Ps3

[gemmakaru]

I have heard its possible if not easy to install linux on a ps3. Great but 1) is there any point and 2) how does it work with no keyboard (though it's easy to get one).

[je_fro]

This looks like the best place to start:
http://www.playstation.com/ps3-openplatform/index.html
It looks like the good folks at gentoo have a liveCD too...
http://www.gentoo.org/proj/en/base/ppc64/ps3/

[gemmakaru]

Thanks, I think its worth a few experiments.

[trilarian]

I installed Linux on the PS3 when it first came out. At the time, I was very unimpressed and quickly removed the install to regain hard drive space. At least back then, the PS3 only allowed a subset of commands instead of full control - and one of the results of that was no frame buffers (which meant retarded slow video playback). Another big issue is you could not start a PS3 game from within the Linux install, nor could you choose the OS to boot at power up (no grub/lilo allowed). So to play a game, I had to fully boot my Linux install, then issue a command that rebooted the PS3 into the PS3 OS so I could play a game. Considering I already had a PC, and the main reason I was installing Linux was to get a wireless video player connection to my TV - I couldn't justify the loss of 10GB to the PS3 OS.

I haven't tried recently to see how much it has improved over the years (I'm sure it has). The PS3 OS does recognize an UPnP video server now, so my #1 reason is covered in the default OS.

I'm not trying to discourage you at all! I'm just saying my experience was when it was very new and required a lot of tinkering to just get the darn thing to boot. Since then, I've found the 60GB drive very small and can't justify the space for a pet project that I'll get no real use out of other than saying I did it (which technically I already did years ago :) ).

Oh, and for input if you don't use a USB keyboard, you use your PS3 controller to scroll through a virtual keyboard. It is functional, but very tedious.

[gemmakaru]

I kind of gave up before I started, I have my laptop to play with linux, I have no need to put it on the ps3. btw my ps3 has a 500GB HD and playtv which turns the ps3 into a pvr, having linux on there would stop my recording schedule.

Thanks for the replies though, reading about it was interesting.

[trilarian]

I use MythTV on my Debian box to record, then stream to PS3 via MythTV's UPnP video server. I went that route so I can change hardware if needed and that box has 2TB of storage vs my PS3 60GB. :)

I have the original model, hence the 60GB. I did put an external on it to free up space as needed.

[gemmakaru]

I use MythTV on my Debian box to record, then stream to PS3 via MythTV's UPnP video server. I went that route so I can change hardware if needed and that box has 2TB of storage vs my PS3 60GB. :)

I have the original model, hence the 60GB. I did put an external on it to free up space as needed.

MythTV, sounds interesting, I'll look it up thanks.

Hmm My laptop doesn't have a tv card... oh well.

[trilarian]

Hmm My laptop doesn't have a tv card... oh well.

If you already have a working method, I guess more $ is not really a positive choice.... However, you really do not need high end hardware to setup a dedicated MythTV box if you did want to go that route. My box has a little higher specs than needed because it performs more functions, but it is still just an old box in the corner of the room - no monitor, keyboard, mouse, etc. I ssh into it on the rare times I need to admin, and use the web interface for scheduling/deleting shows.

Though it is all a moot point really if your PS3 has a way to do this already and you have the ability to add an external USB drive if that 500GB fills up.