Remote Play

Remote Play is a feature on the PlayStation 3 and PlayStation Portable which allows a PlayStation Portable user to interact with their PlayStation 3's Xross Media Bar. Users can access music, videos, photos, PlayStation games, and various applications stored on the PlayStation 3's HDD, or external flash drives and optical media attached to the PlayStation 3.

Remote Play works by encoding a live video and audio stream of the output image on a PlayStation 3, then delivering it over a wireless network connection to a PlayStation Portable. Actions performed on the PSP such as the pressing of buttons are uploaded back to the PlayStation 3 over the same connection. This is similar in concept to the Slingbox.

The latest update includes the ability to use Remote Play across the Internet, turn your PlayStation 3 on remotely, use a few applications, and play all PlayStation 1 games, whether stored on the HDD or on an optical disc.

Compatibility

To use the basic Remote Play feature on the PlayStation 3 and PlayStation Portable over a local or private network connection, the system software must be at least version 1.60 on the PlayStation 3, and at least 3.10 on the PlayStation Portable. [ [http://pspupdates.qj.net/Both-PSP-and-PS3-need-firmware-updates-to-activate-remote-play/pg/49/aid/72276 Article Detail - PlayStation Portable News - PSP Updates ] ] To use the Remote Play feature over the Internet, the system software must be at least version 1.80 on the PlayStation 3, and at least 3.50 on the PlayStation Portable. [ [http://ps3.ign.com/articles/791/791050p1.html IGN: 1080p Upscaling for DVD on PS3 ] ]

The Remote Play functionality originally did not work with the 20GB configuration of the PlayStation 3 as it lacks Wi-Fi and therefore cannot wirelessly connect and stream to a PlayStation Portable. The 1.60 firmware upgrade addresses this issue by allowing the PSP to connect to the 20GB version through a wireless router connected to the PS3 via ethernet. Users set up a Remote Play connection by first registering their PSP with a USB mini B cable. Once this has been done the PSP may be connected to the PlayStation 3. [ [http://www.gamesindustry.biz/content_page.php?aid=17035 20GB PlayStation 3 will be upgradeable, says Sony // News // GamesIndustry.biz ] ]

Remote Start function

With PlayStation 3 System Software update 2.00, it is now possible to turn the PlayStation 3 system on and off with the PlayStation Portable. [ [http://www.psp-vault.com/Article1248.psp Firmware 3.72 released, includes PS3 Remote Start :: PSP-Vault :: PSP downloads, community, news ] ] To be able to remotely start the PlayStation 3 system you need to do the following:

* Auto-Login to the PlayStation Network needs to be enabled
* Settings > Remote Play Settings > Remote Start > On

To turn the PlayStation 3 off (standby mode) press the 'home' button on the PlayStation Portable and select "Quit Remote Play and turn off the PS3 system".

Games and Software compatible with Remote Play

Sony is allowing developers to let their games on the PlayStation 3 interact with the PSP. Initially, Sony Computer Entertainment only announced two titles that would work with Remote Play. [ [http://au.gamespot.com/e3/e3story.html?event=e32006&sid=6149470 E3 2006 - E3 06: PS3 launches 11/17-$499 for 20GB, $599 for 60GB - News at GameSpot ] ] "Gran Turismo HD" and "Formula One Championship Edition" were shown at E3 with the PlayStation Portable acting in-game as a rear view mirror to assist the player in the game. [ [http://www.digitaldisplacement.com/?p=263 Digital Displacement » Blog Archive » F1 on the PS3 – PSP in the Rear View ] ] However, the Remote Play feature was dropped from both games before release and did not appear in the final version of the game, during the next firmware update it has been announced that such remote play is ready to be activated.

