PlayStation 3 system software

The PlayStation 3 system software is the updatable software and operating system of the PlayStation 3. The process of updating is almost identical to that of the PSP. Each update includes all previous update data.

The software may be updated by downloading the update directly on the PlayStation 3, downloading it from the user's local Official PlayStation website to a PC and using a USB storage device to transfer it to the PlayStation 3, or installing the update from game discs containing update data.

The PlayStation 3 uses the XrossMediaBar (XMB) as its graphical user interface. The ability to use the GUI during gameplay was demonstrated prior to the launch of the PlayStation 3, and was originally expected to be ready at launch (November 11, 2006). However, due to technical issues, it was only made available on July 2, 2008 in software update 2.40, which itself was withdrawn due to technical issues (see below). In-game XMB was again made available on July 8, 2008 in update 2.41.

Software update information

Due to the regular releases of updates to the system's software, the majority of the time newly purchased consoles will not have the latest version of the system software installed. However, any games that require a specific version of the system software will include the update required on the game disc. For example, Ratchet & Clank Future: Tools of Destruction featured v1.94. This update was only available via this game and the only feature it added to prior updates was DualShock 3 controller support, as this was the first game to support the controller without needing an update to the game itself.

Withdrawal of update 2.40

Firmware version 2.40, which included the in-game XMB feature and PlayStation 3 Trophies, was released on July 2, 2008. However, it was withdrawn later the same day because 'a small number of' users were unable to restart their consoles after performing the update. The fault was explained to have been because of 'certain system administrative data being contained in the HDD.' The issue was addressed in version 2.41 of the system software released on 8 July, 2008.

Details of updates

KEY	Settings changes	Media changes	Disc changes	Game changes	System changes
Description	Changes primarily related to the system's settings menu	Changes primarily related to photo, music and/or video menus	Changes primarily related to CD, SACD, DVD, Blu-ray Disc	Changes primarily related to PS1, PS2 and PS3 games	Other changes, such as stability, network and hardware

