PS3 2.10 Update add Blu-Ray 1.1 and DivX

[bapenguin]

PS3 Fanboy (http://www.ps3fanboy.com/2007/12/17/ps3-firmware-version-2-10-coming-tomorrow-includes-divx-suppor/) has the scoop that tomorrow's PS3 2.10 firmware update will add two great media features: DivX support and Blu-Ray 1.1 Support.

Blu-Ray 1.1 adds a host of interactive features to the system, though no current Blu-Ray discs support it. The DivX support is a welcome addition as well, as there were many outcries for this. There is a limitation on the DivX support, the biggest being files over 2GB can not be played.

Good news for sure.

[bapenguin]

This is great news...but I'm getting a little sick of the constant updates. I mean, I don't want to look a gift horse in the mouth but can they at least space these out ever month, or other month or something? It's like everytime I turn my PS3 on there's another update to go through.

[Norse]

I haven't even downloaded the previous update. For some reason my PS3 takes forever to update. I wouldn't mind if it was less frequent, but when it happens each time I turn on my PS3 it's annoying.

[Micasa]

I kind of agree. Update it once a month or something. I dislike having to install games to the HDD before playing, and having to update the console prior to playing the game in addition to that makes it seem like a bit of a hassle.

It goes away quickly enough, but that's frustration they shouldn't want the end user experiencing at all.

[jromero]

Good news for the PS3 owners, indeed. I've been streaming all my .avi and .divx files from my 360 (and loving it, i might add) so it's nice to hear you guys can now get in on the action.

[kababa]

No I just posted this...

Anyway. I was wondering what Blu-Ray 1.1 is.

[Adam Blue]

I'm glad they're keeping up with Blu-Ray hardware for PS3 owners. I think it is the best Blu-Ray player on the market, and continues to be so.

[Grimmjow]

Better than not getting anything.

[Micasa]

No I just posted this...

Anyway. I was wondering what Blu-Ray 1.1 is.

Adds some interactivity features like PiP.

[KidCactus]

This is great news...but I'm getting a little sick of the constant updates. I mean, I don't want to look a gift horse in the mouth but can they at least space these out ever month, or other month or something? It's like everytime I turn my PS3 on there's another update to go through.
Personally I think it's a good thing they release the updates when they are ready, instead of waiting just to bundle several into the same update. What does it take, a few minutes to update?

[Gorvi]

Personally I think it's a good thing they release the updates when they are ready, instead of waiting just to bundle several into the same update. What does it take, a few minutes to update?
Yeah, that's what I was thinking. It's a 5 minute process, maximum, is it really that bad? It's been just about 6 weeks since 2.0, anyway.

[Norse]

5 minutes? What's wrong with my PS3 then? It takes 15min at least.

[TheBigL]

There is a limitation on the DivX support, the biggest being files over 2GB can not be played."

Doesn't it bother anybody?
I find it kinda strange... What the point in doing so?

[bapenguin]

Personally I think it's a good thing they release the updates when they are ready, instead of waiting just to bundle several into the same update. What does it take, a few minutes to update?

It's a minor annoyance that was much worse before. Before when you had to have the controller plugged in it was near impossible for me since my PS3 is located in a DIFFERENT room than where I play.

[Mr.Green]

5 minutes? What's wrong with my PS3 then? It takes 15min at least.

Same here, and don't get me started on downloading demos. Their network is fubar.

It has been proved that Gorvi has a SUPER PS3 in the past, though.

[bapenguin]

5 minutes? What's wrong with my PS3 then? It takes 15min at least.

It depends, I've had some take that long, other take as little as 5-10.

[Sandman]

Finally!!! DIVX!!!! And who needs a divx file over 2GB anyway?

[Siraris]

Theres restrictions on the Divx? I thought the Divx on the PS3 is fully certified, while the 360 version is not?

[Mr.Green]

So I can download TV shows on my PC, share them with the PS3 and stream them on my PSP?

Cool! In a very, very nerdy kind of way.

[Sandman]

Theres restrictions on the Divx? I thought the Divx on the PS3 is fully certified, while the 360 version is not?

I don't know if the 360 is restricted or not.....but it is restricted to the size of the media you have the file on...the PS3 doesn't have that restriction since it allows copying to the hdd.

[KidCactus]

It's a minor annoyance that was much worse before. Before when you had to have the controller plugged in it was near impossible for me since my PS3 is located in a DIFFERENT room than where I play.
Yes, that was extremely annoying, and I'm very glad they finally realized it was not the best way of doing it...

[Siraris]

I don't know if the 360 is restricted or not.....but it is restricted to the size of the media you have the file on...the PS3 doesn't have that restriction since it allows copying to the hdd.

I just looked it up. PS3 can store and play, while the 360 can only stream.

[ubiquityxx]

Yeah, all that is found in the update is great, but I have one question ...

Will I actually be able to resume playback of a DVD after turning off the system and coming back for more?

Because the lack of that feature is silly.

[Varsity]

Finally!!! DIVX!!!! And who needs a divx file over 2GB anyway?

Pirates? Not that they couldn't split it in half...

[bapenguin]

Theres restrictions on the Divx? I thought the Divx on the PS3 is fully certified, while the 360 version is not?

Apparently anything older than DivX 3.1, Copy Protected DivX and xVID files will not play.

[Sandman]

Apparently anything older than DivX 3.1, Copy Protected DivX and xVID files will not play.

That blows.

[karaliusbronius]

So, I read this from eurogamer:

"The DivX playback allows for VC-1 WMV files (providing you "Activate WMA Reproduction" in the System Settings menu), although it's not possible to play copyrighted files, those compressed with DivX 3.11 or files bigger than 2GB."

All of my DivX are ".avi" files, I'm probably sounding like a noob, but I don't get it. The PS3 will be able to stream DivX ".avi" files correct? I've never heard of a ".wmv" file that was DivX.

[Codicier]

So I can download TV shows on my PC, share them with the PS3 and stream them on my PSP?

Cool! In a very, very nerdy kind of way.

Using that Remote Play (or whatever it is) feature of the PSP, doesn't that mean that technically you could watch your entire collection from anywhere
with wi-fi?

That would be cool (if possible): stream from computer to ps3 across the net to your PSP.

[Grimmjow]

Finally!!! DIVX!!!! And who needs a divx file over 2GB anyway?

