Comments on: PS3 firmware with BD-Live support now available

Sony releases firmware update to the PlayStation 3 right on schedule, making it the first Blu-ray player to support BD-Live.

[dougjake]

Profile 2.0 if fine but...

...I've got the PS3 on my "to buy" list as a blu-ray player. BD-Live is nice but
what's stopping me from purchasing it now is the price. It needs to come down
at leas another $100 before I'll buy it.

[Ntfireballs]

2.20 is fine but I'm still waiting for more!

The PS3 is great and all, but i really bought the console for "Home". I'm dieing with anticipation! I want it now!

[akuehnemund]

I love mine

I've had so much fun with mine ever since I bought it about a year ago. Blu-ray
movies look great. Playing games is a lot of fun. Software updates are being
released regularily... Even if I didn't play games, I would still get a PS3 as my
Blu-ray player. A PS3 is just very easy to update.

[d--keller]

Another reason why...

PS3 is the best gaming system to date. Every month or so, new features are added for FREE. The only thing 360 updates ever did for me was brick my system... TWICE! Thanks Sony.

[SteelDog]

No it's not

It's another reason the PS3 is the best Blu-Ray player to date. The PS3 as a gaming machine leaves much to be desired. It lacks "must have" titles. Graphics are no better then the 360. The gaming library is much smaller and inferior. The Ps3 online community doesn't even compare to XBOX Live.

Now what about that says "best gaming" system?

[kanzass]

NO MINI COPIES FOR THE PSP????

No mini copies is a bit disappointing... I really like the idea of this because a blu ray portable player is a long way off... I need some reason to keep buying blu ray movies for 30 bucks a pop because not being able to take them with is really a waste of money..... this was very forward thinking on thier part anyway so just follow thru... B.D. live update HHHMMMMM cool but not really that excited about it.........

[kylebuttermore]

SWEET!!!!!

mines coming Thursday i cant wait!!!

[stevehas]

I am loving my PS3

One of the best things I have added to my home entertainment system (after my HDTV, but very close).
Its the device that just keeps on giving!

[ian_torres]

Very Happy

I'm downloading it now. Thus far, I'm very happy with my PS3 as a BD player and console, although the PSP transferring would have been nice. Good job Sony. Keep the updates coming!

[swordjuggler]

Nice update... keep 'em coming

I agree that this is a cool update, although (as you mentioned) profile 2.0 is just a marketing buzz-word until they really take advantage of what it offers. Also, as a wannabe audiophile, I'm very much looking forward to an update that gives DTS-HD decoding, as several of the movies I own have DTS-HD as the only HD soundtrack. That seems like it would be a much more relevant feature to add, but hey, that's just my $.02. I definitely dig it that Sony keeps the updates rolling, even if they take their time unlocking/adding features that could've been done a while ago.

[Steinburgaler]

I need Dual Audio Outputting!

I love the fact they are constantly improving the PS3, but I will be really happy if/when they give us the ability to out audio via analog and hdmi or optical.

[ChancreSore]

Seems rather underwhelming

Sure, those added features on Bluray discs are nice, but how often do you think you'll actually use them? Would it kill them to add support for in-game soundtracks for ANY game, not just from developers who are in the mood to support them? Or an integrated online friends list system?

Sony has a good product, but they've really been disappointing in the details.

[SteelDog]

PS3 Need Blu Ray To Survive

The only thing keeping the PS3 from sinking is the Blu Ray capabilities. As a gaming machine it doesn't stack up against the 360. Few "must have" titles, less exclusives then 360, same quality graphics, smaller game library and an inferior online community when compared to XBOX live.

I know a few PS3 owners who only use the thing for movies and don't even bother with the games. Sony should thank it's lucky stars they included Blu Ray or it would be an expensive brick.

I am waiting on the standalone players which IMO will have more advanced video decoding chip sets in them. That should provide better video quality then capable on the PS3. Until then I will wait versus buying a PS3 which would be bulky addition to my home theater wall unit.

