Posted on by Terry White

Surf the Web on your PS3 with Flash and a Keyboard!

Last week my home theater system consisted of a TiVo HD XL, Sony BDP-S350 Blu-ray player, Apple TV, Sony PS3 and a Mac mini. Ever since I got the Apple TV, I rarely ever used the Mac mini anymore. The only reason I could think of keeping it in there was the once in a blue moon chance I would want to surf the net without getting up and going to my computer. I had an Apple wireless keyboard and a bluetooth wireless trackball. I’m still kind of puzzled as to why Apple doesn’t include the Safari browser in the Apple TV? Oh well.

 

This week the Mac mini is history!

I no longer need the Mac mini in my theater because the web browser on the Playstation 3 (PS3) is now usable. This is thanks to the latest firmware update which includes the updated more feature rich version of the Adobe Flash Player including full screen capabilities. However, that was only half the battle. The other problem was a decent keyboard. I’m NOT going to use the onscreen keyboard! Nope, not me! Luckily, my buddy Dave Helmly turned me on to the Logitech wireless keyboard for the PS3.

 

The Playstation 3 Logitech Cordless Mediaboard Pro

is possibly the longest name for a keyboard in existence today. Aside from that, it’s the missing piece to this solution that makes surfing the web from a PS3 feasible. Not only is it a bluetooth wireless keyboard. It also has an integrated trackpad built right in. Not only is it a good design, but it’s also designed for the PS3. That means that it has the PS3 keys right on the keyboard so you’re not constant reaching for the game controller to navigate your way around.

 

How well does the PS3’s Web Browser really work?

I was impressed by not only the web browser, but also the Flash integration. I had no problem seeing Flash enabled sites. I was even able to watch some movies in Flash (FLV) format. There were a couple of disappointments. The first one was that I wasn’t able to find a way to resize the window. There was a lot of wasted space on both sides. Maybe there’s a way, but I couldn’t find it. The other disappointment, although not a surprise was that there was no way to watch QuickTime content. Again, I’m not surprised and there is way more Flash content out there than QuickTime content anyway, but it would be nice to have both.

This browser certainly won’t replace the one you use on your Mac or PC, but it’s more than adequate for looking up some information right there on the spot and on the big screen. You can also bookmark your favorite sites. It took me a few minutes to discover the side panel where all of the controls are located.

 

The Bottom Line

If you have a PS3 and it’s connected to the internet, then there really isn’t much of a reason not to use it for web browsing too. If you are going to use it this way, then don’t hesitate, go buy the Logitech Mediaboard. It’s $59.99 at Amazon.com.

10 Replies to “Surf the Web on your PS3 with Flash and a Keyboard!”

  1. Being a major tech junkie myself, I am truly envious of that picture of your home theater. Can I come live with you? 🙂

    Love your blog. Keep it up.

    -Cary

  2. hey terry, i was wondering, why have the blu-ray player and the ps3 when the ps3 is a blu-ray player?

    and do you like force unleashed?

  3. Matt, it’s simple, I like the integration with my Harmony Remote better with the dedicated Sony BDP-S350 than the PS3. It’s also easier to use for the rest of the family than having to use the PS3. Haven’t had much time yet on the Force Unleashed, but from what little I have played, it’s pretty cool.

  6. This makes me want to put my PS3 back in the living room and purchase that keyboard. Awesome article and writeup! Keep up the good work Terry!!!

  7. Terry, you mentioned the difficulty of using a universal remote with the PS3. I was surprised after I got mine to learn that, because the PS3 remote is Bluetooth, you can’t really program an IR remote to control it.

    After looking around for a solution, I finally found a very cool, and low-priced, device that solves the problem. For only $20, you can plug this little IR receiver (http://www.buy.com/retail/product.asp?sku=204823001) into any USB port on your PS3 and you’re in business. It comes with a PS3 remote control, so you can use that to “teach” your universal remote the PS3 codes.

    I’ve been using the Blu-Wave PS3 IR remote for a couple of weeks now and love it.

    Mike

  8. Mike,
    Thanks! I’ve reviewed that very remote here on my blog:
    http://terrywhite.com/?p=532

    While that solution does work, there were still a couple of functions that couldn’t be controlled (at least back then). With the stand alone BDP-S350, everything works the way I want. The PS3 makes a fine blu-ray player and that was the original reason I got it as I’m not really a gamer. It was also more cost effective at the time. However, that has changed as the blu-ray players continue to drop. So if you DON’T need the gaming AND you want complete control via universal remote, then the stand alone Sony player is the way to go. Since I already own the PS3, I now have the best of both worlds.

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