People who pirate shyt

[KidCactus]

So, I read this from eurogamer:

"The DivX playback allows for VC-1 WMV files (providing you "Activate WMA Reproduction" in the System Settings menu), although it's not possible to play copyrighted files, those compressed with DivX 3.11 or files bigger than 2GB."

All of my DivX are ".avi" files, I'm probably sounding like a noob, but I don't get it. The PS3 will be able to stream DivX ".avi" files correct? I've never heard of a ".wmv" file that was DivX.
There will be support for DivX AND VC-1 (wmv), which are two totally different codecs.

[KidCactus]

Using that Remote Play (or whatever it is) feature of the PSP, doesn't that mean that technically you could watch your entire collection from anywhere
with wi-fi?

That would be cool (if possible): stream from computer to ps3 across the net to your PSP.
Yes, that is possible.

[Codicier]

Yes, that is possible.

*looks into PSP prices*

[karaliusbronius]

This is awesome news, completely awesome news, and for those people who complain about having firmware updates "all the time." Well, it's definitely not all the time and it's definitely welcomed. Heaven forbid you have the option to update your electronics for the better. I remote into my ps3 with my psp and stream my videos at work. The content that Sony is adding is starting to make the price tag worth it. Do you realize how many BluRay players can't upgrade to 1.1? But the PS3 can! and the PS3 will be able to upgrade to 1.2, 1.3, etc.
All I'm saying is that BRING ON THE FIRMWARE UPDATES!!!!!!

[Yeti2005]

Do you realize how many BluRay players can't upgrade to 1.1? But the PS3 can! and the PS3 will be able to upgrade to 1.2, 1.3, etc.

It sucks for the idiots who bought earlier (non PS3) Blu-Ray players. The constantly shifting profile is one of the crappiest things about Blu-Ray. The players don't even require a network connection until profile 2.0.

[Kamalot]

Yeah, that's what I was thinking. It's a 5 minute process, maximum, is it really that bad? It's been just about 6 weeks since 2.0, anyway.

It is NOT a 5 min process.

[sflufan]

It's astounding that Sony has yet to lock-down the specs for Blu-Ray completely.

[Kamalot]

It's astounding that Sony has yet to lock-down the specs for Blu-Ray completely.

For serious. HD-DVD has had picture-in-picture since the first day. Bluray is trying to play catchup in the feature market, and a number of standalone Bluray players won't be able to use all the features.

[CptTripps]

It depends, I've had some take that long, other take as little as 5-10.

Wow, although that is not horrible, it sure makes the 360 update process seem painless. I think it takes less than a minute to grab the update, apply and reboot.

Hopefully I will get a PS3 sometime, hopefully after things are a tad more streamlined.

I hate updating my PSP. Even if plugged into an AC outlet, if the battery is low it says no.

[DangerousDaze]

Bluray is trying to play catchup in the feature market,

Doesn't seem to be harming its movie sales. :p

http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.ps3fanboy.com/media/2007/12/nielsen_120907.png

[Kamalot]

Doesn't seem to be harming its movie sales. :p

http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.ps3fanboy.com/media/2007/12/nielsen_120907.png

Kinda like how Wii's lack of high definition isn't hurting its system sales?
Thing is, a lot of people who purchased standalone Bluray players won't ever be able to use some of the new features, cause the specs keep changing.

[CptTripps]

Doesn't seem to be harming its movie sales. :p

http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.ps3fanboy.com/media/2007/12/nielsen_120907.png

Indeed, I notice at my best buy they have a BR setup with a nice TV showing it off. They have nothing like this for HDDVD. That being said, my wifes friend just bought a new TV and a BR player because they saw it in the store and thought it was the new thing. I explained to them that although cool, they will not be able to buy all movies on it as some studios are HDDVD only. That along with the price keeps me purchasing DVD's left and right.

HDDVD needs to get it's act together and start showing off if it wants to compete.

[Ebon Deth]

No I just posted this...

Anyway. I was wondering what Blu-Ray 1.1 is.

1.1 makes blu-ray players do what ALL HD DVD players do out-the-box. Interactive features, PiP.

But no current blu-ray movies support it because not all blu-ray players have it (if you have an older player, you're screwed forever) so most studios haven't bothered.

They are way behind HD DVD in this and web enabled features which is why blu-ray only people will tell you with a straight face that PiP, interactive features and web-enabled features "don't matter" and are "no big deal".

but now with this update I'm sure we'll see a lot of "awesome!" and "take THAT!"

[Generation ABXY]

I think the problem with HD-DVD is the name. How many people think, "Oh, HD-DVD, this must be the media format of the future!"? Chances are they think it is some sort of gimmick to milk money out of them. Whereas Blu-Ray sounds new, cool...it distinguishes itself from DVDs, the old format.

The people here are probaly more educated on the differences of each, but to the average consumer, what sounds like the better purchase - an upgrade of what you already have, or something new and flashy?

[muddi900]

Why has anyone not been pissed at the lack of Xvid support? Why the fuck are jackasses bitching about PiP commentary? I have never heard a DVD commentary. Who gives a fuck about commentary? nobody. Everyone just wants to enjoy the fucking movie.

NO Xvid!!
FUCK!!!!!

[Siraris]

Indeed, I notice at my best buy they have a BR setup with a nice TV showing it off. They have nothing like this for HDDVD. That being said, my wifes friend just bought a new TV and a BR player because they saw it in the store and thought it was the new thing. I explained to them that although cool, they will not be able to buy all movies on it as some studios are HDDVD only. That along with the price keeps me purchasing DVD's left and right.

HDDVD needs to get it's act together and start showing off if it wants to compete.

Did you also tell them that although HD-DVD has only Paramount and Universal, while Blu-Ray has Disney, Sony (which has the largest movie collection of any studio), MGM, Lionsgate and Fox?

[LostToys]

I haven't even downloaded the previous update. For some reason my PS3 takes forever to update. I wouldn't mind if it was less frequent, but when it happens each time I turn on my PS3 it's annoying.

Don't download the firmware using the PS3. Download it off the internet and burn it to a CD or us the USB interface. It will save you a lot time.

It used to take me about 40 minutes to update the PS3 when I used the built in download service. Now it averages 5 to 10 minutes.

