PS3 Media Server for dummies / tutorial howto documentation

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Re: PS3 Media Server for dummies / PMS tutorial

Postby meskibob » Wed Sep 02, 2009 8:57 pm

Just a couple notes...
a) Thanks for all this effort, and it does actually help. But also realize you're mostly going to get comments on the extreme sides and not from general users where this has been a general help tool. If the thread views go up but there are no new questions, I'd assume it's working.

b) As Shagrath stated somewhere recently he's been "out of commission" for about the past month due to a variety of reasons (eg dead PS3) but should be back in development mode (and looking at forum questions/requests) pretty soon.

c) I have a pretty good memory for issues that keep popping up, so I'll try to link-in the threads that clearly lay out the issue (and hopefully solution) as they come by, and if needed they can be re-drafted into concise help points like the others already in this thread.

d) This forum is still young compared to some other open source communities, so just give it some time. :)


And for my one current comment:
With it's current size a thread will suffice, but the larger this gets it's going to get cluttered fairly easily and really ruin the effectiveness. It'll probably be better to start a separate, wiki-esque site that can be organized with clear navigation between the various troubleshooting tips and configuration how-tos. That's not really feasible with the current forum setup and I think is outside of the scope of how an effective forum should function.
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Re: PS3 Media Server for dummies / PMS tutorial

Postby meskibob » Wed Sep 02, 2009 10:22 pm

Troubleshooting - PS3
Error: When trying to view a folder that contains valid media, you receive the error message "No images", "No tracks", or "No titles" or you only see sub-folders (and can't enter them).

Solution 1: You're in the wrong section of the XMB (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/XrossMediaBar). You have to be in Photos to view pictures, Music to listen to music, and Videos to watch videos.
Solution 2: You have hit the folder-depth limit (8 folders) and cannot browse any further in the folder tree. You have to share a different folder that is within the folder limit to the media you're trying to access. Note: this is a PS3 limitation.
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Re: PS3 Media Server for dummies / PMS tutorial

Postby otmanix » Fri Sep 04, 2009 9:07 am

Hi Meskibob,

thank you for your response! I think you're right and maybe I'm too impatient with a growing up community. Also thanks for your additional troubleshooting entry!

It'll probably be better to start a separate, wiki-esque site that can be organized with clear navigation between the various troubleshooting tips and configuration how-tos. That's not really feasible with the current forum setup and I think is outside of the scope of how an effective forum should function.

I completely agree with you. The forum is not a good technical solution for documentation, etc.. But the forum is the only place where everyone is able to write sth for the community at the moment. The faq and wiki at code.ggogle.com has only few entries and can only be edited by the developers. It would be a good idea to have a wiki where interested people can share their PMS knowledge.

Best regards, Otmanix
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Re: PS3 Media Server for dummies / PMS tutorial

Postby otmanix » Fri Sep 04, 2009 11:06 am

Troubleshooting - PS3
Error: Playback of video file stops at end of file and doesn't continue with next video file.

Solution: Playstation 3 XMB: Settings - Video Settings - Sequential Playback
Set the PS3™ system to sequentially play multiple videos that are saved on the hard disk or storage media.
http://manuals.playstation.net/document/en/ps3/current/settings/bdsettings.html#3616

Edit: Note - this only applies to files within the same folder. You will need a playlist to sequentially play media across different folders.
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Re: PS3 Media Server for dummies / PMS tutorial

Postby meskibob » Fri Sep 04, 2009 12:52 pm

otmanix wrote:
meskibob wrote:It'll probably be better to start a separate, wiki-esque site that can be organized with clear navigation between the various troubleshooting tips and configuration how-tos. That's not really feasible with the current forum setup and I think is outside of the scope of how an effective forum should function.

I completely agree with you. The forum is not a good technical solution for documentation, etc.. But the forum is the only place where everyone is able to write sth for the community at the moment. The faq and wiki at code.google.com has only few entries and can only be edited by the developers. It would be a good idea to have a wiki where interested people can share their PMS knowledge.
Correct, which is why I said a separate site should be started, especially since the FAQ and wiki navigation on the Google code page are also kind of limited navigation-wise. I'm thinking something along the lines of the AzureusWiki which uses MediaWiki (free), but I'm not sure if there are additional costs and how difficult it would be to set up.
Edit: MediaWiki may be a bit too powerful for this site currently, so here's a list of other "Wiki Farms" that could be used: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_wiki_farms
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Re: PS3 Media Server for dummies / PMS tutorial

Postby otmanix » Fri Sep 04, 2009 3:15 pm

Hi Meskibob,

here's a first experimental PMS wiki on wikia (with ads, but free): http://ps3ms.wikia.com
Everyone with a wikia account should be able to join...

Best regards, Otmanix
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Re: PS3 Media Server for dummies / PMS tutorial

Postby extravirgin » Fri Sep 04, 2009 10:25 pm

^^ He doesn't give up does he? :D
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Re: PS3 Media Server for dummies / PMS tutorial

Postby Dan » Mon Sep 07, 2009 12:04 am

Troubleshooting - PMS - Media Library (listed with PS3 errors)
Error: You receive two "Media Server Error: A DLNA protocol error (2006) has occurred" followed by "There are no titles" on the PS3 when trying to view the video folder that does contain valid video media.

Cause: There is a timing bug with PMS (as of the latest PMS beta 356 version) where the Media Library data isn't being sent in a timely matter (ideally within the first 30 seconds, up to 1 minute) to the PS3. The results is the above error and the PS3 timing out. If you restart PMS or the PS3, the process will start all over again. This error can not be avoided by using the Magnifying Glass in the Shared folders tab and section. Previous Media Library processed data is always checked and re-checked, making it impossible to be avoided.

Solution 1: For unattended results; reduce the amount of files contained in the shared directory. You'll need to find your own balance between your processor speed, the amount of files contained in the shared directory and the timeout of the PS3.

Solution 2: For attended results; after entering the Video PMS directory on the PS3, exit up one level. On the PMS installed machine, watch and wait for the JavaW.exe process to finish (measure the length of time between entering the directory and JavaW.exe finishing, you will need this information for later). Re-enter the Video PMS directory and shortly the names will now begin to be displayed regardless of the amount of files. Later, when this happens again, like before go up one level, but you'll now know how long to wait before re-entering the PS3's Video PMS directory.

Source: Discussion and more information click here.

Thanks Otmanix
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Re: PS3 Media Server for dummies / PMS tutorial

Postby woffle99 » Thu Sep 10, 2009 9:55 pm

Hi,

I have my PMS running quite nicely already (though it did take a while to get it that way) but I thought I would just stop by and add my appreciation for starting something that this fantastic project really needs (imo), which is some clear, coherent and detailed documentation - well done. I hope you keep it going and that others pick up the torch too. If I have time I will try to add some stuff myself, maybe about running as a Windows service which I gather you're looking for a guide for and which I'm doing quite happily - now I just have to remember how :D
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Re: PS3 Media Server for dummies / PMS tutorial

Postby meskibob » Fri Sep 11, 2009 12:46 am

Troubleshooting - PMS - Connectivity (Linux)
Error: PMS doesn't show up on playback device.

Solution: Add server's FQDN (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fully_qual ... omain_name) to the server's host file (/etc/hosts)
To determine your current hostname/domainname: http://linux.about.com/od/commands/l/bl ... ostnam.htm
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