Quick question about the PS3 please

[Magic_x_uk]

I am thinking of buying one as I fancy a new games machine and everything else that the PS3 can offer., Blue ray especially.

But I need some advice on something.

I have a DVD player (Sumvision Phoenix, from OCuk) which has a USB port on the front and I have an external mains powered 80 GB hard drive which sits next to the DVD player. If I download any films from the internet I put them on the hard drive from my main computer and the DVD player plays them fine.
This saves me burning everything to DVD.

Would the PS3 be able to pick the hard drive up and play the DIVX (I think) films. Or could I wirelessly (dont even know if the PS3 can do this) get them from my main home computer onto the PS3 hard drive to play them ?

I have no idea about all this you see.

Maybe some one can help.

Thank you

 

[Magic_x_uk]

When they are streamed over the network, if it is a film for example, does it play fine then, no flutter ? no buffering ? no pausing. As it is all being sent wirelessly isnt it from my main computer's hard drive to my wireless router and to the ps3 (which is in another room on another level)

 

[Magic_x_uk]

now what model should i look at though 40 or 60gb ? i know the 40gb has no card slot and less usb ports and does not play ps2 games, but really, do i need it too ?