Official Playstation 3 Blu-Ray player Thread - Page 23

Re: Official Playstation 3 Blu-Ray player Thread

i cant find anywhere to download it to the pc to transfer it to my ps3.

Re: Official Playstation 3 Blu-Ray player Thread

This is (presumably) where it will be as soon as Sony finishes updating their PS3 site:

PlayStation.com

Do not be tempted to download and install the firmware from anyplace else because if you brick your unit in this way the warranty won't cover it.

Re: Official Playstation 3 Blu-Ray player Thread

Why are you downloading to a PC first? Every PS3 has a LAN connection... just hook it to the web (into your router/modem network) and the PS3 does all the work... goes out and gets the update file and loads. You just click a "check for new updates" icon and you're on your way.

Re: Official Playstation 3 Blu-Ray player Thread

Since the PS3 won't upconvert (most) SD DVDs to 1080i/p via component out, how is the 480p quality then? I currently use a Denon 2910 player (w/ DCDi) for good quality 480p output. But if I get a PS3 (or whatever else), it'll become the main video player and relegate the Denon to audio-only playback.

Oh, also, how does it handle non-anamorphic SD DVDs (for both HDMI and component out)? Does it do horizontal (or verticle) scaling for proper aspect ratio display on a non-scaling HDTV?

Thanks much for the help...

_Man_

Re: Official Playstation 3 Blu-Ray player Thread

I use HDMI. when I watch an unenhanced movie.. there is a black bar all around, top, sides and bottom.. when I watch 4:3 programs.. the sides are cut off. .when watching star trek or other tv series.

the upscaling with the HDMI is amazing.. and certainly worth looking into. I use my ps3 more for upscaling then my HD a2 player.

Jacob

Re: Official Playstation 3 Blu-Ray player Thread

The PS3 does a better job than my A2 for upscaling also. Before Sony did the UPconvert FW drop we were all watching in 480 or something and it was fine.

Re: Official Playstation 3 Blu-Ray player Thread

Hmmm... Since there doesn't seem to be much report on 480p performance w/ the PS3, I decided to go look up the old (but still occasionally updated) progressive scan shootout article over on the Secrets of HT Hifi site:

PS3 DVD Benchmark at bottom of page

They only have the benchmark/review for 480p HDMI output (presumably before recent software updates since they didn't have the upconversion option at the time of the review), and it does not sound good at all. Unfortunately, I need to know about performance via component out, not HDMI, though I doubt it'd be any better than 480p via HDMI. I suppose it might be possible that more recent software updates have improved 480p performance, but I probably shouldn't hold my breath on that one. Guess I'll probably have to add a good quality component out switcher so I can keep using my Denon for SD DVDs, *IF* I do decide to go w/ the PS3 -- unless my current TV breaks down sooner rather than later...

Bummer...

_Man_

Re: Official Playstation 3 Blu-Ray player Thread

I just now read the review of the PS3 at 'Secrets of HT' and it is very obvious that the review was done when the PS3 first came out. In my humble opinion the PS3 has come a long ways from then in terms of how well it handles DVDs including their upscaling via HDMI. I personally own the relatively quite expensive, $1200 MRP, Pioneer DV-S755Ai (Pioneer Elite DV-47Ai) DVD player. In a side by side comparison with the PS3, I found the difference in quality to be there, but nothing very striking. Considering that the Pioneer was one of the top rated players, back in 2003 when I bought it, I think says a lot for the PS3's abilities with DVDs. Also, considering that the PS3 also upconverts via HDMI, I am sure the results must be even better. I myself cannot comment on the upscaling since my TV is not equiped with HDMI and there is no upscaling over component outputs.

Re: Official Playstation 3 Blu-Ray player Thread

Correct.

At the time of that review, the PS3 didn't even do proper 3-2 pulldown reversal. With the firmware update that added DVD upscaling, it also gave the PS3 outstanding 3-2 cadence recognition and progressive-scan conversion for DVD.

All is well now...

Re: Official Playstation 3 Blu-Ray player Thread

I plan to buy a PS3 this weekend and want to get the firmware upgrade, but I only have a dial-up Internet connection at home.

If I read a post higher up on this page correctly, I might be able to download the update, burn it to a disc and use it to do the upgrade. Is this correct?

If this is not an option, are there any others? Could I take it to a buddy's house and use his high-speed, wireless connection?

This might be a really dumb question, so I'll apologize in advance, but any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Re: Official Playstation 3 Blu-Ray player Thread

I don't have my PS3 hooked up to the internet, but I download the updates onto a USB thumb drive, and they upload effortlessly into the PS3 through one of its USB ports. (Directions on the site will explain that you must create a PS3 folder, an update folder inside of that, and then the download goes inside the update folder.)

