• http://www.us.playstation.com/Support/PS3/Manuals
• read the safety and support one (it's just as important as the user manual)

• Update Procedure is here
• if you wish to download with the PC and install rather then network install - link here

to learn about and make suggestions for the Updates - post in the The One and Only "PS3™ Updates" Thread stickied at the top of the PS3 General Forum

now in a refreshing 2.0 flavor

This FAQ deals with the specs of the PS3, sales, formats that the PS3 plays - General overview of all technical information related to PS3

Video Display Not Working:

If the video output settings do not match those required for the TV in use, the screen may go blank when the resolution is changed. The screen should, however, automatically go back to its original resolution after a while. If the screen remains blank for more than 30 seconds, turn off the system. Then touch the power button on the system front for at least five seconds to turn the system on again. The video output settings will automatically be reset to the standard resolution.

Network Issues: (am soliciting more info for this section as I don't normally deal with the network end)

• use the Network forum

***All Images used are either public commons or promotional images use by sony for the PS3

• About
• This thread was created to educate you on the functionality of the PS3™'s background themes.
• Daily
  • The PLAYSTATION®3's background changes brightness according to the time of day.
    Example:
    • 12:00 AM = Black
    • 12:00 PM = Color Shown
• Monthly
  • The PLAYSTATION®3's background changes color according to the day of month.
    Example:
    • January 1st = Color Shown
    • January 15th = Blend of January and February

Below are examples of how the background themes function. Click on any image to view it's Flash® animation.

- Daily -

---

January


February


March


April


May


June


July


August


September


October


November


December


- Monthly -January - December

---

 

Home!

• Home is a virtual meeting place that allows you to show off your game skills and allows access to many online services
• When does Home Come out (SPRING NOW)

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• A project that uses a distributed computing model to work with the basic building blocks of life - the idea being that we can find out how they fail and then use that knowledge to cure many diseases
• It is a voluntary download
• It only runs when you are not doing something else
• It can have a auto timer turned on so that if you leave your system will switch to it after a length of time

• What is Yellow Dog Linux?
  An open source, Linux operating system for home, office, server, and cluster users. Built upon the Fedora Core,
• Concerning YDL and the PLAYSTATION®3
• • Does YDL run on all of the PS3 models?
  • Does Terra Soft sell PS3s pre-installed with YDL?
  • Does YDL come pre-installed on PS3s at retail stores?
  • Is PS3 support for Linux improved over that of the PS2?
    
    
  • Where do I purchase YDL for the PS3?
  • Can I download YDL for the PS3 for free?
  • How is YDL installed on PS3?
  • Does it overwrite the GameOS?
    
    
  • Is source code included with YDL for the PS3?
  • Can I develop code for IBM and Mercury Cell products?
  • Can I develop games for the PS3 GameOS from YDL?
  • What level of graphics support is available?

there are other versions of Linux that work with the PS3 but this is the one Sony official recommends

http://boardsus.playstation.com/playstation/board/message?board.i

d=ps3&message.id=2003340#M2003340

---

PS3 Region Free?

• All blu-ray based PS3 games will work on any PS3 (Euro, Asia, NA)
• Blu-ray movies are still region encoded (though Asia and NA are same region now)   http://bluray.liesinc.net/
  • Uk Movies will not play on a US PS3
  • Japan Movies will play on a US PS3
• Can I use my PS3 in another country (The power supply auto switchs - just get the right plug cable)
• PS 1 and PS 2 games from outside your region will not work (be aware this also applies to PS 1 games on the PStation Store)
• DVD Movies still have the old region encoding so will only play on PS3s from their respective regions
• some PS3 NTSC games will not play on PAL and Vice Versa - if you use HD-TV it always works.
• Will set to the right voltage, phase for your country - you may need a changed plug (get a PC power plug for your country.)
• Will usually make you play on game servers from the region the system was purchased in.

