PS3 Firmware Boosts Blu-ray Audio

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By Kris Graft

 Next week, Sony will be releasing a firmware update for PlayStation 3, which will enhance the audio in Blu-ray playback and give users access to a new PlayStation Store.  The firmware 2.3 update will add DTS-HD Master Audio and DTS-HD High Resolution Audio to the system, upping the sound quality of Blu-ray movies, Sony Computer Entertainment America said Thursday.

Sony said the update would provide the "complete high-definition Blu-ray movie experience," with sound that is "bit for bit identical to the original studio master."

DTS' Master Audio delivers audio at a variable rate of 24.5 Mbps on Blu-ray disc. The technology also offers 7.1 audio channels at 96k sampling frequency/24 bit depths, according to Sony.

The DTS-HD High Resolution Audio codec lets creators make content using less disc space than DTS-HD Master Audio.

"DTS-HD High Resolution Audio streams audio at a high constant bit rate of 6.0 Mbps on Blu-ray discs, and is also capable of up to 7.1 audio channels at 96k sampling frequency/24 bit depth resolution, thereby producing outstanding sound quality," Sony explained.

As recently announced, Sony will also be delivering a revamped PlayStation Store, which will live natively on the PS3 instead of being an integrated online storefront. Sony said the change will let users access content more swiftly and easily.