2.40 includes hidden PSN Store upgrade

by Jem Alexander { Jul 2nd 2008 at 6:00AM }

The new look PSN Store is definitely something to behold, even if we've mostly gotten used to what it looks like by now. Unfortunately, it suffered from not caching images properly and, as a result, slow loading of items on the store. If you're someone who's particularly annoyed by this, then you'll be happy to hear that firmware 2.40 seems to have brought with it a little surprise which makes the store run a lot smoother. This is true of both the US and the EU stores.

Not only that, but a new "view mode" has been added to both, so now you can have the store items laid out in more of a list form, rather than just an image. Not only does this make it easier to see what each item is at a glance, but it also shows the price, even if the item is not highlighted. This is definitely our preferred method of viewing the store. If we find any more 2.40 surprises, we'll be sure to let you know.

Tags: 2.40, firmware, psn-store, upgrade

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

S2 @ Jul 2nd 2008 6:06AM

Very Nice! Didn't see that!

Lars @ Jul 2nd 2008 1:58PM

That IS awesome! I hated the new store for it's slowness and the grid of icons instead of a list, but now it seems to be a bit more bearable.

Charles @ Jul 2nd 2008 6:13AM

Totally random and unrelated question, but I just have to know. If I have an EU PS3 can I access the US store and vice versa? I'm looking into buying a PS3 now because I only have a Wii and I'd like to step up my gaming fix a notch, or two for that matter :P and purchase a next-gen system and currently the PS3 is attracting me more. So can someone please help me with this. Also, if I have a US PS3 and I buy the EU Singstar, which Singstore will I access?

Brodie-san @ Jul 2nd 2008 6:17AM

Hey Charles, welcome to the wonders (and sometimes frustration!) of PS3 goodness.

I know you can access other regions' stores for downloading demos but I'm not sure if you can actually purchase content which is exclusive to one in particular.

I'm sure someone else here will set you straight
:)

Charles @ Jul 2nd 2008 6:24AM

Hmm... See the problem here is the buying :S... I'm in a bit of a dilemma when it comes to the purchase of which, because where I currently reside, I can get the NTSC PS3 with no warranty, but cheaper or the PAL PS3, it's more expensive but has warranty. The real problem is, I'm moving to Canada for college and once the summer ends, it'll be my last year here. I want to be able to continue using my PS3 in Canada, and I don't mind waiting a whole year till I go to Canada to use Blu-Ray, but I have to at least for now, be able to purchase things from the PS Store, like SSHD and Pixel Junk, yadda yadda yadda. Does anyone else know if I can purchase US content from an EU PS3? How's the failure rate on the PS3, I heard that the Blu-Ray drive is failing for quite a few people.

Charles @ Jul 2nd 2008 6:25AM

Charles @ Jul 2nd 2008 6:26AM

Damn! Triple post?! The comment section is hell here :S!

Rowdehaj @ Jul 2nd 2008 6:48AM

Yes it is, Charles. Yes it is.

Other than the commentary malfunction verification, I'm sorry I can't help you - I'm in a PAL region myself and have never bought anything on the PSN store (No credit card). The one Blu-ray I own (BBC's Earth) does work perfectly though. Let's hope someone in the comment section is more helpful :D

warlock7 @ Jul 2nd 2008 8:13AM

All you need is a valid address in the region you want to belong to, as I understand it.

warlock7 @ Jul 2nd 2008 8:15AM

Let's try this again...

As far as I understand it, all you need is a valid mailing address in the region you want to download from.

Set up a new user account with that address and you should have an account in the region in question.

Snake @ Jul 2nd 2008 10:33AM

As far as I understand it. If you create a US/CAN account you will only be able to buy US/CAN store items with a US/CAN CC. On the flip side if you buy a EU PS3 and buy a NA Blue-ray game you will be able to play no problem. If you create EU account you can buy/play EU store items as long as you have a EU payment option.

The only thing i don't know if is you have NA friends that want to play with you and you have a EU account you might not be able to see each others account. I could be wrong with that.

MAT @ Jul 2nd 2008 11:29AM

I know if u buy EU PS3 u can make an extra american account and access american store and vice versa

FrodoTBaggins @ Jul 2nd 2008 5:26PM

Well here's the whole deal. I live in New Zealand (PAL Territory) We have the same content as the EU store.

You can create accounts basically for any reigion no problems (Japan, Hong Kong, US...where ever). You can download demos, trailers basically anything free with no problems.

