Sony has just lifted the lid on Firmware 1.70 for the PlayStation 4, which is heavily focused on the way you can share your images and footage captured from the console. There isn’t a rollout date yet available on the update though there will be more information on what it means over the next few weeks. Here’s what to expect from update 1.70 when it does become available for the PS4.
- Rich video editor with personalisation tools.
- Export images and videos to USB drives via Share button.
- Option to turn HDCP off allowing capturing of gameplay via HDMI.
There’s also mention of longer gameplay recording sessions, and additional features not yet announced. Sony reveal that it is currently working with Twitch and UStream to provide live streaming in 720p, while also allowing archiving of streams through Twitch. This will be part of a different update that seems like will come after the new firmware update is installed. While these are large steps some will still be waiting for features such as DLNA, MP3 and CD support, as well as things like themes, which may be confirmed soon.
What’s your opinion on the update? Are these features things you have been waiting for or do different things sit on your list?
Source: PlayStation Blog
Tarbun84
I want my proper sleep mode! Would be very very handy. Best feature on the VITA and would be perfect for my sporadic console use
Amphlett
Am I the only one that finds Standby mode doesn’t always download and install game updates?
ninjaarekku
I must say you are not alone. I dont think my PS4 downloads in standby every time.
djdustb
No I find that too, I mostly have it on standby yet when I turn it on it still needs to download and install most often with firmware, the PS3 was like this too, was no real point in it that I could see.
ninjaarekku
While I don’t use those features all that much I’m excited to see what other improvements the update brings :)
blarty
Installation of firmware always requires you to essentially ‘be there’
Stefan L
My current understanding is that the way the PS4 handles automated downloads is different to the way the PS3 does it. It actually has much more in common with the XBO.
On the PS3 you schedule a time and it wakes up each night to grab the downloads. On the PS4 it checks every time you turn it on or, if you haven’t turned it on for a day or two, it will automatically check for updates.
Those background downloads will continue after you set it to standby, and I believe that this alongside sending save file updates to the cloud is why the PS4 will almost always keep the fan spinning for a while after the main machine is sleeping.
All of which means that daily gamers will always encounter updates during their actual gaming session, rather than finding that updates had occured automatically overnight, as on the PS3.
Kubr1ck
No, I’m have the same problem. It is supposed to download updates and firmware automatically when in Standby Mode as detailed here https://support.us.playstation.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/5038/session/L2F2LzEvdGltZS8xMzk1MjQ4NzY3L3NpZC81YVF3ZkVQbA%3D%3D
@yosp tweeted that his PS4 had updated all of his games while he was away recently and was quite surprised when he had a few replies saying it didn’t work for them.
Oddly enough if I buy a game from the webstore when I’m out, the game is downloaded/updated/installed and ready to play by the time I get in. Game/system updates wait for me to boot. Quite annoying when you consider the size of the recent CoD updates.
XisTG
exactly the same thing for me; sometimes i turn it up and the downloads are stopped halfway, and more often than not I even need to go to the Store/Library and start the download manually :/
Spence1115
I want a sleep mode that doesn’t have a bright freaking light shining from it! Its in my bedroom, and is thus pretty bright when I’m trying to sleep!
sparkyscrum
Export to USB could be interesting. Still rather have DLNA as its something I used my PS3 a lot for.
camdaz
Yep, would be handy. And archiving of streams through Twitch.
Amphlett
It’s a logical business update as this means that we will have improved streams going to Twitch and UStream, improved Share options and a ‘rich video editor’ which all add up to improved media consumption and perception by consumers on the something called ‘the internet’. Improved perception of the PS4 will likely improve sales. All sounds perfectly logical to me.
What I would like to see is DLNA compliance, then I can shift my PS4 in to the space under my telly in the living room where my PS3 currently streams media. On the other hand, having the PS4 in my home office means that I can always play a little BF4 when work is quiet…
Amphlett
Thinking about it, I would bet that Sony are working on improving their copyright media detection (currently ‘cinavia’) before implementing DLNA.
Tedbaker
Cinavia is a necessary evil to stop freeloading parasites cheapskates making everything more expensive for the rest of us.
DLNA is coming as a buyable addon in the next 3 months. It will be for sake in the store. Firmware 1.70 adds some new programming APIs to allow system services to run and add their ui hook icons.
Once 1.7x is out the door expect the app to arrive in the store soon after.
TSBonyman
Sounds good, looking forward to more details.
Lyts1985
Video editing and exporting to USB is interesting. But why not YouTube?
Like the others, I was hoping for the game suspend ability to be implemented sooner than later though…
Bilbo_bobbins
well this way, you get a choice of where you upload your videos to, isn’t that better? Personally I would rather that than just the option to upload to youtube.
Lyts1985
Yeah, I’m not disputing this is a huge step forward and one I’m personally looking forward to playing with, it’d just be nice to have the option to do it all from the box at some point – not so much either\or but both so as to give everyone the option :-)
Adam Garrett
Very much a step in the right direction. The export to USB should mean we can upload the videos to YouTube after exporting, not quite as useful as uploading straight from the PS4 but a step in the right direction. Will be interesting to see the quality of the images and videos after exporting too.
Also happy to hear of improvements to the streaming quality and an inbuilt editor sounds great, sounds like a good update.
Broonba
Not exactly what I was wanting, but at least you can export video to USB. Once it’s been exported then it should be easy enough to upload to YouTube….unless I’m totally mistaken.
yiddo
Finally people can stop constantly moaning about Sony not rolling out ‘substantial updates’.
This will be the first of many of course, as most people would have assumed anyway.
tactical20
Not impressed. I just want the stuff my PS3 can do. Sort trophies, play CDs, etc.. Oh, and having a ‘new this week’ bit on the store isn’t exactly rocket science. FIX UP!!
beeje13
+1 with the New store section thing. Seems silly going through 2 menus then applying a sort by newest.
a inferior race
Yeah I want my ps4 to do everything the ps3 could do such as notifying when people go online.
freezebug2
Everything the PS3 can do apart from frying eggs when the traffic lights come on and stay on amber! :P
Bilbo_bobbins
Excellent, well done Sony for listening.