High Definition Hardware

PS3 firmware v2.30 is now available

The frequent firmware updates for Sonys Playstation 3 are certainly a plus for all PS3 owners and have already proven that the PS3 can easily match its rivals as far as longevity is concerned in the fast moving world of consumer electronics. PS3 firmware 2.30 is released today and Sony have delivered us a new look PlayStation Store (definately required) and DTS-HD Master Audio sound reproduction sure to make audiophile-types lean in for a listen.

Reports suggest the Store is a bit sluggish at the moment, something that's likely to get sorted once the rolling update is completed. Nevertheless, users are claiming easier navigation and richer experience.

The addition of new features such as the DTS-HD decoding is a real plus point and puts the PS3 right back up there with the best dedicated Blu-Ray players.

(Via Engadget)

PS3 finally gets DTS-HD Master Audio support for Blu-ray

Sony has announced the next firmware upgrade for the PlayStation 3, due on the 15th April will finally add support for DTS-HD Master Audio on Blu-ray discs.

DTS-HD MA has long been favoured by Fox for its movie releases. With a bit-rate up to 24.5 Mbps, the system can deliver 7.1 channels of 96k/24-bit audio, equal to Studio masters.

This is particulary good news for those of us with an AV receiver that can accept PCM over HDMI but cannot decode new HD Surround sound formats itself - the PS3 will do the decoding and pass the PCM to the receiver.

Brian Towne, Senior Vice President and General Manager of the DTS Consumer Division, says: “We are extremely pleased that Sony Computer Entertainment is adding the full spectrum premium DTS-HD Master Audio codec into the PS3 so that more than 10 million owners of one of the best selling computer entertainment systems can have the best sounding, most efficient and flexible audio technology available as well.”

Teiji Yutaka, Senior Vice President for Sony Software Platform Development, adds: “PS3 was designed to enable delivery of new and improved technologies like DTS-HD Master Audio, so we are delighted to be able to offer this capability to PS3 users.”

PS3 Launches in the US

Sony's eagerly awaited HD capable console the Playstation 3 launched stateside on Friday to the sound of Gunfire.

Thousands had camped outside in order to ensure they were one of the first to get their hands on the PS3. One unlucky man was shot in a attempted robbery outside a Walmart. Apparantly he refused to hand over money to two armed men.

Two other Walmart stores were forced to close due to problems caused by large crowds of gamers, some of whom had been there for several days.

Investors are closely watching sales of the PS3 as a key test of Sony's grip on the gaming industry, particularly as it faces rising competition from both Microsofts XBox 360 and the Nintendo Wii.

Sony anticipates 400,000 units to be available in the United States on Friday alone, one week after the initial launch in Japan. The aim is to make 1 million PS3s available in the United States by the end of the year.

Sony is expected to lose money at first on the highly specced PS3 . The machine not only offers HD gaming but can be used to surf the internet, download video and music and play movies in High Definition with its Blu-ray disc drive.

Experts say the PS3 could be around for the next decade and go a long way toward helping Sony stay at the top of the gaming market, while aiding their efforts to make Blu-ray the next-generation DVD standard.

PS3 pricing confirmed.

After a period of silence Sony has confirmed pricing and a launch date for its much-anticipated PlayStation3. It will launch in Europe on November 17, and will follow the Xbox 360's lead by being available in two flavours: a version with a 20GB HDD costing around 499 Euros (or £340), and a 60GB HDD version costing around 599 Euros (or £410).

Sony appears to have deviated slightly from its earlier talk of global launch, with Japan apparently set to get the new console a week earlier than Europe.