HomeVideo Savant PlayStation 3 Upgrade Addresses Scaling Shortcomings
PlayStation 3 Upgrade Addresses Scaling Shortcomings
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Video Games
Written by Video Savant
Thursday, 24 May 2007
Sony today announced immediate availability of a PlayStation 3 firmware upgrade that addresses a number of issues in how the popular game console handles standard-definition DVD and Blu-ray Disc playback.
From a press release issued by Sony Computer Entertainment America:
SCEA is enhancing the PS3 user experience by enabling PlayStation and PlayStation 2 games to be upscaled to HD resolution, up to 1080p. Classic games as well as recently released titles can now be enjoyed like never before.
And PS3 system now has the capability to upscale DVD videos to HD quality (up to 1080p), a feature typically limited to top-of-the-line DVD players. Upscaling games requires an HDMI or component AV cable, while upscaling DVD-ROM (including DVD Video content) requires an HDMI cable and HDMI compatible TV set.
For non-Blu-ray discs, the new firmware upgrade will allow the PS3 console to scale standard-definition DVDs up to 1080p. On initial release, the PS3 was limited to de-interlacing of standard-definition titles, converting the native 480-line interlaced format of the DVD to 480-line progressive output. Now owners of PS3 can view standard-definition DVDs scaled to the resolution most appropriate to the native resolution of their display -- 720p, 1080p or 1080i.
In addition, PS3 owners with 720p native resolution displays may now opt to have Blu-ray disc titles scaled to 720p, rather than the previous limitation of either 480p or 1080i.
Although this is undoubtedly a welcome upgrade for PS3 and Blu-ray fans, this is functionality that should have been included in the PS3 at launch.
The firmware upgrade also includes support for remote network access of stored media content stored to the PS3's hard drive via a PSP handheld system. From the same press release:
Since November, PS3 owners have been able to stream photos, videos, and music stored on their PS3s hard drive to a nearby PSP system. Consumers will soon have the freedom to access this media content wherever and whenever their PSP is connected to a wireless Internet access point. To take advantage of this feature, users will have to update their PSP systems firmware to the next version, 3.50, slated for release next week. Once both systems are updated, consumers can enjoy their entertainment content wherever and whenever wireless Internet access is available, including the 7,000 T-Mobile HotSpot locations across the United States.
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