PS3 Technical Discussion

[Rdaug27]

OK I wanted to start the thread because I have been trying to do several things with my PS3 and we might be able to discuss anything we have here. My most recent endeavor has been to try and get my PS3/PC to share media with each other.


Media Sharing with my PS3

Problem
I have an external hard drive, 700gb, with all of my music and movies on it. I use divx format for my movies and Windows Media Player was having problems when I set it up to share media. It was crashing, not showing all of my files, and my movies came up as Unsupported Format on my PS3. I knew this was wrong because I could watch them when I had it directly connected to my PS3.

Solution
Through searching many forums, the easiest thing I found to do was us Orb. I'm sure there are other programs, but one thread I read said that from his understanding, Orb worked better, or was more compatible with the PS3 over his 360. A simple install and setup on my PC then all I needed to do was turn on Media Sharing on my PS3 and it picked up my wireless media that my PC was broadcasting. It took the PS3 a few moments to detect the network, but I did not have to scan for it or anything, it came up automatically.

It works pretty well and I have watched a few movies from it. Doesn't really get laggy, and the picture seems to be pretty nice. I must say not bad for a free program and my internet streaming videos that for the most part are around 1GB apiece. Another bonus for using Orb is that you can access your media from the web. Like I said there are surely other programs out there that offer the same kind of media sharing, and there may be other fixes. If you have some that work, please post here.

[Brocman]

how secure is that orb program?

[Rdaug27]

Not too handy with a PC, but here are someFirewall settings I found that list how to configure some third party firewalls to create incoming and outgoing traffic rules. Orb uses the same ports as Window media, Real media, and 3G media. I figure you are as safe as your network is, but again, I'm not too versed in network setup stuff.

TVversity is another service that appears to work well, and even Inlimbo uses it for his 360. I haven't tried that one out.

[Brocman]

cool, i guess it works by having all those devices hooked up to a network somehow, probably wireless for most of them. I'm not into wireless internet, it's not secure and people can steal your internet or hack into it quite easily.

[Rdaug27]

Yeah its mainly for wireless I guess. If your all wired, then you can set up folders to be shared. This actually streams the media so laptops and such can stream the information instead of downloading it. Orb also makes it possible to view your information online, and share media if you want. I am at work and can view my home TV, movies, music, pictures, and documents through a login at www.orb.com I know 1 or 2 people that were able to download a movie I had set up to share. I'm gonna refrain from mass postings because I know my upload speed isn't too fast from my home PC, but from what they have told me, they were able to download and/or watch the streamed movie.

[Brocman]

thats cool, it sounds like a pretty awesome program.

[norm]

I'm not into wireless internet, it's not secure and people can steal your internet or hack into it quite easily.

The reason it's not secure is because of the user and not because of the network itself. Doing simple things like changing the name of the network, not broadcasting the SSID, changing the default login password and adding in WEP will stop the majority of people from peeking in your network.


And yes TVversity is a pretty cool program.

[Brocman]

The reason it's not secure is because of the user and not because of the network itself. Doing simple things like changing the name of the network, not broadcasting the SSID, changing the default login password and adding in WEP will stop the majority of people from peeking in your network.

Yeah, but I would just rather not deal with all that stuff. It's much simpler to have it wired. I can understand if people like wireless. Sometimes having all those wires can be a real pain in the butt. but I just tuck them into the carpet and call it a day, lol.

[Rdaug27]

cool, i guess it works by having all those devices hooked up to a network somehow, probably wireless for most of them. I'm not into wireless internet, it's not secure and people can steal your internet or hack into it quite easily.

After installing Orb on a different PC, I noticed in the setup that you can setup for wired or wireless streaming. One of these days I'm gonna run wires through my house and set up a wired network.

[keyser28146]

I much prefer wired. I am a wireless tech for an ISP and wireless pretty much sucks. I think the best wireless equipment we use is the really high end motorola stuff... it's 300 MB and we have individual links that get about 32 miles. The end user stuff just sucks, frequent drops, interference, etc etc. You can get crackers for linux that will break the strongest security there is in under 2 minutes on a halfway decent laptop. It's like locking your door... you only keep the honest people out... people that want in will get in. Granted, there are DEFINITELY things you want to be wireless, like headsets, phones, etc; but stuff like drums or guitar controllers? Nah. Should be wired... works better, eliminates batteries, more efficient, more secure... less mobile, but a PS3 or rock band drums aren't exactly a nintendo DS. I never understood the wireless guitar thing for Rockband/GH... about every guitar player I know or have seen in concert uses a wire, unless they are acoustic. Wireless is great where it makes sense... laptops, headsets, controllers, handhelds, point to point backhaul links :), but making things wireless for the sake of being wireless isnt usually a good idea.

[Rdaug27]

I never understood the wireless guitar thing for Rockband/GH... about every guitar player I know or have seen in concert uses a wire, unless they are acoustic. Wireless is great where it makes sense... laptops, headsets, controllers, handhelds, point to point backhaul links :), but making things wireless for the sake of being wireless isnt usually a good idea.

Well wired is the "cheaper" route for guitarist :p (I know none of its cheap) Wireless is much better for the more "showy" guitar player, (you know the ones that run around stage and stuff) and there are tons of them that use wireless. My brothers band uses wireless for their guitars, and the wireless monitors which are basically like headphones. I think wireless for bands and stuff is more of a preference more than anything (especially the ones with a bigger budget).

The wireless for stuff like Rockband/GH is good so you can back away from the TV more, which is really good if you have a big TV and/or there are several people playing. If you are like some people that play, you might get too into things and pull the game system off of wherever you have it. Mine sits on top of my TV and that would be some bad stuff it it were to fall :O

[keyser28146]

The wireless guitars are a plus for bar settings, other than that, not a fan. Yeah if you have a guitarist into acrobatics, etc (like electric six or something) I can see it... but most people I know go for the older sounds... warmer tones etc.

[MajinTony]

Mine sits on top of my TV and that would be some bad stuff it it were to fall :O

extra heat that you don't need. If you could get it off your TV, that would be a good thing.

Also I used to wire homes for networks and other low voltage systems so I could get you set up to do it on your own and save a bunch of money. It's too easy to hire a contractor to do it. Especially if you have a basement.

[keyser28146]

Yeah it is... you can get a 568b pattern off the internet, RJ-45 crimpers and rj45's for under $100, then 1000 feet of cat 5 runs about $60. If you have a basement, or crawlspace, you have about an hour or two worth of work.

[MajinTony]

Yeah it is... you can get a 568b pattern off the internet, RJ-45 crimpers and rj45's for under $100, then 1000 feet of cat 5 runs about $60. If you have a basement, or crawlspace, you have about an hour or two worth of work.

3/8 drill bit :D As long as you don't have to fish wires down an insulated wall, you will be all gravy.

Shoot Keyser, I can't get a job in structured cabling out here because of my driving record, maybe I should come out there. How's the herbal quality of life? :D NC is a hotbed for disc golf so I'm sold on that already :)