PS3 101: New user's guide to the PS3 (ask questions here -- TMK is on duty)

[quote name='Reck_Havoc']Hey, one other big question if you guy's don't mind. I'll be getting an HDMI cable for the PS3, but I do not have a HDMI enable receiver.. it only does optical/coax. So I'd like to know if I'd be able to use the HDMI cable for video, and the optical cable for audio if this is possible.[/quote]

Yes, you can do that. I'm using compoment w/ optical for my audio. There are settings in the PS3 that let you change your audio output.
 
[quote name='Reck_Havoc']Hey, one other big question if you guy's don't mind. I'll be getting an HDMI cable for the PS3, but I do not have a HDMI enable receiver.. it only does optical/coax. So I'd like to know if I'd be able to use the HDMI cable for video, and the optical cable for audio if this is possible.[/QUOTE]Yes you can. The PS3 console itself has the HDMI output and the optical output separate. It's not like the 360 where you have to buy a MS brand HDMI cable to have an optical out.
[quote name='nyman']I'm picking up a new PS3 either tomorrow or Monday, not waiting for a price drop, if it was going to happen it would be in the ads, and I'm either getting either the 60 gb or the 80 gb, I'm not sure, BC is a big issue since I want to catch up on a lot of the RPGs I missed last gen. So I'm asking is the 80 gb BC up to snuff or am I going to be facing a lot of games that have problems? Motorstorm doesn't interest but I could throw it on Goozex for something I want.[/QUOTE]Although I do not own an 80GB, I can put it this way from many people I know that own one. The BC in the 80GB is still pretty good, where some games here and there (on PS2) have some little graphical glitches (kind of like the Xbox BC on the 360) but the majority work. There are very few games which just don't work at all (although many new releases won't intially work until the console gets updated. If you are looking at playing RPGs released at least 6 months ago or before, you should be fine with an 80GB). The 60GB is guaranteed to play pretty much every game, but its PS2 BC isn't 100% perfect (some games have graphical or sound issues).

Personally, I'd just get whatever console I can find new. If I could not find a new 60GB, I'd just get an 80GB. Buying used, you risk not having a warranty (or it being almost up, and when Sony repairs consoles in warranty, they require a receipt) and the number of older PS3 consoles dying has increased a little at major PS3 forums (still a low number no higher than 3%).

Not really convienent, but you can check this link to see if a game you may be interested in works:
http://www.us.playstation.com/Support/CompatibleStatus
 
got a question for you guys. Recently I bought a used blue tooth headset from eb but just now got around to try it out. Problem is I've never even tried syncing up anything blue tooth before so I held down the power on the head set untill it blinked on and then had my ps3 scan for it but after like 10 min it was still scanning. I did this like 5 times with no success am I doing something wrong?

thanks,
bill123
 
[quote name='bill123']got a question for you guys. Recently I bought a used blue tooth headset from eb but just now got around to try it out. Problem is I've never even tried syncing up anything blue tooth before so I held down the power on the head set untill it blinked on and then had my ps3 scan for it but after like 10 min it was still scanning. I did this like 5 times with no success am I doing something wrong?

thanks,
bill123[/QUOTE]Do you live in an apartment building, because sometimes BT headsets have an issue with them, like the Jabra BT125 (I can't get it to work at my apartment, but home). Also, did you get the manual to it, because sometimes it requires instructions to be followed?
 
[quote name='bill123']got a question for you guys. Recently I bought a used blue tooth headset from eb but just now got around to try it out. Problem is I've never even tried syncing up anything blue tooth before so I held down the power on the head set untill it blinked on and then had my ps3 scan for it but after like 10 min it was still scanning. I did this like 5 times with no success am I doing something wrong?[/quote]

It varies depending on the model, but you might need to put your headset into a synching/discoverable mode before the PS3 will find it. If EB didn't give you a manual, look up your model number online to see if that's the case.
 
Just got a PS3 and I'm enjoying it so far. But I have a few questions.

Is there any private chat available? Me and a friend would private chat on the 360, while playing online together.

Also, for me, 1080i games are displaying at 720p. (my TV can do 480p, 720p and 1080i) Blu-Ray movies play at 1080i though. But for example, when I load Call of Duty 4, at the first title screen it is 1080i, and then switches to 720. Any reason why?
 
