Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with PS3

PS3 + Streaming Netflix = FAIL (in a lovely shade of red)

porn in the woods — Sat, 26 Dec 2009 13:55:40 -0800

Anyone else encountering difficulties using Netflix streaming on their PS3? I re-joined Netflix after a long hiatus so I could take advantage of PS3 streaming, but it's been a very bumpy ride and hasn't worked in over a week. While the streaming was a bit flaky over the past 2 months (I'd have to authorize my console multiple times a week, but that's not a big deal), at least it worked. All week long when I launch the Netflix software, it just sits and churns with a circular progress indicator beneath the Netflix logo and never gets to my Instant queue. I let it run for about an hour this morning with no change.

I've tried the following, with no success:
• removing everything from my queue
• rebooting my DSL box/wireless router/PS3
• deactivating my PS3 from my Netflix account page
• putting the IP of my PS3 in my router's DMZ

Any HDMI for PS3?

fantasticninety — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 19:09:13 -0800

Can I use any HDMI cable with my PS3? Hi,
I'm trying to buy a super cheap HDMI cable and am wondering if I need to see "PS3" on the package in order for it to be ok. Thanks so much for any help.

Why does anyone buy a PS3, anyway?

explosion — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 07:09:07 -0800

OK, we got a PS3. Now what? We bought a nice TV, and it came with a free PS3. That's great, but what do we do with it? Specifically, what games are Playstation 3 exclusives, or if not exclusives, play much better on the PS3?

We also have a Wii and XBox 360, each with 4 controllers, so "exclusive to PS3" would really be the only reason we'd be buying a game for the Playstation.

Older games are fine, we don't need the newest games. I already know the inevitable "MGS4 and LittleBigPlanet," and I just don't have time any more for games called "Final Fantasy" without the word "Tactics" in the title.

Thank you for your suggestions!

Aliens, Mutants, Zombies? No problem, we're in this together.

misha — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 08:48:47 -0800

My spouse and I like to play PS3 games together. Keeping in mind that we've run through Resistance: Fall of Man 5 times now on Superhuman and are getting bored with it, what are your favorite PS3 games which allow COOPERATIVE local play (2 or more players)? I've checked previous threads, but not seen PS3 recommendations. Thanks, hive mind.

Help Us Waste our Time

bearwife — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 16:32:02 -0800

Just got a PS3, very exciting but confusing. Need advice on hookup, whether to ditch our DVD player, games you recommend, and best games for 2 people. Re the hookup, we have a leased DVR and aren't sure about best option to connect the PS3 as our TV has only one HDMI port.

What does it cost to ship a Guitar Hero controller?

IndigoRain — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 20:07:18 -0800

How much does it cost to ship a Guitar Hero controller? I am putting a copy of Guitar Hero World Tour for the PS3 up on eBay and need to estimate my shipping costs. I know the guitar is fairly light but it's also long and I was wondering if anyone knows roughly what it costs to ship it within the contintental US.

AniPod?

Oktober — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 12:29:15 -0800

I have a substantial amount of anime that I'd like to watch, but a less-than-perfect system for doing it. Pretty much all of it is in .mkv files (h.264 video and AAC audio) with subtitles, and I'd like to transcode them to a format that's playable on either my iPhone or my PS3 with subtitles intact. I've tried both handbrake and VLC, and I either get 1) no subtitles in handbrake or 2) encoder errors in VLC. So, hive mind, what am I doing wrong here?

Question on fixing Playstation 3.

ShortHairyMan — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 12:50:24 -0800

Will self-repairing my broken PS3 make it invalid for future repairs by Sony (even if it's already out of warranty)? My Playstation 3 has the doomed YLOD (Yellow Light Of Death). I tried to contact Sony for a fix and since it is about 2 years out of their warranty, the repair cost is $150.

My alternative choices are:
Local shops that offer a repair service for $50-$70
OR
I do the fix myself by borrowing my friends PS3 repair guide (thick book which he bought for $30).

So my main question is:
If I take it to a repair shop or try to fix it myself, yet the PS3 still doesn't work, will Sony still fix/replace it for $150? Or since it's been tampered with will they just tell me to go buy a new one? (Keep in mind either way it's out of warranty and has been for a long time).

PS3 3.0 killed my Blu-Ray drive.

GleepGlop — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 12:15:11 -0800

PS3 firmware 3.0 killed my Blu-Ray drive (as I and many others see it). Need help figuring out how to get this taken care of. I don't use my PS3 that often, never had a problem reading discs, I did the mandatory update to 3.0 (mandatory if I want to play games online etc.) and suddenly my PS3 starts crashing when playing disc games and eventually just won't read any BD discs.
The same thing has happened to many other people (official PS3 forums, official blog commets, gaming and gadget blogs, etc.) but it just hit the wires today that Sony is claiming no responsibility and saying that a firmware update can't screw up a Blu-Ray drive.
My PS3 is out of warranty, I did purchase it with a credit card that gives extended warranty coverage but in order to make a claim I need the receipt which I apparently lost.
Even though they currently are taking no responsibility, is there anything I can cite where a company is still responsible if their firmware screws up hardware even if it is out of warranty?
There is no way I am paying $169 CDN for a repair with a 3 month warranty on it when for all I know the Blu-Ray drive will just fail again due to something in this new firmware.
Please save the "it was just a coincidence that your PS3 failed when 3.0 came out". I've heard that enough from the Sony fanboys.
Please offer me some advice based on the assumption that this firmware is in fact the culprit.

