
How good is the RSS reader on the Media Manager?
Also, does it allow you to place random MP3s on your PSP like the IShuffle app?
Gastoneur @ Dec 19th 2005 2:31AM
I recently purchased and downloaded PSP Media Manager. I'm just scratching the surface of the video functionality and this is what I think so far:
Pros:
- Drag and drop interface
- One-stop for all PSP-related transfers is nice. I still found myself using Explorer just to check on things though.
- I am really happy with the video quality, no sync issues, reasonable file size. My daughter has one too and this will save us having to double up on all our movies. In fact, I would happily purchase video content from Sony that was ready to go in this format instead of having to buy UMDs (until they start bundling UMDs with DVDs).
Cons:
- Slow video conversion
- Audio levels a little low for video conversion (used HighAVC)
- No way to copy converted video content back to PC after conversion (can get around this by using Explorer); if I spend six hours converting a movie I would like to save it somewhere so next time I can just copy the file.
- Not free, but $20 isn't a lot.
I'm happy with the purchase, and if Sony can speed it up (and think about giving it away for free) this software will help make the PSP live up to it's potential.
Chris Samuel @ Dec 19th 2005 2:31AM
why doesnt someone make a MAC version of this app !!!
Taylor @ Dec 19th 2005 2:31AM
I bet this will require having the most recent firmware just like some of the games do...
-Taylor
Steve @ Dec 27th 2005 11:55AM
If you, like myself, think that this program should come bundled with the purchase of a PSP, send Sony a message to let them know about it.
To contact their customer service department, go to the following site:
http://www.us.playstation.com/contactus.aspx?id=form
Click on the Consumer Services link under Support/Consumer Services. From the Category drop-menu at the bottom, choose Otherunder the Corporate heading. Click on Continue, and then submit your comment. I sent the following message yesterday:
I just purchased a PSP, and I am disappointed to learn that I will have to pay an additional fee if I want the software that you have designed to manage it. If Sony intends to compete in the multimedia market with other companies such as Apple, which provides its iPod management software for free, the PSP Media Manager should come with the purchase of the PSP itself. The fact that it does not suggests a short-sighted marketing strategy which disrespects customers who have already paid a significant amount of money for your product.
I received the following response today:
We value your input and appreciate you bringing this to our attention. Please rest assured that we will convey your feedback to Sony Computer Entertainment Americas (SCEA) appropriate management.
It is unlikely that much will come of my own individual complaint, but Sony may decide to change its policy if enough people voice their disapproval.