PlayStation 3 system software:
The PlayStation 3 system software is the updatable software and operating system of the PlayStation 3. The process of updating is almost identical to that of the PSP. Each update includes all previous update data.
The software may be updated by downloading the update directly on the PlayStation 3, downloading it from the user's local Official PlayStation website to a PC and using a USB storage device to transfer it to the PlayStation 3, or installing the update from game discs containing update data. This software is sometimes referred to as firmware, but the use of such wording, while technically correct, can be misleading in that the update package in the major version 2.* releases is over 100 MB of data and includes high-level applications far beyond the traditional notion of firmware.
The PlayStation 3 uses the XrossMediaBar (XMB) as its graphical user interface.
The current version of the software, 2.53, was made available on December 1, 2008.
[edit] Software update information
Due to the regular releases of updates to the system's software, the majority of the time newly purchased consoles will not have the latest version of the system software installed. However, any games that require a specific version of the system software will include the update required on the game disc. For example, Ratchet & Clank Future: Tools of Destruction featured v1.94. This update was only available via this game and the only feature it added to prior updates was DualShock 3 controller support, as this was the first game to support the controller without needing an update to the game itself.
[edit] Details of updates
| KEY |
Settings changes |
Media changes |
Disc changes |
Game changes |
System changes |
| Description |
Changes primarily related to the system's settings menu
|
Changes primarily related to photo, music and/or video menus
|
Changes primarily related to CD, SACD, DVD, Blu-ray Disc
|
Changes primarily related to PS1, PS2 and PS3 games
|
Other changes, such as stability, network and hardware
|
Version, Release date
Notes |
Description |
2.53
December 2, 2008[1][2] |
System changes
- Internet browser now supports full-screen display of Adobe Flash content.
- Live movie (using RTMP format) playability.[3]
|
2.52
November 5, 2008[4] |
System changes
- The playback quality of some PlayStation 3 format software has been improved.
- A text entry issue that occurs when using the on-screen keyboard, USB keyboard or Bluetooth keyboard with some PlayStation 3 format software has been addressed.
- An issue that prevents proper display of video content recorded at 59.94 Hz on some TV models has been addressed.[5]
|
2.51
October 27, 2008[6]
Demonstration units only |
Changes not known.
|
2.50
October 15, 2008[7][8] |
Settings changes
- You can now set the PS3 and/or wireless controllers to turn off automatically after a set period of inactivity.
- You can now set the PS3 to automatically turn off after a background download or installation of content has completed.
- The [BD/DVD Settings] option under [Settings] has been renamed to [Video Settings]
- The [Cinema Conversion] and [Upscale] options under [Video Settings] have been renamed to [BD/DVD Cinema Conversion] and [BD/DVD Upscaler].
- [50 Hz Video Output] has been added as an option under [Video Settings].
- [DivX VOD Registration Code] has been added under [System Settings]. This code can be used to register the PS3 to be able to play DivX VOD files.
- The method for reconnecting bluetooth devices has been modified.
- [German Keyboard (Switzerland)], [French Keyboard (Canada)] and [French Keyboard (Switzerland)] have been added as options under [Accessory Settings] > [Keyboard Type].
Media changes
- A scene-search feature similar to the version on the PSP has been added. This feature allows a video or PlayTV recordings to be broken up into 15, or 30-second; one, two, or five-minute intervals, which can then be accessed quickly.
- You can now choose to have all the videos under the [Video] section of the XMB home menu play in sequence.
- You can now use the [Mosquito Noise Reduction] setting on videos saved on the console's hard drive or external storage media.
- Volume control now has nine levels instead of five.
- A pause button has been added to the mini music control panel on the XMB.
- Frame Conversion has now been removed for MPEG-4 videos. Anything other than 50 Hz will now be displayed in NTSC, showing up in black and white on legacy PAL systems that are incompatible with the NTSC video standard.[9]
System changes
- The official PS3 bluetooth headset is now supported and a "High-quality (HQ)" mode, which allows higher-clarity voice communication, has been added for this headset.
- An on-screen indicator showing headset battery status, volume level, and whether HQ mode is active has been added.
- The PlayStation Trophies interface has been modified to show the percentage gained towards the next level in addition to the current level when viewing profiles or comparing trophies.
- The on-screen notification displayed when the player gains a trophy now displays the specific trophy icon created by the game's developer.
