New Media Manager for PSP System Makes Taking Content With You Easy

Via Yahoo

Sony Computer Entertainment America today announced the availability of Media Manager for PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) System, software for PCs that facilitates the transfer of multimedia content to a PSP system. Building on the initial version of the software released last November, the updated Media Manager offers a new easy-to-use interface and expanded options for converting video, music, and photos; subscribing to podcasts; and backing-up game saves. Among the exciting new features, users can now transfer home videos from DVDs, as well as documents and Internet browser bookmarks from PCs, onto their PSP system.

Developed by Sony Media Software, Media Manager is available for download for $16.99; a boxed version of the software, which includes a 6-foot USB cable, is also available for $24.99. Purchase details can be found at http://us.playstation.com/mediamanager .

"The PSP system delivers an unmatched experience for portable entertainment, and the new Media Manager makes transferring your entertainment content as simple as a few clicks of the mouse," said John Koller, senior marketing manager, PSP, at SCEA. "We know that many of the 5 million PSP owners that are out there use their systems for more than just gaming, and this software enables you to easily and quickly load those videos, music, photos and more onto your Memory Stick Duo(TM)."

The new Media Manager uses an intuitive dual-paned interface, featuring familiar icons from the PSP system's XMB(TM) (Xross Media Bar) and the ease of drag-and-drop transfers. A status bar indicates available space on Memory Stick Duo media.

Video conversion and playback, among the most popular uses of the PSP system due to its vibrant LCD widescreen, is streamlined with Media Manager, ensuring that content is in the proper format for viewing on the device. Also, PSP owners can now transfer home videos on DVD or footage from DVD camcorders onto their system.

Media Manager's support for audio files is music to a PSP owner's ears. In addition to support for multiple file formats, the software finds audio files on your PC for simplified transfer and playback and extracts songs from your personal CDs with just one click of the mouse. For increased control, users can determine the compression level of audio files as well as export playlists.

To address the growth in popularity of podcasts, or multimedia files delivered via Really Simple Syndication (RSS) feeds, Media Manager allows users to setup subscriptions. A built-in RSS directory includes popular feeds ranging from radio programs to pop culture videos. Also, the software now offers multiple feed downloads and enhanced feed support including parental ratings.

Key Features of Media Manager for PSP System include:
*Indicates new features

General
--Enhanced user interface*
--Embedded media previewing*
--Automated file conversions
--Status bar indicates available space on Memory Stick Duo media

Video
--Transfer home movies on DVD or video from DVD camcorders*
--Windows Media Center support*
--High-quality Sony AVC video encoding
--Supports .avi, .mov, .mp4, .wmv, and other formats

Music
--Support for playlists (.m3u and .wpl exported from Windows Media
Player)*
--Find music on your PC for transfer and playback
--Extract songs from CDs
--Supports .ATRAC3(TM), .mp3, .wav, .wma, and other formats

Photo
--Digital playback of photos, including .bmp, .gif, .jpg, .png, .tif and
more
--Thumbnail preview

RSS
--Multiple feed download*
--Subscribe to podcasts, video blogs, and PSP formatted magazines
--Built-in directory of popular RSS feeds

Bookmark
--Transfer Internet Explorer favorites*

Document
--Transfer documents, including Excel, Word, HTML, .txt and more*
--Preview documents on your computer before transferring*

Game
--Back up game saves to your computer
--Move game saves between Memory Stick Duo media

$17? no thanks, i can do that for free

Yeah, I don't think charging money for it is going to inspire anyone to use something that just adds covenience, and nothing new.

And still no Mac or Linux versions.

whats great is not only will this be up to downlaod free within the next couple hours....

BUtm does sony really think that with all the free psp media managers out there that someone is not goignt o update them witht he same exact stuff.

Sony is allways tryignt o weasel as much $$ out of people as possible for pointless add ons

This actually seems good. It should be free though.

Will it require certain firmware versions i wonder?

Theres a lot of things u could get that r better than that with 17$. I'd only get it if it were lowered to a lot shallower 10$ or if it were to become a free download.

Someone should just buy one, then make a cracked version so we dont have to pay anything ^^

The first thing I thought of when I read this was the iPod & iTunes.

This would actually be good for the PSP. An iTunes like software for the PSP.

iTunes works really well on the iPod but it is also FREE! What is SONY thinking charging money for something like this? This should be a FREE download just like iTunes. The PSP needs something like that.

Most technically challenged people can figure out how to put videos & such on their iPod with iTunes but those same people might have trouble getting files on the PSP just out of the box.

It was somewhat tolerable that SONY did not have something like this ready for the PSP's launch. But almost 2 years since the PSP first debuted in Japan and still no such software & download service.

PATHETIC!

I love the PSP but so much things make it appear to be a half-assed and incomplete effort. Its almost like SONY didn't expect the PSP to do as well as it has and has been continually trying to keep up with making the PSP what it should have been initially.

The PSP deserves better than that. Sony's engineers designed a remarkable little device. Its high time we see it used to its full potential.