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PS3 Update v2.3 released, Adds DTS-HD Master Audio (Updated)

Tue Apr 15, 2008 at 11:25 AM ET
Tags: PlayStation 3 (all tags)

Sony launched Firmware Update v2.30 for the Playstation 3 today, bringing with it a number of updates to the Playstation Store, as well as DTS-HD Master Audio.

Editor's Note - Sony has now updated the link to the online firmware update for downloading.

The eagerly anticipated update brings with it a redesign of the PS3's online store, with changes to its navigability and content offerings, as well as previews of add-ons, games, and videos.

As we've previously reported, this latest PS3 update also gives owners the ability to play back 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 now brings full spectrum premium audio to an even larger audience.

The firmware update can now be installed through your system's online interface, or via direct download here.

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)

PS3 Holiday Sales Total 1.2 Million

Mon Jan 07, 2008 at 02:30 PM ET
Tags: PlayStation 3, Sony, Industry Trends (all tags)

Increasing Blu-ray's North American installed base by nearly 25% in one fell swoop, Sony is reporting stronger-than-ever holiday sales numbers for its PlayStation 3 game console.

According to a company press release, Sony sold through 1.2 million units of the PS3 in the period beginning Friday, November 23, 2007 and ending December 31, 2007.

"The PlayStation brand ended the year in a very strong position and clearly indicates more positive momentum going into 2008. We are particularly pleased to have sold through 1.2 million units of PS3 during the holiday selling season," said Jack Tretton, president and CEO, SCEA. "The strong PS3 sales also further establish Blu-ray's dominant position as the high-definition medium of choice for games and movies.

As we've previously reported, Sony's introduction of a new $399 40GB PS3 and a price cut for its 80GB model led to a late in the year sales surge for the console. Although the PS3 is now far and away the best-selling high-def playback device on the market, its overall sales numbers pale in comparison to lower-priced consoles from Microsoft and Nintendo.

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

Related links:
1.2 Million Consumers Join PLAYSTATION 3 Family since Black Friday [Press Release]
Earlier on High-Def Digest:
Sony: Price Cuts Double Weekly PS3 Sales (Nov 15, 2007)

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)

New Wal-Mart "Secret Sale" Details Confirmed

Thu Dec 06, 2007 at 08:03 PM ET
Tags: Wal-Mart, High-Def Retailing, PlayStation 3, Toshiba (all tags)

Both high-def disc formats will be featured in Wal-Mart's next "secret sale" on Friday, but those hoping for price cuts akin to last month's $99 HD DVD player will be disappointed.

Instead, the word of the day appears to be "value-add," with the discount retailer offering up different freebies with purchase of hardware on both sides of the high-def format war.

On the Blu side of the aisle, Wal-Mart will be throwing in a free $50 Gift Card with purchase of the Blu-ray-enabled $399 40GB Playstation.

For those who lean red, the retailer will be offering Toshiba's HD-A3 and HD-A2 HD DVD players with five free HD DVD movies off the shelf -- that's in addition to the five free movies by mail (and in the case of the HD-A3, the two movies in the box). Both Toshiba players will be sold at list price -- $298 for the HD-A3, and $198 for the HD-A2.

Wal-Mart officially unveiled the specials today on its holiday site, confirming reports that first surfaced in our own forums earlier this week.

As we've previously reported, Wal-Mart's Nov 2nd "secret sale" resulted in record HD DVD player sales for Toshiba, with the retailer reportedly moving somewhere between 40,000 to 70,000 units at the door-busting price of just $99.

This Friday's sale kicks off at 8am at Wal-Mart stores nationwide. The retailer warns that supplies are limited, so if you're hoping to take advantage of these deals, an early arrival may be in order.

To discuss these and other next-gen hardware and software deals, visit the Blu-ray Bargains and HD DVD Bargains areas in our forums area.

Related links:
Secret In-Store Specials [Wal-Mart.com]
Dec 7th Secret sale at Wal-mart [High-Def Digest Forums]
Earlier on High-Def Digest:
Report: Weekend Toshiba HD DVD Player Sales Top 90,000

New Wal-Mart "Secret Sale" Details Confirmed

Thu Dec 06, 2007 at 08:03 PM ET
Tags: Wal-Mart, High-Def Retailing, PlayStation 3, Toshiba (all tags)

Both high-def disc formats will be featured in Wal-Mart's next "secret sale" on Friday, but those hoping for price cuts akin to last month's $99 HD DVD player will be disappointed.

Instead, the word of the day appears to be "value-add," with the discount retailer offering up different freebies with purchase of hardware on both sides of the high-def format war.

On the Blu side of the aisle, Wal-Mart will be throwing in a free $50 Gift Card with purchase of the Blu-ray-enabled $399 40GB Playstation.

For those who lean red, the retailer will be offering Toshiba's HD-A3 and HD-A2 HD DVD players with five free HD DVD movies off the shelf -- that's in addition to the five free movies by mail (and in the case of the HD-A3, the two movies in the box). Both Toshiba players will be sold at list price -- $298 for the HD-A3, and $198 for the HD-A2.

Wal-Mart officially unveiled the specials today on its holiday site, confirming reports that first surfaced in our own forums earlier this week.

As we've previously reported, Wal-Mart's Nov 2nd "secret sale" resulted in record HD DVD player sales for Toshiba, with the retailer reportedly moving somewhere between 40,000 to 70,000 units at the door-busting price of just $99.

This Friday's sale kicks off at 8am at Wal-Mart stores nationwide. The retailer warns that supplies are limited, so if you're hoping to take advantage of these deals, an early arrival may be in order.

To discuss these and other next-gen hardware and software deals, visit the Blu-ray Bargains and HD DVD Bargains areas in our forums area.

Related links:
Secret In-Store Specials [Wal-Mart.com]
Dec 7th Secret sale at Wal-mart [High-Def Digest Forums]
Earlier on High-Def Digest:
Report: Weekend Toshiba HD DVD Player Sales Top 90,000

Sony: Price Cuts Double Weekly PS3 Sales

Thu Nov 15, 2007 at 09:00 AM ET
Tags: PlayStation 3, Sony (all tags)

Sony says the introduction of its new $399 40GB PS3 and a price cut for its 80GB model led a doubling of overall weekly sales for the Blu-ray enabled game console last week.

According to company, a total of more than 100,000 PS3s were sold in the week ending November 11, representing a huge jump compared to the 30,000-40,000 weekly units sold prior to mid October.

"It's the breakthrough we've been anticipating," Sony CEO Howard Stringer told the Associated Press. "We've been holding our breath."

As we've previously reported, although the PS3 is by far the best-selling high-def playback device on the market with 2.3 million units sold since its launch last November (according to VGChartz.com), those sales numbers pale in comparison to lower-priced consoles from Microsoft and Nintendo.

"Obviously, we've taken so much heat over the year on [the] PS3," Stringer told the AP. "Finally, the turning point has been passed."

As for what effect this might have on the high-def format war amidst recent reports of record-breaking sales for stand-alone HD DVD players, Sony's chief marketing officer Andrew House told the AP, "It puts us vastly ahead of where the other format is going to be in terms of an installed base in people's homes by the end of this holiday season."

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

Related links:
Price cut boosts PlayStation 3 sales [Associated Press]
Earlier on High-Def Digest:
It's Official: $399 PlayStation 3 to Hit US (Oct 18, 2007)
Report: HD DVD Standalone Player Sales Nearing 500,000 Milestone


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