Jun Hey everyone, you told us you wanted to hear about updates a few days in advance, so here’s a quick heads up that we have a PS3 firmware update in the works. [UPDATE: it's available today]
Firmware 1.82 is an update that enables the playback of AVC High Profile (H.264/MPEG-4) files. As most of you know, these are high quality files that you’ll now be able to play on your PS3. Hopefully this update is moving us closer to the audio playback features many of you commented about in my post the other week. We’re continuing to evaluate and improve things across the board, including PS2 software compatibility. Thanks for all of your support and feedback, keep it coming!
(Average: 4.29 out of 5)
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+ Mana Knight on June 27th, 2007 at 1:18 pm said:
aaquib, get a new TV like everyone else did. 720p > 1080i. Sony is about the future, not the past (with old CRT HDTVs).
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+ Blueforce on June 27th, 2007 at 1:21 pm said:
Hi guys and girls from PS3.
I’m fairly new to the PS3 community (bought mine this weekend) but I am already more than pleased.
An idea for a next firmare would be the integration of a real good internetbrowser and email handler. It would make my playstation the primary device in the living room. The current browser is far from handy, and the lack of email is obvious an disadvantage. Integrating this features would also bring the PS3 to the next stage of entertainment buddy n°1
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+ kjeldsen on June 27th, 2007 at 1:25 pm said:
Blueforce
Use a Web Based Email provider.. its the only way to be sure..
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+ araczynski on June 27th, 2007 at 1:32 pm said:
that’s nice, how about expanding your installed base by adding VGA-out support? you can put all the pretty decals you want on the thing, i’m still not buying till i can hook it into my projector.
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+ Nevada on June 27th, 2007 at 1:33 pm said:
Bleh, how about a useful feature?, such as removing the region lockout on ps1 and ps2 titles? it’s not like it’d be a hard addition, and theres absolutely no reason not to anymore.
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+ raystorm87 on June 27th, 2007 at 1:33 pm said:
thanks so much, things getting better and better
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+ PSheddy on June 27th, 2007 at 1:33 pm said:
Some more ideas to throw out there.. considering this blog post has become a massive community brainstorm..
Something else that would be great would be, under the Web section of the XMB, if an icon for the Playstation.Blog was there, and whenever there is a new blog post, there could be a little push-pin note or post-in note near it or something. It would be much easier to see when there are new blog posts.
I think this is my third post in this blog, sorry about that. Just keep thinking of different things..
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+ TwinsDad on June 27th, 2007 at 1:45 pm said:
Great announcment, thanks for the heads up. It’s great.
Now since you read them, stop making them mandatory. I’m not upgrading, so I will not be purchasing anything from the store. I wanted Rub-a-Dub for my girls, but won’t buy it anytime soon due to the fact you won’t let my 1.80 version access the PSN or PS Store.
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+ aaquib on June 27th, 2007 at 1:48 pm said:
@jh1212
I agree, I would like to see that list as well.
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+ aaquib on June 27th, 2007 at 1:52 pm said:
@Mana Knight
Sony doesnt care about the past? Then why add the emotion engine to US/Japan PS3s and pay $30 per console? Why try so hard to improve backwards compatibility. Why invest in upscaling PS1/PS2 games and DVD’s? If Sony didn’t care they’d be pushing Blurays and abandon DVD, and they’d be focused on PS3 games. Why even have 480i or 480p? 1080p is the future right?
If I paid $3700 on a TV 2 years ago, and now Sony’s SUPER HD REVOLUTIONIZING BEAST can’t handle it, but an XBOX 360 can handle it then something’s wrong. Hype to the max, and underdeliver, or in some cases(ingame XMB) don’t deliver. That’s Sony’s motto.
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+ otakushark on June 27th, 2007 at 1:55 pm said:
I really like seeing these regular firmware updates that add new functionality. As someone who is using their PS3 mostly for watching DVD and Blu-Ray content, there is one feature that I really miss that even a cheap standalone DVD player offers. That feature is the player’s ability to “remember” where it left off while playing a disc when the unit is powered down. My old Sony standalone would even remember it’s place if another disc were inserted before going back to the original disc. It really bugs me that the PS3 lacks this basic function.
On the positive side, my brother and I were debating HD-DVD vs Blu-Ray, and he seemed very convinced that the lower cost was going to be the deciding factor. He even went so far as to buy a standalone HD-DVD and order some rental discs from NetFlix, but apparently nagging doubts kept him from opening the box and installing it. Later he called to tell me that he had returned the unit and bought a PS3 instead!
