XrossMediaBar
| XrossMediaBar | |
|---|---|
| developer | Sony Computer Entertainment |
| License (s) | proprietary various licenses |
| Current version | 4.84 (PS3) 6.61 (PSP) |
| ancestry | PSX -> PSP -> PS3 |
| official website | |
XrossMediaBar ( XMB ) (German: Kreuzmedienträger , pronunciation: [ krɒs ˈmiːdiə bɑː (r) ]) is the name of the graphical user interface used by PlayStation 3 , PlayStation Portable , Sony Blu-ray players and Sony BRAVIA televisions ; a special version of the PlayStation 2 , the PSX , also used the XMB.
functionality
The XMB is easy to control. Use the arrow keys to navigate and confirm or select with the "X" '. However, this does not apply in Japan, where you confirm with the circle key, and with "X" an action is aborted or, in the case of the XMB, you switch to the higher-level menu item. Depending on what the menu item was, either something is started, for example a game or a film, or another menu item is called up. The circle key is used to return to a higher-level menu item and the triangle key opens a context menu that offers further setting options. This applies to both the PS3 and the PSP.
PlayStation 3
development
As of August 2018, the PS3's XMB is version 4.82. While the functions were initially quite limited, they have been expanded over time. At the start of sales on November 11, 2006 in Japan, the firmware had version 1.00, but the first update (1.10), which added important functions, came directly at the start of sales. This is how the “ PlayStation Network ” started with this firmware , which means that music and videos downloaded from the Internet could be saved on the hard drive. The new firmware made it possible to support audio formats (ATRAC) and keyboard layouts other than those used in Japanese.
After a small error correction (1.11) at the end of November 2006, the next larger firmware version 1.30 came out at the beginning of December 2006, which among other things added the option of creating a complete backup of the hard disk. In addition, the optionally available remote control was supported, and it was possible to use his old PS2 hardware, albeit without " Force Feedback ".
Two further firmware versions (1.31 and 1.32) followed in December, but they did not bring any noteworthy changes. Some small things have been changed with the following versions. Starting with version 1.50 (January 2007) in Japan it was possible to pay with the virtual wallet "Edy" and to select your own user icon. This version appeared in the USA a day later and only improved the compatibility with PS1 and PS2 games. With version 1.51 (beginning of February 2007) the backward compatibility to PS2 games was improved again, and with version 1.54 (end of February 2007) a USB camera could be used in chat and the image size of the conversation partner could be adjusted if he was using a camera.
Firmware update 1.60 was released on March 22nd, 2007. This was the first to be available to European gamers as the PS3 launched in Europe a day later. With this version it became possible to choose whether a CD should be started automatically when it is inserted into the drive. Backward compatibility for European consoles and Folding @ home was also added, and products from the PlayStation Store could be downloaded in the background.
Update 1.70 in April 2007, which improved support for PS1 and PS2 hardware and made it possible to play PS1 games downloaded from the PlayStation Store, was followed by update 1.80 (May 2007), which added new functions. PS1 and PS2 games could be upscaled to 1080p, pictures, videos and music could be streamed to the PSP , and old scores for PS1 and PS2 could be copied back to a memory card ; In addition, it was now possible to output Blu-ray Discs recorded at 1080p24 (the case with practically all commercial Blu-rays) with a 1080p24 signal (also known as 24p). After that, two smaller updates were released in June 2007 with version numbers 1.81, which improved support for PS 2 games, and 1.82, which made it possible to play films encoded in the H.264 / MPEG-4 AVC format .
Update 1.90 was released in July 2007. This made it possible to use your own background images instead of the classic XMB background and emoticons. At the beginning of September 2007 the update 1.92 was released, which improved the speed of returning to the XMB, the browser of the PS3 and the compatibility with older controllers of the PS1 and PS2 after exiting a game. After this update there were network problems with many players, which is why update 1.93 was released on September 12, 2007, which fixed these problems. With update 1.94, which was released on October 24, 2007, the PS3 supported the newly released DualShock 3 . The first game to support the DualShock 3 was Ratchet & Clank: Tool of Destruction .
