PLAYSTATION(R)3 To Support New Interactive Blu-ray Movie Features (BD-LIVE) With Upcoming System Software Update

[Shane]

Sony Computer Entertainment America (SCEA) today announced that the next system software update for PLAYSTATION(R)3 (PS3(TM)) computer entertainment system, slated for release in late March, will add Blu-ray Disc(TM) (BD) Profile 2.0 or BD-LIVE, enabling PS3 owners to experience interactive features, such as downloadable video content, ringtones, games, and more. In addition to BD-LIVE, the system software update (v. 2.20) will enable photo and music playlists on PS3 to be copied to PSP(R)(PlayStation(R)Portable) handheld entertainment system, among other new features. These updates demonstrate how PS3 continues to evolve as a home entertainment hub with the flexibility to deliver the newest technology innovations that benefit PS3 owners.

BD Profile 2.0 requires...

[url=http://www.hdtvmagazine.com/news/2008/03/playstationr3_to_support_new_interactive_blu-ray_movie_features_bd-live_with_upcoming_system_software_update.php]Read Bulletin[/url]

[davetx]

It is now available. I downloaded and installed the new update Monday evening.

[emondragon]

I too had an update done to my PS3 a few days ago and the Version was 2.17. Make sure you did get the 2.20 version.

[rfowkes]

2.20 is the version now scrolling.

[akirby]

2.20 is the version now scrolling.

Got mine last night. Had to wait 15 minutes to play Guitar Hero!

[rfowkes]

2.20 is the version now spooling.

Got mine last night. Had to wait 15 minutes to play Guitar Hero!

I know what you mean. It almost seems as though every time I turn on my PS3 (mostly to watch Blu-ray movies) there's a new firmware update.

However, this time it's actually worth it if our PS3s have turned into Profile 2.0 devices. Also, it appears as though the multimedia capabilities have gotten better with this release (2.2). The PS3 is finding and playing a lot more media files on my network than previously.

Now let's get to work on solving the DTS-MA situation and I'll be 100% happy with the PS3 as a full functioning Blu-ray player.

[akirby]

I don't have a HDMI receiver yet (that's next years upgrade along with the FP) so let me see if I understand the situation:

With digital audio I'll get regular Dolby Digital or DTS soundtracks even on Blu-Ray discs

With HDMI I'll still get DD/DTS for DVDs but I'll get Dolby TrueHD for BDs decoded by the PS3 and passed as multi-channel PCM to the receiver and the receiver does not need a TrueHD decoder. DTS-MA cannot be decoded at all (yet). Does it do bitstream for TrueHD?

In the future it should be possible to get the bitstream for TrueHD and DTS-MA over the HDMi connection which will require a receiver with those decoders.

So with my current setup (component video, digital audio) I can get 1080i BD video with DD/DTS sound. If I upgrade to a HDMI receiver I can get TrueHD decoded by the PS3. And if I get a TrueHD/DTS-MA equipped receiver and Sony decides to send the bitstream then I can get TrueHD/DTS-MA sound. Correct?