PlayStation 3 fans will know that one biggest advantages their console has as a Blu-ray player is its ability to be updated into the newer player "profiles" via firmware thanks to the PS3's own system software updates.  The upcoming PS3 System software update 2.20, currently scheduled for release "late March", will include the next biggest Blu-ray player profile update: Blu-ray Disc Profile 2.0.

Blu-ray Disc Profile 2.0, perhaps better known as "BD-Live", enables support for additional features on Blu-ray discs during playback - provided distributors created any which users can access.  Exclusive BD-Live content generally falls into the realm of interactive features which may or may not "web-enhanced", though it also promises cleaner high-definition transfers in general; more pertitent to PS3 gamers, BD-Live potentially opens the door to "advanced gaming options".  Be warned that the BD-Live update will be the biggest yet, requiring about 1GB worth of free space on the PS3 hard drive.  Maybe it's time for some spring cleaning if you've been going to town with trailer and demo downloads over the PlayStation Network lately.

Outside of Blu-ray, system software update 2.20 also expands Remote Play on the PS3.  This will allow the PS3 to support the PlayStation Portable as a remote control during playback for music stored on the PS3 hard drive.  Meanwhile, the PS3 itself will get the ability to resume playback of Blu-ray discs and DVDs from the point where they were paused, as well as playback support for DivX and WMV video files which are larger than 2GB in filesize.

A quick rundown of PS3 firmware update v2.20 features:

• The ability to copy PS3 Music and Photo playlists to a PSP system. We introduced the ability to create Music and Photo playlists on the PS3 in firmware update v2.0. Now you can easily export your playlists to your PSP.
• You can now play DivX and WMV format files that are over 2 GB. In addition, you can now display subtitles when viewing DivX files.
• Resume Play - begin playing a DVD or BD disc from the point where you previously stopped it, even if you eject the disc and insert a different movie or game.
• Use your PSP as a remote control to play back your music files on your PS3 without turning on your TV.
• The Internet browser now displays some web pages faster. In addition [Save Target] has been added as an option under file. This option lets you save a file that is linked to a web page to your PS3 hard drive or storage media.