PS3 Firmware v1.8 Available Now for North America [UPDATE]
- Scribbled on May 24th, 2007 by S Holmes
- Filed in Firmware, New Release(s), Sony PlayStation 3
Sometime before 1:50am EST the latest version (1.8) of the PS3 firmware became available for North American users. My initial impression of the DVD upconversion quality is included below. But first, here is the full list of what was updated (as indicated during the installation process):
- You can now upscale the video content of PlayStation and PlayStation 2 format software to HD resolution.
- You can now copy saved data from Playstation and Playstation 2 format software to a memory card or memory card (8MB) (for PlayStation 2) using a memory card adaptor.
- You can now upscale video content of DVDs to HD resolution. However, some DVDs cannot be upconverted when outputting through component or D-terminal connectors.
- Support has been added to allow remote play over the Internet.
- You can now display image files and play music and video files that are saved on a remote device with service functionality (such as a PC or digital video recorder) over a network.
- Support for a print function has been added under [Photo]. For more information on supported printers, refer to the SCE Web site for your region.
- Support for zoom and trimming features has been added under [Photo].
- A new type of slideshow has been added as a feature under [Photo].
The update adds a button under the Picture, Music, and Video menus of the XMB titled “Search for Media Servers” and a button titled “Printer Settings” under the Settings menu. The new photo slideshow is similar to the original. However, instead of randomly dropping the photos on the screen, they are neatly aligned similar to a grid in an organized fashion of three horizontal rows which pans from right to left across the screen. Zooming in with the right analog stick will eventually cause the pictures to change alignment into one straight horizontal line. Zooming out will return it to the three horizontal lines/grid.
As for the DVD upconversion, sure enough, my Sharp 46 inch LCD TV is now displaying 1080p during normal DVD playback. However, before updating, I did a quick review of the picture quality in 28 Days Later and Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest (SD). I paused the films at two different points for comparison before and after the update. I have to say that I have noticed no difference in the picture quality. Even watching the movies in full motion did not reveal any differences. This is obviously just a quick preliminary test, but as of now, I can’t report any improvement in the visual quality of standard definition DVDs (yes, I’m hooked up via HDMI). I should note that I’ve never used an upscaling DVD player before, so it’s possible my eyes are not accustomed to noticing the improvements upscaling provides. If anyone else has one or both of these movies, please post your impressions (I tested using images in the first two chapters).
[UPDATE] Since posting this article, I have noticed in the BD/DVD Settings menu that there is a “DVD Upscaler” option. It’s description is “Sets the display method for HD resolutions.” There are four settings for this option: Off, Double Scale, Normal, Full Screen. My impressions above were conducted with this set to “Normal.” I have not tested the other options.
[UPDATE 2] Opinions from other users are starting to pop up, most notably at the well-regarded AVSforum where most users seem pleased with the quality of the upconversion. I’m crossing my fingers that I’ll agree after some more testing!
[UPDATE 3] Sony really seems to have put a lot of work into v1.8. People are still discovering unannounced features to the update. One of which is that the DVD upscaler can be changed during playback of a DVD from the normal playback menu. Also, options for “Frame Noise Reduction,” “Block Noise Reduction,” and “Super-White” are all available from the playback menu. I don’t think we’ll be hearing too many complaints about this update.
May 24th, 2007 at 4:55 pm
This shit rocks. My PS3 gains more value every month. Even with the slow start of video games the ps3 has become my full media center.
I have over 50 movies saved right on it with great quality. Now i can stream everything from my computer and also upscale all my games and old dvds. BEAUTIFULL!
May 24th, 2007 at 5:41 pm
[...] Upscaling: First Impressions PS3 Upscaling: First Impressions Sometime before 1:50am EST the latest version (1.8) of the PS3 firmware became available for North [...]
May 24th, 2007 at 6:01 pm
What the release notes don’t tell you is blu-ray movies will now play back at the proper 1080p/24. This is a great upgrade feature. No more panning judders you get at 1080p/60.
What it doesn’t do is play region free DVDs from other broadcast areas. E.g. US PS3 cannot play PAL. Why not? Flat panels are monitors and have nothing to do with ancient broadcast standards.
May 24th, 2007 at 6:09 pm
Now if only Sony would work on the parts of their game console that truly matter…
the games.
