I don't know if I'm on my own here, but I found it annoying that Sony decided not to release a specific changelog for the new features added in the latest firmware update for PlayStation 3, 1.8 which came out yesterday. So I started poking around and I found a few extra settings sitting under the bonnet...
Blu Ray Disc 1080p24 playback support
This extra setting has popped up under DVD/BD settings. Before this arrived, the PlayStation 3 pumped out all 1080p HD content at 1080p/60. That's a 1080p image at 60 frames per second. This presents a minor problem for AV enthusiasts though as all Blu Ray Disc movies are encoded at 1080p24. So that means a potential drop in quality as the content is not being displayed at it's native resolution. Playing it back at it's correct 1080p24 output makes the PlayStation 3 stand up tall against all the standalone players which support it by default.
RGB Full Range (HDMI)
By default, the PlayStation 3 outputs a range of 16 to 235 for each colour Red, Green and Blue. With RGB Full Range enabled for HDMI connections, that range is increased from 0 to 255 - the full RGB spectrum. Switch this to Full and you should notice a big improvement in your colours from all media on your PS3. Perhaps the most noticeable difference is at night, when the black will really be black. Really, this should be on by default.
Y Pb/Cb Pr/Cr Super-White (HDMI)
This one I really have no idea about. I'd assume this is in reference to the HDMI 1.3 spec, but again, with no detailed information I can't be sure. I know that it makes no apparent difference for me on my Sharp 42" LCD though... Still, I've switched it on just to be sure.
So, that's it. Not exactly hidden, but not many people are talking about these, mainly due to a lack of detailed changelog. It's good to see that Sony are adding features for technology which no one has a faintest clue about. There is also a new feature for Super Audio CD playback, but I've only got two of those and still don't have an amp that supports 7.1 LCPM via HDMI. It's just all too much!
Comments
Saw your post on Gamesey! Thanks for this blog. It helps! :-)
JCAA
Posted 14 hours 5 minutes 41 seconds after the item.
Thanks for the info Tom :-)
Re the Y Pb/Cb Pr/Cr Super-White feature, this thread may be of help:
http://www.gamesey.com/page.php?t=1065
Azz
Posted 1 day 12 hours after the item.
I’m quite surprised you’re not working for SONY yet Tony! You do enough PR =) they are good, their customer service is a bench mark I must say, I experienced the CS when I came home drunk (29th birthday) and spilt water on the table and it screwed my laptop up =x it wasn’t a cheap fix but a harmonious resolution =) (I’m going to woop your ass on Socom PS3 BTW)
Ryan Brown
Posted 3 days 4 hours after the item.
If you get enough practicei might let you join my clan on SPS3
Ryan Brown
Posted 3 days 4 hours after the item.