The new PS3 Firmware, Ver.2.60, adds a neat feature — namely, Photo Gallery.
We knew the most recent PS3 2.1 firmware update would bring DivX, but Sony made no guarantees about the just as popular (if not more popular) XviD codec. However, since the update has disseminated to the masses, we’ve discovered that XviD works, too. That’s great news for PS3 owners, but there’s just one catch you should know about.
While DivX movies can be played from a DVD or USB storage on the PS3 just fine, for whatever reason, XviD files need to be copied to the PS3 hard drive to play. It’s a small technicality, but it’s the sort of technicality that will save you 30 minutes of pulling your hair out and a lifetime of regret from losing that 30 minutes. PlayStation 3 XviD Playback Update: It Works, But Not Over the Network [gizmodo]
Over on the UK PlayStation site they’ve laid out the details on firmware 2.10, which should be releasing tomorrow according to the date listed with the article. Among the interesting new features is a voice changer, with the power to make you sound like a person using a voice changer with five presets over hi and low tones. Other features include a new music bitmapping process specifically designed for the PS3 to provide enhanced audio playback, support for Blu-ray disc profile 1.1 for picture-in-picture goodness, and the long-awaited support for DivX and WMV playback. DivX playback is limited to non-copyrighted material under 2GB, and DivX 3.11 and earlier encoding is not supported. Unfortunately XviD is still not supported, which means that people with a large number of anime fansubs (not naming any names here) will have to stick to computer viewing for the time being. *sigh* Update Features (ver. 2.10) [PlayStation UK]
The 360 now has DivX support. Hurray! As for the PS3, though, well, we know they’re working on it, but it’s not here yet. Which is a shame, because although I’ve got both, I’d much rather watch my porn movies home movies on my PS3. Mostly because, when running, my 360 sounds like a large helicopter choking to death. Which is awfully distracting. If you’re like me (or just have a PS3 and want in on the action), our cohorts at Gizmodo met with the DivX crew today to talk all things DivX. While there, they asked about the PS3: …their particular emphasis on saying it was coming soon leads us to believe it’s “coming in a week or two” soon, as opposed to “4 months down the road” soon.
So long as the frantic winking coming across the table wasn’t actually a come-on by the DivX people, that’s some good news.
PS3 DivX Update Coming ‘Very Soon’ [Gizmodo]
I’m a big fan of my Xbox 360 and I’m a big fan of my Macbook Pro. But the two weren’t really meant to…mate…if you know what I mean. Nullriver’s Connect360 is a third party program that’s been around for a while, solving problems of cross-species media compatibility and bringing Mac OS X media to the Xbox 360. And now Connect360 has been updated to support DivX and XviD formats. Also, contrary to popular believe, your Mac won’t get “cooties” by interfacing with a Microsoft product.
Connect360 [via tuaw] More »
Our friends over at Gizmodo got up early this morning to put the Xbox 360′s new DivX and XviD support through the paces. They confirmed that, yes, burned media plays back just fine without being copied to the hard drive. And the software supported every file they threw at it with ease. The only catch is that once in a while the aspect ratios get wonky—something that you see in all types of media products but proves annoying nonetheless. Still, they put the experience at “90% of the way there.” And since much of the gaming industry never gives anything 100% anyway, that’s basically a 95% or better. Xbox 360 DivX/XviD Playback Tested (Verdict: It’s Almost Perfect) [gizmodo] More »
We’ve already covered details at least twice about the upcoming Xbox 360 fall update, but Microsoft has just released the (almost) final, mega press release with all the details. The big news? DivX support. Here’s the complete list of updates, with brief descriptions for easy digestion:
- Xbox Originals: Download Xbox classics. - Xbox LIVE Arcade Hits: Games like Lumines LIVE! available for less. - Inside Xbox: News ticker. - Enhanced online profile: Let people know, does your personality match your Zodiac sign? - Expanded Friends List access: See friends of friends. - Enhanced Parental Controls: family timer. - New video features: They promise, among other things, “advanced codec support.” Could this mean DivX? UPDATE: YES! But only for Divx 5.0 and newer files.
Pretty ho hum in my book, other than the DivX support. Here’s the full press release: More »
A million Sony fans voices cheer out to the heavens as DivX announces that DivX video technology is being integrated into the PlayStation 3. The PS3′s 2.0 update teased us by actually recognising DivX files without actually playing them, and it turns out it was indeed an indicator of things to come. In fact, the 2.0 update added DivX functionality for developers to utilise, with users getting the feature with a future system update. “We are excited to work with Sony Computer Entertainment to bring DivX to PS3,” said Kevin Hell, CEO of DivX, Inc. “Our technology will expand the multimedia functionality of PS3 by enabling users to enjoy access to the broad library of content in the DivX digital media format.”
Hell f***ing yes. That is all. More »
Hot on the heels of a PS3 DivX rumour, DivX has pretty much pilled the beans on upcoming support on the Xbox 360. Here’s the clip from a routine financial earnings call that’s set the rumour mill ablaze: Coster – “Just a minor point here, but there was a recent Microsoft (MSFT) conference where I believe their media extender now incorporates the DivX codec on it, is that correct? Can you confirm that and does that mean we’re soon going to see Xboxes with DivX on them?
Hell – “Yes! that, uh, we’re in discussions with Microsoft on that at this point in time, so I can’t go into any great detail on that. Um that is not a certified, that is not a certified or licensed product at this time.”
Hit the link for the audio, which is supposed to be super awkward after the news slips. Ahh, nothing like a little tension in the boardroom to make a Friday fly by.
DivX and Xbox 360: A Potential Win-Win For Everyone [via maxconsole] More »
Seems Sony slipped a little something into the latest PS3 firmware update. Prior to v2.0, if you tried to browse through stored videos, you’d only ever be able to see vids in a format supported by the PS3. Now? Well in this crazy post v2.0 world, the PS3 can suddenly not only detect unsupported file formats, it gives you a thumbnail, running time and even the proper filename. Example: last week, only two vids in the movies folder on my PC turned up in the PS3′s browser (both were mpegs). Now? The Xvid and DivX vids are showing up as well. Course they don’t actually play, you’ll just get a “corrupted” message if you try, but Sony wouldn’t have increased the compatibility in there for shits and giggles. Would they? More »
