PS3 Firmware 1.6 details - Blu-ray Forum

degas · 03-19-2007, 10:17 AM

From IGN: http://ps3.ign.com/articles/773/773672p1.html

Quote:

March 19, 2007 - Sony has at last provided details on version 1.6 of the PS3's system software. This is the highly anticipated update whose release was being timed for the 3/23 launch of the European/PAL PS3. The update will actually arrive just before that, on 3/22.

The biggest new feature for the update is something that was previously confirmed by company executives: background downloading. With Version 1.6 installed, you'll be able to use the PS3 for other things while downloading large or multiple files. Sony states that there are some limitations to this feature, but these won't be announced until the day of the update's availability.

Those who use their PSP as a remote media viewer for the PS3 have something to look forward with version 1.6. Previously, the PSP had to connect directly to the PS3 in order to access media, meaning you had to be in the same area as the PS3, and only owners of the 60 Gig model could take advantage of the feature. Version 1.6 adds the ability to access the PS3 from a wireless point in your home, bringing 20 Gig users in on the action, and presumably allowing additional freedom of movement. Not quite the worldwide access we were hoping for, but this is at least a step in the right direction.

Sony is adding a bonus for those who make use of the system's software keyboard during text entry. Version 1.6 adds the option for a full-size keyboard, for those who aren't satisfied with the current cell phone-style entry system.

Other new features affect the system's web browser. The browser will now detect your video-out settings and set the standard font size accordingly, and even deal with nasty interlacing artifacts. You'll also be able to make use of a new "pin-point zoom" feature to zoom in on pages.

All that, along with the previously announced Folding@Home support should make for one hell of an update. There could be even more to the update than Sony has announced here, so be sure and power up your PS3 on the 22nd to experience version 1.6 first hand.

Ascended_Saiyan · 03-19-2007, 10:28 AM

Still no mention of upscaling, yet. I hope it will be in this update, but I can still wait a while though.

buckshot · 03-19-2007, 01:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ascended_Saiyan

Still no mention of upscaling, yet. I hope it will be in this update, but I can still wait a while though.

the upscaling will be nice when it arrives, but I to can wait. I have enough blu-rays in my collection and on order from blockbuster total access to keep me happy until it arrives.

anybody know if you can watch tv shows from the internet (abc.com, nbc.com etc etc) on your ps3? i'm giving cable the boot but want to see my shows still. if it can't do that yet could it in future updates?

dannyjl · 03-19-2007, 02:11 PM

Does anyone know if the upscaling feature will be able to added to existing machines via a firmware update or will this be a hardware issue only found in newer machines? I would like to pick one up ASAP but if it is to be found in only in later machines I'll wait. Thanks for any info.

donricouga · 03-19-2007, 02:16 PM

No mention of decoding DTS Master Audio decoding within the ps3

Thats the biggest thing for me as I do not want Regular 1.5 mbps dts.
Sorry, i've been spoiled by 6mbps - 7mbps uncompressed LPCM audio !

Iceman_II · 03-19-2007, 02:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dannyjl

Does anyone know if the upscaling feature will be able to added to existing machines via a firmware update or will this be a hardware issue only found in newer machines? I would like to pick one up ASAP but if it is to be found in only in later machines I'll wait. Thanks for any info.

The general concensus is that it will be by firmware... someone correct me if I am wrong, but I understand that the idea of NOT starting with an upscaling machine was to force early game developers to actually write their code in HD, and not take warmed over lower definition games, port them to PS3, and let the hardware magicly convert them to HD (a problem the 360 had if I remember correctly). Once the game studios start pumping out HD games, they should enable the up-converting feature - at least that is my understanding.

The upside of this strategy is that once the games arive, they are true HD games.

The downside, it takes longer to get them, and people complain about the up-converting support until you release the firmware upgrade.

Blu-Light · 03-19-2007, 03:07 PM

Blek,
Not much announced on this run.

Betamax · 03-19-2007, 03:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by donricouga

No mention of decoding DTS Master Audio decoding within the ps3

Thats the biggest thing for me as I do not want Regular 1.5 mbps dts.
Sorry, i've been spoiled by 6mbps - 7mbps uncompressed LPCM audio !

I hear that!! I have been waiting patiently to hear something about the 1.3 hdmi upgrade. Thats the big thing that is making me hold off on buying a new audio setup {which I would hate to do}.

Garconis · 03-19-2007, 03:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dannyjl

Does anyone know if the upscaling feature will be able to added to existing machines via a firmware update or will this be a hardware issue only found in newer machines? I would like to pick one up ASAP but if it is to be found in only in later machines I'll wait. Thanks for any info.

It will be a firmware update via download. They aren't going to make any serious changes to the newer PS3s...otherwise the older PS3s would be "out of date".

Ascended_Saiyan · 03-19-2007, 04:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by donricouga

No mention of decoding DTS Master Audio decoding within the ps3

Thats the biggest thing for me as I do not want Regular 1.5 mbps dts.
Sorry, i've been spoiled by 6mbps - 7mbps uncompressed LPCM audio !

I'm pretty sure DTS HDMA will not be in this release, but I would like to be surprised.

Amon37 · 03-19-2007, 04:15 PM

I like the fact that will it will change the broswer size if you are at higher resolutions. I hate having to change my PS3 to 480p to browse the net so the text is big enough and then changin back to 1080p after I'm done.

