PS4 Media Player gets support for flac and 360-degree visuals

Sony will release an update to the PS4 Media Player software on Thursday that adds support for viewing 360-degree videos and photos. The media player can also handle flac files after the update.

Users with PlayStation VR glasses can activate ‘VR mode’ in the menu of the Media Player software. Then 360-degree photos and videos can be loaded from a media server or USB device. The software can handle media captured as an equidistant cylinder projection.

The update also brings support for audio in flac format. Sony also says that all music that is not high-res audio will be upscaled. Mp3s and aac files should therefore sound ‘richer’, claims the manufacturer.

The software update comes on the same day that Sony releases the PlayStation VR. The VR headset for the console has a suggested retail price of 399 euros and works with all versions of the PS4, including the new smaller model and the more powerful PlayStation 4 Pro, which will be available from November 10.

Example of a file with an equidistant cylinder projection on a regular screen. In VR mode in combination with the PSVR, the image is displayed as 360-degree video.