Rumor: Firmware 2.5 may allow screen captures

by Andrew Yoon { Aug 26th 2008 at 10:15AM }

CVG has learned from a shadowy "development source" that the next major PS3 firmware update, possibly 2.5, may include the ability to capture screenshots directly from the PS3. "Exactly how this would be done and what you could do with the shots once you've grabbed a piece of the action isn't yet known."

The PS3 already has the ability to save images from games to the hard drive, but they must be specifically programmed into each game. For example, players can save low-res images from Metal Gear Solid 4's camera. They can also save images from replay videos in WipEout HD. Having the ability to take screengrabs whenever will let us immortalize our most cherished gaming moments ... and will certainly make our jobs easier.

Tags: 2.5, 2.50, firmware, screen-capture

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

SuperGayParade @ Aug 26th 2008 10:21AM

you guys don't have an HD capture card? :)

Andrew Yoon @ Aug 26th 2008 11:01AM

Those are SO expensive. Would you like to get us one? Please!!!!

SuperGayParade @ Aug 26th 2008 12:26PM

I'm sure Mr. AOL could get one for their gaming blogs to share ;)

Anyways, I got a SD capture card pretty cheap... would serve the site well for its trophy guides... mmmm?

Andrew Yoon @ Aug 26th 2008 1:01PM

If you can e-mail me some recommendations, that'd be great! I'll have to fork over my own $ though.

Mr. Alexander @ Aug 27th 2008 9:07AM

You already can do screen capture you just have to hook up a keyboard to your ps3 and do the print screen option and it will save the image to your image library. I read it in the PSW magazine......I haven't tried it yet though..... :/

Xoviet chiK @ Aug 26th 2008 10:25AM

As awesome as this is, it would also be coming out at a time when the only PS3 models available are without Compact Flash, SD, and Memory Stick ports...

Christian @ Aug 26th 2008 10:36AM

While I too miss that in the newer model I guess its fair to say that USB sticks are much more popular and in more widespread use for general file transfer. Among my friends I am the only one I know who use SD cards to transfer files between my laptop and other devices for instance.

evilfoxhound @ Aug 26th 2008 10:42AM

Most people use USB memory sticks these days anyway.

Rowdehaj @ Aug 26th 2008 10:49AM

Yet, USB keys are cheaper than all of the above, and in many cases more convenient.

SoCoolCurt (PSN: KillaKornbread) @ Aug 26th 2008 10:45AM

and PS3's without card readers are teh suck

linton @ Aug 26th 2008 10:45AM

use a usb stick fool!

duckhunt8 @ Aug 26th 2008 10:46AM

http://www.engadget.com/2008/07/02/nykos-media-hub-for-ps3-inelegantly-adds-usb-ports-multicard-r/

It's only $20, and like the others said, flash drives / external HDD ftw. ;)

SoCoolCurt (PSN: KillaKornbread) @ Aug 26th 2008 10:48AM

i use SD cards pretty regularly too Christian to transfer music and pictures and stuff. i just use the copy feature in Media Share to get the videos on their though. and if i need to put something on my PSP from there, i just plug it into the charging cable that is dangling from my PS3.

but it is worth noting that you can still plug up a USB card reader or hub to your PS3 if you need the extra slots.

superaktieboy @ Aug 26th 2008 11:34AM

tbh i rarely use the card readers on my ps3 lol.. its like.. if i remember it right, i've only used the card readers 2 or 3 times lol

Gemini Ace @ Aug 26th 2008 11:35AM

I'm pretty sure a thumb drive will work just fine in those models.

Xoviet chiK @ Aug 26th 2008 11:45AM

I realize that you can use HDDs and USB Flash Drives. Only reason I mention it, is that a lot of people who would really love this functionality for hobby pursuits or amateur / independent game journalism / blogging purposes may be more inclined to use those formats.

As a photographer, Compact Flash is my portable media storage godsend. It would certainly be what I'll use if this function becomes available, and if the captures are portable.

R_Shackelford @ Aug 26th 2008 12:38PM

I believe all models with card readers also have BC (could be wrong, but I think so).

I think all the card reader models also have four USB ports.

Also, I can load the new homebrew NES emulator and a bunch of games onto a card and leave it in the machine.

Card reader SKUs FTW. :-) :-P

ChodalBerryWagon @ Aug 26th 2008 10:25PM

I have a 60 gig, and I tried using the card readers the day I got it.

My memory stick got stuck in it and I freaked out. I had to use tweezers to get it out!

i'm never using them again lol

Will @ Aug 26th 2008 10:29AM

Cool. I've been wanted this ability in consoles for a long time.

Bigman73 @ Aug 26th 2008 10:32AM

Here's an idea - "Trophy Moments"

When you win a trophy an image and/or video of that moment is kept to your hard drive. This way you can remember and show why and how you won this trophy!

SuperGayParade @ Aug 26th 2008 10:46AM

or how about your PS-Eye takes a picture of you after you spend 4 hours trying to do a hard but trivial task for a trophy and get it

SoCoolCurt (PSN: KillaKornbread) @ Aug 26th 2008 10:50AM

NO! cause then i would have to wear clothes to play games. i swear gaming in my undies makes me play better lol.

