While it is primarily a gaming console, Sony has made the Playstation Portable (PSP) powerful enough to allow not just playback of MP3s, but also to decode video files for viewing on-the-go. What’s more, the large display on the PSP is a whopping 4.3 inches, as large or larger than some current dedicated PVPs–even though the PSP has already been around for more than two years. Add to the fact that 2GB and 4GB Memory Stick Duo cards are now very affordable, and you’ve a very attractive proposition for a video player in the PSP.

Universal Media Disc

Of the two major handheld gaming devices (Sony PSP and Nintendo DS), only the PSP has video playback as one of its intended features. The media format used for games and videos is the Universal Media Disc (UMD) which, ironically, isn’t very universal. So far, the PSP is the only device to use this format, with all commercial games and movies sold on this tiny disc.

Rumors hailing the death of UMD movies have come and gone, but these continue to exist, with studios occasionally releasing current movies in this format. One of the most recent releases is Casino Royale, which many will recognize to be the latest James Bond film. It is the simplest way to watch video on your PSP, but the range of titles is dependent on release dates by studios, similar to waiting for DVD releases.

Know your PSP
The display on the PSP has a resolution of 480 x 272 pixels. This is a 16:9 aspect ratio, which is ideal for widescreen movies. The video codec supported on the PSP is h.264 and the files for playback bear the .MP4 extension.

To watch your own videos on the PSP, it is necessary to store them on a Memory Stick Duo. These have to be in a certain format with a certain way of naming them. So if you have a whole bunch of videos on your PC, there will be quite a bit of work. Don’t worry about having to use complicated video-editing software to do the conversion. Free applications exist to help you convert videos into the proper format, and even rename the files so they will play on the PSP.

PSP Blender offers many applications to aid you in the process of converting your video files free as part your membership. Not only do they include the software needed but they include step by step instructions and full support if any problems arise.

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.

One of the biggest if not THE BIGGEST development in the PSP hacking scene has just unfolded. A collective group of hackers including the likes of Dark_Alex, Noobz and Booster have released a new piece of software which will replicate the exact functions of Sony’s Jigkick battery (even better) - that means it is now possible for homebrew enabled PSP’s to UNBRICK and DOWNGRADE their systems at their own will. The respective software will transform any regular PSP battery into one which can perform all the functions of the Official Sony JigKick which is used by Sony repair staff themselves. Even if your PSP is not homebrew enabled, you can just ask a friend who has a homebrew enabled PSP to run the software and transform your battery too! Read more on the software at the official release thread as launched by legendary hacker Dark_Alex HERE. Spread the word and DIGG THIS! And on a FINAL note, while the team is a bit too proud to apply pressure for DONATIONS, just do it even if it is just a dollar - ig390@msn.com via PAYPAL (Authorized by Dark_Alex, Noobz and all on the C+D development team).

Read More/Download: here

We are holding a contest for the best video for PSP Blender, PSP Downloading, PSP Hacking or similar videos. The winner will receive a free PS3 console courtesy of PSP Blender Blog. Feel free to include a link to your website in the video. To submit a video use our contact form and include a link to the video. All submissions will be considered and posted.

Sponsored By PSP Blender

This video tutorial will show you how to transfer your PSP ISO files to a PSP running firmware version 3.03 OE or 3.10 OE.

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

Watch this video demo for the PSP Skype

http://www.gametrailers.com/player/29451.html

2K, a publishing label of Take-Two Interactive Software, today announced that Ghost Rider, the action-packed combat and motorcycle video game featuring Marvel Comics’ iconic supernatural superhero, is now available in North America for the PlayStation2 computer entertainment system, the PSP (PlayStationPortable) system and Game Boy Advance. The title will be available in Europe as the movie releases in different regions. The Ghost Rider video game reflects the stylized action of the successful Marvel comic series and Sony Pictures’ upcoming Ghost Rider movie.

The game was developed by Climax and its storyline was authored by famed comic writers Garth Ennis and Jimmy Palmiotti. In the video game, stuntman Johnny Blaze is brought back as his alter ego, Ghost Rider, to protect others from experiencing his Hell on Earth. Ghost Rider haunts America’s highways, inflicting his righteous wrath upon the souls of the wicked and the damned. The unique storyline takes Ghost Rider to a large variety of scenes and locations, while facing off against familiar faces from both the Marvel comic universe and Sony Pictures’ movie.

“The Ghost Rider video game offers an exhilarating gameplay experience in a fast-paced environment. Ghost Rider can battle multiple enemies from the Marvel Universe using his trademark weapons, the Hellfire Chain and Hellfire Shotgun,” said Christoph Hartmann, President of 2K. “Fans of the comic book series will love its true-to-form style.”

Features:

-Ride the terrifying Hell Cycle, swinging Ghost Rider’s chain at enemies and using the bike’s powers to ride on water, boost over jumps, and power down under obstacles.

-Travel through several locations from the movie, including the Quentin Carnival and Caretaker’s Graveyard and take a ride down the skyscraper that links Earth to the depths of Hell.

-Upgrade the Hell Cycle, gain new moves and increase Ghost Rider’s stats using the essence of defeated foes as currency.

-Besides possessing superhuman strength, speed and durability, Ghost Rider can force criminals to experience a level of emotional pain equivalent to that which they have caused in others with his Penance Stare.

-Fight in spectacular boss battles with key Ghost Rider villains, including Lilith, which will put players’ combat skills to the test.

-Unlock original Ghost Rider comics, artwork, “making of” footage and developer interviews.

-Extended replay value with bonus characters, challenging players to dig deep into the experience.

-PSP offers new gameplay including game sharing, and Wi-Fi multiplayer racing for up to four players.

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!

One of the great things about the PSP is the awesome ability to use a web browser at any wifi spot you encounter. Well sometimes I want to see Youtube content to a freind but the PSP has a VERY old version of flash and because of this Youtube does not work under normal circumstances.

Now there is a way to view all you favorite Youtube videos on the go. A new site that has launched, and is still in beta actually, is set to make thing alot easier for the PSP user.

The only drawback is that you still need a PC to do this, yeah I know it sucks, but it is a step in the right direction.

Here is how to watch all you favorite YouTube vids on the go.

1. Find a video you want to watch, in this case I will point to a video I made of me playing Outrun 2006 on a dual monitor setup direct feed http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vTkazvfVtLk (yes I know I suck LOL)
2. Go to http://vixy.net/ and copy and paste the URL (web address) into the provided space
3. Select the mp4 format (iPod/PSP)
4. Hit the convert button and wait for the conversion to take place
5. when it is done you will be taken to a download page, but the PSP can not download these videos with the URLs this site spits out, so we use a trick go to http://lix.in/ and copy and paste the download link into the space provided, you can’t miss it… no I mean it, and hit “Protect Link”
6. you now have a short PSP freindly url you can use on the PSP web browser to download the newly converted video
7. click all links needed to get back to the download page and hit save on the PSP and then make sure you save to the /VIDEO folder of your PSP
8. after a bit of a download your video is now on you PSP memory stick ready to watch anywhere you take you psp to

Enjoy your new ability to take Youtube with you on your PSP