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PS3 Media Hub: How to use your PlayStation 3 for movies, music and more
- March 24, 2009 17:04 PM PST
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Your PlayStation 3 can handle almost anything you throw at it. Here's how to make it the centerpiece of your home entertainment center.
How to use the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 as Media Hubs
MP3s, DiVX files, Blu-ray - the PlayStation 3 is compatible with almost every popular media format. Here's how to tap into all that media power and transform your PS3 into a one-stop-shop for all your media needs.
5. Photo galleries are a plus.
Though not as popular as videos and music, the PlayStation 3 is also adept at organizing your digital camera's photos. If you have the older 60GB model, you can place your camera's memory card directly into the PS3 by lifting up the small panel on the unit's left side.
Otherwise, you'll have to connect a media stick adaptor to your PS3's USB port to access your photos. Once connected, simply Browse to the Photos tab in the Cross Media Bar and copy your files over. You can now view individual photos, or simply watch them all with the PS3's slick slideshows.
4. DiVX dumping ground.
The PlayStation 3 is a powerhouse at converting video files, and is more or less compatible with MPEG1, MPEG2, MPEG4, AVI, MP4, WMV, and even DIVX videos.
To dump your saved video clips, or TV shows you downloaded, onto your PS3, simply place the files on a USB storage drive using your PC.
Then plug the USB drive into your PS3's USB port, navigate to the Video tab on the Cross Media Bar, and copy the files over! Once the files are on your PS3's hard drive, they'll play small 30-second preview clips right from the menu, helping you identify the contests of each video.
We have noticed that the PS3's DiVX support isn't quite as all-encompassing as the Xbox 360's, but it should read most of your DiVX files without a problem.
3. Don't forget DVDs.
The PlayStation 3 is backward compatible with older optical discs such as DVDs. If you connect your PS3 over an HDMI cable, you can also take advantage of upsampling features to make your DVD films look a bit crisper and cleaner (though Blu-ray quality is still untouchable).
The PS3 is a champ with DVDs, and allows you to smoothly fast-forward or rewind clips using the wireless controller. The PS3 is also compatible with "burned" DVD-Rs and DVD-RWs.
2. Music and more.
You can also store MP3 music files on your PS3's internal hard drive and play them through the audio player. You can even add songs to a custom playlist and play them in background of many games.
For maximum MP3 audio quality, try to encode your CDs at a 256 or 320 Khz sampling rate. With aftermarket storage options reaching as high as 500 GB, your PS3 can practically replace your home music player.
Additionally, the PlayStation 3 has some eye-catching and soothing music visualizers that respond to the MP3 tracks being played. New visualizers are constantly being added with PS3 system updates as well.
Simply choose the song you want to listen to and, in the Display menu, select a visualizer. This creates some fantastic eye candy for house parties, or a relaxing mood for just kicking back and enjoying some tunes.
1. Blu-ray is the centerpiece.
The PlayStation 3's hefty $400 price tag may seem daunting at first, but don't forget that the PS3 is a Blu-ray player and a high-end gaming machine - standalone Blu-ray players go for well over $400, making the PS3 a bargain in comparison.
The PlayStation 3 works with any Blu-ray movie; it's as simple as popping the disc in, and starting, stopping, and skipping scenes with either your wireless controller (or the optional Bluetooth Remote).
With the PlayStation 3's robust HD capabilities, and the proper HD TV, you can watch any Blu-ray film at a crystal-clear 1080p resolution using the all-digital HDMI cable. To take full advantage of the stellar Blu-Ray audio, make sure to pick up some quality 5.1 speakers.
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- Mar 24 2009 at 06:44:27:PM PST
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I'm confused as to why you say that divx is better on the 360 over the ps3. Sony has a partnership with DIVX and all official divx files play on the ps3. The ps3 itself generates a registration code for you to certify your ps3 as an official divx player.
the 360 has early divx support. mainly mpeg2.
so i'm confused why you would say divx is better on the 360.
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Too many consumers are obsessed with HD and nothing else. Don't forget to look into hertz rates, color reproduction, and contrast ratios.
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my dam ps3 can't play burn movies it keeps pausing but I play the hell out of Madden and LbP and Metal Gear anyway I play my 360 like it's going out of too
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I noticed your 'xbox 360' list had media streaming listed as #2, yet you mentioned no where that PS3 is every bit as capable of streaming audio and video. All you need is Windows media player 11/center, or tversity running on your pc. To top it off theres a program called 'PS3 Media Server' that is more capable of streaming high resolution content than the other two.
I've noticed they've updated the divx compatibility in a couple updates, but it is still slightly less than the 360's compatibility from my files.
Another thing you've neglected to mention is the newly updated 'square' feature that will automatically almost instantly dice what you're viewing into intervals (ie: 30second, 1min,2min, ect.) It's incredibly effective if a show that you're viewing doesn't have chapters included. It works much like a dvd chapter select screen would work, however you can change the intervals to what you want.
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Rob6021 wrote:
I noticed your 'xbox 360' list had media streaming listed as #2, yet you mentioned no where that PS3 is every bit as capable of streaming audio and video. All you need is Windows media player 11/center, or tversity running on your pc. To top it off theres a program called 'PS3 Media Server' that is more capable of streaming high resolution content than the other two...
I hear that, PMS (the program) is the greatest! Plus if you add on a CHEAP program called PlayOn you can get rid of your hefty TV bill (Cable/Satellite) as it will stream your Netflix as well as Hulu and others.
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I just have a 500GB USB HD that I leave connected to my PS3 at all times. It has all my music and movies on it. No need to copy them to the game system as it plays right off the hard drive. I would recommend this setup to anyone with a large quantity of files.
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