Sony PS3 v2.20 Update Adds BD-Live

This week Sony threw down the gauntlet, saying that the v2.20 system software update for the PlayStation 3, due in late March, will add Blu-ray disc Profile 2.0 (BD-Live). This makes the PS3 one of the first players to support BD-Live and activates a ton of installed boxes to the potential of supporting the new Profile 2.0 software coming soon.

Their last update (v2.10) added support for Profile 1.1, or "Bonus View" as it is called by the people who make up silly names. After the BD-Live update, the PS3 will be able to handle the new Blu-ray interactive features, including downloadable video content, ring tones, games, and anything else content developers think up along the way.  The update comes several months after the first BD-Live titles were released (largely to the sound of crickets chirping since no players could support the features). BD-Live discs include such titles as:

• War
• Saw IV
• Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story (April 8, 2008)
• The 6th Day (April 8, 2008)
  
• Sleeping Beauty (no date specified)
  
• National Treasure (no date specified)
  

In addition, Sony says the following features will also be included in the system software update:

• "Resume play" will enable the PS3 to resume a BD and DVD video at the point it was stopped, even if the disc was removed
• "Audio Output Device" will be a new Remote Play setting, enabling PSP to serve as a remote control for music played through PS3
• Photo and music playlists on a PlayStation 3 can be migrated over to a PSP.

• The speed of PlayStation 3's Internet browser will be improved and embedded video files will be streamable
• DivX and WMV format videos >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.

Since the PS3 can output Dolby TrueHD via uncompressed PCM audio and has Profile 1.1 and 2.0 capabilities, this is a very capable player for anyone looking to get into Blu-ray right now. It certain looks more impressive than some other players we've seen for twice the price. Sony's lack of dts-HD in this player doesn't particularly bother us (for the price), nor does the lack of bitstream outputs of the high resolution audio formats.

Who knew that the PS3 would end up being one of the most advanced, capable, and affordable Blu-ray players on the market. Even a year later, the game console continues to impress.