PS3 - what exactly can it do

oneilldo

oneilldo

oneilldo

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I already have an xbox 360 which will stay upstairs in my gaming room. However downstairs we have finally got our new TV (samsung F86) so I am considering getting a PS3. This will be used for games but maybe mainly for Blu-ray (this is how I am selling it to her downstairs).
I have searched and looked at a few threads but I can't find a list of what can be done with a PS3?

So, what else can it do
Can it play DIvX files from a removable HD?
Can you browse the internet, if so do most keyboards work
What model is best and does it matter if you can use a laptop harddrive to expand in the future.
can you download HD clips like with the xbox360?
Can you stream divx from a PC - if so what does the PC run?
Is the wireless connectivity generally reliable?
Can you plug in memory cards to display pictures etc or play music?

Thanks,
 
oneilldo said:
I already have an xbox 360 which will stay upstairs in my gaming room. However downstairs we have finally got our new TV (samsung F86) so I am considering getting a PS3. This will be used for games but maybe mainly for Blu-ray (this is how I am selling it to her downstairs).
I have searched and looked at a few threads but I can't find a list of what can be done with a PS3?

So, what else can it do
Can it play DIvX files from a removable HD?
Can you browse the internet, if so do most keyboards work
What model is best and does it matter if you can use a laptop harddrive to expand in the future.
can you download HD clips like with the xbox360?
Can you stream divx from a PC - if so what does the PC run?
Is the wireless connectivity generally reliable?
Can you plug in memory cards to display pictures etc or play music?

Thanks,
Click to expand...

It can play DivX files from a EXT HDD as long as the HDD is format to FAT32, it will also play streamed DivX from a PC running media player 11,tversity etc, and most Xvid, but like the Divx if its been encoded using an old codec it might not work. You can also copy movies direct to the PS3 HDD from an external source be it from the network or from an external drive.
You can browse the net on on the PS3 but not every sites work, but this has increased with firmware updates.
On the PSN store there's a HD/SD movie clips either of upcoming film releases and/or BD films, not as many as Xbox live though as im led to believe.

Well if you can find the 60GB PS3 it will have Software BC, 4x USB cards and built in card reader, this is the best one to get hold off but is very rare to find new or very expensive. The 40GB has to BC no Mem card slots and only 2 USB ports, but a USB 2 hub/ Card reader will do the job just as well. So only the 60GB has memory card slots built in but like i said get a cheap card reader or just plug your camera in via the USB is not much of a problem i wouldnt of thought.

If you look in the PS3 faq there's a link to the laptop drive i used in my PS3 available from OCuk but any SATA 5400 2.5" laptop drive would be fine.

Most USB/bluetooth keyboards ive used have work straight away on the PS3 and can also be used in some games ie UT3 at present.

Wireless is bout as good as wireless is if you get what i mean Its normally easy to connect to any WiFI, but some have had problems i never have, its probably not quite as good as an external adaptor range wise but theres not much in it. I also remember in the 40Gb PS3 both the Blue tooth and Wifi components have been improved with better range now.

Hope thats covered most of your questions :)
 
Thanks for all the help. I'm off to get one now.
One further question - If I have a removable HD and I partition it with one partition for PC (NTFS) and one for PS3 (FAT32) will this work. (NB: if it doesn't i'll just have one partition as FAT32 and use it for both).

Thanks,
 
Yeah, that'll work. An alternative is to get a piece of software called MacDrive and format the drive in HFS+. Only really useful if you want to access any files over 4GB on the PS3 though.
 
No no no no.
If you have multiple partitions on the drive, I'm sure the PS3 won't display any of them. It needs to have one primary partition formatted to FAT32. Of course, if anyone has a blank drive and can prove me wrong, then it'll put that point to bed.

The PS3 will NOT read HFS+ volumes.
 
Well after facing the sales hell I managed to actually spend the grand total of 30mins shopping. I got the 40GB model for 299 with 3 Blue rays (it was supposed to be 299 + 2 BR's - but they had an offer on BR's pf 3for2 so I combined them) . I then purchased warhawk, the simpsons and ratchet and clank so I shall be sorted for the evening. Just unpacked and connected to my wireless and am currently downloading the most recent updates.

If I wanted to could I also use the blue tooth headset with warhawk for my mobile.

First impressions are its a tad deeper than I realised but I like the dashboard. The updates seem to be going a bit slow (its only on 39 % after a couple of minutes - I have 20mb). I'll have to download some HD clips soon to check the network speed (I hope it tells you what file sizes they are). Oh and its oh so quite.

I'll try and test the removable HD partioned as one Fat32 and one NTFS to see if it works - though this may be tomorrow.
 
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hmm I see in the latest update for PS3 a voice changing feature has been added which enables you to change the voice pitch during chat. Hopefully this will make the little 9 year olds less squawky (going from xbox live experience)
 
oneilldo said:
hmm I see in the latest update for PS3 a voice changing feature has been added which enables you to change the voice pitch during chat. Hopefully this will make the little 9 year olds less squawky (going from xbox live experience)
Click to expand...

Yes you can use any bluetooth heaset, from your mobile etc. And in my experience I have yet to hear many if any 9 year old's online :)
 
Yeah you can use most BT headsets.

You're probably best downloading the update from your pc and then putting it on a memory stick and updating from that (note: a certain file structure is required. Something like PS3/Update/<insertupdatefilehere>)

As long as you don't have huge files why not format your harddrive all FAT32? Windows recognises the FAT32 drive fine.
 
PS3 is great! New 2.1 software update is a big file, and takes a while to sort itself out.

DivX limited to 2 GB file size.

PS3 is supported by playstation store with many freebie such as Gran Turismo HD!

Again BIG file, nearly 900MB in size.

In short PS3 is a great bit of kit, but you must have a fast broadband internet connection to enjoy it.

PS. Has a full internet browser built in.

Found wife looking up recipes on Delia online this PM!!!
 
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