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Sony has released a new sowtware update, version 1.80.

This new software allow the PS3 to implement some long awaited features as Hi-Def player.

The PS3 is now capable of upscaling non HD sources (such as standard DVDs, non HD Blu-Ray Discs and all PS3, PS2 and PlayStation games) to a resolution of 1080p.

The new software also enables downconversion. It is now possible to see Blu-Ray discs on monitors or televisions only able to accept 720p signals.

Full instructions and the free software download are now available from this Sony PlayStation website page

BD-J technologies are based on the Jsr 129 released by the sun developer network.

Jsr 129 defines the Personal Basis Profile, a J2ME application environment for network-connected devices supporting a basic level of graphical presentation.

The last specification is a Maintenance Release dated 19 Dec, 2005.

Here is the Java Community process page with all the specifications and other documents

Hi-Def Digest reports a news about an important deadline defined by the Blu-Ray Association for the BD-Java hardware support.

This means all the new generation hardware player/writer, released after October 31, 2007, must have full BD-Java support and a minimun 256 MB of persitent storage to be considered Blu-Ray compliant.

Read the original text here.

Panasonic announces the release of their second-generation BD player, available now.

The new model is called DMP-BD10A; the price suggested by Panasonic is $599.95, with some Blu-Ray movies in bundle. This model also have BD-J (Java application) interactive capability.

Read Panasonic press release

View specifications at dealtime.co.uk

Read specifications and reviews at Epinions.com

Sony annouces that their next-generation console will be “the most comprehensive Blu-ray Disc player on the market.”.

Read the full article from High-Def Digest.

Afterdown.com is keeping an useful glossary of terms.

If you are confused about so many acronyms and tech names, and want to check them, here you can find something useful:

• BD-J or BD Java
• BD+
• BD-ROM
• Blue-Ray
• HD-DVD
• AVC or h264
• DVB
• DVB-H
• iHD
• MPEG

JavaFX is a new family of Sun products based on Java technology and targeted at the rich content market. The will be open source projects, within two scopes: JavaFX script and JavaFX mobile.

This thecnology will impact the developement of many of Java-powered devices from mobile phones to Blu-ray Disc players.

Dig it:

• Frequently asked questions about javaFX
• Read Sun’s Press Announcement on the Launch of JavaFX
• JavaFX thecnology pages

At the next JavaOne conference, in Santa Clara, Calif., the growing interest of television applications as a target market for Java technology will be one of the main threads.

The Java TV Day will be tomorrow, on Thursday, May 10th.

Further readings about JavaOne Conference:

• 2007 JavaOne Conference Opens More Possibilities for Attendees Through Business Day and Blu-ray Disc/Cable Day
• Java Technology in TV: Blu-ray Disc and Cable Day

BetaNews reports an announcements by Hewlett-Packard.

HP will include hybrid Blu-Ray / HD-DVD players-writers in their Pavillon series PC.

Read the full article here at BetaNews