System Firmware

From PS3Wiki

The PlayStation 3 System Firmware is the updatable software of the PlayStation 3. The process of updating is almost identical to that of the PSP. Each update includes all previous update data.

The software may be updated by downloading the update directly on the PlayStation 3, downloading it from Alek's Page or the user's local Official PlayStation website to a PC and using a USB storage device to transfer it to the PlayStation 3, or installing the update from game discs containing update data.

Contents 1 Software Update Information 2 1.XX Kernel 2.1 1.00 2.2 1.10 2.2.1 1.11 2.3 1.30 2.3.1 1.31 2.3.2 1.32 2.4 1.50 2.4.1 1.51 2.4.2 1.54 2.5 1.60 2.6 1.70 2.7 1.80 2.7.1 1.81 2.7.2 1.82 2.8 1.90 2.8.1 1.92 2.8.2 1.93 2.8.3 1.94 3 2.XX Kernel 3.1 2.00 3.1.1 2.01 3.2 2.10 3.2.1 2.17 3.3 2.20 3.4 2.30 3.4.1 2.35 3.4.2 2.36 3.5 2.40 3.5.1 2.41 3.5.2 2.42 3.5.3 2.43 3.6 2.50 3.6.1 2.52 3.6.2 2.53 3.7 2.60 3.8 2.70 3.9 2.76 3.10 2.80

Software Update Information

Due to the regular releases of updates to the system's software, the majority of the time newly purchased consoles will not have the latest version of the system software installed. However, any games that require a specific version of the system software will include the update required on the game disc. For example, Ratchet & Clank Future: Tools of Destruction featured v1.94. This update was only available via this game and the only feature it added to prior updates was DualShock 3 controller support, as this was the first game to support the controller without needing an update to the game itself.

1.XX Kernel

1.00

November 11, 2006

• Initial Release
• American and Japanese Only

1.10

November 11, 2006 Download

• PlayStation Network services and Remote Play for the 60 GB model was added.

1.11

November 28, 2006 Download

• Account Management was added.

1.30

December 6, 2006 Download

• Added compatibility of Universal Serial Bus|USB devices for PlayStation 2 format games.

1.31

December 13, 2006 Download

• Allowed use of the Hard Disk Drive (HDD) for certain PlayStation 2 format games.
• Expanded compatibility of PlayStation and PlayStation 2 format games.

1.32

December 21, 2006 Download

• Online gaming functionality was updated.

1.50

January 24, 2007 Download

• Fixed graphical glitches on PlayStation and PlayStation 2 format games that may cause jagged graphics.
• Edy functionality was added (Japanese version only)

1.51

February 2, 2007 Download

• Expanded support for PlayStation 3 format software titles.

1.54

February 28, 2007 Download

• Added individual user icons from the Photo menu.
• Added USB webcam support.

1.60

March 23, 2007 Download

• Added Remote Play support for the 20 GB model.
• Support for Bluetooth keyboards and mice.
• Support for playback of Blu-ray Disc recordable (BD-RE) ver 3.0.
• First version to support software emulation on PS1/PS2 games for PAL units.
• Added Folding@home client.
• Added background downloading feature (ability to download while doing something else).
• Added an on-screen QWERTY keyboard in addition to the standard PlayStation on-screen keyboard.

1.70

April 18, 2007 Download

• Added the ability to play original PlayStation format games downloaded from the PlayStation Store.
• Added rumble functionality for USB accessories which support it when playing PS2 games.
• Saved data from PlayStation format software now usable on both PSP and PS3 systems.
• Backwards compatibility (via emulation) for PlayStation and Playstation 2 games on models lacking the Emotion Engine was improved.

1.80

May 24, 2007 Download

• Remote Play over the Internet now an option. Broadband connection and PlayStation Portable firmware version 3.50, or newer, is required.
• Ability to print photos via USB. (Currently, only selected Epson and Canon printers connected are compatible)
• Ability to zoom and crop images.
• Added a new slideshow type.
• Ability to upscale standard DVD-Videos to 1080p.
• Ability to downscale Blu-ray video to 720p.
• Ability to play 1080p Blu-ray video at 24Hertz.
• Ability to edit CD information and submit it to allmusic.
• Ability to upscale PS1 and PS2 games
• Ability to antialias PS1 and PS2 games
• Ability to copy PS1/PS2 game saves from PS3 to Memory Cards using a Memory Card adapter.
• Backwards compatibility (via emulation) for PlayStation and Playstation 2 games on models lacking the Emotion Engine was improved.
• Added Digital Living Network Alliance (DLNA) compatibility.
• Added support for the xvYCC color space.
• HDMI driver version updated, providing bug fixes including a blinking problem on Westinghouse 1080p LCD TVs.

