What Are the Codecs That the PS3 Can Read?

Video Files

• The PS3's video player software supports video files of both high and low quality. High-resolution (HD) videos in H.264 MP4 and AVCHD formats can be played back, as can more common video formats such as AVI, DivX and MPEG. WMV formatted media files can also be played back on the PS3, but the "WMA Playback" option on the "System Settings" screen must first be be toggled on. Copyright-protected WMV files cannot be played back on a PS3.

Audio Files

• The PS3's music player software can play back some audio formats. MP3, MP4 and WAVE files are all supported. WMA files can be played back as well, but the "WMA Playback" option must be first enabled on the "System Settings" screen. WMA files with DCMA copyright protection will not play back on the PS3.

Memory Stick Format Files

• The PS3 supports files recorded by memory stick video or audio format devices, such as cell phones, digital camcorders or voice recorders. MPEG-2, MPEG-4 and high-resolution H.264 files are all supported by the PS3 video player, and ATRAC audio files are supported by the PS3 audio player.

Disc Media

• The PS3's optical drive can read audio CDs, DVDs and Blu-ray discs. The region code for DVDs must match the PS3's location to be played back. Blu-ray features such as Internet-based extras and subtitle options are supported by the media player.

PS3 Web Browser

• An Internet-connected PS3 can play back Flash-based Web media using the Internet browser. In 2009, YouTube added a TV screen-optimized interface for the browser called "YouTube for Television," which simplifies the controls and displays enlarged text for easier reading on a large television.