Stream media from ubuntu to your ps3

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I’ve written a little how-to before on how to stream music through your local network, but this time I’m writing about streaming all kind of media through the local network.

This how-to is meant to stream to the files from your computer to the ps3 (might work for xbox and wii, but I don’t have those, so I’m not sure). It goes without saying you can access them from other computers as well.

updated 27/08/08 It seems the current version has changed a bit, only minor stuff.

I’ve based this “how-to” on the directions given here, but as always I’ll make it a bit easier.

First we will need some software. The program we will be using is called “mediatomb”.

It’s in the hardy repo’s so installing it can be done using add/remove, synaptic and the terminal.

If you use gutsy or feisty, look here for installation notes.

I’ll give the terminal commands, they are faster and work with other distro’s (not all!).

1. Installation

Open up a terminal (applications -> accessories) and enter this:

sudo apt-get install mediatomb

2. Run mediatomb

In a terminal:

sudo mediatomb

After it is done spitting out lines, press “ctrl+c” to stop the program.

3. Changing some settings.

In a terminal:

sudo gedit ~/.mediatomb/config.xml

Somewhere in the middle of the document, you’ll see this line:

<protocolInfo extend="no"/>

with this line next to it.

<!– For PS3 support change to “yes” –>

Change that "no" to "yes".

Then look for this line:

<mappings> <extension-mimetype ignore-unknown="no">

Directly under that line, copy/paste this (use the "copy to clipboard" link!):

<map from="avi" to="video/x-divx"/>

<map from="divx" to="video/x-divx"/>

4. Start mediatomb

Again, in a terminal enter:

sudo mediatomb

It will give you a url (something like http://192.168.1.4:49155/), copy that into your browser.

Navigate to the files you want to share (like the home folder or folders in the home folder) using the left menu, and when you found a folder you would like to access from your ps3, press in + sign in the top right corner.

Press ok (you can select option to let it search for new files, that might be a good idea).

You're done, now you can access the files from your ps3. There will be a "mediatomb" mention in the audio, video and photo section of the ps3 menu.

5. Extra stuff

5a. Start mediatomb when you start your pc.

You computer has to be turned on and running mediatomb if you want to access the files from your ps3. So it might be a good idea to add mediatomb to your "sessions" so it will start when you boot your pc up.

Go to "system -> administration -> session" and add this:

- mediatomb
- mediatomb
- file server

5b. Encoding issues.

The ps3 is picky about which formats it will play. Have a look here (bottom of first post) for some things you can try.

Note: all thanks go to the poster of the orginal thread on the ubuntuforums.

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