Elgato Systems announces a hardware encoder in USB Stick format that rapidly converts video files to the high quality H.264 (MP4) format for iPod, Apple TV, and Sony PSP. Turbo.264 accelerates exports by a factor of 4 on an Intel Core 2 Duo up to a factor of 10 on a Power PC G4. The rate of acceleration depends on the Mac processor type.

Furthermore, Turbo.264 offloads the computationally intensive software conversion of video files away from your Macintosh, leaving it free for other tasks – a virtual co-processor for the Mac. Turbo.264 supports all Macs with USB 2.0.

There is no need to acquire additional software to convert videos, since Turbo.264 comes with video conversion software by Elgato. Simply drag-and-drop videos into the application and chose one of four formats: iPod Standard, iPod High, Apple TV, Sony PSP).

Turbo.264 supports batch conversions and even offers exports of unprotected DVD content (VOB files). Turbo.264 also accelerates exports from the most important Macintosh video applications such as iMovie, QuickTime Pro, Final Cut Pro, and EyeTV.

Turbo.264 supports resolutions of up to 800 by 600 pixels, enabling videos and TV recordings in PAL or NTSC formats to be converted to Apple TV with no scaling. In addition, Turbo.264 supports standard resolutions for iPod and Sony PSP. When conversion is complete, Turbo.264 automatically transfers video files to iTunes, making them immediately available to Apple TV or the iPod.

Pricing & Availability

Turbo.264 is available immediately for US$99.95 in the Elgato Online Shop as well as through distribution. The package includes the USB 2.0 Hardware Encoder, the Turbo.264 software on CD-ROM, a user’s guide on CD-ROM, a quick start guide as well as a USB extension cable.

The Wii’s Twilight Hack has been a big hit for the homebrew crowd. Using the software flaw, they’ve been able to play Tetris on their Wiis and even create some custom Wii channels. Nintendo tried to shut that program down, but 8 hours later, it was back. Nobody can keep the homebrew devs down, and over the past week there have been two more major breakthroughs in “hacking the Wii.”

A group called Waninkoko has created a custom firmware for the Wii which allows writable DVDs to be read by the system. This means that downloading Wii titles to your PC, and then playing them on a burned disc could be right around the corner. The second crack for the Wii came from teamshift. They were able to create a PSP emulator that can play whatever games you wish.

Of course, neither of these hacks have actually been confirmed, so take heed before you try to install the Waninkoko hack. Do so at your own risk. The PSP emulator rumor from teamshift comes from a single image posted on NintendoMax showing Puzzle Bobble Pocket playing on a Wii. The image doesn’t hold much credence, and could be completely fake, but if it’s real then PSP games may become the new black for a while in Wii owner’s homes.

As more information is revealed on this, we’ll let you know.

Read more at engadget and DCEMUuk

1. Get a Memory Stick for your PSP:

Before you can load any data onto your Sony PSP, you must have a memory stick to store the files onto. The PSP comes with a tiny 32MB card that is only big enough to store a relatively small amount of files. If you plan on watching video clips and installing lots of games on your PSP, you will need to purchase a larger Memory Stick Pro Duo card. These cards come in several different sizes. Exact sizes vary depending on compression rates and quality, but on average, you will need about 5MB for every 1 minute of video. Before you can use a brand new Memory Stick with your PSP, you need to reformat it. If you don’t know how to do this, here’s a quick tutorial on how to format a PSP Memory Stick.

2. Format your Memory Stick on your PSP:

Before you can use a brand new Memory Stick with your PSP, you need to reformat it. If you don’t know how to do this, here’s a quick tutorial on how to format a PSP Memory Stick.

3. Download this test video clip and thumbnail to your computer:

Right + Click (PC, Mac) or Option + Click (Mac) to save each of these two files to your Desktop. Joe Vs. Wade (ZIP file, 32MB)

4. Connect the PSP to your computer:

If you haven’t already, you need to connect the PSP to your computer with the USB cable that it came with and put the PSP into USB mode. Press the HOME button located on the bottom left of your PSP and then scroll left to the SETTINGS column. Scroll down to USB CONNECTION and press X. The Memory Stick inside your PSP will now mount on your computer.

5. Copy the video onto your PSP:

In order to playback video files on your PSP, you must copy them into the proper folder. The correct file path is MP_ROOT > 100MNV01. If you place video files anywhere else on the Memory Stick, they will not playback properly. If the MP_ROOT and 100MNV01 folders don’t already exist on your PSP’s Memory Stick, then you need to make two new folders and name them in ALL CAPS. Just a reminder, the 100MNV01 folder goes inside the MP_ROOT folder. The PSP requires video (M4V) and thumbnail (THM) files must be named starting with M4V and ending with five random numbers ie. M4V12345.

The following two diagrams should help explain where the video files need to go:

MEMSTICK.IND

MP-ROOT

MSTK_PRO.IND

PSP

100MNV01

(videos)

6. Watch the video on your PSP:

Once the video file has finished transferring onto your Memory Stick, you can disconnect the PSP from your computer. Scroll over to the VIDEO column on your Sony PSP and you should now see the video file. Press X to watch it. Enjoy!

