Alongside the launch of the PlayStation VR headset, the PS4’s Media Player application has been updated to v2.50, adding support for 360° videos and photos using PlayStation VR, as well as other new features. PlayStation VR owners can activate ‘VR mode’ from Media Player’s Options menu and then select a 360° video or photo from your media server or USB device to enjoy.
The new update also includes support for High-Res FLAC audio files, and will also upscale your non-FLAC music to near high-resolution audio quality.
The latter is thanks to Sony’s DSEE HX™ technology. What this means is any MP3s or AACs – files whose space-saving compression strips out some of a song’s subtleties – played through your PlayStation 4 will be automatically upscaled. It means your compressed music will now sound much richer as a result.
Note, to enjoy 360-degree media on PlayStation VR, any supported video – MKV, AVI, MP4, MPEG2 PS , MPEG2 TS, AVCHD – or photo – JPEG, BMP, PNG – files must be captured in equirectangular format by a 360-degree omnidirectional camera.