Now if you wanna purchase content you need an American Credit Card. The easiest way to get around this is to go to http://www.entropay.com/ which allows you to create a virtual credit card. Create an account using a valid US address (Beverly hills 90210 always works lol) and if all the boxes are filled in right you should get a virtual card you can load money onto using your personal credit card. It's all quite simple really.

Now you can use the details from your virtual card to purchase US content from any region.

So to answer your question....yes you can purchase US content, or any other regions content from a EU or PAL system. It's good sometimes you can get deals if you check different stores. I got high vel. bowling for close to $10 cheaper than I would've buying it locally.

S2 @ Jul 2nd 2008 6:18AM

Ye you can, you just make a US account. And a Japanese one too. Im not so sure about buying things tho.

Poozle @ Jul 2nd 2008 6:32AM

To buy things you just need a payment method registered in the country... or the PSN Cards that are available in Japan and "coming soon" to the US.

The1stMJC @ Jul 2nd 2008 6:35AM

Well u can make a us account and a Japanese account. To buy things go online and u can find japanese psn cards like a gift card some sites will let u order them and give u the code and others will mail u the actual card. The Us is supposed to start getting these cards soon too.Hope This helps add The1stMJC

Young_Jey @ Jul 2nd 2008 6:51AM

theres also new seting option for teh headsets, camera and music

Heffa @ Jul 2nd 2008 7:45AM

I have an EU PS3 and have accounts in EU, US, JP and HK and have bought stuff from all but JP.
All You need is a virtual credit card as several banks can provide.

Vincent @ Jul 2nd 2008 9:31AM

Virtual Card? o.o What's that and how does it work? D: Links would be appreciated

Mark @ Jul 2nd 2008 8:07AM

In "Users" under the XMB, an item has been added to power off the PS3 console. Under "Settings", options have been added to automatically power off after a system software update, and "assign controller", "controller vibration function" settings have been added under "accessory settings".

Under "Photos", as well as photos within a playlist becoming printable, when photos are sorted by month or year taken, an ascending and descending order option has been added.

Under "Music", a mini control panel can now be displayed while playing music, as well as "MP3 Surround" being added as a playable file type.

Under "Video", "Frame Noise Reduction" and "Block Noise Reduction" can now be
configured for vidoes stored on the HDD or storage media, and upconverting output is also supported. Additionally, Blu-ray Disc upconverting, DVD Video DTS-ES and DTS 96/24 and Blu-ray Disc DTS-ES Matrix playback is supported.

PS2 backwards compatability is compatible models has been further improved.

MatthewJ @ Jul 2nd 2008 2:58PM

Nice!

This Square button to change view thing also seems to apply to the XMB itself, whenever you press it, your Games sorting changes from Title to All for instance. Really handy.

Metoo @ Jul 2nd 2008 4:59PM

"Under "Video", "Frame Noise Reduction" and "Block Noise Reduction" can now be
configured for vidoes stored on the HDD or storage media, and upconverting output is also supported. Additionally, Blu-ray Disc upconverting, DVD Video DTS-ES and DTS 96/24 and Blu-ray Disc DTS-ES Matrix playback is supported."

I thought the upconverting output has been there since day 1? I've alway been able to play HDD video files on 1080p no matter what original resolution they are.

And I swear I've played DVDs with DTS-ES on the PS3 before. Could be wrong though.

Charles @ Jul 2nd 2008 7:21AM

Thanks alot everyone, you really helped me out. Now al I need is a few more tings figured out (like what to tell my parents when I come home with a new game system (they hate gaming as it is :P)) and how to raise me some cash :)!

crazypenguin @ Jul 2nd 2008 7:21AM

@charles, yes you can, i made a japaneese one (and then deleted it because i can't read it) but yeah its supremely easy. BUT, this is something you may want to know. add-ons for games usually don't work from what i understand. buying actual full fledged games should be no prob, sometimes though a demo or something may end up being region specific (uncharted: drakes fortune for example)

ALSO mr. jem, there is another little hidden and not completly known feature i guess, i mean we all probobly knew they'd do it. in game xmb also works with Folding@home

Rowdehaj @ Jul 2nd 2008 8:00AM

I *hope* they add in music for that app. It would make idle media usage on the PS3 that much more beneficial to the medical community :D

stormer @ Jul 2nd 2008 8:01AM

doesn't look like anyone's mentioned this... charles, you can buy content from the different stores using the virtual card method above, but it is worth noting that content IS region specific. i.e. if you own a PAL version of a game, you can only use content that is available for it on the EU store. Likewise, if you have an NTSC game, you can only use content from the US store, etc. Just wanted to mention this so you don't go wasting money on buying something on the US store for a PAL game and discovering it doesn't work :)

True_Darknight @ Jul 2nd 2008 8:45AM

OK so now i forget the website which i used to set up all my 3 extra accounts, I got Japan, UK and HK... mainly cause of demos.

