PS3 Gets Official 3D Blu-ray Playback Next Week
The PS3 is receiving support for Blu-ray 3D playback.
The official PlayStation Blog reports that the PlayStation 3 (PS3) console will soon receive an update that (finally) allows the playback of Blu-ray 3D discs. According to Eric Lempel, SCEA's VP of Network Operations Americas, the Blu-ray 3D support will be included in firmware v3.50 slated to hit the console on September 21.
This update will likely be a welcome feature to consumers who originally bought the PS3 to play Blu-ray movies (in addition to games), eliminating the need to purchase a separate Blu-ray player with built-in 3D support. The only drawback is that consumers still need to purchase a 3D-capable HDTV and compatible specs if they haven't already.
"We know that many consumers have purchased 3D TVs already and more of you will be purchasing them as the holidays approach--so we’re excited to offer this firmware update that makes all 38 million PS3s worldwide compatible with Blu-ray 3D discs," Lempel said.
In April Sony released a firmware update--v3.30--that allowed the PS3 to ability to play stereoscopic 3D games, however disc playback wasn't included. The new firmware slated for distribution next week will supposedly add additional features on top of the new Blu-ray 3D support, however Lempel would not elaborate.
Currently there are only a handful of Blu-ray 3D movies available on the market including Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs, Monster House and more. Avatar on Blu-ray 3D is expected to hit the market on December 1.
PS3 owners who want to watch a Blu-ray movie in 3D--but don't have the funds to purchase a 3D HDTV and specs just yet--can get My Bloody Valentine 3D starring Supernatural's Jensen Ackles for $15. This version uses the old-school blue-red 3D glasses, and doesn't need 3D hardware support (grin).
- Logitech Revue Will Be First Google TV Device
- Nokia Slaps HTC in the Face With 'Survival Kits'
- HTC Announces 2 New 'Desirable' Android Phones
- Google Engineer Fired for Spying on Teenagers
- Nokia Launches 3 New Phones: the C6, C7 and E7
- Google Me Confirmed for Possible Fall Launch?
- Flash Player Zero-Day Could Affect Android Too
- Mitsubishi to Sell 100-inch OLED TV This Month
- Consumer Reports Gives Apple Thumbs Down #2
- Adobe Launches 64-Bit Flash Player ''Preview''
- Bugatti Electric Supercar in the Works
- Photonics: The End of the Copper Wire Age
- Apple Planning Newspaper Subscription Service
- Sony Shows Off Cool, Neat Flexible Epaper Display
- Craigslist: Adult Services Section Not Returning
- 4GB Xbox 360 Can't Do Halo: Reach Online Co-Op
- Russia Developing 4G Phone With Two Displays
- Snoop Dogg, LL Cool J and Chuck Play Halo: Reach
- Microsoft: No Gore or Sex in Windows Phone 7
The 2 people who own all the other gear combined with a PS3 will be jumping for joy! lol
All jokes aside it is pretty cool and if I had the extra scratch for all the gear I would surely make use of this since I did enjoy the Avatar and some other 3D movies.
I absolutely hate 3D, but I guess this is cool...
Thank You PS3!! people thought i was crazy when i told them "I just want it for the blu-ray player and the occasional gaming/multimedia that goes with it"
now i'm getting 3d ability along with it. WOOT!! that sure saves money from buying a whole new blu-ray
Yeh I agree with Johnathan above the handful of people who actually own a 3DTV, glasses and a PS3 are smiling at this.
Although I don't have a 3D screen, I think it's great that they're doing this. The PS3 is still the best Bluray player on the market. When I bought mine back in 2007 I bought it solely as a Bluray player and still use it solely for that purpose. Back then it was cheaper than any other Bluray player on the market yet was more feature complete than nearly all of them. It's still one of the most up to date player despite being over three years old. Also in the event of failure, fixing it is cheap since they're so common place. My laser failed about a year ago. £30 and about half an hour's work fixed it. It's by far the best optical disk player I've ever had.
Will be interested to know what these new features are that's coming out with the firmware.. guess I don't have that long to wait.
Though PS3 3D Blu-Ray playback is good for the 3D'ers out there.
nice, but i'm not really interested in this. tell me when otherOS is back.
Sorry i am not impressed with 3D yet at all. We just seen Resident Evil: Afterlife 3D and it was so so, nothing spectacular. I think the 3D is just a bunch of hoppla about nothing. Were all so caught up in new techlology that we jump on the bandwagon long before we know all the facts about the new product. They say by 2013 about 3 percent of the House holds will have it, it will be far longer than that before it ever arrives in this household, probably Version 99.999.991 @ 2020
Woohoo full support for a stupid gimmick that costs $2000-$3000 extra! The entertainment industry will never convince me this is worth it until it becomes a standard feature you get with any HDTV you buy.
too bad this upgrade does not includes the HD3D TV
Sony can put features that they promised back in new updates before I will be accepting features I didn't expect when I bought the thing.
This si going to be a big update I assume?
Thank You PS3!! people thought i was crazy when i told them "I just want it for the blu-ray player and the occasional gaming/multimedia that goes with it" now i'm getting 3d ability along with it. WOOT!! that sure saves money from buying a whole new blu-ray
Great! Now all you need is the $2000 tv and the $500 3d glasses kit!
it's not necessarily about who ALREADY owns all the gear required. It's about attracting the consumer base not included in the 38 million current ps3 owners. I will be buying a TV, and a blu-ray player within the next few months, most likely before the new year.
Will I be buying a 3D HDTV and a PS3 combo?? I dunno yet, but with this update, it's certainly tempting.
Well played Sony.
Hopefully they'll come out with a new version of PS3 before christmas that has HDMI v1.4.
3d... nope still dont care...
I don't care about 3D. It is such a distraction to watch movies in 3D or anything. It sounds cool but it is impractical crap.
Yet, officially they still don't recommend children under 10 years old watching 3D...
YAY!!!
This is great news for all 4 people that have a 3D TV!
Most of us probably don't want 3D, but at least Sony is keeping those who like it happy by releasing this firmware. That's good.
LOL the people that say 3D is crap are just peope that don't have the cash to buy a 3D tv i have got a samsung 3D tv it's awsome it kicks the old hdtv's ass in to the stone age