Sony preps fix-filled PS3 firmware update
Music and movie joy
Sony has confirmed that the next release of the PlayStation 3 firmware, version 1.9, will be available in the US "in the next few days". It's already been released to Japanese console owners, and will almost certainly come to Europe shortly.
Firmware 1.9 will allow users to customise their XMB - the PS3's answer to a computer's desktop - with their own snaps. XMB's game listing can be modified too.
Videos encoded in the AVHCD format and store on Memory Stick media - or still on the camcorder, for that matter - can now be played by the PS3. The console also gains the ability to upscale the sampling rate of audio to 44.1kHz, 88.2kHz and even 176.4kHz - provided, of course, the PS3's connected to the output device by HDMI or digital audio cable.
Speaking of HDMI, Firmware 1.9 brings cinema's 24fps playback rate to the PS3, again provided your TV supports it and the Blu-ray Disc you're playing is so encoded. The PS3's video settings can be changed while you're playing a game.
Finally, PlayStation Network chat gets emoticons, and there's now an 'eject disc' entry in the XMB Options menu.
Sony last updated the PS3's firmware, to version 1.8, in May.
COMMENTS
So what did I get last night?
My brand-new 60GB PS3 arrived yesterday and as soon as I hooked it up, it downloaded firmware 1.90. US model, here. Did I just luck out and happen to update my system at the right time to win the lottery? I hope so, because dang that was a slow download.
Software eject - early remote controls
Software eject is very similar to the very early remote controls. I had one of these before my TV could support it. It was called a very long stick with which to push the relevant buttons.
Oh I was the envy of the neighbourhood...
Re:
"most popular video encoding in the world?"
well, for pirated and bootleg video maybe.
**
Lol, which the majority of videos encoded are!
"Sony are so cutting edge, they even managed to get a software Eject option stuck into their £300+ console by firmware version 1.9.... ? *claps hands*
After knowing this, I will never bitch about my 360 crashing once every other week EVER again"
LOL! You know what? You're right! Having an eject feature added to the menu months after creation IS a lot worse than having your console break down every other week! *shakes head in disbelief*
@Law
and what good is a software eject anyway? you've still gotta get up and walk over to the machine to change the smegging disc anyway
Re. Sony
No Apple, Sony or - for that matter - any company bashing here on Register Hardware. If a firm messes up, we'll say so, no matter who it is. Readers are free to bash away, if they wish.
Who The Register choses to bash - or not - is its own business.