1.81

June 15, 2007 Download

• The method of setting RGB Full Range (HDMI) under Display Settings was improved.

• The stability of the network connection used during gameplay was improved for some PlayStation 2 format software titles that support online gaming.

1.82

June 28, 2007 Download

• Support for playback of AVC High Profile (H.264/MPEG-4 AVC) format video was added.

1.90

July 24, 2007 Download

• Wallpaper feature for the background of XMB was added.
• Support for text entry in simplified Chinese characters has been added.
• Playback of AVCHD-format video files that are saved on Memory Stick media or on the hard disk of a digital video camera.
• Upsampled output of audio CDs is now supported.
• Ability to eject a game disc using the controller.
• Ability to sort games that are saved on the PlayStation 3's hard disk.

System changes

• Emoticons in messages under [Friends].
• Ability to enter text directly into Web page text entry fields using a USB keyboard.
• Ability to use Traditional Chinese characters as a text entry method.
• Browser speed has been improved.

1.92

September 4, 2007 Download

• Playability status with the PlayStation 3 system changed for some PlayStation 2 format titles. This does not affect titles in Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Oceania.

1.93

September 12, 2007 Download

• The stability of the network connection has been improved.

1.94

October 23, 2007 Download: N/A (Only Available on the Ratchet and Clank Disc)

• Adds support for DualShock 3 controller.

2.XX Kernel

2.00

November 8, 2007 Download: N/A

• You can now modify the PlayStation 3 XMB Home Menu icons or background design by using a theme compiler designed for the PlayStation 3 released by Sony.
• Remote Start function: Remote Start has been added as an option under [Remote Play Settings].
• [Color], [Background] and [Font] have been added as options under [Theme Settings].
• You can now select [Brightness] as an option under [Theme Settings] > [Background].
• The process for setting [Internet Connection Settings] under [Network Settings] has been changed.
• You can now select Canon printers with the [Printer Selection] option under [Printer Settings].
• You can now create playlists to group content under [Music] and [Photo].
• You can now play Super Audio CD via digital optical audio output. The DSD stream is converted to multichannel Digital Theater System or stereo PCM, depending on settings.
• [Vibration Function] has been added as an option under [Controller Settings] in the menu that appears when you press the PS button on the wireless controller.
  • To use this feature, a DualShock 3 Wireless Controller is required.
• New grouping options for the [Group Content] feature have been added to the options menu.
• [Information Board] has been added as a feature under [Network]. PlayStation related news can be displayed on the PlayStation 3 Home Menu.
• [PlayStation Network] has been added as a category in the PlayStation 3 Home Menu.
• [Trend Micro Web Security for PS3] has been added as a security option under the Internet browser.
• You can now view video content (as a progressive download) as it is being downloaded from PlayStation Store.
• The voice/video chat menu has been changed.
• You can now use the PlayStation Eye camera for voice / video chat.

2.01

November 20, 2007 Download

• The Remote Play Remote Start functions have been changed to prevent an unintentional remote start by the user.
• Direct Stream Digital|DSD-to-Digital Theater Systems|DTS conversion has been removed again. Optical output from Super Audio CD remains possible but in stereo only.
• The operating stability of some PlayStation 3 format software has been improved.
• The operating stability when outputting upscaled PlayStation2 format software has been improved.
  • Only for models that support playback of PlayStation2 format software
• The stability of the system software has been improved for some operations, including the use of the Internet Browser and information board.

2.10

December 18, 2007 Download

• Voice Changer feature has been added to Voice and Video Chat and is available in games that support microphones.
  • The tone of the sound that is input from an audio device such as a microphone can be changed. High and low-pitched tones can each be adjusted to five preset levels each.
• Bitmapping [Type 3] has been added as an option under Settings > [Music Settings] > [Bitmapping].
• A new visualization (Earth Visualization) has been added. To cycle through available visualizations, press [Square].
• DivX, XviD and VC-1 (Windows Media Video) have been added to the types of files that can be played.
  • To play VC-1 (WMV) format files, users must go to Settings > [System Settings] and set [Enable WMA Playback].
  • Copyright-protected files or files that were encoded by using DivX 3.11 cannot be played. - Files that are 2GB or more in size cannot be played.
• Blu-ray Player profiles: Blu-ray Bonus View Profile 1.1 is now supported.
  • Users are now able to use several additional features such as playback of two videos at the same time with Profile 1.1-compatible Blu-ray Discs. The available features vary depending on the disc.
• [BD Data Utility] has been added. The management data that is used by the Blu-ray Disc is saved in this folder.
• Users can now play PlayStation game discs on a PSP with remote play. (this feature was not announced)
• Backwards compatibility (via emulation) for PlayStation and Playstation 2 games on models lacking the Emotion Engine was improved. (Update was also unannounced but evident in Sony's backwards compatibility search site)
• The PlayStation 3 RSX access hack via Linux has been blocked.

