Topic: PS3 as a blu-ray player

[steelcrazy]

Is it ok to buy a PS3 from SM Department Stores, Toy Kingdom, etc.? If not, any suggestions where I could get one locally?

You may wana check out the market place in this forum and see if any other members are selling their PS3. Also check out PSX if you consider hunting for a second hand unit.
A brand new 40gb Ps3 cost around 17-18k w/ 1 sixaxis controllerand w/o games.
A second hand unit will probably cost you around 15-16k w/ 1 sixaxis and perhaps a free game or two.

[don]

PS3 has very good video processing capability & indeed beats many other players. 

yup, sulit na sulit... the only reason i'll buy a standalone for now is if i opt for a bd player's analog audio output over a new hdmi amp. 

[marcyao]

just a question.  the ps3 can decode DolbyTRUE HD right? would you still need a receiver  that can decode DolbyTRUE HD signal if using a ps3 or will any receiver do?

[skylynx888]

just a question.  the ps3 can decode DolbyTRUE HD right? would you still need a receiver  that can decode DolbyTRUE HD signal if using a ps3 or will any receiver do?

you will still need a receiver in order to decode the new audio formats 

[pchin]

just a question.  the ps3 can decode DolbyTRUE HD right? would you still need a receiver  that can decode DolbyTRUE HD signal if using a ps3 or will any receiver do?

Yes, with the latest firmware PS3 can decode both the lossless TrueHD & DTS Master Audio formats & pass tru any HDMI receiver.

[marcyao]

Yes, with the latest firmware PS3 can decode both the lossless TrueHD & DTS Master Audio formats & pass tru any HDMI receiver.

so all i'll need would be a regular receiver like the denon avr 1908?

[pchin]

Yup

[odyopayl]

Thanks Mouldingo.  Won't it downconvert to 1080i instead of 720p?

In my observation, 1080i and 720p are almost identical in terms of PQ I can't distinguished the difference.

[pchin]

Here's a thread discussing 720p vs 1080i/p.

http://boardsus.playstation.com/playstation/board/message?message.uid=27027175#U27027175

[Mouldingo]

so all i'll need would be a regular receiver like the denon avr 1908?

Make sure it includes a HDMI input and LPCM processing. Has anyone tried to use the optical out to see if you can recieve the processed DTS MA HD 5.1? I think you will only get ordinary DTS 5.1 if you do since the process signal only works as LPCM. Optical out can only work for Stereo PCM.

[marcyao]

Make sure it includes a HDMI input and LPCM processing. Has anyone tried to use the optical out to see if you can recieve the processed DTS MA HD 5.1? I think you will only get ordinary DTS 5.1 if you do since the process signal only works as LPCM. Optical out can only work for Stereo PCM.

does the denon avr 1908 do LPCM processing? i'm not really sure.

[Mouldingo]

Sony to start US movie download service for PlayStation 3 machine in summer

It seems like that we're seeing the media revolution over the gaming device really ramp up. Last week, we mentioned the ability to stream Neflix media over the Xbox 360. Now CNET is reporting that Sony will be offering media downloads to the PS3 by the summer. There's not a lot of details yet but CNET states:

Sony has just confirmed the rumor we all heard back in April: video downloads will be available on the PS3 this summer. Details right now are scarce, but we do know the service will first be rolled out in the United States, followed by Japan and Europe later in the year. As we mentioned before, we would like to see a service tied in with Netflix since everybody and their mother seems to use the service, or even a Hulu type service, which offers TV shows from Fox and NBC, broken up by short 15-second ads.
Our best guess though: iTunes-esque pricing, the most expensive of all three choices. Rent a movie, pay a high premium, and lose it . We can't see how this will be successful, considering Sony's quirky history with digital media downloads.

Yean, we know that's not very firm or exciting news at this point but we'll keep you posted when we hear more.

http://www.networkingaudiovideo.com/

[JAQY888]

PS3 Firmware 2.40 Targets Xbox 360 Features
Posted 30 June 2008

QUOTE:
Sony Computer Entertainment has announced Playstation 3 Firmware Update 2.40 will finally materialize for free download beginning Wednesday, July 2.

The update will include a pair of features Xbox 360 owners have been enjoying since the Xbox Live service first launched.

The first feature is access to the XMB (XrossMediaBar) while playing a game with a simple press of the Playstation button. From the in-game XMB you'll be able to determine if any friends are online, read and send messages, and change some settings for games.

Games will pause during single-player gameplay when the XMB is accessed, but will not while engaged in online multi-player modes. At the same time, the cap on a friends list has been doubled to 100.

The second feature is Sony's answer to Microsoft's Achievements system. Dubbed Trophies, players will be able to earn gold, silver, bronze and platinum Trophies. Platinum is awarded to players to snag the other three.

The first game to offer Trophy support will be Super Stardust HD. Additional first-party games slated for Trophy support are as follows.

    * BUZZ! Quiz TV
    * LittleBigPlanet
    * MotorStorm Pacific Rift
    * NBA 09
    * PAIN
    * PixelJunk Eden
    * Resistance 2
    * SOCOM: U.S. Navy SEALs Confrontation
    * Warhawk

Third-party support for Trophies has yet to be announced.

