Linux on PS3 Applications

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BenRees

27 posts

Geek

#40986 8-Sep-2009 11:41

Hi,

I have been thinking about installing a flavour of Linux on my PS3 for some time now. Actually born of frustration from lame media sharing and audio playback. I see that installing Ubuntu seems popular based on googling this, can anyone share their experience of installing Linux and the quality of applications and the like?

I'm predominatly interested in being able to ftp to the PS3 and copy mp3's to it, and also be able to map a drive (or something similar) to allow playing of a remote music library. I also believe the quality of Mp3/Audio players will be superior to the default that is available in the Ps3 OS.

Cheers

Mark

1653 posts

Uber Geek

#254103 8-Sep-2009 16:24

all that sounds great in theory ... except for a couple of points:

1) Disk access on PS3 Linux is via the Hypervisor and horribly slow
2) As is network access
3) WiFi support is poor, had trouble doing WPA2 and it just drops off when it feels like it

Why not find a UPNP compatible app to run off your computer sharing the music folder and then use the Ps3 to discover it ? Or is that the part you odn't like ?

Linux support for Ps3 is very hobbled .. shame really could have been great if Sony were brave enough.

Mark

BenRees

27 posts

Geek

#254107 8-Sep-2009 16:34

Hey thanks for that. Yeah I have tried WinAmp, Windows Media Player and a few other open source media sharing apps using UPNP. But there seems to be some crippling limitations on the Sony side. For example (correct me if Im wrong) there is a weird limitation of the number of mp3s per folder, if its too many you cannot play any. Stupid.

Oh well I might try any way if I get bored one weekend.

Cheers

freakalad

231 posts

Master Geek

#254306 9-Sep-2009 11:37

I loaded on Ubutnu the first day I got mine (the day it came out) (actually, even before trying any games).
YellowDog was the "official" distro for the PS3

As mentioned, the hypervisor's terrible, & it doesn't help that Sony is unwilling to participate or release any hardware spec info in any shape or form (such as a usable video driver). In fact, Sony have now discontinued the "OtherOS" hypervisor on the new slimline usits, so the "old" 60GB units are going to become extremely sought-after (wanna sell your's?)

There are a few project out there tha make use of PS3 for other functions (code-cracking, etc), such as low-cost mainframes, etc, but for hacking & homebrew stuff, you may be better off with a Wii

FLOSS'er, aspiring Maker

BenRees

27 posts

Geek

#254310 9-Sep-2009 11:48

Looks like I'm passing water into the wind, trying to use it as an effective Media player and organiser. Might just be easier to put a cheap Mist PC in the lounge for such a purpose. What a shame. I must admit my opinion of Sony equipment has dropped of late with their proprietary policies.

freakalad

231 posts

Master Geek

#254312 9-Sep-2009 11:52

one of the best media systems still around is the original xbox with XMBC loaded.
does most of what you want, and there's still active development in it.

recently it's been forked into boxee, which is pretty cool in it's own right.

FLOSS'er, aspiring Maker