Blu-ray Region Codes

DVD Region Codes (same for PS1 and PS2 games)

DVD Region Map                                                      Blu-ray Region Map

 

 

PS3 Hardware - Can I use my Country X PS3 Country Y

• yes (short answer)
• It has an auto switching powersupply that allows it to work with the different frequencies and voltages around the world
  • you will need the proper power cable (but that is basically a PC plug from where ever you are in the world)
• things to watch out for - power spikes, surges, and brownouts (get a UPS with filter and you should be fine)
• things to remember - a Country X PS3 may not be able to play Country Y Blu-rays as they may be in different regions (same with DVDs etc) But all PS3 games will work no matter where you are (but the language localization may be an issue)

• they can be master accounts or sub accounts
• sub accounts can have more parental controls and be locked out of the wallet functions
• recommended that you create on account that isn't signed up with the PSN as this works best when using movies as it does not poll the servers then.
• user accounts share (most) installs but different saves
• They can be setup to access multiple different regions
• setting up foreign accounts does involve having addresses in foreign countries
• this allows you to view other Regional PSN Stores (they have different release schedules and product lines)
• to fund wallets in foreign regions you need a credit card from that region or a PSN card from that region (Japan)

http://www.japanesepsn.com/   for an example of setting up a Japanese account

similar procedure for UK HK etc. 

Compatibility Issues:

• Emotion Equipped PS3s have approximately 98% backwards compatibility
• Emotionless PS3s have approximately 87% Backwards compatibility (Most will run - but with some bug or other)
• US List for US models: http://www.us.playstation.com/Support/CompatibleStatus

The EU List is much easier to use and sometimes gives more information then the US version

• EU List for EU models: http://faq.eu.playstation.com/bc/

1. Manufacturers calculate drive size as 1 gigabyte as (10^9) not as  (2^30) 
1. Consumer confusion caused by non standard units of measure
2. PS3 internally uses 2^30, Manufactors of Drives use 10^9
2. Firmware - while stored and used mostly in flash memory - has a backup copy on the HDD
3. Swap File that is approximately 10% of drive size (80 gig... 7 gig swap file) 
4. Future System Updates reserved space

1, 2, 3 are confirmed 4 is supposition.

Part 3: Hardware And Care

Universal Restaurant at the End of the PS Universe

• is available in two pack forums
• with eye of judgment (a card game)
• without the game
• 2 position zoom lens (close up and full:  56-75 degrees of viewing angle)
• lowlight capable (and knowing Sony IR)
• 4 channel audio input : 48Khz, SNR 90db (four microphone array)
• multidirectional voice location
• enhanced echo cancellation
• background noise suppression
• 640x480 at 60FPS
• 320x240 at 120FPS
• USB2
• uncompressed video or jpeg
• comes with eyecreate software (save, edit, visual and audio effects to stills, video and audio tracks)
• capture to HDD (many functions including slowmotion and timelapse)

• There is no program nor is there likely to be a program to trade in controllers
• Sixaxis reads the same way forward as it does backward
• Sixaxis Dualshock3 can be imported and it will work
• Sixaxis Dualshock 3 weights approximately 2x the sixaxis
• Sixaxis Dualshock 3 <15 hours battery life
• Original Sixaxis < 30 hours of battery life
• Shock does interfere marginally with sixaxis sensing
• what is the price of the rumble controller (current no information) 
• When does the controller come out in NA  (spring 2008)
• Will I be forced to use Rumble (About as much as you are forced to use Sixaxis)
• My controller lost synch (Reset the controller - consult your manual for how to do it)

 List of Rumble Enabled as of announcement

• not a hardware issue but Asian software import issue ---> games will use Circle to Accept rather then X.
• does not apply to the controller imports - just games

Dual Shock 3

to use your sixaxis with your PC (either of these links are step by step)

• http://boardsus.playstation.com/playstation/board/message?board.i
  
  d=ps3&message.id=1656207&query.id=190037#M1656207
• http://boardsus.playstation.com/playstation/board/message?board.i
  
  d=ps3&thread.id=1375302&view=by_date_ascending&page=1
  
  

• Bluetooth technology is limited to having 7 distinct accessories currently - that is the reason the PS# has this limit
• It can be any mix of 7 bluetooth accessories
  • Keyboard
  • Mouse
  • Headset
  • Controllers
  • cameras - etc
• Many sports games will support up to 7 players inside (See EA and 2k  NBA, NFL, NHL games) and other games such as pixel junk racers support it as well

This implies that when you are using all 7 controllers - you can not use a headset as that takes one of the channels.

