upgrading ps3 hard drive

[njdevil]

ok I'm sure this question gets asked a lot but I haven't been able to find a definative answer:
I havent got a ps3, but will get a 40gb one in a few weeks.I want to upgrade the HDD,preferably externally.I want to be able to put ripped DVDs on my ps3, which will probably be >5GB (mp4),from my laptop.
If I use an external HDD, is it possible to put file sizes larger than 4GB on it? I'm guessing not.Then What about a large Internal hard drive? Will I need to change the file format from mp4 to something else?

also, can a ps3 play .vob files from a dvd?

Thanks in advance for any replies.

[Alpha2]

I believe that you can play any file over 2gb as of a recent FW upgrade but I dont know if it's capped at all. AVI files will play, they dont have to be mp4 and even some wmv below a certain version but I dont remember the particulars. PS3 as far as I can tell will not read loose .VOB files.

For videos, streaming from a media server or from an external HD is probably the best bet just because you arn't being forced to take up HD space this way.

[Lethal_NFS]

Screw the external HDD. Purchase a 500gb 7200rpm HDD and put it inside the PS3. I have a 320gb 7200rpm and it works great.

[njdevil]

ok I wouldnt mind using an internal HD,but how do I get the stuff from my laptop onto the ps3?
and is installing an internal HD difficult?

[Seraphus Y]

ok I wouldnt mind using an internal HD,but how do I get the stuff from my laptop onto the ps3?
and is installing an internal HD difficult?

You can copy files through media server software. Just instead of running the file, press the triangle button on the controller and select Copy. And the internal HDD of the PS3 can hold files larger than 4GB as it's not using a FAT32 file structure.

As for replacing the HDD, that's rather easy. It's even in the manual (if I remember correctly).

But to make it easier...

YouTube - Gamehelper: PS3 HDD Replacement

YouTube - PlayStation 3 Hard Drive Upgrade (HOWTO)

[Yip-Man]

http://www.ps3forums.com/showthread.php?t=144925

Here's a usefull Thread on Upgrading your Internall Hard Drive... as i wrote it :-)

[njdevil]

perfect! thanks for the help guys.