Hello

Thanks for reading my self-review and comments on popular PSP video encoders. I'll get straight down to business. I have tested various full version software packages (download links available - post requests!) and all programs meet a criteria - PSP integration!



SOURCE VIDEO

TITLE - Invader Zim - Season 1 - Bestest Friend.avi
SIZE - 96,434 KB
LENGTH - 00:12:24 (HH:MM:SS)
VIDEO - DivX 5.0; 512x384 (4:3); 959kbps; 23.97fps;
VIDEO FRAME QUALITY - 0.203 bits per pixel
AUDIO - MPEG1 Layer-3, 96kbps CBR, Stereo



TESTBED MACHINE (My baby )

CPU - Celeron D 2.4GHz, clocked to 3.5GHz
RAM - 512MB CL2.0 @ 395MHz
HDD - WD 40GB (Yuk.. i know)
OTHER - WinFast A300 FX5800; CMI-8738 Audio; Great cooling and a personally hacked, optimized and tweaked copy of Windows XP Pro (Windows XP AWLE)

Other Info - All videos are converted to Stereo 64kbps MP4 LC Audio, 260kbps AVC/H.264 @ 320x240 unless stated otherwise. Also videos are encoded with 1-pass, highest quality encoding possible.



NERO RECODE 2.2.7.5 (Nero 7 Bundle)

Using the 'Recode DVDs and Videos to Nero Digital' option, we can select the 'Memory Stick Video (PSP)' profile to generate thumbnails and directly encode to the PSP. AVC/H.264 is implemented, but not for the PSP profile as of yet . Still, this is a great piece of software - the Nero encoders have always had great results. Lets see how it compares!


SOFTWARE INFO

Multiple Input Files - Yes
Direct DVD to PSP Encoding - Yes, but only non-copyrighted DVD's
AVC/H.264 Support - NOT YET (Hopefully soon)
Video Quality Settings - Only manual video bitrate options (no profiles), from 96 to 768 kbps. Also a 'Fit To Target of xxMB' option.
Audio Quality Settings - Stereo only, either Automatic setting or manual (Low Complexity, 24khz with either 64, 48 or 32 kbps.
Resolution Options - 320x240 or 160x112
Other - Thumbnail selection (from video), Set Start/End of video to encode, Mandatory analysis of each video loaded for encoding (detects interlaced/progressive, bitrate, keyframes, etc). Also allows encoding options, such as 1-pass and 2-pass


RESULTS

We used "Best Quality" for encoding which will give us higher encoding times, but the video quality will be significant as compared to Good or Normal. Also, the 'Psycho-Visual Quality Level' was set to highest, to furter boost frame quality (and highten encoding times ). We set priority to above normal and turned off the preview to try and achieve max framerates.

FPS AVERAGE - Didn't say, my estimation is 30 to 40
FILE SIZE - 30,188 KB
TIME TO ENCODE - 00:12:34 (HH:MM:SS)

VERDICT - Perfect aspect ratio, zero glitches. Fantastic motion search precision and minimal motion blur. The 'psycho-visiual quality' is evident and shining bright, with edges seeming sharp and crisp, and colours and blending very smooth. Overall, Nero Recode is a great solution for powerful PSP video creation.

PRO - Tonnes of configuration options yet easy to use, excellent video and audio quality and working thumbnail selection.
CON - No AVC/H.264 support, somewhat slow conversion rate, part of the Nero 7 package only, no individual sale (Nero 6 Recode has no PSP support).

CONCLUSION - A great solution for anybody who likes using Nero 7 (as it is bundled) with an overall-decent outcome, as long as MS Duo space isn't an issue (as no AVC/H.264 support). 8/10




Intervideo iVideoToGo PSP 4.5B002.06C00

I used this progeam a few times, and decided to not bother benchamrking it. Reason? Obsolute CRAP. Minimal configuration, bad video quality, and AVC encoding caused my 2.01 PSP to crash. Only upsides? Very easy to use (but VERY Basic), and average to speedy encoding times (compared to Nero Recode). Highly NOT recommended. 3/10




PSP Video 9

I have used this software before, but am yet to benchmark it. Have had great results, except for AVC encoding which causes audio to loose sync after a few minutes.




Xilisoft PSP Video Converter

Recieved software, still to install, review and benchmark...




ImTOO PSP Video Converter 2.1.46 Build 520b

Software on it's way, still to install, review and benchmark...




Sony PSP Media Manager

Have software installed, used once, but still to review and benchmark...




WinAVI 3GP MP4 PSP iPod Video Converter 2.0

Recieved software, still to install, review and benchmark...












Sorry about the lack of VARIETY, but it is 12:15am and will finish a bit more tomorrow (hopefully finish it). I will also post screenshots of identical frames for each encoded result.

Feel free to post any comments. Peace.