Ascended_Saiyan · 03-19-2007, 04:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Betamax

I hear that!! I have been waiting patiently to hear something about the 1.3 hdmi upgrade. Thats the big thing that is making me hold off on buying a new audio setup {which I would hate to do}.

Do you mean the HDMI 1.3 receivers? If so, you can check the newly announced HDMI 1.3 receivers info from CES this year. I think they are suppose to start showing up around summer.

A few months ago a Pioneer rep told me we should see HDMI 1.3 in TVs next then receivers. He said that was the normal progression of things.

WeApOn · 03-19-2007, 05:52 PM

http://ps3.ign.com/articles/773/773672p1.html

Sounds good. It's been so long this has been in production that I'm not even excited for it anymore. Does anyone know if we will eventually be able to play our music and be in a game anytime soon?

Amon37 · 03-19-2007, 06:19 PM

https://forum.blu-ray.com/showthread.php?t=6830

Damon Payne · 03-19-2007, 06:41 PM

I think the music/in game thing will have to be supported by games?
I wonder what the limitations on background downloading will be?

Amon37 · 03-19-2007, 06:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Damon Payne

I wonder what the limitations on background downloading will be?

I don't think you will be able to download while playing games. but you will be able to download and probably browse the net or play music.

I wonder if they will allow multiple downloads. I know they don't really have the content yet but it would be wise to put it in place.

Ascended_Saiyan · 03-19-2007, 07:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Amon37

I don't think you will be able to download while playing games. but you will be able to download and probably browse the net or play music.

I wonder if they will allow multiple downloads. I know they don't really have the content yet but it would be wise to put it in place.

I believe they mentioned you could do multiple downloads.

powerSURG · 03-19-2007, 07:18 PM

I heard that Sony didn't reserve any memory for the system while playing games. So this in turn means the download will be paused while playing a game. Which is much better than having to start over. Some people are complaining about that, but God fobid the system memory be used for games...

planetweckesser · 03-19-2007, 09:00 PM

Since Sony just added a firmware update to their BDP-S1 to allow BDMV playback on BD-R and BD-RE discs, I am certainly hoping that this will be in the new update.

Blu-Light · 03-19-2007, 09:10 PM

was hoping to see 1080/24p support as well as the ability to browse network shares and play movies/songs/pics from remote drives.

03-19-2007, 05:52 PM	#13
WeApOn Special Member Member since:Aug 2006 Location:Rhode Island, USA	Firmware 1.6 Updates Announced http://ps3.ign.com/articles/773/773672p1.html Sounds good. It's been so long this has been in production that I'm not even excited for it anymore. Does anyone know if we will eventually be able to play our music and be in a game anytime soon?

03-19-2007, 09:00 PM	#19
planetweckesser New Member Member since:Mar 2007 Location:Sarasota, Florida	BDMV support in the new update Since Sony just added a firmware update to their BDP-S1 to allow BDMV playback on BD-R and BD-RE discs, I am certainly hoping that this will be in the new update.

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03-19-2007, 10:28 AM	#2
Ascended_Saiyan Blu-ray Samurai Member since:Sep 2006 Location:Atlanta, Georgia Blu-ray collection:608 Trading Score:1	Still no mention of upscaling, yet. I hope it will be in this update, but I can still wait a while though.

03-19-2007, 02:11 PM	#4
dannyjl Active Member Member since:Mar 2007 Location:New Orleans Blu-ray collection:386 Blu-ray reviews:2 Trading Score:10	Does anyone know if the upscaling feature will be able to added to existing machines via a firmware update or will this be a hardware issue only found in newer machines? I would like to pick one up ASAP but if it is to be found in only in later machines I'll wait. Thanks for any info.

03-19-2007, 02:16 PM	#5
donricouga Senior Member Member since:Jan 2007 Location:Atlanta, GA Blu-ray collection:138 Blu-ray reviews: 9 Trading Score:1	No mention of decoding DTS Master Audio decoding within the ps3 Thats the biggest thing for me as I do not want Regular 1.5 mbps dts. Sorry, i've been spoiled by 6mbps - 7mbps uncompressed LPCM audio !

03-19-2007, 03:07 PM	#7
Blu-Light Expert Member Member since:Oct 2006	Blek, Not much announced on this run.

03-19-2007, 04:15 PM	#11
Amon37 Power Member Member since:Jan 2007 Location:USA,Arizona PSNetwork: Amon37	I like the fact that will it will change the broswer size if you are at higher resolutions. I hate having to change my PS3 to 480p to browse the net so the text is big enough and then changin back to 1080p after I'm done.

03-19-2007, 06:19 PM	#14
Amon37 Power Member Member since:Jan 2007 Location:USA,Arizona PSNetwork: Amon37	https://forum.blu-ray.com/showthread.php?t=6830

03-19-2007, 06:41 PM	#15
Damon Payne Active Member Member since:Oct 2006 Location:Wisconsin	I think the music/in game thing will have to be supported by games? I wonder what the limitations on background downloading will be?

03-19-2007, 07:18 PM	#18
powerSURG Active Member Member since:Jan 2007 Location:Shaw AFB, SC Blu-ray collection:42	I heard that Sony didn't reserve any memory for the system while playing games. So this in turn means the download will be paused while playing a game. Which is much better than having to start over. Some people are complaining about that, but God fobid the system memory be used for games...

03-19-2007, 09:10 PM	#20
Blu-Light Expert Member Member since:Oct 2006	was hoping to see 1080/24p support as well as the ability to browse network shares and play movies/songs/pics from remote drives.

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