9.1 – WHAT IS FOLDING@HOME AND WHY IS IT IN MY PS3 XMB?
I’d explain it here, except that I think you can get much better information from the project’s home page:
If you get the latest PS3 firmware, then you’ll find that Sony put a space for a Folding@home client in the network section. You’ll need to download a 50 MB client the first time you run it, but after that, you’ll only need the network to download updates and work units.
9.2 – SHOULD THE PS3 BE PLACED FLAT OR ON ITS SIDE?
Like the PS2, the PS3 can be placed either way. However, if you want to place it on its side, then you should either place it in a stand, or have it lean against something sturdy so it won’t fall.
9.3 – ARE XBOX 360 CONTROLLERS COMPATIBLE WITH THE PS3?
No. Wireless controllers are incompatible because the PS3 uses Bluetooth for wireless, while the Xbox 360 uses 2.4 GHz RF for wireless, and the two are not even remotely compatible. Wired controllers are incompatible, even though both consoles use USB, because PS3 wired controllers use USB HID (Human Interface Device) standards wherever possible, while Xbox 360 controllers don’t.
Sorry, but that means that, among other things, “Rock Band” instruments made for the X360 will not work on the PS3, and vice versa.
9.4 – WILL BLU-RAY MOVIE DISC XYZ WORK IN MY PS3?
As long as you have the latest PS3 firmware, and the disc is not region-locked to a region outside your PS3’s Blu-ray region (and such discs are in the minority of releases), then the answer is yes.
One of the biggest problems Blu-ray has had is it is a “living format”, unlike the set-in-stone HD-DVD and DVD formats. So the standard has had several upgrades, and these upgrades have largely required firmware updates. Also, some player makers out there (I’m looking at you, Samsung) have released defective players that don’t implement certain features correctly, meaning that they won’t play certain discs at all. Since the PS3 is one of the only Blu-ray players with updatable firmware, and defects can be quickly fixed, then it will play all past, present, and future Blu-ray releases.
Also, since PAL/NTSC conversions are not necessary with Blu-ray discs, then you do not need to worry about titles supporting the wrong format.
9.5 – WILL THE PLAYTV ACCESSORY WORK IN NORTH AMERICA?
No, and there is no way to get it to work in North America. The reason is because the PlayTV only supports the DVB-T digital TV broadcasting standard, whereas broadcasters in North America use ATSC instead. Although the two standards have a few things in common, they’re not cross-compatible with one another.
