And why would you want this release? Well, TiVo emailed me a few benchmarks comparing 9.3 to the existing 9.1 release.
Live TV to TiVo Central – 1 second faster
Now Playing Scrolling – 1 second faster
Channel Change Up – 1 second faster
Confirm recording -> Confirm – 3-5 seconds faster
Create Season Pass – 5-10 seconds faster
Season Pass Manager Priority change – 30 seconds faster

Performance improvements are a big part of 9.3, as well as some new features such as Progressive Downloads, as previously reported.

The update comes less than two weeks since Roxio first released Toast 9 Titanium, and just over a week since they asked for TiVo users to assist in debugging the issues.

Hello everyone – I want to let you know that the next software release for the Comcast DVR with TiVo Service is now targeted to begin rolling out next week, beginning with the towns surrounding our Derry NH cable system, and will be rolling out to the other systems where Comcast DVR with TiVo service is available over the following few weeks. This is a bit later than the originally-planned March rollout to align with other Comcast programs.

To recap, this software release will include a firmware fix for the reboot loop bug on DCH boxes (aka the “8888″ display bug), enable Dolby Digital output for DCH boxes, correct the Guide HD filter behavior, and include other bug fixes.

Good to see the the cable units continuing to receive updates.

Picked up from Zatz Not Funny.

For those who are new to the process, when they’re getting close to a new release TiVo will first trickle it out to a handful of randomly selected boxes. Kind of putting a toe in the water to make sure everything is OK and no show stoppers were missed during beta testing. The next step is usually an early release, where they start a slow roll-out and put up a priority page for people who want it faster. And then, finally, the last step is full generally release where all the boxes are updated. So, barring TiVo finding an issue, it looks like 9.3 will be officially appearing on a TiVo near you soon.

Thanks to reader MickeS for calling my attention to this in a comment.

Via EngadgetHD.

Unfortunately, this firmware update does not include the hoped for addition of DTS-HD Master Audio support. DTS-MA is the one major audio codec the PS3 lacks. It will internally decode Dolby TrueHD and output it as uncompress PCM, but there is no support for DTS-MA at this time. The PS3 will not bitstream TrueHD, and this is believed to be a limitation of the HDMI chipset used. So it is unlikely that the current PS3 HW could ever bitstream TrueHD or DTS-MA, but it could internally decode DTS-MA and output the uncompressed PCM, as it does with TrueHD, for the same end result. Perhaps Sony will update the HDMI chipset in future PS revisions to allow bitstreaming.

BD-Live isn’t the only addition in 2.20. PSP owners will be able to copy their photo and music playlists from the PS3 to the handheld. And there are other new additions:

• “Resume play” will enable PS3 system to start playing a Blu-ray disc and DVD at the point it was stopped, even if the disc had been removed.(*1)
• “Audio Output Device” will be a new Remote Play setting, enabling PSP to serve as a remote control for music played through PS3.
• PS3 system’s Internet browser will be enhanced: Video files directly linked from a Web page will be able to be streamed, and the browser’s view speed will be improved.
• DivX and WMV format videos that are larger than 2GB will be playable.
• “Mosquito Noise Reduction” will be added as an AV setting in the control panel of the DVD/BD player for improved movie playback.(*2)

*1 BD-J format disc is not supported.
*2 BD discs recorded with BDMV format are not supported.

Here’s the full press release:

Mar 20, 2008 05:00 ET

PLAYSTATION®3 To Support New Interactive Blu-ray Movie Features (BD-LIVE) With Upcoming System Software Update

PS3™ Owners Will Soon Enjoy Downloadable Movie Content, Games And More With Blu-ray Disc™ Profile 2.0; PS3′s Interoperability With PSP® Will Also Be Enhanced

FOSTER CITY, Calif., March 20 /PRNewswire/ — Sony Computer Entertainment America (SCEA) today announced that the next system software update for PLAYSTATION®3 (PS3™) computer entertainment system, slated for release in late March, will add Blu-ray Disc™ (BD) Profile 2.0 or BD-LIVE, enabling PS3 owners to experience interactive features, such as downloadable video content, ringtones, games, and more. In addition to BD-LIVE, the system software update (v. 2.20) will enable photo and music playlists on PS3 to be copied to PSP®(PlayStation®Portable) handheld entertainment system, among other new features. These updates demonstrate how PS3 continues to evolve as a home entertainment hub with the flexibility to deliver the newest technology innovations that benefit PS3 owners.