Soon after its release, the PlayStation 3 title Lair was found to work on the PlayStation Portable via Remote Play. The entire game is theoretically playable with no lagging (since the PlayStation 3 itself still processes the game, but the PSP displays it), however due to control problems many actions are difficult to use because the PSP lacks a right analog stick and the L2 and R2 buttons, all of which are necessary for playing the game. Although the PSP can be configured to use the Select button as a modifier key, such that Select+Joystick = Right Analog and Select+Left Shoulder = L2, such manual gymnastics are difficult to perform quickly, and preclude operation of both analog sticks simultaneously. Instead of using Sixaxis, Lair uses the joystick, making it easier to control your dragon.With the current versions of the firmware for both the PSP and the PS3, original PlayStation games can now be played through Remote Play to the PSP. [ [http://www.ripten.com/2007/12/18/all-playstation-1-titles-now-playable-on-psp-via-remote-play/ Ripten "All Playstation 1 Titles Now Playable on PSP via Remote Play"] ] [ [http://boardsus.playstation.com/playstation/board/message?board.id=psnetwork&message.id=166903#M166903 Sony Forum Posting] ] When playing PS1 games via Remote Play, two black bars appear on either side of the screen.

Games/Software which are compatible with Remote Play include:

* Aqua Vita (PSN game) aka "Aquatopia"
* Bionic Commando Rearmed (PSN game/demo)
* (PSN game)
* Imabikisou (BD game/PSN demo)
* Lair (BD game)
* LEGO Batman (BD game)
* Life with PlayStation (PSN software)
* Mainichi Issho (PSN game)
* PixelJunk Eden (PSN game/demo)
* PixelJunk Monsters (PSN game/demo)
* PlayStation 1 games (CD games/demos, PSN games/demos)
* PlayTV (PSN demo)
* SingStar (BD game)
* SingStar Vol. 2 (BD game)

Usability

While using Remote Play, certain menus and functions are not accessible. [ [http://manuals.playstation.net/document/en/ps3/current/remoteplay/remoteplay.html PS3™ | About remote play ] ] Below are the operations that can be performed while using Remote Play:

Game, Music, Theme, Date and Time, Printer, Sound, Security and Remote Play settings can all be accessed under the 'Settings' menu.

Under the 'Photo' menu it is possible to view photos stored on Media Servers, Flash Media, CDs, the PlayStation 3 HDD and in playlists.

Under the 'Music' menu it is possible to play music stored on Media Servers, Flash Media, CDs, the PlayStation 3 HDD and in playlists.

Under the 'Video' menu it is possible to play videos stored on Media Servers, Flash Media, CDs, and the PlayStation 3 HDD.

Under the 'TV' menu it is possible to operate PlayTV and watch freeview TV live through the PSP ('TV' menu only available if PlayTV is installed).

Under the 'Game' menu it is possible to access the Game Data, Memory Card and Saved Data utilities, as well as compatible games.

Under the 'Network' menu it is possible to use the Internet Browser, the Information Board, the Online Instruction Manuals and the Folding@Home utility.

Under the PLAYSTATION Network menu it is possible to access the PlayStation Store.

Finally, under the 'Friends' menu it is possible to access the Block List, the Message Box, the Buddy List and the Players Met list, and the functions 'Add a Friend' and 'Start New Chat' are also available.

Restricted Media

There are some types of media that cannot be accessed through Remote Play, they include: [ [http://manuals.playstation.net/document/en/ps3/current/remoteplay/remoteplay.html PS3™ | About remote play ] ]

* Super Audio CDs (Super Audio CDs can be played back if the model supports it. If PSP is selected in Audio Output Device the music will be downmixed to low resolution 2 channel stereo.)
* Blu-ray Disc movies
* DVD movies
* Copyright-protected video files

BT Home Hub

At the time of writing there exists an issue with using Remote Play over the internet with a BT Home Hub. The BT Home Hub broadcasts repeated ARP requests which the PS3 uses to wake up - this thread at the PlayStation community forums contains all details http://community.eu.playstation.com/playstationeu/board/message?board.id=147&message.id=23440

References

External links

* [http://manuals.playstation.net/document/en/ps3/current/remoteplay/remoteinternet.html Using remote play (via the Internet)]
* [http://www.us.playstation.com/ps3/network/updates PlayStation 3 Software Update]
* [http://www.us.playstation.com/PSP/Downloads/SystemUpdate PlayStation Portable Software Update]
* [http://www.psp-hacks.com/forums/forum-10.html PSP Remote Play Tips]