My PS3 can't play AVI files...please help!!!

[gino_76ph]

Hi there

i currently have a PS3 with the latest software version installed. now i understand the PS3 can play .avi files on-the-fly.

I also happen to own a Seagate portable hard drive with .avi files on it (formatted on the Fat32 format) under the folder "video" which the PS3 supposedly can detect. but it didnt for some reason. i was wondering why. because when i insert my PHD to my laptop and my hybrid digital TV box all the files DO work very well.

so i am asking for help and advice on what to do now

emailed Divx and no help. rung Sony and they said that "it might be in a different encryption". no *#@* sherlock. (jeez where do these people take this words)

Please help....

[Output]

Does the drive at least show up as plugged in? If so, try pressing triangle with the drive highlighted and telling it to show all files.

[Barakka]

The PS3 is really fussy with some Video Codecs and audio encoding formats, best bet is usually to run them through PS3Video9 to convert them to something compatible with the PS3.

[directhex]

"AVI" is a meaningless term. An AVI file can contain pretty much any audio codec and video codec. The official but not very detailed list of what a PS3 will play is is http://manuals.playstation.net/docum...filetypes.html

There are four different major variants of DIVX, it's not clear which variants the PS3 will play. And then there's the audio question too.

[gino_76ph]

If i press triangle and then Display all only my MP3 files are detected. not my AVI files. that in itself baffles me.

some of my files are as big as 1GB but i don't think that is relevant because from what i know the PS3 could and should play my files.

My files are in the right format. and that is the .avi format. those files play perfectly on my laptop and my freeview HD box.

i can see the PS3 plays "Linear PCM" type of AVI. how would i know if my .avi files are such type? when i right click on properties it just says .avi and nothing else.

[Rob_B]

If your mp3s show up that suggests you are looking under the music folder?...

Iirc it only shows relevant files under music/video/picture.

[gino_76ph]

Its the same whenever i go on the XMB. Music, Video, Photo...only my MP3 files show up.

[directhex]

i can see the PS3 plays "Linear PCM" type of AVI. how would i know if my .avi files are such type? when i right click on properties it just says .avi and nothing else.

LPCM is the audio codec used for .wav

[directhex]

If i press triangle and then Display all only my MP3 files are detected. not my AVI files. that in itself baffles me.

Are your files in a folder called VIDEO on the root of the drive? The PS3 will only read files from USB media in specific folders. MUSIC, PICTURE and VIDEO are the main ones you care about.

[Rob_B]

It will find them anywhere if you choose 'Display all'

Mine (im 99% sure) only shows music under the music tab, video under video etc - if yours is showing ALL files under ALL headings then I have no idea why that might be...

[gino_76ph]

It really is strange. all my files are arranged as "Music, Photo & Video", are on a Fat32-formatted hard drive and is on a compatible format (i.e. AVI) that the PS3 can supposedly read and play.

am i missing something here?

[Zak33]

Start at the beginning (I've bashed my head on the PS3 tooo.. gave up... but did get somewhere before moving on)

You external drive needs formatting in FAT32 (not EXFAT) ie I did mine on an XP PC cos I gave up doing it on a Win7 PC.. and it's MAX formatted size is about 32 gig. I set mine to 30gig

Once you've formatted the drive, make three folders on it

VIDEO
MUSIC
PICTURE

they must ALL be in capitals and NOT plural,,, ie NOT Videos.. and NOT PICTURES

One you've done that, take it to your PS3 and plug it in and see if the drive shows.. it'll be EMPTY.. but see if it shows.

If it DOES....take it back to your PC and tranfer a film.. just one.. to the VIDEO folder.

BEAR IN MIND FAT32 has a limit of 3.9gig per film.......

so if it's 4.0 gig you're shafted.. shrink it or remake it.

[gino_76ph]

Almost all your suggestions i have tried eons ago. so nothing new there. but had to try it again.

Still my PS3 can't find/see my .avi files. only my MP3 files in the Photo, Music and Video sections of the XMB.

My PHD is in Fat32 format. i can say so because my laptop can play it. (via a 3rd-party software) so is my FV HD+ box on its own.

so, am i missing something here?

[Zak33]

how big is the FAT32 partition?

[gino_76ph]

around 370GB. and that is the "VIDEO" partition which my PS3 can't see for some reason.

[Output]

around 370GB. and that is the "VIDEO" partition which my PS3 can't see for some reason.

Just to clarify, is there more than one FAT32 partition on the hard drive (as opposed to the drive just being one partition with the various folders in)? If so, that could be the problem as it may be that the PS3 is only able to recognise and display one partition at a time (regardless of how many partitions there may be).