I don't believe burning them onto a disc will work.

A dial-up download will take awhile, however. You'll probably want to schedule it for overnight if you go this route.

Re: Official Playstation 3 Blu-Ray player Thread

Look here > PlayStation.com

Even though they don't mention disc it does work, I've done it.

Re: Official Playstation 3 Blu-Ray player Thread

Cool. I should be able to do that with no problem.

THANKS!!!

Re: Official Playstation 3 Blu-Ray player Thread

Thanks for clearing that up -- and thanks, Sanjay, for the comparison w/ your Pioneer Elite player.

Couple other questions. Is the PS3 a fairly fast/responsive BD/DVD player in general, eg. startup/load time, menu navigation, layer change, etc? Are there caveats like it not being able to playback from where a disc was stopped (rather than paused) or not being able to skip a chapter in reverse, etc? I noticed that the entry level Samsung and Sony BD players have issues like that.

Thanks.

Edit: Hmmm... Decided to check out the first few pages of this thread, and looks like my concerns about playback speed/responsiveness was already addressed there. Cool. And sounds like if there are any general playback issues, it'd most likely get addressed at some point via software update over the net, so that's very nice...

_Man_

Re: Official Playstation 3 Blu-Ray player Thread

Am I the only one that tried to do the update only to have it kill the PS3? I got to the point where it wants to restart the system and it is now completely dead.

Re: Official Playstation 3 Blu-Ray player Thread

You may try resetting the video output to the composite by holding down the power button for 5 seconds (release after the second beep). It should automatically configure your PS3 to the TV's native resolution for all settings. Then (assuming that works) you can go into the system settings menu and there are restore options.

Re: Official Playstation 3 Blu-Ray player Thread

I tried that and it didn't work. I took it in to Best Buy and since I had the replacement plan they gave me a new one even though mine was a year old. The new one was able to complete all of the firmware updates and is working fine now.

Re: Official Playstation 3 Blu-Ray player Thread

Now, if only Sony would update the firmware to apply the same performance for 480i/p content on BDs...

Re: Official Playstation 3 Blu-Ray player Thread

I agree, that's something I really wish they'd address. I hate that the PS3 will upscale 480p content that's on a DVD, but it won't on 480p content from a BD.

Re: Official Playstation 3 Blu-Ray player Thread

Agreed. Upscaling of "standard def" shouldn't depend on what format the inserted disc happens to be.

Add to my wish-list good anamorhpic-conversion for non-anamorphic DVDs.

Re: Official Playstation 3 Blu-Ray player Thread

AFter spending the past two days reading this entire thread (and much other research) I decided to finally go pull the trigger on a 40G PS3 today, bought mostly to watch Blu Ray movies....gaming may come at some point. Anyway, excitedly, I opened box up, scanned the directions and got started connecting it. Step 1 was to disconnect my Panny upconverting DVD player....the whole thing should have taken 5 minutes. Disconnect power of DVD player, disconnect Optical Cable and HDMI cable, slide player out, re connect everything to PS3......DOH!!! All this time I thought my DVD player had an optical cable but it's Coax!!!! GRRRR...I don't have another optical cable just laying around....damnit, why do these things always involve multiple trips to the store! This will have to wait until tomorrow.

Two questions while I'm at it (that I either couldnt find answer for or didn't understand what I was reading): 1) I'm curious to know how compatible this device will be with my 22gb music library, ripped using iTunes on an iMac (all aac/mp4 files). I gather that it will play some files, those that weren't purchased from iTunes. Will the others play? With limited data displayed on the TV? What's the best way to get these files onto the PS3's hard drive (assuming it makes any sense to do so)? Everything is backed up on a portable hard drive, can I simply copy them over? I do have a wireless network with router....would streaming be better? 2) With regards to my audio connection options, my A/V receiver is a bit dated at this point, an Outlaw 1050, no HDMI, the aforementioned Coax, optical and 5.1 channel analog inputs. is the optical connection my best option at this point (pending a receiver upgrade)?

Thanks!

Re: Official Playstation 3 Blu-Ray player Thread

hmm, so how do i get the music on my macbook or pc onto my ps3?
i have a wireless router too.

i see an option on the ps3 to search for media but it doesnt find anything.

Re: Official Playstation 3 Blu-Ray player Thread

It probably has it's on thread on here somewhere but just to make sure that everybody realises that blu-ray was the way to go...Warner are now blu-ray exclusive!

