PlayStation 4 adds 360-video and FLAC music support in time for PS VR

AV enthusiasts and audiophiles will get a kick out of today's PlayStation 4 update, which focuses on adding premium features to the console's Media Player.

Media Player v2.50's headline addition is the introduction of 360-degree video support. Should you have a brand-spanking new PlayStation VR headset, you'll be able to enjoy wraparound video content through the device.

You'll need to activate 'VR Mode' from the Media Player's Options menu, then select the clip of your choice from a connected server or USB storage device. 

Both video and still 360-degree content is supported, provided they're in the MKV, AVI, MP4, MPEG2 PS , MPEG2 TS, AVCHD video formats, or JPEG, BMP, PNG image formats. Each must be captured "in equirectangular format by a 360-degree omnidirectional camera" in order for the PS4 to recognise them. 

No word yet on whether you'll be able to enjoy 360 videos from YouTube, but we've contacted Sony to ask whether this functionality is planned for the future. 

Getting an ear-full

If you only enjoy the finest of music and audio files, the Media Player update has you covered too.

It's adding support for FLAC audio files, as well as adding the ability to upscale your lower-quality non-FLAC files.

It makes use of the Sony DSEE HX upscaling tech found in the company's other Hi-Res audio products, filling in the gaps left by the compression process used to make MP3s and AACs files.

The PlayStation 4 Media Player v2.50 update rolls out today, just in time for the global launch of the PlayStation VR headset.

Gerald Lynch

Gerald is Editor-in-Chief of iMore.com. Previously he was the Executive Editor for TechRadar, taking care of the site's home cinema, gaming, smart home, entertainment and audio output. He loves gaming, but don't expect him to play with you unless your console is hooked up to a 4K HDR screen and a 7.1 surround system. Before TechRadar, Gerald was Editor of Gizmodo UK. He is also the author of 'Get Technology: Upgrade Your Future', published by Aurum Press.

Latest in PS4
A villain plots in a bar
Respawn director explains why Jedi Survivor won’t be on Xbox One and PS4
DualShock 4 controller sat on top of a PS4 console
Microsoft confirms what we always suspected about the PS4
Key art of Clive Rosfield (left) and Joshua Rosfield (right), standing back to back
I'm glad the PS4 version of Final Fantasy 16 was scrapped
PS4 console with controller in dim lighting
Don't expect new PS4 games after 2025
A pixelized image of Aloy in Horizon Forbidden West
Horizon Zero Dawn on PS1 doesn’t look half bad
Sony WH-1000XM3
My trusty old Sony headphones convinced me to ditch my gaming headset for PS4
Latest in News
Super Mario Odyssey
ChatGPT is the ultimate gaming tool - here's 4 ways you can use AI to help with your next playthrough
Ray-Ban smart glasses with the Cpperni logo, an LED array, and a MacBook Air with M4 next to ecah other.
ICYMI: the week's 7 biggest tech stories from Twitter's massive outage to iRobot's impressive new Roombas
Brad Pitt looks over his right shoulder with 'F1' written behind him
Apple Original Films will take you behind-the-scenes of a racing cockpit in this new thrilling F1 movie trailer
AI writer
Coding AI tells developer to write it himself
Reacher looking down at another character from the Prime Video TV series Reacher
Reacher season 3 becomes Prime Video’s biggest returning show thanks to Hollywood’s biggest heavyweight
Finger Presses Orange Button Domain Name Registration on Black Keyboard Background. Closeup View
I visited the world’s first registered .com domain – and you won’t believe what it’s offering today