[KidCactus]

It used to take me about 40 minutes to update the PS3 when I used the built in download service. Now it averages 5 to 10 minutes.
40 minutes!? I don't think it ever has taken more than 10 minutes to download AND update for me.

[Shadowstorm]

Seems lame that there's a 2GB limit.

[Siraris]

Don't download the firmware using the PS3. Download it off the internet and burn it to a CD or us the USB interface. It will save you a lot time.

It used to take me about 40 minutes to update the PS3 when I used the built in download service. Now it averages 5 to 10 minutes.

I find that hard to believe. It takes me 5-10 minutes max like others.

And why is it lame that it's 2 gigs Shadowstorm? How many divx files do you have that are over 1 gig?

[CptTripps]

Did you also tell them that although HD-DVD has only Paramount and Universal, while Blu-Ray has Disney, Sony (which has the largest movie collection of any studio), MGM, Lionsgate and Fox?

Why the fuck should I? You act like I was telling them to buy HDDVD over BR. I told them that neither BR or HDDVD will have all new movies where DVD still does. For someone looking to get *that movie* on BR or HD-DVD are shit out of luck.

I was not trying to sell them on either format, I think they made an uninformed/assuming purchase and they would have been better off with a nice upscaling DVD player if they wanted everything. They had no idea they would not have access to all movies.

I think you forgot dreamworks in there too.

[LostToys]

40 minutes!? I don't think it ever has taken more than 10 minutes to download AND update for me.

I've owned the system since launch. Updates post launch were ludicrously slow due to low bandwidth to the servers.

[Norse]

I find that hard to believe. It takes me 5-10 minutes max like others.
Well, there seems to be several people here who experiences slow updates. Are you saying we're lying?

[LostToys]

Apparently it is all lies, just like the cake.

[Vanthar]

Well, there seems to be several people here who experiences slow updates. Are you saying we're lying?

I think it just has to do with location. I download the updates really fast at school and at home, but I'm in Chicago at school and really close at home. Perhaps their infrastructure isn't as good in Europe in your case and around the US.

Also, I think that Sony has you redownload the entire firmware each time. I assume this is so that there is no chance of them bricking during a patch error or something, but I'm pretty confident it plays a huge role in the length of time to download/install. From the speed of the 360 updates, it seems like they're patches or service packs rather than redownloading the firmware.

[Krispy]

The 2GB limit is to stop people from playing HD movies, I suspect. Which is fine because the 360 was superior in that regard before anyways and a PC even more so, but I suppose that was obvious. Before you jump down my throat with pirating, I prefer my movies in an easy to access media. I know, I am crazy, but I like having one hard drive with all of my HD movies ready to play on demand -- it works for me -- and with the 360 I can play raw HD DVD files off the hard drive if they are VC-1. Pretty swell.

As far as Bluray destroying HD DVD. I wouldn't get too excited.The head of Sony Corp., Howard Stringer, has gone out and said he believes that they are in a stalemate and that unless one side makes a compromise it will most likely end that way. Now you may be going "but look at the superior exclusives and sales charts!" That reasoning fails to take into account some facts. For example, many of those "exclusive" studios are region exclusive meaning while you can't buy Fantastic Four on HDDVD in the US, you can in Europe. This is a lot more common than you would think. As far as the movie sales, it is true. Bluray does on average sell more movies, but that isn't winning them the "war." I'm going to quote some correspondence with the "Vice President of Product Development for Sony Pictures America West Coast Operations" (try fitting that on a nameplate) since he summed it up much better than I (and no I'm not asking you take his word as official, he just has above average insight on the market).

This in regards to the aforementioned press release,

They just figured out that the Sony name has a value of $0. As stated in another thread, the average user only wants to put the disc in the machine and play it. They don't care about codecs, disc space, disc extras, etc. They only care about watching the movie and doing it for the lowest price possible. HD DVD does that, we don't. They were still under the delusion that the Sony name was a "merit". Quite frankly, we are having our asses handed to us. How would you suggest to someone that they should pay 2-3x as much to watch a movie? Keep in mind that we can't really slash prices a whole lot more and many of our partners don't have that as an option at all.

Disc sales are steady, but that doesn't mean much. We can sell a million copies, but the more homes that Toshiba can get a player into is another potential sale lost. My bosses have been focusing on the "right now" and ignoring the long game as usual. Now they are realizing that Toshiba has a strategy that makes the PS3 Blu Ray drive a moot point. People will ALWAYS gravitate to the lowest price as long as their ais a perception of quality. Pretty much every review of the Toshiba players is positive and that's what people find on the internet. It doesn't help that Blu Ray fanboys like to spread disinformation and flat out lie to people. Worse yet, is that their claims are usually ridiculously absurd. No matter who they are, or who they work for it gets blamed on Sony.

The price alone is going to make HD DVD a winner this Holiday season, and that has finally sank in. There is no way this is going to be a win for us. The best we can hope for is a stalemate, and that is only if we can enact HUGE price drops. However, if we do that too quickly it makes consumers feel like it is because the product is defective.

Certainly he was freaking out because his work place is demanding contingency plans, so I would take the messages as cynical, but that is the basis of this holiday season. HD DVD is cheaper and that is what Bluray must battle. That may sound silly because Bluray is "superior" but it is simple economics.

[Returner]

Why the fuck should I? You act like I was telling them to buy HDDVD over BR. I told them that neither BR or HDDVD will have all new movies where DVD still does. For someone looking to get the departed on BR, they are shit out of luck.

I was not trying to sell them on either format, I think they made an uninformed/assuming purchase and they would have been better off with a nice upscaling DVD player if they wanted everything. They had no idea they would not have access to all movies.

I think you forgot dreamworks in there too.

I'm not a fan of BR but you need to get your facts straight. Departed is on both BR and HD.

[Stevercakes]

Don't download the firmware using the PS3. Download it off the internet and burn it to a CD or us the USB interface. It will save you a lot time.

It used to take me about 40 minutes to update the PS3 when I used the built in download service. Now it averages 5 to 10 minutes.

Agreed, this is the way I go and it speeds up time so much. Takes me forever to download it through the ps3 internet.

Overall I think it takes me 10 minutes more or less to update the system.