Apply BT Keyboard & Mighty Mouse with slim PS3

omidius — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 06:46:24 -0800

Will an Apple wireless (bluetooth) keyboard and mighty mouse work with the new slim Playstation 3? I have read conversations that go both ways, but they were mostly from 2007 -- something about PS3 not installed with a standard BT keyboard profile, which is what apple's keyboard uses. I'm wondering if anyone has definitive experience with this...

Thanks

Help a lazy gamer out.

juv3nal — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 22:07:01 -0800

Is there a site that tells me which version of multiplatform (ps3/xbox360) games is the better one to get with regard to bugginess/availability of DLC etc.? I know that I can go look up individual reviews for specific title/platform combinations, but is there a specialist site that tracks the differences in a more at-a-glance manner?

PS3 has turned so ugly

porn in the woods — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 19:30:14 -0800

PlayStation 3 firmware update 3.0 is truly a pile. Font size is ginormous on my 42" LCD (akin to going from 1024x768 to 640x480), icons are shilling for the PlayStation Network in every menu and there's a hideous update bar in the upper right-hand corner I can't figure out how to turn off. I wish I hadn't taken the plunge -- if you haven't, don't do it! Does anyone have solutions to mitigate this nightmare, which has turned the menus of my console and home theatre box into a janky-looking POS?

My PS3 done broke. Should I shell out the cash to repair, or hold off and see what Sony's got up its sleeve?

yellowbinder — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 19:45:39 -0800

Broken PS3 - ship it off for repairs or wait and see what the holidays bring? Last night my PS3 decided to not accept any more discs. Not as in they won't play, but as in the disc drive won't feed them into the machine. The machine is otherwise running perfectly, can play media, online games, and I'm sure if I could get a disc in there, it would work just fine.

I'm out of warranty, no store bought service plan, and while the receipt is probably... somewhere, I wouldn't bet I could find it.

I called up Sony today and they want almost $200 to fix it, which seems a bit extreme for what will likely be a simple fix or drive replacement. On the other hand, I don't really want to go to an unauthorized repair place.

I've heard rumblings through the blogosphere about a redesigned PS3 due for the holidays, complete with price cut. Obviously, this is rumour until announced, but it's seeming slightly more certain.

What is the likelihood of something like this, or at least a significant price cut? And when would that be likely to be announced prior to the holidays?

I've been thinking that it might be more cost effective to sell mine on eBay and pick up a new one, if the price drops. I wouldn't really want to wait more than a month or two to find out.

I realize the question posed is impossible to answer definitevely, so I guess the real question is, what would you do?

Will I like Bioshock?

peep — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 20:32:19 -0800

How first person shooter-y is Bioshock? Will I like it? I heard great things about Bioshock, but I didn't realize it was considered a FPS until I went to buy it (for PS3). I'm not a big fan of shooters. I find them boring and repetitive, but mostly, I can't aim for shit. Killing and gore is a-ok, though.

Games I love: Portal, God of War I and II, all Ratchet & Clanks, all Grand Theft Autos, Heavenly Sword.

OK games: Uncharted (starts out sort of adventure-y, turns into almost total FPS by the end), Metal Gear Solid 3, Splinter Cell (PS2).

Hate: Halo, Resistance: Fall of Man

Do you think I might like Bioshock? Is there other stuff besides shooting? Puzzle type stuff or anything? Please no big spoilers about the game, if possible.

What's the best way to turn PS3 into music player (with visualizations)?

idyllhands — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 12:42:45 -0800

Best way to turn PS3 into music player (with visualizations)? I want to set my PS3 up to play music files (FLAC and MP3), because I'm not happy with the built in Media Player. Are there any guides out there for installing Linux on a PS3 to get it to act as a media center? I don't care about watching tv on it, which most of the guides I've found seem to center on. Basically, I just need a nice GUI to be able to browse through albums by tags and a nice visual player would be great too. The Visual Players included with the PS3 got old quick, and unfortunately you can't add more...

never meaning no harm

Antidisestablishmentarianist — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 09:34:43 -0800

What is the best auto racing simulation? I currently have no gaming equipment. After reading this comment, I decided to hone my driving skills with a simulator. Thing is, I have no equipment other than a mac laptop. In a way this is a bonus because I am not tied into any particular solution.

What I want: the most realistic competitive driving experience I can get. I don't care if I need a PC, a PSx, a Wii or ?? The only real reason I would really buy a gaming system, or a PC, would be for this. A great selection of real tracks would also be excellent, I plan to drive competitively on some midwestern circuits, and the preparation would be very helpful. Autocross and rally or rallycross tracks would be nice.

