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Written by Don Lee
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Wednesday, 11 October 2006 |
 PSPWare was designed to help PlayStation Portable users manage their files without the hassle. PSP users know that transferring files to the device can be a daunting task. Using a management program like PSPWare can help make the process of managing their PSP content a lot more enjoyable.
Using a Type A to mini B USB cable connected from your computer to the PSP, the user then has the ability to transfer pictures, songs, bookmarks and video clips to their portable device. While this sounds like an easy task, users have encountered a few issues when moving their data to the PSP. Personally, when I transfer my pictures I’m never really sure when the copying process is complete. You see the status bar appear and move from left to right in the PSP’s USB Connection window but if you quit the USB Connection to view your photos, I found that they wouldn’t appear. It was just as if the photo transfer wasn’t complete even though the status bar had stopped.
The trickiest task to accomplish is to move your MPEG-4 video files to the PSP. Even though the PSP creates a “VIDEO” folder on the device’s Memory Stick Pro Duo when you format the disc, you can’t just drag your video files to the folder. The PSP requires a specific naming convention for the video files to be recognized on the device. These issues have proven to be a overwhelming to some users which is why Nullriver Software created a Mac OS X and Windows application called PSPWare.
PSPWare was designed to help ease the process of transferring files from your computer to the PlayStation Portable. Let’s take a closer look at PSPWare and see if it can make the move.
Transferring files with PSPWare
Before you get started using PSPWare, you are warned that PSPWare must reformat your Memory Stick Pro Duo so if you already have data on that disk, you would probably want to move it back to your computer before you continue further.
After performing the reformat, you can sync your PSP to the PSPWare application and you’re now ready to transfer your files back. When you open the program, you will find the icon toolbar located across the top. The items above are used to control the program’s status, music files, photos, movies, web browser bookmarks (for those using the Sony PSP 2.00 firmware update), backup and additional preference features. Beneath the toolbar, you will see the remaining disk space on your Memory Stick Pro Duo and a button to begin the syncing process.
Transferring music to the PSP requires that Apple’s iTunes be installed on your system. You will need to create a play list from your iTunes music library. You will then have to select the play list that you wish to transfer to the PSP. Place a check box next to the play list you want then click on the Sync Now button. The audio files will then be copied into your MUSIC directory on the PSP’s Memory Stick Pro Duo. The procedure is relatively the same for photos and movies except that you are given the opportunity to navigate through your system to select the files you want to transfer.
PSPWare’s interface is clean and simple to navigate. Just plug your USB cable from your computer to your PSP’s USB port, select USB Connection in the PSP’s main menu, then launch PSPWare and you will be ready to transfer your files and bookmarks over.
The Final Word
I found Nullriver Software’s PSPWare to be an extremely valuable program towards the management of your files on your PSP. The application interface is extremely easy to understand and even easier to transfer files. The problem of not knowing when the file transfer was complete using the USB cable was no longer an issue. When PSPWare informed me that the syncing was complete, I knew my files would appear in their respective places on my Memory Stick Pro Duo.
I then switched to my Photos on the memory stick and the two imported folders I checked off to be transferred came through fine as did the iTunes song list I created. FYI, you should try to incorporate music artwork with each one of your songs because the PSP will display the artwork as an icon next to each song if available. It’s a nice way to distinguish your music files on your PSP.
The demo will not perform a bookmark transfer for those of you who have upgraded to firmware 2.00. The demo only provides the ability to transfer 10 songs, 10 photos and 5 movies per sync. But for just $15, you can register PSPWare and gain full access to transfer your music, photos, movies and bookmarks to your PSP.
PSPWare can save you a lot of hassle by switching back and forth from your hard drive to the PSP, waiting to see if your files actually transferred to your PSP and whether you named your movie files appropriately for the device to understand. I recommend that you give PSPWare a try to help manage your PSP files. PSPWare is a five star product!
System Requirements
Microsoft Windows 2000 or later
A Sony PSP
A PSP-compatible Memory Stick Pro Duo
A USB sync cable
iTunes for iTunes syncing (free download from Apple's site)
Mac OS X 10.3.9 or later
A Sony PSP
A PSP-compatible Memory Stick Pro Duo
A USB sync cable
iTunes for iTunes syncing (free download from Apple's site)
iPhoto for iPhoto syncing (part of Apple's iLife suite)
Safari for bookmark syncing
About PSPWare
Nullriver Software offers the Mac and PC versions of PSPWare as a downloadable demo. The demo is limited to 10 songs, 10 photos and 5 movies per sync. You can register it online for $15 to remove the registration message and gain unlimited access.
About Nullriver Software
Nullriver Software develops quality programs for a variety of platforms. You can locate them on the internet at http://www.nullriver.com/
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