Sony has issued another firmware update for the PlayStation 3 and according to reaction around the 'net, it would seem they've screwed the pooch yet again. Here's the text on what's changed with the v1.3 update;
"The PLAYSTATION®3 system software version 1.30 update includes the following:
- Settings
- You can now register the BD remote control in [Register Bluetooth® Device] under [Accessory Settings].
- [BD/DVD Video Output Format (HDMI)] has been added as an option under [BD/DVD Settings].
- [Backup Utility] has been added as a feature under [System Settings].
- You can now select the hard disk format method in [Format Utility] and [Restore PS3™ System] under [System Settings].
- The method of selecting output resolution has been changed in [Video Output Settings] under [Display Settings].
- Other
- The compatibility of USB devices with PlayStation®2 format software titles has changed. For details on USB devices that can be used with system software version 1.30, select here"- PlayStation 3 System Update Page
While at first glance, that all seems quite innocuous, it's that "The method of selecting output resolution has been changed" message that has everyone up in arms. If you click the available link what you'll find is that Sony has changed the PlayStation 3's order of preference in regards to available resolutions. Previously, the PS3 would look for 1080p first, and if it were unavailable, check for 720p, then 420p and finally 1080i. Now, 1080i resolution has been moved ahead of 720p in an attempt to fix some of the issues the PS3 has been experiencing. The problem here is that while this may fix the Blu-Ray playback issue for those without 1080p capable televisions, most games run best in 720p.
My guess is I've lost many of you at this point, so I'll try to make this a bit clearer - hell, even I'm not sure if I fully understand what's going on just yet, so cut me some slack if I'm off target on this one...
- The PlayStation 3 has issues playing Blu-Ray movies in 720p (Blu-Ray Discs are produced for 1080p resolutions and scaled down to 720p if needed - which apparently the PS3 has problems doing right now)
- On televisions that only support 1080i or 480p, the PlayStation 3 tends to display games at 480p instead of 1080i. 480p is not a high-definition resolution, but is rather just considered "Enhanced Definition Television" (EDTV)
- In an attempt to fix the problems surrounding 1080i support, Sony made some changes to how things are handled with 1080i and set the default options on the PS3 to look for resolutions in the following order: 1080p - 1080i - 720p - 420p (EDTV) - 420i (standard definition)
- This would fix the issues with Blu-Ray movies on most non-1080p capable HDTV's (they would now show in 1080i not 720p as a default) and would mean that on tv's that only support 1080i or 420p, games would display in 1080i.
- There wouldn't be a problem, except that the PlayStation 3 does not have an option where you can set one maximum resolution for games and another for Blu-Ray Disc playback. As such, if you have a HDTV that doesn't support 1080p, but supports both 1080i and 720p, you'll have to change the options of what resolutions you want the PS3 to support each time you want to switch from playing games to watching movies or vice versa. (Because while the movies may look better in 1080i, the games don't because they're designed to run under 720p or 1080p)
- This is of course, not a user friendly option and strikes me as a bit of a pain in the ass.
So while it certainly is a welcome temporary fix for many, the ideal fix would be to either;
- Correct the issues regarding 720p Blu-Ray Disc playback, so those who have and/or prefer 720p over 1080i could set their maximum resolution to 720p and still get the best of both worlds.
- Make some changes to the PS3's system settings so users could choose one maximum resolution for games and one maximum resolution for movies. While not as ideal as actually fixing all the issues with different resolutions, this would at the very least take the pain in the ass factor created by having to flip between resolutions via the menu for the two out of the equation.
Here's to hoping Sony can get this all straightened out before an angry mob complete with torches start showing up outside Sony's headquarters.