I plan to buy a specialized seat, a force feedback wheel, and a big TV.

So, what is the best driving simulator not taking tracks into account, and what is the best one if you want a wide array of real tracks? Availability of an online gaming experience would be an appreciated extra.

thanks in advance for what I know will be good advice.

Blu-Ray Players

aldurtregi — Fri, 15 May 2009 09:25:41 -0800

I'm looking to get into Blu-Ray movies and have long fantasized about the PS3(or comparable BR player) but I see that I can get a BR drive for my PC for less than a third of the PS3's price. I have a pretty good PC and a 1080p monitor. Would I be missing out on any BR features or losing image/sound quality going with the drive? I'm not yet sure what brand of drive I would go with, but it seems I can get LG and Sony for a decent price.

Best PS3 Games on PSN?

*s — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 07:19:28 -0800

What are the best games available for download on PSN for the PS3? Genre unimportant -- whatever you've downloaded and played that you thought was cool -- blowing stuff up, puzzles, races, whatever: I want it all. Thanks!

Hello Cleveland! Are you ready to rock? And by rock, I mean click really loudly.

Rock Steady — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 11:41:14 -0800

A couple of Guitar Hero: World Tour (Wii) instrument silencing questions. Now that I live in an apartment and my video gaming set-up shares a wall with my daughter's bedroom, I need a way to not wake her up and keep my neighbors happy while I continue to rock out (for certain values of the word "rock"). To wit:

1. I have seen numerous drum pad silencers for the Rock Band drum set, but none for the GH:WT drum set. Does anyone know of any, or will the Rock Band silencers work on my drums (I realize they won't do any good on the "cymbals")?

2. Can I somehow disable the click that the strum bar on the standard GH:WT guitar makes? I am willing to take the thing apart, if I must, but I'd like some detailed instructions if I am going to do that.

Monitor shopping for my PS3

Mr_Thirdworld — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 10:13:21 -0800

I finally got a PS3 and I'm looking for a good monitor to go with it. I did some searching and I've narrowed it down to two options:

Acer H213H, ASUS VH242H

Does anyone own any of these? Which is the better buy? Is there anything better out there in the same price range?

Another console purchase guidance question.

drpynchon — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 16:59:15 -0800

Can an PS3/Xbox 360 perform most of the media functionality found on an original Xbox with XBMC? So I have an itch to get back into gaming and as it is I'm torn between the PS3 and the 360. I don't much care for the BR player functionality of the PS3 or Netflix on the 360 so that's off the table, however I'd love whatever I pick to replace my original Xbox with XBMC.

Currently, I have XBMC attached to a DNLA-capable 2TB NAS with my media (straight DVD copies, and Xvid/DivX avis, MP3s/FLAC, some photos). I love it, but do wish I could run h264 HD video.

Can either of the new systems fill in for the XBMC, and if not, where are they lacking (in terms of functionality, ease of use, interface)?

I'm essentially down to basing my decision on this, online play, and any trends in exclusive games I may prefer.

Flip Video on PS3

mzurer — Sun, 15 Feb 2009 20:39:57 -0800

Anyone have any luck getting Flip Video clips to play on a playstation 3? It's an F260. Doesn't work over a media server or hooked up directly.

Make PS3 games use 1080p?

Who_Am_I — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 08:08:22 -0800

How do I force PS3 games to play at their optimum resolution? I've got a PS3 hooked up to a 1080p native TV (Philips 42" LCD, can't remember model number) via HDMI. When I leave all the PS3 video settings alone, 720p-capable games play at 720p, but 1080p-capable games also play at 720p. If I disable 720p output from the PS3, then 1080p games go up to 1080p, but 720p games go down to 480p. I'm getting sick of switching the video setting around every time I play a different game, and I feel like I have to be missing something here. Why won't 1080p games use that resolution normally? How is this supposed to work?

More Flash ambient sound toys, please!

grobstein — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 15:05:59 -0800

More Flash ambient sound toys, please! After reading this wonderful MeFi post, I immediately loaded up the Buddha Machine Wall on PS3 browser and set it to play in the background in my livingroom.

What are some other similar toys that I can run on my PS3 and that will play ambient sounds in the background with little intervention? (Bonus points if you can come over and play with them occasionally, like changing up the loops on the Buddha Machine Wall.) The PS3 browser supports Flash, so any Flash apps that do this are good answers.

How do you go about creating Little Big Planet levels?

crios — Sat, 17 Jan 2009 16:04:37 -0800

How do you go about creating Little Big Planet levels? I'm not asking about the mechanics, I'm asking about the process. I've played through all the tutorials and I want to start making my own levels but whenever I start I feel like I'm missing something (direction?). Is there anything online about creating levels from start to finish (planning and execution)? Some of my favorite levels include "Jack McSetback and the Spiky Stone of Doom," and "Sack and the beanstalk." These levels seem so polished and complete. Did the creators of these levels just start and finish and it all came together, or did they have a plan from the start? Any advice?