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Sony boss Mick Hocking unveiled upcoming 3D plans for the PlayStation 3 at an event in London.
The PS3 has already benefited from one firmware update in June which set the groundwork for 3D support. That update demonstrated the flexibility of the console by adding HDMI 1.4 support, the prevailing standard for transmission of 3D content by "side packing" stereo images in each frame.
Reporting from the Sony event, CVG quoted Mick Hocking: "In September this year, we’re launching another Firmware upgrade – and this one is going to upgrade the PS3 to support Blu-ray movies in 3D. Again, you won’t have to do anything – just connect your PS3. For the film market that’s a very significant event."
Hocking also said that a later update would support 3D photos, pointing out that there’s already 3D cameras on the market and 3D camcorders would arrive in the next year. The company views the PS3 as a hub for "all types of 3D content", citing future 3D broadcasts via PlayTV. Hocking also claimed that YouTube would launch 3D content broadcasting capability within a year and that this too would be playable on the PS3.
Coinciding with the previous 3D update in June, Sony launched four 3D games available via the PSN Store: Wipeout, Motorstorm, Super Stardust and PAIN. In a cross-promotion the games are also bundled with Sony’s range of 3D Bravia TVs.
Sony’s early adoption of 3D will be seen as taking the lead in the industry drive towards 3D visualisation. Likely too the seamless support via HDMI 1.4 will also set the standard for a painless upgrade path.
