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How to Watch DVDs on a PlayStation

The PlayStation 3 was the first console system to include a built-in Blu-ray player. However, Sony didn't forget the little guy. PS3s can play DVDs, too, including DVD-Rs of movie files from your computer. If you don't have a rewritable DVD drive, you can also set up a Media Sharing Connection with your PlayStation 3 to play the movie files off of a server. Whichever route you choose, playing DVDs on your PS3 is a snap.

Instructions

Watching Retail DVDs
- 1
  Ensure your PlayStation is correctly hooked up. If you can play games on your PlayStation, then you should be able to watch DVDs.
- 2
  Insert your DVD into the slot. If you had already signed in as a user on the PS3, the DVD should start immediately. If you have not signed in as a user, sign in, navigate to the "Video" section of the XMB and press down on the left analog stick until you see your DVD. Press "X" to begin playing the movie.
- 3
  If you wish to watch a recorded DVD on your PlaySation 3, ensure the DVD is encoded in the proper format. The PS3 accepts the following movie formats, including MPEG-1, MPEG-2(PS, TS), MPEG-4 (AVC), MPEG-4 (SP), AVI, WMV and DivX. Numerous programs, such as Nero Recode or MP4 Converter, can convert the file.
Media Server Connection
- 4
  Ensure your PlayStation 3 is connected to your home network. This can be done either wirelessly or with a wired connection to your router.
- 5
  Install Windows Media 11 on your home PC if you have not already. Open the program, click on "Library" and then "Media Sharing." Select "Share Media."
- 6
  Click on the computer or other storage device that contains your DVDs.
- 7
  In the PS3 XMB, navigate to "Videos," then scroll down until you see the device that stores your DVDs. Browse through the folders to find the DVD you wish to watch, then hit "X" to start playing.

PlayStation 2