[dimsumx]

Apparently anything older than DivX 3.1, Copy Protected DivX and xVID files will not play.

wow, looks like the whole 'Divx certified' won't amount to much if you can't do older divx and xvid.

[Rylos]

NO Xvid!!
FUCK!!!!!

What he said.

[Salamande]

Using that Remote Play (or whatever it is) feature of the PSP, doesn't that mean that technically you could watch your entire collection from anywhere
with wi-fi?

That would be cool (if possible): stream from computer to ps3 across the net to your PSP.
It's...theoretically possible, but in practice, unless you have a really fast end-to-end connection (or live in South Korea), you'll probably be looking at a slideshow for video. Music and images will work great, but I don't think the bandwidth is quite there yet beyond that.

I'd suggest setting up TVersity for a PC-PSP net connection. You can view images, set up RSS feeds to stream music, and transcode and copy over any video you have. It works extremely well. You don't even need to hack your PSP to use it; it's all web based.

[KidCactus]

It's...theoretically possible, but in practice, unless you have a really fast end-to-end connection (or live in South Korea), you'll probably be looking at a slideshow for video.
Not really. You can set the desired connection speed in the PSP to 256, 384, 512, 768 or 1024 Kbps; in other words you don't need much of a killer network to have it running ok. As long as you have a good signal from the router/access point to your PSP there shouldn't be any problems at all.

[Kamalot]

They just figured out that the Sony name has a value of $0. As stated in another thread, the average user only wants to put the disc in the machine and play it. They don't care about codecs, disc space, disc extras, etc. They only care about watching the movie and doing it for the lowest price possible. HD DVD does that, we don't. They were still under the delusion that the Sony name was a "merit". Quite frankly, we are having our asses handed to us. How would you suggest to someone that they should pay 2-3x as much to watch a movie? Keep in mind that we can't really slash prices a whole lot more and many of our partners don't have that as an option at all.

Disc sales are steady, but that doesn't mean much. We can sell a million copies, but the more homes that Toshiba can get a player into is another potential sale lost. My bosses have been focusing on the "right now" and ignoring the long game as usual. Now they are realizing that Toshiba has a strategy that makes the PS3 Blu Ray drive a moot point. People will ALWAYS gravitate to the lowest price as long as their ais a perception of quality. Pretty much every review of the Toshiba players is positive and that's what people find on the internet. It doesn't help that Blu Ray fanboys like to spread disinformation and flat out lie to people. Worse yet, is that their claims are usually ridiculously absurd. No matter who they are, or who they work for it gets blamed on Sony.

The price alone is going to make HD DVD a winner this Holiday season, and that has finally sank in. There is no way this is going to be a win for us. The best we can hope for is a stalemate, and that is only if we can enact HUGE price drops. However, if we do that too quickly it makes consumers feel like it is because the product is defective.Certainly he was freaking out because his work place is demanding contingency plans, so I would take the messages as cynical, but that is the basis of this holiday season. HD DVD is cheaper and that is what Bluray must battle. That may sound silly because Bluray is "superior" but it is simple economics.Thanks for this awesome post Krispy.

[oldjadedgamer]

I still wonder why Blu-Ray movies ship on two discs like Spiderman 3. Isn't the whole point of Blu-Ray that there is up to 50 gigs per disc. Isn't that the big selling point? How in the hell then can Spiderman 3 require 100 gigs?

[KidCactus]

I still wonder why Blu-Ray movies ship on two discs like Spiderman 3. Isn't the whole point of Blu-Ray that there is up to 50 gigs per disc. Isn't that the big selling point? How in the hell then can Spiderman 3 require 100 gigs?

The answer is obvious.

They put it on 2 discs because the consumer feels they are getting a better deal for their money if you.

If you bought a movie for $15, regular edition, and a movie which was the special edition for $30, and they both came on one disk in the same case, most people would feel they were getting cheated.

If your special edition comes in a slightly bigger box, with different artwork and an extra disc, even if the content does not change, people feel that they are getting something special for their money and will fork out the extra wonga.

10 characters.

[Kamalot]

I still wonder why Blu-Ray movies ship on two discs like Spiderman 3. Isn't the whole point of Blu-Ray that there is up to 50 gigs per disc. Isn't that the big selling point? How in the hell then can Spiderman 3 require 100 gigs?

Sounds like Sony wants to have their cake and eat it too. Now, when you buy Bluray, you get 2 discs cause we can't stuff all that content on one disc!

And then DVD came out, and initially people said, “Why do you really need DVD? CD has plenty of storage capability,” and five years later, 95 percent of the content was on DVD. I think you’ll see the same thing with Blu-ray. And people say, “Oh, 9 gigs is enough. You just put two, three, four discs in a box.” That obviously isn’t going to fly long term.

[oldjadedgamer]

They put it on 2 discs because the consumer feels they are getting a better deal for their money.

So they aren't putting it on one disc because it needs to be done, they aren't doing it because they are trying to forward the technology, they aren't doing it to uphold their major message that Blu-Rays main selling point over it's competition is it's space on the disc.

They are doing it to make the consumer feel better? Give me a break. They are cutting corners to save money and contradicting their own message just like the Jack Tretton quote above.

[Salamande]

Not really. You can set the desired connection speed in the PSP to 256, 384, 512, 768 or 1024 Kbps; in other words you don't need much of a killer network to have it running ok. As long as you have a good signal from the router/access point to your PSP there shouldn't be any problems at all.

Ah, is that the "Communication Settings" option? I'll have to give that a try. Thanks.

[Camtron]

I would definitely pick up shows like Lost and Prison Break if they were on 1 or 2 Blu Ray discs. I wouldn't mind the smaller packaging at all. Also this Divx thing is a huge update for me since JUST the other day, I tried to work the whole 360 connection and my firewall seems to be retarded ONLY towards the 360, while the PS3 works like a charm.

[KidCactus]

They are doing it to make the consumer feel better? Give me a break.
Is that how you read that quote? No, they are doing it to make stupid consumers THINK they get more for the extra money they pay for a two disc edition. "Two discs instead of just one? That must be the version to get!"

[CptTripps]

I'm not a fan of BR but you need to get your facts straight. Departed is on both BR and HD.

The fact is "some" movies will be unavailable on both formats, I think that is they key point here. I don't have to keep up on every movie to know it is a problem and personally never mentioned any titles to them specfically. I used that as an example and believe it intially released only on HD-DVD, I do not keep up on the list 100% because I don't plan on owning either.