- The PlayStation Network Sign-Up and Account Management utilities have been redesigned.
- The method of disabling the automatic sign-in option and the way to sign out from PlayStation Network have been modified.
- Information has been added below the avatars of offline Friends in the Friends list indicating how long it has been since they were online.
- A "redeem codes" option has been added directly in the PlayStation Store to make it easier to redeem PlayStation Network Cards and promotion codes.
- The Internet Browser now supports Adobe Flash 9 content.
- Items on the Information Board can now link directly to an item in the PlayStation Store.
- Finnish, Swedish, Danish and Norwegian have been added as My languages options in the Account Management section
- You can now select printers that support network connectivity.
- HP printers are now supported.
- A recovery mode has been added.[10]
Game changes
- In-game Screenshots, which allows screenshots to be taken while playing a game, has been added. This feature will be supported on a game by game basis.
- [Sync with Server] has been added as an option under [Trophy Collection].
- The [Settings and Connection Status List] option under [Network Settings] can now be viewed on the In-game XMB menu in some PS3 games.
|
2.43
September 16, 2008[11]
Compulsory in Japan only |
System changes
- Changes to support the release of rental content on PlayStation Store in the Japan region.[12]
|
2.42
July 29, 2008[13] |
Game changes
- Improves the playback quality of some PlayStation 3 and PlayStation format software.
|
2.41
July 8, 2008[14] |
System changes
- Various fixes for issues caused by update 2.40.
- Changed platinum trophy icon.[15]
- New page added to profile of users under [Players Met] which shows the last game played with that user.
- Ability to record TV programmes using PlayTV while playing a game.[16]
|
2.40
July 2, 2008[17]
Withdrawn, July 2, 2008 |
Settings Changes
- You can now set the PlayStation 3 system to turn off automatically after updating the system software.
- [Reassign Controllers] and [Controller Vibration Function] have been added as options under [Accessory Settings].
Game changes
- You can now access the XMB screen while playing PlayStation 3 format software.
- Only some of the XMB functions can be used during gameplay.
- If you press the PS button for more than two seconds, the screen showing options to quit the game, turn off the system, controller settings, and etc. will be displayed.
- The XMB screen is not displayed when you are playing PlayStation 2 or PlayStation format software.
- The XMB screen cannot be displayed when you are playing certain PlayStation 3 format software titles.
- In-Game Music requires that the game supports the feature.
- The procedure for quitting PlayStation 3 format software has been changed. You can now quit the game from the XMB
- You can now collect trophies in games that support the trophy feature.
System changes
- A new "view mode" has been added to the PlayStation Store
- [Search] has been added as an option in the browse mode menu of the Internet Browser.
- You can now perform an Internet search directly from the XMB screen.
- You can now see the system clock on the XMB screen. The date and time that were set under [Settings] > [Date and Time] are displayed.
- When using a keyboard, you can now clear the entire text entry field at once.
- An icon is now displayed when you press the PS button for an operation that cannot be performed.
- You can now turn off the PlayStation 3 system from the XMB screen using the [Turn Off System] option.
- The number of Friends who can be added to a Friends list has been increased from 50 to 100.
- The [Information] screen for friends has been redesigned and renamed as [Profile].
Media Changes
- You can now sort items that are grouped in a folder by month or year using the [Film Date] option.
- You can now print images from a playlist that was created under (Photo).
- You can now use a mini-size control panel while playing music.
- You can now play music content encoded in MP3 Surround format.
- MP3 Surround can only be played in Linear PCM output.
- You can now use the [Frame Noise Reduction] and [Block Noise Reduction] settings for video content that is saved on the hard disk or storage media.
- You can now play upscaled video content that is saved on the hard disk or storage media. When the video content is played, it is upscaled automatically to fit the screen size.
Disc Changes
- Upscaling of Blu-ray Disc (BDAV) video content is now supported
- For DTS playback on DVD-Video and Blu-ray Disc media, DTS-ES and DTS 96/24 for DVD-Video and DTS-ES Matrix for Blu-ray Discs are now supported.
|
2.36
June 17, 2008[18] |
Game changes
- The operating stability of *PlayStation format software has been improved.
|
2.35
May 15, 2008[19] |
System changes
- Under [Printer Settings] > [Printer Selection], you can now select printers that support network connectivity. You can also select HP printers using the [HP] option.
