If you still regularly use your PlayStation 3 (and why wouldn’t you, it’s an amazing machine) you may be somewhat surprised to hear that there is a firmware update out today.
It doesn’t add any new features, which is to be expected of a console about to celebrate its 18th birthday, but if you use your console as a Blu Ray player you’ll want to make sure to update as it contains keys for the Blu Ray software to ensure the latest releases play on the console.
Sony has been releasing annual updates for the Blu Ray player for a number of years now. Presumably when they stop the latest Blu Ray discs will no longer work in the console.
Obviously if you’re on custom firmware you probably shouldn’t update but the rest of us can go ahead and install the patch.
I don’t own a stand-alone Blu Ray player as I use my PS3 but do dedicated Blu Ray players need regular updates so new releases work? And if not does anyone know why the PS3 needs regular updates? Several Google searches failed to supply an answer.
So can old blu ray players not connected to the internet not play new blu rays?
I don't know if it's still a thing, but back when I actually used physical home media every Bluray disc contained a software update file so if you put it in your player you could install the update to allow you to play it.
Yeah that is what I figured. Wonder why the ps3 couldn’t do that.
Edit: maybe is was to protect against potential attack vector for hackers/ pirates
None of mine do.
Part of the reason why I prefer the open waters nowadays
Some years ago I got a blu ray player from a thrift store, and it was pretty old. The Star Wars collectors set wouldn't play on it for some DRM reason, and I had to use the DVDs in the set just to watch it.