Don't you just love seeing firmware update notifications for your legacy hardware? Sony sure hopes so, because they've pushed out a new firmware release for the PlayStation 3. What exactly does this new update bring to the table? Well, not much at all, outwardly. Sony offers the usual message of "This system software update improves the quality of the system performance". It's not stability, but it's close enough. Even in terms of exploits and homebrew, version 4.86 doesn't have much of an impact: according to PS3 scene developers, the kernel is unchanged. As always, it's wise to stay on your previous firmware until more information is available.

An update to the PlayStation 3 system software was released on 31/03/20. In order to download PS3 system software version 4.86, you will need a minimum 200MB of free space on either the PS3 Hard Disk Drive (System Update) or on removable storage media (PC Update).

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[krueger96]

it's probably an update for Blu-ray playback, considering sony didn't care to patch all the vulnerabilities in the last few firmwares

 

[Silent_Gunner]

I imagine the stability updates for systems as old as the PS3 would be something along the lines of trying to use Viagra for someone suffering from ED!

 

[emigre]

This thread has reminded me that I've had my PS3 for over ten years. And the fucker is still getting firmware updates!

 

[FAST6191]

Aw I was going to have a little bet between following some pointless law a la GDPR ones a while back, "system stability" or actual new features... I suppose there is also losing features as well (if they are to be shuttering PS3 PSN before too long then maybe something there to help with that, or not hammer the same servers with odd requests.

 

[Nobody_Important4u]

Well that was pointless.

 

[RichardTheKing]

Aw I was going to have a little bet between following some pointless law a la GDPR ones a while back, "system stability" or actual new features... I suppose there is also losing features as well (if they are to be shuttering PS3 PSN before too long then maybe something there to help with that, or not hammer the same servers with odd requests.

PlayStation Network, not the PlayStation Store? ATLUS really needs to release Persona 3 FES on the Australian PSS.

 

[James_]

I feel like everything has been getting firmware updates recently. What next, a firmware update for the Atari 7800?

 

[Deleted User]

I feel like everything has been getting firmware updates recently. What next, a firmware update for the Atari 7800?

nah m8, a firmware for the cybiko and cybiko extreme

 

[RedBlueGreen]

Well that was pointless.

Nope, they need to renew the keys for BluRay playback. Of course there are probably ways to get around it, but Sony isn't gonna risk a copyright infringement suit because they bypassed DRM to allow people to play movies they own.

A encryption keys for playing BluRay have to to be renewed once a year.

it's probably an update for Blu-ray playback, considering sony didn't care to patch all the vulnerabilities in the last few firmwares

It's most likely this. I'd expect updates like this for at least the next couple years.

 

[Deleted User]

Nope, they need to renew the keys for BluRay playback. Of course there are ways to get around it, but Sony isn't gonna risk a copyright infringement suit because they bypassed DRM to allow people to play movies they own.

how does the ps3 constantly need to do this but standard bluray players don't?

 

[BORTZ]

it's probably an update for Blu-ray playback, considering sony didn't care to patch all the vulnerabilities in the last few firmwares

I hope you are right. 200MB might be small but its certainly not nothing. Especially on older hardware.

 

[RedBlueGreen]

how does the ps3 constantly need to do this but standard bluray players don't?

A lot of them do. The ones from Sony, LG, and most name brand manufacturers do. If it doesn't, either the BluRay disk is using older encryption the device can read, or it's being bypassed somehow.

 

[Tom Bombadildo]

how does the ps3 constantly need to do this but standard bluray players don't?

Uhh they do. That's why most Blu-ray players have network capabilities, so they can download new encryption keys once every year or so. On very old models, you usually have to burn firmware updates to a disc and install it that way, otherwise you wouldn't be able to watch newer Blu-ray movies.

 

[Deleted User]

A lot of them do. The ones from Sony, LG, and most name brand manufacturers do apparently.

Uhh they do. That's why most Blu-ray players have network capabilities, so they can download new encryption keys once every year or so. On very old models, you usually have to burn firmware updates to a disc and install it that way, otherwise you wouldn't be able to watch newer Blu-ray movies.

i have a samsung player that i don't ever recall connecting to the internet or updating and i've had it for 2-3 years

 

[RedBlueGreen]

i have a samsung player that i don't ever recall connecting to the internet or updating and i've had it for 2-3 years

That's relatively new. Sony says they have to update the encryption keys every 12-18 months. Discs you own might only have encryption that your device can read from the FW you got it on.

Newer titles (a lot of people have issues with the Game of Thrones BluRays) won't play if you haven't updated the firmware. I assume you can still play older discs though, I'm not 100% on whether the keys the console/player have use a set date that they're completely voided, or if it's just newer titles you can't play.

I know people can bypass the encryption on PC, but I have no idea how that works, and whether it requires the necessary keys for the disc you want to rip.

 

[krueger96]

I hope you are right. 200MB might be small but its certainly not nothing. Especially on older hardware.

it looks like the same size as the older updates, it might be safe to update but who knows? even if it is, HEN users need to wait for the homebrews to be updated to the current version

 

[Tom Bombadildo]

i have a samsung player that i don't ever recall connecting to the internet or updating and i've had it for 2-3 years

Then your BD player is likely one of the few that hasn't had it's AASC device key dumped yet, so it's still listed as "ok" with Blu-rays DRM

But eventually it will need to be updated to support new keys, otherwise you won't be able to watch newer Blu-rays

 

[rusty_train]

according to a new article released earlier today, Sony plans to split the Message System, so you cant send messages from ps3 to ps4 or vita, it could be preparation for that.

 

[onlypuppy7]

Hmm