Version, Release date Notes	Description
2.42 July 29, 2008	Game changes Improves the playback quality of some PlayStation 3 and PlayStation format software. System changes Trophy information in the [Games] category loads more quickly. Other Changes Before a firmware update, there is now the option to have the system automatically shutdown after installation.
2.41 July 8, 2008	System changes Various fixes for issues caused by update 2.40. Changed platinum trophy icon. New page added to profile of users under [Players Met] which shows the last game played with that user. Ability to record TV programmes using PlayTV while playing a game.
2.40 July 2, 2008 Withdrawn, July 2, 2008	Settings Changes You can now set the PlayStation 3 system to turn off automatically after updating the system software. [Reassign Controllers] and [Controller Vibration Function] have been added as options under [Accessory Settings]. Game changes You can now access the XMB screen while playing PlayStation 3 format software. Only some of the XMB functions can be used during gameplay. If you press the PS button for more than two seconds, the screen showing options to quit the game, turn off the system, controller settings, and etc. will be displayed. The XMB screen is not displayed when you are playing PlayStation 2 or PlayStation format software. The XMB screen cannot be displayed when you are playing certain PlayStation 3 format software titles. In-Game Music requires that the game supports the feature. The procedure for quitting PlayStation 3 format software has been changed. You can now quit the game from the XMB You can now collect trophies in games that support the trophy feature. System changes A new "view mode" has been added to the Playstation Store [Search] has been added as an option in the browse mode menu of the Internet Browser. You can now perform an Internet search directly from the XMB screen. You can now see the system clock on the XMB screen. The date and time that were set under [Settings] > [Date and Time] are displayed. When using a keyboard, you can now clear the entire text entry field at once. An icon is now displayed when you press the PS button for an operation that cannot be performed. You can now turn off the PlayStation 3 system from the XMB screen using the [Turn Off System] option. The number of Friends who can be added to a Friends list has been increased from 50 to 100. The [Information] screen for friends has been redesigned and renamed as [Profile]. Media Changes You can now sort items that are grouped in a folder by month or year using the [Film Date] option. You can now print images from a playlist that was created under (Photo). You can now use a mini-size control panel while playing music. You can now play music content encoded in MP3 Surround format. MP3 Surround can only be played in Linear PCM output. You can now use the [Frame Noise Reduction] and [Block Noise Reduction] settings for video content that is saved on the hard disk or storage media. You can now play upscaled video content that is saved on the hard disk or storage media. When the video content is played, it is upscaled automatically to fit the screen size. Disc Changes Upscaling of Blu-ray Disc (BDAV) video content is now supported For DTS playback on DVD-Video and Blu-ray Disc media, DTS-ES and DTS 96/24 for DVD-Video and DTS-ES Matrix for Blu-ray Discs are now supported.
2.36 June 17, 2008	Game changes The operating stability of some PlayStation format software has been improved.
2.35 May 15, 2008	Game changes The operating stability of some PlayStation 3 format software has been improved.
2.30 April 15, 2008	System changes Redesigned PlayStation Store Easier navigation - PlayStation Store's new interface allows easier navigation. You can move between pages by simply pressing the X and O buttons. You can also move to other pages faster. New layout - PlayStation Store has a new page layout that makes it easier to find what you want. Avatar display - You can now view your PlayStation Network account avatar on the pages of PlayStation Store. Content status display - An icon now indicates the status of each content item: Items that you purchased and Items that are in your cart. Media changes Blu-ray Disc playback now supports DTS-HD Master Audio and DTS-HD High Resolution Audio output. The PS3 system does not support playback of DTS-ES and DTS 96/24 for DVD-Video or DTS-ES Matrix for Blu-ray Discs.
2.20 March 25, 2008	Settings changes The way you register (pair) Bluetooth devices has changed, and you can now register more devices. A [BD Internet Connection] setting has been added under [BD/DVD Settings]. An [Audio Output Device] setting has been added under [Remote Play Settings]. Media changes You can now play DivX and WMV files that are 2 GB or larger. Support of XviD files updated, many more files are now playable but are recognised as MPEG-4 files. You can now display subtitles when playing DivX files. You can now resume playing a DVD/BD from the point where you previously stopped it, even if the disc is removed then re-inserted to the console, or the console is turned off entirely. BD-J format disc is not supported. You can now display an image while editing a playlist. You can now play a music track while editing a playlist. A [Mosquito Noise Reduction] option has been added under [AV Settings] in the control panel for standard DVDs. BD discs recorded with BDMV format are not supported. You can now copy playlists that you create in (Photo) and (Music) to a PSP system. Disc changes Blu-ray BD-Live Profile 2.0 is now supported. Users are now able to use several interactive features such as downloadable video content, ring tones and interactive movie-based games, with Profile 2.0-compatible Blu-ray Discs. The interactive features may vary depending on the disc. You can now play BD-R version 1.2 (LTH* BD-R) discs. LTH, or low to high, is a recording method that supports organic dye, write-once BD-R media. System changes You can now change some PS3 system settings during remote play. [Save Target] has been added as an option under [File] in the browse mode menu of the Internet browser. This option lets you save a file that is linked from a Web page, such as an image or video file, or other type of file, to your PS3 system's hard disk drive or storage media. The Internet browser now displays some Web pages faster. Using the Internet browser, you can now play a linked video file* as it is being downloaded. Some types of video files cannot be viewed in this manner and must be downloaded completely before playback.
2.17 March 12, 2008	Game changes The operating stability of some online PlayStation 3 format software has been improved. System changes Support for PlayStation 2 games with optional and mandatory installs.
2.10 December 18, 2007	Settings changes Voice Changer feature has been added to Voice and Video Chat and is available in games that support microphones. The tone of the sound that is input from an audio device such as a microphone can be changed. High and low-pitched tones can each be adjusted to five preset levels each. Bitmapping [Type 3] has been added as an option under Settings > [Music Settings] > [Bitmapping]. Media changes A new visualization (Earth Visualization) has been added. To cycle through available visualizations, press [Square]. DivX, XviD and VC-1 (WMV) have been added to the types of files that can be played. To play VC-1 (WMV) format files, users must go to Settings > [System Settings] and set [Enable WMA Playback]. Copyright-protected files or files that were encoded by using DivX 3.11 cannot be played. - Files that are 2GB or more in size cannot be played. Disc changes Blu-ray Bonus View Profile 1.1 is now supported. Users are now able to use several additional features such as playback of two videos at the same time with Profile 1.1-compatible Blu-ray Discs. The available features vary depending on the disc. [BD Data Utility] has been added. The management data that is used by the Blu-ray Disc is saved in this folder. Game changes Users can now play PlayStation game discs on a PSP with remote play. (this feature was not announced) Backwards compatibility (via emulation) for PS1 and PS2 games on models lacking the Emotion Engine was improved. (Update was also unannounced but evident in Sony's backwards compatibility search site) Other changes The PlayStation 3 RSX access hack via Linux has been blocked.
