Can my ps3 play AVI files?

[bzzztobee]

i bought my ps3 about a year ago and havent done anything with it except for playing games and watching blu ray movies. Recently i bought a portable external hard drive thinking that i could upload some movies into it and link it to my ps3 so i can play them on tv. But the problem is most of my files are in AVI format, i heard that the ps3 can now play certain AVI videos if the files come with a xvid codec. Is this true and do i need to do any software update on my ps3 b4 i'm able to play the videos ? (i havent done any software updates whatsoever ever since i bought the ps3)

[ricky tee78]

my ps3 has about 250gb of avi files on it. theres only one kind of avi I have had trouble with, one sec i'll look to see what codec

[ricky tee78]

all the avi files on my ps3 are the following codecs: MPEG-4, AVC, and DivX

[Grim Reaper]

you can also convert h264 files to vob.

[raven1138]

you will need the software update. the original will not play divx or avi. only mp4.

[Petra_Kalbrain]

Only AVI files encoded with Divx, Xvid, MPEG, and VC-1 will play. There are MANY AVI files circulating that use different codecs which the PS3 does not have support for.

[katharsis]

So far I have only had trouble with sound. The video was playing just fine, but some of the .avi seem to have different audio compression which are not all supported by the PS3.

[Kyo28]

Originally Posted by bzzztobee

Can my ps3 play AVI files?

Short answer : yes

Long answer : Avi is just a container. What matters is the codec(s) used in each AVI. The PS3 can support most audio/video codecs, so most of the AVI files should play. In some cases you don't have video (H.264) or you have video but no audio (certain OGG and MP3 audio codecs)

So far, it has happened to me once that a trailer I downloaded from the internet played only video but no audio on my PS3.

However, when you run into a file that can't be played correctly on your PS3, you can convert the file on your PC to a codec that is compatible with the PS3 and then play that converted file.

[prerich]

Originally Posted by Kyo28

Short answer : yes

Long answer : Avi is just a container. What matters is the codec(s) used in each AVI. The PS3 can support most audio/video codecs, so most of the AVI files should play. In some cases you don't have video (H.264) or you have video but no audio (certain OGG and MP3 audio codecs)

So far, it has happened to me once that a trailer I downloaded from the internet played only video but no audio on my PS3.

However, when you run into a file that can't be played correctly on your PS3, you can convert the file on your PC to a codec that is compatible with the PS3 and then play that converted file.

Why not just play it on a PC since it can already do it? (I'm trying to be sarcastic - you know, because of all of the "just get a PS3" comments )! Us HTPC people are not allowed in the player section but the PS3 is allowed in the PC section...hmmmmm? Anyway I just had to take that shot - just trying to add some comical relief thats all. Don't put your flame suits on

[Kyo28]

Originally Posted by prerich

Why not just play it on a PC since it can already do it? (I'm trying to be sarcastic - you know, because of all of the "just get a PS3" comments )! Us HTPC people are not allowed in the player section but the PS3 is allowed in the PC section...hmmmmm? Anyway I just had to take that shot - just trying to add some comical relief thats all. Don't put your flame suits on

No, I think you make a valid point.

However, in my case (and I assume a lot of forum members are in the same boat), my PC isn't a comfortable viewing experience: it's not connected to my HDTV and sits in a small computer room.

With that in mind, I prefer my PS3 plays the files on my HDTV, where I can sit comfortably in the sofa to watch it and the PS3 makes less noise than my PC.

But again, that's on a person-by-person basis and each has their preferences.

[ps3andlovinit]

Originally Posted by Kyo28

No, I think you make a valid point.

However, in my case (and I assume a lot of forum members are in the same boat), my PC isn't a comfortable viewing experience: it's not connected to my HDTV and sits in a small computer room.

With that in mind, I prefer my PS3 plays the files on my HDTV, where I can sit comfortably in the sofa to watch it and the PS3 makes less noise than my PC.

I'm on that cruise boat. That's exactly why our family photographs and home movies, music etc are now on our PS3 instead of a PC .. big screen plus sound system plus simplified playback interface.

[prerich]

Originally Posted by Kyo28

No, I think you make a valid point.

However, in my case (and I assume a lot of forum members are in the same boat), my PC isn't a comfortable viewing experience: it's not connected to my HDTV and sits in a small computer room.

With that in mind, I prefer my PS3 plays the files on my HDTV, where I can sit comfortably in the sofa to watch it and the PS3 makes less noise than my PC.

But again, that's on a person-by-person basis and each has their preferences.

That's a good and qualified statement - 10-4 good buddy!

[prerich]

Originally Posted by ps3andlovinit

I'm on that cruise boat. That's exactly why our family photographs and home movies, music etc are now on our PS3 instead of a PC .. big screen plus sound system plus simplified playback interface.

Big screen (42 inch and 106 inch check) Sound system (its in home theater pics - check) simplified playback interface - check - pop it in, hit enter enjoy the movie - check All of this - and more...with a HTPC.

PS3 learning the shots.....PC/Mac calling and creating the shots.

[dadkins]

Originally Posted by prerich

Big screen (42 inch and 106 inch check) Sound system (its in home theater pics - check) simplified playback interface - check - pop it in, hit enter enjoy the movie - check All of this - and more...with a HTPC.

PS3 learning the shots.....PC/Mac calling and creating the shots.

Close, for me...
No wall eating screen, and no multi-speaker sound system... BUT -
Simplified playback interface(three of them, Check)
Drop in BD(Check)
Arrow keys and Enter(Check)
HD screen(1920x1200 - Check)
Playback while sitting *ANYWHERE* comfortable(Check)
Watch *ANY* file format(Check)
Connectable to any known Home Theater(Check)

Typing this post on one of them(Check)
HTPC Laptop(Double Check)

Pulls on Nomex undershorts...

[kevfree]

Originally Posted by ps3andlovinit

I'm on that cruise boat. That's exactly why our family photographs and home movies, music etc are now on our PS3 instead of a PC .. big screen plus sound system plus simplified playback interface.

I have tried to put pictures on my PS3 that I have stored on a Kingston Flash drive, but when I look at connected drive on the PS3 no files show up. Has anyone else had this problem?

[prerich]

Originally Posted by kevfree

I have tried to put pictures on my PS3 that I have stored on a Kingston Flash drive, but when I look at connected drive on the PS3 no files show up. Has anyone else had this problem?

Not on my PC, have you inadvertantly reformated the flash drive before you placed the pictures on it? If you have formated it to NTFS -your ps3 will not read it. I think the PS3 will only do FAT partitions.

[kevfree]

Originally Posted by prerich

Not on my PC, have you inadvertantly reformated the flash drive before you placed the pictures on it? If you have formated it to NTFS -your ps3 will not read it. I think the PS3 will only do FAT partitions.

Thanks, I will check it out. How would I go about changing the partition?

[prerich]

Originally Posted by kevfree

Thanks, I will check it out. How would I go about changing the partition?

First save your pictures to a folder on your pc, then with the flash drive empty, right click on it, select format and choose FAT partition.