[skylynx888]

a preview of the upcoming software update: 

http://gtotoy.multiply.com/journal/item/52/PS3_FW_2.40_goes_live_July_2_preview_vids_released

[Mouldingo]

PS3 firmware 2.40 update coming tomorrow

It's been a long time coming, but in-game XMB will arrive on your PS3 tomorrow. That's right, Wednesday July 2nd and likely kicking off as a rolling, firmware 2.40, network update just as soon as the clock ticks over the top in Japan. You know, for those of you looking to get a jump on your Trophy collection.

http://www.engadget.com/2008/07/01/ps3-firmware-2-40-update-on-wednesday/

[pchin]

Cool. I can't wait to update.

[indie boi]

It's officially available right now based on posts online. Haven't checked it out myself though.

[skylynx888]

just finished updating my ps3 [asian], though i have yet to try the new features.

date and time now visible at the upper right side of the xmb

[Munskie]

just updated na rin to 2.4.......

[jiggs84]

just finished updating my ps3 [asian], though i have yet to try the new features.

do you have to be version-specific?
if US bought, then download from US site, asian to asian?
please advise. TIA

saw this kse in one website:
---------->>
Warning: This update is for customers who own PS3™ systems sold in North America. DO NOT update your PS3™ system through this Web site if you purchased your system outside North America. There is no guarantee of proper operation with other models sold outside North America.

Direct US Download - 2.40 (Coming soon)

[skylynx888]

do you have to be version-specific?
if US bought, then download from US site, asian to asian?
please advise. TIA

yepyep, just to be sure, i suggest you download it directly from your ps3 

[Mouldingo]

Firmware  2.4 Bluray playback improvements and fixes.

- Support of DTS-ES Matrix and Discrete decoding to 7.1 PCM
- Support of DTS 96/24 decoding to PCM.
- Correction of the "speaker remapping"-issue with DTS-HD 7.1 titles: Rush Hour 3, Shoot Em Up, Pan's Labyrinth and Hairspray now plays correctly in 7.1.
- New "Frame Noise Reduction" setting in the options menu while dvd playback.
- Improved DVD-upscaling quality.
- Frame noise reduction and block noise reduction has been added for video files on the HDD and storage media.

[pchin]

Firmware  2.4 Bluray playback improvements and fixes.

- Support of DTS-ES Matrix and Discrete decoding to 7.1 PCM
- Support of DTS 96/24 decoding to PCM.
- Correction of the "speaker remapping"-issue with DTS-HD 7.1 titles: Rush Hour 3, Shoot Em Up, Pan's Labyrinth and Hairspray now plays correctly in 7.1.
- New "Frame Noise Reduction" setting in the options menu while dvd playback.
- Improved DVD-upscaling quality.
- Frame noise reduction and block noise reduction has been added for video files on the HDD and storage media.

That's lots of improvements which PS3 fans have been waiting for esp the DTS-HD 7.1 issue!

[skylynx888]

Sony Pulls PS3 2.40 Firmware After Reported Problems

"The release of PlayStation 3 firmware 2.40 seems to have caused a wide number of issues for those who updated to the new release, as reported earlier. It now appears that Sony has since pulled the new update, reverting back to firmware 2.36 as the most recent software update.

This may be a temporary move to prevent further reliability issues. We are awaiting confirmation on the change from Sony and will update when we hear back."

http://kotaku.com/5021575/sony-pulls-ps3-240-firmware-after-reported-problems
http://www.gamespot.com/news/6193304.html?action=convert&om_clk=latestnews&tag=latestnews;title;0

[Mouldingo]

Anyone updated to 2.4 experienced this?

It seems that some files got corrupted on some PS3s causing the XMB to get stuck on the wave, without being able to load any of the icons to access anything. The fix seems to be to remove the HDD and reformat with a PC then re-install in the PS3 and reformat the drive with the console

.

[JAQY888]

Sony Pulls PS3 2.40 Firmware After Reported Problems

Unfortunately, it appears as if the v2.40 update wasn't available for long. A rash of complaints on the official PlayStation message boards claim the heavily anticipated update caused many PS3s to lock up when owners attempt to load a game. The problem does not appear to be exclusive to an individual hardware model, as owners of 40GB, 60GB, and 80GB consoles have all reported problems.

Sony has not yet responded to GameSpot's request for clarification or comment, but has apparently taken action by pulling the update from the PlayStation Network. Following reports from forum-goers, GameSpot attempted to download the v2.40 to a PS3 running v2.36 firmware--only to find the update is no longer available.

Oh my goolay .... just updated my firmware last night ... tsk ...

[Mouldingo]

Anyone for Firmware 2.41?

[Munskie]

ako rin......tsk tsk......is downgrade possible???

[Mouldingo]

Sa games lang may sira. Just don't load any new ones for now...

[jiggs84]

Sony Pulls PS3 2.40 Firmware After Reported Problems

"The release of PlayStation 3 firmware 2.40 seems to have caused a wide number of issues for those who updated to the new release, as reported earlier. It now appears that Sony has since pulled the new update, reverting back to firmware 2.36 as the most recent software update.

This may be a temporary move to prevent further reliability issues. We are awaiting confirmation on the change from Sony and will update when we hear back."

http://kotaku.com/5021575/sony-pulls-ps3-240-firmware-after-reported-problems
http://www.gamespot.com/news/6193304.html?action=convert&om_clk=latestnews&tag=latestnews;title;0

thanks for the heads up sir.

hmmmm.... buti na lang... i did not upgrade last night.
anyone here who experienced this problem?