Given that Sony invented portable music players with the creation of the original Walkman back in the 80s, it’s not going to come as a surprise to hear that its PSP handheld console will also play music for you on the go. All you need is a Memory Stick Duo to store MP3s on and a USB cable with a Mini-B type connector, both of which can be bought at your local home electronics or PC store. Your PSP will play both MP3s, which can be created by ripping the tracks from a regular audio CD using your PC and Microsoft Windows Media Player 10, and ATRAC3 audio files. Once transferred, you’ll be able to play games and music when you’re next out and about with your PSP!

If you’ve connected your PSP to your PC before, perhaps to transfer a movie or some digital photos, skip to step 4.

With your PSP turned off, insert the Memory Stick Duo into the Memory Stick slot on the left of the PSP console. Turn your PSP back on and go to the home screen and access the Settings. Scroll down to System Settings and press X.
Within the System Settings section, scroll down to Format Memory Stick and press X. Confirm that you want to format the Memory Stick Duo and wait for a few seconds while it takes place.
Once formatted, return to the Settings section at the home screen and scroll to USB Connection. Connect one end of the USB cable to your PC and the other to your PSP and then press X.
This will enable your PSP’s USB connection and, after your PC has loaded any drivers it needs (as long as you’re using Windows ME, 2000 or XP it’ll do this automatically), open My Computer on your PC’s desktop.
Double-click on the Removable Drive icon and then on the PSP folder. You’ll now see a selection of folders, one of which is called MUSIC. Open this folder by double-clicking on it with your mouse.
You can now save or drag and drop your music files into this folder, either individually or in their own sub-folder. Once itransferred, press O on your PSP and go to the Music icon on your PSP’s home screen and press X.

PSP Blender - Every PSP Demo Game Free Downloads

1. Connect your PSP via USB to your PC and click USB Connection on the PSP.

2. Click on the Memory Stick Icon from your Desktop.

3. Click folder named: PSP.

4. Click folder named: GAME.

5. CopyPaste/Drag your downloaded folder into the GAME folder.

6. Eject the Memory Stick from your Desktop.

7. Disconnect your PSP.

8. Game on.

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LocoRoco Demo
Put In Folder: UCUS98662

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LocoRoco Halloween Demo
Put In Folder: UCUS98662H

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Sudoku Demo Japanese
Put In Folder: UCJS10036

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Mercury Meltdown Demo Japanese
Put In Folder: UCJS10043

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World Tour Soccer 06 Demo
Put In Folder: UCUS98631

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Ape Escape Racer Demo Japanese
Put In Folder: UCUS98655

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Bounty Hounds Demo Japanese
Put In Folder: ULJS00021

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Ridge Racer 2 Demo
Put In Folder: UCES00422

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MotoGP Demo
Put In Folder: UCES00304

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Ape Academy 2 Banana Mini Game
Put In Folder: UCES0030
Requires: 2.82

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Mercury Meltdown English
Put In Folder: ULED90018

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LocoRoco Christmas Demo
Put In Folder: UCED90007

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KILLZONE Demo
Put in Folder: UCES00279

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Let’s say, for example, that your PSP’s screen is broken but you still want to play games with it. What are you going to do? Buy a new one? Maybe in the past that’s what we’re going to do but this application has the potential to change all that.

Homebrew developer DeMoN X passed by QJ.Net PSP forums today and released Remotejoy GUI v1. Just like we said, this application lets users display the PSP screen on the computer making it possible to run games even in full screen.

Basically, the program uses plugins “psplink.prx” and “remotejoy.prx” via the Recovery Menu. Then certain .bat files can be called to view games in a window or full screen, and another for both with FPS display.

DeMoN X said that this is an initial release and as such, you might encounter some problems especially when you have other .prx files running. Also, the coder mentioned that not all games are compatible with Remotejoy GUI so you might have to do some trial and error.

Remotejoy GUI v1 should be used on custom firmware 3.40 OE-A only. You will also be needing Microsoft .NET Framework 2.0 with this. The developer thinks that it might run on earlier custom firmwares but they haven’t been tested as of yet.

Please take note as well that your PSP will lock up if a  game uses a certain call to load files or directories off the memory stick that is incompatible with PSPLink.

Download: Remotejoy GUI v1
Download: Microsoft .Net Framework 2.0

We are offering a new PSP Blender video / graphic contest. Submit your video or graphics for a chance to win a PSP with firmware version 3.03 OE-C complete with a 8GB memory stick and accessory package. Below are some videos we recently had submitted.

This post is a little off subject but interesting nonetheless. A regular visitor of our blog sent in a video that was created with a free website and a few minutes of free time. As you know we have a contest going on for the best PSP Blender video. The person that submits the best video will receive a free PSP with firmware v1.5 and a 8GB memory stick to get them started. Below you can see the video Im talking about with a link to the site to get you started.

Created using One True Media

Sony has announced the launch of the Go! Cam, a camera that will allow PSP users to take pictures and videos. The camera, that has a 180-degree vertical swivel base, is very similar to the PS3 eye camera. The edit software bundled with the camera will allow users to edit photos, videos and audio clips on the PSP. Apart from these functionalities, the camera also has an in-built microphone.

According to sources in Sony, considering a 4GB Memory stick Pro Duo, the camera will be able to store up to two and half hours of videos and over 40,000 photos. And that’s not all. Users will also be able to upload all the pictures and videos on to the internet directly from the PSP.