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Nov 02 2005
PSP Media Manager Review
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| Summary: Very good, and should get even better...
90
Looking at how I already transferred my content to my PSP, I thought for a few moments about buying Media Manager.
My videos are converted using PSP Video 9, a great program that does require a little bit of technical knowledge but is, on the whole, very easy to use. My audio files are stored in Windows Media Player and then transferred to my PSP using the Sync feature or by copying the folder to the device in explorer. Photos are transferred using explorer. And all of this happens either using the USB cable (only some of the time) or by putting my MS Duo in my VAIO laptop using the MS adaptor.
So why buy Media Manager?
When you transfer audio, you can choose to 'down sample' it to a particular quality. It does this on the fly without changing the original file and this is a godsend. I may want my MP3 files encoded in 256k for my stereo, but there's no need for anything to be encoded above 128k on the PSP, saving space on your MS Duo. Transferring video is a snap, and the quality is superb - much better than PSP Video 9 in 'like-for-like' AVC mode. Photos not only transfer, but you can also fix the resolution to fit the PSP and, again, save space. Quality is superb once more.
The real plus points are the Feed options and the Backup facility. The Feed option allows you to subscribe to any of the feeds in the extensive directory included in the application, or by adding any URL to Media Manager. Once you've subscribed to a feed, you click on the feed to see all the articles, which you can then transfer to the PSP with a single click of your mouse. With so many 'podcast' feeds available, it means you can keep up to date with audio casts covering any subject. And as more and more people set up MP4 feeds (such as 29 Guide), you can get regular video updates and programs to watch.
The Feed option also includes comics and magazines, including direct download of the PSPages e-mag. The Backup option is simplicity itself. Click Backup, and your MS Duo is backed up. You can then restore everything or just selected items whenever you need to. Media Manager also manages and saves your game save files. I've set it up to rip CDs to the same directory as my Windows Media Player repository, which monitors that folder for new files. This way, CDs ripped into WMP or PSP MM sit in the same place. You'll find default folders in the Settings area.
Where could it be better?
I've noticed when you transfer very large numbers of audio files, it gets the file order wrong. This only happens when, for example, you're transferring a single folder with more than 99 tracks in it; an audio book, for example, where each track is a chapter in the book. It gets it wrong because the 'track number' field is not set as a three-digit number, so track 101 follows track 10. There's also a little niggle when transferring lots of items, as the program refreshes the 'target window' too regularly, which slows down the transfer.
Otherwise, it's a great application and I'm very pleased with my purchase. I recommend it wholeheartedly and am not unhappy to pay $20 for something that makes managing my one MS Duo card a lot easier, effectively meaning I can swap items in a snap and avoid having to think about buying more MS Duo cards; something that would cost me a lot more than $20.
I'll upgrade the rating as soon as Sony add more features and fix the little niggles I've mentioned.
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Comments
What's the point of this crappy software ? If there's no support for .VOB file conversion then this is a complete waste of effort? Yeah, like people want to watch home videos on the PSP. Get real....people are just ripping DVDs they own to watch on PSP....at least that's all I do. Everything else can already be done with the PC and PSP, there's clearly no need for this software if anyone knows how to use a computer and connect a USB cable. What a gimmick. Give us VOB support so we can stop using PSP Video 9 and the crappy 3G converter.
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pico, I agree with you...but you got to remember...not everyone is a l337 kompootah usar like you. Sure, I know how to do all those things you mentioend but it's a pain in the (_|_) so I prefer this program because it's sexy, easy to use and pretty well laid out (pluse I love the feed in it). So I paid for convenience.
And no, not everyone is pirating their DVDs on their PSP. Some people do (I know this), but some people have other uses for it.
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You guys are dumb. If you legally own the DVD then you can legally rip it to your computer, PSP, whatever.
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Sphinct0r, fwew...glad you cleared that up...all day long I've been wondering "am I dumb?"
Plus, what you mention is a highly controversial subject in the courts these days. While yes, you can make a back up copy of your personal DVD collection, using most software to do it is considered illegal by courts.
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pico = exactly right.
There is no .VOB support in this product. Therefore, it's worthless. If I want to transfer files, I use my flash-card reader anyway, and Windows Explorer. It's not rocket science, and it doesn't require a "cute" interface.
Get a clue Sony. It's about ripping DVDs, that we OWN. Until they wake up and see that, we have to continue the decrypt/Video 9 bull.
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What's all this "we" nonsence?
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R u guys crazy? Sony is in the press all over the place for installing rootkit software on your PC so you don't copy CD's. What makes you think Sony would support ANY copying of DVD's?
Get a clue. The software that HAS been available to RIP copy protected DVD's has been forced off the store shelves by the Supreme Court. I know that it is MY DVD and I have the right to make a copy of it. But any software that removes the DRM of ANY copyright material is illegal (as deemed by the courts).
Very tricky situation. In the meantime... stop complaining about the lack of DVD conversion support... that is for an entirely different topic.
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pico is right i live in alabama too and i love this software. i love the support for .vob files. i can easily put my pirated dvd's on my psp. when the police seach my house why not get my psp taken away too sounds like fun.
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OK you guys I purchased the program and although there is no mention of the .vob support it does convert from .vob (direct from DVD too if you are running AnyDVD like I am) I have done over 12 DVDs now and the encoder only has 2 options right now High AVC and Low AVC, I use High AVC and the movies come out around 500MB. The best thing so far I have noticed that there is absolutely no ghosting like in all the others out there right now. I am very happy with this program and look forward to more updates in the future.
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Kopykat is correct. If you are using AnyDVD it will convert the VOBs directly from the DVD. The Sony software is even smart enough to realize that it needs to put the VOBs together to create the full length movie and only shows one movie to be converted. I was using the Cyberlink AVC Media Encoder for PSP (which I bought two weeks ago - Doh!) but the quality of the Sony Software's conversion beats it. The Cyberlink had a few small issues with a conversion of Batman Begins (some artifacts during heavy action and a few issues with shadows on Bruce Wayne's face for some reason) but the Sony conversion was damn near perfect. The only issue with the Sony software is that it is soooooo slow on my rig. The Cyberlink software is much faster and previews the conversion while you are doing it. I think I'll post a review to get rid of some of the misconceptions. I'll probably stop using the Cyberlink software (unless speed is an issue) and PSPWare and stick with the all-in-one Sony software (despite some stability issues).
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kevlarian said: "
Very tricky situation. In the meantime... stop complaining about the lack of DVD conversion support... that is for an entirely different topic."
Alright, then can we talk about the fact that this thing doesn't do ATRAC? Sony's own format?
Pretty lame. A whole ROOM full of people screwed up on that mindf'er.
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I just buy it!
And first of all its not perfect..... But the things that work is smoot. the GUI is good and its easy to use. Have already started to wait for ver. 1.1 that will give better suport. The stranges thing is that it dos not suport my 'old" PSP mp4 files made with PSP9
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I give. I bought the program and I keep reading about how people are using it to convert vobs, but for the life of me I can't get it to work. I have decrypted the disc to the HD in a variety of flavors (fle mode, IFO mode, file splitting, no file splitting) and PSP Media Manager recognizes the rip. When I tell it to transfer to my PSP, it starts going and gets about 1% complete and tells me that there isn't enough room on my MemStick. I have a 1GB stick with nothing on it. PSP Media Manager predicts the file size to be around 650mb, so it should fit, but for whatever reason it keeps crapping out. Any suggestions? Also, what's with having to plug in your PSP to convert vids? That's pretty lame.
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I will say that the few vids I did get to convert (avi's) looked FANTASTIC! If Sony would just allow us full resolution encodes we would be set.
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