[pirateTITAN]

Sweet, won't have to convert most of the things I watch now.

Though I've started to download more and more .mp4 files that I can drop straight onto my PS3. More groups seem to be switching over the mpeg-4 codec and container.

[oldjadedgamer]

Is that how you read that quote? No, they are doing it to make stupid consumers THINK they get more for the extra money they pay for a two disc edition. "Two discs instead of just one? That must be the version to get!"

It's good to see who the target audience of Blu-Ray is.

[KidCactus]

It's good to see who the target audience of Blu-Ray is.
The same target audience that feel the same way about multi disc editions on DVD, I'd presume.

[oldjadedgamer]

The same target audience that feel the same way about multi disc editions on DVD, I'd presume.

No, the reason DVD has multi-discs is because all of the content can't fit on one disc........ and now we have come full circle.

[Crimson]

It's good to see who the target audience of Blu-Ray is.

Well, you guys are right, but not in the way you think. Using Spider-Man as an example as you are, the 2 disc version is INDEED better than a 1 disc. The movie disc for the SM3 BR version IS a BR-50 dual layer. The entire movie was encoded in a manner so the entire disc was filled with the movie, and the extras were put on a separate disc. Less corners cut for better audio and video. The Pirates BR also did the same thing with the movie taking up the majority of one of the discs. All those are considered demo material for HD content. People who want the best movie experience are willing to pay a bit more for better quality, and they are indeed the target audience on this... whether they are in the BR or HD camp. So yeah, I guess you are both right. Although, you won't find any argument here over the whole damn BR/HD format war being a fiasco for everyone (except MS maybe).

[LostToys]

wow, looks like the whole 'Divx certified' won't amount to much if you can't do older divx and xvid.

Seriously, you should not own a PS3 if you are using DivX 3.1 or lower.

[Micasa]

Well, you guys are right, but not in the way you think. Using Spider-Man as an example as you are, the 2 disc version is INDEED better than a 1 disc. The movie disc for the SM3 BR version IS a BR-50 dual layer. The entire movie was encoded in a manner so the entire disc was filled with the movie, and the extras were put on a separate disc. Less corners cut for better audio and video. The Pirates BR also did the same thing with the movie taking up the majority of one of the discs. All those are considered demo material for HD content. People who want the best movie experience are willing to pay a bit more for better quality, and they are indeed the target audience on this... whether they are in the BR or HD camp. So yeah, I guess you are both right. Although, you won't find any argument here over the whole damn BR/HD format war being a fiasco for everyone (except MS maybe).

Kind of funny then that movies that don't waste space are also considered reference quality...

A better question would be why the meager 30 GB HD DVD discs are providing video and audio that's indistinguishable from 50 GB Blu Ray movies - AND providing interactive content along with it, all on one disc?

[CptTripps]

Seriously, you should not own a PS3 if you are using DivX 3.1 or lower.

Seriously??!?!?

[brokenFUN]

DivX web player please.

[cp#]

2GB file size limit is weak. I got lots of 720p TV shows that are about 2.2 GB each. 360 handles them fine.

[dimsumx]

Seriously, you should not own a PS3 if you are using DivX 3.1 or lower.

And forget about all the video that I've been collecting in the past 5 years or so? You're kidding right? That's almost like saying you'd get rid of all 128k encoded mp3's because your player somehow only plays 192k mp3s. :rolleyes:

[Krispy]

Thanks for this awesome post Krispy.

I'm glad someone read it. I tend to get the feeling that my posts are largely ignored on this board. :(

[Kamalot]

I'm glad someone read it. I tend to get the feeling that my posts are largely ignored on this board. :(

I've found that well-reasoned posts often appear to go unnoticed because nobody replies to them. In reality though, people don't reply cause nobody can form a solid argument against it. Be aware that lots of people still read it and nod their head knowingly. :D

[LostToys]

And forget about all the video that I've been collecting in the past 5 years or so? You're kidding right? That's almost like saying you'd get rid of all 128k encoded mp3's because your player somehow only plays 192k mp3s. :rolleyes:

No, the difference in audio clarity between MP3 128Khz and even APE or FLAC is indistinguishable to most users.

The visual difference between an older DivX/XviD encode versus a modern one is obvious. A 5 year old encode is too old in my opinion to be viewable. Unless it is porn (which knows no quality bindings) it should be replaced.

[Chainblast]

Awesome news and may I say, finally!

While I don't have a problem with the number of times I have to update my PS3, a growing number of people seem to. That said I'm all for large seasonal updates like Live does, as long as the content isn't compromised.

Now hopefully Divx playback works well and doesn't have some stupid hidden limitation. The 2GB file size isn't an issue for me so.

[Crimson]

Kind of funny then that movies that don't waste space are also considered reference quality...

A better question would be why the meager 30 GB HD DVD discs are providing video and audio that's indistinguishable from 50 GB Blu Ray movies - AND providing interactive content along with it, all on one disc?

Yes, amazingly funny... quite humorous... ??? Anyway, I'm not saying that those 30gb HD discs aren't great. TF and BB look great on my HD player, this wasn't meant to be a BR vs. HD entry. I'm just saying, Sony didn't take the cheap way out (like others have claimed on this thread) and reduce the quality of the film to fit in more extras. Heck, TF had a second disc, is that supposed to say something negative about the HD users like a second SM3 disc is supposed to say something bad about BR users? If iHD can be fit on discs without negatively impacting quality, that's fine, I just appreciate when a studio makes the choice to make a quality product.

[dimsumx]

No, the difference in audio clarity between MP3 128Khz and even APE or FLAC is indistinguishable to most users.

The visual difference between an older DivX/XviD encode versus a modern one is obvious. A 5 year old encode is too old in my opinion to be viewable. Unless it is porn (which knows no quality bindings) it should be replaced.

It's not like it's simple to just re-encode an entire library of videos. Compatiblity should be expected.

And besides, my original comment included both the older divx encodes as well as xvid.

[KingGorilla]

No, the difference in audio clarity between MP3 128Khz and even APE or FLAC is indistinguishable to most users.

The visual difference between an older DivX/XviD encode versus a modern one is obvious. A 5 year old encode is too old in my opinion to be viewable. Unless it is porn (which knows no quality bindings) it should be replaced.