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+ Aversa on June 27th, 2007 at 2:04 pm said:
While I respect two-way communication on any level with Sony, and I appreciate them finally creating a blog, it still isn’t making up for Sony’s mistakes. Allow me to elaborate, if you will, please.
Sure, Sony’s taking steps in the right direction in releasing content and updates, but let’s be honest; there is something wrong.
As with Playstation 2, it is now extremely clear that it’s going to take a significant period of time for the platform to mature.
However, (and this is a big however) it is in no way an excuse for the dis-satisfaction every Playstation 3 owner has no doubt felt at sometime in this products’ short lifetime so far.
From the moment we realized there would *not* be dual video outputs, to the day we opened the box and found no PSP integration (rear view mirror, huh?) and continuing with every single delayed release, broken promise, or atrocious store “update” – the Playstation fanbase has been more then patient.
And no, I’m not talking about the hard earned money we gladly invested in the product and the firm. I’m fine paying for a breakthrough product which cost millions to research. I’m talking about the marketing trickery which is far too ubiquitous in today’s competitive console environment.
People say “be patient, in-game XMB will come, its difficult and complicated to integrate.” Fans are elated with any minute tidbit alluding to the aforementioned feature.
The point is, it should already be in there. And claiming that the ability to play another type of Mpeg-4 video is sufficient for an update somehow feels wrong at this point.
Do you really think a mainstream audience is going to gladly convert all of their video files to a limited set of standards? Do you think they even know how at this point?
We now know that Sony is reading our (often hastily composed, but still honest) comments. If you didn’t believe it before, this blog proves it. The fact that they won’t even acknowledge support for other formats (Mpeg-2) or mention XMB shows the clear layer of corporate restraint that must be applied in today’s competitive age.
Think of the media attention that would arise were Sony to mention these things, and then not deliver on time.
It’s truly a sad state of affairs. But I’m optimistic, because the firm is taking baby steps. I will continue to be a loyal Sony supporter, in the hope that whatever is happening behind closed doors will eventually lead to greatness.
Thank you for taking the time to read this.
Christopher Aversa, age 20
PS3 proponent and Sony customer
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+ superjp on June 27th, 2007 at 2:04 pm said:
Hi SONY,
Nice idea to create that blog.
Thank you for communicating with us.,
It helps with waiting for the next gen games…
I hope that the next upgrades will fix the issue with 1080P and Sharp AQUOS tv’s.
Since I connected my beautiful PS3 to my SHARP AQUOS XD1 TV, I have sometimes some blackouts with HDMI connection.
Please do something if you can.
regards
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+ HanSolo on June 27th, 2007 at 2:05 pm said:
great update, in the future it would be nice if the ps2 games could be made to use the full screen, without those off center black bars, also… better crisper pitcture quality if possible
and of course, in game xmb access is a must, as well as real game demos on the psn, and real games to download…not the midway crappy games… if you know what i mean
and finally, keep psn free, the future is OURS!!
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+ Perico on June 27th, 2007 at 2:10 pm said:
I agree with many others: Please, please give us DivX/XviD compatibility! It surely must be far less than impossible for Sony, because there are already very nice and inexpensive Sony DivX players for sale in stores.
The other thing I want is … nVidia drivers for Linux on the PS3! Linux runs great on the PS3, but without nVidia drivers, video sucks. Though full 3D would be G-R-E-A-T, nice 2D drivers would be a step in the right direction. nVidia already maintains 2D free drivers in the Linux kernel that work OK, even though they don’t allow all the 3D-zoom-and-transparency madness that is coming to our PC screens.
The day you do these, I will be queuing for a PS3.
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+ afrosheen on June 27th, 2007 at 2:13 pm said:
Note to people with 480p/1080i televisions:
Your set is not high def.
That is all, thank you.
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+ Farhad91 on June 27th, 2007 at 2:18 pm said:
We’re continuing to evaluate and improve things across the board, including PS2 software compatibility????????????????
what is that mean????????????????????
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+ xplosneer on June 27th, 2007 at 2:23 pm said:
@afrosheen
What? 1080i is HD, sorry to burst your bubble bursting.
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+ xplosneer on June 27th, 2007 at 2:24 pm said:
@farhad91
Probably means they fixed some bugs in PS2 games on the PS3.