[quote name='Stingermck']Just got a PS3 and I'm enjoying it so far. But I have a few questions.

Is there any private chat available? Me and a friend would private chat on the 360, while playing online together.[/quote]Nope. It's a feature that will probably never be added via firmware, or if it comes, a long ways away. That's one reason you are not paying for PSN.

Also, for me, 1080i games are displaying at 720p. (my TV can do 480p, 720p and 1080i) Blu-Ray movies play at 1080i though. But for example, when I load Call of Duty 4, at the first title screen it is 1080i, and then switches to 720. Any reason why?
Click to expand...
It's because the XMB will display at the highest resolution you checked. The actual games themselves will display in the highest resolution your TV supports and that the game supports. Most PS3 games are 720p, so you see a 720p display (The PS3 has no hardware scaler to keep the resolution constant, but in reality like Wolfpup said, the hardware scaler takes any scaling (which could be anything) and stretch it to your desired resolution on the 360). Basically though, CoD4 is a 720p game, so it displays in 720p. If a game was made to go up to 1080p, it might display in 1080i (although some do 720p instead, like NG Sigma, unless 1080p). Retail games just can't do 1080 efficiently without major sacrifices.

As for Blu-ray, it's just like the XMB where the resolution will not change (it will support what you set it to).
 
I'm undecided if I want to get a 40GB w/ Spiderman 3 or a 60GB w/ Motorstorm ( Both At Sam's Club ). I would like to sell my PS2 and play PS2 games on the PS3 with upconverting but I'm trying to figure if it's going to be worth the 150.00 price difference :(
 
[quote name='pimpinc333']I'm undecided if I want to get a 40GB w/ Spiderman 3 or a 60GB w/ Motorstorm ( Both At Sam's Club ). I would like to sell my PS2 and play PS2 games on the PS3 with upconverting but I'm trying to figure if it's going to be worth the 150.00 price difference :([/QUOTE]IMO, yes and no. If you compare a PS2 game on an SDTV to a PS2 game on an HDTV on PS3 upscaled, I'd roughly say, 20% of the time it looks slightly better. 50% of the time there's barely any difference. And 30% of the time, it looks worse (because of being too blurry). IMO, most PS2 games looked best when played on an SDTV, which they were made for. But at the same time, it kind of sucks having two TVs and two consoles around.

Here's my thoughts to using the PS3 to play PS2 games:
+Uses HDD to store all data saves, so no memory card.
+Some games load faster it seems.
-No rumble in PS/PS2 games unless you have a DS3 (although I cannot confirm this
-Some PS2 accessories will not work on PS3, like Guitar, Taiko Drum, and finding a PS2 to USB adapter now (a good one) can be tough).
-A firmware can at times make a game stop working (like 1.81 stopped Wild Arms 4 on PS2 from working on a 20GB/60GB, but firmware 1.82 fixed it. This does NOT happen very often).
+/-SIXAXIS triggers for PS2 games. Some games they are fine for, some they are not.
+/- PS/PS2 upscaling (Good for same games, atrocious for some. Requires tweaking settings at times).
 
[quote name='The Mana Knight']Nope. It's a feature that will probably never be added via firmware, or if it comes, a long ways away. That's one reason you are not paying for PSN.

It's because the XMB will display at the highest resolution you checked. The actual games themselves will display in the highest resolution your TV supports and that the game supports. Most PS3 games are 720p, so you see a 720p display (The PS3 has no hardware scaler to keep the resolution constant, but in reality like Wolfpup said, the hardware scaler takes any scaling (which could be anything) and stretch it to your desired resolution on the 360). Basically though, CoD4 is a 720p game, so it displays in 720p. If a game was made to go up to 1080p, it might display in 1080i (although some do 720p instead, like NG Sigma, unless 1080p). Retail games just can't do 1080 efficiently without major sacrifices.

As for Blu-ray, it's just like the XMB where the resolution will not change (it will support what you set it to).[/QUOTE]

Thanks for the info. But for example the back of COD4 says supports 720p, 1080i, 1080p. Why wouldnt it show that in the game when its playing? Sorry, im just confused. X-box made it easy ;)
 
What do you think of the Sixaxis controller compared to the DualShock 2 PS2 controller? Just the other day I actually picked up a Sixaxis for the first time and the Triggers ( R2 L2 ) seem a bit weird.
 
