Like many gamers, you love your Sony PlayStation 3 console for its many first- and third-party games, killer graphics and plenty of multimedia support for the playback of Blu-ray Discs, DVDs, music, photos, and more.
You’re also aware you can digitally download a ton of content and play games online for free via PlayStation Network (PSN) — opposed to paying $50 a year for an Xbox Live Gold account.
But there are probably a few things you didn’t know your PS3 can do. After all, Sony’s clever advertizing campaign boasts the machine “only does everything.”
And so we thought we’d highlight a few of our lesser-known PS3 features you might not be aware of, or why these features are more significant thank you previously thought.
Stream dream
Chances are you have a wireless network in your home. If you also have a Windows 7-based computer, you can take advantage of the PS3′s support for DLNA (Digital Living Network Alliance), a relatively new standard by which compatible devices can communicate with one another.
What this means for you is all the media stored on your computer’s hard drive — such as music and videos — can be accessed wirelessly on your big-screen HDTV on another room. (Note: You can do this with older versions of Windows, too, but it’s not as easy.)
Simply flag which computer files or folders you want to allow for streaming and then on your PS3, navigate across the XrossMediaBar (XMB) to the name of your network and select to access all your media remotely.
Eye-popping visuals
As you’re likely aware, 3DTV is a big buzzword in 2010, which refers to new televisions capable of streaming three-dimensional images to supported “active shutter” glasses worn by the viewer.
You also probably heard you need a special Blu-ray Disc player that supports 3D movies. Not if you own a PS3.
The next firmware (software) update for the PS3 will include support for 3D movies — and 3D games — on Blu-ray Disc. The PS3 is the only console to support 3D games for an ultra immersive experience.
Remote chance
Did you know you can use your PSP as a PS3 remote?
Remote Play is a feature that lets a PlayStation Portable user interact with the PS3′s XMB, allowing easy control all the content stored on your PS3′s hard drive or external media — be it music, audiobooks, TV shows, movies, photos, games and applications — as well as access to the PlayStation Store.
How does it work? Using a wireless network, the PS3 delivers a live video stream to the PSP, so you can see content on your handheld’s display, while that same connection is used to control content on your PS3 via the PSP’s buttons.
Neat, huh?
Power browsing
Microsoft made a big splash with its Facebook and Twitter integration for Xbox Live, but PS3 owners have long been able to access these social networks, as well as the rest of the World Wide Web.
In fact, you can take advantage of your 50-inch screen and browse with multiple Internet windows open.
Go to Network on the XMB and open the web browser. Got to go to a website you want and press Triangle on the PS3 controller and choose “Open in New Window.” Here you can type a new web site address and repeat the process again — up to six times. Now press L3 (press down on the left analog stick) to initiate multi-page mode. Flick the left stick to scroll through the open web pages.
BD-Live, baby
While many PS3 owners take advantage of the fact their console plays Blu-ray Discs (as well as stream Netflix movies, if you prefer), you might not know it has supported the growing BD-Live feature from day one.
For the uninitiated, BD-Live lets movie fans — with Internet-connected Blu-ray Disc players — gain access to exclusive content, such as the ability to download high-definition trailers for current theatrical releases, additional language packs for the film, or access ringtones, games, behind-the-scenes footage or online community features (such as chatting with friends in another city while watching the same flick).
Not all movies on Blu-ray Disc support BD-Live, but thanks to the PS3′s wired and wireless Internet connection options, you can take full advantage of this feature.
But of course you still need a 3D tv right??
Yes, I did know that.
And yes, you will still need a 3D TV and all the other bits and pieces required for 3D viewing.
I knew that since I owned my pl3 3 years ago..not new information.
And actually the browser is slow and sucks. I have no idea why they have not updated it. The browser is the worst out of any console or mobile device. The wii U has an awsome web browser and I can stream movies easier.
Tveristy is a great free app for streaming video etc to your PS3. You can even stream YouTube and Hulu using it.
does ps3 slim can do this??????????
yes, and this article does suck. It only does everything.
TVersity it a great program that I use to stream movies to my PS3. Definitely worth checking out and its free. It will also let you stream Hulu and YouTube to your PS3.
This is great to know. I have been thinking about getting a NAS drive but was afraid for this very reason. I hate leaving my PC on constantly just to I can access movies etc. I will have to try this out.
in the "5 things u didin't kknow about your Ps3" u missed the 6th
"It Pwns the 360 so hard!"
I knew all five things since ages ago like most PS3 lovers and fans do. But I'm glad you reminding people of what they have and may not know already. PLAYSTATION 3 is the most complete and ultimate video game system ever made.
Dude you are so cool to brag that out…….. Um Yeah…
Actually he's probably pointing out what a waste of 3 minutes it was reading this useless article. Great idea by the author to take a ps3 manual and point out a couple of "tricks" found in the table of contents. Not a very thought out article, and the author should be shot.
you don't even need a Windows computer for the media streaming. I bought a cheap NAS enclosure (the DNS-321 for $115… basically, a box where you put a hard drive), and attached it to the network. It's always on and uses a lot less power than a computer. Works perfectly well with the PS3 even wireless (although only for SD videos, for streaming HD videos you should connect the PS3 wired to the network)