What Is Streaming on a PS3?

Internet Streaming

• Netflix and Hulu apps are available from the PlayStation Network.You can download and install the apps onto the PlayStation 3 to access the streaming video services. The applications are free to download and install on the console but require a Netflix or Hulu Plus subscription to access content. Once installed, these applications are available from the Video menu on the PlayStation 3. The PlayStation 3 also supports You Tube and Crackle natively through its Web browser.

Local Streaming

• If you want to stream content to your PlayStation 3 from your computers, you can use applications including Windows Media Player (versions 11 or 12), Tversity and PS3 Media Server. These applications can take videos from your media library and transcode them, streaming them over the local network to the console. You can then select the video stream from the PlayStation 3 Video menu.

Internet Considerations

• Network speed is one of the most important factors for quality of streaming video. When streaming content from the Internet, confirm that your broadband speed meets or exceeds the levels recommended by your streaming content provider. For example, Netflix recommends speeds of at least 500 kilobits per second for standard-quality video and 4 megabits per second for high-quality video.

Local Network Considerations

• Setup varies among streaming applications and not all applications can transcode all types of media. Consult your application's documentation to confirm that it supports the video file type you want to stream. For optimum performance, set up your streaming local media center and your PlayStation 3 on the same network device. This eliminates the number of devices that the data has to travel through to reach your PlayStation 3, resulting in a smoother streaming experience. Whenever possible, use a wired rather than a wireless network connection as wired network connections are less susceptible to interference. If you must use a wireless network connection, make sure you are using the highest speed (802.11 g or above) available to your PlayStation 3 and wireless network device.