Firmware 1.9 released for PS3
Tuesday 24th July 2007, 11:11:00 AM, written by Carl Bender
Sony Computer Entertainment has made firmware 1.9 available for the
PS3, bringing several usability enhancements to the console. Most basic
among these, users are now able to set a custom background as a
replacement for the default gossamer animation. Additional cross-media bar (XMB) related
improvements include the ability to organize the ordering of
games/demos, eject discs from within the XMB, and an enhanced folder
system.
Beyond the cross-media bar itself, users are allowed to change between video and upscaling settings during gameplay, allowing for user determination of which settings might work best for a given game without an extensive exit/reload process. Although this particular feature is unlikely to prove very important for PS3 games, variances in the upscaling options for PS1/PS2 games and their results across titles will make it a welcome option for those that still play older games on their new console, and wish to maintain as high a level of image quality as possible. Connectivity-related performance is also enhanced with the addition of security options within the web browser 'tools' section, emoticons for text messaging, bookmark support, as well as avatar animation during chat sessions.
On the A/V front, the Playstation 3 continues to build on the progress made in firmware 1.8 by allowing users to force 24p output over HDMI for Blu-ray playback should their setup not be properly auto-detecting. Previous to this, several owners were stuck not being able to take advantage of the PS3's recent 24Hz upgrade if a receiver was standing in between the PS3 and the display device; the PS3 would not register the receiver as being 24p capable and default back to 60p output. Additional enhancements come in the form CD upscaling, allowing users to set output during CD playback up to 88.2 and 176.4KHz, and audio bit mapping for noise reduction.
Beyond the cross-media bar itself, users are allowed to change between video and upscaling settings during gameplay, allowing for user determination of which settings might work best for a given game without an extensive exit/reload process. Although this particular feature is unlikely to prove very important for PS3 games, variances in the upscaling options for PS1/PS2 games and their results across titles will make it a welcome option for those that still play older games on their new console, and wish to maintain as high a level of image quality as possible. Connectivity-related performance is also enhanced with the addition of security options within the web browser 'tools' section, emoticons for text messaging, bookmark support, as well as avatar animation during chat sessions.
On the A/V front, the Playstation 3 continues to build on the progress made in firmware 1.8 by allowing users to force 24p output over HDMI for Blu-ray playback should their setup not be properly auto-detecting. Previous to this, several owners were stuck not being able to take advantage of the PS3's recent 24Hz upgrade if a receiver was standing in between the PS3 and the display device; the PS3 would not register the receiver as being 24p capable and default back to 60p output. Additional enhancements come in the form CD upscaling, allowing users to set output during CD playback up to 88.2 and 176.4KHz, and audio bit mapping for noise reduction.
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