PS3 Media Server

Great UPnP media streamer for PlayStation 3.

You can find the newest version of PS3 Media Server here, here’s the project page and here’s the blog.

Download for Windows (.exe), Mac (.dmg) or Linux (.tgz). I’ve tested myself on following OSes: Windows XP SP3 (Works), Windows 7 Build 7000 (Works) and Ubuntu 8.10 (Works).

What is PS3 Media Server?
It’s an open source media server, mainly developed by one person who wanted an easy UPnP streaming server for his PlayStation 3. The application is based on Java, which basically means it runs on any computer-platform you throw it on (Windows and Linux).
It’s a small application (Newest version 1.02 has a automated setup, this feature is supported for Windows) that streams media; Pictures, Music and Video, from your computer through UPnP (Universal Plug and Play) to your PS3. It consists of several codecs to for example transcode .MKV files to your PS3 so you can watch it as any other fileformat the PS3 support natively.  Most of the settings you’ll need are configured by default, so everything you throw at it will most likely run the first time you try.

What needs configuring
Basically, nothing needs to be configured since this is done by default (The most usual features). The only thing you need to tell the application is where to find your files if you have them mounted through an external disk, for example.

By default the application lists up [All Drives], you may not want this so just add the drive (Or spesific folder/file you want) and delete the [All Drives] input. Click Restart HTTP server and Save. You can now turn on your PlayStation 3 and check under Status that the media server has found your PS3 trace (May have to disable your firewall or alternatively allow your PS3′s IP-adress through the firewall on your computer).

Other bits and bobs
Version 1.02, general additions

• Support for running the application as a Windows service, which on Windows XP is found under Control Panel > Administrative Tools > Services. Scroll down until you find PS3 Media Server > Right-click > Properties > Startup > Automatic. This allows PS3 Media Server to start up when you start your computer.
• Finally possible to maximize the GUI window, which is great for users like me sitting on a netbook with limited screen space

And here are the features

• Ready to launch and play. No codec packs to install. No codec packs to install. No folder configuration and pre-parsing or this kind of annoying thing. No leaflet configuration and pre-parsing or this kind of annoying thing. All your folders are directly browsed by the PS3, there’s an automatic refresh also. All your folders åre browsed directly by the PS3, there’s an automatic refresh also.
• Real-time video transcoding via MEncoder, tsMuxer or Avisynth Real-time video transcoding using mencoder, tsMuxer or Avisynth
• DVD ISOs images / VIDEO_TS Folder transcoder DVD ISOs images / VIDEO_TS Folder transcoder
• OGG/FLAC/MPC/APE audio transcoding OGG / FLAC / MPC / APE audio transcoding
• Thumbnail generation for Videos Thumbnail generation for Videos
• You can choose with a virtual folder system your audio/subtitle language on the PS3! You can choose a virtual folder system with your audio / subtitle language on the PS3!
• All formats PS3 natively supports: MP3/WMA, JPG/PNG/GIF/TIFF, and all kind of videos (AVI, MP4, TS, M2TS, MPEG) the ps3 is willing to play PS3 natively supports all formats: MP3/WMA, JPG / PNG / POISON / TIFF, and all kind of videos (AVI, MP4, TS, M2TS, MPEG) the PS3 is willing to play
• ZIP/RAR files as browsable folders for pictures/audio files ZIP / RAR files as folders for browseable pictures / audio files
• Preliminary support for pictures based feeds, such as Flickr and Picasaweb Preliminary support for pictures based feeds, such as Flickr and Picasaweb
• Preliminary Internet TV / Web Radio support with VLC, MEncoder or MPlayer Preliminary Internet TV / Radio Web support with VLC, or MPlayer mencoder