Game changes
- The operating stability of some PlayStation 3 format software has been improved.
|
2.30
April 15, 2008[20] |
System changes
- Redesigned PlayStation Store
- Easier navigation - PlayStation Store's new interface allows easier navigation. You can move between pages by simply pressing the X and O buttons. You can also move to other pages faster.
- New layout - PlayStation Store has a new page layout that makes it easier to find what you want.
- Avatar display - You can now view your PlayStation Network account avatar on the pages of PlayStation Store.
- Content status display - An icon now indicates the status of each content item: Items that you purchased and Items that are in your cart.
Media changes
- Blu-ray Disc playback now supports DTS-HD Master Audio and DTS-HD High Resolution Audio output.
- The PS3 system does not support playback of DTS-ES and DTS 96/24 for DVD-Video or DTS-ES Matrix for Blu-ray Discs.
|
2.20
March 25, 2008[21] |
Settings changes
- The way you register (pair) Bluetooth devices has changed, and you can now register more devices.
- A [BD Internet Connection] setting has been added under [BD/DVD Settings].
- An [Audio Output Device] setting has been added under [Remote Play Settings].
Media changes
- You can now play DivX and WMV files that are 2 GB or larger.
- Support of XviD files updated, many more files are now playable but are recognised as MPEG-4 files.
- You can now display subtitles when playing DivX files.
- You can now resume playing a DVD/BD from the point where you previously stopped it, even if the disc is removed then re-inserted to the console, or the console is turned off entirely.
-
- BD-J format disc is not supported.
- You can now display an image while editing a playlist.
- You can now play a music track while editing a playlist.
- A [Mosquito Noise Reduction] option has been added under [AV Settings] in the control panel for standard DVDs.
-
- BD discs recorded with BDMV format are not supported.
- You can now copy playlists that you create in (Photo) and (Music) to a PSP system.
Disc changes
-
- Users are now able to use several interactive features such as downloadable video content, ring tones and interactive movie-based games, with Profile 2.0-compatible Blu-ray Discs. The interactive features may vary depending on the disc.
- You can now play BD-R version 1.2 (LTH* BD-R) discs.[22]
-
- LTH, or low to high, is a recording method that supports organic dye, write-once BD-R media.
System changes
- You can now change some PS3 system settings during remote play.
- [Save Target] has been added as an option under [File] in the browse mode menu of the Internet browser. This option lets you save a file that is linked from a Web page, such as an image or video file, or other type of file, to your PS3 system's hard disk drive or storage media.
- The Internet browser now displays some Web pages faster.
- Using the Internet browser, you can now play a linked video file* as it is being downloaded.
-
- Some types of video files cannot be viewed in this manner and must be downloaded completely before playback.
- Other OS Wake-On-Lan support was added.
|
2.17
March 12, 2008[23] |
Game changes
- The operating stability of some online PlayStation 3 format software has been improved.
System changes
|
2.10
December 18, 2007[25] |
Settings changes
- Voice Changer feature has been added to Voice and Video Chat and is available in games that support microphones.
- The tone of the sound that is input from an audio device such as a microphone can be changed. High and low-pitched tones can each be adjusted to five preset levels each.
- Bitmapping [Type 3] has been added as an option under Settings > [Music Settings] > [Bitmapping].
Media changes
- A new visualization (Earth Visualization) has been added. To cycle through available visualizations, press [Square].
- DivX, XviD and VC-1 (WMV) have been added to the types of files that can be played.
- To play VC-1 (WMV) format files, users must go to Settings > [System Settings] and set [Enable WMA Playback].
- Copyright-protected files or files that were encoded by using DivX 3.11 cannot be played. - Files that are 2GB or more in size cannot be played.
Disc changes
- Blu-ray Bonus View Profile 1.1 is now supported.
- Users are now able to use several additional features such as playback of two videos at the same time with Profile 1.1-compatible Blu-ray Discs. The available features vary depending on the disc.
- [BD Data Utility] has been added. The management data that is used by the Blu-ray Disc is saved in this folder.
Game changes
- Users can now play PlayStation game discs on a PSP with remote play. (this feature was not announced)
- Backwards compatibility (via emulation) for PS1 and PS2 games on models lacking the Emotion Engine was improved. (Update was also unannounced but evident in Sony's backwards compatibility search site)
Other changes
- The PlayStation 3 RSX access hack via Linux has been blocked.
|
2.01
November 20, 2007[26] |
Settings changes
- The Remote Start specifications have been changed to prevent an unintentional remote start by the user.
