"As adoption of HDTVs continues to surge, we know that consumers are hungry for content, and this latest firmware update leverages the PS3's technology to deliver an HD-quality experience using the entertainment media already in your collection," said Peter Dille, senior vice president of marketing, SCEA.

The upscaling is not the only feature brought by this update. Sony continues to see its gaming console as an entertainment hub and the latest firmware gives PS3 owners more flexibility to enjoy their digital entertainment content with the Remote Play feature. With RemotePlay, customers may use a PSP in order to access photos, videos, and music on a PS3 system's hard drive from outside of a user's own home via any accessible Wi-Fi Internet connection, upon the next PSP firmware update, 3.50, slated for release next week. Additionally, PS3 can now play back media content stored on a personal computer or digital video recorder with Digital Living Network Alliance (DLNA) capability over a home network.

"In addition, we continue to enhance the PS3's capabilities as an entertainment hub, giving consumers the option to bring their content with them on-the-go, or to stream photos, videos, and music stored on their PC to the PS3 in their living room. That's often where the largest TV monitor and sound system is located, giving consumers the best possible entertainment experience." added Peter Dille.

Beside those main features firmware 1.8 adds also the possibility to copy saved data to a memory card and photo printing, viewing, and editing capabilities.

Despite its impressive technical capabilities, PlayStation 3 is still far behind its main competitors, Xbox 360 and Nintendo Wii. Maybe those new improvements will boost PS3 sales.