Rumor: Firmware 4.00 Details Unveiled For PSP ; Flash 9 Support, Quicktime and WMV Codecs and More

Here are the rumored list features rumored to be hitting later this month for the PSP. The rumored firmware is due for Release on the 18 of this month.

* PLAYSTATION 3 Network titles can be played under PSP [Remote Play] under Game. The PSP is then used as a monitor for any game playable in Playstation 3 game console.

*Real, Quicktime, and WMV audio and video codecs are now supported. Real, Quicktime, and WMV audio and video codecs are now supported.

*PSP web browser has been updated to allow compatibility with current websites.

*[Adobe Flash Player 9] has been added as a feature, using the Memory Stick Pro Duo as flash memory.

[decapitator]

Hope this is true. I really want the PSP flash 9 support and WMV. Those are my two most wanted features for the system.

EDIT: Also, this peace of information adds a bit more fire to the Home rumor that's going around. Hope it all true.

[Gondee]

wow, flash 9 would be a awsome addition.

[StalkingSilence]

the wording is very vague. you can already download PSone games without a PS3. Browser compatibility with current websites? That doesn't even make sense.

The wording is very inconsistent with firmware lingo from Sony.

[pwnsause]

what happened to that rumored divx support on 4.0?

[decapitator]

It was "rumored", thats all there is to. But then again, the source that reported that rumor was not to be trusted.

[zslash]

At least the DivX rumor seemed credible. This doesn't. Most it falls under "too good to be true."

Also, some changes don't make any sense, like:

PSOne games can now be downloaded without a PS3

We've been able to do that for awhile now...

[hokis4ever]

We can already do that, but you need the PSP connected to the PC/PS3... Maybe this is referring to the ability to directly download to the PSP through its browser.

[ReconHope]

stage6 is down.....

[Jamegohanssj5]

The Playstation 3 needs flash support. Hopefully we get it in our next update, this summer, a long ways from here, hmm.

The Genius has spoken.

[decapitator]

Yeah, the only reason I would want it is to watch youtube movies through the psp web browser instead of an application.

[Skerj]

Man if this is true, PSP will cement its status as my favorite handheld of all time. All of those features sound WAY too good to be true though I'm psyched to see what happens.

[Marceles]

waaaaaaaaaaayyy too good. I really wouldnt see any reason for them to ever need to update again if they put all of this in lol. All it needs is PS2 game support added to the list as well and the rest is history.

[-EvoAnubis-]

Here . . . I posted this on GameFAQs, and I need some feedback.
---

Okay, here's a rumor about a major upgrade to the PSPs FW (yes, I know this is the PS3 board; just follow me).

http://www.google.com/trans...

Ok, so the first of those two rumors seem a little iffy, but the second seems like it has merit.

Now we get into speculation.

Normally, the PSP and the PS3 see their major updates on or around the same time. Sony already said that they're shooting at less, although more significant, updates compared to last year. I really good time then to do an update would be around the time when they upgrade their other FW needing console.

According to the link, the PSP upgrade is supposed to happen on March 18th, which a Tuesday. This is consistent with several other FW updates to the PS3.

Now, as long as I'm speculating anyway, I might as well go further.

A FW update would be needed prior to Sony releasing a Home public beta. This is also assuming a lot, as I'm figuring that Sony will treat this beta in much the same way that Google treated their gmail service as a beta (actually, gmail is still a beta). As in, put it out there, still as a beta, and make improvements on it.

The reason a FW upgrade would be needed first is because some of the features of Home would have to be able to be accessed via the XMB. The public beta launching this month has been rumored since November, and again a FW upgrade will have to accompany that (if I'm correct), so that brings us full circle to figuring that we'll see a FW upgrade this month.

Opinions? Discuss.

[BIGELLOW]

A firmware update is not required for Home, only a "game" download and install. It will be similar to the installation of FOLDING@HOME... it will add an icon to the XMB to allow you to enter the HOME application. That is all.

Also, I agree with you regarding the first "too good to be true" rumor. For one thing, the messages leave too much room for interpretation, so it clearly wasn't written BY Sony. While this doesn't necessarily make the rumor FALSE, it DOES introduce even more "too good to be true" elements. For one thing, the ability to play PS3 games via Remote Play. The problem with controller buttons can be overcome (though not always gracefully) using the mapping abilities. However, there is no way to simulate SIXAXIS tilting features using the PSP. This would leave way too much room for confusion. They may work on a solution for this in the distant future, but they certainly wouldn't be introducing something this complicated at the same time as so many other features. It would be a support nightmare.

The first rumor, to me, just sounds like a laundry list of what someone would LIKE to have happen EVENTUALLY for the system. Throwing it all into one firmware update just makes this sound far from being credible.

The second rumor sounds more like Sony, and is probably not too far off the mark.

Finally, as for the release of Home (or the Home "open beta")... this is much more likely to occur well after a firmware update. So, I do anticipate a firmware update for both the PSP and the PS3 some time this month. And then, some time next month, the release of Home (or at least an "open beta".)

It is my guess that the second rumor is true regarding the PSP. Then, shortly after, we will see a firmware update for the PS3 to take care of some minor features that not too many people will be excited about. Then, next month will likely see the release (open beta?) of Home. Then, during the summer, we will probably see another firmware update for the PS3 which will finally bring in-game messaging, etc...

[-EvoAnubis-]

You're the first person on any site to give me the response I was looking for. Bubbles for you.

