HIGH-DEF DISC NEWS TAGGED "FIRMWARE UPGRADES"Receive High-Def Disc News via RSS

DirecTV's New UI Previewed on Site - No Release Date Yet

Tue Oct 25, 2011 at 10:00 AM ET
Tags: DIRECTV, Firmware Upgrades (all tags)

DirecTV customers are getting a faster, better looking user interface, but when is a mystery.

One of the things that people really don't think about often enough when talking about their cable or satellite service is the interface that they have to deal with when trying to find their favorite show, bring up some on demand programming or access a recording. A good UI often goes unnoticed while a bad one can completely break the experience.

DirecTV's new update is going to bring a lot to the table. For starters, the guide has been completely redesigned for HD televisions and looks much nicer than it used to. DirecTV is pretty high on this, and they've added plenty of colorful graphics to the menu, including images for the shows you watch and those that it recommends to you.

Perhaps most importantly, everything moves faster. Significantly faster, according to the people who are currently in the beta test for the new interface. After all, as pretty as the interface is, it's not what you've turned on the TV to see.

Source: Engadget

See what people are saying about this story in our forums area, or check out other recent discussions.


PS3 Gets DTS-HD Master Audio Upgrade

Thu Apr 10, 2008 at 12:42 PM ET
Tags: PlayStation 3, Firmware Upgrades (all tags)

After months of anticipation, Sony and DTS have announced plans to add DTS-HD Master Audio output for Blu-ray to the PlayStation 3 via firmware upgrade early next week.

Capable of delivering audio that is bit-for-bit identical to the studio master at super high variable bit rates, DTS-HD Master Audio has been included in several stand-alone Blu-ray players, but its availability on the PS3 will for the first time bring full spectrum premium audio to the masses.

Note that DTS-HD Master Audio tracks are not included in all Blu-ray disc releases, but DTS says there are now more than one hundred DTS-HD MA titles on the market, including all of Fox's Blu-ray releases. (Check the "disc details" section on the left hand side of each of our Blu-ray reviews to see whether your favorite titles are Master Audio-enabled.)

The new PS3 firmware update (version 2.30) will be available for download on April 15th.

Thanks to everyone who sent in tips related to this story.

See what people are saying about this story in our forums area, or check out other recent discussions.

Related links:
DTS-HD Master Audio Now Available For PlayStation 3 Computer Entertainment System [Press Release]
Firmware (v.2.30) Details and Store Walkthrough [PlayStation.Blog]

PS3 BD-Live Update Now Available

Tue Mar 25, 2008 at 11:19 AM ET
Tags: PlayStation 3, Firmware Upgrades, Sony, Hardware (all tags)

Sony launched Firmware Update v2.20 for the Playstation 3 Monday night, officially upgrading the game console to a BD-Live (aka Profile 2.0) Blu-ray player.

As we've previously reported, this latest PS3 update was announced by Sony last week, and earns the PS3 the distinction of being the first Blu-ray player in North America to include BD-Live, enabling users to experience interactive features via specially-encoded Blu-ray discs, including downloadable video content, ringtones, live "interactive movie-based" multi-player online gaming and more.

The full list of Firmware Update 2.20's announced features are as follows:

  • BD-Live (Profile v2.0) Upgrade
  • "Resume play" will enable PS3 system to start playing a Blu-ray disc and DVD at the point it was stopped, even if the disc had been removed (BD-J format not supported)
  • "Audio Output Device" will be a new Remote Play setting, enabling PSP to serve as a remote control for music played through PS3
  • PS3 system's Internet browser will be enhanced: Video files directly linked from a Web page will be able to be streamed, and the browser's view speed will be improved
  • DivX and WMV format videos larger than 2GB will be playable
  • "Mosquito Noise Reduction" will be added as an AV setting in the control panel of the DVD/BD player for improved movie playback (BDMV format not supported)

Sony's press release for the PlayStation 3 Firmware Upgrade Version 2.20 can be read in full here.

See what people are saying about this story in our forums area, or check out other recent discussions.