2.17

March 12, 2008 Download

• The operating stability of some online PlayStation 3 format software has been improved.
• Support for PlayStation 2 games with optional and mandatory installs.

2.20

March 25, 2008 Download

• The way you register (pair) Bluetooth devices has changed, and you can now register more devices.
• A [BD Internet Connection] setting has been added under [BD/DVD Settings].
• An [Audio Output Device] setting has been added under [Remote Play Settings].
• You can now play DivX and WMV files that are 2 GB or larger.
• Support of XviD files updated, many more files are now playable but are recognised as MPEG-4 files.
• You can now display subtitles when playing DivX files.
• You can now resume playing a DVD/BD from the point where you previously stopped it, even if the disc is removed then re-inserted to the console, or the console is turned off entirely.
• BD-J format disc is not supported.
• You can now display an image while editing a playlist.
• You can now play a music track while editing a playlist.
• A [Mosquito Noise Reduction] option has been added under [AV Settings] in the control panel for standard DVDs.
• BD discs recorded with BDMV format are not supported.
• You can now copy playlists that you create in (Photo) and (Music) to a PSP system.
• Blu-ray Player profiles: Blu-ray BD-Live Profile 2.0 is now supported.
• Users are now able to use several interactive features such as downloadable video content, ring tones and interactive movie-based games, with Profile 2.0-compatible Blu-ray Discs. The interactive features may vary depending on the disc.
• You can now play BD-R version 1.2 (LTH* BD-R) discs.
• LTH, or low to high, is a recording method that supports organic dye, write-once BD-R media.
• You can now change some PS3 system settings during remote play.
• [Save Target] has been added as an option under [File] in the browse mode menu of the Internet browser. This option lets you save a file that is linked from a Web page, such as an image or video file, or other type of file, to your PS3 system's hard disk drive or storage media.
• The Internet browser now displays some Web pages faster.
• Using the Internet browser, you can now play a linked video file* as it is being downloaded.
• Some types of video files cannot be viewed in this manner and must be downloaded completely before playback.

2.30

April 15, 2008 Download

• Redesigned PlayStation Store
  • Easier navigation - PlayStation Store's new interface allows easier navigation. You can move between pages by simply pressing the X and O buttons. You can also move to other pages faster.
  • New layout - PlayStation Store has a new page layout that makes it easier to find what you want.
  • Avatar display - You can now view your PlayStation Network account avatar on the pages of PlayStation Store.
  • Content status display - An icon now indicates the status of each content item: Items that you purchased and Items that are in your cart.
• Blu-ray Disc playback now supports DTS-HD Master Audio and DTS-HD High Resolution Audio output.
  • The PS3 system does not support playback of DTS-ES and DTS 96/24 for DVD-Video or DTS-ES Matrix for Blu-ray Discs.

2.35

May 15, 2008 Download

• The operating stability of some PlayStation 3 format software has been improved.

2.36

June 17, 2008 Download

• The operating stability of some PlayStation format software has been improved.

2.40

July 2, 2008 Download

• You can now set the PlayStation 3 system to turn off automatically after updating the system software.
• [Reassign Controllers] and [Controller Vibration Function] have been added as options under [Accessory Settings].
• You can now access the XrossMediaBar screen while playing PlayStation 3 format software.
  • Only some of the XMB functions can be used during gameplay.
  • If you press the PS button for more than two seconds, the screen showing options to quit the game, turn off the system, controller settings, and etc. will be displayed.
  • The XMB screen is not displayed when you are playing PlayStation 2 or PlayStation format software.
  • The XMB screen cannot be displayed when you are playing certain PlayStation 3 format software titles.
  • In-Game Music requires that the game supports the feature.
• The procedure for quitting PlayStation 3 format software has been changed. You can now quit the game from the XMB
• You can now collect trophies in games that support the trophy feature.
• A new "view mode" has been added to the Playstation Store
• [Search] has been added as an option in the browse mode menu of the Internet Browser.
• You can now perform an Internet search directly from the XMB screen.
• You can now see the system clock on the XMB screen. The date and time that were set under [Settings] > [Date and Time] are displayed.
• When using a keyboard, you can now clear the entire text entry field at once.
• An icon is now displayed when you press the PS button for an operation that cannot be performed.
• You can now turn off the PlayStation 3 system from the XMB screen using the [Turn Off System] option.
• The number of Friends who can be added to a Friends list has been increased from 50 to 100.
• The [Information] screen for friends has been redesigned and renamed as [Profile].
• You can now sort items that are grouped in a folder by month or year using the [Film Date] option.
• You can now print images from a playlist that was created under (Photo).
• You can now use a mini-size control panel while playing music.
• You can now play music content encoded in MP3 Surround format.
  • MP3 Surround can only be played in Linear PCM output.
• You can now use the [Frame Noise Reduction] and [Block Noise Reduction] settings for video content that is saved on the hard disk or storage media.
• You can now play upscaled video content that is saved on the hard disk or storage media. When the video content is played, it is upscaled automatically to fit the screen size.
• Upscaling of Blu-ray Disc (BDAV) video content is now supported
• For DTS playback on DVD-Video and Blu-ray Disc media, DTS-ES and DTS 96/24 for DVD-Video and DTS-ES Matrix for Blu-ray Discs are now supported.

