RTFM: PlayStation 3 manual is fashionably early
by Christopher Grant 
{ Nov 11th 2006 at 3:00AM }
We just love getting our hands on a juicy manual early so we can pore over the contents, study every detail, and drive ourselves crazy with all questions they don't answer! The PlayStation 3's manual has recently popped up online and -- with just a week to go before the PlayStation 3 touches down on North American shores (it's already taken Japan by storm) -- we don't have very long to cram. We've extracted several tidbits buried in there: - Tons of video playback options: "Play video files saved on a USB mass storage device." Very yes.
- Tons of video codec support; including popular codecs like MPEG-2 and H.264. In other words, you might not have to transcode all your stuff into wmv.
- Support for multiple operating systems: this is where your Yellow Dog Linux goes
- PSP Remote Play: you'll need a PS3 "equipped with the wireless LAN feature," it says. What about having it connected over ethernet to a wireless router? Would that count? Will there be an optional wireless add-on for PS3?
- PSone/PS2 memory card support: remember, you'll need the adapter to get your old saves
- PlayStation Store overview: there not much here, but there is one shot of the Store's interface
[Thanks to everyone that send this in!]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Zamzoph @ Nov 11th 2006 3:19AM
Video codec support?
MPEG-2?
H.264?
...But what about DivX?!
Charlie @ Nov 11th 2006 4:03AM
If I recall correctly, the xbox360 doesn't have DivX support either.
I think both Microsoft and Sony should implement it.
genoma @ Nov 11th 2006 5:32AM
First console to support DivX playback over the network gets my cash.
Insomnia Bob @ Nov 11th 2006 6:06AM
The extra codec support is the first PS3 news I've heard in a while that makes me want one. Transcoding .avi files all day is a pain in the ass.
A step in the right direction, at least.
cello @ Nov 11th 2006 6:06AM
Tons of video support?
Compared to what?
DakidOG @ Nov 11th 2006 6:17AM
@3 The new Play box supports DivX play back, it's sold by me. You can now promptly pay me.
lol
ncxcstud @ Nov 11th 2006 7:37AM
Though, 'in a way' it costs more...
the 360 (and i'm sure the PS3 at some point) does support DiVX with the help of Transcode360.
Of course, you need Windows XP Media Center Edition for it...
But it works wonderfully.
Timo710 @ Nov 11th 2006 8:06AM
About the PSP being connected wirellessly to the PS3 , I think they are mentioning that you need the 60GB PS3 cuz that one has wirelless functions , the 20GB doesn't.
EdZ @ Nov 11th 2006 8:23AM
According to ( http://ps3.qj.net/Playstation-3-Firmware-1-10-Released-/pg/49/aid/72450 ) you will be able to play homebrew software on the PS3 with no hacks (presumably through the previously mentioned Yellowdog linux). Automatic-win.
cheese @ Nov 11th 2006 9:02AM
I have a chipped xbox that plays anything under the sun, including divx, even over a network and without xp media center.
george @ Nov 11th 2006 8:44AM
I honestly dont see what the hype is surrounding this ps3. I looked at the launch titles and there is nothing i want so bad i feel like buying it. Most of the titles i already played on 360. Oh well there was hype surrounding dreamcast and it sold great too. Look where that ended up.
Eric Von Shpeel @ Nov 11th 2006 8:34AM
you will be able to play XviD and DivX if you run Linux Yellow Dog on your PS3.
hooha @ Nov 11th 2006 9:02AM
not long now!!!
Just Mike @ Nov 11th 2006 9:11AM
@ Cheese
Yup XBMC wins over 360 or ps3 (apart from HD video of course)
hohoho @ Nov 11th 2006 9:15AM
ign mentioned that the manual "hints" that user could change the hdd. If it's true, another yes. I'm sure we all know how much the bleedin' 360 measley 20g costs.
VerdigriS @ Nov 11th 2006 9:24AM
Some anchor on Fox & Friends (time of this post) was reporting on the launch of the PS3 in Japan. And then went on to say that the PCS3 will launch next week with 400,000 units...
PCS3? So it really is a computer! heh heh
Killbloggers @ Nov 11th 2006 9:38AM
@hohoho
I just got PS3 in Japan today and there is no "hints" in the manual on how to change harddrive. There is INSTRUCTIONS on how to change harddrive. You can go to any computer store, pick up any standard hardrive out there and shove it inside of you PS3.
Kamal007 @ Nov 11th 2006 10:06AM
Joystiq=Nintendo fanboys to the end.
ZeroCorpse @ Nov 11th 2006 10:12AM
I'm just wondering what good it will do to shove a new hard drive in your PS3 when all it currently does is store your music, cache files, small game downloads, and game saves. It's not like Sony's got a video download service yet.
Still, it makes the PS3 slightly more attractive- One could get the cheap model and upgrade to a bigger hard drive if necessary. If only Blu-Ray were as optional.
nick @ Nov 11th 2006 10:13AM
tons of video codec support?!
what 3 codecs, mpeg2, vc-1, and the (oh my god it's still around) mpeg1?
noticably absent is divx
Optimus Prime @ Nov 11th 2006 10:19AM
The only people complaining about xvid/divx are bitorrenters.
Killbloggers @ Nov 11th 2006 10:30AM
@Zerocouprs
If you are that stupid (or dirt poor) that you can not come up with any method to copy content of one drive to another drive, then you should not get PS3. Go buy your Wii and shut the fu!c up, moron.
