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This HOWTO guides PSP users to use freeware MediaCoder to convert DVD/VCD and media files for PSP Media Player (PMP), the open source media player software for PSP, which makes it possible to playback real full screen (resolution of 480x272, no stretching) and full motion (up to 30fps) MPEG-4 video on PSP. Currently PMP doesn't support firmware later than version 1.5. MediaCoder has dedicated support for PMP video conversion with a user interface of an "emulated" PSP, capable of playing and previewing video inside the screen of the "emulated" PSP.

Step 1: Get and install PMP Mod on your PSP

First of all, download PSP Media Player installer and execute it and you will see the installer dialog:

PMP installer interface

As the direction says, you should set the destination folder to the root folder of your PSP. For example, after you connect your PSP to the PC, you get a new drive M, then the destination folder should be M:\.

After the files are extracted, PMP is installed. You should be able to see the new item in your PSP game list.

PMP background screen

If you can see the above screen, you have set up PMP on your PSP.

Step 2: Get and install MediaCoder

Get the latest version MediaCoder Full Pack and run the installer.

MediaCoder installer

Simply follow the installer wizard and you can easily get MediaCoder installed on your PC.

Step 3: Use MediaCoder to convert to PSP's PMP

Start MediaCoder from either the desktop icon or Start menu and you will see its initial interface as following:

First of all, add the video file(s) you want to watch on PSP to MediaCoder's conversion list by clicking the Add File or Add Folder button.

Since version 0.3.8, MediaCoder comes with a dedicated converter for PSP Media Player. Click the PSP button to activate it.

Click Play button to play the view in the PSP on the screen (click it again stops playing).

The Preview button doesn't work before the last stage of video converting process begins. As you may have noticed, the aspect ratio is not properly handled so that the picture looks a little bit wider than it should be. In this case, you need to do cropping on the original video by click Crop button.

Step 4: Crop to keep aspect ratio

The resolution of PSP's screen is 480x272, the aspect ratio of which is 1.765:1. To make the converted video have the correct aspect ratio, you may need to do crop on the original video. Click the Crop button to pop up the Easy Cropper window.

The aspect ratio is automatically set to that of PSP's screen. You can move the slider bars to move the cropped area. If you want to do free cropping instead of having the aspect ratio locked, uncheck the Lock Aspect Ratio check box.

When you are feeling satisfied with the cropping area, click Done button the keep the cropping options.

Right after the correct aspect ratio is kept, click Play button again to play the video, you will see the difference.

Step 5: Start converting to PSP

Once you have connected your PSP to your PC, you will be notified of the status at the right bottom corner. The converting process is started by clicking Convert button. You will be brought to the main window on which converting progress is shown.

If you start converting while PSP is connected, you will be asked whether to directly convert to your PSP. You can set an output folder at the main window and choose No at this point if your want to convert to your hard drive and then manually copy the result file to PSP (put the .pmp files in \PSP\VIDEO so that you can see them in PMP).

After the transcoding is completed, you will be notified. After that, start PMP on your PSP and start enjoying your video.