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How to Make the Most of Your PS3

The PlayStation 3 is as much a computer as it is a gaming console -- you can do a lot more with it than play games. With a video output of 1080p, two USB ports, wireless Internet support and a number of supported media types, a PlayStation 3 can function as a full home media machine. Before customizing your settings and accessories, make sure every user on your PS3 has his own account; this makes settings, trophy collections and saved files unique between each person on the console. To enjoy certain settings, such as Blu-ray 3-D output, you'll need to have a compatible television.

Instructions

- 1
  Connect your console to the Internet to create a PlayStation Network account, access the PlayStation Store, sync your trophies to the PSN, update your PS3 firmware automatically and browse the Web. The PS3 connects either wirelessly or via Ethernet cable; settings can be managed under "Settings," then "Network Settings."
- 2
  Transfer your home media files via USB or external drive, or by using a media server. You can run a media server from your computer using Windows Media Player or PS3 Media Server at Code.google.com/p/ps3mediaserver. Supported video file types include MP4, AVI, DivX, WMV, AVCHD, MPEG1 and MPEG 2. Audio files are ATRAC, MP3, MP4, WAV and WMA. You can view any photos in the JPG, GIF, PNG, TIFF and BMP. You can also play audio CDs in your PS3 drive.
- 3
  Watch any type of movies, be it via the optical drive, USB, or Internet-enabled application. Both Blu-ray and Blu-ray 3-D discs are supported on the PS3, in addition to regular DVDs. PlayStation 3 also has several streaming media applications, including Netflix, Hulu Plus and the movie rental service Vudu.
- 4
  Connect your PSP to your PlayStation 3 system under "Settings," then "Remote Play Settings." This allows you to access your PlayStation 3 at any time from your PSP, including turning the PS3 on or off remotely, and providing access to your games and files stored on your console.
- 5
  Connect your peripheral devices, such as keyboard, mouse or headset, to make using features like the Internet browser and navigation of media files easier. Your devices can be connected either using Bluetooth, under "Settings," then "Accessory settings," or using the USB ports. You can also connect a printer to your console under "Settings," then "Printer Settings."
- 6
  Browse the Internet under "Network," then "Internet Browser." The browser allows you to browse any website, bookmark pages, save media from your browser, search the Web and open multiple pages. You can control the cursor with your controller or a connected mouse.
- 7
  Chat with your PlayStation Network friends using the features under "Friends," then "Start New Chat." You can start a test or voice and video chat, name your chat room and invite multiple online friends from the PSN.
- 8
  Customize your account on the PS3 console under "Settings," then "Theme Settings." You can choose from the default themes of "Original" or "Classic," as well as install your own by downloading them from the Internet, saving them to a USB drive and going to "Settings," then "Theme Settings," then "Install."

PlayStation 3