Playstation 3 Updates Rant/Suggestion

[egon_spengler]

Sorry, bit of a rant, but its something I've been thinking about for a while.

I would like to see a change in the way the PS3 updates... seems daft to me that the PS3 has to download a 100mb+ file every time it updates, just because it contains ALL previous updates.

I suppose it makes sense if you're downloading from a PC or updating from a game (i.e Rachet and Clank) I guess... it does everything in one fell swoop that way. But just for generally switching on the PS3 and getting the "A software update is required" it should just download what it needs so I can get on with using my PS3 faster.

For example, Warhawk. Today it downloaded an 8mb update... can you imagine if it needed to download the whole 700mb+ of the game again. You'd be waiting ages. Sony should start making smaller patches that can download in the background (Dare I say it...) like windows update.

A few updates ago the connectivity was ballsed up and within days a new update was released to rectify it. Another 100mb+ where it could have been 1mb or two as a patch.

I don't know how it works, but surely smaller patches relavent to the status of your playstation would be better than huge patches one in a while that contain every single update since 1.50 or earlier (my UK was 1.50 when I got it). I mean, if you didn't use the PS3 for a while you might create a bit of backlog, but the PS3 could download all updates it needs and install them one after another. (Given how often we get updates, I doubt they'd pile up like that).

With the new RSS scroll bar thingy it freezes the PS3 for several seconds... not a major problem I know, but Sony could wait a few weeks and release a big new patch with tons of new stuff, or they could release a quick fix dealing with that issue alone. Either way the update file will likely be 100mb+

I've taken to checking my PS3 most mornings before going to work, so that IF there is an update, it can download during the day so I can play/watch when I get home.

Rant over. Anybody else have any opinions?

[u_nick]

I've never really minded. The downloads so far have not been huge enough yet to make me get aggravated at how long it took.

Originally Posted by egon_spengler

I've taken to checking my PS3 most mornings before going to work, so that IF there is an update, it can download during the day so I can play/watch when I get home.

You dont really need to check on a daily basis. Rarely are the updates surprises. There are tons of websites that will update you on this news too. The official playstation blog, ps3fanboy, joystiq, heck, even this site. Just bookmark them, and check them whenever you browse the web. Then you wont have to check the PS3 itself every morning before work.

It also gives me another idea. Buy a PSP, then while at work, connect to your PS3 over the internet, and you can start downloads, so by the time you get home, they will be ready for you.

[ps3andlovinit]

Originally Posted by egon_spengler

Sorry, bit of a rant, but its something I've been thinking about for a while.

I would like to see a change in the way the PS3 updates... seems daft to me that the PS3 has to download a 100mb+ file every time it updates, just because it contains ALL previous updates.
...

Rant over. Anybody else have any opinions?

I've been on the testing side of this kind of stuff..trust me..this way is better...the chances of mistakes due to managing and testing from ALL the older checkpoints to the latest is much much bigger than you can imagine ..and takes away time and resources from making sure the one your delivering is a rock solid as can be..

Each checkpoint has to be verified separately, the update site has to pull down the right patch for your machine .. if you get it wrong the chances of bricking a machine rise..

For testing, you have to set up each PS3 at the right FW version as well..and that for each of the various hardware products .. it quickly explodes and will result in a less stable product..

trust me .. wiping the slate with full replacement is worth it if you want continuous updates and the most stable product. Introducing more complexity introduces you to the popular culture version of Murphy's Law...if something can go wrong it will

[egon_spengler]

Hi, thanks for the information. That all makes sense I guess. Good idea about the PSP, I actually own one, but for security reasons work doesn't use wireless internet.

I guess really I need to get faster broadband. Still 4 meg a second, you'd imagine the update to download in minutes... but my PS3 takes a good hour or two on average.

I use "Lightning Download" on my PC when Sony upload the file quick enough. That makes 10 connections and my download rate (usually around 100kbps just to about 500kbps). Why is this download rate SO LOW when I am paying for 4mb broadband???

I'm on Virginmedia. (Formerlly NTL) I started on 128kb broadband and upgraded to 300kb, then to 700kb, then to 1mb, then 2mb, then 4mb. I've never actually changed modem, but the speed jumps between 128kb and 1mb seemed noticable. My last two upgrades have made little difference.

[ToonyLoons]

My downloads do not take that long. Most of my updates take less then 15 min. I have an 8mb cable line that is supposed to have a speed boost when it notices you are downloading a large file. I dont know if it actuall works, but it is supposed to take off the cap and I can get up to about 35mb when this is active. I have never tested it to see if it actuall works.

Sony has gotten better with its updates. When the system first came out there seem to be an update every two week then every month. I like new features especially features that I feel I will get use out of, but that many updates seemed crazy.

[cajmoyper]

I want an update that makes my playstation transform like in the new commercials.

[egon_spengler]

I want an update that makes it a playstation 5