[brandonh33]

Tell me how

There are many issues I have with your post but I dont have a lot of time(might respond later) but PLEASE tell me how psn is oh so inferior compared to xbl? I have both systems and I have got to tell you I just dont see it. I have both systems hooked up via ethernet. I mean as far as # of players in games ps3 wins easily. One example warhawk on ps3 supports 32 players seamlessly while halo 3 struggles with 8. Sure the 360 has one game (if you could even call it that) that supports 64 but have you played that? I have a 6Mbps+ connection and it TOTALLY lags with about 35+ people in. My friends have has similar experiances. The only way I think you can even get it close to 64 is if you have FIOS. Also, Resistance 2 will have 64 player support... As far as content avalible the 36 does have a slight advantage there, but nothing a few months wont change. The only reason the 360 has an advantage there is because they had a 1 year head start. Not to mention the downtime we experianced at christmas (I didnt want the stupid game, I just wanted to play Halo!). So I am asking you to PLEASE tell me the huge upsides to xbl that you are talking about because I must be missing something!

[d--keller]

Not sure you're thinking this all the way through.

#1, it wouldn't be so expensive if it didn't include a Blu Ray drive.

#2, I think you're letting your 360 fanboyism keep you from the best BD player around. Have you seen the video output from the PS3? I'd like to know how you're going to get better video quality. Are you watching movies on a 200" screen? I'm guessing you have a 27" 480i.

[Mikeybabes]

Actually Blu-ray sunk the PS3 gaming ship

Do you think that after the most succesful console in history - the PS2, Sony suddenly forgot how to make a gaming machine? The problem was far too many concessions was made in the need to make the PS3 into a home entertainment hub and not enough was put into making it a straight gaming machine. Sony's gains in other areas including the HD war came at a massive loss in gaming. If Sony went full front gaming the result could have been similar to Xbox 1 versus PS2.

[WulfTheSaxon]

Let?s break your claims down point-by-point:

?Few 'must have' titles?/?less exclusives then 360?: That?s because the 360 had a one-year head-start. By the end of the year, it?ll have Metal Gear Solid 4, Killzone 2, LittleBigPlanet, inFamous, SOCOM: Confrontation, Haze, Unreal Tournament 3, the new Final Fantasy, Gran Turismo 5, White Knight Chronicles, and Yakuza 3. It already has MotorStorm, Resistance, Heavenly Sword, Ratchet & Clank Future, Uncharted, and Warhawk.

?same quality graphics?: Maybe at first, but not once developers get used to the PS3. Look at the difference between early and later PS2 games?

?inferior online community?: I?d actually contend that the PS3?s online capabilities are better than the 360?s. It supports more players, has fewer noobs, and you don?t have to pay $400 for it over the life of the console. And that?s not even mentioning Home, Live?s constant outages, or the fact that the 360 doesn?t even have Wi-Fi?

?standalone [Blu Ray] players? will have more advanced video decoding chip sets in them? (sic): It?s digital? There are no quality differences between players, except when you consider extra features like BD-Live. And in that case, the PS3 is the only Blu-ray player that adds so many new features via simple firmware updates.

[fever28]

Nice, but still gonna wait.

I have an HD-DVD player that's had the on-line capability from the start, and been quite happy with it. I got it on the cheap a few months ago, with the idea that it would tie me over with at least some HD movies until the format war was over. Now that it is, I'm seriousely thinking about buying a PS3, but I'm learning there's some big shortcomings. Adding BD 2.0 is a big step forward, but not as big as adding DTS-HD would be, which I've enjoyed on my Toshiba for some time. To me this is a bigger issue. I'm mainly looking to use a PS3 for the BD capability, but to me sound is just as important as picture.

One other major flaw is no IR port. I want to use my Harmony 880 remote to control everything in my system. I know there are work-arounds, but come on Sony. This should not be an issue in the year 2008.

I think for now, this is encouraging, but I'm still gonna hold off on getting one until that sound issue is resolved.

[kevz55]

Blu Wave Remote from Nyko

This remote/usb ir port works flawlessly with the 880 - so much that it's hard to even call it a workaround. Sure, it takes up one of the USB ports so it might be a problem if only getting the 40gb. But with only two USB ports on the 40gb, you'd probably need a hub anyway.