Bigman73 @ Aug 26th 2008 10:52AM

Also great idea! It could be named "Trophy Eye"...

Huschke @ Aug 26th 2008 11:07AM

"Trophy Eye", what a terrific idea! And such a catchy name. LOVE IT! WANT IT ;)

Popfrogs @ Aug 26th 2008 12:37PM

..or you could call it EyeTrophy (atrophy). Yeah yeah, bad pun, I know.

VeganTnT @ Aug 26th 2008 10:46AM

Hmm, maybe that is what that blue button on the top left corner of the wireless keypad?

Though most ps3's are without card slots it's most likely going to be used for sending it to people on your friends list.

linton @ Aug 26th 2008 10:47AM

use a usb stick or get one of those ultimate card readers and stick that in your usb slot

ali_D @ Aug 26th 2008 10:51AM

that a GOOD idea @ bigman73, back your trophy whorein braging rights with ACTION that b cool DO IT SONY!!!!!! :)

Emophia @ Aug 26th 2008 10:56AM

That would be freaking awesome.

maxpontiac @ Aug 26th 2008 10:57AM

I have been telling my friend who is a PC gamer that the PS3 is console for him to pick up.

This was one of the things he constantly threw in my face, as he is always taking screen captures of COD4 and emailing me them.

This is outstanding news, and I can't wait to tell him, LOL!!!

Albanian_Killa @ Aug 26th 2008 11:03AM

That would be great. I always hated the MGS4 camera. Anyway, I'd love to take great photos in many games so I'm hoping this rumor is true.

Jerses @ Aug 26th 2008 11:04AM

Soul calibur panty shots here i come!!!!!!!!

reson8er @ Aug 26th 2008 11:04AM

I always wanted this feature. I'd love the ability to capture in game moments and save them for use as wallpaper on my PS3 and computer.

I hope this feature gets to see the light of day.

tretle @ Aug 26th 2008 11:07AM

Hopefully 2.5 might have some better features than that, like I dunno, Life with playstation. or fixed xvid support or cross game invites :(

XDragon @ Aug 26th 2008 11:08AM

I'm waiting for a shut down timer so I can:
1. let my controllers charge before i go to bed and wake up with the ps3 off and the controllers fully charged!
2. let a large download complete and have the system shut off after the downloads are complete!

Upsampling of any non 1080p signal to 1080p (including PS3 games that are not in 1080p)

The only other thing really missing is software BC for PS2 in the models that currently don't support PS2 BC. It can be done, the question is will they bother and so far that looks like a big NO!

JaffaBoy @ Aug 26th 2008 11:42AM

#2... nice idea (and I wouldnt have thought too difficult to addin).

Not so sure about #1.... expensive reason to leave a PS3 running.

thinkofmeasmra @ Aug 26th 2008 2:10PM

I've been waiting for that feature for sooo long to. See i like to fall alseep to Futurama (i have all seasons and both new movies on my ps3) so i would like tobe able to set it to a timer to shut off. Also subsequently im fucking vexxed theres no sequential video playback yet so everytime an episode is done, i have to press O, then select another one..and as you can imagine, doing this every 22 minutes till im too tired to do it again sucks. So sequential video playback and a sleep timer are two much needed features.

As for BC, fuck it, everyone and thier grandma has a ps2 and last time i said that, someone i know actually mentioned his 82 year old grandmother DOES indeed own a ps2 so its basically a fact lol.

matt @ Aug 26th 2008 11:08AM

is it going to be built into the system or is it gonna be another colossal failure like the "custom soundtracks" that they didnt really even give us? it'd be nice if you actually asked someone from sony about that and remove their balls from your chin.

rickjamess04 @ Aug 26th 2008 11:23AM

I personally wish that they would finally work with Adobe and update the flash player on the browser instead of this garbage...

thinkofmeasmra @ Aug 26th 2008 3:18PM

i agreeee!!! how fucking hard can it be?! they must not want to pay for a new license. But really now, they're on Flash 7, the web is on Flash 9, and flash 10 will be out in no time (ive already started making flash 10 apps). If they do update it though, hopefully its after flash10 cuz that version is siiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiick. Native 3D support FTW!

rickjamess04 @ Aug 26th 2008 7:20PM

I just want to be able to catch up on my tv show watching by streaming the video online--and it sucks that Sony won't pony up the money to pay Adobe to upgrade flash. I mean, I love the fact that we have a browser on the system, but I'd like for it to be up to date and not something circa 2004.

anon @ Aug 26th 2008 11:23AM

Probably another useless feature that will need a patch to work :(

*cries softly at the thought of every game using in-game music*

Gemini Ace @ Aug 26th 2008 11:36AM

If this is true, it will turn me into a PS3 fanboy for good!

iamkid @ Aug 26th 2008 11:39AM

niceee....now i can take epic screenshots of glitches i find and stuff like that in team fortress or other games :D

ali_D @ Aug 26th 2008 11:53AM

ohhh and i think it not a RUMOR did ANDREW YOON talk 2 a LBP guy in a interview back ages ago in LBP they talk about ADULT CONTENT in LBP the guy from MM says if ppl think its dam rudeness they can take a pic of the RUDE screen and REPORT IT by sendin it 2 MM and maybe put it up on THE HALL OF SHAME lol :D