[quote name='Stingermck']Thanks for the info. But for example the back of COD4 says supports 720p, 1080i, 1080p. Why wouldnt it show that in the game when its playing? Sorry, im just confused. X-box made it easy ;)[/QUOTE]I believe it's a miss-print, because NBA 2k8 says the same thing, and it goes up to 720p (my TV will display 1080p if it goes that high). It might have been a misprint because that's what the 360 version will say (although they are technically 720p) and it could be the publisher just doing a copy/paste, I dunno. But most games will say on the back, what they really support. Although, some games like Uncharted will just say 720p, but if your TV cannot do it, it will render in 1080i. I don't pay attention to what the back says though. :p
[quote name='pimpinc333']What do you think of the Sixaxis controller compared to the DualShock 2 PS2 controller? Just the other day I actually picked up a Sixaxis for the first time and the Triggers ( R2 L2 ) seem a bit weird.[/QUOTE]At first it may feel weird, but it's not bad. I think I heard the DS3 ones were a little better. they are quite sensitive, where by barely pushing them, they'll be detected (or whatever the best word to call it is).

Btw, I didn't notice until now, you are from a city I use to visit a lot (due to relatives living there), but haven't been there in several years.
 
[quote name='The Mana Knight']
-No rumble in PS/PS2 games unless you have a DS3 (although I cannot confirm this
[/quote]

A good PS2 to USB adapter will enable you to use a DualShock 2 which does rumble during PS2 games.
 
[quote name='Oxygen']A good PS2 to USB adapter will enable you to use a DualShock 2 which does rumble during PS2 games.[/QUOTE]That is true. The Pelican adapter works great, but no rumble. Radio Shack one has rumble, but some input lag. But there are probably some good adapters that allow for rumble and minimal input lag.
 
So are ps3 games region locked?

Im seriously tempted to import disgaea 3 - limited edition from play asia. No joke.

Also.. I wanted to get the White PS3 from Japan.. are games region locked if I use that or what?

It may have been answered before.. just curious though. Im tempted to sell my 60gb to get this white ps3 w/ devil may cry though
 
[quote name='Ice2Dragon']So are ps3 games region locked?

Im seriously tempted to import disgaea 3 - limited edition from play asia. No joke.

Also.. I wanted to get the White PS3 from Japan.. are games region locked if I use that or what?

It may have been answered before.. just curious though. Im tempted to sell my 60gb to get this white ps3 w/ devil may cry though[/QUOTE]ALL PS3 games are region free. When a developer signs on to develop PS3 games, they must be region free.

U.S. PS3 games will still work on it (or they should). U.S. Blu-ray movies should because Japan and U.S. are region A. U.S. PS1 discs on the other hand are region locked and cannot be played on a Japanese 40GB.

Also, I'd wait for a white 40GB to come stateside, because according to the FCC pictures, we will be getting one.
 
[quote name='The Mana Knight']ALL PS3 games are region free. When a developer signs on to develop PS3 games, they must be region free.

U.S. PS3 games will still work on it (or they should). U.S. Blu-ray movies should because Japan and U.S. are region A. U.S. PS1 discs on the other hand are region locked and cannot be played on a Japanese 40GB.

Also, I'd wait for a white 40GB to come stateside, because according to the FCC pictures, we will be getting one.[/quote]

Yeah.. but the box with devil may cry 4 is soooo damn cool.

Im ordering that disgaea 3 limited edition.. god it looks so damn fun :)

Thanks mana.
 
Just want to thank you guys and mana for the help. I researched my BT headset and after looking at the manual I found out that I wasn't puttung it in discovery mode the whole time. Now it works. Be ready now because I will try playing you guys in warhawk soon enough.

bill123
 
Can I play internet audio streams on my PS3? I wanted to play NPR's MP3 stream (yeah, I'm a nerd like that), so I went to their site (wunc.org) and clicked on the "MP3" under "listen now". I kept getting a message to insert media at the storage location. WTF? I looked to see where the "storage location" is but I couldn't find it. Any ideas?
 
I'm trying to play VP2 in widescreen, but the PS3 upscaling is cutting off both sides of the picture. I thought this was broken in 2.00 but fixed in 2.10? Am I just screwed waiting for a patch?
 
