Sony Continues To Release UMD Videos
Hm. And I thought that the piles of UMD movies in the bargain bins of stores across the country was a sure sign that Sony had given up on the UMD format as far as videos went. I only own one UMD myself, and it's the copy of Spider-Man 2 that came free with my launch PSP. (And I don't ever watch it because the widescreen aspect ratio is wrong! — I know, I know, I'm a colossal geek. Sorry!) I really thought that with the development of the PlayStation Store, Sony was gradually going to shift away from the UMD to a digital download model.
But apparently, that final nail in the coffin is still rolling around loose somewhere on the floor, because SCEA has announced today that it will be offering "popular" MTV programming on UMD for the PSP. This includes shows like Jackass, Beavis & Butt-Head and Aeon Flux (the original cartoon). I would agree that these shows would target that demographic of kids who own PSPs, and shorter cartoons and such would obviously suit a portable device better than full-length motion pictures. And I guess these shows are better than Next or The Hills...
There's a full press release after the jump, but does anyone out there really watch UMD videos on their PSPs? Or should we all help Sony look for that final nail?
Sony Computer Entertainment America Releases MTV Programming on UMD Video for
PSP(R)(PlayStation(R)Portable)
PSP Owners Can Enjoy Their Favorite MTV Shows, Anytime, Anywhere
FOSTER CITY, Calif., Jan. 24 /PRNewswire/ -- Sony Computer Entertainment America (SCEA) today announced it is now offering popular MTV programming on UMD(TM) (Universal Media Disc) for PSP(R)(PlayStation(R)Portable) system. This is the first such collaboration between SCEA and a major TV content provider, and it gives video-game fans unique ways to interact with their favorite MTV programming, including "Jackass," "Beavis & Butt-head," and "Aeon Flux." The initial set of UMD videos are available for $14.99 (MSRP) beginning this week, enabling PSP owners to watch their favorite MTV series on PSP's vibrant LCD widescreen, or on a TV display when using the newly designed PSP's video-out feature.
"This collaboration with MTV is a key first step in meeting the needs of our consumers, who are utilizing PSP as a video player more than ever and are thirsting for more content, particularly short-form videos," said Phil Rosenberg, senior vice president of sales and business development, SCEA. "MTV's programming is hugely popular, and SCEA can utilize our internal resources to appropriately manage the publishing and distribution of these hit shows on UMD. This demonstrates our commitment to supporting the UMD video format by delivering what consumers want to watch at the right price. SCEA will continue to license movie, TV, and other video content, leveraging our sales and marketing strengths, as a strategic focus moving forward."
"We're very happy to be working with SCEA to bring our content to the PSP," said Paul DeGooyer, senior vice president of home entertainment, games and music for MTV Networks' Music & Logo Group. "Our viewers consistently choose to experience our programming on a number of platforms, and the PSP is a particularly well-loved device among our audience. We're very pleased that PSP users will be able to watch their favorite MTV shows when they are on the go -- plus, the shows look fantastic on the PSP's LCD screen."
The following hit MTV titles are available at retail now.
-- "Beavis & Butt-head: The Mike Judge Collection," Vol. 2 and 3
-- "Jackass," Vol. 2 and 3
-- "Wildboyz," Vol. 1 and 2
-- "Viva La Bam," Vol. 2, 3, and 4
-- "Aeon Flux: The Complete Animated Collection" (2-disc set)
These shows are a great match for the PSP's user base, and through this collaboration, SCEA can continue to offer highly popular MTV programs appropriately priced for and targeted to the core PSP owner. Additional MTV titles will be released on an ongoing basis, building upon PSP system's growing library of UMD movies.
With an install base of more than 10 million users in North America, and 1.4 million units sold over the holidays alone, the PSP platform continues to experience strong momentum. Many PSP owners are taking advantage of the system's video capabilities. The recent launch of the newly designed lighter, slimmer PSP, which adds a video-out port enabling consumers to watch videos at full standard-definition (720 x 480 resolution) on a TV, adds a new dimension to UMD videos by providing consumers with more opportunities to enjoy their library of content. PSP system is offered in a variety of SKUs, including the Daxter PSP Entertainment Pack ($199.99 MSRP) and the PSP Core Pack is ($169.99 MSRP).
Wootini
Posted to Video Games on 24 January 2008
· Comments (3)
Other stuff like this: aeon flux, beavis & butt-head, jackass, mtv, scea, tv, umd, video
I think these are about as useful as the "Game Boy Advance Video" series Nintendo dabbled with for a while, and will sell about as well.
Now, I thought the full-length UMD movies were considerably less useful than that, and they certainly sold accordingly. I think these will have mediocre, rather than outright bad, sales. I'd even be tempted by the original Aeon Flux shorts, though I'd be more tempted by the Liquid Television episodes from which they came.
Hey, nothing wrong with insisting on the correct aspect ratio. I myself utterly refuse to watch a movie in pan-scan format. If it was filmed widescreen, that's the only way I'll watch it.
As for UMDs, I thought it was decided that the format was pretty much dead at this point. If I wan to watch a movie on my PSP, I rip a DVD or download it.
I must be one of the few who like watching UMD videos. I used to own more UMD videos than I did PSP games. But none of them are really doing me any good right now, as I am without a PSP system! Sold the old one to get the new slim version, and just haven't found a good deal on one yet.