IGN: PS3 2.50 firmware causing video problems
by Kyle Orland 
{ Oct 20th 2008 at 10:55AM }
Any engineer will tell you that the first rule in solving problems is to make sure your solution doesn't actually create new problems. Sony may have broken this maxim with its version 2.50 firmware for PlayStation 3, which adds a handy recovery menu, but seems to render some home theater setups unusable. After the update, the folks at IGN AU reported video problems when they hooked the system up to a Sony-branded 7.1 amp and a separate video projector. No word yet on whether these problems are also affecting systems in regions outside Australia, or how widespread the problem is, but we'll let you know if we hear any more.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Ignatius @ Oct 20th 2008 10:59AM
Beta testing, do you DO IT?! :O
Eggy @ Oct 20th 2008 12:54PM
You can't test for every possible config. There will always be people with problems. They'll just have to deal with it untill the next update which luckily is not that far away as Sony regularly updates it's firmware.
silverwolf761 @ Oct 20th 2008 11:03AM
Played Dead Space yesterday for a couple hours and never noticed any problems...
Replica23 @ Oct 20th 2008 9:59PM
That's because when problems do arise they get completely blown out of proportion. Even the RRoD epic, probably the biggest technical problem any current generation console has faced, was overblown to a certain degree.
I mean come on, there is so much more drama in negativity and exaggeration is king.
Raul @ Oct 20th 2008 11:04AM
I too noticed that my TV was having a harder time syncing with the HDMI port, also the PS3 started freezing every time i played around with the menu of exited the web browser. So much for 2.5 upgrades
waves @ Oct 20th 2008 12:28PM
I've been using the flash 9 support to watch videos from hulu and other video sites on my tv. It works well enough considering that this is the only way I have to view web videos on my TV. The full screen buttons on those web players don't work, but you can zoom in with the right stick and the paddles. Unfortunately the web browser gets unstable after a bit of use. I haven't had it quit in the middle of a video yet, but it will freeze up the whole PS3 from time to time.
Ron @ Oct 20th 2008 2:08PM
Exiting the browser after viewing any Flash content freezes my PS3 80% of the time now. A little annoying, but if I were a heavy browser user it would be unbearable.
Zertoss @ Oct 20th 2008 11:06AM
"After the update, the folks at IGN AU reported video problems when they hooked the system up to a Sony-branded 7.1 amp and a separate video projector."
So, Sony hardware isn't compatible with Sony hardware anymore? I think they've learned the wrong lesson from Microsoft.
Seph X @ Oct 20th 2008 4:03PM
Still not the RRoD
SpOOkyLarS @ Oct 20th 2008 4:19PM
true. Mine still starts up and the HDD light flashes when it starts. Maybe reformatting will help. Otherwise I have to wait a bit before I request my first Sony coffin.
dark_inchworm @ Oct 20th 2008 11:12AM
Yeah, ever since the update issues from several weeks/months ago, I've kept my guard up when it comes to Sony updates. Has anybody heard of problems with PSP firmware 5.00? Haven't fetched it yet, myself.
XDragon @ Oct 20th 2008 11:14AM
My 60g is actually working better. I had some HDMI syncing issues before 2.50 that are all gone; I just wathed Transformers, Iron Man and Harry Potter 5.
deaftly @ Oct 20th 2008 11:14AM
I'm always having HDMI problems with my ps3, for some reason it'll just stop working randomly, same with my optical cable. Moreso with the optical though.
why not the LS2LS7? @ Oct 20th 2008 11:17AM
I have a PS3 w/2.5 hooked up to a Sony 7.1 amp with audio over HDMI and to a Sharp 1080p panel. Works fine.
This is literally one person in Australia who is having this problem. It could be a lot of things, including a bad amp.
brampf @ Oct 20th 2008 11:32AM
Well one person in Australia is clearly indicative of widespread problems that have been reported all over the internet since the firmware dropped last week.
Right?
Slow news day perhaps...?
PSN: johnnynumber5 @ Oct 20th 2008 12:06PM
Similar setup here ...
I believe its a phillips hdmi cable I have along with a 60 Gb PS3 and 52inch Sharp Aquos. Haven't had a single issue. But, I am in America not Australia.
