PS3 Firmware Update Enhances Blu-ray Capabilities

Peter Cohen, Macworld

Saturday, March 22, 2008 2:00 PM PDT

(Updated 3/24/08)

Sony announced last week it plans to release new firmware for its PlayStation 3 video game console. The new update will expose new capabilities in the PS3's Blu-ray Disc player.

The free update for PS3 users in North America was to be posted by the weekend.

Blu-ray Disc is the heir apparent to the crown of high-definition optical media formats. The format battled against HD DVD, which manufacturer Toshiba recently discontinued.

The updated firmware enables Blu-ray Disc Profile 2.0, or BD-Live, to be supported on the PS3. BD-Live enables Blu-ray Disc makers to incorporate additional interactive features including downloadable video content, ringtones, games and more.

You can also transfer music and photo playlists from the PS3 to the PSP and use the PSP as a remote control for music playback using "Remote Play." DivX and WMV playback functionality has been improved, along with new Internet browser settings and additional AV settings.

New features expected to be exposed in the future include "Portable Copy," which will enable PS3 users to copy a standard-definition version of the Blu-ray movie to a PlayStation Portable (PSP).

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