Another life, another world. With a box of oreos.

It was one of those days where I felt like watching a movie on my TV screen (and let me just clarify that I have nothing but a Playstation 3 ((this is the one I bought)) for all my movie/etc needs). This would have been a very simple story, if not for the fact that the movie was on my external hard drive. And for something seemingly so straightforward…it ended up giving me a migraine just trying to figure out how to get this solo party started. To make a long story short, I tossed that method into the trash as if it was monkey poop on fire. Not because the process was out of my league, but because I already have files on my external HDD and to format my drive so that it could function on the PS3 would result in me wiping all those files off above-mentioned drive.

When all hope was almost lost, I remembered that a friend of mine had mentioned file sharing wirelessly between her PC and PS3. So I searched for the way.  And I found it. So here it is, lovelies.

1. Finally, I have found a reason to actually use my Windows Media Player (WMP) and now you have a reason too. Huzzah. So find that button and start that program up. Some WMP versions might be slightly different, so here is a screenshot of how mine looks like because I will be explaining the method with this set-up (this is Windows Media Player 12 on Windows 7).

   

2. Make sure you are on the “Library” tab with no additional tabs next to it (like how it is portrayed in the screenshot in the aforementioned step).
3. Click the “Stream” button, which will bring up a drop down list of options. Select “Turn on media streaming with Homegroup”.
4. This will bring up a window that asks you to select which types of files you wish to share within your homegroup. Everything should be selected except for “Documents”. If you wish to exclude/include certain types of files then proceed to do that now, if not just click “Next”.
5. A new window will pop up showcasing a code that will aid in connecting a device to your homegroup. Conveniently, the PS3 won’t be needing this code, so click “Finish”.
6. Another window will come up, but we will deal with this later. Close out of it for now.
7. Go back to WMP. Click the “Stream” button and select “Automatically allow devices to play my media” so that the option has a check mark next to it.
8. There will be a window that pops up asking if you are sure you wish to turn this option on. Click the option that says you wish to allow it.
9. Do not fear for unknown users to access your files because this next part makes sure of that. Navigate your way back to WMP and click “Stream” once more. Select “More streaming options”.
10. Double check you are on the “Local network” and make sure to switch all the devices (or the devices you wish) to the “Allowed” option.

11. Congratulations. You have finally finished the nitty gritty of this little tutorial. The last thing to do is add all your files (music, pictures, video, etc) onto WMP. Make little playlists if you wish (I find these fairly helpful in finding certain files quickly and efficiently). Restart WMP and your PS3 and you should be ready to go.

    

As a side note, files are found in their respective areas. For example, if you’re looking for a video, it will be in the video section of the PS3. Video files will not show up in other areas like music or pictures. Same goes for your playlists; if a playlist consists of videos it will only show up in the video section of the PS3.

Another note, if this method isn’t working for you try using a wireless or Ethernet connection (whichever isn’t working for you). This was an issue for me when I switched internet plans/speeds. I was using an Ethernet cord before the switch (but it worked on both types of connections). Since I switched, it now only works when I connect to Wi-Fi. I have not yet found a solution for this issue, partly because I don’t mind being on Wi-Fi for just streaming onto my PS3. If you do not have a router and this is an issue for you, just let me know through email or in the comments below and I’ll try to help you.