Disc changes
- DSD-to-DTS conversion has been removed again. Optical output from SACD remains possible but in stereo only. [27]
Game changes
- The operating stability of some PlayStation 3 format software has been improved.
- The operating stability when outputting upscaled PlayStation2 format software has been improved.
- Only for models that support playback of PlayStation2 format software.
System changes
- The stability of the system software has been improved for some operations, including the use of the Internet Browser and information board.
|
2.00
November 8, 2007[28] |
Settings changes
- You can now modify the PlayStation 3 XMB Home Menu icons or background design by using a theme compiler designed for the PlayStation 3 released by Sony.
- Remote Start has been added as an option under [Remote Play Settings].
- [Color], [Background] and [Font] have been added as options under [Theme Settings].
- You can now select [Brightness] as an option under [Theme Settings] > [Background].
- The process for setting [Internet Connection Settings] under [Network Settings] has been changed.
- You can now select Canon printers with the [Printer Selection] option under [Printer Settings].
Media changes
- You can now create playlists to group content under [Music] and [Photo].
Disc changes
- You can now play SACD via digital optical audio output. The DSD stream is converted to multichannel DTS or stereo PCM, depending on settings. [27]
Game changes
- [Vibration Function] has been added as an option under [Controller Settings] in the menu that appears when you press the PS button on the wireless controller.
- To use this feature, a DualShock 3 Wireless Controller is required.
System changes
- New grouping options for the [Group Content] feature have been added to the options menu.
- [Information Board] has been added as a feature under [Network]. PlayStation related news can be displayed on the PlayStation 3 Home Menu.
- [PlayStation Network] has been added as a category in the PlayStation 3 Home Menu.
- [Trend Micro Web Security for PS3] has been added as a security option under the Internet browser.
- You can now view video content (as a progressive download) as it is being downloaded from PlayStation Store.
- The voice/video chat menu has been changed.
- You can now use the PlayStation Eye camera for voice / video chat.[28]
|
1.94
October 23, 2007
Not downloadable |
Game changes
|
1.93
September 12, 2007[29] |
System changes
- The stability of the network connection has been improved.
|
1.92
September 4, 2007[30] |
Game changes
- Playability status with the PlayStation 3 system changed for some PlayStation 2 format titles. This does not affect titles in Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Oceania.
|
1.90
July 24, 2007[31] |
Settings changes
- Wallpaper feature for the background of XMB was added.
- Support for text entry in simplified Chinese characters has been added.
Media changes
- Playback of AVCHD-format video files that are saved on Memory Stick media or on the hard disk of a digital video camera.
Disc changes
- Upsampled output of audio CDs is now supported.
- Ability to eject a game disc using the controller.
Game changes
- Ability to sort games that are saved on the PlayStation 3's hard disk.
System changes
- Emoticons in messages under [Friends].
- Ability to enter text directly into Web page text entry fields using a USB keyboard.
- Ability to use Traditional Chinese characters as a text entry method.
- Browser speed has been improved.
|
1.82
June 28, 2007[32] |
Media changes
- Support for playback of AVC High Profile (H.264/MPEG-4 AVC) format video was added.
|
1.81
June 15, 2007[33] |
Settings changes
- The method of setting RGB Full Range (HDMI) under Display Settings was improved.
System changes
- The stability of the network connection used during gameplay was improved for some PlayStation 2 format software titles that support online gaming.
|
1.80
May 24, 2007[34] |
Settings changes
- Remote Play over the Internet now an option. Broadband connection and PSP firmware version 3.50, or newer, is required.
Media changes
- Ability to print photos via USB. (Currently, only selected Epson and Canon printers connected are compatible)
- Ability to zoom and crop images.
- Added a new slideshow type.
Disc changes
- Ability to upscale standard DVD-Videos to 1080p.
- Ability to downscale Blu-ray video to 720p.
- Ability to play 1080p Blu-ray video at 24Hz.
- Ability to edit CD information and submit it to AMG.
Game changes
- Ability to upscale PS1 and PS2 games
- Ability to antialias PS1 and PS2 games
- Ability to copy PS1/PS2 game saves from PS3 to Memory Cards using a Memory Card adapter.
