PSP's 2.60 firmware does 480 x 270 video

It seemed as though Sony glossed over any sort of new video functionality with 2.60 firmware for the PSP, but it turns out that's not entirely true. In addition to the Podcast and Windows Media Audio support that was added, Sony threw in compatibility for "Copyright-protected video data provided by a content provider or other services." Now it's been cleared up, and we've got an explanation for you after the jump.

Back when 2.00 firmware was announced, So-net (Sony Communication Networks) quietly launched a PSP-centric video distribution service in Japan called Portable TV. At launch, the service featured only free content, but gave the promise of rental-based content in the near future. It turns out that future is now: Sony held a press conference yesterday in Japan to unveil the �new� version of PortableTV, which is fully compatible with the PSP�s browser, thus eliminating the need for a PC to get video from the service. Fire up your PSP�s browser, navigate to the site, download videos directly to your Memory Stick Duo, and oogle at the sexiness that is the H.264 codec.

What�s more? Some of the rental videos are available at a resolution of 480 x 270, dispelling the rumors floating around that such video resolution wasn�t possible from a Memory Stick Duo. Don�t expect to see video encoders capable of creating compatible video at this resolution anytime soon, though � not only are the videos distributed by Portable TV heavily encrypted with Sony�s DRM technology (which itself requires firmware 2.60), they�ve made no announcements about updating their PSP Media Manager software to incorporate these new capabilities. Still, we�ll keep our fingers crossed.

[aleandro @ Dec 19th 2005 2:28AM]

too bad i sold mine...btw what am i doing on here at 5 Am?

[Joe Henson @ Dec 19th 2005 2:28AM]

I am now seriously thinking about a PSP, I am not a big gamer, but the PSP seems to be getting better and better... Now all they need to do is hook up with Apple's ITMS.

Kwwwoooeerrr imagine a PSP with a large hard drive and ITMs compatibility... won't happen but ccwwwweeeerrr

[Dr Doom @ Dec 19th 2005 2:28AM]

It's only a matter of time before we can get some luvverly widescreen videos. Go hackers!

[rotten_fruit_fan @ Dec 19th 2005 2:28AM]

If this is implemented correctly in the US Sony might just beat apple in the PMP. I could see a dual strategy with short videos, series and news being available for download and UMD for movies.

[dave @ Dec 19th 2005 2:28AM]

so whats the url for this website anyway?

[orangevirgin @ Dec 19th 2005 2:28AM]

I can see sony gearing upto the PS3 launch adding this to PSP, and expect a HDD update to the black wonder in 2006. Just wonder how long downloads will be over WiFi, better if you could transfer over PSP Media Manager!

[jon @ Dec 19th 2005 2:28AM]

sorry but sony's already lost the PMP war becuase there just isn't any space on memory stick pro duo cards to hold lots of media. just a sad reality. i have a PSP and like it a lot but i use other devices for media due to storage.

[Jay @ Dec 19th 2005 2:28AM]

Apple has got veyr powerful media relations and has a proven record of getting things right. While this hack on the PSP is impressive, it's just that, a hack. Nothing that would change the world. The iPod user is much much larger than that of the PSP and is only getting bigger as Apple continues to improve upon the hardware and software integration. I'm glad both are on the market but I would never buy a PSP over an iPod that's for sure. The uses and practicality of the iPod far outweigh the extra gimmicks of the PSP. For example, I would never waste time surfing on such a tiny screen or doing all sorts of other things on the PSP. The only thing about the PSP that I would enjoy (and this is just now after this hack) is perhaps watching a movie while I'm on the go. But Apple next version of the iPod will surely address this and offer more.

My 2 cents..

[Ben @ Dec 19th 2005 2:28AM]

I sold mine too. The video quality wasn't great from MS, and UMD movies too expensive and not enough variety. I'm thinking about the new ipod (I'd buy the occasional tv show and Apple hasn't let me down yet).

[jon @ Dec 19th 2005 2:28AM]

i am the same poster from a few posts up. gotta defend the PSP a moment, even though i just said they lost the PMP war. Let's not forget the PSP is a game console, not a PMP. So even though we can argue (and i agree) the ipod plays media better and holds tons more, we can also agree the ipod doesn't play games at all. So talking about the PMP features of the PSP is sort of pointless when evaluating it's whole worth.

[Cory @ Dec 19th 2005 2:28AM]

Well actually the iPod can play some games...

[n8 @ Dec 19th 2005 2:28AM]

On the hardware side, I think the two are pretty even: The iPod's got a big hard-drive, which is nice. But the PSP's got WiFi. That means that while the Apple has the potential to hold more content at any given time, the PSP has access to a bigger library through WiFi connection to either Location Free TV or to Sony's TV service/digital media store.

