It seems Sony is losing faith over the popularity of its UMD movie format for its handheld console the PSP.

The company has announced Stateside that it is launching two Memory Stick Entertainment Packs that will allow users to transfer specially optimised movies to the memory stick to be viewed on the console.

Available in 1GB and 2GB packs the Memory Stick Duo Entertainment Packs will be bundled with an installer DVD.

With the installer DVD loaded into a personal computer, you can use the complimentary unlock code in the package to select, unlock and transfer one of four Sony movies optimised for PSP playback from the DVD to the Memory Stick media.

The movies to choose from are: "Hitch", "S.W.A.T.", "The Grudge" or "XXX: State of the Union".

While the Memory Stick Duo cards included in the Entertainment Pack can be used with any enabled device, such as Cybershot cameras, Handycam camcorders and Sony Ericsson mobile phones, a movie transferred from the bundled DVD is viewable exclusively on PSP system.

The 1GB (MSX-M1GSTEP) and 2GB (MEX-M2GSEP) Memory Stick Entertainment Packs will be available next month for about $60 and $100, respectively however no word as yet as to when or if they will be available in the UK.

>> Sony - Official website of Sony