Related links:
PlayStation 3 to Support BD-Live [Press Release]
Earlier on High-Def Digest:
PS3 BD-Live Firmware and Blu-ray Discs Due This Month (Mar 20, 2008)
High-Def FAQ: Blu-ray Profiles Explained (Nov 23, 2007)

PS3 BD-Live Firmware and Blu-ray Discs Due This Month

Thu Mar 20, 2008 at 03:00 PM ET
Tags: Firmware Upgrades, Hardware, PlayStation 3, Sony (all tags)

Sony Computer Entertainment today announced a late-March launch for the latest firmware upgrade for the PlayStation 3, which will bring BD-Live and a host of additional interactive capabilities to the console.

Dubbed Firmware Upgrade Version 2.20, it will bring BD-Live (aka Profile 2.0) to the PS3, enabling users to experience interactive features such as downloadable video content, ringtones, live "interactive movie-based" multi-player online gaming and more.

Though Sony has not set an exact availability date for v2.20, it is due in "late March," which will make the PS3 the first Blu-ray player in North America to include BD-Live. (Panasonic previewed a stand-alone BD-Live Blu-ray player, the DMP-BD50, earlier this year at CES, with the unit expected to hit stores this May.)

"With Blu-ray established as the high-definition optical disc standard, more consumers are ready to jump in and take advantage of everything the format offers," said Scott A. Steinberg, vice president, product marketing, SCEA, via press release.

"Whether you want to download movie extras, send ringtones to your phone, or play interactive games, BD-LIVE will offer exciting new ways to enjoy a Blu-ray movie. With these regular firmware updates and future-proofed technology, SCEA is making the 10-year lifecycle of PS3 possible."

To inaugurate the release of the PS3's BD-Live upgrade, Sony Pictures Home Entertainment has also announced the addition of exclusive BD-Live content to the upcoming Blu-ray releases of 'Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story' and 'The 6th Day.' Exact details on the additional BD-Live features have not yet been specified, but we'll keep you posted. (Note that these two titles are not the first BD-Live-enabled Blu-rays to be released, however, with Lionsgate's 'War' and 'Saw IV' having hit stores earlier this year with BD-Live features already on the discs.)

The full list of Firmware Update 2.20's announced features are as follows:

  • BD-Live (Profile v2.0) Upgrade
  • "Resume play" will enable PS3 system to start playing a Blu-ray disc and DVD at the point it was stopped, even if the disc had been removed (BD-J format not supported)
  • "Audio Output Device" will be a new Remote Play setting, enabling PSP to serve as a remote control for music played through PS3
  • PS3 system's Internet browser will be enhanced: Video files directly linked from a Web page will be able to be streamed, and the browser's view speed will be improved
  • DivX and WMV format videos larger than 2GB will be playable
  • "Mosquito Noise Reduction" will be added as an AV setting in the control panel of the DVD/BD player for improved movie playback (BDMV format not supported)

Sony's press release for the PlayStation 3 Firmware Upgrade Version 2.20 can be read in full here.

See what people are saying about this story in our forums area, or check out other recent discussions.

Related links:
PlayStation 3 to Support BD-Live (Press Release) [High-Def Digest]
Discs mentioned in this article: (Click for specs and reviews)
Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story (Blu-ray)
The 6th Day (Blu-ray)
Saw IV (Blu-ray)
War (Blu-ray)
Earlier on High-Def Digest:
CES: Panasonic Intros First BD-Live Blu-ray Player (Jan 06, 2008)

PlayStation 3 Officially Goes Profile 1.1

Tue Dec 18, 2007 at 11:00 AM ET
Tags: PlayStation 3, Firmware Upgrades (all tags)

Sony launched Firmware Update v2.10 for the Playstation 3 Monday night, officially upgrading the game console to a Profile 1.1 Blu-ray player.

As we've previously reported, word of the update first surfaced online Monday morning, after the European PS3 website briefly posted documentation for the new firmware version. By 10:00pm PT, the firmware update was live here in the US, and announced in a post on the official PlayStation Blog.

As promised, the update brings the PS3’s Blu-ray drive up to Profile 1.1, which will enable it to play back discs encoded with "true" picture-in-picture functionality. (For a detailed overview of Blu-ray profiles, read Josh Zyber's High-Def FAQ: Blu-ray Profiles Explained.)