Yet when surveys are conducted, people cannot see a difference between Twilight Princess and Gears of War.

The truth is most people have terrible ears and terrible eyes. Any fidelity snobbery present on these or any other forums serve nothing but a masturbatory function.

[TrackZero]

No I just posted this...

Anyway. I was wondering what Blu-Ray 1.1 is.

Just blu-ray playing catch up to hd-dvd in features. Just like this divx support suddenly showing up on the ps3.....

[GargantulaKon]

Why has anyone not been pissed at the lack of Xvid support? Why the fuck are jackasses bitching about PiP commentary? I have never heard a DVD commentary. Who gives a fuck about commentary? nobody. Everyone just wants to enjoy the fucking movie.

I have watched complete commentaries on movies that I really liked. There must be a reason commentaries keep are still being put on DVDs.

I think the problem with HD-DVD is the name. How many people think, "Oh, HD-DVD, this must be the media format of the future!"? Chances are they think it is some sort of gimmick to milk money out of them. Whereas Blu-Ray sounds new, cool...it distinguishes itself from DVDs, the old format.

The people here are probaly more educated on the differences of each, but to the average consumer, what sounds like the better purchase - an upgrade of what you already have, or something new and flashy?

Good point!

I'm glad someone read it. I tend to get the feeling that my posts are largely ignored on this board. :(

I read it too. I cannot believe someone from Sony would say that.

[TrackZero]

Yet when surveys are conducted, people cannot see a difference between Twilight Princess and Gears of War.

The truth is most people have terrible ears and terrible eyes. Any fidelity snobbery present on these or any other forums serve nothing but a masturbatory function.

Just because there's a median of blind deaf idiots out there is no need to call me an elitist.

[KingGorilla]

Just because there's a median of blind deaf idiots out there is no need to call me an elitist.

If I am an apple fanboy, then you are an elitist. We all most live with our unearned forum labels.

[CptTripps]

If I am an apple fanboy, then you are an elitist. We all most live with our unearned forum labels.

So true, although being called "extreme bad ass" can get old, I roll with the punches.

[KingGorilla]

So true, although being called "extreme bad ass" can get old, I roll with the punches.

You misspelled "dumb."

[Stric9]

2GB file size limit is weak. I got lots of 720p TV shows that are about 2.2 GB each. 360 handles them fine.

If you've tried hooking up a external drive to the PS3 you may have noticed that the disk must be formated using FAT32 in order to be read by the PS3. FAT32 also has a limit of 2GB for a single file, so it could just be this limit that they are running into.

[Krispy]

I read it too. I cannot believe someone from Sony would say that.

If you are referring to what the CEO said then I think he is just being frank with the current state of affairs. If you mean the later quotes, they are off the record accounts. He is not a PR figure, he isn't paid to spin figures, he is paid to "do research on market conditions for our products and new ways to sell them while working to develop new products to fill markets that have not yet been identified." It is his job to realistically asses the situations so that he may react and attempt to overcome the competition. I don't think he said it to hurt the company but to show what he is dealing with right now. Commerce is a cutthroat world.

[Siraris]

Just blu-ray playing catch up to hd-dvd in features. Just like this divx support suddenly showing up on the ps3.....

???

Divx support was announced on PS3 before 360.

[CptTripps]

You misspelled "dumb."

Nah, I won the spelling bee

Dumb
m-a-c-i-n-t-o-s-h
Dumb!

[Phades]

I've never had an update on my PS3 take more than 5-10 minutes. Usually it's under 5, but I have had one that took longer. The last one they put out went REAL quick. I swear, people will whine no matter WHAT you do. Put them out quarterly and "this update was a a major disappointment, this is all we get this time??" Put them out immediately, "it seems like I'm always updating, it's so annoying."

[Seiven]

DivX on a 360 can be as large as 4GB while the PS3 has a 2GB limit. Other than file size and possibly gimped Xvid playback (unconfirmed, but rumored) on the PS3 it is about the same support. (I think the file size limitation on the 360 is because of NTFS...so if you format an external drive as HFS+ you can play back any size file on the 360)

[Seiven]

???

Divx support was announced on PS3 before 360.
yes but XBox implemented it first and with less limitations.

[Edmontongamer]

It is NOT a 5 min process.

How would you know? Do you own a ps3?

[Codicier]

How would you know? Do you own a ps3?

*Points to Kamalot's sig*

[Trazzlo the Magnificant]

How would you know? Do you own a ps3?AND a watch? Do ya, Kamalot? Or were you timing it with one of them old fashioned sun dials? It doesn't say in your sig if you own a watch. You could be guesstimating! This is a scientific-like site, we don't follow people about blindly here. They have to at least have watches.

Edit: How handy. CaptStu has you all set up if you need a new watch. :) (http://www.evilavatar.com/forums/showthread.php?t=37673)

[shorthaircut]

Honestly these updates is not as often as everybody seems to make it to be. Even if it was like up to 15 minutes, its still barely a sliver of months between the updates that we get. I mean seriously if 15 minutes between two months is such a hassle, does this mean you guys skip showers too?

oh wait..

[Edmontongamer]

*Points to Kamalot's sig*

Hahahaha Omg your right. Weird because I have always seen him say negatives about the ps3 and no positives about it. Guess it's all hot air considering he found reason enough to go out and buy one. Btw anyone can add me on live, psn or steam. My name is Edmontongamer on all.
Mostly playing COD4 on live though :P

[ReaverX]

For those curious, the update is live as of now.

[Gorvi]

Just updated now. It took a little under 6 minutes total, from hitting the System Update option to the PS3 restarting, in case anyone's curious.

[kinadian]

Just updated now. It took a little under 6 minutes total, from hitting the System Update option to the PS3 restarting, in case anyone's curious.

Nice, it is. I'm updating it now. I figured we wouldn't see this until Thursday as that is the normal firmware release day for the PS3.

Any word on the Xvid support? I had read earlier that because the PS3 was to be divx certified, it meant that xvid support was not going to be 100%. Certain "advanced" features would not be support but overall xvid would work.

[ReaverX]

Xvid does work, I just confirmed. I do still have a few videos (Xvid and DivX) that won't play for whatever reason, but for the most part most of my videos play fine now.