[monsterduc1000]

Nice but no PSP copying makes for disappoinment

Almost bought a psp for this function alone. It would have been great as my br collection is growing and it would be nice have this feature instead of downloading an sd version to a computer, compressing it and then putting it on a memory stick. Hopefully it doesn't get shelved. DTS-HD would be nice as well, but I hear it's coming, hopefully soon.

As for Steeldogs comment, the ps3 has been catching and surpassing its lesser rival, the 360, for some months now. I enjoy the FREE online that Sony is providing with games such as F1 racing and cod 4 (of which about 3 million people are playing on the ps3 online alone). No it's not as well thought out as xbox live, but I'm not dropping $50 a year or more for Sony's FREE service (did I mention it's FREE M$). And with gt5, metal gear solid, haze, killzone, uncharted, jak and daxter, ratchet and clank and a host of other exclusives here or coming, as well as all the cross-platform titles the ps3 has, I think the ps3 has the legs to go the distance and beat the 360.

And by the way, I do have both, and the 360 is collecting dust with it's lack of interesting games. Sure it has a lot, but a lot is just crap.

[xanpyzz]

Great Hardware BUT!

So slow to fully capitalize on the full potential of their products. Apple gets to the finish line so much faster and takes chances. Sony seems bogged down in an old time bureaucratic system. The PS3 is an amazing product - it is a shame Sony is the captain of this ship.

[bubblebathgirl]

PS3 + Blu-ray continue to dominate :)

It's a good thing.

[dirty55409]

Meh.......

Pretty much don't care, my Bedroom set Onkyo TX-SR805 is going without a PS3 since I put the BD player in my living room. Yeah I only use it as a DVD/BD Player. Do they still make games for the Playstation 3? Sony better keep praying that DLC doesn't ever ever take over. I'd die from laughter.
DLC = DownLoadable Content

[Brolix]

Worthless extras

I'm the guy who cares nothing for extras. When i buy a blu ray or--up until earlier this month, HD-DVDs, i throw away any bonus disc that comes with the movie because it'll just take up space in my disc jacket. BD-Live on my PS3 means nothing to me, and i know there are others out there just like me who watch solely the movie for its HD glory and Great surround sound. Extras do not have a home in my house. Now, DTS Master Audio, that's a compelling feature, if only they would add it.

[Wes#1]

Now the real trouble begins...

as some writers have cautioned us not to buy "1.0" Blu-ray and wait for this "BD-LIVE" 2.0 version. Well here it is!! Just plug into your internet connection (um, you DO have that next to your HDTV in the living room, right?) and feel all warm and fuzzy that you're now hooked into Sony's Big-Brother server. And forget the movie; now you can watch an endless stream of trailers, extras (that should have been on that 50-gig disc to begin with), and studio advertising! How did we ever think we could live without all this stuff?!

Most interesting line in this article: "...look for players that don't support Profile 2.0 compatibility to be confined to the clearance shelves." Oh, really? I'll make a counter-prediction that it won't happen anytime soon. Most people are waiting for bargain Blu-ray players to appear before jumping on the bandwagon. And if you give away the 1.0 machines to the masses, there will be few takers for the 2.0... especially when they find out 2.0 adds more cost than content to the Blu-ray experience.

[dfichtner]

Just give me a 1-touch on/off button, please!

Sony sells this thing for several hundred dollars, and even if we pay another $25 for their bluetooth remote, there STILL in no power on/off button that I can push just once to turn it on or turn it off. Just how hard would it be to program this feature into one of the other buttons? Perhaps holding down the PS button for 3 seconds to turn on or off? And i'm sick of bumping just about any key on the PS3 remote and it turning on, then having to hunt menus and follow a list of key commands just to turn it off.

Bad Sony, very bad. Obviously you've encorporated this feature to keep the things on longer. I wonder if anyone has done any energy efficiency studies into this problem.

[PS3_salesman]

Touching and holding the power button on the PS3 will turn it off. Hold for about three seconds and it goes into shutdown mode. Or touch it once to turn on.