PS3 Slim, bluray playback and surround sound

[stavroshamster]

Hi All,
Having seen the price for a PS3 slim I am very tempted to buy one instead of a dedicated bluray player for obvious reasons. However there are a couple of issues that I would like some advice on.

1. I have a surround sound reciever that only accepts audio via coaxial or optical cable. I notice the PS3 has an optical audio and an HDMI output. Presumably its easy to output sound via optical to the receiver and video via HDMI to the TV? I have read a couple of posts in forums with people having trouble so wondered if anyone had experience?

2. Has anyone got PlayTV for the PS3 as I thought I could use the PS3 as a HDD recorder as well. Is it any good?

Thanks!

[shadowmaster]

1. I have a surround sound reciever that only accepts audio via coaxial or optical cable. I notice the PS3 has an optical audio and an HDMI output. Presumably its easy to output sound via optical to the receiver and video via HDMI to the TV? I have read a couple of posts in forums with people having trouble so wondered if anyone had experience?

Yep, its easy. Go into the menu and set video output through HDMI and sound through optical.

[MadduckUK]

i think it looks pretty ok

of course it has not gt5 yet so it may as well not be here

[roorooroo]

2. Has anyone got PlayTV for the PS3 as I thought I could use the PS3 as a HDD recorder as well. Is it any good?

Thanks!

Yep i use PlayTV as a HDD recorder for freeview..excellent quality recordings although they take up quite a bit of HDD space. Well worth it

[Terbinator]

Probably best banging in one of those 500GB Toshiba hard drives if your going to be recording stuff !!!

[stavroshamster]

Cool, thanks,
Another question:
Is the Bluray remote control a lot easier to use than a controller, and does that work with playTV?

[Gunbuster]

Cool, thanks,
Another question:
Is the Bluray remote control a lot easier to use than a controller, and does that work with playTV?

I got a BL remote overlay with my PlayTV so I would say yes it does work. I use controllers though for both.

[stavroshamster]

Is there any advantage of a remote control rather than the normal controller then?

[Gunbuster]

Is there any advantage of a remote control rather than the normal controller then?

I don't know as I don't have a remote. However my last home media center was an Xbox with XBMC. I guess that is why I don't feel the need for the remote. You or your significant other might prefer a remote for films and TV.

[stavroshamster]

I suspect my significant other would prefer not to get a PS3 at all....
I have yet to convince her of the virtues of HD films. Will just have to keep trying...

[pengellyd]

Is there any advantage of a remote control rather than the normal controller then?

Yeah I would say that there are a few advantages to the PS3 remote over a controller.

The first being the dedicated play, pause and stop buttons, they just make things easier to use and make it easier for other people to pickup rather than having to say to them X does this, O does that, etc...

Not really for the PlayTV's benefit but playing back DVD's, Bluray's or other media is that with the controller it is quite often easy to hit the shoulder buttons. In the case of the L1 button it flicks the media back to the beginning of the film/program you were watchin, very annoying , not a problem with the remote though

The other thing I like about the PS3 remote over other remotes is that it's bluetooth so you don't have to have direct line of sight with the PS3, just makes thing that little bit easier no having to adjust yourself to try and get into the view of an IR reviever

IMO PlayTV is a great addition to the PS3 and I use it all the time. I would recommend, as others have said, upgrading the hard drive to at least 320Gb+ if you do purchase it.

There's a review of PlayTV here that may help you with your decision

[MadduckUK]

There's a review of PlayTV here that may help you with your decision

well thats reason number 2 to get a ps3 for me. could do with a bigger pvr

[Jay]

my girlfriend said that I deserve to get one for all my hard work....

Pre-ordered mine

[Gunbuster]

The only problems I have with PlayTV are:
That when it is recording in the background I can't download in the background as well
When my PS3 has auto started up to record, if I get in and switch on the router I can not connect to my network unless I cancel my recording as the settings menu is out of bounds during recording.

Otherwise it is exactly what I want. I know series link is on the way so all is good on that front.

[stavroshamster]

IMO PlayTV is a great addition to the PS3 and I use it all the time. I would recommend, as others have said, upgrading the hard drive to at least 320Gb+ if you do purchase it.

Do they just take standard 2.5" HDDs? And if you upgrade after, say, 6 months, can you transfer old data across to the new drive in any way?

[j.o.s.h.1408]

http://www.ifixit.com/Teardown/PlayS...lim/1121/1#top