[quote name='pete5883']I'm trying to play VP2 in widescreen, but the PS3 upscaling is cutting off both sides of the picture. I thought this was broken in 2.00 but fixed in 2.10? Am I just screwed waiting for a patch?[/QUOTE]Well, actually, I may not be explaining this right, but update 2.00 had an error when it displayed PS1/PS2 games via the entire screen. 2.10 fixed the display back to having minor black boarders around the top and bottom, to keep the aspect ratio intact (so the picture looks better, instead of trying to resize the image at a slightly different ratio).

Question, is the black orders around the edges what you are talking about, or something else? I can say every once in a while, my PS3 will display an image to a PS2 game off center, but a reset fixes it.
[quote name='torifile']Can I play internet audio streams on my PS3? I wanted to play NPR's MP3 stream (yeah, I'm a nerd like that), so I went to their site (wunc.org) and clicked on the "MP3" under "listen now". I kept getting a message to insert media at the storage location. WTF? I looked to see where the "storage location" is but I couldn't find it. Any ideas?[/QUOTE]
Honestly not sure, but I doubt it works.
 
[quote name='The Mana Knight']Well, actually, I may not be explaining this right, but update 2.00 had an error when it displayed PS1/PS2 games via the entire screen. 2.10 fixed the display back to having minor black boarders around the top and bottom, to keep the aspect ratio intact (so the picture looks better, instead of trying to resize the image at a slightly different ratio).

Question, is the black orders around the edges what you are talking about, or something else? I can say every once in a while, my PS3 will display an image to a PS2 game off center, but a reset fixes it.[/QUOTE]
I haven't noticed anything missing from the top and bottom, but the left and right are obviously cut off. I remember people complaining about something like this when they were playing FFXII right after 2.00 came out, I assume it's the same problem.

Edit: Here we go.
 
[quote name='pete5883']I haven't noticed anything missing from the top and bottom, but the left and right are obviously cut off. I remember people complaining about something like this when they were playing FFXII right after 2.00 came out, I assume it's the same problem.[/QUOTE]I'll try to remember to bring my copy of FFXII and VP2 back to my apartment, and I'll see how it displays. Well, I'll just say before 2.00, there were black boarders all around, but after update 2.00 (and before 2.10), the image filled the screen but the ratio was messed up. 2.1 set it back to what it was originally at.

Well, I do know for sure around update 1.8 (last time I played them), they were fine. I dunno if it could be the way the picture display is like on your (and others) HDTV (because with mine, it has tons of picture options, but I set it to native). I'll investigate this myself too.

Are other games doing the same thing or just the games you mentioned??
 
When I try to play special features on some of my Blu Rays, my picture and sound goes off and I can't turn off my PS3. I have a 60 GB PS3 and this seems to happen with all my Warner movies. What do I do?
 
[quote name='The Mana Knight']I'll try to remember to bring my copy of FFXII and VP2 back to my apartment, and I'll see how it displays. Well, I'll just say before 2.00, there were black boarders all around, but after update 2.00 (and before 2.10), the image filled the screen but the ratio was messed up. 2.1 set it back to what it was originally at.

Well, I do know for sure around update 1.8 (last time I played them), they were fine. I dunno if it could be the way the picture display is like on your (and others) HDTV (because with mine, it has tons of picture options, but I set it to native). I'll investigate this myself too.

Are other games doing the same thing or just the games you mentioned??[/QUOTE]

I didn't bother to try any other widescreen games, but I'll tell you the solution:

(I'm using HDMI, things may be different if you're using a different connection.) Go to Display Settings in the XMB, and uncheck everything but 480p. Simple as that. Of course, you're going to want to change it back before you play any actual PS3 game. But this worked for me. Was irrelevant, though, because VP2 is too messed up for my liking on the PS3, so I'm playing on the PS2 anyway.
 
I'm curious to know how most people charge their controllers, especially if you have more than one. My PS3 is up in my entertainment center, so playing while charging via the cable is a no go. Sometimes I'll charge off my laptop if it's in front of me, but that is not always an option.

I've seen many different hubs and stands that will charge multiple controllers at once. I saw this one and it caught my interest: http://videogames.barnesandnoble.com/search/product.asp?z=y&ean=708056075934&itm=5 Anyone have experience with this solution?

