Review: X-oom PSP Media Suite software utility

Thanks to devices such as the PlayStation Portable and the latest video iPods, we should all be carrying around tons of video content in our pockets. Except we’re not. In fact, getting video onto these kinds of devices is nowhere near as straightforward as it should be.

Music and photos are another story. It’s pretty easy to transfer CDs and digital snaps, but there’s not as much official support for doing the same with movies, even among devices that are supposedly video-ready.

Companies like X-oom is cashing in on this by developing software intended to help users convert and transfer video from their PCs to a portable player.

PSP Media Suite is a case in point. It effectively combines three separate applications for PlayStation Portable users; Movies on PSP, Music on PSP and Photoshow on PSP.

Our review of Movies on PSP hasn’t changed much since then. As we said before, it simplifies the process of getting video clips stored on your hard disk onto your PSP’s memory card, but comes with a lot of ifs and buts.

The main problem is that it’s technically illegal to rip DVD movies and convert them to the PSP format, even if they’re from discs you own. As such, this function of the program is crippled out of the box, even though there’s a button for it. Those wishing to can download an update from the internet that re-enables DVD-conversion, but this is not officially endorsed by the manufacturer.

The two supporting applications offer some useful extra features. Photoshow on PSP, for example, has the ability to transform a collection of snaps into a PSP-playable slideshow, while Music on PSP can record several hours of internet radio in MP3 format and transfer it to your console.

Also included is a useful USB cable to connect your PSP to a PC and recharge its battery at the same time.

Overlooking any legal implications for a moment, as well as a few minor software glitches, this suite of applications is actually pretty useful for PSP owners. A similar suite – iPod Media Suite – is also available for fans of Apple's player.

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