Latest PS3 Firmware Updates

[sj33]

Pictures of the new update, including the scaler stuff etc http://www.ps3fanboy.com/2007/05/23/...es-and-movies/

Looks like you actually get to choose DVD resolution at least, maybe game resolution too.

[JP]

Looks good!!

What they say on there is:
"The content will be converted to resolutions as high as 1080p, and will breathe new visual life into your old discs."
That sounds positive, it looks like it's not just 1080p....hopefully!

It seems that they've added the option for texture smoothing on PS1/PS2 games also. It looks like it could be software BC all round from now on then...

[Bleeders]

Update available.

[Rockman_Joey]

Just updated!

Awesome update, FFXI on my PS3 looks more like my PC version now which is a major improvement!

The games look a lot better in 1080p, I aint tried any proper 3D games apart from that. Im off to try Kingdom Hearts II Final Mix on my 1.80 PS3

[Bleeders]

*waits for Odin Sphere to arrive*

Upscaled DVDs don't look 'arf bad either, tried out Smokin' Aces.

EDIT - Not mine, but a screen grab of the upscaled content.

[andrewfee]

DVD playback has had a lot of work done to it, other than just upscaling, and is now significantly better than the 360, scoring about 73/130 on the HQV benchmark test. (up from about 20-30, and I believe the 360 was actually below 20)

PS2 upscaling does not make much of a difference at all, if your TV has good processing.

FFXII in 1080p:


FFXII in 480p:


FFXII in 1080p with filtering:


Note: The filtering may look good in photos, but it just makes things look soft - it does not remove aliasing or flickering at all, it just makes edges look really soft and ugly, similar to having the flicker filter enabled in games that give you the option.

[Bleeders]

Did you leave all the new settings to default, andrew?

[andrewfee]

I tried them all and set them to what looked best. (I do use the upscaling, but not the filtering for PS2 games, for example)

[watusi]

Anyone know what the difference between Normal and Full screen settings, I assume it stretches to widescreen in games but does it do the same for none widescreen sources for DVD's?

Nice update so far!

[andrewfee]

Normal scaling keeps 4:3 stuff 4:3, fullscreen stretches it. With DVDs this can be changed on-the-fly if you hit triangle. I don't think you can change it with games unless you quit to XMB. (perhaps if you hit the PS button? I didn't check)

Just a word of warning - don't go blindly enabling full range over HDMI unless you know your display supports it.

Most televisions are supposed to be using limited range, whereas you will want full range if you're using an monitor with the PS3.

For these examples, I maxed out the brightness control, and made sure the exposures were equal.

Limited range HDMI, which my TV expects:


Full range HDMI:


Shadow details are totally eliminated, and even having brightness at 100 can't bring them back, as the display is supposed to clip information below 16. (limited range is 16-235 for black to white, full range is 0-255)

[Concept]

Will someone from these forums test SotC and tell me what it looks like upscaled (no spin please)?

It determines whether or not I pick up a PS3 today.

[Concept]

PS2 upscaling does not make much of a difference at all, if your TV has good processing.

Cheers. Thought it sounded too good to be true.

[Spatial]

Can't say I'm impressed with the scaling option as it's made little difference for me. God of War II still looks an appalling jaggy, blurry mess (and still far worse than on my old CRT set where the game almost popped out of the screen at you for clarity and image).

As Andrew said, if your TV's got a good scaler anyway this update won't make that much of a difference.

edit: Concept, I didn't try SotC just now but as the update's made no difference based on past playing of the game you won't see much difference at all I'm afraid.

[andrewfee]

Here's a test for people to see whether or not their display supports the new full range option or not.

First, save this image, and put it on a memory card or something so that you can view it on the PS3:

http://sr-388.net/images/patterns/Brightness.jpg

With the option set to limited, adjust the brightness control on your TV until you can see most/all of the boxes. There are 12 boxes there, but you might not be able to see them all. You should hopefully be able to see at least 9/10 of them.

Now switch it over to Full range. Can you still see all the boxes? It's very likely that you will only see a full black screen now if you're using a HDTV rather than a DVI monitor.

If you can turn up the brightness control and see the same number of boxes again, then it seems your display does support the full range. If it stays black, or you can't see as many boxes as before, your TV does not support the full range option and you should be using limited.

Most HDTVs should have it set to limited.

[JP]

There is now an option for 1080p 24 Hz also!!

After I'd downloaded it my I got a message on my PC to say that another machine had been networked to my network. And I have a Windows Media Player icon showing now.