System Software 2.0

[PS3SACD]

There's been some speculation about what features will be included in the next major upgrade of PS3 system software aka "firmware", v2.00

While we're waiting for official confirmation, here's a fairly extensive list of rumoured improvements.

- Users

* You will be able to password-protect user accounts.

- Settings

* [Dynamic Normalizer] will be added as an option under [Sound Settings].
* [Energy Saver] will be added as an option.
* [Equalizer] will be added as a feature under [Music Settings].
* [Full] will be added as an option for [DVD Wide Display] under [BD / DVD Settings].
* [Photo Settings] will be added as an option.
* [PS / PS2 Settings] will be added as an option.
* [RSS Channel Settings] will be added as an option.
* [Sample Rate] will be added to [Audio CD Import] under [Music Settings].
* [Screen Saver] will be expanded under [Display Settings].
* The method of selecting an output resolution will be changed in [Video Output Settings] under [Display Settings].
* [Theme Settings] will be added as an option.
* [Zero Unused Disk Space] will be added as an option under [System Settings] > [Format Utility].

- Photo

* Additional slideshows will be added.
* [Photo Effects] will be added as a feature.
* Wallpaper feature will be added.
* [Zoom] will be added as a feature.

- Music

* Additional visualizations will be added.
* CD information entry will be enabled.
* Three-speed fast forward and fast reverse will be added as a feature.

- Video

* It will be possible to play files sequentially.
* Three-speed fast forward and fast reverse will be added as a feature.
* You will be able to select [Zoom] under [Screen Mode] when playing video files saved on the hard disk or storage media.
*An appropriate USB adapter (not included) will be required to use storage media with some models.

- Game

* Support for PlayStation 2 format software titles may be expanded
* XMB (CrossMediaBar) will be accessible during gameplay.

- Network

* [RSS Channel] will be added as a feature.

- Friends

* You will be able to have multiple chat sessions.
* You will be able to select an image to use as your Avatar from [Photo].

- Other

* Date & Time will be shown when the PS button is pressed.
* File sorting will be changed.
* [Help] will be added as a feature.
* Playability status with the PS3 system will change for some PlayStation and PlayStation 2 format titles.
* [Secure Delete] will be added as an option.
* Some PlayStation Network features will be revised.

One important aspect not included here that Sony has actually revealed is an improvement of the console's "support for Blu-ray Disc interactivity features" -- an upgrade from BD profile 1.0 to 1.1.

Of course, what we're hoping for above all is a setting to defeat the DSD-to-PCM conversion, enabling PS3 to stream DSD via the HDMI output.

Check back here frequently for more details. The upgrade is supposed to be released shortly.