Play Station3

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Playstation 3

1. Introduction
2. Game Reviews
3. Setup and Configuration
4. 320gb Hard Disk Upgrade
5. Infrared Remote Control
5.1 PS2 to PS3 Converter (did not work)
5.2 PS3 Infrared Remote Control (this works very well)
5.3 Other Remote Control Options.
6. Wireless Keyboard
7. Media Player
8. Linux
9. Converting Matroska

Introduction

Now that the HD-DVD vs. Blu-Ray format war has come to an end (I'm not happy Blu-Ray won BTW) I am looking to add Blu-Ray to my Home Cinema. The PS3 is the cheapest way (in mid 2008) to get a Blu-Ray Profile 2.0 Blu-Ray player and also has many other useful features.

http://uk.playstation.com/home/

I finally ordered my PS3 from Fusion Hobbies as a "pick 'n mix bundle" which included a 40Gb PS3, 2 Sixaxis controllers and 2 games of my choice. Best value I could find.

References

PS3 Deals and Offers

Game Reviews

http://uk.ps3.ign.com/

Setup and Configuration

http://www.avforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=767112

320gb Hard Disk Upgrade

When I tried upgrading my 40gb to 320gb I got following error message :

"The system software cannot be run correctly. Press the PS button to try and restart. If the system cannot be restarted, the system partition of the HD must be reformatted and you must reinstall the system software. Insert storage media that contains update data of version 2.42 or later..."

I followed the instructions from the link below.

http://edgrzyb.blogspot.com/2008/06/upgrading-ps3-hard-drive.html

But I got my firmware from here...

http://edgrzyb.blogspot.com/2008/06/upgrading-ps3-hard-drive.html

References

Infrared Remote Control

Annoyingly Sony's remote control for DVD/Blu-Ray playback uses Bluetooth not Infrared. This means integrating the PS3 playback controls with my IR universal remote is going to be a PITA.

PS2 to PS3 Converter (did not work)

It is reportedly possible to attach the old PS2 DVD Infrared receiver via a PS2 controller to USB adapter, then use the PS2 DVD controls to get some limited playback control via infrared. Here are the details...

I have the PS2 DVD infrared receiver already and my Pronto universal remote is also programmed with the PS2 control codes. So I will be testing the USB adapter cludge initially as it is a cheapest option in terms of cash and effort.

Crap! I tested the above method using the Logic3 PS2 to PS3 converter. Sadly, the PS2 DVD Infrared receiver does not fit, although a little leverage got it in place ;-) However, I can't get my Pronto remote to send the SELECT + UP key combination (to emulate the PS button) to get the controller ID to set. Bottom line, this is a non-starter :-(

PS3 Infrared Remote Control (this works very well)

Logic3 also have a PS3 Blu-ray / DVD Remote Control which includes a USB infrared eye. The remote is crap, very unresponsive. But when you partner the USB infrared eye with a Pronto is works excellently. I got a CCF from the link below and order the remote from Amazon.

Logic3 PS3 remote Pronto Hex codes and CCF

The USB infrared eye automatically assigns it self a controller ID so it works seamlessly and is very responsive when you use a good quality remote with it. Only down side is there is no 'PS' button, but I haven't found that to be a limitation as I can navigate the XMB to play my music and view my videos and photos from my media server. Naturally playings CD and watching DVD and Blu-Ray all work too.

Other Remote Control Options.

References

Wireless Keyboard

I intend to use the PS3 web browser and might need a small keyboard for that. No real research done as yet.

References

Media Player

I want to get the PS3 running as a wireless media player for for audio and video.

DLNAServer

Linux

http://psubuntu.com/

Converting Matroska

The PS3 can't (currently) play .mkv files. So they need converting to a format the PS3 can play, options are converting to a .vob, .m2ts or .mp4. These methods were tested on Ubuntu Hardy 8.04.