Version 2.00 was released on November 8, 2007, which made it possible to download and install designs created by Sony or users. These change the appearance of the menu buttons and the background. This version also made it possible to choose the current background color yourself. Before that, this changed depending on the time and date. Playlists for music, pictures and videos could also be created, and the “information board” was added. After the update appeared, the stability of the PS3 deteriorated. Therefore the update 2.01 (November 2007) was released about two weeks (November 24th).
The next update was version 2.10 in December 2007. With this version, the PS3 supported the Blu-ray Disc profile 1.1, DivX and VC-1 ( WMV ), the latter, however, only up to a file size of 2 GB. Update 2.17 was released in March 2008, which improved the stability of the online multiplayer of some games. Version 2.20 was released on March 25, 2008. From this point onwards, the Blu-ray profile 2.0 (BD-Live) was supported. According to Sony, the PS is said to have been the only Blu-ray player on the market that supported this feature at the time of the update. In addition, DivX and WMV files larger than 2 GB could be played and the PS3's browser could play embedded videos directly.
The update to version 2.30 was released on April 15, 2008. This changed the structure of the PlayStation Store and the PS3 supported the DTS-HD audio format with this update .
Demanded by users since the PlayStation 3 was released, and 1 1/2 years (July 2, 2008) after the release, the in-game XMB, which appeared with firmware version 2.40, was implemented. This firmware also included the feature of receiving trophies for certain achievements in games. After some players had problems with the update, Sony took it back. For the affected players, the console no longer started after installing the update. Firmware version 2.41 corrected the problems of version 2.40.
Update 2.42 was released at the end of July 2008. This improved the stability of some titles in PS1 and PS3 format. Firmware version 2.43 was released in mid-September 2008. This did not have to be installed as it only expanded the Japanese PlayStation store to include a VideoOnDemand area.
Version 3.50 brought, among other things, the ability to play back films and games in stereoscopic 3D when the PS3 is connected to a 3D-capable television or projector via HDMI.
As of version 3.60, you can change the period of time after which the controllers are automatically switched off if they are not in use.
Firmware 3.61 closes security holes in the PlayStation Network .
In update 3.65, [Saved Data Utility (minis)] in [Game] was changed to [Saved Data Utility (minis / PSPTM)]. Saved data for PSP ™ games can now be copied to the PlayStation 3's hard disk drive.
With the 4.00 update, the PlayStation 3 was prepared for the PlayStation Vita . [PlayStation Plus Added] has been added to [PlayStation Network] and [Privacy Settings] has been added to [Account Management].
From version 4.46 it is possible to hide notifications when receiving a trophy. (As of September 4, 2013)
design
Color design
The color of the PlayStation 3's menu changes depending on the time of day and date. While the brightness changes over the course of the day, the basic color changes roughly every two weeks. This is exactly what happens on the 15th and 24th of each month. However, it does not happen if a custom background image or a fixed color is selected.
The following colors are used as background colors throughout the year:
| date | Jan. 15 | Jan. 24 | Feb 15 | Feb. 24 | March, 15 | March 24th | April 15th | April 24th | May 15 | May 24th | 15th June | June 24th | 15th of July | 24th July | 15 Aug | 24 Aug | Sep 15 | Sep 24 | Oct 15 | Oct. 24 | Nov 15 | Nov. 24 | Dec 15 | December 24 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| colour |
Change in brightness during the day:
| time | Midnight | 1 O 'clock | 2 O 'clock | 3 o'clock | 4 o'clock | 5 o'clock | 6 o'clock | 7 o'clock | 8 o'clock | 9 clock | 10 O `clock | 11 clock | 12 o'clock | 13 o'clock | 14 o'clock | 3pm | 4 p.m. | 17 o'clock | 6 p.m. | 19 o'clock | 8 p.m. | 21 clock | 22 O `clock | 23 o'clock |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| brightness |
Individual design
It is also possible to install a custom design. This changes the menu icons and the background. An individual font cannot yet be selected, but you can choose between three predefined fonts. The designs are either produced by Sony or by users who have created them with a program published by Sony.
In-game XMB
The in-game XMB has been a feature requested by users since the console was released and has been implemented with firmware version 2.40. Previously, the game that was being played had to be ended when a friend sent a message and wanted to read and reply to it. This has been fixed with the in-game XMB, as it allows the XMB to be called up while playing and a received message can be read and answered without having to leave the game.