Re: Official Playstation 3 Blu-Ray player Thread

As I've only had the time to read a few pages of this thread, perhaps someone would be nice enough to answer the following questions for me (referring to a PS3 with the latest firmware):

1) Can NTSC DVDs be upscaled over HDMI? 720p or 1080p?

2) If so, is reverse-pulldown employed to output a 24p signal from film-based 60Hz material?

3) Can both SD and HD XviD files be played back in addition to DivX and WMV?

4) If so, can 23.98fps DivX/XviD/WMV files be output at 24p for judder-free playback? Or does the PS3 always add pulldown and output them at 60Hz?

5) Also, if the PS3 is configured to output 480i to a widescreen SDTV, is there an option to output a widescreen DivX/XviD/WMV file anamorphically, rather than having to zoom in on the TV?

6) If connected via HDMI to a receiver and plasma TV - both with HDMI v1.3a - can the PS3 automatically adjust audio delay for perfect lip-sync?

7) Does using the slot-loading mechanism scratch discs in any way? I know Blu-Ray discs are slightly more robust, but I'm talking about DVDs as well.

8) Does the PS3 play SACD? If so, what sort of connection to the receiver does it require? Also, what is normal CD playback like?

9) How noisy is the PS3 during normal operation? Does it get very hot?

10) Am I right in thinking that using an optical connection to my receiver, I'll get regular Dolby Digital and DTS and PCM? I need HDMI for the other formats, right?

Cheers!

Re: Official Playstation 3 Blu-Ray player Thread

1) Yes. Upscaling is supported via HDMI up to 1080p (and it does a rather stellar job of it)

2. Full 1080p24 playback was added via firmware. As far as converting 60hz material, I am not sure if the PS3 is capable of reverse pulldown to be honest. I'll have to do some digging on that one if you don't get an answer sooner.

3. Xvid files do work (I've only done SD). However, they do have a bitch of a time streaming through WMP11. However, you can place the file on a USB stick or copy it ONTO the actual PS3's HDD and most Xvid files will work without flaw. Or you could use something like Tversity which is a third party media server program that is known to function just fine. Hopefully a future firmware upgrade will correct the streaming issues with WMP11.

4. I'm sorry, I do not have an answer on this particular one for you.

5. The PS3 has multiple viewing options for any DivX/Xvid/WMV file you throw at it. You can display it various options via the display panel on the system.

6. I'm currently not connecting my PS3 in that type of setup so I cannot answer that one for you.

7. I've never had an issue at all with my discs being scratched. I peronally love and prefer the slot loading drive.

8. Depends on the model of the PS3. The 20GB, 60GB, and 80GB model do indeed support SACD playback and many features to help enhance both SACD and CD playback. The 40GB model, however, does not support SACD playback.

9. The PS3 is whisper quiet for me. I'd have a hard time knowing it was on if it wasn't for the green LED showing it has power. The bottom right hand corner where the drive and other components sit do indeed get quite warm but the system is well ventilated and built like a MAC truck.

10. Correct.

Re: Official Playstation 3 Blu-Ray player Thread

Thanks for the info - very helpful! I also had a thorough read of the instruction manuals on Sony's website, and it looks like an incredible machine. Just gone and ordered a US 40GB model!

Re: Official Playstation 3 Blu-Ray player Thread

I just got a new PS3 yesterday and I have one quick question. Which unit would be better for upscaling my standard DVD collection: the PS3 or my Toshiba HD-A1 HD-DVD player? I've been very happy with the A1 so far, but I was just wondering if the PS3 might do the job even better. Any thoughts or opinions?

Re: Official Playstation 3 Blu-Ray player Thread

I had both the A1 and the PS3 running in my setup for a time and while the differences were fairly minimal I preferred the PS3. Not sure if I could really quantify why exactly. It just looked better to me.

Re: Official Playstation 3 Blu-Ray player Thread

Just purchased a 60gb PS3 yesterday (last one I could find for hardware based backwards compatibility). First Blu-ray movie I played looked amazing. Then played a SD DVD, but the PS3 did not upscale (still played @ 480p, per my TV's display). Using a HDMI connection. If I understand previous posts, I need to update the firmware to upscale DVD's? PS3 won't upscale DVD's 'out-of-the-box'?

Thanks.

Re: Official Playstation 3 Blu-Ray player Thread

True, a 60 GB PS3 will not upscale DVD over HDMI out of the box. The firmware it shipped with was ancient. Not only that, but it's even a lousy 480p player on that firmware revision. Version 1.80 changed all that, and 2.10 makes it a fully 1.1 Profile-compliant blu-ray player. So upgrading firmware is highly recommended.

The 40 and 80 GB players ship with 1.93, so firmware updates are less critical (but still highly recommended).

-Lyle J.P.