Switched On: From PC to PSP, Sony-style
The XBox 360 is a great networked media client for Windows XP regardless of whether its host is running Media Center
software, but it is surprisingly poor at handling such media on its own. The 360's hard drive can not be used for
storing content other than the same ripped CDs the original XBox allowed, and Microsoft's "integration" with iPods and
PSPs is limited to playing content from these devices.
This represents a partial retreat from the last media-savvy game device launched from a major manufacturer. Perhaps
because the PSP is less likely to be connected to a fast and reliable network and because Sony has a vested interest in
Memory Stock Duo purchases, the PlayStation purveyors have so far favored local storage to network streaming for the
PSP (although the latest firmware does enable it to stream video across a network using Sony's Location-Free TV
system).
Sony took another step toward bolstering the PSP's media features recently with the release of its
PSP Media Manager. Available for just under $20 online or
$30 in a box (which also includes a USB cable and five free songs from the Connect music service), the offering
attempts to bring Sony closer to the tight integration of hardware and software that Apple has benefited from with the
iPod and iTunes. Sony's decision to charge for the software seems short-sighted compared to Apple's approach with
iTunes. Unlike iTunes, which is a useful music jukebox even to those without iPods, PSP Media Manager has almost no
incremental value to anyone but PSP owners.
In addition to replicating several features that have been available from third-party offerings, such as
transferring and transcoding several formats for photos, music and video and backing up saved game files, PSP Media
Manager includes a media-focused Web feed reader that enables the downloading of podcasted music, photos and videos.
And, for those challenged by other ways to get their CDs into digital form, the software can handle the process itself,
although I wonder if it would work with Sony-BMGs
XCP copy-protected CDs that were recently pulled from the market.
Speaking of which, its encouraging to see that PSP Media Manager pulls no funny business. While the software will
transcode ATRAC, it converts the Sony-developed compression codec and other formats into standard MP3 files at a choice
of bitrates (although it doesnt offer variable bitrate transcoding). In terms of podcasts, the software is a bit ahead
of the PSP itself as audio podcasts are dumped into the same folder as other music, instead of a separate menu branch
like on the iPod.
PSP Media Manager did not start out endearing itself to me due to a forced registration process that took two attempts
to communicate all the required data that I needed to send to Sony. However, from there it soon proved itself to be a
welcome improvement from previous maligned media manipulators such as SonicStage and Connect. For example, in contrast
to RnSK Softronics iPSP, which costs the same as Sonys downloadable program, PSP Media Manager didnt hit me with a
string of error messages when launched without the PSP connected.
Also unlike iPSP, which assumes you want to send folders whole-hog to the often space-constrained PSP, Sonys software
uses an easy browsing model based on a two-pane view to transfer from your PC to your PSP. You can also drag files
directly from Windows explorer to the PSP pane to have them transferred. User interface niceties include photo
thumbnails that get larger when you mouse over them and universal preview for any media using its default
application.
The one difficulty I encountered was getting PSP Media Manager to recognize the Motion-JPEG AVI files taken by my
Canon digital camera. However, other PSP transcoding tools I tried failed at this as well. iPSP froze when I chose such
a file. PSP Video 9 got the furthest with it, but would up converting only the audio from the movie.
Alas, also unlike iPSP, PSP Media Manager has no Mac version available. For Windows users, though, Sonys software is
a polished companion to its namesake hardware, one that would likely return its development costs in higher-capacity
Memory Stick Duo card sales if Sony made it freely available. It makes content easy to grab for that shiny black
slab.
Ross Rubin is director of industry analysis at NPD Techworld, a division of market research and analysis provider The NPD Group. Views expressed in Switched On, however, are his own. Feedback is welcome at fliptheswitch@gmail.com.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
JJ @ Dec 19th 2005 12:55AM
I dosent matter, This should of have been free and come with the PSP at launch. This is a poor excuse.
Scott @ Dec 19th 2005 12:55AM
Memory Sticks arnt that bad price-wise. 50 bucks for a 256 Stick. 256 should hold almost anything "legal"(ISO files are not technically legal)
zachary @ Dec 19th 2005 12:55AM
I might use this service if it were free, or bundled with a memory stick or something.
Woolly Mittens @ Dec 19th 2005 12:55AM
Why pay anything when there's a free video convertor? http://www.pspvideo9.com/
Dave @ Dec 19th 2005 12:55AM
Anyone know if the Xbox 360 will play DVD ISO files off the network?
Arvind @ Dec 19th 2005 12:55AM
How about PSPWare? I use it on my mac and I love it. It syncs my PSP with iTunes (except for protected AAC, of course), will convert videos to PSP format, lets me sync photos with iPhoto and also syncs Safari bookmarks with the PSP browser!!
Ben Swift @ Dec 19th 2005 12:55AM
And this software can't even transfer DVD's. I'll stick with Mobile Media Maker from www.makayama.com which does all of that + DVD
viniosity @ Dec 19th 2005 12:55AM
I wish there was a linux solution for easy PSP syncing.. so far nothing.
Djeno @ Dec 19th 2005 12:55AM
Since I'm a Sony fan I will stick with them tride and true but they could have came out with this sooner because I'm tired of wondering how to organize all my media for the PSP.
dasmenneke @ Dec 19th 2005 12:55AM
lathe (www.omniquiti.com)does all the video stuff for 5$ in the fastest way possible, and for dropping audio and images in the right folder I don't really want to pay 20$ ...
And for the people who want to use Itunes for music 2 psp... just download badapple plugin...
jacko @ Dec 19th 2005 12:55AM
You should check out www.pspdrive.com, it works pretty nicely on Linux/Mac .. they are working on a full blown web version of media manager.
Mercenary @ Dec 19th 2005 12:55AM
I have this and it is pretty neat. there was a problem with DVDs in that it wouldnt recognise a ripped DVD where video9 does but this is easily fixed.
Simply rip your DVD using DVD Decryptor and rename the VOB file to .MPEG. PSP Media Manager can now encode and faster than video9 too.
slyecho @ Dec 19th 2005 12:55AM
The only program that can reliably handle MJPEG video is VirtualDub.
But you can possibly get them to decode and transcode if you happen to find an appropriate MJPEG codec for windows.
JayJay @ Dec 19th 2005 12:55AM
I need PSP downloads! Everything! Where are they? Give them to me now!
RAHEEL @ Dec 19th 2005 12:55AM
sony is just a money making machine. by selling evrything sepretly they make more. they give u a 32 MB card. WTF are u suposed to put on this 5 pics and 3 songs? WOW
microsofts Xbox doesent sell evrything sepretly
Some Guy @ Dec 19th 2005 12:55AM
I'm running 98, so this won't even work for my computer.
Craig @ Dec 19th 2005 12:55AM
50 bucks for 256mb duos?
Try $50 for 1gb sticks. Duos are dirt cheap right now. After rebate of course.
http://www.buy.com/retail/product.asp?sku=10388963&adid=17662