This could be a pre-cursor to a similar service in U.S.: In Japan, Sony has launched a Web portal through which owners of the PlayStation Portable (PSP) handheld gaming device can download video clips.

The “Portable TV” site offers at launch a small selection of movie previews, animated cartoons, entertainment, digests of TV dramas, music, lifestyle programming and sport. Content is initially available at no cost.

Launch of the site coincides with the availability of a software update for the PSP that adds features including a Web browser and support for the MPEG4 AVC video codec and AAC audio codec in which the clips are encoded. The downloaded video files require a MemoryStick Duo memory card for storage.

Still on PSP, in U.S., HBO Video will put out six of its programs on the mini-disc platform for PSP. That puts further pressure on Warner Home Video to follow suit. It is one of the only remaining major studios, along with DreamWorks, not to embrace the format.