PlayStation Portable
development
The XMB of the PSP currently has the version number 6.61. When it was launched in Japan on December 12, 2004, the firmware was version 1.00. On this it was possible, as with version 1.50, which was the delivery version in the USA and where the PSP appeared on March 24, 2005, to run so-called homebrew software. This was prevented with the update to version 1.51. This was followed by the European release on September 1, 2005, when the consoles had version 1.52 installed on delivery. However, version 2.00 was already included on the enclosed demo UMD, since otherwise no current games could be played.
This version 2.00 was the first to introduce innovations. The web browser was updated so that it could be used for surfing the Internet and WiFi connectivity was improved. In addition, the compatibility of some video and audio codecs has been improved and some image formats have also been made compatible. Then some features such as AB repetition when playing film UMDs were added, the WLAN encryption standard WPA was implemented and it was possible to set your own background images and themes. With this version it was partially possible to run homebrew software again, but not in the same extended way as with versions 1.00 to 1.50.
This was followed by Update 2.01 at the beginning of October 2005, which closed a security hole. Firmware version 2.50 followed in mid-October 2005. With this the "LocationFree Player" was added, you could also change the text size in the browser and it became possible to play copy-protected videos from a memory stick . Another WPA encryption standard has also been added. Then came the next update in November 2005 with version number 2.60. With this it became possible to read web feeds on the PSP . It was also possible to change the volume in the internal music player and Chinese could be selected as the font. It was also now possible to load protected video content from the Internet directly onto a memory stick and the WMA format was supported.
Firmware version 2.70 was released on April 25, 2006. With this version 6 of the Macromedia Flash Player was integrated into the browser, provided that the player is activated in the settings. In addition, the " LocationFree Player " now supports the base station published in Europe at the time. This was followed at the end of May 2006 by Update 2.71, which fixed problems with the Taiwanese and American versions of the LocationFree player base station. From this update it is also possible to save game demos that have been downloaded via the web browser on a memory stick.
At the end of July 2006 the update with version 2.80 was published. With this it became possible to use video files with the extension. 3gp and the PSP will now recognize the music, video and picture folders and their content if they are on a memory stick. After two smaller patches at the beginning of September 2006 (2.81) and at the end of October 2006 (2.82) the next firmware version with the version number 3.30 was released on March 27, 2007 after a five-month break. This update made it possible to play games downloaded from the PlayStation Store. This update also made it possible to play videos encoded in MPEG-4.
This was followed by update 3.40 on April 7, 2007. This update made it possible to convert PSone saved games created on the PSP so that they can also be used on the PS2 and PS3. However, PSPs that only have the 3.30 update installed can no longer read these save states. With Update 3.50, which was released on May 31, the RemotePlay function was added. This enables the PSP to be connected to the PS3 via the Internet and thus to access content stored on the PS3. With two further small patches at the end of June 2007 (3.51) and at the end of July 2007 (3.52), on the one hand, a security hole was fixed and, on the other hand, the playability of PlayStation Network games was improved.
The next major update (3.70) was released on September 11th, 2007. From this update you could also use custom themes and it was possible to listen to music while looking at photos in the slideshow. You could also select individual scenes from films saved on the memory stick. This update was followed by three more small patches in mid-September 2007 (3.71), end of October 2007 (3.72) and end of November 2007. These fixed problems with PlayStation Network titles and the UMD drive.
On December 18, 2007 the next firmware version (3.80) was released, which brought new functions. With this version it became possible to play internet radios. In addition, other file formats were supported by RSS feeds and it was possible to display photos with RSS feeds. Update 3.90 was released in mid-January 2008. With this the GoMessenger function was added. It was also Skype integrated, but only in the models PSP-2000 and PSP 3000 (PlayStation Portable Slim & Lite).
The next update (3.93) was released in mid-March 2008. With this update there are now more player designs for internet radio to choose from. With the following firmware version (3.95) you could individually select the key assignment for games from the PlayStation Store. You could now also decide whether the PS3 would switch off or not when you quit RemotePlay.
From update 4.00, which was released on July 18, 2008, it was possible to change the playback speed of videos. It also became possible to access the internet search without opening the browser first. This was followed by two small updates (4.01 and 4.05), which only fixed minor problems and did not add any new functions.