• A PVR is a personal Video Recorder - it will allow the PS3 to record video from TV and HD sources  (think TiVo)
• Will the PVR ability be added to my PS3 (Spring for Euro - sometime later for NA and Asia)
• it will require a special add on hardware piece
• may require large HDD sizes

PlayTV PVR

• The PS3 does not have IR ports so if you watch Blu-ray movies it is worth the extra money to get the remote
  • it doesn't have the itchy trigger finger phenom that occurs when using regular controllers
• can be used to play some games (Gripshift ^_^)
• aftermarket remotes are available (and some even have ir sensors they add)

What TV should I buy for my PS3?

• **The Unofficial** Playstation 3 TV & Setup Thread
• LCD Response time and how it relates to framerate (aka what level to avoid ghosting)
• Some basic math for different refresh rates and at what framerate they should have no ghosting possible at (assuming ms rating is black to black as most manufacturers rate it)
• millisecond = 1/1000 second
• the refresh rate  is the number of times it can go black to black on each pixel with in 1 sec ( the upper bound for framerate on a monitor)
• Bad Refresh Rates:
• 33 ms black to black under 30 frames a sec
• 15-16 ms black to black is bad for games because it is under 60 frames a sec (vertical tearing can occur that would show)
• Ok Refresh Rate
• 12 ms is 83.3 times a sec (aka framerate < 80 will never have ghosting)
• (Perfect) aka never going to see ghosting refresh rates
• 8 ms is 125 (you'll never see this framerate unless you have the ultimate graphics card)
• 6 ms is 166
• 4 ms is 250
• 2 ms is 500!!!
• and 1 ms of course is 1000 pixel refreshes a second
• Contrast Ratio
• be aware that there are two ratings - static and dynamic
• static measures the max difference between whites and blacks on the screen at one time (this is true Contrast)
• dynamic (usually a MUCH larger number) measures the max brightness of a pure white screen vs the max darkness of a pure dark screen
• anything better then 1500:1 (static) for an LCD is good
• anything better then 10000:1 on a LCD is almost certainly a dynamic contrast ratio (which means nothing)

1. first blow off the surface dust with canned computer air or vacuum
2. second use a electronics safe, no residue cleaner - spray on surface from 15-25 cm high evenly
3. use a micro fibre clothe to wipe off the cleaner

Internal Dust

1. set up a vacuum on one side of the ps3 vents on suck
2. using computer canned air (low humidity) blow into the opposite vents 

I already have Micro Abrasions (aka Scratchs) on My PS3

• Composite  (included in box with PS3 (lowest common denominator))
  • picture only signal combined with a sound signal and modulated onto an RF carrier
  • y,r,w cable - yellow is video r,w audio
  •  

• S-Video         
  • The luminance (Y; greyscale) signal and modulated chrominance (C; colour) information are carried on separate synchronized signal/ground pairs unlike composite video which carries the entire set of signals in one signal line.  
  • does not carry audio in normal cable form       
  • Normal Form
  • PS3 form (with audio cables r and w)

• Component   Y'PbPr  
  • a colorless component termed luma, combined with two colour carrying components, termed chroma, that give only color information
  • 1st HD standard
  • has r,g,b cables for image and r,w for audio
  •  

• DVI
  • 1st digital format 
  • requires audio cable for sound output
  • to use with the PS3 need HDMI -> DVI connector
  • Supports HDCP - copyright protection - required to show copyrighted 1080p films on Blu-ray (applies to HDMI as well)
  • 

• HDMI 
  • digital format that supports audio
  • supports HDCP copyright protection
  • 

   There is some argument as to whether Component is as good as the digital formats (which are equal quality) - this really depends on what type of tv you have - fixed pixel digital TV's such as Plasma, OLED, DLP and LCD will almost assuredly look better with a digital cable (and as long as you don't use an emulated resolution). If you have a Analog system component will look as good if not better due to the image being softer.