[NeonSkull]

It was my understanding that when home comes out it will be a firmware update, but with two versions. You will have the option to update with home and the option to just update without home. Also i remember you were going to be able to boot straight into home with out going to the xmb. I would imagine the beta being an application like folding but the final product is going to be fully itegrated into the ps3 firmware.

[InYourMom]

" PLAYSTATION 3 Network titles can be played under PSP [Remote Play] under Game. The PSP is then used as a monitor for any game playable in Playstation 3 game console. "

So does that mean any PS3 game I can play via Remote Play? Or is it only PSN titles? Even if it's just all PSN titles that is excellent.

I'm confused.

[whoelse]

I think it means you can watch the games, but you might not be able to play them. I dunno.

[kingOVsticks]

There saying you would be to basically take your PS3 where ever you go like how you were able to play lair on the PSP not sure how this would work for the online service though >_< and this sounds to good to be true the only way i can watch youtube on my psp is through remote play i want it all the time in the psp browser

[Nodoze]

Quicktime, WMV and no DiVX? That seems a bit silly.

[GodsHand]

Yes, replace the 'Real' codec and replace with dvix codec.

[Nodoze]

So this means I can play pain and warhawk on the PSP? Um I doubt that!

Where is the Divx support?

The PSP has internet radio - on a mobile device
The PS3 does not - even though it is always connected this seems silly

The PSP has skype
The PS3 does not - see above?

The PS3 has DiVX support - not that bad
The PSP does not - even though DiVX is the perfect mobile movie format

It seems like they need to consider feature parity for these systems. I would love internet radio on the PS3, I would love DiVX on the PSP.

[Silellak]

This reads more like a Wish List of PSP features than an actual upcoming firmware update. I remain skeptical.

[BrianC6234]

It reads funny. What does this mean:

"4.00 firmware begins to talk about himself."

4.00 firmware is a he and can speak? Those wacky Internet translations.

[THE_JUDGE]

I would like very much.

[Harry190]

for ps3 games sounds nice

[Doctor Strange]

More remote play support would be nice for PS2 and PS3 titles.

[SacT0wnF1n3st]

PSP is the best entertainment portable one the market. DS...not so much.

[americanGTA]

?

[ARog34]

So, only PSN games such as a Snakeball, or Everyday shooter, or Go Puzzle would work, but how do you expect Flow, which is coming out for the PSP and HV Bowling to work? It's probably a limited number of games... Poker was the only RemPlay game so hopefully now that means just a copy 'click' on the PS3 will transfer it to the PSP memory stick.

DivX- It's needed, but I'm sadly disappointed in the fall of Stage6...

[whoelse]

This sounds too good to be true. This basically is like almost everything anyone has ever requested except it has no DivX or PSP Store.

I hope its true but im not too confident.

[xplosneer]

"802.11g support has been added as a feature."

Isn't that impossible without a hardware upgrade?

edit after reading the bottom portion: That seems more reasonable.

[rexor0717]

OMFG! Please be true. PLEASE BE TRUE!

[gta_cb]

i would like it to be true but if you think about it how can it be true? if it is how hard will it be to play without R2, L2, L3 and R3 buttons?

[timmyp53]

=*)

[darthv72]

Youtube video playback through the psp browser. The added flash 9 support should allot for this.

PS Store access through the psp browser. Wanted that ever sice Kaz made his big statement about the store to begin with. Better late than never.

Added codecs like divx but am glad to settle for wmv.

Really would like to see mem stick caching (aka virtual mem) for games and websites and possible skype for psp-1000 users. Adding an option to use a portion of the memory stick as VM would make load times and the browser more appealing not to mention skype could be used if they did this.

[cputeq]

...the hell would you want Divx when PS3 (and PSP I believe) already play H264 files in an MP4 wrapper -- aka, better than Divx.

The other features sound cool, but this stuff sounds way too good to be true.

------------------

As for the PSP = PS3 PSN game monitor -- it *sounds* something like this..the PSP would simply act as dummy terminal, to maybe display the game being played/processed by the PS3.

Sounds kinda weird, though -- Many PSN games wouldn't work correctly with the PSP's controls, so if the PSP only *displays* the game being played on the PS3, what the heck is the reason for that? Just play on your TV with PS3?

Sounds fake, but I hope it's real :)

[pwnsause]

"Why...
...the hell would you want Divx when PS3 (and PSP I believe) already play H264 files in an MP4 wrapper -- aka, better than Divx.

The other features sound cool, but this stuff sounds way too good to be true."

the reason is because most of the videos that are downloaded from the net are divx files. people dont really feel like converting their movies to mp4. it takes a while to convert. DOnt get me wrong i know that its superior than divx. THe thing is though, what I just explained above.

[Uzesgelen_Goo]

wmv and divx

[kalioon]

i really hope this is true, as it adds a lot to the psp. but it sounds like a wish list.....

also 1st post!! woot!

[mcduff32]

Is it just me or is this saying that we can play games such as warhawk through remote play now?

[Blackmoses]

for some reason I think they mean games downloaded off of the PSN. But for some reason I'm starting to think they mean all games!!!

If this turns out to be true then damn!!! That's one hell of an option as well.

[Bleucrunch]

this is cool and I am sure divx will come to it sooner or later just be patient.....jeeeze youg guys are never satisfied.

[sephy 9 2 5]

can't the PS3 have this? This would make the browser so much better.

[f789790]

I'm never going back to official firmware again.