And for content, I wouldn't declare Apple the winner just yet either: Sony's got a lot of its own content already that it could put up for rent immediately. It's got relationships with other movie makers as well (all those who have put movies on UMD). And for TV shows, well Sony does have relationships with TV producers as well, as evidenced by all the TV DVDs they put out. iTunes obviously has a big lead in the online sale of digital media market, but when it comes right down to it they've got something like 4 TV shows and a handful of other videos available. Sony could still pop a vid store on the US and hit back pretty hard. And remember - TV producers and movie makers aren't going to limit their sales to just one platform. They can sell Lost on both the iPod and PSP.

[John @ Dec 19th 2005 2:28AM]

Nintendo DS will win at the end, this I promise!

[Gordy @ Dec 19th 2005 2:28AM]

#8: "Let's not forget the PSP is a game console, not a PMP."

Lest you forget, iPod is a music player first, all else is secondary.

There is no direct comparison here from a player perspective. However, iPod/Apple/iTunes is a lot more ubiquitous, and has already beat Sony on their home turn, music. I bet it happens again here, 'cause Sony will cripple the content to death--as they did with music.

[Bovine @ Dec 19th 2005 2:28AM]

Screen Tranlation: All your base are belong to us.

[Bovine @ Dec 19th 2005 2:28AM]

Screen Tranlation: All your base are belong to us.

[nemi @ Dec 19th 2005 2:28AM]

I was tempted by a PSP, then I realised what I wanted it for was mp3 and video and cool hacks etc.

So I got a PocketPC, the Dell x50v, it has 640x480 res which DVD's look looooovely on, can take a cheap 5gb Microdrive (seagate ones are avlaible for $99) and can do wireless, bluetooth and all the cool hacks you may want.

With the the game selection staying feeble for the PSP I think I made the right choice.

[n8 @ Dec 19th 2005 2:28AM]

Dave (#5): if you're looking for the Sony Japanese TV download site, it's at http://www.p-tv.jp/

[neohx7 @ Dec 19th 2005 2:28AM]

ARGHH! Will people please stop saying "after the jump" its so annoying. Just like the word "viral"...

[Mike @ Dec 19th 2005 2:28AM]

It's true... we shouldn't be comparing the iPod and the PSP. Afterall, who would want to watch a movie on the iPod's tiny screen?
:-)

[Liam McNulty @ Dec 19th 2005 2:28AM]

Yeah, I find that pretty annoying myself. I'll have to give it a rest.

[Matt @ Dec 19th 2005 2:28AM]

I sold my PSP as well. It was an amazing device until the novelty wore off. I didn't use it for movies (mem stick too small and expensive, umds too expensive), didn't use it for music (have a 40 gig zen xtra..and its smaller than psp), and got bored of the games. If Sony really wants the PSP to be successful and loved by those that own it, they should focus on the games.

After the jump is annoying as hale.

[zachary @ Dec 19th 2005 2:28AM]

After the jump is getting very annoying.
Sony has a long way to go but I think that if you cold get a 2-4 gig memory stick for less than 100 a gig, they might have something here, not world changing, but enough to put the psp on the PMP map.

[J @ Dec 19th 2005 2:28AM]

Wow. So many people sold their PSPs before they even got to try a good game like Tear of Vermillion. Guess it's because you're all stupid :P

[special k @ Dec 19th 2005 2:28AM]

The Rockstar music player for Grand Theft Auto is awesome. lets you rip cds and super compresses them. i have 10 albums and they take up about 200 mb on my 1 gb memory stick. You can boost the sound up even higher through the game. really rocks.

[Gabriel @ Dec 19th 2005 2:28AM]

I sold my PSP because of the lack of good games. I want to buy it again not for the games, but for the video and browsing capabilities.

Gabriel
http://www.myfinancesonline.com

[Chris @ Dec 19th 2005 2:28AM]

I don't compare my new PSP to an iPod, a DS, the Creative Zen, or anything - when it's running homebrew, this is the most incredible piece of technology I have seen to date.

Now if Sony would only approve of homemade code... >:-(

[chris @ Dec 19th 2005 2:28AM]

I agree with number 1. I eagerly bought a PSP back in may but the platform has turned the way of the "tablet PC". Sony is just putting shit out there for updates, and the game suck for PSP. Im gonna go sell mine and get a DS, at least they have some enjoyable games. and yes pro Duos are way too expensive for the lack of space they offer.

[Evil Inside @ Dec 19th 2005 2:28AM]

Let's put things into perspective:

The iPod is a MP3 player with video playback capabilities, but a very, very small screen. So watching movies requires a TV. The iPod has no input device, so data entry/web navigation is possible, but difficult. A Mac or Windows PC is needed to put music and videos on it.

