Sony Kills UMDs and Chooses Memory Sticks

Business Gaming Storage — 17 July 2006

That’s right. One of the world’s best portable video game systems has already undermined its proprietary format and cut all further production of UMD movies. Sony’s medium of choice for the PSP is now Sony’s somewhat other failed format: The Memory Stick. Don’t worry, it gets worse. According to EHomeUpgrade, Sony’s PSP can handle 480×272 – what you’d expect all your movies in, right? Guess again. Sony’s Memory Stick movies will be scaled down to 320×240 – probably done to reduce size and accomplish the necessary “squeeze”. What does this mean for Sony PSP games? Who knows, but we gotta question Blu Ray, and oh ya, there is that damn Mini Disc format that never quite took off, but just won’t disappear.

Sony Kills UMD Movies and Moves to Memory Stick Entertainment PacEHomeUpgrade [EHomeUpgrade]

About Author

Christen Costa

Grew up back East, got sick of the cold and headed West. Since I was small I have been pushing buttons - both electronic and human. With an insatiable need for tech I thought "why not start a blog focusing on technology, and use my dislikes and likes to post on gadgets."

http://www.curmudgeonblogger.com Justin

How many times is Sony going to make the same mistake? Why don’t they just stop using proprietary formats and make everyone happy?
TK

Amen, to the previous comment. And while they move to a non proprietary format – make a move to allow us to copy movies from their dvds to the card as well. I hate purchasing the same movie in multiple media formats. Maybe if they did allow the copying they could set the trend and become a leader again.

TK
Mr haze

Say it ain’t so Tommy! Say it ain’t so. What the heck is wrong with them. They all need thier head examined. This is why I went XBox ove Sony. Now with the abilaty to play on multi format games on line live with xbox and pc gamers at the same time, sony needs to step it up.

Shadowrun is coming and it is a pc xbox crossover. Ha!
David Brownley

Sony’s proprietary technology has always been the best… unfortunately people are always willing to accept less quality if the price is cheaper (VHS vs Beta). The mini-disc is the best format for digital cameras for picture quality and storage because the images can be stored on the disc, instead of having to be uploaded, without buying several memory sticks. The cost of the mini-disc is very inexpensive. The only downside is the size of the camera, which if you have used an SLR is not an issue. Perfect for mini video’s, and massive picture storage, when traveling. If you develop the best technology should you have to license it to everybody?
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