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+ jh2112 on June 27th, 2007 at 2:29 pm said:
@afrosheen
Keep patting yourself on the back for being late to the game and not knowing what the hell you’re talking about.
That is all, thank you.
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+ Farhad91 on June 27th, 2007 at 2:31 pm said:
good.. now if only we got a LAir demo on thursday
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+ Grym on June 27th, 2007 at 2:36 pm said:
Aversa: I agree with some of your points. But this one is just ridiculous “The point is, it should already be in there.”.
According to who? You? Microsoft?
Plus I know people that are happy with their PS3 purchase and don’t even care about in-game XMB or even online for that matter.
Dual HDMI were removed because people complained and that just shows that they listen to their fanbase. Same with the banana controller. That’s why it was shown with notes that said “concept hardware”.
Just the same as when Microsoft said that all 360s would include a harddrive.
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+ SeanScythe on June 27th, 2007 at 2:38 pm said:
is this true?
There’s a HUGE Xmb update going to be shown at e3 – with folders availible in all sections (e.g Demo’s, PSN, Classic, etc in the game heading) also a new ‘profile’ section that will include a gamerscore, pictures, logs, and achievements / trophies (which will also link into home and be viewable as a ‘screen’ in your apartment if you wish). This new section will also include account management and the friends list and messaging will be a seperate heading.
Finally, the PS Store is getting a MAJOR overhaul… it will use a more console-type interface, and be more effectively laid out – the current store simply won’t be able to handle the content sony have got planned in terms of the different types and volumes.
Oh… and you’ll be able to ‘wear’ your trophies!!! you can select a trophy and it will appear as a graphic on your T-shirt or whatever.
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+ SeanScythe on June 27th, 2007 at 2:39 pm said:
source above from http://www.ps3forums.com/showthread.php?t=80851
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+ ROLO_ONFIRE on June 27th, 2007 at 2:51 pm said:
Allow us to play any region DVDs (at least region 4 cause I’m from Mexico)
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+ bombthroat on June 27th, 2007 at 2:55 pm said:
The feature I am most looking forward to besides the PS3 being updated in the future to be Blu-ray Profile 2 (BD Live) compliant (after October) is for the PS3 to be updated to decode DTS-HD High Resolution (HR) AND DTS-HD Master Audio (MA) to be sent over HDMI to a capable receiver for full audio playback.
Uncompressed PCM and Dolby TrueHD are awesome, so why not let me enjoy DTS-HD HR and DTS-HD MA as well?
The PS3 is a truly awesome device and having this advanced audio support would also make it the perfect Blu-ray player.
327
+ dragNdrift on June 27th, 2007 at 3:02 pm said:
Yeeeeeeeeeeah!
mpeg4 update – that’s freaking wonderful.
wow, makes me think that if we got acrobat reader support in the gameOS, I’d almost have no need for linux being installed anymore :)
ok, so that’s not true… but close!
328
+ backudog on June 27th, 2007 at 3:02 pm said:
Allow us to play any region DVDs (nearly all of mine are region 1) PLEEEEEEAAAASSE!
329
+ matn on June 27th, 2007 at 3:05 pm said:
Thank you so much for the heads up. It really does help. But on the subject of Audio Files supported. I was sad to see, that in 2005, when I got my PSP, it didn’t support MIDI playback. I thought that the Playstation 3 would surely have it, but it didn’t. Maybe you guys could include MIDI support? Thank you, again.
330
+ ahh bisto on June 27th, 2007 at 3:08 pm said:
@Drfurbs……if i was to sell my ps3 i would’nt buy another xbox, i would give it to you and in return you could lick my balls.
331
+ Lezz on June 27th, 2007 at 3:09 pm said:
I think the firmware update once a month or so is an excellent way to go. This way the evolution of the firmware is continueous.
The heads up a few days in advance is also a great way to go. Keep it up!
332
+ afrosheen on June 27th, 2007 at 3:18 pm said:
@jh2112: Late to what game? My set handles 720p and up. Anyone who doesn’t have a 720p-capable set doesn’t have a true HDTV. 1080i is an old hack and is much worse than 720p. Which one came first? Does technology suddenly regress? Is half field rendering more pleasing than full field, particularly in fast motion sources like uh, video games or sports broadcasts?
Sorry for the early birds that lost on non-720p sets, I just present facts, not condolences.