- Backwards compatibility (via emulation) for PS1 and PS2 games on models lacking the Emotion Engine was improved.
System changes
- Added DLNA compatibility.
- Added support for the xvYCC color space.
- HDMI driver version updated, providing bug fixes including a blinking problem on Westinghouse 1080p LCD TVs.
|
1.70
April 18, 2007[35] |
Game changes
- Added the ability to play original PlayStation format games downloaded from the PlayStation Store.
- Added rumble functionality for USB accessories which support it when playing PS2 games.
- Saved data from PlayStation format software now usable on both PSP and PS3 systems.
- Backwards compatibility (via emulation) for PS1 and PS2 games on models lacking the Emotion Engine was improved.
|
1.60
March 23, 2007[36] |
Settings changes
- Added Remote Play support for the 20 GB model.
- Support for Bluetooth keyboards and mice.
Disc changes
- Support for playback of BD-RE (Blu-ray Disc recordable) ver 3.0.
Game changes
- First version to support software emulation on PS1/PS2 games for PAL units.
System changes
- Added Folding@home client.
- Added background downloading feature (ability to download while doing something else).
- Added an on-screen QWERTY keyboard in addition to the standard PlayStation on-screen keyboard.
|
1.54
February 28, 2007[37]
Initial European release |
Media changes
- Added individual user icons from the Photo menu.
System changes
- Added USB webcam support.
|
1.51
February 2, 2007[37] |
Game changes
- Expanded support for PlayStation 3 format software titles.
|
1.50
January 24, 2007[37] |
Game changes
- Fixed graphical glitches on PlayStation and PlayStation 2 format games that may cause jagged graphics.
System changes
- Edy functionality was added (Japanese version only)[38].
|
1.32
December 21, 2006[39] |
Game changes
- Online gaming functionality was updated.
|
1.31
December 13, 2006[39] |
Game changes
- Allowed use of the Hard Disk Drive (HDD) for certain PlayStation 2 format games.
- Expanded compatibility of PlayStation and PlayStation 2 format games.
|
1.30
December 6, 2006[39] |
Game changes
|
1.11
November 28, 2006[40] |
System changes
- Account Management was added.
|
1.10
November 11, 2006  [41]
November 17, 2006  [42] |
System changes
- PlayStation Network services and Remote Play for the 60 GB model was added.
|
[edit] Withdrawal of update 2.40
Firmware version 2.40, which included the in-game XMB feature and PlayStation 3 Trophies, was released on July 2, 2008; however, it was withdrawn later the same day because a small number of users were unable to restart their consoles after performing the update. The fault was explained to have been because of 'certain system administrative data being contained in the HDD.'[43] The issue was addressed in version 2.41 of the system software released on 8 July 2008.[44]
[edit] Compatible media formats
The PlayStation 3 is capable of photo, audio, and video playback in a variety of formats. It also includes various photo slideshow options and several music visualizations. The following table lists the photo, audio, and video formats that are supported on the PS3.
Notes:
- ^ a JPEG files must be DCF 2.0/Exif 2.21 compliant
- ^ b GIF images that display motion do not exhibit motion if viewed from the PS3's hard disk drive. Motion GIF images can be viewed in motion only online on a webpage, via the PS3's web browser.
- ^ c WMA/VC-1 and ATRAC playback must be manually enabled in [System Settings].
- ^ d SACD is not available in 40 GB version
- ^ e DivX, XviD, 3ivx and other MPEG-4 Part 2 codec implementations work with a simple import into MP4 using a program such as MP4Box. Xvid files are recognised as MPEG-4 since system software update 2.20, before this update they were recognised as DivX files.
- ^ f DivX video files that are copy protected or encoded using DivX 3.11 are not playable on the PS3.[47] Certain DivX and XviD Files have been known to not play on the PS3, even though they are recognised correctly, however deleting the first few black frames from the file with a program such as Nandub can rectify this problem.
- ^ g MPEG-4 ASP is as yet unsupported
- ^ h Main Profile and High Profile MP4 AVC / H.264 are supported.
- The Matroska container (.mka / .mkv) is not natively playable by the PS3, but programs such as mkv2vob can produce files capable of playback.
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
Official PlayStation 3 System Software Update page
[edit] References
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