Categories
How-To Software Technical

PS3 Media Server – Simplified

Hello Friends

This time around I will provide some details on setting up the PS3 Media Server software on your Linux/Ubuntu install. This time the steps have been simplified. So please follow my steps and you should be up and running in no time at all.

Step 1. – Install Ubuntu Server or Desktop (I prefer using server)

I first started with a fresh clean install of Ubuntu Server (Ubuntu 12.04 LTS). After the server was installed I set my network address to something static.

Step 2. – Installation of base software requirements
Find your way to a command line and follow the steps below

sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install python-software-properties
sudo add-apt-repository ppa:happy-neko/ps3mediaserver
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install ps3mediaserver

I normally have no need for the sudo command as I run my install from the root user account. Enable this account by typing sudo passwd and set a password; at this point you will be able to log on as root.

At this point your PS3 Media Server is installed. You now need to configure the software so that it know the location of your media files.

Step 3. – Configuration – Configuration options for PS3 Media Server

Logged in as the root user you will need to edit your PMS.conf file which is located here: /root/.config/ps3mediaserver/
Using the nano command: nano .config/ps3mediaserver/PMS.conf I open the configuration to set options such as the location of my media files.

There are many options that you can set, and that is based on your preference. If you need help feel free to reach out to me with any questions and I’ll do my best to assist.

Step 4. – Starting your PS3 Media Server

You can restart the service by issuing the following command: /etc/init.d/ps3mediaserver restart

Or you can reboot your server.  Oh your PS3 game console under video you should see your new PS3 Media Server in the list.  If all has been configured correctly you should be able to access your media.

— extended info —

My media is located on a file server here at home. I use the smbmount command to mount my storage. However doing this each time I restart my media server is a pain so I do the following:

First you need to have the smbmount tool installed. Type apt-get install smbfs to install this. Now that we have the tool installed you need to create a location on your system where you media will live. I suggest using /media/video for video /media/music for audio. The location and preference is up to you.

Now that the above is completed I change directory to /etc/init.d/ . I then create a new file that will be used as a start up script when my server boots.
Here is my setup steps:

cd etc/init.d/
nano ps3media – edit this file with something such as this:

#!/bin/bash
smbmount //server/video/ /media/video/ -o user=user,pass=password
exit

chmod + x ps3media – we are making the script executable
update-rc.d ps3media defaults – telling the system to run this script

*reboot* to test your setup

 — My Systems Requirements —

Ubuntu Server (Ubuntu 12.04 LTS)
2 CPU (1.8 GHz) — Single CPU or Dual Core
512MB to 1GB of RAM — 512MB is fine in most cases
8 GB Hard Drive — You can get away with 4GB if you like