Latest PLAYSTATION®3 Firmware Update Adds Upscaling for PLAYSTATION®/PLAYSTATION®2 Games and DVD Movies

Sony Computer Entertainment America (SCEA) today announced that the next regular system software update for the PLAYSTATION®3 (PS3®) computer entertainment system (version 1.80) will be available on Thursday, May 24, and will add upscaling of PlayStation®/PlayStation®2 games and DVD movies up to 1080p resolution. Now, in addition to displaying native high-definition (HD) content in the highest possible quality (1080p), PS3 system can turn standard definition content into a vibrant HD-quality experience.

The latest firmware update also gives PS3 owners more flexibility to enjoy their digital entertainment content where they want to. The Remote Play feature for using a PSP®(PlayStation®Portable) system to access photos, videos, and music on a PS3 system's hard drive will be available from outside of a user's own home via any accessible Wi-Fi Internet connection, upon the next PSP firmware update. Additionally, PS3 can now play back media content stored on a personal computer or digital video recorder with Digital Living Network Alliance (DLNA) capability over a home network.

"As adoption of HDTVs continues to surge, we know that consumers are hungry for content, and this latest firmware update leverages the PS3's technology to deliver an HD-quality experience using the entertainment media already in your collection," said Peter Dille, senior vice president of marketing, SCEA. "In addition, we continue to enhance the PS3's capabilities as an entertainment hub, giving consumers the option to bring their content with them on-the-go, or to stream photos, videos, and music stored on their PC to the PS3 in their living room. That's often where the largest TV monitor and sound system is located, giving consumers the best possible entertainment experience."

Upscaling Games and Movies

SCEA is enhancing the PS3 user experience by enabling PlayStation and PlayStation 2 games to be upscaled to HD resolution, up to 1080p. Classic games as well as recently released titles can now be enjoyed like never before. And PS3 system now has the capability to upscale DVD videos to HD quality (up to 1080p), a feature typically limited to top-of-the-line DVD players. Upscaling games requires an HDMI or component AV cable, while upscaling DVD-ROM (including DVD Video content) requires an HDMI cable and HDMI compatible TV set.

Media Content on the Move

Since November, PS3 owners have been able to stream photos, videos, and music stored on their PS3's hard drive to a nearby PSP system. Consumers will soon have the freedom to access this media content wherever and whenever their PSP is connected to a wireless Internet access point. To take advantage of this feature, users will have to update their PSP system's firmware to the next version, 3.50, slated for release next week. Once both systems are updated, consumers can enjoy their entertainment content wherever and whenever wireless Internet access is available, including the 7,000 T-Mobile® HotSpot locations across the United States.

Version 1.80 also allows PS3 users on a home network to stream media content (photos, videos, and music) stored on a DLNA-enabled device onto their PS3 system. DLNA is a system that enables digital devices such as personal computers, DVRs, and TVs to be connected to a network and share data with other connected devices, in this case a PS3 system. This new functionality reinforces the value of PS3 system as a home entertainment hub.

  Other Feature Upgrades
  --  Copying Saved Data to a Memory Card -- Users can now copy saved data
      from PlayStation or PlayStation 2 format software stored on their PS3
      system to a Memory Card or Memory Card (8MB) (for PlayStation®2),
      using their PS3 system and a Memory Card Adaptor.
  --  Photo Printing, Viewing, and Editing -- The photo capabilities of PS3
      system have been enhanced, allowing users to print digital photos
      stored on a PS3's hard drive or inserted storage media. Currently,
      select Epson printers connected via USB are compatible. In addition,
      users will find a new type of slideshow for displaying photos, zoom
      functionality and the option to crop images.

To install the latest system software on your PS3 system, you can select the System Update feature when your system is hooked up to the Internet; use a PC to download the update data and transfer it to the PS3 system through storage media or a USB mass storage device; or install it using update data included on an upcoming game disc. Further details are available at http://www.us.playstation.com/.

About Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc.

Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. continues to redefine the entertainment lifestyle with its PlayStation® and PS one® game console, the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system, the PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) system, the ground-breaking PLAYSTATION®3 (PS3®) computer entertainment system and its online and network services the PLAYSTATION®Network and PLAYSTATION®Store.

Recognized as the undisputed industry leader, Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. markets the PlayStation family of products and develops, publishes, markets and distributes software for the PS one game console, the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system and the PSP system for the North American market. Based in Foster City, Calif. Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. serves as headquarters for all North American operations and is a wholly owned subsidiary of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.

"PlayStation," "PLAYSTATION," "PSP," "PS one" are registered trademarks and "PS3" and "XMB" are trademarks of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.

Visit us on the Web at http://www.us.playstation.com/.

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SOURCE: Sony Computer Entertainment America

CONTACT: Al de Leon, +1-650-655-7348, al_deleon@playstation.sony.com, or
Patrick Seybold, +1-650-655-7549, patrick_seybold@playstation.sony.com, both
of Sony Computer Entertainment America

Web site: http://www.playstation.com/