PlayStation 3 doesn't play nice with your iPod [update 1]
by Kevin Kelly 
{ Nov 10th 2006 at 8:55PM }
IGN decided to hook up an iPod to their shiny new PS3 today, only to find out that Sony hasn't let the two be playmates just yet. The PS3 will mount the iPod, but none of the audio, video, or photo files on the iPod will show up. They could transfer music to a new directory that they created on the iPod, but that's just using it like any other USB storage device. It's no secret that Sony isn't fond of the success of Apple's little mp3 player, even going as far as calling podcasts "RSS channels" just so they don't have to use the word "pod" in press materials. Even Microsoft released a free download for the Xbox 360 that let you hook up your iPod and stream music, will Sony follow suit? The PlayStation Portable they hooked up worked just fine, so it's time to spread the love to some other usb devices. If you have a ton of music on your iPod that you want to transfer to your PS3, and if you're lucky enough to get one, you'll have to either wait for an update or start burning a lot of files.
Come on Sony, let's play nice with the other kids on the block.
IGN has updated the story with the following: NOTE: In our initial play-test of the PS3, we reported that the multimedia playback feature was hampered by directory structure limitations. However, we have since been informed of a full browsing function for all storage devices -- indeed, you CAN browse media that's not native to the PS3's normal directory structure. Please check this updated news article for the latest update on the multimedia features.
According to their own updated article, "It's a hidden option that some may not notice at first, and sorting through folders isn't exactly easy." So, it'll work in a pinch, but where's the full-featured device browsing? We want our $600 console to do things like this out of the box, not with a workaround or an update that isn't out yet.
[Thanks, jjrooster]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Daniel D @ Nov 10th 2006 9:14PM
I think I speak for alot of people when I say: "sony are teh gayzorz".
Dustin @ Nov 10th 2006 9:12PM
I read the IGN article and I quote: "The iPod will mount, but no video, audio or photo tracks can be found on the standard XMB menu. Jump into "Display All", however, and it's a totally different story -- you can see the Calendar and music directories, and can browse as deep as you need to in order to find the files. As we mentioned, finding music on an iPod is difficult sometimes because iTunes makes a number of Apple-needed files (images and encryption notes and things like that) in the folder, and also avoids common folder names. However, it works fine in a pinch, and it may be possible that Sony could add iPod folder browsing to the PS3's abilities in a later update." So you can find the media, you just have to press the triangle button.
bile @ Nov 10th 2006 9:15PM
It's because iPod's do not store there data in plan file form as do most other mass storage based devices. Blame Apple for using a fancy filesystem to keep you from manually adding and removing media.
CP @ Nov 10th 2006 9:17PM
Sony has touted this ps3 as a computer, I for one wait to see if it's true. "anybody try downloading itunes?"
Gonzord @ Nov 10th 2006 9:17PM
Great stuff Dustin, seriously you'd think a joystiq writer would check his facts, before posting up lies.
MetaHuman @ Nov 10th 2006 9:20PM
It's because iPod no longer exists. PSP killed it, remember?
LOL
dsub @ Nov 10th 2006 9:20PM
bile-
No. I blame Sony. If my $250 Samsung HTIB and my $120 JVC Car Stereo have USB ports on the front that read my iPod and play all my songs just fine, then why can't the $600 uber media-do-it-all PS3?
Eric Von Shpeel @ Nov 10th 2006 9:25PM
Kevin Kelly fails at the internets. I guess all those years of backstage interviews on WWF Raw and Smackdown didnt prepare you for the difficulty of proof reading IGN articles before your mouth formed a huge smile and you took glee with each keystroke as you told the world a load of bollocks.
fanboyslasher @ Nov 10th 2006 9:34PM
hey a$$hole kevin kelly, read the ign update. it does work. retract the article and issue an apology.