2.01 November 20, 2007	Settings changes The Remote Start specifications have been changed to prevent an unintentional remote start by the user. Disc changes DSD-to-DTS conversion has been removed again. Optical output from SACD remains possible but in stereo only. Game changes The operating stability of some PlayStation 3 format software has been improved. The operating stability when outputting upscaled PlayStation2 format software has been improved. Only for models that support playback of PlayStation2 format software. System changes The stability of the system software has been improved for some operations, including the use of the Internet Browser and information board.
2.00 November 8, 2007	Settings changes You can now modify the PlayStation 3 XMB Home Menu icons or background design by using a theme compiler designed for the PlayStation 3 released by Sony. Remote Start has been added as an option under [Remote Play Settings]. [Color], [Background] and [Font] have been added as options under [Theme Settings]. You can now select [Brightness] as an option under [Theme Settings] > [Background]. The process for setting [Internet Connection Settings] under [Network Settings] has been changed. You can now select Canon printers with the [Printer Selection] option under [Printer Settings]. Media changes You can now create playlists to group content under [Music] and [Photo]. Disc changes You can now play SACD via digital optical audio output. The DSD stream is converted to multichannel DTS or stereo PCM, depending on settings. Game changes [Vibration Function] has been added as an option under [Controller Settings] in the menu that appears when you press the PS button on the wireless controller. To use this feature, a DualShock 3 Wireless Controller is required. System changes New grouping options for the [Group Content] feature have been added to the options menu. [Information Board] has been added as a feature under [Network]. PlayStation related news can be displayed on the PlayStation 3 Home Menu. [PlayStation Network] has been added as a category in the PlayStation 3 Home Menu. [Trend Micro Web Security for PS3] has been added as a security option under the Internet browser. You can now view video content (as a progressive download) as it is being downloaded from PlayStation Store. The voice/video chat menu has been changed. You can now use the PlayStation Eye camera for voice / video chat.
1.94 October 23, 2007 Not downloadable	Game changes Adds support for DualShock 3 controller, only available on the Ratchet & Clank Future: Tools of Destruction game disc.
1.93 September 12, 2007	System changes The stability of the network connection has been improved.
1.92 September 4, 2007	Game changes Playability status with the PlayStation 3 system changed for some PlayStation 2 format titles. This does not affect titles in Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Oceania.
1.90 July 24, 2007	Settings changes Wallpaper feature for the background of XMB was added. Support for text entry in simplified Chinese characters has been added. Media changes Playback of AVCHD-format video files that are saved on Memory Stick media or on the hard disk of a digital video camera. Disc changes Upsampled output of audio CDs is now supported. Ability to eject a game disc using the controller. Game changes Ability to sort games that are saved on the PlayStation 3's hard disk. System changes Emoticons in messages under [Friends]. Ability to enter text directly into Web page text entry fields using a USB keyboard. Ability to use Traditional Chinese characters as a text entry method. Browser speed has been improved.
1.82 June 28, 2007	Media changes Support for playback of AVC High Profile (H.264/MPEG-4 AVC) format video was added.
1.81 June 15, 2007	Settings changes The method of setting RGB Full Range (HDMI) under Display Settings was improved. System changes The stability of the network connection used during gameplay was improved for some PlayStation 2 format software titles that support online gaming.
1.80 May 24, 2007	Settings changes Remote Play over the Internet now an option. Broadband connection and PSP firmware version 3.50, or newer, is required. Media changes Ability to print photos via USB. (Currently, only selected Epson and Canon printers connected are compatible) Ability to zoom and crop images. Added a new slideshow type. Disc changes Ability to upscale standard DVD-Videos to 1080p. Ability to downscale Blu-ray video to 720p. Ability to play 1080p Blu-ray video at 24Hz. Ability to edit CD information and submit it to AMG. Game changes Ability to upscale PS1 and PS2 games Ability to antialias PS1 and PS2 games Ability to copy PS1/PS2 game saves from PS3 to Memory Cards using a Memory Card adapter. Backwards compatibility (via emulation) for PS1 and PS2 games on models lacking the Emotion Engine was improved. System changes Added DLNA compatibility. Added support for the xvYCC color space. HDMI driver version updated, providing bug fixes including a blinking problem on Westinghouse 1080p LCD TVs.
1.70 April 18, 2007	Game changes Added the ability to play original PlayStation format games downloaded from the PlayStation Store. Added rumble functionality for USB accessories which support it when playing PS2 games. Saved data from PlayStation format software now usable on both PSP and PS3 systems. Backwards compatibility (via emulation) for PS1 and PS2 games on models lacking the Emotion Engine was improved.
1.60 March 23, 2007	Settings changes Added Remote Play support for the 20 GB model. Support for Bluetooth keyboards and mice. Disc changes Support for playback of BD-RE (Blu-ray Disc recordable) ver 3.0. Game changes First version to support software emulation on PS1/PS2 games for PAL units. System changes Added Folding@home client. Added background downloading feature (ability to download while doing something else). Added an on-screen QWERTY keyboard in addition to the standard PlayStation on-screen keyboard.
1.54 February 28, 2007 Initial European release	Media changes Added individual user icons from the Photo menu. System changes Added USB webcam support.
1.51 February 2, 2007	Game changes Expanded support for PlayStation 3 format software titles.
1.50 January 24, 2007	Game changes Fixed graphical glitches on PlayStation and PlayStation 2 format games that may cause jagged graphics. System changes Edy functionality was added (Japanese version only).
1.32 December 21, 2006	Game changes Online gaming functionality was updated.
1.31 December 13, 2006	Game changes Allowed use of the Hard Disk Drive (HDD) for certain PlayStation 2 format games. Expanded compatibility of PlayStation and PlayStation 2 format games.
1.30 December 6, 2006	Game changes Added compatibility of USB devices for PlayStation 2 format games.
1.11 November 28, 2006	System changes Account Management was added.
1.10 November 11, 2006 November 17, 2006	System changes PlayStation Network services and Remote Play for the 60 GB model was added.

