Here in Japan, Sony's Portable TV service (P-TV) has hit the ground, jogging. With this service, registered users with 2.60 firmware can download PSP video content. Users access the site via WiFi or USB cable through a PC. While some of the content denoted with a big "F" is free, some isn't. All downloads are timed, allowing users to view the clips for 5 to 30 days before they self-destruct. Don't think about rolling back your PSP's clock. Sony is that clever.

So, what's the prob? The content is lacking. There are movie trailers (meh), five minute summaries of soccer and baseball games (double meh) and an extremely limited pop selection of only Madonna music vids (d'oh and/or meh). There are far more interesting clips like Gundam anime, Korean dramas, manzai and cat shows. And of course, the PSP's old faithful: bikini girls. Still, it's slim pickings.

Any local Japanese video store offers way way more, and the internet is filled with limitless goodness. Does Sony really think that PSP users are so faithfully blind? The portable keeps getting mired in ideas and concepts and short-changed on content. The company promised us the moon with portable entertainment, but has left most feeling slightly disappointed. Granted, P-TV just started (albeit on the wrong foot), but I'm going to sit this one out.

More Here [Japan Chronicles] via ArsTechnica

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