PSP video limitations continue to be removed
by Andrew Yoon 
{ Sep 28th 2007 at 4:45PM }
Somehow, Sony sneaked improved video playback in its most recent PSP firmware update. Previously, video was restricted to a bitrate of 768kbps, but it appears that this restriction has been removed. Capcom's Devil May Cry 4 TGS video is encoded specifically for playback on PSP on its official website, and it runs at a hefty 2Mbps. Surprisingly, the PSP is able to play it without a hitch -- and it looks great.
Homebrew users have been able to enjoy such video playback for a long time now. There's very little reason to have such high bitrates for a resolution as low as the PSP's screen, but it's reassuring to see the silly video restrictions continue to be peeled away. Hopefully, it won't be too long before we can put videos of any pixel size onto the system. Once that happens, PSP's video playback will easily rival its portable video competitors.
[Thanks, Joey Chiu!]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Steve @ Sep 28th 2007 5:37PM
Wonderful...
Random1448 @ Sep 28th 2007 5:51PM
I really hope they remove the res limitations in 3.80
required @ Sep 28th 2007 6:09PM
I can't figure out how to save out PSP friendly 480x272 videos using QuickTime Player & OS X. I've tried many variations to no avail. Once they are put on the PSP, the PSP doesn't like 'em.
Anyone have any tips?
Shinogu @ Sep 28th 2007 6:18PM
Hmm...
in terms of 480x272, I don't know of any Quicktime-converted files working. There's a small edit that one can do on an app called Handbrake that converts DVD content to PSP. Check on their forums for more.
That's all I know of so far, and nothing yet on the level of that DMC4 trailer I e-mailed about.
NeoRaiden @ Sep 28th 2007 6:37PM
Um, I'm pretty sure the 768kbps limit was removed way back on 3.5
Not TOO sure about that, but I do know for a fact that it was removed on 3.6 since the file currently works on my 3.6 firmware.
Brandon Brown @ Sep 28th 2007 7:15PM
I recommend VisualHub for OSX conversions - works great and has several presets for PSP as well as iPod, PS3, etc.
Brandon Brown @ Sep 28th 2007 7:16PM
Sorry the link for VisualHub is http://www.techspansion.com/visualhub/
dave @ Sep 28th 2007 7:22PM
use megui or ripbot 264 on the PC, much easier to convert :)
http://www.bontragerphotography.com/psp/
LAZoftheTamarinds @ Sep 28th 2007 8:41PM
Since DMC 4 is supporting PSP video playback it might mean that they are working on Devil May Cry for the PSP.
Schrade @ Sep 30th 2007 3:29AM
The PSP has been able to do this since Sony opened up full resolution playback in /VIDEO. They did this in Firmware v3.30 and the resolutions they opened up were 480x272, 352x480 and 720x480 all using "level 3.0" of the h.264 standard. This means the maximum bitrate can probably be up to 10Mbit/s but that's way way way overkill.
Anyhow, here's the link to the Firmware History so you can see when Sony added it in Firmware 3.30:
http://www.us.playstation.com/psp/downloads/systemupdate/history.html#update330