[kinadian]

Is anyone using TwonkyVision? I had read a list of files from the media server connection on the PS3 but the actual files are "unsupported data". I can read them fine if I put them onto my USB key and read them directly from the PS3.

Anyone know if this is a problem with Twonky or the PS3?

[huntr]

Kind of funny then that movies that don't waste space are also considered reference quality...

A better question would be why the meager 30 GB HD DVD discs are providing video and audio that's indistinguishable from 50 GB Blu Ray movies - AND providing interactive content along with it, all on one disc?

ive read somewhere about the audio on HDDVDs being subpar to those on BR. dont quote me on this just yet, its something i just remember reading.

not that the audio on hd dvds suck, but something about differing formats and capabilities based on the storage size.

anyone care to look this up?

[Krispy]

ive read somewhere about the audio on HDDVDs being subpar to those on BR. dont quote me on this just yet, its something i just remember reading.

not that the audio on hd dvds suck, but something about differing formats and capabilities based on the storage size.

anyone care to look this up?

Since Blurays have more space, but the video encodes take the same amount of room regardless, they fill the dead space with uncompressed audio. Sounds pretty cool, and it is if you like playing your movies at volumes louder than that of theaters, but the compressed audio found on HD DVD's are the same used in movie theaters. So really its more of a bragging rights thing.

Edit: And to be clear, that isn't because of codec capabilities. The uncompressed audio is good old PCM (uncompressed WAV) that has been used for decades. They just have the extra room to use it.

[Maskatron]

Yep, a few random Xvids I tried work fine.

[Micasa]

ive read somewhere about the audio on HDDVDs being subpar to those on BR. dont quote me on this just yet, its something i just remember reading.

not that the audio on hd dvds suck, but something about differing formats and capabilities based on the storage size.

anyone care to look this up?

Blu Rays tend to have uncompressed or lossless tracks, while HD DVD varies - some have lossless, some go with Dolby Digital +.

Probably 99% of the population won't be able to tell the difference between the two in a blind test...no pun intended I suppose.

[Vanthar]

And forget about all the video that I've been collecting in the past 5 years or so? You're kidding right? That's almost like saying you'd get rid of all 128k encoded mp3's because your player somehow only plays 192k mp3s. :rolleyes:

Good thing 3.11 was released in 2001 so the last 5 years of your video should be fine.

[KidCactus]

Just updated now. It took a little under 6 minutes total, from hitting the System Update option to the PS3 restarting, in case anyone's curious.
No it didn't, because Kamalot says it is NOT a 5 min process. You know as well as anyone it takes at least 40 minutes. Minimum.

[kababa]

If I update mine at home with my sucky, sucky internet speeds, it takes me a full day. So I learned to download it from work put it on my flash disk and take it home. The internet in my area is so bad, I don't download demos on live or PSN anymore. Its like im in the mid 90's when all we had was dial-up.

It sucks...

[Norse]

No it didn't, because Kamalot says it is NOT a 5 min process. You know as well as anyone it takes at least 40 minutes. Minimum.

Hey, doesn't my opinion count? :p

It's not a 5min process for me.

[KidCactus]

Hey, doesn't my opinion count? :p

It's not a 5min process for me.
The difference is that YOU say it doesn't take 5 minutes for YOU, but Kam seems to want to speak for everyone...

[Roc Ingersol]

No, they are doing it to make stupid consumers THINK they get more for the extra money they pay for a two disc edition.It's that sort of contempt for the consumer that has gotten Sony into nothing but trouble lately.

They should really dial down their disdain for the people who buy their shit.

[KidCactus]

It's that sort of contempt for the consumer that has gotten Sony into nothing but trouble lately.

They should really dial down their disdain for the people who buy their shit.
You think you mean "into nothing but trouble lately on message boards". Average Joe doesn't think Sony is a bad guy for giving them two discs instead of one if they have payed extra.

[Gorvi]

A few more changes that weren't in the update log (from TheSixthAxis (http://www.thesixthaxis.com/sneaky_extra_stuff_in_fw_210_news_513_tsa.aspx)):
Firstly, they've added a new 'planet' music visualiser from our friends at Q Games (press 'square' when playing music) which has got to be the most amazing thing we've ever seen. They've also fixed the video thumbnails in folders not playing, and finally BD/DVD Dynamic Range Control has been tweaked for those late night sessions.
http://www.thesixthaxis.com/images/uploads/68.jpg
http://www.thesixthaxis.com/images/uploads/69.jpg

[KidCactus]

Kamalot, I want to retract everything I've said in this thread about the smooth and quick update process. :D Today, for the first time, it took FOREVER to update! The whole process, downloading and updating clocked in at about 25 minutes total.

[Codicier]

Cool, new visualizer. I didn't see that last night when I updated (too busy trying to see which xvids played and which didn't) but I'll definitely try that out. Now if only my TV's sound didn't suck so much...

[karaliusbronius]

With the firmware updates you can now remote play your PS1 games from your PS3 to your PSP, including putting a PS1 game in the PS3 drive, so it's not just limited to the PS1 games that you've downloaded.

[brokenFUN]

The new update didn't take long at all. Did anyone time theres?

[The Ligand]

With the firmware updates you can now remote play your PS1 games from your PS3 to your PSP, including putting a PS1 game in the PS3 drive, so it's not just limited to the PS1 games that you've downloaded.

Oooh, I didn't see this! Have you tried it, or were you reporting what you read? That's pretty neat.

[The Ligand]

The new update didn't take long at all. Did anyone time theres?

Offhand, Kid Cactus reported 25minutes (though his post made it appear that previous updates had been faster for him) while Gorvi said 6. I don't recall any others who gave specific numbers and I'm lazy enough not to look.

[Harv]

Not sure why people are so obsessed with the time it takes to do the update. Do you have nothing else to do while this thing is updating? It's not like it takes hours to do the update. Assuming you aren't on a 56k modem of course.

Tried playing various AVI content. Some worked some didn't. So far the 360 seems to win out in that regard as it has no trouble playing everything I have now.

[Kamalot]

Not sure why people are so obsessed with the time it takes to do the update. Do you have nothing else to do while this thing is updating? It's not like it takes hours to do the update.

