Firmware 1.8 Adds DVD Upscaling, Global Remote Play, and DLNA Support!
PS3 Firmware Version 1.80 Announced
Latest PLAYSTATION 3 Firmware Update Provides PlayStation, PlayStation 2 and DVD Upscaling Remote Play on PSP (PlayStation Portable) via the Internet and DLNA transfer of media content also enabled
London, 24 May 2007 – Sony Computer Entertainment Europe (SCEE) announced today availability of the latest version of the PLAYSTATION®3 (PS3™) firmware. Version 1.80 features upscaling of PlayStation® and PlayStation 2 games, and DVD movies up to full 1080p HD resolution when viewed on a compatible HD TV set.
The capability to upscale DVDs to HD quality is a feature normally only associated with top range DVD players, and its inclusion in the latest firmware upgrade now allows PS3 owners with an existing DVD collection to dramatically enhance the viewing pleasure of their DVD collection when viewed through a compatible HD TV set1. Not only can DVD movies be enhanced to full 1080p HD quality but so too will PlayStation 2 and PlayStation games be upscaled to provide much improved gaming pleasure.
In a comprehensive update to PS3’s already impressive capabilities, Version 1.80 also allows users to enjoy Remote Play on their PSP across the internet, allowing them to access their PS3 anywhere in the world where a broadband internet connection is available2.
Version 1.80 also allows users on a home network to seamlessly view and play rich media content such as images, music and video on their PS3, that is stored on their DLNA3 enabled devices such as PCs and laptops elsewhere in the house, reinforcing PS3’s credentials as a home entertainment hub that truly deserves pride of place in the Living Room.
A host of other enhancements include the ability to print photo images stored on PS3’s hard disk or inserted storage media to a selection of Epson printers.
PS3 owners will be able to upgrade their PS3 with the latest Version 1.80 firmware from 24th May 2007.
- ends -
Notes
1. DVD-ROM (including DVD Video content) can only be upscaled with HDMI compatible TV sets.
2. Use of Remote Play requires a powered up PS3 with Version 1.80 as well as PSP firmware version 3.50 which will be available at the end of May.
3. DLNA – Digital Living Network Alliance. For more info on DLNA, please see http://www.dlna.org/en/consumer/home
Try now - 
May 23rd, 2007 at 9:05 am
This totally blindsided me! Wow! This is awesome. Now to check if my NAS supports DLNA3….
May 23rd, 2007 at 9:08 am
Cool stuff! DVD and PS1/PS2 upscaling and remote play!
May 23rd, 2007 at 9:17 am
YES, at last. Global Remote Play! DVD upscaling is awesome too. Looks like a great update!
May 23rd, 2007 at 9:17 am
For PS1/PS2, anyone has a clue if they will upscale the buffer (ie. the result will be blurred, but at least the black areas will be gone), or if they will upscale the graphics (ie. sharp output, just with low-poly/low-textures)?
First would already satisfy me, if it’s the second, then wow!
May 23rd, 2007 at 9:17 am
I knew Tosh would be pleased!
May 23rd, 2007 at 9:20 am
Just think about the possibilities! I could install DLNA software on my NAS at home, and have my PS3 access the media stored on my NAS. It could then stream it anywhere in the world to my PSP! Who needs a 4GB iPod, or 8GB iPod? I have 500GB on my NAS! This is so cool….
May 23rd, 2007 at 9:22 am
is this going to be a firmware for the USA as well? or just the EU consoles?
May 23rd, 2007 at 9:45 am
i am jumping up and down!!!!!! this is great news.
May 23rd, 2007 at 9:50 am
All good things come to those who wait…rocking update. Just rocking, Trust guys..they over delivered on the PS3 hardware and everything else promised is just a software update away..what a friggin system..
Expect psp sales to increase with this news and memory stick sales to decline.
Printing is a nice bonus..
May 23rd, 2007 at 9:53 am
jwspiker: SCEE usually gets their press releases out first. It’ll come to NA too, don’t worry. Hopefully on the same day…
May 23rd, 2007 at 9:56 am
Did anyone catch the small print at the bottom “DVD-ROM (Including DVD Video content) can only be upscaled Through HDMI compatible tv sets thanks sony
May 23rd, 2007 at 10:01 am
Link007: that’s quite standard. Check all the standalone DVD players out there – they do it the same way.
May 23rd, 2007 at 10:07 am
Henning,
What exactly is this DLNA software? Can it be installed on any hardware or does it have to be certified to meet DLNA standards? I’m assuming that I can install it on my workstation at home and have access to all my media files. But what are the DLNA standards for this? Thanks SONY finally the one thing that I’ve been asking for!!
Can’t wait!!
May 23rd, 2007 at 10:08 am
WOW.
This really is awesome news. I was beginning to doubt that there would be any further PSP / PS3 interaction, this throws it wide open again. Will be interesting to see what the connection is like from outside my LAN and what functions we will get access to from the PSP. Just thinking out loud but maybe this will mean a PSP update soon too.
