PSN Update 2.20

[LevelSevenCivic]

New PS3 firmware to add Blu-ray Profile 2.0 support - Joystiq

Sony has announced that an upcoming PlayStation 3 firmware update will enhance the system's Blu-ray playback capabilities. Tucked into firmware update 2.20 will be support for Blu-ray Disc Profile 2.0, otherwise labeled as BD-Live. The feature enables certain Blu-ray movies to connect to the internet and enable download additional interactive content -- movie DLC, if you will. Sony notes that the update will make the PlayStation 3 the first BD-Live Blu-ray player on the market. Oh, sorry, the PLAYSTATION 3.

Other enhancements included in firmware 2.20:

• Music and photo playlists can be exported from the PS3 to the PSP.
• DivX and WMV files larger than 2GB can be played.
• DVDs and Blu-rays will resume playback from the moment you last stopped them.
• The PSP can be used as a remote control to play music on the PS3.
• The web browser will feature faster page loading times and the ability to save linked files and stream linked videos.
• "Mosquito Noise Reduction" will be added to the AV control panel for Blu-rays and DVDs.

The update will make its way onto the PlayStation Network "in the next few days."

[tha_con]

The PS3 is such a multimedia powerhouse.

Entertainment centerpiece of my living room. Youtube, Blu-Ray, DivX, and now FINALLY Profile 2.0 and MKV.

[Shiba-Kun]

I more expansive article:



PlayStation 3 Update Will Bring Interactive Blu-ray

Jennifer LeClaire, newsfactor.com
03/21/2008

Sony on Thursday said the next firmware update for the PlayStation 3 video-game console will add Blu-ray Disc Profile 2.0. The update is due out late this month. Known as BD-Live, the update will offer PS3 players interactive features, such as downloadable video content, ringtones and games. Beyond BD-Live, the update will make room for photo and music playlists on PS3 to be copied to a PSP handheld device.

It's all part of Sony's attempts to evolve the PS3 as a home entertainment hub. Regular updates like this one and future-proofed technology make the 10-year life cycle of PS3 possible, according to Scott Steinberg, vice president of product marketing at Sony Computer Entertainment America.

"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," Steinberg said. "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."

BD-Live Possibilities

BD-Live offers plenty of possibilities, but Sony said the benefits will vary by movie title. For example, movie studios could deliver bonus scenes, shorts, trailers, subtitles and ringtones that can be sent to mobile phones. On the gaming side, interactive movie-based games can pit players sitting in the same room or across the world.

In conjunction with the firmware update, Sony Pictures Home Entertainment announced two BD-LIVE-enabled titles to be released on April 8 -- Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story and The 6th Day. Both titles will include exclusive downloadable content that goes beyond what is available on the Blu-ray discs, Sony said. These initial releases preview some of the developments that will soon be available from BD-LIVE. Downloading BD Profile 2.0 requires an Internet connection and at least 1GB of storage space.

BD-Live aside, the update aims to enhance the PS3 system's interoperability with the portable PSP system, enabling users to take their favorite music and photo playlists with them. A "resume play" feature lets players start playing a Blu-ray disc or DVD at the point it was stopped, even if the disc was removed. The PS3 system's Internet browser will also be enhanced: Video files from a Web page will be streamed, and the browser's view speed will be improved, Sony said.

Blu-Ray Not a Must-Have

As much as Sony likes to think Blu-ray is a critical factor in a consumer's decision to buy a game console, it's not, according to Yankee Group analyst Mike Goodman. Price and games are what cause people to buy one console versus another, he argued, not Blu-ray.

"In general, Blu-ray is nice to have. It's not a must-have. It's not a selling point. In fact, the problem with all of these features that come along with Blu-ray is they don't really get people excited," Goodman said. "Having interactive video on Blu-ray doesn't wow them."

If 10 percent of the market ever used these features, Goodman continued, that would exceed his expectations. His point is that the aficionados may build a buzz, but they don't make up the mass market. "We rent or buy movies because we want to see the movie," Goodman said, "not because it has an extra."

[j.steimer04]

We need an update that includes PS Home.

[blackdelsol94]

Originally Posted by tha_con

The PS3 is such a multimedia powerhouse.

Entertainment centerpiece of my living room. Youtube, Blu-Ray, DivX, and now FINALLY Profile 2.0 and MKV.

A multimedia powerhouse that won't allow you to use a universal remote.

Do you think this is something Sony could add through firmware?

With that said, since the next-gen video format war has ended, the PS3 will now become my Blu-ray player.

[tha_con]

You mean before the war ended, the PS3 wasn't your Blu-Ray player? Wat?

I'm not bothered by the lack of an IR port. The Wii suffers the same fate. Blue Tooth > IR, IMO, for range at least (furthest range, least amount of lag).

I keep one controller for each system, and my Harmony on the coffee table, so it's not really a bother to simply turn it on with the controller I'll be playing it with.

On another note, I picked up a few Blu-Ray's yesterday for a good price, got Michael Clayton, I Am Legend, and Enchanted (for the GF). Michael Clayton is great. Must see.

[blackdelsol94]

Originally Posted by tha_con

You mean before the war ended, the PS3 wasn't your Blu-Ray player? Wat?