The first discs to incorporate Profile 1.1 features are scheduled to hit store shelves in January 2008. To date, announced titles include 'Resident Evil: Extinction' from Sony Pictures Home Entertainment, 'Sunshine' from 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment, and both 'War' and '3:10 to Yuma' from Lionsgate Entertainment. All Profile 1.1 discs are expected to function normally in existing players as far as movie playback and traditional bonus features go, but the new 1.1 enhanced features will not be accessible without a Profile 1.1 compliant player.

Sony's documentation for the update also outlines a new "BD Data Utility," which is described as saving management data used by Blu-ray Disc. Other outlined features include a new voice changer feature for voice and video chat, DivX and WMV video playback and a "Type 3" bitmap audio option.

See what people are saying about this story in our forums area, or check out other recent discussions.

Related links:
Firmware Update (v2.10) [PlayStation.Blog]
Discs mentioned in this article: (Click for specs and reviews)
Resident Evil: Extinction (Blu-ray)
Sunshine (Blu-ray)
War (Blu-ray)
3:10 to Yuma (2007) (Blu-ray)
Earlier on High-Def Digest:
PS3 to Go Blu-ray Profile 1.1 With New Firmware Update (Dec 17, 2007)
High-Def FAQ: Blu-ray Profiles Explained (Nov 23, 2007)

PS3 to Go Blu-ray Profile 1.1 With New Firmware Update

Mon Dec 17, 2007 at 02:27 PM ET
Tags: PlayStation 3, Firmware Upgrades, Sony (all tags)

It looks like Sony's PlayStation 3 is on the verge of receiving a firmware upgrade which will make it a Profile 1.1 Blu-ray player.

That's according to documentation posted earlier today on the UK PlayStation website, which lists the firmware 2.10 update with a European release date of Tuesday December 18 (UPDATE: Sony appears to have since pulled the page down).

At press time it wasn't clear when the update might find its way to the US, but it's expected soon.

An upgrade to Profile 1.1 would make the PS3 capable of playing back discs encoded with "true" picture-in-picture functionality, which requires decoders for secondary video and audio. (For a detailed overview of Blu-ray profiles, read Josh Zyber's High-Def FAQ: Blu-ray Profiles Explained.)

As we've previously reported, the first discs to incorporate Profile 1.1 features are scheduled to hit store shelves in January 2008. To date, announced titles include 'Resident Evil: Extinction' from Sony Pictures Home Entertainment, 'Sunshine' from 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment, and both 'War' and '3:10 to Yuma' from Lionsgate Entertainment. All Profile 1.1 discs are expected to function normally in existing players as far as movie playback and traditional bonus features go, but the new 1.1 enhanced features will not be accessible without a Profile 1.1 compliant player.

Sony's documentation for the update also outlines a new "BD Data Utility," which was described as saving management data used by Blu-ray Disc. Other outlined features include a new voice changer feature for voice and video chat, DivX and WMV video playback and a "Type 3" bitmap audio option.

See what people are saying about this story in our forums area, or check out other recent discussions.

Related links:
PlayStation 3 Help & Support - Guides: Update features (ver 2.10) [uk.playstation.com]
Discs mentioned in this article: (Click for specs and reviews)
Resident Evil: Extinction (Blu-ray)
Sunshine (Blu-ray)
War (Blu-ray)
3:10 to Yuma (2007) (Blu-ray)
Earlier on High-Def Digest:
High-Def FAQ: Blu-ray Profiles Explained (Nov 23, 2007)
Sony Says PS3 Firmware Upgrade Will Boost Blu-ray Interactivity (Oct 11, 2007)

Tested: Toshiba’s HD DVD Firmware Version 2.7

Tue Nov 20, 2007 at 01:00 PM ET
Tags: Firmware Upgrades, Toshiba (all tags)

Is Toshiba’s latest firmware update for its second-gen HD DVD players ready for prime time? We asked Joshua Zyber to take it for a test drive on his HD-XA2 player.

Released early last week, the documentation for firmware version 2.7 promises that it "improves network connectivity supporting the download of web-enabled network content associated with certain HD DVD discs, and also addresses certain disc playback and HDMI/DVI related issues identified by Toshiba" (the standard boilerplate language that accompanies most of their firmware updates) for the HD-XA2, HD-A20, HD-A2, HD-A2W, and HD-D2 player models.