9mmPreacher @ Nov 10th 2006 9:35PM
well no crap! Most Sony TVs reject the 360's HD. It's a war people
http://reviewsblog.sonsofgodclan.net/2006/11/10/sony-gives-japan-the-shaft.aspx
playclever @ Nov 10th 2006 9:43PM
Apple's iPods don't play nice with *anything* without a lot of effort by the other party. Apple are not about to help the iPod connect to another media device, especially one which supports music downloads, like the PS3 will.
This is an interesting article on the hoops Microsoft had to jump through to get iPods to work with X360:
http://news.com.com/2100-1041_3-5931847.html
Of course, if you make a real effort, you can get things to work. So odds are, PS3 will support iPods at some point. I think Sony had a few more things to worry about with their new baby than prioritising this though ;)
Keloran @ Nov 10th 2006 9:42PM
if it really does run YellowDog someoen just needs to figure out how to do this http://gentoo-wiki.com/HARDWARE_iPod but for YellowDog instead of Gentoo
fanboyslasher @ Nov 10th 2006 9:45PM
After that, we plugged in a standard 20GB full-size Video iPod. The PS3 recognized the iPod just fine, even displaying on the screen that the unit was in fact an iPod. However, the directory structure Apple chose for iPod is not something that PS3 recognizes (or at least does not recognize in the latest update, v1.10.) The iPod will mount, but no video, audio or photo tracks can be found on the standard XMB menu. Jump into "Display All", however, and it's a totally different story -- you can see the Calendar and music directories, and can browse as deep as you need to in order to find the files. As we mentioned, finding music on an iPod is difficult sometimes because iTunes makes a number of Apple-needed files (images and encryption notes and things like that) in the folder, and also avoids common folder names. However, it works fine in a pinch, and it may be possible that Sony could add iPod folder browsing to the PS3's abilities in a later update.
Ak @ Nov 10th 2006 10:01PM
Joystiq, IGN updated the article -- they didn't realize that there's a 'Display All' option:
http://ps3.ign.com/articles/745/745359p1.html
"
UPDATE: Hurray, the PS3 can play virtually anything!
In our first look at the PlayStation 3's media playback features, we initially the system to be limited by its directory structure design -- unless media was stored in the proper folder, it would not be read by the PS3. But surprise! With a tap of the Triangle button, the PS3 becomes a fully-formed directory searcher, and can indeed find and play music, photos, videos or playlists from anywhere on most any media device.
"
Tack @ Dec 20th 2006 1:53AM
"Even Microsoft released a free download for the Xbox 360 that let you hook up your iPod and stream music"
Actually that free update was to be able to play AAC files.
Out of the box, the 360 saw and could play MP3s on the iPod no problem.
Phil @ Nov 10th 2006 11:40PM
LIARS!
It can read the iPod content, you have to choose "Display All" to view the content so it won't be viewed per-folder but all at once. Read the article before posting lies, fanboys.
DieH@rd @ Nov 11th 2006 5:29AM
How about a little update on this article? We already know that tis is a false news.
http://ps3.ign.com/articles/745/745359p1.html
EdZ @ Nov 11th 2006 5:29AM
So, the ipod using a strange and convoluted directory and index method is SONY'S FAULT?! Jeez, people are raggin' on Sony now even when they don't screw up!
Sjenky @ Nov 12th 2006 10:07AM
So ok, you ipod owners got lucky, but I still cant play the audio on my 4 gig sony network walkman on the 360 :( Fat chance of that happening in the future.
Alain @ Nov 11th 2006 12:03PM
Yeah, lets just wait till the Zune is released and see how much longer the Ipod is supported on the 360.
Ian @ Nov 12th 2006 1:15AM
MS would NEVER shut out the ipod. Its got way too big of an installed base to just artificially make it not work with the 360. They want it to be able to play with as much media stuff as absolutely possible.
larry piercy @ Dec 23rd 2006 12:57AM
The Xbox 306 will find all my Ipod's music and will even play my songs by saved playlists, in order. The PS3 only plays one sub directory at a time and doesn't recognize playlist as far as I can tell.