“With Blu-ray established as the high-definition optical disc standard, more consumers are ready to jump in and take advantage of everything the format offers,” said Scott A. Steinberg, vice president, product marketing, SCEA. “Whether you want to download movie extras, send ringtones to your phone, or play interactive games, BD-LIVE will offer exciting new ways to enjoy a Blu-ray movie. With these regular firmware updates and future-proofed technology, SCEA is making the 10-year lifecycle of PS3 possible.”

BD Profile 2.0 requires an Internet connection and at least 1GB of local storage. The following features have all been demonstrated as possibilities with BD-Live and will vary by movie title.

  -- A variety of downloadable content can be offered, including bonus
     scenes, shorts, trailers, subtitles, ringtones that can be sent to
     mobile phones, images, and more.
  -- Interactive movie-based games can pit players who are sitting in the
     same room, or are across the world and online, against each other.

In conjunction with the PS3 firmware update, Sony Pictures Home Entertainment (SPHE) is pleased to announce two BD-LIVE enabled titles to be released on April 8 – Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story and The 6th Day. Both titles will include exclusive downloadable content that goes beyond what is available on the actual Blu-ray discs. These initial releases preview some of the exciting new developments that will soon be available from BD-LIVE on Blu- ray disc.

Beyond BD-LIVE, the new system software update enhances PS3 system’s interoperability with PSP system, enabling users to take their favorite music and photo playlists with them on-the-go with their PSP. To copy a playlist, PSP and PS3 must first be connected with a USB cable, and the PSP must be in USB mode. Then, on PS3, select “Copy” in the option menu of each music or photo playlist, and choose PSP as the destination. Now the playlist order, and the songs or photos themselves, will be accessible on the PSP’s Memory Stick PRO Duo anytime, anywhere. This new functionality makes it easer than ever to share media content between the two systems.

The following new features will also be included in the system software update.

  -- "Resume play" will enable PS3 system to start playing a Blu-ray disc
     and DVD at the point it was stopped, even if the disc had been
     removed.(*1)
  -- "Audio Output Device" will be a new Remote Play setting, enabling PSP
     to serve as a remote control for music played through PS3.
  -- PS3 system's Internet browser will be enhanced: Video files directly
     linked from a Web page will be able to be streamed, and the browser's
     view speed will be improved.
  -- DivX and WMV format videos that are larger than 2GB will be playable.
  -- "Mosquito Noise Reduction" will be added as an AV setting in the
     control panel of the DVD/BD player for improved movie playback.(*2)

  *1 BD-J format disc is not supported.
  *2 BD discs recorded with BDMV format are not supported.

About PS3 and PSP System Software Updates

PS3 and PSP systems were designed to continually evolve with regular system software updates that deliver new features. There’s no additional investment required from consumers, who simply update their systems and can immediately enjoy the benefits of the added functionality. This process lengthens the lifecycle of PS3 and PSP, and consumers no longer have to worry about their hardware becoming outdated or missing out on exciting new capabilities. SCEA will continue to release system software updates on an ongoing basis. For further details and instructions on how to update the PS3 and PSP system software, please visit us.playstation.com.

About Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc.

Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. continues to redefine the entertainment lifestyle with its PlayStation® and PS one® game console, the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system, the PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) handheld entertainment system, the ground-breaking PLAYSTATION®3 (PS3™) computer entertainment system, and its online and network services, PLAYSTATION®Network and PLAYSTATION®Store.

Recognized as the undisputed industry leader, Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. markets the PlayStation family of products and develops, publishes, markets, and distributes software for the PS one game console, the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system, the PSP system and the PS3 system for the North American market. Based in Foster City, Calif. Sony Computer Entertainment America, Inc. serves as headquarters for all North American operations and is a wholly owned subsidiary of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.

“PlayStation,” “PLAYSTATION,” “PSP,” “PS one” are registered trademarks and “PS3″ and “XMB” are trademarks of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.

Source: Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc.

CONTACT: Al de Leon, +1-650-655-7348, al_deleon@playstation.sony.com, or
Patrick Seybold, +1-650-655-7549, patrick_seybold@playstation.sony.com

Web site: http://www.playstation.com/