However it's quite easy to get the Japan stuff as you can get PSN cards from play.com. Never bothered with HK.

UK.. well that is a matter of setting up an online CC in watever country you want.. they have websites for those.. as for making an US account.. get the valid addy.. and get a PSN card... how you ask? well good question..

but i have not the need to buy anything on those accounts yet!!

Then again might be quite different for you as I do buy a lot from the US store...

james @ Jul 2nd 2008 8:50AM

Hi there,

Yes, you can definitely register another user on your PS3 to be from another region, i.e. US. You need to have a valid postal address in the region (i just looked one up on the US version of Yellow Pages). You are then able to access the US store to download demos/videos and YOU CAN purchase games. (i bought Super Puzzle Fighter, Pain and High Velocity bowling all before they came to the UK store).

You need to register for a Virtual Credit card with Entropay (available via their website). you simply create your account and link it to your own credit card account. you then 'top up' the virtual credit card with funds from your own credit card (with the inclusion of a small fee) and you can then use the virtual card to make purchased from the US store. it works perfectly.

Hope this helps
James

XCool @ Jul 2nd 2008 9:06AM

The PSN Store view settings doesn't seem to stick. I like the new view a lot, but it resets itself back to the original view when you view something else, or flip to other pages.

Besides that, some themes (like the recent MGS4 theme) display the new icons (Turn Off, Playlist, Trophy, etc) as a question (?) mark. Using a different theme like the built-in ones will show you the correct icons.

Matt @ Jul 2nd 2008 9:14AM

Is it just me or is this firmware update taking significantly longer than the ones in the past...?

red996 @ Jul 2nd 2008 9:53AM

Charles,

WARNING!!!
Are you aware that Electricity in Europe runs at a different current than in the American hemisphere?

You cannot just plug stuff from one continent into the other, you need to buy an adaptor (power converter) and it has to be a quality one to support the amps required by the PS3.

Jem @ Jul 2nd 2008 9:55AM

While generally good advice when purchasing electronics from abroad, this is not the case for the PS3. I have a US PS3 plugged into a UK mains plug using just a normal kettle lead (PC monitor lead). Have had no problems whatsoever.

As for the other way around, I have no idea. You might need to research that further.

dave @ Jul 3rd 2008 12:28AM

I agree with Jem. The PS3 has a universal power supply, so any computer lead will be able to plug into it, from any country.

I'm in Australia, running a US PS3 directly from the power socket. It works fine.

FrankTehCrank @ Jul 2nd 2008 10:15AM

So cool.

IceReign @ Jul 2nd 2008 10:09AM

This guide might help for buying these from other region stores.

http://www.xtremeps3.com/guides.php?act=guide&id=14

Gonzo @ Jul 7th 2008 2:08PM

Glad they made some usefull changes with the update.

Charles-
Go ntsc but avoid models with the # CECHG01

FrankTehCrank @ Jul 2nd 2008 10:24AM

Testing

kinadian @ Jul 3rd 2008 7:30AM

Charles,

Why not just wait the 2 months until you are in Canada for college? Then you can buy a Canadian PS3. It will work for you and you'll have a warranty. You can use your credit card from home to setup a European account to access all the EU goodies not available in NA.

It also solves the dilemma of justifying the purchase with your parents as well.

Crzynick @ Jul 2nd 2008 10:48AM

How come thestore looked the same for me this morning???

reson8er @ Jul 2nd 2008 10:56AM

It will look the same, until you click the square button to toggle "View Mode". See there on the bottom of the screenshot?

CrzyNick @ Jul 2nd 2008 10:51AM

The store looked the same [old] this morning...was it just me???

frankym @ Jul 2nd 2008 11:02AM

Wow...works really smooth!!!

Now if only the games ran as smoothly.....lol!!...just kidding!!

lord of valhalla @ Jul 2nd 2008 11:13AM

2.4 is lame!!! when you receive a message, you cant just press x on the persons name and view the message list, yo either have to go to message box or press triangle, then message list. you also can't access the gamer card while the browser is open!!!

Zane @ Jul 2nd 2008 12:00PM

Has the internet browser's flash version been updated?

Mattchewie @ Jul 2nd 2008 12:59PM

After downloading 2.40 last night I picked up SSDHD. I noticed that the images in the store loaded MUCH quicker. At first I thought it was due to the late night nature of my store browsing. Apparently that wasn't the case. I didn't even notice the "view mode". Good show all around.