Please share what method you use, be it traditional or not-so. Maybe someone might have a better idea than what you have been using.
 
I charge it on my computer when it goes low, as I don't like to leave the PS3 on just to charge it.

My wife has a Moto razor, and the charger for it has a mini-usb connector, which I have also used.

~S
 
I have my USB cable connected to the back of my TiVo. That port is always powered and I just hook up my controllers when they need it. I find that they start randomly disconnecting after about 8-10 hours of use if not plugged in, so I like to keep them topped off.
 
[quote name='snowsquirrel']I charge it on my computer when it goes low, as I don't like to leave the PS3 on just to charge it.

My wife has a Moto razor, and the charger for it has a mini-usb connector, which I have also used.

~S[/quote]


thanks for the heads up, i have some laying around!
 
I use my computer, too. I have a memory card reader that connects to the PC with a mini USB cable, so I unplug it and plug in the Sixaxis.

If I had to charge two at once, I'd just plug in the Sony cable. So far, I haven't had to.
 
I just plug them into my PC. I have three USB cables and two controllers, so I'm good. I'll probably buy two DS3 controllers, so I may have to buy an extra cable.
 
I'm having trouble with my PS3 not recognizing one of my PC's as a Media connection .
It seems to find my notebook ok , [maybe because it's wireless?] .

Has anyone else had any type of problem like this ?
 
[quote name='The Mana Knight']If anyone wants to know how to make their PS3 work well with their router...[/quote]

That rocks. Wonder if this will resolve my VOIP issues with UT3?

Thanks, TMK.
 
I was gonna download the GranTurismoHD demo, 40 minutes passed and it was only at 10% done. Is this normal? Also, when I download songs for RockBand is it going to take as long?
 
[quote name='D_Icon']I was gonna download the GranTurismoHD demo, 40 minutes passed and it was only at 10% done. Is this normal? Also, when I download songs for RockBand is it going to take as long?[/QUOTE]
I don't know how long it's supposed to take, but I get about 1MB every 8 seconds. Which is ~100kb/sec?
 
I bought that stand to put on my entertainment unit, and honestly I think it's pretty nice. The clear parts that go around the controller, light up red or green depending on if it's charging, or charged up fully. And it doesnt have any gawdy markings on it. It's black and has a little plastic chrome fascia on the front.

It works for me because I like having the controllers right there and not hidden in a drawer or dangling from a cable.

Anyways, if 30$ is ok with you, you wont be disapointed.
 
[quote name='D_Icon']I was gonna download the GranTurismoHD demo, 40 minutes passed and it was only at 10% done. Is this normal? Also, when I download songs for RockBand is it going to take as long?[/QUOTE]Sometimes you just get on a bad server and experience slow downloads. Your download speed can depend upon how long it takes. What I can say though is that PSN was slow within the first six months, then it speeded up quite a bit, and now it's a little slow again (It hasn't been down for a while and many more PS3 consoles have been sold since the downtime, so I figure more servers need to be in place or something).

[quote name='Richlough']I'm having trouble with my PS3 not recognizing one of my PC's as a Media connection .
It seems to find my notebook ok , [maybe because it's wireless?] .

Has anyone else had any type of problem like this ?[/QUOTE]I'm not the media streaming expert, but the wireless is probably the problem.
 
[quote name='The Mana Knight']I'm not the media streaming expert, but the wireless is probably the problem.[/QUOTE]

I forgot I downgraded WMP to 9 so I could try to play the WMV version of Terminator 2 .

You must have WMP 11 installed .
 
Did a search for this and the threads I found are over six months old so I thought I'd see what people thought. Any cure all converter out there that supports the guitar hero games and rumble compatibility? Any help is appreciated :)
 
[quote name='simplygriff']This one's not...
http://www.cheapassgamer.com/forums/showthread.php?t=165583

The Pelican is regarded as the best on the market but is discontinued and pretty much unavailable anywhere. Good Luck in your search!
-G[/quote]
Yep I found out the same thing, it's not available so that's why I started a new thread. Are there any other alternatives that people have used good or bad?
 
Got a PS3 recently and was disappointed to learn all about HDCP bullshit that would prevent me from using a simple HDMI->VGA adapter.