I am loving the new update. Now, I can stream content from justin.tv (pavlik vs hopkins) & watch any movie or TV show from surfthechannel.com ... Really digging the new update!
Mr Khan @ Oct 20th 2008 4:32PM
New account again johnny?
Vohaul79 @ Oct 20th 2008 11:25AM
My TV (A sony Bravia none the less) is having a hard time syncing with my HDMI port now.
Also, ever since the IGXMB update, both me and my friend have broken streaming. Both were using ethernet hookups for optimal speed / minimal errors. Streaming used to work so well it may as well have been on the ps3 itself. Now if you fastforward or play a large .mp4 file it crashes the video with an error (without fail). I use a Linksys, my friend uses a Netgear, and both have their firmwares up to date, the Nat setting on the ps3 is type 2.
Please fix our broken streaming Sony, and now fix the HDMI blunder as well.
Thanks
Vidikron @ Oct 20th 2008 11:37AM
I haven't seen any of these issues. How large a file are you talking about? I watched a 4GB+ movie streamed from TVersity over the weekend with a single problem.
Vohaul79 @ Oct 20th 2008 11:47AM
Just standard DVD Handbreak rips. 2500 kbs (app 2-2.5 GB in size). Both of us it happened directly after the IGXMB update (2.44 i think ?) Both have different houses, different routers...We both use macs however.
MediaLink by Nullriver is/has been our preferred, however I tried out Twonky, EyeConnect, etc to see if it was the streaming software...All 4 variations I tried failed with the exact same error. (Cant remember the exact number, I'll have to write it down the next time a video crashes..)
Worked perfectly until the 2.44 update, never been fixed. There is also a thread about this on the playstation forums. http://community.eu.playstation.com/playstationeu/board/message?board.id=417&message.id=33264 However this is in relation to 2.5 breaking the streaming...my issues started with 2.44-ish..
PSN: johnnynumber5 @ Oct 20th 2008 12:18PM
@Vohaul79
Not that this will help anything but I also have 2 macs and use the nullriver software medialink to stream movie files to my PS3. I can confirm that I have had no issues at all even with the 2.50 update.
I am using an 802.11b/g/n wireless 500 Gb Apple Time capsule router. I had a basic netgear router before and had some serious issues with having to constantly renew DHCP leases, slingbox connectivity, using Medialink & connect 360. Time capsule fixed every single connectivity issue I had. Not saying that it is a valid fix or that it would work for you but it worked for me.
I'm not saying to go out and buy another router
PSN: johnnynumber5 @ Oct 20th 2008 12:21PM
*I'm not saying to go out and buy another router but when I switched to Time Capsule all of my problems went away.
Vidikron @ Oct 20th 2008 12:31PM
Obviously my post above should say "without a single problem".
Anyway, is appears my set-up is completely different so I'm not sure any of my iput would be useful. But basically I'm set up like this: Vista x64 PC running TVersity -> DLink Router -> DLink Switch -> PS3. All hardwired at gigabit speed. Streaming hasn't behaved any differently after the update than it did before the update. But then again, I don't have, nor have I ever had, any of these HDMI problems other people here are talking about so maybe I've just had good luck with my mix of equipment... or these other people bad luck.
hplcman @ Oct 20th 2008 1:18PM
Imagine how hard it must be to test every possible combination of PS3 / equipment configurations prior to releasing these firmware updates... I mean, its a complicated electronic world out there, and these issues just show that.
Erwos @ Oct 20th 2008 11:44AM
I'm not saying the problem doesn't exist, but I have:
1. Sony KDS-55A3000 HDTV.
2. Sony STR-DA2400ES AV receiver.
3. Sony Playstation 3 60gb.
I have run into no issues whatsoever. I would really caution into reading too much into an issue because some guy at IGN-AU had a problem.
phinn @ Oct 20th 2008 11:55AM
I guess there are always some unlucky people but I've never had a single problem with any PS3 firmware update. 2.50 is the best one yet, and SOCOM is fun
Nate @ Oct 20th 2008 12:04PM
God, IGN should be ashamed of themselves. ONE person having a problem with their specific amp? and no problem with the amp out of the picture? Come on, people! Sounds like it's the amp, not the PS3 that is the problem.