On October 15th, 2008 the update 5.00 was released, with which the new category PlayStation Network appeared in the XMB. There it is possible to access the PlayStation Store directly with the PSP and to manage your Playstation Network account. On October 22, 2008, the update to version 5.01 was released, which fixes a bug that occurred when downloading from the PlayStation Store to an 8- or 16-gigabyte Memory Stick Duo. Version 5.02 was released on November 20, 2008 and, like version 5.03, which was released on January 20, 2009, contained no further changes apart from stability and security improvements.
With update 5.50, which was released on April 21, 2009, the possible number of sub-folders in the areas “Photo”, “Music” and “Video” has been increased. In addition, the "Internet search" feature has been added to the options of a game UMD, with which you can start it directly with the game title as a search term. Furthermore, some improvements have been added to the web browser security features from Trend Micro and the Playstation Store, such as significantly reduced memory usage for downloads. The “Information Board”, which was already used on the PlayStation 3, can now be found under the “Playstation Network” category. The current version of the PSP firmware is 5.51, which only improved the stability of the system.
On September 10th, Sony released version 6.00 of the PSP firmware. This was a small update that only offered security updates, some new colors for the 2000, 3000 and N1000 series and a grouping function for games. At the start of the PSPgo (N1000 series) on October 1st, 2009 the update 6.10 was released. This brought a new software called " SensMe ™ channels" with it, with which one can play back music playlists whose tracks were previously analyzed with SensMe ™. The software must be downloaded for free before it is available. Furthermore, since this system update, playlists that were previously created on the PC with the MediaGo program are supported. The ability to update games has also been added. For the PSPgo, the option to dial into the Internet via Bluetooth has been added.
PSP firmware 6.20 has been available since November 19th. This update makes it possible to read comics purchased on PlayStationNetwork using the "digital comic reader" integrated in the update. Sony also promises to improve the organization with MediaGo 1.3. The user can now create playlists for the photo, video and music areas on the PSP and synchronize them with a PS3 / MediaGo. On December 16, 2009, a "Comic" section was opened in the PlayStation Store, initially only containing English-language comics. A comic store for Germany was originally announced for 2010, but was never launched.
PSP firmware 6.30 has been available since June 29, 2010. [By Format] is a new option from the Options menu under [Group Contents], located in the Game category.
design
Color design
As with the PS3, the color of the XMB background on the PlayStation Portable changes depending on the date. In contrast to the XMB of the PS3, the brightness does not change during the day. There are also differences in the color of the background. The color of the PSP only changes once a month. However, this does not apply if an individual design is set.
The following table shows which background colors are used in which month.
| month | January | February | March | April | May | June | July | August | September | October | November | December |
| colour |
Individual design
As with the PS3, with the PSP it is possible to set an individual design consisting of a special theme and a background image.
Honourings and prices
Sony Computer Entertainment received an Emmy for the intuitive design of the XMB .
Individual evidence
- ↑ Licenses used with the XMB
- ↑ Update Features - System Software Update 4.84. Sony Interactive Entertainment Europe Limited, November 1, 2016, accessed October 23, 2018 .
- ↑ Latest Version: 6.61. Sony Interactive Entertainment LLC, January 15, 2015, accessed January 22, 2017 .
- ↑ Update 1.10 (PS3)
- ↑ Update 1.11 (PS3)
- ↑ Update 1.30 (PS3)
- ↑ Update 1.31 (PS3)
- ↑ Update 1.32 (PS3)
- ↑ Update 1.50 Japan (PS3)
- ↑ Update 1.50 USA (PS3)
- ↑ Update 1.51 (PS3)
- ↑ Update 1.54 (PS 3)
- ↑ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s Information about all updates since firmware version 1.60 (PS3) (German) (Official PlayStation site)
- ↑ Problems with firmware 2.40 on heise.de
- ↑ Information about firmware versions 1.00 to 2.00 (PSP) ( Memento from September 17th, 2008 in the Internet Archive ) (on pspfreak.de)
- ↑ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p Information about all updates since firmware version 2.01 (PSP) (German) (Official PlayStation site)
- ↑ gamona.de - Comic-Store no longer comes to Germany, accessed on August 19, 2013
- ↑ Emmy win of the XMB ( Memento from January 16, 2007 in the Internet Archive )