PS3 Fanboy

Sony Pictures Television has just announced a deal to release "secure" and "high quality" downloads in DivX format for all DivX certified machines. The PS3 is the only gaming console to be DivX certified (Xbox 360 is not DivX certified).

"This milestone agreement lays the foundation for Sony to offer high quality video content in the DivX format to its retail partners for playback on next-generation DivX Certified devices," said Kevin Hell, CEO of DivX, Inc. "Consumers want the flexibility and choice to enjoy high-quality video content from a range of retailers across a variety of devices. We are very pleased Sony Pictures Television recognizes the value of the DivX digital media solution and look forward to working together to offer a great experience to consumers."

Some shows that could possibly make the jump include Blood +, The Boondocks, Damages, Days of our Lives, Rescue Me, The Shield, and more. For a complete listing of SPT's offerings, click here.

[Via Engadget HD]

Stage6 is widely known amongst DivX fans as one of the best places to get high quality streaming DivX video. Unfortunately, the site isn't compatible with the PS3 ... or is it?

It is, so long as you're willing to fiddle around with the PS3's web browser a bit. Go to a Stage6 video you're interested in. For example, we've chosen the PS3's recent Universe of Entertainment ad. Edit the URL in your PS3 browser by pressing START.

URL displayed by browser:
http://www.stage6.com/PS3/video/1827927/PLAYSTATION%C2%AE3---Universe-of-Entertainment

To download this DivX file to your DivX-enabled PS3, you're going to have to edit the video as such:

The European Playstation website lists a new firmware update that will be released tomorrow. Version 2.10 is mostly a visual media-based update, with none of the listed features having any impact on gameplay. In other words, you can stop holding your breath - there's no in-game XMB here. Instead, we the arrival of two highly anticipated features. Blu-Ray profile 1.1 and DivX support will heavily increase the PS3's standing as a media hub.

There's a smattering of other little additions, all of which we've listed after the break. There are also a couple of stipulations with regards to DivX - namely, that copyright protected files, v3.11 encoded videos and files larger than 2GB cannot be played.

[Via NeoGAF]

This is, of course, great news and is a feature that we know is being called for from the PlayStation 3 community. However, DivX support on its own is not much more than an aid to video pirates. We're hoping this is the start of some sort of digital video download service, which utilizes the DivX format. Sony has always planned on a service such as this and now would be a great time to implement it. We'll keep you informed.

[Via PS3Forums]