Tried playing various AVI content. Some worked some didn't. So far the 360 seems to win out in that regard as it has no trouble playing everything I have now.
Gizmodo did an update today that compared the PS3's media support for DivX and Xvid in the new update, to the Xbox 360's.

PlayStation 3 XviD Playback Update: It Works, Kinda (http://gizmodo.com/gadgets/ps3/playstation-3-xvid-playback-update-it-works-kinda-335284.php)

Huzzah! I've discovered why XviD files didn't work in the PlayStation DivX Playback test. Apparently, streaming over Windows Media Player 11 does not work for any XviD files and most DivX files, but it does work fine if you load the files onto an external USB drive or burn it to a DVD. But there's a workaround, kind of.

The best alternative to get "streaming" to work with Windows Media Player 11 is to first locate the file you want to watch over the network, then press the triangle button and copy it to your PS3. The same file that couldn't play back a minute ago will happily render itself when viewed off the PlayStation 3's hard drive.

It seems to us that the fault may either lie with the way that WMP11 streams files or the way that the PS3 plays back streamed files over the network—we're not sure. If the PS3 supported SMB networking, this problem might be eliminated. We'll have to check back in the future if and when they do add this feature.

Sorry for the confusion everybody! When I got DivX, and not XviD, to stream correctly, I assumed that XviD does not work. I should have tested it on an external drive as well. But hurray, XviD works fine on PS3. Thanks for checking up on us.

Update: I just did another test, and EyeConnect on Macs seem to stream DivX and XviD just fine for me. So it looks like a WMP11 problem. Has anyone else gotten it to support streaming w/ WMP11? TVersity seems to stream alright on PCs too, according to some users.

Update 2: Just re-confirmed that TVersity works for me, but the same files that work in TVersity don't work streaming over WMP11. Very strange.

[Dukefrukem]

Kamalot, I want to retract everything I've said in this thread about the smooth and quick update process. :D Today, for the first time, it took FOREVER to update! The whole process, downloading and updating clocked in at about 25 minutes total.

upgrade your ISP

[Kamalot]

upgrade your ISP

I've got a FIOS fiber optic line to my house.
What do you suggest I upgrade TO?

[Stric9]

Since Blurays have more space, but the video encodes take the same amount of room regardless, they fill the dead space with uncompressed audio.

Video encodes take entirely different amounts of space based on several factors such as the codec used and bitrate encoded at. So theoretically Blu-Ray can use it's greater density to provide a better picture. However if a studio is doing both Blu-Ray and HD-DVD they are most likely not going to re-encode the video at a higher bitrate for Blu-Ray so they end up being the same on dual format realeases.

Also as to your previous post I have a hard time believing anyone as high up in Sony as you claim would use the term 'blu-ray fanboys' to describe consumers of their products.

Sounds pretty cool, and it is if you like playing your movies at volumes louder than that of theaters, but the compressed audio found on HD DVD's are the same used in movie theaters. So really its more of a bragging rights thing.

It has nothing to do with volume but with not losing extreme high and low end frequencies. You can argue if the frequencies are audible to the human ear or not but it really has nothing to do with playing your audio at extreme volumes.

Huzzah! I've discovered why XviD files didn't work in the PlayStation DivX Playback test. Apparently, streaming over Windows Media Player 11 does not work for any XviD files and most DivX files, but it does work fine if you load the files onto an external USB drive or burn it to a DVD. But there's a workaround, kind of.

I just watched 'Lost in Translation' which I encoded to Xvid myself on my PS3 streamed from my PC->PS3 via WMP 11 and it worked flawlessly.

[KidCactus]

upgrade your ISP
I've got 16 Mbit downstream, one would think that should be enough.

But as I said earlier, I've never had this problem before.

[Stric9]

I've got 16 Mbit downstream, one would think that should be enough.

But as I said earlier, I've never had this problem before.

Comparing download time against other people as part of the total update time is kind of bogus. There are just way too many factors that could affect your download speed. ISP, time of day, speed of the PSN server, problem with any of the hops between you and the PSN server.

I get that it's part of the overall process but comparing individually against another individual with tons of different parameters is just useless. For instance it took me about 3 minutes to download the update but I started downloading at 1am PST which is obviously not going to be a very high traffic time.

If you guys could at least sync times it would make for at least a somewhat useful comparison. As it stands right now the only thing we know for sure is that the actual update once you have downloaded the file takes around 5-7 minutes.

[Rotting]

It is NOT a 5 min process.

Correct. I did it just now in under five minutes.

Did you know that you can't add reds to your ignore list? Unfortunate.

[Kamalot]

Correct. I did it just now in under five minutes.

Did you know that you can't add reds to your ignore list? Unfortunate.Mine took less than seven.

[GargantulaKon]

I've got 16 Mbit downstream, one would think that should be enough.

But as I said earlier, I've never had this problem before.

I doubt your ISP is the problem, but run a bandwidth test at speedtest.net. I have been having Verizon FiOS speed and disconnection problems lately.

[KidCactus]

I doubt your ISP is the problem, but run a bandwidth test at speedtest.net. I have been having Verizon FiOS speed and disconnection problems lately.
I'm pretty sure the problem was that I wasn't the only one here in Europe downloading it when I did.

[GargantulaKon]

I thought that with FiOS that other people downloading on the ISP network did not slow the bandwidth down as a cable ISP network does. Anyone know details on this?

[Kamalot]

I thought that with FiOS that other people downloading on the ISP network did not slow the bandwidth down as a cable ISP network does. Anyone know details on this?

This is true. With a FiOS connection, you get a constant speed. That won't help if the server giving out the update is overloaded though.

[GargantulaKon]

As I thought, thanks. That is true, no matter how fast one's connection is, it heavily depend on the speed of the end server and the hops in between.

[brokenFUN]

All I want for xmas is an RSS feeder now.

[Kamalot]

All I want for xmas is an RSS feeder now.

You can use Google Reader on the Internet browser. It works well on Wii, since Google built a custom interface for Wii's Opera.

[Gorvi]

All I want for xmas is an RSS feeder now.
Yeah, it'd be nice to have that on the PS3. They have one that works really well on the PSP, so you'd have to think it'll come eventually.

[KingGorilla]

I thought that you could install Yellow Dog onto the PS3 or was it Red Hat? Either way you can get Linux, and thus many RSS grabbers.