In addition, and likely of most interest to owners, the Firmware V2.7 adds a new function called Direct Digital Output Mode to the XA2 model. This feature (previously available only in the recently-released HD-A35 player) allows the raw digital bitstreams for the Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby TrueHD, and DTS-HD advanced audio formats to be transmitted over HDMI 1.3 to a compatible receiver for decoding. While the XA2 will still not decode DTS-HD High Resolution or Master Audio internally as it can for Dolby Digital Plus or TrueHD, this bitstream function provides the first opportunity for owners to listen to these formats in full quality.

In a new update to his XA2 review, High-Def Digest reviewer Josh Zyber installed the firmware on his machine and also discovered that it corrected a couple of lingering issues with the player. He found that the audio sync problems that plagued 1080p24 video output after the last V2.5 firmware have been eliminated, and the video stutter affecting discs like 'World Trade Center' is completely fixed at all resolution outputs.

Unfortunately, playback of glitchy DVD/HD DVD Combo format discs such as '300' (as reported in Josh's Combo Discs – What Went Wrong? column) remains problematic.

For Josh’s complete thoughts on Toshiba’s XA2 HD DVD player and the series of firmware updates issued for the deck thus far, click here to read his ever-evolving review.

See what people are saying about this story in our forums area, or check out other recent discussions.

Related links:
Firmware Update Information for Owners of Toshiba HD DVD Players: Models HD-XA2, HD-A20, HD-A2, HD-A2W, and HD-D2 [Toshiba]
Discs mentioned in this article: (Click for specs and reviews)
World Trade Center (HD DVD)
300 (HD DVD)
Earlier on High-Def Digest:
Commentary: Combo Discs - What Went Wrong? (Sep 14, 2007)

Sony Says PS3 Firmware Upgrade Will Boost Blu-ray Interactivity

Thu Oct 11, 2007 at 03:02 PM ET
Tags: PlayStation 3, Firmware Upgrades (all tags)

Although details remain sketchy, Sony says it is planning a firmware update to its PlayStation 3 that will boost Blu-ray interactivity.

As first reported by Video Business, the revelation came from Sony VP of advanced technologies Don Eklund at yesterday's HDTV DisplaySearch conference in Universal City, California during a panel discussion about next-gen interactivity.

Beyond saying that the firmware update was expected "soon," Eklund provided no further details, leaving eager fans to speculate on exactly what might be included.

The most likely scenario would appear to be that Sony will update the game console to support at least some components of the Profile 1.1 Blu-ray spec, which will enable a series of functions not supported by current Blu-ray players, including true video picture-in-picture playback.

As we've previously reported, all Blu-ray players released after October 31, 2007 have been mandated by the Blu-ray Disc Association to support Profile 1.1.

Although several upcoming Blu-ray titles (including 'Hairspray,' 'Rush Hour 3' and 'Pan's Labyrinth') are slated to include features that would seem to require Profile 1.1 compliance, we've yet to see a compatible BD player hit the market.

Needless to say, we'll keep you posted on any upcoming announcements from Sony regarding this and any other firmware upgrades for the PS3. (Yes, we've got our eyes peeled for that highly-anticipated DTS-HD MA update, too.) Stay tuned!

See what people are saying about this story in our forums area, or check out other recent discussions.

Related links:
HDTV DisplaySearch: HD DVD, Blu-ray supporters tout features [Video Business]
Discs mentioned in this article: (Click for specs and reviews)
Hairspray (2007) (Blu-ray)
Rush Hour 3 (Blu-ray)
Pan's Labyrinth (Blu-ray)
Earlier on High-Def Digest:
Blu-ray Association Sets Fall Deadline For BD-Java Hardware Support

New Samsung Blu-ray Player Unlocks DTS-HD Master Audio

Thu Sep 27, 2007 at 10:02 AM ET
Tags: Firmware Upgrades (all tags)

One of the most highly anticipated holy grails of high-resolution audio has arrived, with high-end home theater enthusiasts getting their first listen to full lossless DTS-HD Master Audio.

