Sony going alone on PS3 video, sync with PSP?

Sony's PlayStation 3 video service (now part of Life on PlayStation) may not have extra support from other studios and will rely tightly on integration with Sony's own formats, according to sources speaking to Variety editor Ben Fritz. The console maker has allegedly talked to major studios about offering their movies through the PS3 and PlayStation Network but so far hasn't negotiated any deals, leaving the current offering only to Sony Pictures titles.

The reasons behind the limited deal are unclear, though it's speculated that any more complicated features than those for Microsoft's Xbox Video Marketplace would make licensing more difficult.

That may include bringing other Sony devices into the mix, according to the report. Sony would use the PSP's media player capacity to allow those buying or renting movies from a PS3 to transfer titles to the handheld game system. The company is also said to be mulling the possibility of a format similar to iTunes Digital Copy that would give Blu-ray movie owners a version of the title that can play back on the PS3 or PSP.

Sony will confirm its actual plans in mid-July with the opening of the E3 gaming expo.

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Other story tags: Microsoft, sony, blu-ray, PS3, PSP, Xbox, Life on PlayStation