@Henning: I really do share your excitement about this, think I may have to invest some time in setting up a NAS myself now
I have resisted upgrading my PS3 past 1.50 firmware to date in the hope of being able to run homebrew…but the benefits this upgrade offers are gonna be the final temptation for me.
May 23rd, 2007 at 10:13 am
DLNA is media streaming software that conforms to the DLNA standard.
http://www.dlna.org/en/consumer/home
I have a ReadyNAS NV+, and I can buy and install this DLNA software on it:
http://www.twonkyvision.com/Products/TwonkyMedia/index.html
It is also available for Mac and Windows computers, as well as some other NAS devices. Check the TwonkyVision website.
May 23rd, 2007 at 10:40 am
Great news….darn..15 comments was quick on this topic.
May 23rd, 2007 at 12:09 pm
Is there any software that can make my pc media DLNA enabled? Don’t know if that’s the right term…
Is DLNA what microsoft is using to stream to xbox 360?
May 23rd, 2007 at 12:11 pm
Martin: read my previous comment.
May 23rd, 2007 at 12:22 pm
cyberlink also has the dlna bit in some of there software.
http://www.cyberlink.com/english/products/enablerkit/scenarios.jsp
May 23rd, 2007 at 12:25 pm
Thanks, Henning.. was a bit quick there..
Is UPnP the same as DLNA?
May 23rd, 2007 at 12:29 pm
No, UPnP, AFAIK, is Universal Plug and Play.
May 23rd, 2007 at 1:39 pm
Theres one great NAS that supports DLNA.
The Linksys NSLU2 (with “modded” linux firmware) can do all the crazy stuff… Looks like I’ll be getting it soon^^ (costs 80€ in Germany as of now).
UPnP sadly is something different, as my Router (Linux based with Samba share support) supports this ootb.
And then again, I made a GREAT deal today. There was an offer today for a 60GB 2.5” Hitachi Drive (8mb Cache, 7200u/min) for freaking 25€
I hope, PS1/PS2 game upscaling does not only encompass a higher end framebuffer but real high resolution rendering (aka not scaling but true 1080P) and maybe filtering (AA and AF). This is sort of a dream, but I dont expect it to happen.
May 23rd, 2007 at 1:48 pm
I actually had a Linsys NSLU2 (unmodded) but when the USB HDD flaked out I decided to upgrade to a real RAID solution that was more expandable. Hence the ReadyNAS NV+. I currently have 500GB of storage which I can expand by adding up to two more hard drives, one at a time. The ReadyNAS is intelligent, too – it can shutdown if it senses one of the drives failed. Or it can shut down if connected to a UPS (which I still have to buy…) and the UPS detects a power failure. Plus lots of other options, of course. I love my ReadyNAS NV+ !!
May 23rd, 2007 at 2:18 pm
QJ is saying that the global remote play requires the PSP to have firmware 3.5, available at the end of the month.
May 23rd, 2007 at 3:27 pm
%$^#%$ i just wanted to drop in on this one… everybody else did… I wouldn’t feel right if I didn’t at aleast say high ?
May 23rd, 2007 at 4:03 pm
I wonder how the global remote play will work. If you have to leave your PS3 on remote play before you leave the house. Or if you can leave the PS3 on standby, and turn it on with your PSP from a remote wi-fi spot, etc.
May 23rd, 2007 at 4:36 pm
What’s a NAS?
May 23rd, 2007 at 5:20 pm
Network-attached storage
May 23rd, 2007 at 7:22 pm
They also added copying game saves FROM the PS3 TO a memory card (with adaptor) so you can take your PS1/PS2 saves over to a friends now.
They also added 24 HZ output support for all you real film buffs.
Here is some screenshots of the upscaling choices, printer options etc, DLNA with a Sony laptop
http://www.ps3fanboy.com/2007/05/23/firmware-1-80-to-include-1080p-upscaling-for-games-and-movies/2#comments
and for all you PSP fans – VOIP and Video Chat is coming “soon” for those in the U.K and later for others..
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/6683231.stm
Can we stop the doom and gloom now
The vision is coming together.
May 23rd, 2007 at 8:10 pm
This is huge news. I am really glad to see Sony working on improvements that are breath-taking. I am still waiting on a price drop though before I pick mine up. Right when I was getting ready to pick up the 20 gig (getting inpatient) they stopped making them.
Game upscaling is nice but a bad looking game will still look bad. It might make playing older games bearable.
The PSP news is nice but I don’t and probally never will pick up a portable gaming system. I just don’t have the time to use it ever.
May 23rd, 2007 at 10:51 pm
just applied teh update … ps2/ps save game update.. i think we can write back ot the ps2/ps1 memory cards
May 24th, 2007 at 12:05 am
this update officially kicks butt