Some rules to know:  Digital -> Analog = no image loss in conversion but Analog -> Digital = image loss therefore:

• Digital -> Digital -> Digital = no image loss
• Digital -> Analog -> Analog = no image loss
• Digital -> Analog -> Digital = image loss
• Analog -> Digital -> Digital = image loss
• Analog -> Analog -> Analog = no image loss
• Analog -> Analog -> Digital = image loss
• Analog -> Digital -> Analog = image loss

There are not enough games out yet for the PS3!

• PS Store based:   http://boardsus.playstation.com/playstation/board/message?board.i
  d=psnetwork&thread.id=47399
• Blu-ray based: http://boardsus.playstation.com/playstation/board/message?board.i
  d=pslounge&message.id=373906#M373906

Not Enough Exclusives!

• http://boardsus.playstation.com/playstation/board/message?board.i
  
  d=pslounge&thread.id=267865

The ports are not better on the PS3!

• http://boardsus.playstation.com/playstation/board/message?board.i
  
  d=pslounge&thread.id=292909

What Games Use Tilt?

• Full List - tilt feature (SixaxiS) on games

• yep - set it so it looks right if you have your PS3 horizontal or vertical

Playstation Network Cards

• Cards that can be purchased in stores and used online to to buy goods and services from the Playstation Store and from Stores on Home
• Currently only available in Asia (JP, HK, Korea)
• plans are to allow other regions to use them eventually

alternatives for PSN store shopping:

• Credit Card
• Prepaid Credit Card  if you don't have a credit card (and/or are to young to have one) is to buy a prepaid credit card from a pharmacy or some such location

Does the PS3 need extra cooling?

• The General Answer is NO - The PS3 has exceptional heat moving skills - it has a large fan and good design that actually is obstructed in some cases by adding extra cooling units.
• Stress Tests have shown that the PS3 can handle amazing temperature ranges
• that said Do Not Run your PS3 if the ambiant temperature is greater then 35C (95F) and less then 5C (41F) (as per the support manual I said to read earlier)
• 100% humidity is also bad for electronics

How Do I Protect my PS3 from heat?

• 4" on all sides of ventilation space (this can be fudged by giving the vent sides more room)
• Horizontal or Vertical makes no difference
• do not place it in an enclosed space (no doors and no back are best)
• do not place it on carpet (plugs vents)
• do not place on other electronic components (they vent heat as well)

1. Stress Test: How to kill a PS3 Console: Is is actually possible???
2. Personal Experience: 287 days only turned off during updates or when locked up by game glitchs.  total hours on now... 6870ish (sept 25 2007)
3. Threads about length of time people have left their PS3 on
   1. http://boardsus.playstation.com/playstation/board/message?board.i
      
      
      d=ps3&thread.id=1738348&view=by_date_ascending&page=1
      
      
      
   2. http://boardsus.playstation.com/playstation/board/message?board.i
      
      
      d=ps3&thread.id=1977614&view=by_date_ascending&page=1
      
      
      
   3. http://boardsus.playstation.com/playstation/board/message?board.i
      
      
      d=ps3&thread.id=1363652&view=by_date_ascending&page=1
      
      
      
   4. http://boardsus.playstation.com/playstation/board/message?board.i
      
      
      d=ps3&thread.id=1345323&view=by_date_ascending&page=1
      
      
      

Reasons to leave it on:

• Less issues with power on spikes (less solidstate wear and tear)
• You too can FOLD and help humanity
• Instant Game Access
• 2.0 remote play  if on or in Standby allows PSP access anywhere wifi exists in the world

Reasons to leave it off:

• power consumption
• heat generation

In order of Importance (to me )

1. Upscale PS2 games on your HDTV
2. If you don't own a PS2  allows you to play the next 2 years of new PS2 games that are not being simultaneously released on the PS3
3. Warranty - the PS3 will still be manufactured long after the PS2 isn't so replacement is not as hard if it dies
4. Have 1 less console under the TV, less powersplitting, less cables, neater
5. This is questionable but maybe possible - In game XMB access for PS2 games

the following has been shamelessly hijack from a thread by PSPDude12345

PSP_Scientist and I have put this together to help people find guides and other information that has been spread out across the PS3 boards easily. It's still a work in progress, so it will continue to grow as time goes by. For now, hopefully it will help some of you new PS3 owners.

