In a press release today Sony announced that system software update v.2.20, for PlayStation 3, is planned
for release in late March, and will add Blu-ray Disc (BD) Profile 2.0
(known as BD-Live). BD-Live
promises to offer PS3 users the ultimate interactive film experience, with the ability to take full advantage of interactive features, such
as downloadable video content, ringtones, games, and more. In addition to BD-Live, the firmware update will enable photo
and music playlists on a PS3 to be copied to a
PSP, as well as other new features.
To access Blu-ray Profile 2.0, users require an Internet connection and at least 1GB of local storage. Movies with BD-Live are scheduled for
release next month.
The following features have been demonstrated to be possible with BD-LIVE and will vary depending on the title:
- A variety of downloadable content, including bonus scenes, shorts,
trailers, subtitles, ringtones that can be sent to mobile phones,
images, and more. - Interactive movie-based games can pit players
who are sitting in the same room, or are across the world and online,
against each other.
The other feature in Firmware 2.20 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 disc is 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.