2.41

July 8, 2008 Download

• Various fixes for issues caused by update 2.40.
• Changed platinum trophy icon.
• New page added to profile of users under [Players Met] which shows the last game played with that user.
• Ability to record TV programmes using PlayTV while playing a game.

2.42

July 29, 2008 Download

• Improves the playback quality of some PlayStation 3 and PlayStation format software.
• Trophy information in the [Games] category loads more quickly.

2.43

July 29, 2008 Download

• firmware 2.43 simply brings minor improvements to the region’s PS Store and video service.

2.50

October 13, 2008 Download

The features/enhancements include:

• The [BD/DVD Settings] option under [Settings] has been renamed as [Video Settings]

Also, multiple video content items can be now played in order. You can edit this option in [Video Settings] -> [Sequential Playback]

• A scene search feature has been added to the [video] category. You can easily select a scene that you want to watch. This feature can be accessed from [Scene Search] in the control panel that is displayed during video playback.
• The [Sign Up for PlayStation Network] and [Account Management] options have been improved. You an now create and manage an account more easily.
• A feature has been added that allows the PS3 system or wireless controller to turn off automatically when not used for a certain period of time. You can set this feature in [Settings] -> [Power Save Settings]
• Adds support for Flash 9 encoded videos

2.52

November 4, 2008 Download

• The playback quality of some PS3 format software has been improved.
• A text entry issue that occurs when using the on-screen keyboard, USB keyboard or Bluetooth keyboard with some PS3 format software has been addressed.

2.53

December 2, 2008 Download

• Full-screen mode playability
• Live movie (using RTMP format) playability

2.60

January 21, 2009 Download

• An error which caused saved games for some titles to become inaccessible if the user's PlayStation Network ID or password was changed has been addressed.
• Users are now able to view and download free content from the PlayStation Store without the need to create or sign-in to a PlayStation Network account.
• A [Photo Gallery] application has been added under the [Photo] category (requires additional 105MB download).
• Video playback of files encoded with version 3.11 of the DivX codec.

2.70

April 1, 2009 Download

• Video files purchased from the PlayStation Store can now be backed up to an external storage device and then restored to PS3’s internal hard drive for playback.
• Videos purchased for the PSP can now be transferred to the PS3 for playback.
• A [Dynamic Normalizer] option has been added as an option under [Music Settings] in the [Settings] menu.
• Easily search the Internet for information about PLAYSTATION®3 format software, as well as for games purchased from PlayStation®Store. Select the icon for the game, and then select [Internet Search] from the options menu to get search results based on the game title.
• Copy and paste text from a Web page viewed in the Internet (WWW) browser.
• [Copy Address of This Page] and [Copy Address of This Link] have been added as options under [File] in the browse mode menu of the Internet browser.
• [Browser Security] has been added as an option to the browse mode menu of the Internet browser. The websites for the Web filtering services that used to be listed under [Bookmarks] have been moved under this new option.
• The order in which Friends are listed in the Friends list has been changed. When there are pending requests to add Users as Friends, the icons for these Users are now displayed at the top of the Friends list.
• Polish, Greek, Czech, Slovak, and Turkish can now be displayed in the Internet browser.
• [Text Chat] feature that enables the user to create or join a chat room with up to 15 other PlayStation Network users and communicate using the on-screen keyboard or a compatible keyboard peripheral. This feature is available both in game and not in-game.
• Ability to sort the [Friends] list via users' online status and the time they were last online.
• The file size limit for message attachments has been increased from 1MB to 3MB.
• [Internet Search] option added to context menu for items in the [Games] menu which launches the internet browser and performs a search for the game title.
• Users are now able to copy and paste text from the web browser to text fields or the input keyboard.

2.76

May 14, 2009 Download

• improves the playback quality of some PS3 format software.

2.80

June 25, 2009 Download

• The playback quality of some PLAYSTATION 3 format software has been improved.