As noted in a previous post, MoviesForMyPod/PSP/Phone does not create files compatible with the Sony PSP 2.7 Firmware. I just flashed (upgraded) a 2.7 PSP to version 2.8 to test with the latest firmware. Indeed, both standard 4:3 and widescreen encoding 16:9 are now again working in 2.8. Use the 2.6-compatibility mode and place your files into a folder named /VIDEO on your PSP memory stick. It appears that the VIDEO folder technique no longer supports the .THM 'thumbnail' files which were used to create the little poster frames that show a preview of the video content. So there's no need to copy those files. Also, it is no longer necessary to use the bizarro M4V0001.MP4 style filenames. Use any descriptive filename you want.

This means our files are compatible with the following PSP firmware revisions:

• 1.5 through 2.6 Firmware - supports 4:3 (not widescreen) MPEG-4 video.
• 2.6 Firmware - supports 4:3 and 16:9 video.
• 2.7 Firmware - not supported.(Upgrade your PSP to 2.8)
• 2.8 Firmware - Supports both 4:3 and 16:9 MPEG-4 video

Therefore, if you want to produce a "Universal" iPod+PSP podcast, stick to 4:3 aspect ratio (not widescreen) and convert it using the 1.5 PSP compatibility mode. This will produce a file compatible with all video iPods, all the PSP firmware versions listed above, QuickTime 6.5 and higher, and usually VLC and other MPEG-4 players.

If anyone has a Creative Zen and wants to write in a compatibility report, please do so.

As of this time, Digigami recommends everyone upgrade to PSP 2.8 Firmware, unless you are running one of the bootloaders. Otherwise, 2.8 looks like Sony finally figured out that consumers don't want to have secret handshakes with their little devices - they just want to play their media files.

Labels: firmware, mac, psp