PS3 3D Update Available With Audio Output Limitations
The PS3 system software update (v3.50) is finally available, adding support for Blu-ray 3D Disc playback with some restrictions in the digital audio output.
The PS3 system can now play 3D content on Blu-ray 3D discs. An HD 3D display, active 3D glasses, and a high-speed HDMI cable (each sold separately) are required for 3D features.
However, there are also some limitations on Blu-ray 3D disc playback. The 3D display of some elements such as menus and subtitles may be different on the PS3 system than on other 3D playback devices. Depending on the content, some BD-J (Blu-ray Disc Java) features such as BONUSVIEW and BD-Live may not play in 3D or may not function properly on the PS3 system. In addition, when Dolby TrueHD is selected as the audio format, audio will be output in Dolby Digital during playback of Blu-ray 3D content. Last but not least, when DTS-HD is selected as the audio format, audio will be output in DTS during playback of Blu-ray 3D content.
Additional new features in the 3.50 update include:
- Facebook Integration: Developers will be able to create PS3 games that have more interaction with Facebook. Once compatible PS3 titles are available, PS3 users can choose to access public information on Facebook including user name, profile, uploaded photos and friends list.
- Grief Reporting Function: Users will be able to send claim reports directly from the XMB for any inappropriate messages they receive from other PlayStation Network users. This feature is accessible from the option menu of the messages list in the FRIENDS category.
Users can update PS3 system software by using the "System Update" feature of the console, using a PC or manually download update data using a PC and save on storage media or a USB Mass Storage device. Users can also use the update data included on a game disc to perform the update.
Sony has already added the ability to play stereoscopic 3D games with the 3.30 firmware update that had been released last April.
However, there are also some limitations on Blu-ray 3D disc playback. The 3D display of some elements such as menus and subtitles may be different on the PS3 system than on other 3D playback devices. Depending on the content, some BD-J (Blu-ray Disc Java) features such as BONUSVIEW and BD-Live may not play in 3D or may not function properly on the PS3 system. In addition, when Dolby TrueHD is selected as the audio format, audio will be output in Dolby Digital during playback of Blu-ray 3D content. Last but not least, when DTS-HD is selected as the audio format, audio will be output in DTS during playback of Blu-ray 3D content.
Additional new features in the 3.50 update include:
- Facebook Integration: Developers will be able to create PS3 games that have more interaction with Facebook. Once compatible PS3 titles are available, PS3 users can choose to access public information on Facebook including user name, profile, uploaded photos and friends list.
- Grief Reporting Function: Users will be able to send claim reports directly from the XMB for any inappropriate messages they receive from other PlayStation Network users. This feature is accessible from the option menu of the messages list in the FRIENDS category.
Users can update PS3 system software by using the "System Update" feature of the console, using a PC or manually download update data using a PC and save on storage media or a USB Mass Storage device. Users can also use the update data included on a game disc to perform the update.
Sony has already added the ability to play stereoscopic 3D games with the 3.30 firmware update that had been released last April.
