Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Home Theater PS3 now version 2.2

The PS3 now can be upgraded to version 2.2
Some of the features added are BD-Live, Resume Play - begin playing a DVD or BD disc from the point where you previously stopped it, even if you eject the disc and insert a different movie or game, and several other features.
Now give me my Master DTS and I'll be happy.

2.2? I thought the latest BR profile was 2.0!

I meant to leave a link, I'm downloading now. PS3

Two separate numbers.

2.2 is the next version of the PS3 firmware.

As one of its components, the 2.2 release includes the 2.0 BD profile.

ahhh. thanks!

Alright! I was hoping for disc resume! PS3 features are getting better and better with most firmware updates

What do I need to do to get my denon programmable remote to control the PS3? is it possible?

Is there another iteration of the PS3 on the horizon? It looks like the only one available now is the 40GB. I would pay a little extra for a bigger HD and compatibility with PS2 games.

I think that ship has sailed, Tom. eBay...

Tom,
You can go to EBgames.com and buy a refurbished 60GB or 80GB system. I haven't read anything about Sony planning on doing more with the PS3.

I was under the impression that the 80GB version (software emulation) was still in production. It's not even a year old yet. I still think you'd be best off tracking down a 60GB, though. It does pretty much everything that a PS3 can do, through hardware.

I use this one, it works very well. You don't actually use the remote, but you can use it to program a universal remote.

Nyko Infrared PS3 Remote

The drawback of any IR remote for the PS3 is that there is no IR command for the Power on/off, you always have to do that with the button on the machine or the PS3 controller.

By the way, I'd seriously consider dropping the Denon remote and getting a better universal remote. That Denon controller is awful! (IMHO)

Megnaro,

Look at this thread for an explanation of what the various remote options are, including the Nyko mentioned above.

Once you are done with the rather long, but detailed thread, look at this link which gives you the only solution that 1) allows you to use PS2 codes to add to your programmable IR remote and 2) also gives you an on and off solution for your IR remote. For my MX-850 & MX-900, Remote Central has several files where I was able to download the commands for use, including discrete on and off commands.

Tom,

[url+http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CategoryDisplay?storeId=10151&catalogId=10551&langId=-1&categoryId=6148914691233368166]had the 80GB through last weekend[/url] and may have it again. There are rumors that Sony will be introducing a 120 or 160 GB version in JUne, but there are no facts to back that up yet.

If you take a look at the link above at SonyStyle, you will note that the 40GB version is $399. That is $100 less than the 80 GB version (who knows what a 120/160 GB version might cost). There is a promo right now for free shipping ($34-$40??).

I didn't upgrade the internal 40GB hard drive because I plugged in a external 750 GB USB drive that I had.

Most importantly, that link also shows that getting / using a Sony Visa (which you can then cancel) gets you a $100 credit on your account in you spend $299 or more and buy a Sony product from SonyStyle or a Sony Store.

A quick tally shows savings of $100 (smaller HD), PLUS $100 (Credit on the account) PLUS $30 (free shipping). That's a savings of $230, which can be used, in part, to buy a larger internal drive (320GB goes for about $120) to replace the 40GB drive (which you can put into a $20 external enclosure). There are several videos on YouTube showing how easy the HDD changeout is (and it DOESN'T void your warranty). This leaves you with a MUCH bigger HDD and still another $90 in your pocket (which you can use part of to purchase the IR solution mentioned above for your MX-700).

The compatibility thing matters only if you have PS2 games. And if you do, you probably have a PS2, which you can still use.

So..... how many do you want?

BTW - the $$ and Sony Visa scenario is how I purchased my PS3 3 weeks ago and I already have my $100 credit.

So, everybody wants DTS MA for PS3...but what are they asking for? Via bitstream (or does it do that already?)? Or internal decode sent via hdmi?

The PS3 decodes everything except for DTS MA. I think most people just want it decoded internally so it can be sent to the receiver via PCM, at least that's what I want it for since my receiver won't decode any of the HD formats but will accept them via PCM through HDMI.

Ray, thanks for posting this! I've got an MX-800 myself and just downloaded the codes from RemoteCentral that include the on/off commands (I didn't know it was possible with IR only).

My PS3 is disconnected now so I can't test it, but if it works through the Universal Remote, it's going to be a huge improvement to the way it works now. Thanks.

I think you need the dongle from schmartz to make the IR on/off work. But I'd love to know for sure.

I just saw on TV that Sony will be releasing a 80GB PS3 bundle in June.

Which is why they sold off the other stock, although I am surprised it is only 80GB. As cheap as HDD are I would have thought at least 160Gb would have been in order or for the extra $40-$60 retail over the 80 they could go right to a 500GB.

Sorry but I'm a PS3 Newb. Can someone tell me the average game size? I'm sure they all differ but, on average, what can one expect to hold on the 40GB vs the 80GB?

It'd be very hard to hit the limit even with a 40GB. The HDD space is used mainly for other things... downloading game trials, movie trailers, storing pictures, movies, music, etc., caching streamed video or music from your home network. The games themselves don't take up a tremendous amount of disk space.

