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Can I plug an external hard drive into a PS3 to watch movies?

J

jrm27

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Hi all,

I've got a 3tb drive jammed full of movies that I've converted from my DVD collection using handbrake. They are all converted to .m4v files. Can I plug this hard drive into a ps3 and watch movies? The drive isn't formatted as NTFS or FAT-32.

-jon
 
jrm27 said:
Hi all,

I've got a 3tb drive jammed full of movies that I've converted from my DVD collection using handbrake. They are all converted to .m4v files. Can I plug this hard drive into a ps3 and watch movies? The drive isn't formatted as NTFS or FAT-32.

-jon
Click to expand...

No, it has to be formatted as FAT32 or the PS3 won't be able to see anything on it. Fix that issue and yes you can use it to play movies off of.
 
iThinkergoiMac said:
You also need to set up the internal folder structure to match what the PS3 expects.
Click to expand...

Well, you don't need to, since you can always press the triangle button on the controller while hovering over the external drive and select "display all files", which then displays all the files on the drive. It does make the experience slightly more fluid since you can just select the drive and enter it when the folder structure is correct, but it's not a necessity.

Also, to the OP, I know you said you only have encoded DVDs, but if/when you start encoding blu rays, you'll likely run into problems regarding the 4GB limit of fat32, so you'll have to split files that come out as larger than 4GB into smaller files.
 
Also if you have a slim PS3 like me, make sure that you disconnect all other USB devices when you are using it or it won't get enough power. The older larger models did not have this problem but the newer ones do, i spent ages trying to work out why my HDD kept disconnecting or not working, after i unplugged all usb devices and just used the HDD it has been flawless!
 
SlickShoes said:
Also if you have a slim PS3 like me, make sure that you disconnect all other USB devices when you are using it or it won't get enough power.
Click to expand...

Or use a powered drive. I have a 3.5" drive connected to my PS3, so it definitely has its own AC power supply. Most smaller drives come with a power port as well, so you can add a power supply. This allows you to connect all your other devices/charge your controller.
 
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Zombie Games
 
Last edited:
obsidian1200 said:
Well, you don't need to, since you can always press the triangle button on the controller while hovering over the external drive and select "display all files", which then displays all the files on the drive. It does make the experience slightly more fluid since you can just select the drive and enter it when the folder structure is correct, but it's not a necessity.

Also, to the OP, I know you said you only have encoded DVDs, but if/when you start encoding blu rays, you'll likely run into problems regarding the 4GB limit of fat32, so you'll have to split files that come out as larger than 4GB into smaller files.
Click to expand...

What's a good external blu-ray drive I can connect to my Mac so I can start ripping them? I would use handbrake for this too right?
 
Rizvi1 said:
What's a good external blu-ray drive I can connect to my Mac so I can start ripping them? I would use handbrake for this too right?
Click to expand...

You would need MakeMKV to rip Blu Rays on your mac. Just about any drive should be fine. I'd recommend mine, but Asus no longer makes my particular model.
 
Ok you have to be careful with the BR rips. Sony did input some mute function that mutes the movie 20 minutes in. Just sayin 😉...
 
obsidian1200 said:
....

Also, to the OP, I know you said you only have encoded DVDs, but if/when you start encoding blu rays, you'll likely run into problems regarding the 4GB limit of fat32, so you'll have to split files that come out as larger than 4GB into smaller files.
Click to expand...

obsidian1200 said:
You would need MakeMKV to rip Blu Rays on your mac. Just about any drive should be fine. I'd recommend mine, but Asus no longer makes my particular model.
Click to expand...

Thanks. I'll set up a deal alert on slickdeals for a blu-ray drive and grab one. IIRC, you can't watch movies on a mac off a blu-ray drive but you can rip and then play them.

Also, the MakeMKV program that was recommended has an easy "split files" option for working w/ fat32 hard drives?
 
Prob to late but...

jrm27 said:
Hi all,

I've got a 3tb drive jammed full of movies that I've converted from my DVD collection using handbrake. They are all converted to .m4v files. Can I plug this hard drive into a ps3 and watch movies? The drive isn't formatted as NTFS or FAT-32.

-jon
Click to expand...

Ive found out how to watch movies from a external HDD after a bit of research and i stumbled across this link and thought you might want to look at it if you havnt already got the problem resolved.
http://www.online-tech-tips.com/computer-tips/formatting-external-hard-drive-to-fat-32/
 
Zodiax360 said:
Ive found out how to watch movies from a external HDD after a bit of research and i stumbled across this link and thought you might want to look at it if you havnt already got the problem resolved.
http://www.online-tech-tips.com/computer-tips/formatting-external-hard-drive-to-fat-32/
Click to expand...


Interesting...you wouldn't by any chance be the owner of that website, trying to promote it?

You know, seeing how you specifically registered here to make this one post that adds absolutely nothing new to an ancient thread?

🙄
 
Does the PS3 VIDEO file structure accept subfolders for genres? The external drive I'll be connecting will be 3TB and contain thousands of vids, so it'd be nice if they could be subdivided in to genres to speed displaying them. Also, is there a limit on filenames? Can I use Mac format names with spaces and long titles?
 
DUCKofD3ATH said:
Does the PS3 VIDEO file structure accept subfolders for genres? The external drive I'll be connecting will be 3TB and contain thousands of vids, so it'd be nice if they could be subdivided in to genres to speed displaying them. Also, is there a limit on filenames? Can I use Mac format names with spaces and long titles?
Click to expand...

I... I do not know for sure. If you're in no real rush, I can check when I get home tomorrow (I'm at my GFs, and my portable external is FW800 so I can't test on her PS3).
 
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