Sony Computer Entertainment has released a new
firmware update for the PlayStation 3, bringing it up to version 1.82.
The update brings with it only a pair of publicized
additions. New for 1.82 is support for playback of AVC High Profile
(H.264/MPEG-4) format video, a high image quality encoding method used by
Blu-ray Discs and other media, has been added.
“Hopefully this update is moving us closer to the audio
playback features many of you commented about,” wrote Eric Lempel, director of
PlayStation Network operations. “We’re continuing to evaluate and improve
things across the board, including PS2 software compatibility. Thanks for all
of your support and feedback, keep it coming!”
Also improved is the system backwards compatibility with
original PlayStation and PlayStation 2 titles, though Sony makes no mention of
which titles specifically were addressed. Instead, Sony recommends gamers
looking to play legacy games on the PS3 to refer to the backwards
compatibility database.
The new firmware is considered an incremental update
following the major additions from the 1.80 software, which added PSone, PS2 and DVD
upscaling to 1080p.
A 1.81 update was also released following the 1.80, adding
an RGB Full Range setting for HDMI users and improving network connection stability
used for some online PlayStation 2 games.