DLNA:

Digital Living Network Alliance (DLNA) is a technology that enables media sharing across a local network to other devices for playback. DLNA consists of 2 components, media server generally located on a computer where the media files for sharing are located, and a playback device like a media centre computer or in this case a PS3.

DLNA works using a protocol called UPnP (Universal Plug and Play) to create small and simple virtual networks between devices. UPnP and “Device and Service Discovery and Control” work together to search out compatible devices on both the media server and playback devices and makes small links between them for data transfer when media is requested. At the moment DLNA works by "pushing" media data to the playback devices, in the future this will change so that the playback device can "pull" the data from the server, this will allow much greater control over the playback to the media.

There are many different DLNA servers out there, some are free and some aren't, and all offering many different levels of features. Some servers include:

• Windows Media Player 11 (Vista and XP)
• TVersity (Windows)
• Twonky Media (OSX)
• Nero 7 (Windows)
• Azureus V3 (Windows, Linux, OSX)
  

Some media servers will transcode media data on the fly, like converting XVID AVIs to MPEG2 to play on the PS3 while the file is being played. Once a media server has been install on the computer and configured, turn the PS3 on and the PS3 should find the server straight away. In each of the media sections on the XMB (Photo, Music, Video) the media server should pop-up above the main menu line, not below. The PS3 needs to have Firmware 1.80 for DLNA media streaming to work.

HOW TO: Upgrading the Internal HDD

For some people, the default internal HDD is not big enough, with all the HDD games, game caches, music, videos, and save games the HDD can get full quite quickly, Plus if you opt to have Linux installed, there goes another 10GB of HDD space.

Upgrading the HDD is quite easy, and it doesn't void the Sony warranty. The HDD is a standard Seagate brand 2.5" SATA drive, and can be 20, 60, or 80GB in size depending on PS3 model. All that is needed for the upgrade is:

• New 2.5" SATA HDD
• Small tip Philips Head screw driver
• Flat Head screw driver
• External media for backups

First things first, backing up the current data. Skip this area if there is no data on the old HDD. You'll need an external media device like an external HDD (FAT32), big memory card, or USB flash drive. Turn on the PS3 and head to the SETTINGS menu on the XMB. Inside the SYSTEM menu go to the System Settings area and select the Backup tool. Continue with the options for a backup on the media you wont to put it on. A system backup will copy photos, music, videos, game cache, game saves (Including PS/PS2 game saves) games on the HDD, and web browser settings.

Now, turn off the PS3 and unplug the mains power supply. Lay the PS3 down in the flat (horizontal) position and turn the unit so the left side is facing you. On the left panel you'll see a little panel with a sicker on it, get the flat head screw driver and insert it into the little slot on the right side of the little panel and use it to lift it out.

Behind the little panel that was lifted out there is a metal caddy and holding it in is a blue screw. Use the Philips head screw driver to take the blue screw out, and remember your going to need a very small tipped screw driver. Once the blue screw is out, there is a leaver on the caddy, pull that out towards you and push it towards the front of the PS3, it should then be able to slide right out of the unit now.

There are 4 screws holding the HDD in the caddy. Once they are removed the HDD lifts straight out and the new drive can be added. NOTE: If the new drive is a SATAII, a jumper may be needed to bridge a couple of pins on the back of the drive to force it to SATA speeds, consult the drive manufacture before hand to make sure.

Once the new drive is in and all back together, the PS3 can be turned on. When the PS3 first boots with the new drive it will detect it and want to format the drive. This process can take some time so it might be a good time for a break.

When the format is complete it will return to the XMB and allow you to go back into the backup tool in the SETTINGS menu and restore the data. Once the data has been restored, the HDD swapping in complete and can return to normal PS3 use.

NOTE: Although swapping the HDD does not void the PS3 warranty, Sony will only accept a PS3 unit for a warranty job if the original HDD is put back in, so keep the old drive in a safe place.

Warhawk - Review

Warhawk is a multiplayer only game for the PS3. It comes in two different media types, downloadable off the PSN Store, and physical on a Bluray disc. Both version still load totally off the internal HDD to make sure that everyone player has the same load times to make it more equal. The Bluray physical version at first loading will dump the entire game onto the internal HDD, so the first loading of the game takes some time. The game itself on the HDD takes up around 800MB.

The multiplayer nature of Warhawk is quite unique for a console, with the exception of a couple games like FFX1 on the XBOX360. Warhawk offers 2 types of gaming types:

• Online - Connecting to the internet to play on servers with other people around the world.
• LAN - Multiple PS3s on the same local network connecting together.

Additional with that, Warhawk offers up to 4 player split screen on both online and LAN playing. Online servers have an option to allow split screen players, and it's generally disabled on official Sony servers.

There are 4 different game modes, some are fairly standard and always good, and some quite different:

• Deathmatch - A standard mode where everyone is against each other and the highest score wins.
  
• Team Deathmatch - 2 teams, Red and Blue, fighting each other. The team with the highest score wins.
• Capture the Flag - Another standard game mode of taking the other teams flag and bringing it over to your teams flag to score points.
  
• Zones - Take control of enemy control points be standing at them for some time to limit the enemies respawn abilities.

Each map in the game has different layouts for different areas of the may, like Bridge, Installation, and Dogfight, which is where everyone is in warhawks fighting above the map, no landings are possible.

The stat system is quite large, following your travels on the online servers. There are a large amount of awards in the form of medals, badges, and ribbons covering all aspects of the game. The ranks are too easy to advance through and doesn't introduce a challenge, there are a lot of ranks, but it doesn't require a lot of points to move into the next level. Each rank offers new options in the customising area for your character and you warhawk.

The game itself is very fast paced as long as there are a lot of players on the server, as close to the max 32 is best for full on action. There are a few different combat methods including using weapons that your character has, tanks, buggies, warhawks, and turrets. The HUD is very simple and easily understood, and navigating through the weapons is gone by pressing the buttons on the directional pad, each direction is for a different weapon and there are 8 weapon slots. One interesting thing is that you can't leave your warhawk until it's grounded, handy so you don't accidentally exit while in the sky and fall to your death, but not handy if you want to get out as soon as possible while under attack.

The Character and vehicles are controlled by the analogue stick be default, but can be switched to motion sensing in the SIXAXIS controller. I personally found motion sensing to be the easiest way to control warhawks, R2 for speed, motion for pitch and turning, and right stick for barrel rolls and tricks to evade enemy aircraft and missiles.