In one of the more unexpected developments from NAB 2009, Qtv is pushing its streaming media player platform for consoles. Not an altogether radical idea we know, but what's different here is a plan to launch first on the PlayStation 2 and move to newer hardware later. From the makers of the Qcast technology behind the GameShark Media Player, Qtv includes YouTube and access to streaming video from other sources, plus pictures, music and video (DivX, h.264, XviD & more) from USB devices or networked computers. The PS2 may not be the first HD set-top box we thought of, it does have the highest installed base. The Qtv player launches later this year and will be available on Mac and PC as well for "less than $50," although thanks to the free 30-day trial the hardest part may be remembering where we left our PS2s.

Hot on the heels of an 80GB Korean-bound (and US, too?) PlayStation 3 comes news that Sony is planning on seriously upping the abilities of the PS3 with a forthcoming firmware update. Compared to minor changes that have occurred in the past, this one looks to be fairly substantial, so we'll cut to the chase and give you the skinny. First off, firmware v1.80 will enable "upscaling of PlayStation / PlayStation 2 games and DVD movies up to a full 1080p when viewed on a compatible HDTV set." Of course, that "up to" bit frightens us a bit, but we'll take any progress we can get. Moving on, PSP users will enjoy Remote Play on their PSP across the internet, which will allow them to "access their PS3 anywhere in the world where a broadband internet connection is available." Additionally, owners can now view multimedia stored on a DLNA-enabled media center PC "seamlessly," and there will even be an option to print images stored on the console's HDD or inserted media to a "selection of Epson printers." The tough news, however, is that this attractive update won't be available until May 24th, so go dig up that original Twisted Metal disc in the meantime so you're ready to rock when the time comes.

[Via PS3Fanboy]

We were skeptical about Xploder's HDTV Game Player package for the PS2 back when it was first announced, and IGN's review has done nothing to convince us otherwise. The kit includes a disc that must be inserted every time the PS2 is hard-booted, component cables, and manual to enable setting your PS2 to output games at 480p, 576p, 720p, or 1080i. It's not that the PlayStation 2 didn't support these resolutions, but most games did not include them as an option. IGN didn't have any problems when setting things for 480p, and did notice a slight improvement in quality, however they got distortion and stretching not unlike TNT's "HD" broadcasts when using 720p and 1080i. Apparently, 576p is supposed to avoid some of these scaling distortions but their display could not accept that resolution. All in all, it seems if you really need 480p in games that didn't support it -- for example to avoid gaming lag -- this might be worthwhile but its not suddenly going to turn your PS2 into an HD-pumping beast.