Compatible media formats

The PlayStation 3 is capable of photo, audio, and video playback in a variety of formats. It also includes various photo slideshow options and several music visualizations. The following table lists the photo, audio, and video formats that are supported on the PS3.

Image formats compatible
JPEG1	GIF2	TIFF	BMP	PNG
Audio formats compatible
MP3	MP3 Surround	WAV	WMA3	ATRAC3
Audio CD	SACD4	MP4 Audio	MPEG-4 Part 3	AAC / AAC Low Complexity (unprotected)
Video formats compatible
MPEG-1 (MPEG Audio Layer 2)	MPEG-2 PS9 (MPEG2 Audio Layer 2, AAC LC, AC3(Dolby Digital), LPCM)	MPEG-2 TS9 (MPEG2 Audio Layer 2)	VC-1 (.wmv)5	AVCHD (.m2ts / .mts)
AVI	DivX6,9	XviD6,9	Motion JPEG (Linear PCM)	Motion JPEG (μ-Law)
MP4 Video	MP4 via DivX AVI	MP4 SP7	MP4 AVC / MP4 H.2648
DVD Video (Region Locked)	BD Video format on Blu-ray disc (Region Locked)	BD Video format on DVD-ROM

Notes

• ₁ JPEG files must be DCF 2.0/Exif 2.21 compliant
• ₂ GIF images that display motion do not exhibit motion if viewed from the PS3's hard disk drive. Motion GIF images can be viewed in motion only online on a webpage, via the PS3's web browser.
• ₃ WMA and ATRAC playback must be manually enabled in [System Settings].
• ₄ SACD is not available in 40 GB version
• ₅ VC-1 playback must be manually enabled in [System Settings].
• ₆ DivX and Xvid formats are not fully supported, some video files including those that are encoded using DivX 3.11+ or are copy protected are not playable on the PS3. Certain DivX and XviD Files have been known to not play on the PS3, even though they are recognised correctly, however deleting the first few black frames from the file with a program such as Nandub can rectify this problem.
• ₇ MPEG-4 ASP is as yet unsupported
• ₈ Main Profile and High Profile MP4 AVC / H.264 are supported.
• ₉ DivX, XviD, 3ivx and other MPEG-4 Part 2 codec implementations work with a simple import into MP4 using a program such as MP4Box. Xvid files are recognised as MPEG-4 since system software update 2.20, before this update they were recognised as DivX files.
• The Matroska container (.mka / .mkv) is not natively playable by the PS3, but programs such as mkv2vob can produce files capable of playback.

See also

• PlayStation 3
• PlayStation Portable

• Linux for PlayStation 3

• Xbox 360 System Software
• Wii System Software
• PlayStation Portable System Software

External links

Official PlayStation 3 System Software Update page

• "Asia". • Australia • "Japan" (in Japanese). • "Korea" (in Korean). • New Zealand • United Kingdom • United States
• Update History
• PlayStation.Blog