PS3 Firmware Version 1.8 Announced, Lands Tomorrow
Sony announced the latest firmware upgrade for the PlayStation 3. Apparently, it's coming out tomorrow! So rejoice, all you PS3 owners. An update cometh! Firmware 1.8 actually includes some nifty things, including the upscaling of DVD movies up to 1080p resolution. This upgrade will also enable the much anticipated Remote Play feature for "using a PSP(PlayStationPortable) system to access photos, videos, and music on a PS3 systems hard drive will be available from outside of a users own home via any Wi-Fi Internet connection, upon the next PSP firmware update." Now that, my friends, is cool.
In addition, the PS3 will be able to play media that is kept on a PC or a digital video recorder with Digital Living Network Alliance (DLNA) over your network. Those are just a few of the big upgrades coming in this firmware update. Anyways, for more features and the press release, make the jump and be sure to drink all the Kool-Aid, too!
May 23, 2007
Latest PLAYSTATION®3 Firmware Update Adds Upscaling for PlayStation®/PlayStation®2 Games and DVD Movies
Remote Play on PSP®(PlayStation®Portable) System via Wireless Internet and Access to Media Content via DLNA Technology Also Enabled
FOSTER CITY, Calif., May 23, 2007 – Sony Computer Entertainment America (SCEA) today announced that the next regular system software update for the PLAYSTATION3 (PS3) computer entertainment system (version 1.80) will be available on Thursday, May 24, and will add upscaling of PlayStation/PlayStation2 games and DVD movies up to 1080p resolution. Now, in addition to displaying native high-definition (HD) content in the highest possible quality (1080p), PS3 system can turn standard definition content into a vibrant HD-quality experience.
The latest firmware update also gives PS3 owners more flexibility to enjoy their digital entertainment content where they want to. The Remote Play feature for using a PSP(PlayStationPortable) system to access photos, videos, and music on a PS3 systems hard drive will be available from outside of a users own home via any Wi-Fi Internet connection, upon the next PSP firmware update. Additionally, PS3 can now play back media content stored on a personal computer or digital video recorder with Digital Living Network Alliance (DLNA) capability over a home network.
As adoption of HDTVs continues to surge, we know that consumers are hungry for content, and this latest firmware update leverages the PS3s technology to deliver an HD-quality experience using the entertainment media already in your collection, said Peter Dille, senior vice president of marketing, SCEA. In addition, we continue to enhance the PS3s capabilities as an entertainment hub, giving consumers the option to bring their content with them on-the-go, or to stream photos, videos, and music stored on their PC to the PS3 in their living room. Thats often where the largest TV monitor and sound system is located, giving consumers the best possible entertainment experience.
Upscaling Games and Movies
SCEA is enhancing the PS3 user experience by enabling PlayStation and PlayStation 2 games to be upscaled to HD resolution, up to 1080p. Classic games as well as recently released titles can now be enjoyed like never before. And PS3 system now has the capability to upscale DVD videos to HD quality (up to 1080p), a feature typically limited to top-of-the-line DVD players. Upscaling games requires an HDMI or component AV cable, while upscaling DVD-ROM (including DVD Video content) requires an HDMI cable and HDMI compatible TV set.
Media Content on the Move
Since November, PS3 owners have been able to stream photos, videos, and music stored on their PS3s hard drive to a nearby PSP system. Consumers will soon have the freedom to access this media content wherever and whenever their PSP is connected to a wireless Internet access point. To take advantage of this feature, users will have to update their PSP systems firmware to the next version, 3.50, slated for release next week. Once both systems are updated, consumers can enjoy their entertainment content wherever and whenever wireless Internet access is available, including the 7,000 T-Mobile HotSpot locations across the United States.
Version 1.80 also allows PS3 users on a home network to stream media content (photos, videos, and music) stored on a DLNA-enabled device onto their PS3 system. DLNA is a system that enables digital devices such as personal computers, DVRs, and TVs to be connected to a network and share data with other connected devices, in this case a PS3 system. This new functionality reinforces the value of PS3 system as a home entertainment hub.
Other Feature Upgrades
Copying Saved Data to a Memory Card Users can now copy saved data from PlayStation or PlayStation 2 format software stored on their PS3 system to a Memory Card or Memory Card (8MB) (for PlayStation2), using their PS3 system and a Memory Card Adaptor.
Photo Printing, Viewing, and Editing The photo capabilities of PS3 system have been enhanced, allowing users to print digital photos stored on a PS3s hard drive or inserted storage media. Currently, select Epson printers connected via USB are compatible. In addition, users will find a new type of slideshow for displaying photos, zoom functionality and the option to crop images.
To install the latest system software on your PS3 system, you can select the System Update feature when your system is hooked up to the Internet; use a PC to download the update data and transfer it to the PS3 system through storage media or a USB mass storage device; or install it using update data included on an upcoming game disc.
Super Timsy
Posted to Video Games on 23 May 2007
· Comments (3)
Other stuff like this: Firmware 1.8, PlayStation 3, PS3, Sony
Hotness.
Yay.. copy the data back onto the memory card FROM the ps3 - should've been there from the start! =) But yay anyway!
Ok so I downloaded the update first thing yesterday and played with it all day.
1. I have a Samsung LNR 329d 2 years old with 1360x768 native panel, it has really shitty SD up conversion built in so previously ps1 and ps2 games played on it looked really SHITTY, practically unplayable, cept GOD of WAR 2 with the hd code input. ANYWHO, i tested all of my ps2 games with the new scaling options and with the smoother turned off or on, and my conclusions.....
First the good news, when the scaler is set to NORMAL which displays a 4:3 image only (even if you set the game to widescreen its still a 4:3 image) the image quality is amazing, in all cases the games looked as good if not better than when played on my old toshiba crt non hd set with component hookups.
Now the bad news, Since i HATE playing in 4:3 on my hd set and a little image distortion from stretching is not a deal breaker for me i set the scaler to Fullscreen and the results were more mixed, For example previously FFXII looked flawless in NORMAL, when set to fullscreen jaggies reapeared in full view, and the screen was slightly fuzzy thanks to the option to turn on the SMOOTHER from ps3 firmware and the flicker filter built into the game, it still looked much better than when i played it on older versions of ps3 firmware and far better than on the ps2 when hooked up to my hd set. However games such as Shadow of the Colossus, previously a hideous jagged mess looked amazing with fullscreen enabled and set to 16:9 in game.
Also, the new firmware seems to force all ps2 games into progressive scan, enabling Progressive scan in games were the option is allowed such as GOW, PRince of Persia Two thrones, Shadow of the Colossus, etc introduces alot of jaggies and makes the games look terrible, it seems to disable the smoothing feature as well, which by the way i found to be the best feature of the new firmware as far as improving image quality of the ps1-ps2 games. With it on and the scaler diabled games still displayed much enhanced image quality and where in general far better looking than before in my tv, which has a shitty scaler to begin with. But it does introduce a somewhat fuzzy look over the whole game its slight and did not bother me but it may bother some. The best looking game i figured i had was probably Silent Hill Three in NORMAL scaling mode with the smoother on and with the ingame flicker filter off, the game looked almost next gen to me. So i encourage you to try out your library of games yourselves PS3 owners and come to your own conclusions , as for me, I couldnt be happier, this was one of my main reasons for buying a ps3 and at last sony came through for me.