With HD DVD out of the way it looks like Sony is ready to get moving on getting everyone up and running with Blu-ray as the easiest and most accessible player is by far the PlayStation 3 despite the fact that it doesn't offer DTS sound (the biggest detraction). However, the upcoming firmware upgrade, referred to as the BD-Live will boast the ability for PS3 owners to experience interactive features, such as downloadable video content, ringtones, games, and more on their Blu-ray Discs. In addition to BD-Live, the system software update (v. 2.20) will enable photo and music playlists on PS3 to be copied to PSP handheld entertainment system, among other new features.

Scott A. Steinberg, the vice president of product marketing at Sony Computer Entertainment America (SCEA) said something many PS3 owners should rejoice in hearing. He said, "Whether you want to download movie extras, send ringtones to your phone, or play interactive games, BD-LIVE will offer exciting new ways to enjoy a Blu-ray movie. With these regular firmware updates and future-proofed technology, SCEA is making the 10-year lifecycle of PS3 possible." Perhaps that investment will go to good use eh? Not only can you play "Call of Duty 4" and "Hot Shots Golf" (love 'em both), but you can play games and watch Blu-ray discs on it for 10 years.

If you have a PS3, BD Profile 2.0 requires an Internet connection and at least 1GB of local storage. The following features have all been demonstrated as possibilities with BD-Live and will vary by movie title.

• A variety of downloadable content can be offered, including bonus scenes, shorts, trailers, subtitles, ringtones that can be sent to mobile phones, images, and more.
• Interactive movie-based games can pit players who are sitting in the same room, or are across the world and online, against each other.

Sony will release two BD-Live enabled Blu-rays on April 8th with Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story and The 6th Day. Both titles will include exclusive downloadable content that goes beyond what is available on the actual Blu-ray discs.

Personally, all the bonus feature shit doesn't excite me all that much, but there are a few other details that I was excited to see, especially numbers 1, 3, 4 and 5 below.

1. "Resume play" will enable PS3 system to start playing a Blu-ray disc and DVD at the point it was stopped, even if the disc had been removed. (BD-J format disc is not supported)
2. "Audio Output Device" will be a new Remote Play setting, enabling PSP to serve as a remote control for music played through PS3.
3. PS3 system's Internet browser will be enhanced: Video files directly linked from a Web page will be able to be streamed, and the browser's view speed will be improved.
4. DivX and WMV format videos that are larger than 2GB will be playable.
5. "Mosquito Noise Reduction" will be added as an AV setting in the control panel of the DVD/BD player for improved movie playback. (BD discs recorded with BDMV format are not supported.)

There are a few more PSP tie-ins, and it makes me wonder how many people actually own a PSP. I have one, but I have hardly used it since getting it about two or three years ago?

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