PSP has been developed from day 1 to be a portable entertainment device. Gaming is it's first and biggest use, but UMD video, MS video and music playback, comibined with a web browser and user input allows it to do much more. True, it's limited by it's storage, but who really keeps around a bunch of TV shows and movies after they've watched it? I usually delete everything I've downloaded and watched to make room for more. If I liked the movie enough to watch it more than once, I'll buy the DVD.

As far as who will win the war of downloadable pay-per-view movies/tv, don't forget that Sony OWNs many of the large movie studios and TV networks. This is why so many titles are available on UMD.

Apple simply has proven that they can sell TV episodes for $2 and music tracks for $1 and they have a large userbase of iPod owners. Sony can offer much more to it's end users, simply because it owns the rights to distribute the original works. They just need to get a site like iTunes up and running and get the PSP in the hands of more people.

My $0.02.

[Galley @ Dec 19th 2005 2:28AM]

My Palm LifeDrive plays .m4a AAC audio and MPEG-4 video, stored on a 4GB hard drive, and displayed on a 320 x 480 screen. If it had been on the market 18 months ago, I wouldn't have purchased an iPod.

[Plager @ Dec 19th 2005 2:28AM]

Looks like both you guys (psp updates and engadget)have the exact same article, look at psp updates article and ask me if it looks familiar:
http://pspupdates.qj.net/2005/11/psps-260-firmware-does-480-x-270-video.html

[Alex @ Dec 19th 2005 2:28AM]

AFTER THIS UPDATE WILL I BE ABLE TO USE PSP VIDEO 9 if SO SOME ONE EMAIL ME AT [e-mail]

[urmom @ Dec 19th 2005 2:28AM]

I have both a PSP and an Ipod 5 gen. I am going to sell my ipod back because I have an old Ipod with more space and I dont enjoy watching movies on the Ipod. I LOVE my psp and would never sell it. Hmebrew is amazing and I love all the psp's functionality. If you get a 4gig hdd for it then it has enough space and i enjoy watching movies on its large screen. I will agree that memsticks are expensive but overall I find it the best buy. Sony did something right (I hope they don't ruin it) and the psp has got a better selection for movies. I mean who wants to watch the suite life of zach and cody when they can watch REAL movies. Also it is a lot easier to rip dvd's for psp than it is for the Ipod.
my 2 cents

[Lingo @ Dec 19th 2005 2:28AM]

to 32, do you even realize that it says, Source: Engadget ? lol all your base are belong to us :P btw im usin my psp to post =D

[Jen @ Dec 19th 2005 2:28AM]

I wish netflix would start carrying a selection of movies on UMD.

[Davie @ Dec 19th 2005 2:28AM]

your all idiots, thats really all i can say. i mean the only reason to buy an ipod is to replay what you already have. or get stuff for free! i mean common, all i have to do is borrow/rent/download a movie/tv show/song, convert it into an mp3/mp4 and put it on my ipod. IT DOES NOT REPLACE MY 62 INCH TV! it meerly subsitutes it as i travel from place to place.

aside from that, i currently prefer my ipod, because at least i can put anything i want on it any time im at my pc with ease. i still dont know how to put any type of video media on this piece of crap psp!!

if anyone has any help to offer me as far as playing a vidoe on my psp (for free dam it) or has any questions: [e-mail]

[eLegant @ Dec 19th 2005 2:28AM]

LOL

Homebrew, you guys are still using a PSP for homebrew/emulation? That's pathetic, get a GP2X.

The GP2X beats the PSP in every way except for wifi, and commercial games (even tho most are terrible).

PSPs are bulky, scratch easily and do not fit in your pocket. I can honestly say i hate them and that's why i sold mine. Used to be a big fan of Sony, but since their PSP, i aint following their attempt at the handheld market any longer. PS3 is the only thing they gonna have goin for gaming.

For commercial games, I'd say get a DS, they have an ugly design/interface, are bulky as well, but the library they have coming up for 2006 is incredible and is going to rob be blind.

Plus the fact that they now have NDS WiFi for playing against ppl all over the world.. It's Xbox Live all over again. :-)

Anyway, I see no reason why you guys still have a PSP if you got em, they aren't good for nothing - anything they can do a cheaper device can do better.

[manish @ Dec 19th 2005 2:28AM]

Well , I got this Giga pack of Sony PSP and its cool and the novelty has not worn off for these 2 weeks though.

By the way, the ipod nano was my brother choice and without any novelty he too has jumped on to the bandwagon of PSP with we both looking forward to a lot of game sharing stuff.

Well now got to go and buy that Ridge raceers thing....

iPod is cool but there software iTunes sucks man...

[Jake @ Dec 19th 2005 2:28AM]

i kno this is a little off topic but my computer sucks right now so could some1 send me killzone ps3 direct feed video in psp mp4 format to [e-mail] thx

[JohnB @ Dec 19th 2005 2:28AM]

Sony? Those wonderful folks who brought you rootkits and Pearl Harbor.