I really hate it when isolated problems like this get blow up into a huge "PS3 is TEH BORK".
Does your PS3 work with 2.5? 'Cause mine works just fine.
JoeTheBlow @ Oct 20th 2008 3:01PM
I agree, this is complete bullshit.
I knew Joystiq was Xbox fanboy central, but they should really be ashamed of putting this "story" up, slow day or not.
LC @ Oct 20th 2008 2:34PM
Yup, I'm getting the same problem. Connected to HDMI, haven't had problems before but now I do. It's a weird video issue too. My picture locks up, but I can still play in the background, for a minute or 2, then completely locks up. This usually occurs 10-20 min after boot up. Is ther a way to downgrade to previous firmware?
JoeTheBlow @ Oct 20th 2008 3:05PM
No.
This firmware was optional, just don't upgrade till you are sure its ok.
dabamf @ Oct 20th 2008 12:13PM
I had trouble playing certain movies in 1080p after I installed the update...through an Onkyo receiver.
Sunari @ Oct 20th 2008 12:17PM
Im getting some weird sound problems from the new Motorstorm demo, as well as my system has frozen on me twice when returning to the XMB from the PSN store.
Iridium @ Oct 20th 2008 12:34PM
If you run an HDMI cable through an amp, using it as a passthrough, the problem is usually with your TV. You can thank the HDCP handshake for that.
HDMI was never done right and most amps pass through video but not audio. It is always better to run HDMI for video and a seperate audio cable. Pisses me off but HDMI just has too many handshake issues. I wouldn't have a problem but my TV only has coax for digital input and no optical. It won't output DD from the HDMI either. Damn HDCP.
It should also be noted that the PS3 will autoset the sound output which can cause some TV sets to lose sound through a HDMI passthrough, again because of the HDCP handshake. Turning off your TV and turning it back on again usually fixes the problem.
The 2.5 update is fine. I'm sure the same problem would have happenned to IGN under any other firmware.
why not the LS2LS7? @ Oct 20th 2008 12:48PM
No thanks on the separate audio cable. You can't do 5.1 or 7.1 discrete, uncompressed channels over anything but HDMI.
Not outputting DD on an optical/coax out when using DD 5.1 on HDMI in isn't necessarily a problem with HDCP. My friend's XBR does it when using HDMI from PS3 to TV and then optical audio out from TV to amp.
Invisible Robot Meat @ Oct 20th 2008 12:51PM
"video problems when they hooked the system up to a Sony-branded 7.1 amp and a separate video projector"
Thank goodness I'm just a 'poor' dude with only a 720p tv and a 5.1 receiver. Yessss!
Invisible Robot Meat @ Oct 20th 2008 12:56PM
My HDCP uses 'Respek Knuckles' instead of handshake, its more universally compatible
Inofa @ Oct 20th 2008 1:16PM
Only one thing I can say now.
Fuck you Sony. Now I can't play anything in HD. Fuck you.
aj @ Oct 20th 2008 1:46PM
I'm just not going to buy a console until it goes back to plugging one thing from the console into whatever TV you happen to own.
I'm not buying a new TV, and I'm not buying a "sound system". And I'm not going to update my products every ten minutes because it used to be that companies would only put FINISHED products on the market.
why not the LS2LS7? @ Oct 20th 2008 2:02PM
Well, go out and get one, since that's how HDMI works. It's the first single cable solution since RF connections (the old 2600 switchbox).
SoCoolCurt (PSN: KillaKornbread) @ Oct 20th 2008 2:16PM
but he's probably got to buy a new TV to get an HDMI port, which he said he wasnt willing to do. HDMI is dammed convenient though, not a whole lot of plugs and cables to fumble with (it works like a USB cable). and you're really missing out if you buy a PS3 or 360 and dont have an HDTV.
it sucks that he feels that way, but that seems to be the way of the future. you either get used to it or dont buy them, and it seems like he's made his decision already.
AK @ Oct 20th 2008 3:26PM
"I'm just not going to buy a console until it goes back to plugging one thing from the console into whatever TV you happen to own."
That is what happens when you start asking more from your console. A NES only had to do one thing, play the game inside of it.
