PSPCasting

ChipGuy writes "Om Malik points out the launch of Sony PSP in US could actually turn Sony's fortunes around and thinks that new unqiue applications like Sajeeth Cherian's latest software, PSP Video 9, might be the real reason. Cherian created Videora bit torrent client's new hack, PSP Video 9. It takes any video and turns it into a format that PSP can read. So now you can download videos using Videora, and then convert them to PSP friendly format within a few seconds.He calls this PSP casting."

cool ?

[mirko]

Besides the geek factor, how would this be cooler than a standard portable mini tv set, especially given its price ?

PSP video format

[Jarlsberg]

Sony's future prospects would be even more bright if the thing had supported non proprietary MPEG-2/DivX/Xvid and WMW from the get go...

Mobile Cinema

[LittleGuernica]

Mobile Cinema isn't going to work, I don't want to sound like Steve Jobs, but watching Jack Bauer say "Dammit" on a 4,5" screen is not quite as good as on a HDTV plasma(or something more modest), even though the screen is fabulous..

Ofcourse as a PornStation Portable it will do just fine..

Doesn't make sense for the US

[earthbound kid]

The only time portable video is useful is when you're away from home/your computer and you're not walking, driving, or otherwise in control of your motion. Obviously, by this set of criteria it makes sense to watch portable video on a train or bus, but since the average American is either driving, walking, or biking to and from home (a place with existing video sources) to work (a place with computers), it doesn't seem like there's much of a need for portable video. Now, I will say there are some places where portable video make sense-- like on a commuter train in Japan. I saw a guy watching TV on his phone just yesterday and thought, "Wow, that's pretty cool." But when does the average American ever have an opportunity to sit around like that while someone else is steering the vehicle? You can slap portable video onto a product people are already going to buy, like a cellphone, as an optional feature, but it doesn't make sense to make portable video the centerpiece of any technology destined for the US market.

I'm with Steve Jobs on this one-- there's no real demand for portable video in the US.

Re:Mobile Cinema

[JaredOfEuropa]

Mobile Cinema isn't going to work

It'll work just fine whenever you are on the move. Back when I frequently made some frequent long-distance flights, I considered purchasing one of those portable DVD units which I previously had dismissed as 'utterly pointless' because of their small screen. But a couple of 12-hour flights with sucky in-flight movies and a boring/snoring fellow passenger changed my opinion of these units real quick!

Besides, if you want a big screen you can always get one of those LCD glasses (Sony's GlassTron).

Re:cool ?

[Anonymous Coward]

But without Gran Turismo and Metal Gear Acid, of course. I'll be buying a PSP primarily for the games, but all this other stuff is a nice added incentive. If I wasn't in a reasonably well-paid job and had been forced to limit myself to buying either the DS or the PSP (rather than both, which I plan to), it'd be a simple decision.

Does make sense for the US

[Mulletproof]

So is that why whenever those little Portable DVD players drop below $100 on sale at Walmart, they're usually sold out by the end of the day? There shouldn't be any question as to whether there is demand for portable video all over the place. There is. It's plainly obvious.

The real question is whether Sony is offering it in an attractive enough package for people to buy [i]this[/i] product. I'm gonna say the will be successful, but I don't think that success will hinge on it's ability to playback video, frankly. People aren't going to run to the stores and drop $250 just for the device's ability to play Spiderman 2 on the go. The price point is all wrong for that function alone, but combined with everything else the PSP does- along with the ipod like design and marketing focus -I don't think it'll have a problem selling whatsoever.

But why we're focusing solely on it's ability to play movies to sell units when that's barely half it's function is beyond me in the first place.

Sony's fortunes don't need turning round

[JaF893]

Sony's console sales have actually been pretty healthy - its the other parts of their business that are shakey. They have sold 100 million PlayStations and 75 million Playsation 2s. The PS2 sales have dipped recently but thats to be expected. When the PS3 comes out it they will be the market leader again. But I don't think PSP casting will change the fortunes of Sony.

Hardly a "new unqiue application"

[Gravaton]

Erm, you guys do know that Sony already has software available for the PSP that will convert any video file you can drag and drop onto it (Yes, DivX, XviD, etc.) into MPEG4 and put it on your PSP....and images as well....

It's called Image Converter. It's bundled with the PSP (At least the pack that comes with the memory stick gets a CD with it, otherwise it's free from Sony with registration). What's the point of this guy reinventing the wheel?

Info on the software is here:
http://forum.lik-sang.com/showthread.php?t=1929 [lik-sang.com]

Re:Doesn't make sense for the US

[MyDixieWrecked]

"...like on a commuter train in Japan."

um... what's wrong with commuter trains in the US? I, like thousands of americans, take the train to work daily, and ride subways quite often. When I'm by myself, I enjoy my PSP or my DS.

let's not forget the countless people who take busses, too. Metropolitan areas are where iPods have extreme market saturation. Walking around NYC, you see more people with white earbuds than you see talking on cell phones. These are the areas where portable video will take off.

Right when I got my PSP, I chucked a couple videos on it (namely 2 episodes of Naruto and a couple episodes of bangbros pr0n) and I take a gander at the videos when I'm bored.

It's also cool to show off that you can have pr0n in such a small device.

I'd be happier if my computer had USB2, though. it takes FOREVER to transfer the data to the memorystick. especially when transfering a 300mb vid. (I've got a 512mb card)

regarding your steve jobs statement: I think it would be a good idea for apple to get into the portable video market, but it would have to be done right. Do we have the technology to make this device at a resonable cost today? I don't think so. But an ipod-sized device with a high-def, touch screen LCD that takes up the entire front panel to display the GUI that could play widescreen video as well as emulate the ipod's interface... that'd be the greatest thing in history. especially with something like an 80gb drive. I'd pay 600$ for one of them.