I'm not bothered by the lack of an IR port. The Wii suffers the same fate. Blue Tooth > IR, IMO, for range at least (furthest range, least amount of lag).

I keep one controller for each system, and my Harmony on the coffee table, so it's not really a bother to simply turn it on with the controller I'll be playing it with.

On another note, I picked up a few Blu-Ray's yesterday for a good price, got Michael Clayton, I Am Legend, and Enchanted (for the GF). Michael Clayton is great. Must see.

No, I did not choose sides before there was a winner. I suppose by purchasing a PS3, I indirectly supported Blu-ray, but it was not intentional, so I did not consider myself a supporter.

Now that Blu-ray has won, I am behind the format, the PS3 is my next gen, and only, Blu-ray player.

I am bothered by the lack of support. I have a TV, surround sound system, up-conversion DVD (HD-DVD) player, and a Blu-ray (PS3) player, it would be nice to control everything with one remote. You know, for added convenience, then I don't have to fumble with multiple devices in the dark to get the function I'm trying to use. Kinda stupid considering how hard Sony is pushing the PS3 as 'the hub of your entertainment center.' Whatev, I'll get over it.

On the movie tangent, lol, Michael Clayton is a great movie. But I have to ask, are you going to see Run Fat Boy Run? I've noticed you like Sean of the Dead and Hot Fuzz, thought you might be interested in this one as well!

[tha_con]

What in the hell are you watching that you're fumbling around in the dark, lmfao.

Also, I support any Simon Pegg films, even if Run Fatboy Run is going to be directed by David Schwimmer (wtf?).

[blackdelsol94]

Originally Posted by tha_con

What in the hell are you watching that you're fumbling around in the dark, lmfao.

Also, I support any Simon Pegg films, even if Run Fatboy Run is going to be directed by David Schwimmer (wtf?).

I watch most of my movies in a low light and/or dark setting, lol. Is is really that out of the norm?

I prefer one remote, especially since I will also be ordering a Harmony pretty soon here. On that note, which one do you have? Impressions?

And I will be seeing Run Fat Boy Run on Friday! Hot Fuzz was pure, comedic gold.

[tha_con]

I watch movies in the dark too, but I usually get everything up and running with lights on, because you know, I don't live in the dark and all. I honestly don't mind 3 additional button presses before I watch my movie. 'Fumbling around in the dark' is a pretty big exaggeration. I pick up the Sixaxis / DS3, hit the PS Button, hit X, X, and now my movie is playing. For someone who endorses Wii Sports and Wii Fit, it seems a bit much to complain about having to actually pick up one more controller.

As for the Harmony, I've got the 550. Works wonderfully, though if I had one complaint, it would be that the programmability seems a bit limited. Sometimes it will 'get ahead of itself' and forget to switch certain devices over for activities and stuff. It's also somewhat of a hassle to go through the 'help' set up, since it's harder to switch devices. I suggest getting one that has buttons for TV, Cable, Aux, etc, all at the top. Much much better setup.

[blackdelsol94]

Originally Posted by tha_con

I watch movies in the dark too, but I usually get everything up and running with lights on, because you know, I don't live in the dark and all. I honestly don't mind 3 additional button presses before I watch my movie. 'Fumbling around in the dark' is a pretty big exaggeration. I pick up the Sixaxis / DS3, hit the PS Button, hit X, X, and now my movie is playing. For someone who endorses Wii Sports and Wii Fit, it seems a bit much to complain about having to actually pick up one more controller.

As for the Harmony, I've got the 550. Works wonderfully, though if I had one complaint, it would be that the programmability seems a bit limited. Sometimes it will 'get ahead of itself' and forget to switch certain devices over for activities and stuff. It's also somewhat of a hassle to go through the 'help' set up, since it's harder to switch devices. I suggest getting one that has buttons for TV, Cable, Aux, etc, all at the top. Much much better setup.

Same, but you can't tell me you have never had to rewind or pause the movie. If there are no lights on in the room, first I have to find the remote I need (which can be ridiculous if you have four), and I can't tell you how many times I've mistakenly hit a wrong button.

I get a great deal on Harmony remotes through my accommodations, and it would be extremely convenient to be able to use a single remote for everything. Less clutter, and it let's me do what I want to do faster than if I have a handful of remotes sitting around. Just saying, it would have been smart to include IR support into something that is supposed to be an "entertainment hub."

Like I said though, I'll get over it! Thanks for the feedback on the Harmony remote, I'll keep your advice in mind when picking one out.

[tha_con]

Originally Posted by blackdelsol94

Like I said though, I'll get over it! Thanks for the feedback on the Harmony remote, I'll keep your advice in mind when picking one out.

Yea, like I said man, just avoid the Harmony's that don't have buttons for different devices. If my setup doesn't 'setup' the right way, then I have to go through a help menu that is a lot like this:

"Is your TV on?" yes or no
"Is your AV Reciever on?" yes or no
"Is your game console on?" yes or no
"Is your TV set to HDMI1?" yes or no
yes
"Is the TV now set to HDMI1?" yes or no
yes
"Did that solve your problem?" yes or no
yes

It's just really tiresome...and annoying, lol.

Lastly, I'm sure you won't mind another remote, especially if Blu-Ray prices drop to sub $200 in 2009, you can pick up a stand alone and enjoy your Harmony remote greatness.