Now in our consoles we want online multiplayer, built in storage solution, 7.1 surround sound, built-in wireless, internet browsing, high definition graphics, video playback, downloadable content, etc, etc.
When you start adding all that other stuff, there are more things that can, and will go wrong.
If all you want is one plug one console with no problems, you really can't ask for all that other shit.
SoCoolCurt (PSN: KillaKornbread) @ Oct 20th 2008 2:10PM
my PS3 messes up with my HDMI cable every once in a while (maybe once a week). it does one of 3 things.
1) plays with normal video and a really god awful electronic ring in the sound
2) will show nothing with no sound. just a 'No Signal' from the TV
3) plays with normal video but with the sound from my S-Video connection which is my DirecTv feed
all of these problems happen right at start up and are fixed by unplugging the HDMI cable and plugging it back in. the PS3 also sits right on my desk vertical and sideways beside my TV (which i also use a PC monitor) so i dont even have to reach behind the console or anything, just sit up move the HDMI cable. it hasnt done it since the update, but then again, it doesnt do it all that often anyway.
Phour ZwanZig @ Oct 20th 2008 10:27PM
Those are not only issues w/ your PS3 and HDMI
Those are HDMI issues period.. I myself will not use HDMI for anything but my 360 due to the issues that HDMI has w/ Handshakes, which will cause things like you decribed.. I see it alot, with all different equipment and cables, but HDMI really isnt what its all talked up to be, cause of being rushed and mixed specs/interps..
Hopefully DisplayPort will replace HDMI down the road and it will have it together..
BrennaCeDria @ Oct 20th 2008 2:10PM
Literally the ONLY two problems I've had since 2.5 is the system froze ONCE last night when coming out of the web browser, and it seems like my load times are longer than they were before. I updated to 2.5 the day it came out, and my system VERY occassionally froze coming out of the browser before 2.5, so I have a feeling that it's an unrelated issue.
zero2dash @ Oct 20th 2008 2:31PM
Only problem I've noticed is that Folding@Home cannot connect to the server to DL a new work order.
Apparently I'm not the only one with this issue; I google searched it yesterday and found a thread on IGN with many other people complaining of the same thing...all of us recent 2.50 FW updaters.
A lack of F@H FTL =(
Vcize @ Oct 20th 2008 2:42PM
I have no idea if it's related to 2.5 or not, but I've been having a lot more HDMI handshake issues lately with my PS3.
It happens with the cable box too, but more often with the PS3 (especially since the update). It could just be coincidence though as all this HDMI handshake bullshit is totally unpredictable.
Screw you HDCP, I just want to plug my shit in and have it work, is that really so hard?
marvin69 @ Oct 20th 2008 3:32PM
"I have no idea if it's related to 2.5 or not, but I've been having a lot more HDMI handshake issues lately with my PS3."
Me too. My PS3 is hooked to an Oynko receiver and I'm having a hell of a time with HDMI. My HDMI 360 and cable box are working fine. My friend has the same receiver and isn't having any issue but his PS3 hasn't been updated in a while.
Note: We are not alone. There is a thread over at AVS forums with the same issues.
Tez (PSN: Tezasaurus) @ Oct 20th 2008 3:18PM
There's some talk about this issue over at AVS Forum, I haven't encountered any problems. Seems like it's affecting very few people. I'm curious about what circumstances are bringing this about...
SpOOkyLarS @ Oct 20th 2008 3:54PM
To all those people who think it is just one person in AU with a problem, why don't you check out the forums. There are plenty of problem. Systems are freezing up, video displayed in black and white, black screens at start up (BSOD) and various problems. I would love to have anyone of those problems , but I like a few other have it worse and we are stalled on the install portion of the update. and nothing has worked.
The majority of people were fine with 2.40 (such as myself) but there were enough who had problems. Sony convenitly updated their Terms right before they released the update to state they are not at fault or liable if their updates cause an error or malfuntion with you system.
Overgauss @ Oct 22nd 2008 12:59AM
I've had a handshake issue or two with my Onkyo PS3 setup as well.
As for the "only one person in AU" comment, some people when you tell them that you prefer pub A rather than pub B because pub B waters down their beer, will respond with "well by definition ALL beer is watered down because you use water to make it!", entirely missing the point. As such, those opinions are suspect.