Sony has announced today that a new firmware update will arrive for the PS3 later this month. Version 2.20 will add support for Blu-Ray Live (profile 2.0) features such as the ability to download extra content like bonus scenes, ringtones and subtitles. Blu-Ray Live also allows interactive movie-based games to communicate over the internet -- effectively adding online multiplayer support. Other features found in firmware v2.20 include:
- "Resume play" will enable PS3 to start playing a BD and DVD video at the point it was stopped, even if the disc had been removed. (BD-J format discs are not supported)
- "Audio Output Device" will be a new Remote Play setting, enabling PSP to serve as a remote control for music played through PS3.
- PS3's Internet browser will be enhanced: Video files directly linked from a Web page will be able to be streamed, and the browser's view speed will be improved.
- DivX and WMV format videos that are larger than 2GB will be playable.
- "Mosquito Noise Reduction" will be added as an AV setting in the control panel of the DVD/BD player for improved movie playback. (BD discs recorded with BDMV format are not supported)
The update will be released sometime "in late March." In the meantime, now would be a good time to start stocking up on Blu-Ray Live discs. With few other BD-Live compatible players arriving until Summer, the PS3 is once again the best choice of device for Blu-Ray playback. PS3 owners will be able to enjoy these new features months before another player that supports them is released. Pretty good, wouldn't you say?
[Via press release]
