Using Playstation 3 as a media centre

[#1]

I don't own a playstion but have been told that it's possible to connect an external HDD via usb and play avi files through it onto TV.
Is this true.
What are the benefits of using a playstaion as a media centre?
Thanks

[#2]

Well if you own one then you can play media through it, including Blue-Ray.
However if you don't then it is an expensive media player  As a standalone player I would recommend the Sumvision MKV Enclosure has played everything I have thrown at it. (And it is only around £80)

[#3]

I dont actually want to use a wireless set up to play media I have stored on my HDD.
I want to be able to plu in an external HDD to something that will be able to play back through the TV. Also want to have HDMI socket on it.

[#4]

Any PC with a Digital video output should do that to a TV with HDMI inputs.
You just need a DVI to HDMI cable of suitable length.
(and possibly audio leads if the PC's speakers are inadequate or poorly-located.)

[#5]

The MKV or the non-enclosure version, will both stream media via wireless/wired or from a USB drive. I looked at using a PC but the MKV won on power/size/noise (<1W off 20W on/book sized/quiet) they both have HDMI and spdif o/p.
I use mine wired connected to one of my PC's via nfs shares. Or you can put a drive in it and load it up, which I did on holiday with an external drive with more stuff on it (I only have a 200Gb in the player).
Look at <a href="www.scan.co.uk">scan</a> or ebuyer and looks for it.

[#6]

I use my PS3 as a media player, but I stream my media from my Mac rather than using an external drive.
It works very well.
I'll see if I can plug one of my external drives into later and see what happens.

[#7]

My son also uses his PS3 as a media player, picks up stuff from shares on his PC and direct from t'internet e.g. BBC iPlayer.

[#8]

Some interesting stuff, thanks.
I'm quite keen to get the PS3 anyway but I don't want to compromise the actual ability to play media, maybe the MKV would be more suitable.
I'm looking forward to hearing what happens when adiewoo plugs in an external drive - thanks.

[#9]

I have plugged in many an external HDD into my PS3 and they work fine....provided they are FAT32 formatted and not NTFS

[#10]

Thanks Mr Markus, much appreciated.
Can you view HD content via the external drive through your TV?
What drive do you have.