Although a good number of discs (including all of Fox's Blu-ray releases) have included DTS-HD MA tracks, until now existing hardware has only provided the ability to decode the standard 1.5 Mbps DTS core.

Now, thanks to a firmware upgrade released last week for Samsung's new BD-P1400 Blu-ray player, for the very first time consumers with compatible receivers are finally hearing DTS-HD MA in all its glory.

Note that unlike most TrueHD compatible next-gen players, the BDP-1400 doesn't decode the MA tracks internally, but rather it outputs them via HDMI 1.3 as a raw bitstream for decoding by a compatible receiver, such as Onkyo's TX-SR875 or TX-SR905. Several other Blu-ray players are due to include bitstream output in the coming months as well, including Pioneer’s BDP-95HD, Sony’s BDP-S500 and Samsung’s BD-P2400.

Initial reports are quite positive, with users reporting audio quality that matches or exceeds that of Dolby TrueHD.

Although the current cost of a high-end receiver capable of decoding the tracks via bitstream is likely to keep DTS-HD Master Audio out of the hands of all but the most dedicated home theater enthusiasts, word on the street is that DTS is working with Sony to add internal DTS-MA decoding to the PS3 before Christmas. In addition, for those who do not require more powerful wattage per channel, the 90 watt per channel Onkyo TX-SR605 is available for as low as $399 from some online retailers and also has DTS-HD Master Audio and Dolby TrueHD decoding.

We'll be outfitting our review reference system to include DTS-HD Master Audio decoding shortly, and will post our own initial impressions at a future date.

In the meantime, we've set up a dedicated thread for discussion of Master Audio output from Samsung's BDP 1400 in our forums area. If you've been lucky enough to sample the recently-unlocked tracks, please weigh in!

(Thanks to Steve B. for his help with this article!)

Related links:
Firmware Upgrade for BDP-1400 [Samsung.com]

Toshiba Adds 1080p24 to XA2, A20 HD DVD Players; Initial Results Buggy

Wed Sep 19, 2007 at 12:57 PM ET
Tags: Firmware Upgrades, Toshiba, Hardware (all tags)

Toshiba issued a new firmware upgrade to enable 1080p24 output for its HD-XA2 and HD-A20 players late last week, but our testing of the new software has revealed some bugs.

The latest in a series of upgrades offered by Toshiba for its complete line of HD DVD players, the documentation for firmware version 2.5 promises several enhancements, including improved network connectivity for downloading web-enabled content on certain HD DVD discs and a fix for "certain disc playback and HDMI/DVI related issues identified by Toshiba."

Likely of most interest to early adopters, the new firmware also enables the output of raw 1080p24 video over HDMI from the HD-XA2 and HD-A20 player models. Several Blu-ray players already offer 1080p24 output, but until this point the feature has never been available from an HD DVD player.

We asked our own Joshua Zyber to take the new upgrade for a test drive on his Toshiba HD-XA2, and as he reports in a just-posted update to his XA2 review, he had mixed results.

According to Josh, the fix for "disc playback issues" as referenced by Toshiba greatly improved his machine's playback of 'The Matrix Reloaded' disc from the 'Ultimate Matrix Collection' box set, which previously had trouble loading in his HD-XA2 player.

Unfortunately, Josh's initial testing of the 1080p24 output setting proved less successful. Although he says that 1080p24 output reduced the slight picture judder associated with the 3:2 pulldown process as normally seen on North American televisions (as well as a previously reported video stutter issue), in his testing the setting also had a negative side effect of throwing audio sync off on most of the discs played. He goes on to say that the problem was so distracting that he found himself forced to return the player to 1080i output.

Some members of AVSForum have also reported playback anomalies involving dropped video frames on some discs.

There's no word yet on how widespread these issues may (or may not) be, but we'll certainly let you know of any developments as they emerge.

Meanwhile, other early adopters have been discussing their own experiences with the version 2.5 upgrade in our forums area. To read their feedback (and to post your own), click here.

Related links:
HD DVD's Second Generation: Toshiba HD-XA2 Review [High-Def Digest]


MORE HIGH-DEF DISC NEWS TAGGED "FIRMWARE UPGRADES":

» High-Def Digest home page


Like Us!