PS3 System Software Updates - Why so frequent?

[PENG]

Why do they have to be updated so frequently? I realize it is a multi functional machine but over 30 updates since launched seems a little much. 3.42 was released on September 7 and 3.5 is out today, two in a month!!

I wonder how it would perform had I stayed at 2.8 when I bought it.

 

[its phillip]

Yeah, I hate how frequently it updates, and how access to the psn store is based on you having the latest version :/

 

[Ares]

Most of these updates have been done to improve stability of playback of CD,BD, HDD media, but there have been some updates that either added features or remove features. Not updating at all can lead to the inability of playing newer game titles and movies.

3.42 was the answer to the PSjailbreak which allowed gamers to install games and movies to the HDD of the PS3 3.42 closed that loophole for now.

3.5 has the following features:

1) 3D Blu-Ray support for 3D movie playback

2) PlayStation Move controller can be used as the cursor for the web browser.

3) You can now report those annoying users who send you spam through your ‘friends’ list.

4) a 3D ‘notice’ screen for games that are compatible with your 3DTV.

5) Improve access and function with the social network Facebook.

6) Improved descriptions of the 14 most common PS3 errors.

7) Updated interface for the PlayStation Plus section of the PS Store.

8) Qriocity Icon will appear on the music section of the PS Store, but won’t be available (may be EU only)

The main reason right now for these series of updates that seem to happen every month or two is Sony's attempt to combat hackers like GeoHot and others from cracking the PS3.

 

[gmichael]

Why do they have to be updated so frequently? I realize it is a multi functional machine but over 30 updates since launched seems a little much. 3.42 was released on September 7 and 3.5 is out today, two in a month!!

I wonder how it would perform had I stayed at 2.8 when I bought it.

"Cause some of us need a break between games.

 

[darien87]

3.42 was the answer to the PSjailbreak which allowed gamers to install games and movies to the HDD of the PS3 3.42 closed that loophole for now.

This is probably my biggest beef with the PS 3, (besides the loud-*** fan). Why the hell can't I put the movies or games that I bought on the hard drive?!?!?

 

[j_garcia]

Actually, if it didn't work with a game or have a feature that you wanted, you would be asking "why doesn't the PS3 have this?", so consider it a GOOD thing that they update as often as they do. Not all the updates are relevant to everyone, but it is still better than few/no updates. When a BD player doesn't play something then you'd be asking "Why doesn't this company update their players more often?" while you are waiting 3 months for them to release the update It is a small price to pay to have the latest and greatest, and a number of those updates added a very significant features. No complaints here.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

 

[bmurphy2121]

This is probably my biggest beef with the PS 3, (besides the loud-*** fan). Why the hell can't I put the movies or games that I bought on the hard drive?!?!?

If you are wanting to put movies on the HDD just use DVD Shrink and external HD and make you DVD into VOB files save on external HD and play them through the PS3, then on the PS3 just copy the movie to the PS3 HDD and now you have your movie on there.

 

[PENG]

"Cause some of us need a break between games.

Okay but do you really need two breaks per month? I am okay with just one but I don't work for the government.

 

[Ares]

This is probably my biggest beef with the PS 3, (besides the loud-*** fan). Why the hell can't I put the movies or games that I bought on the hard drive?!?!?

I agree this is something that I would like to have as a feature, You can put movies on the HDD if your Blu-Ray comes with a digital copy, you can rip DVD's than transfer them to the PS3.

I will say this installing a game on the HDD(assuming you have the required space to do so) is something I see a lot of PS3 owners wanting, if they could do that I will be happy.

 

[PENG]

I just noticed the Netflix icon after the 3.5 update. Is this also new for this update? I certainly don't remember seeing it before. Anyway, I would appreciate any feedback on Netflix in terms of:

1. Picture quality relative to DVD.
2. Sound quality.
3. Does it take a long time to download, actually I don't know if it is live streaming or I have download the movie first?
4. I was going to sign up for the one month free trial but to do that I have to provide them with my credit card number. That's fair, but would it be like pulling teeth if I want to cancel the service and stop payment?

 

[j_garcia]

PQ = same as DVD. PQ will ultimately vary by the movie itself as well, just like everything else. The better looking titles do look good, but AFAIK, you cannot upscale like a DVD.

SQ = stereo only

You don't download, you stream live. Speed depends on your connection speed. I am able to stream without delay via wifi. It takes a minute or two to buffer up initially, but once streaming I have never experienced dropouts. You can fast forward with scene clips, pause exit and resume later, etc...

I didn't notice the icon, but they did say that you would soon be able to stream without the need for their disc. Previously, you had to insert the Netflix disc (free) that launched the interface to stream.

 

[PENG]

I didn't notice the icon, but they did say that you would soon be able to stream without the need for their disc. Previously, you had to insert the Netflix disc (free) that launched the interface to stream.

Thanks for the helpful information. Yes the icon is there for sure after the update, I just wasn't sure about whether it was there before ver 3.5. It is a bright red color one that says "Netflix Instant Streaming". I clicked on it and it started downloading the software, then I followed the instructions all the way to the point it asked for credit card number. That's when I stopped and thought that I should find out more about PQ, SQ etc. DVD quality is fine but I have to think about the Stereo only thing before I sign up.

 

[lsiberian]

So the system breaks resulting in more buys.

 

[j_garcia]

Tim

Thanks for the helpful information. Yes the icon is there for sure after the update, I just wasn't sure about whether it was there before ver 3.5. It is a bright red color one that says "Netflix Instant Streaming". I clicked on it and it started downloading the software, then I followed the instructions all the way to the point it asked for credit card number. That's when I stopped and thought that I should find out more about PQ, SQ etc. DVD quality is fine but I have to think about the Stereo only thing before I sign up.

Fwiw,Netflix said they would be adding 5.1 to streaming very soon.

 

[ParadigmDawg]

Tim

Fwiw,Netflix said they would be adding 5.1 to streaming very soon.

That's cool. I had no real interest in streaming movies but our local BlockBuster closed a couple of weeks ago and I signed up for NF with the 2 BD movies at a time. I tried the streaming function just for grins and it is way better than what I thought it would be. We have streamed several movies so far. I get the movies that I really want to watch on BD but when we are bored and nothing is on, streaming fits in just fine.

 

[j_garcia]

That's cool. I had no real interest in streaming movies but our local BlockBuster closed a couple of weeks ago and I signed up for NF with the 2 BD movies at a time. I tried the streaming function just for grins and it is way better than what I thought it would be. We have streamed several movies so far. I get the movies that I really want to watch on BD but when we are bored and nothing is on, streaming fits in just fine.

That's mostly what I use it for also. In between having one on hand or if I just want to check something out to see if it is any good before renting the BD.

 

[ParadigmDawg]

I didn't see a Netflix icon after 3.5. I think Peng is drunk.

 

[PENG]

Easy to tell who's drunk, my cameral doesn't drink..

 

[ParadigmDawg]

Easy to tell who's drunk, my cameral doesn't drink..

What is a cameral?