PS3: Connect an external hard drive - how it works
If you have little free space on your PS3, you can connect additional memory via an external hard drive. We'll show you how.
Why connect an external hard drive to the PS3?
- With an external hard drive, you can transfer both movies and music from the computer to the PS3.
- Games, downloads and saves remain on the PS3 and cannot be moved to the external hard drive.
- In the following two paragraphs we will show you how to correctly format the hard drive and how to set it up for the PS3.
1. PS3: Format the external hard drive correctly
In order for the PlayStation 3 to work with the hard drive, you must format it correctly. Formatting deletes all files on the hard drive. You should therefore back them up on your computer first.
- Press the "Windows" and "E" keys simultaneously so that the Explorer opens.
- Right-click on the connected external hard drive and select the "Format" option.
- Select the "FAT32" option under "File system" and click the "Start" button below.
- Depending on the size of the hard drive, it will be formatted after a few seconds to minutes.
2. PS3: Set up an external hard drive for the console
In order for the PlayStation 3 to recognize the files correctly, you need a certain folder structure.
- Create the folders named "VIDEO", "MUSIC" and "PICTURE" on the empty hard disk. You can insert the relevant files here.
- You should load all films directly into the "VIDEO" folder. If you create additional subfolders here, the films may not be recognized by the PS3.
- Due to the formatting in FAT32, the files can have a maximum size of 3.9 GB. If a movie is larger, you must split the video. You also have to share films in HD quality if you have problems. You can do this with the free Freemake Video Converter, for example.
In the next practical tip, we will show you how to use your PS3 controller on a PC.