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Firmware 2.20 for the Sony PlayStation 3 brought us a load of goodies when it arrived a few days back - among them support for BD-Live and even opening the door for Hello World. By now, you should have realized that the firmware updates won't be stopping anytime soon. Thanks to an AV Watch interview of Sony engineers, we can be one step ahead of these developments.
Product Planning director Naoya Matsui headlined a group of Sony engineers who gave us insights on upcoming plans for BD-Live and the PS3 firmware. Topping the list would be the future of Blu-ray movie playback.
If today, we need the latest PS3 firmware in order to access the PlayStation Network or play the newest games, then in the near future, we may need a firmware update first in order to watch the latest Blu-ray movie because of new encryption keys. Case in point, Resident Evil: Extinction.
Although firmware 1.8 had the key, the movie had a firmware 2.10 updater because it renders image quality better.
As for other firmware plans, we should expect these PS3 firmware updates to continue being free of charge. Moreover, these updates will come on a quarterly basis. The April revision of the PlayStation Store is its only exception.
Here are more insights from Matsui and the Sony Engineering team:
That's a slew of information from the Sony engineers. Now that the PlayStation 3 is still rated higher than any stand-alone Blu-ray player, we can confidently say the frontier is just opening up.
[Via AV Watch]
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
PS3 Firmware Updates:BDLive
Friday, March 14, 2008
PlayStation 3 firmware 2.17
Listen up, PlayStation 3 owners! The latest ps3 firmware update for the ps3 console is now available for download from the PlayStation Network. We still don't have any info on the changes, but some claim that firmware 2.17 fixes several exploits and other bug fixes in certain ps3 video games such as MotorStorm.
You should be able to find the ps3 update when you log into PlayStation Network, as many others have reported that they have downloaded PS3 firmware 2.17. As noted by the early adopters, there's no in-game XMB or anything that significant.
After checking around various sites we discovered that there appear to be two main changes included in PS3 firmware 2.17. The first is that the update improves the operating stability on some psn downloads.
The second, which we found on the the Japanese PS3 website, appears to be related to the PS2, as the Google translation reads: "That can be installed to hard disk PlayStation 2 has been added to the standard software."
Thursday, February 21, 2008
In-game XMB arrival, PSN accomplishments?
Digital photographs of what appears to be how the in-game XMB will probably work, as well as gamer accomplishments on Incognito Entertainment's Warhawk surfaced over the PlayStation Network @ Home forums yesterday. And though the anonymous tipster did say that the photos were edited, he did point out that the changes were done to conceal the reflection on the screen which undoubtedly revealed his face.
He also made sure to capture several angles and zoom levels of the shot, perhaps in an effort to boost the photographs' authenticity. The photos show that gamer accomplishments will roll into a player's message box on the Xross Media Bar. It will be completely accessible while playing a game.
The tipper, calling himself sonyguy32, explains that the white cottony artifacts you see on some pictures are actually the clouds in Warhawk, so the XMB will be partially translucent when the in-game mode is activated.
However, speculations as to when the new features will arrive were effectively shot down by long-time media vets. Though people expect the gaming giant to release it this week, media personalities explain that if Sony will make an announcement, it won't be at GDC. They say its because it's a "developer conference" and will have nothing to do about "hardware or firmware."
But because Sony can make the announcement outside of GDC - though coincidentally within the same time GDC is going on - we'll be keeping tabs on this rumor. Head on over to the via link below to view more shots taken and do so while they're still available.
[Via PSN@H Forums]
Friday, January 11, 2008
Playstation Store Update
Rock Band - $1.99 each NFS: Prostreet Folklore Trailers Wallpapers and Themes
Here are the latest additions to the PlayStation Store and they are plentiful this week,including an update to downloadable ps3 games favorite Super Stardust HD and Motorstorm downloadable content.
The update adds rumble support for the DualShock 3 and adds custom soundtrack support for Super Stardust HD.If you already own the ps3 video game, redownload it from your download list to install the patch. The weekly Rock Band track updates and Need For Speed ProStreet cheats round out the list. The good news for foreigners who prefer content on the US playstation store, is that US playstation network cards are starting to hit the scene, meaning you can get access to the content you want more easily, which means you can buy this content without having a credit card.
Here is the full list of updates:
Games
Expansions and Add-Ons
Thursday, December 20, 2007
PS3 Firmware 2.10 Upgrade Blocks RSX Hack
Scheduled for release on December 18th ps3 firmware update 2.10 joins the Xbox 360's Fall dashboard update in offering support for the DivX video codec.There are some caveats, however, as files that are copyright-protected, encoded with DivX 3.11 or larger than 2GB in size are not supported. With this ps3 firmware update the homebrew development community has taken a hit. A group of independent developers over at PS2Dev is claiming that the Sony PS3 Firmware update blocks the RSX access hack done via Linux. Mainly, homebrew development for the platform using 3D animations will be halted in updated systems. This is because the Linux hack granted access to the ps3 console's GPU for tinkering.If you're a supporter of homebrew for the ps3 console, It is advised you take caution, before making the decision, to update to firmware 2.10 at this point. It is no secret that Sony likes to take on any potential hacks, and if this is true it would be a discouragement to further Linux development under full GPU access on the ps3 console.
The New features are the following:
- Voice Changer
- Video
- Music
The Voice Changer feature has been added to the voice/video chat. This feature will allow you to change your tone of voice through the microphone. High and low-pitched tones can be adjusted to five preset levels.
DivX and VC-1 (WMV) have been added to the types of files that can be played. In order to play WMV files, you'll need to access Settings/System Settings/ and then enable EMA playback. Copyright-protected files or files that were encoded by using DivX 3.11 cannot be played. Also, files that are 2GB or more cannot be played.
It also appears that you can play AVI files by simply renaming it from .AVI to .divx on the file. This is simple and very easy.
Blu-ray Disc Profile 1.1 is now supported. This will allow for new features such as playback of two videos at the same time with 1.1 compatible BluRay discs. This feature will vary pending the BluRay disc.
BD Data Utility has been added.
PS3 owners can now select [Type 3] as an option under Settings/ Music Settings/ Bitmapping. This upgrade will allow for enhanced audio playback.
Saturday, November 10, 2007
Upgrade #18 for PS3
PS3 firmware updates are all for the greater good, but the latest brings the count up to 18 since the console launched just over a year ago.PS3 firmware update 2.00, which launched November 8,doesn’t make a massive difference to the way the PS3 operates. Here are the highlights, and first up is a new function that allows users to choose their own themes. Those with the time, ability and inclination are even able to tweak fonts, icons, wallpapers etc thanks to theme creation software that runs on a PC. Next up Remote Start. This feature allows owners to boot up and manage their PS3 remotely via a synced PSP. Finally there’s an Information Board which acts like some kind of RSS newsfeed ticker which keeps you constantly updated about new features on Playstation.com and other Sony-selected snippets.
PS3 CONSOLES
