Will the PS3 play MP4 out of the box?

[videohalp]

Will the PS3 play MP4 out of the box or does it require me to download drivers online? And will it allow me to transfer videos from USB drive to PS3 HDD?

[pandy]

In both cases answer is yes however beware Cinavia, some codec limitations etc.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PlayStation_3_system_software#Compatible_media_formats

[Bjs]

Depends ... this from playstation.net

The following is provided for those asking the same question repeatedly

Types of files that can be played

The following types of files can be played under (Video).

Memory Stick Video Format
- MPEG-4 SP (AAC LC)
- H.264/MPEG-4 AVC High Profile (AAC LC)
- MPEG-2 TS(H.264/MPEG-4 AVC, AAC LC)

MP4 file format
- H.264/MPEG-4 AVC High Profile (AAC LC)
MPEG-1 (MPEG Audio Layer 2)
MPEG-2 PS (MPEG2 Audio Layer 2, AAC LC, AC3(Dolby Digital), LPCM)
MPEG-2 TS(MPEG2 Audio Layer 2, AC3(Dolby Digital), AAC LC)
MPEG-2 TS(H.264/MPEG-4 AVC, AAC LC)

AVI
- Motion JPEG (Linear PCM)
- Motion JPEG (μ-Law)
AVCHD (.m2ts / .mts)

DivX

WMV
- VC-1(WMA Standard V2)

Hints

Depending on the data type, some files may not be playable or some control panel options may not function during playback.

Some video files distributed over the Internet have playback restrictions.

For details, contact the content provider.

To play WMV format files, you must go to (Settings) > (System Settings) and set [Enable WMA Playback].

When using a USB adaptor to play video files, you may need to use a USB adaptor (not included) that supports copyright-protection features (to play copyright-protected files).

When using a USB adaptor to play AVCHD-format video files saved on Memory Stick™ media, use a device that supports Hi-Speed USB (USB 2.0).
WMV format copyright-protected files cannot be played.

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Maybe add a link to this info or sticky it ... were getting quite a few asking this same question lately.

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Q: What if my file wont play ?

A: Use mediainfo to determine the internal codecs used on problem file .... if it fails to match that as stated above you do the following.

1: Convert
2: Stream video from pc to ps3