EdZ @ Nov 11th 2006 10:27AM
Look, xvid-h.264 is a damn easy conversion (far easier than the way back). You're not even dealing with multiple audio streams or softsubs! And that's just if you're too impatient to wait and install Yellowdog.
sully @ Nov 11th 2006 10:31AM
#20
(PLAYSTATION®Store) is an online shop within PLAYSTATION®Network where you can buy products such as expansion data, items for games or VIDEO CONTENT.
Eaode @ Nov 11th 2006 10:35AM
Anything can be fashionable for $599 US
Rofl
Austin @ Nov 11th 2006 10:41AM
@ 20
Well, if you were running linux, you may want the extra HD space.
LRV @ Nov 11th 2006 10:47AM
@ Killbloggers:
OK, you clearly didn't read what Zerocorpse wrote. He wasn't talking about transferring stuff from one hard drive to another. He was saying he doesn't see the point in getting a larger drive yet to store HIS big video files on, since the machine can stream them anway. The man made a valid point, and just forget about the Playstation Store that Sully mentioned.
At any rate, there was no call to act like a total dick, and you owe Zerocorpse an apology.
puppydg68 @ Nov 11th 2006 11:39AM
There is an option in the new dashboard for PS3 to auto-boot other operating system.. People will just auto-boot linux, load up their favorite linux media center mythv and get their divx and all other codec support that way on PS3.
nick @ Nov 11th 2006 11:25AM
Not true. I've never used bit torrent, but I have converted video to divx. Now I can't speak for anyone else, but I don't think the assumption should be made that anyone requesting divx is because they're using bit torrent.
The point of my previous post was to highlight the TONS comment, when in my preception, it was not supporting what I would consider TONS. There are other codecs I don't see listed either.
gordynyc @ Nov 11th 2006 11:32AM
I noticed on the PS3 online user's guide, under the Friends/friend's list/checking status the little kitty is playing a game called TETANOS(cube).
Does anyone know what that game is?
Rask @ Nov 15th 2006 6:17AM
Yeah!! Linux will make everything right! All you'll need to to buy it, learn Linux (It has to be easy right? People have such an easy time learning Microsoft's foolproof software), download and install the software packages and then make it work.
Cake really.
draco @ Nov 11th 2006 12:40PM
I really like this one here.
"Format Utility
...
You cannot use this feature to format a Memory Stick™, SD Memory Card or CompactFlash® on PS3™ systems that are not equipped with media slots."
Killbloggers @ Nov 11th 2006 1:41PM
@LRV
Yes, you are correct. I misread Zerocorpse comment, he was talking about compleatly different thing and I apologize.
I do like to act like a total dick when I think I am right. I do not see anything wrong with that, except for the cases when I am wrong, like now.
Aex @ Nov 11th 2006 3:15PM
@ Killbloggers
"I do like to act like a total dick when I think I am right. I do not see anything wrong with that, except for the cases when I am wrong, like now."
Rofl, I love that.
@Rask
/comfort, Its ok buddy, It is new, and scary. We understand your need to bash things you know nothing about. Nevermind the fact that the linus is open-source and freely distributed, its alright we understand. Nevermind the fact that the people who want to use divx, and other codecs not supported, on their ps3 obviously have some knowledge of computers and are probably quite capable of installing and running it. It is ok, we understand.
Hmm, I wonder if I was patronizing enough?
razer @ Nov 11th 2006 6:44PM
Optimus Prime: You are a total dildo.
I see you post your garbage on this blog often. Why don't you do us all a favor and jump off a bridge.
I've spend days encoding my LEGIT DVD's to DiVX and never even been on a bittorrent so your theory is completely BUNK!
apoc06 @ Nov 11th 2006 8:02PM
All this talk of divx/xvid support et al, people are overlooking the fact that it is quite possible for someone to code up a divx program of their own, or most likely wait for a firmware upgrade down the line.
Since they are looking to really push the location-free/ remote feature of the PS3, that means that they would probably have to add a firmware update for the PSP to play any additional formats as well. The PS3 isnt even fully launched yet, it's going to be interesting to see what firmware 2.0 brings.
If divx/ xvid support will get people to prefer the PS3 to the xbox360, one would think it would be in Sony's best interest to give the people what they want, right?
A shame executives don't always see things that clearly.
Matt @ Nov 12th 2006 11:06AM
Linux on PS3 is going to be so crippled...hope you don't expect a lot of binary packages or anything....
richardl @ Nov 12th 2006 2:31PM
I'm surprised. From looking at the User Guide it doesn't seem like there's any provision for any streaming or accessing video or audio files from a LAN connected computer or NAS to the PS3. It seems like everything the PS3 plays needs to be on the PS3 hard drive or a connected piece of media (eg Memory Stick).
I wonder if it can play music off an iPod. I hope so. If not they haven't done their homework.
freediverx @ Nov 12th 2006 8:45PM
"If divx/ xvid support will get people to prefer the PS3 to the xbox360, one would think it would be in Sony's best interest to give the people what they want, right? "
Sure! Don't you remember when Sony was trying to push their MiniDisc players and then their original pre-iPod digital music players? Everyone demanded MP3 support and they supported it right away... NOT!!!!
Let's not forget that Sony is a) extremely arrogant and b) muzzled by their music & movie divisions. It would not surprise me one bit to see them deny users DivX, XVid, and other codec support, because some elements within the company will insist that these formats promote piracy and make users less likely to pay for content.