See, I don't have an HDTV. I play my XBox 360 on my monitor (SXGA, 1280x1024). However, my monitor does not have any HDMI ports, so that means I get to play my PS3 on my standard definition TV (doesn't even have component, just S-Video).

I'm looking to buy a new monitor that has HDMI + HDCP and is affordable ($350 after tax and/or shipping is about my limit). Ideally it'd be able to display 1080i in some respectable resolution. WSXGA+, or 1680x1050, seems to be the most common resolution in my price range. I could potentially go all the way up to true 1080i (1920x1080), but then I'd have to run my computer desktop/applications in 1920x1080, which may necessitate a new video card (another $300 on top, but an upgrade I'd been considering anyway).

So I've got two questions. How ugly will 1080i look in 1680x1050 instead of the native 1920x1080? And, of course, does anyone have any recommended monitors/TVs?
 
You don't need to worry about HDCP for games, that only applies to movies.

Unfortunately the Playstation 3 doesn't have VGA output like the 360 does, which I guess would be an issue for movies on a computer monitor (which is a bigger issue than on the 360 since you might actually want to use the PS3 to play movies).
 
When I first got my 60GB PS3 (refurb) I wanted to just test it out so I popped a PS2 game in and the PS3 shut off. Right as the PS3 goes to load the game it beeps 3 times and goes into standby mode with the power indicator flashing red. I thought to myself that the PS3 wasn't setup to be able to play PS2 games yet. I was told to go to the PS store and download the necessary data to be able to play PS2 games...

I've reset all the defaults and finally after hours of configuring settings I gave up. I called Sony and was told "You aren't ever supposted to get a flashing red light" "there is something wrong with your fan and something is wrong with the cooling of the PS3". Someone mentioned to me that it might be faulty heat sinks. This only happens with PS2 games and I can turn the PS3 right back on and play PS3 games and blu-rays. I was told by the Sony rep that this is only the start of my problems and that it is only PS2 games right now but it will get worse.

I'm not sure what to do so any suggestions would be a great help or this thing is going back to where I bought it.
 
i would say return it......
there is no point spending all your hard earned money on something to have to 'make it work'.
f that, get a replacement.

OR you could try uninstalling the ps2 game thing and re downloading it....maybe some faulty code in there or something. but i would say just return it.
 
[quote name='Lucky13']When I first got my 60GB PS3 (refurb) I wanted to just test it out so I popped a PS2 game in and the PS3 shut off. Right as the PS3 goes to load the game it beeps 3 times and goes into standby mode with the power indicator flashing red. I thought to myself that the PS3 wasn't setup to be able to play PS2 games yet. I was told to go to the PS store and download the necessary data to be able to play PS2 games...

I've reset all the defaults and finally after hours of configuring settings I gave up. I called Sony and was told "You aren't ever supposted to get a flashing red light" "there is something wrong with your fan and something is wrong with the cooling of the PS3". Someone mentioned to me that it might be faulty heat sinks. This only happens with PS2 games and I can turn the PS3 right back on and play PS3 games and blu-rays. I was told by the Sony rep that this is only the start of my problems and that it is only PS2 games right now but it will get worse.

I'm not sure what to do so any suggestions would be a great help or this thing is going back to where I bought it.[/QUOTE]Actually, that PS2 system stuff at the PS Store is ONLY needed for PS2 games that support the HDD. If you don't have a game that does, then ignore it.
 
[quote name='Wolfpup']You don't need to worry about HDCP for games, that only applies to movies.[/quote]
That's nice. I want my system to do everything though.

Unfortunately the Playstation 3 doesn't have VGA output like the 360 does, which I guess would be an issue for movies on a computer monitor (which is a bigger issue than on the 360 since you might actually want to use the PS3 to play movies).
Click to expand...
There are computer monitors with HDMI ports. That's what I'm looking to buy.
 
My friend told me that the first time I put a PS2 game in the PS3 it should have told me that I needed to create a partition on my drive instead of turning my PS3 off like it did. I'm thinking I should just format the whole hd. From there I select the "Allot 10gb to the other OS" correct? And this is where the PS2 data will be stored? I downloaded the PS2 format software from the PS store but that didn't help so maybe the formatting is the hd is what is affecting my PS2 games? Thanks for the advice so far.
 
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