333
+ jlocker on June 27th, 2007 at 3:20 pm said:
I have had my PS3 from the first day they went on sale have watched about 100 blu-ray movies and have played about 10 different computer games on the system and love the unit. The system is the best game console that I have owned that that goes back to the original 1972 Atari pong system I got at sears when I was a kid. The flexibility of the system is great and worth every penny, it gave real value to my 60″ Sony SXRD set.
Thanks Sony and keep up the great work.
And yes, 720p and 1080i are high def and with the 60″ SXRD set with a great processing chip the unit has I can not tell the difference between the old set and the new one, and I watch a lot of high def programming.
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+ thechosenfew88 on June 27th, 2007 at 3:30 pm said:
Hello Everyone! I’m back once to get some suggestions. I am about to buy a PlayStation 3, but I don’t know what High Definition TV to get. I don’t want anything too fancy, but I want the picture to still look superb. I’m looking more towards a 32″ tv for a room. What brand, and what TV would anyone suggest me to get? Thanks everyone!
335
+ danielswe on June 27th, 2007 at 3:42 pm said:
Have you abonned Linux? Will there be more work from Sony on those areas or are they a dead end?
And are Sony being silent about it because they want to phase it out? Are you aware of the petition?
http://www.petitiononline.com/RSX/petition.html
And we see the games becoming more and more expensive what are you doing to fight this? If anything?
336
+ MasterCharged on June 27th, 2007 at 3:44 pm said:
i swear if i don’t get a lair demo this Thursday somebody is going to pay.
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+ Neil on June 27th, 2007 at 3:44 pm said:
Awesome. Thanks for letting us know about it and what it does in advance.
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+ aaquib on June 27th, 2007 at 3:58 pm said:
http://www.petitiononline.com/ps3xmb/petition.html
3000+ people want it Sony!
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+ db4td6 on June 27th, 2007 at 4:08 pm said:
SONY – Is this 1.82 release going to fix the Linksys WRT54G issue? Nobody who is using this router can connect to EA Servers, regardless on how they set it (i have mine as a static IP/ DMZ – there is no reason not to connect). If 1.82 isn’t going to fix it, is it something you are working on?
340
+ strategicgnomer on June 27th, 2007 at 4:09 pm said:
Is the ps3 ever going to support other video codecs such as .avi? I wanted to use your search for media server option to play movies off of my computer and songs as well but it never works, when i attempt it just wrecks the wifi in my house, it disconnects from the router and refuses to reconnect and it’s just a pain to try and set up. and converting avi files into mpeg-4 files is a pain and takes very long to do.
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+ Escobar4LifeX on June 27th, 2007 at 4:11 pm said:
Awesome!
It’s official! This blog is better than Major Nelson’s!
Btw, are you guys taking any requests for future firmware updates? I could write a list of stuff we would like to see.
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+ Escobar4LifeX on June 27th, 2007 at 4:13 pm said:
And I made this page (ps blog) my homepage for my PS3′s web browser!
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+ NewYork214 on June 27th, 2007 at 4:17 pm said:
its my home page on my PS3 too lol. and the homebetatrial.com is my PSP’s homepage
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+ aaquib on June 27th, 2007 at 4:28 pm said:
@Escobar4lifeX
Sony asked to send them through the “Contact Us” page.
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+ brambler on June 27th, 2007 at 4:33 pm said:
I want to be able to turn off my PS3 via Remote Play on the PSP, that would be nice if it were possible, (also being able to turn it on, but i doubt that is possible). Also, IN GAME XMB!
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+ wizardpsp on June 27th, 2007 at 4:39 pm said:
Keep the god job going sony just make the competition go nuts he he he we trust the PS3 and the new Blue Ray games will be great!!
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+ xavieur on June 27th, 2007 at 5:01 pm said:
what about havin an equalizer for audio..i would love that…..and maybe syncing with itunes etc..and may we get like a new energy wave thingy in the backgound,,maybe a double helix shape
348
+ Progz on June 27th, 2007 at 5:12 pm said:
When I see DivX is support I’ll be surprise right now that nothing because I can just use my xbox 360 for that stuff.
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+ marcindpol on June 27th, 2007 at 5:19 pm said:
energy saving mode for sixaxis and console itselve please:)
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+ blizzard182 on June 27th, 2007 at 5:25 pm said:
Niiiiceeeeee…
Sorry but don’t have time to read all of the posts. I just want to say that some people are asking for some things that are irrational.
*leaves*