• Unofficial PLAYSTATION®3 FAQ
• **The Unofficial** Playstation 3 TV & Setup Thread**
• *Bluetooth Headset Guide*
• The One and Only "PS3™ Background Wallpaper" Thread [56k Warning]
• Understanding HDMI cables and why cheap ones work perfectly
• Horizontal bars and/or buzzing with my PS3, here's your fix
• 720 or 1080? Interlaced or Progressive? Answers here...
• Why won't my 1080p TV work when I set the PS3 to 1080p
• Should I use HDMI or Component Cables? Answer here...
• Should you wait to buy an HDMI v1.3 TV? Answer here...
• The One and Only "PS3™ Updates" Thread (v 2.10)

• Unofficial PLAYSTATION®Network Guide
• PlayStation.com Forums! Fold-a-thon Time!
• Unofficial PLAYSTATION® Store FULL CONTENT LIST!
• PSN Posting Thread
• 80710102 / 80028EA5 Network Error's
• The ultimate guide to fixing your NAT
• ** The Unofficial PS3/PSP Remote Play Thread **
• How to fix all your connection problems
• The UK PlayStation Store Thread
• Solution to Errors 80710102 and 80028EA5 

• The Ultimate PLAYSTATION®3 Downloadable Games Info Thread!
• DUALSHOCK®3 rumble = FUN !!! [complete list v1.3]

• Unofficial: PS3 Media Guides (Windows) 56k
• HOW TO: MEDIA SHARING
• ** How-To Guide to Upgrading Your Hard Drive **
• Linux 101 - got questions? we got answers!
• PS3™ Themes Galore - Last Updated 12-24-07 [56k Warning!]
• PLAYSTATION®3 Themes Thread

Categorized Section

"How To"s, "Do It Yourself"s & "Fix It"s

• ** How-To Guide to Upgrading Your Hard Drive **
• HOW TO: MEDIA SHARING

XMB Themes / Wallpapers

• PS3™ Themes Galore - Last Updated 12-24-07 [56k Warning!]
• PLAYSTATION®3 Themes Thread
• The One and Only "PS3™ Background Wallpaper" Thread [56k Warning]

General Guides & FAQs

• Unofficial: PS3 Media Guides (Windows) 56k
• Unofficial PLAYSTATION®Network Guide
• Unofficial PLAYSTATION®3 FAQ

One & Only Threads

• The One and Only "I got the Home Beta and I'm located in ___" Thread
• The One and Only "HOME F.A.Q - FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
• The One and Only "PS3™ Updates" Thread (v 2.10)

Information Threads

• The Ultimate PLAYSTATION®3 Downloadable Games Info Thread!
• PLAYSTATION®3 Home Information Thread
• Unofficial PLAYSTATION® Store FULL CONTENT LIST!
• The UK PlayStation Store Thread

PS3 Connectivity

• ** The Unofficial PS3/PSP Remote Play Thread **
• *Bluetooth Headset Guide*

Networking Information

• 80710102 / 80028EA5 Network Error's
• The ultimate guide to fixing your NAT
• How to fix all your connection problems
• Solution to Errors 80710102 and 80028EA5 

Linux Information Threads & Help

• Linux 101 - got questions? we got answers!

TVs - Technical Help & FAQs

• Understanding HDMI cables and why cheap ones work perfectly
• Horizontal bars and/or buzzing with my PS3, here's your fix
• 720 or 1080? Interlaced or Progressive? Answers here...
• Why won't my 1080p TV work when I set the PS3 to 1080p
• Should I use HDMI or Component Cables? Answer here...
• Should you wait to buy an HDMI v1.3 TV? Answer here...

Other Threads

• Discuss your desire for an offical statement about Home open beta here
• DUALSHOCK®3 rumble = FUN !!! [complete list v1.3]
• **The Unofficial** Playstation 3 TV & Setup Thread**

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gran_champ wrote:

you should definetly pm shun goku satsu about this, maybe he can edit it and post a sticky for it, I'm sure if us regular forum members promoted it enough, then people would go there.

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