It’s wonderful to see them put so much work into rationalizing the lack of games by making it a superb dvd player, but while all this is happening, traditional playstation exclusives are dropping like flies.
Why don’t we work on getting some exclusives and getting some games out, instead of the secondary functionality?
May 24th, 2007 at 6:31 pm
I gotta admit I didn’t see much point buying a PS3 when it was first released, but having now seen screenies of gran turismo and reading the above and other reviews on the the HD upscaling, I am converted, going out this weekend to pick one up.
May 24th, 2007 at 6:46 pm
[...] Upscaling: First Impressions Filed under: Uncategorized — recar @ 12:46 am PS3 Upscaling: First Impressions Sometime before 1:50am EST the latest version (1.8) of the PS3 firmware became available for North [...]
May 24th, 2007 at 7:08 pm
according to a german tech magazine (c’t) who properly tested the upscaling of the ps3, it’s among the best they ever tested. so far only denon high-end dvd players performed slightly better in their test.
sadly german only:
http://www.heise.de/newsticker/meldung/90182
May 24th, 2007 at 8:55 pm
One of the first things I tried after the update was playing a Blu-ray movie, and to my surprised the signal sent to my TV was 720p. Up until now the PS3 would downscale all Blu-ray titles to 480p when 720p was selected as the highest resolution. I’m hoping that it’s true 720p downscaled from the 1080p on the disc and not upscaled from 480p, but I don’t have anything for comparison.
May 24th, 2007 at 9:33 pm
This is an awesome update, a godsend for all those with HDTV’s… I don’t have ANY need for my Samsung upscale dvd player anymore. Plus, all of the awesome games that they showed last week… Sony is really stepping it up! Good job.
May 24th, 2007 at 10:36 pm
Response to: “What it doesn’t do is play region free DVDs from other broadcast areas. E.g. US PS3 cannot play PAL. ”
I have 2 ps3´s.One is from HongKong one, and one is from Taiwan.
The hongkong one after update to 1.60 plays both PAL and NTSC, didn´t do that before.
The Taiwan one stil doesn´t play PAL material.
So there must be a regional difference in firmware. Hopefully this function will be included in other regions than HK soon…
May 24th, 2007 at 11:04 pm
So now I can watch movies on a format my tv doesnt support? Yay.
How about we support 1080i a well. Considering 1080i uses less bandwidth and my PS3 is supposed to be ‘the most powerful game console’ it should support ALL RESOLUTIONS. Carbon looks like crap at 480p and should upscale to 1080i but no… 720p and 1080p arent the only high def resolutions. Fuck you sony!
May 24th, 2007 at 11:29 pm
[...] Game Stooge has your information, but here's a quick list for you: [...]
May 25th, 2007 at 12:29 am
[...] read more | digg story [...]
May 25th, 2007 at 1:04 am
[...] of the DVD upconversion quality is included below. Full list of what was updated is also reported.read more | digg [...]
May 25th, 2007 at 2:33 pm
Yeah.. this is great for playing old PS2 games and watching movies but if you want to play PS3 games…
The PS3 *STILL* DOWNSCALES almost ALL games to only 480p on most rear projection TVs!!
The 360 will upscale *all* games to 1080i and look great.. but the POS3 still looks like crap.
May 25th, 2007 at 10:55 pm
I bet we see microsoft add photo pheatures next update.
May 26th, 2007 at 5:42 pm
@Mavrick & gamerx: Uncheck 480p and 720p and you will get upscaling to 1080i you.
You guys are either dumb rednecks or MSFT forum trolls.
May 28th, 2007 at 2:14 pm
[...] Get the whole scoop here… [...]
May 28th, 2007 at 9:31 pm
THE UPDATE IS AWESOME!!! Oh and for all those who think every PS3 game will play in 1080p, look on the back of the game package…It will tell you the highest resolution possible. The PS3 is only 6 months old and has made leaps, bounds, and is gaining speed. If your quiet enough, you can hear the hard swallowing of the 360 fans. They’re just upset because of the 1 years wait for blockbuster title; Gears of War. The PS3 has been a great investment, and it just keep getting better.
October 4th, 2007 at 4:58 am
[...] read more | digg story [...]