Personally, I still think you'd be fine with the 40GB, though I imagine Sony plans on making heavier use of the HDD in the future as new features and functionality are released.

If I have a home network set up on XP, with several folders being shared in order to stream video and audio files from my main PC to my HTPC, would the PS3 also be able to pick up on this network and see the shared folders to stream video/audio? If so what do I need to do?

Tested this morning, unfortunately you are right, the learned on/off codes do nothing without the IR4PS3 remote. Bummer.

Also, after reading Schmartz's product info, it looks like you need a PSP as well to enable the "remote start" feature on the PS3.. still looks like quite a pain to get working. It's amazing Sony hasn't capitalized on this and developed their own solution.

Ray and others who have purchased the Schmartz product - does it come with the remote as well? All of his pictures show only the dongle to plug into the front of the machine, though the remote central article shows the modified remote as well.

Unfortunately, you will need that specific "schmartz" IR solution I posted that enables the on and off command capability. The commands won't work if you just plug them into your MX-800.

As far as the PSP goes, you can simply borrow one and use it to change the setting they reference in those instructions you cited.

All things being equal, it's a pretty slick solution.

Absolutely. There is a wealth of information out there. Take a look at at this thread and at this forum (containing many threads).

You will find that using media server software like Windows Media Player 11 or Tversity will likely be required. Don't lose site of the fact that you can plug (multiple) USB Hard Drive into the PS3 and get at your media from there (eliminating the added complexities involved with streaming from a PC).

Matter of fact, you can stream from your PC AND plug a USB drive into the PS3.

The capability of the PS3 to make use of external USB drives makes the issue of 40GB vs 80GB pretty much a non-starter. Plus, you can always upgrade the internal hard drive if desired.

So I know this is a little late, but the PS3 from whaty I've read does not have the capability to bitstream any of the HD formats unfortunately, but instead decodes all of them internally, and does not yet support internal DTS-HD MA, although there have been rumors all over of them adding the support. I REALLY had hoped it would be with the 2.20. However, it should be possible, especially with the computing power the PS3 has. It's a hardware factor that prevents the bitstreaming.

Great links to an IR based PS3 solution, Ray3! I've been looking for a way to integrate the PS3 into my Marantz RC5000i, and this looks to be a good solution. btw - I didn't even open the AVS thread... in my experience it just isn't worth sifting through the inevitable bitchfest and occasional flamewar

thefwam - The PS3 will extract a 1.5Mbps DTS "core" track from DTS Master Audio tracks at this time. I've heard the rumors of support for the past year since I bought my PS3, but 10 ought firmware updates later (and now with profile 2 no less) we've yet to see DTS-HD MA support. I'm not holding my breath.

Glad it helped. The guy looks to be a one man band and is assembling them himself, but reports are that it is simple, effective, reliable and it works. That on & off thing is the key ingredient to any universal remote that can do macros.

The whole HD Audio thing is in the air. Fortunately, if you set the PS3 to PCM, you get the DTS soundtrack which is pretty nice.

I did see his notes on having a hard time finding a fulfillment partner, but I'm willing to wait for a quality product.

Yeah, frankly the DTS core sounds pretty darned good. Most of my BDs with an HD audio track seem to be Dolby TrueHD anyway.

I was on engadget today and saw this

I'm not sure if this is the solution we are looking for, any opinions?

It looks like the main advantages here are that it doesn't eat up a PS3 controller spot, it does do on/off, and lots of menu options.

Nice find! Looks like the perfect solution. I'll definitely be looking to get one when they get more in stock. I imagine it's going to be a race to get them for awhile. If these guys are smart, they'll keep raising the price until demand subsides.

Here is a note from their website:

Yeah it will decode the DTS core, which is nice, since almost all of fox's releases are DTS-HD MA. I've had my PS3 since March 07 and I agree i'm not exactly holding my breath for the support, at this point i'm looking more towards stand-alone blu ray players coming down. Who knows. After movies like Pirates though, it's hard to watch Pan's Labyrinth and imagine what i'm missing!

I saw this:

Future PS3 Firmware releases beyond ver. 2.20 (speculation, but based on some available information):

ver. 2.30 will probably add decoding of DTS HD-MA with LPCM output via HDMI (source DTS rep. at CES said they are developing the software for Sony, while it's speculation it will be in ver. 2.30, this would seem to be in about the right time frame). Probaby May/June 2008

ver. 2.40 will probably add "in-game communications/messaging". (source Ray Maguire, Sony UK) Probably July/Aug. 2008


Ron Jones



In this thread:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1009717

What is this talk of PS2 games not working on the PS3? I've not had any issues playing our PS2 games. ??

I believe that with the 40 gig version you are not able to play PS2 games. The 60 gig version allows it via hardware and the 80 gig version allows it via software. Someone correct me if I'm wrong.

IIRC, you are not wrong and are the rumors not saying the next 80gb versions to be released will not be backward compatible as well? It was a cost cutting measure I have read.