Getting the PlayOn software from the Media Mall (http://www.themediamall.com/playon) to stream onto a PS3 using a Mac isn’t difficult, well not too difficult.

PlayOn

What is needed:

  1. Sony PS3
  2. Mac (I have an iMac)
  3. Wireless Router
  4. VMware Fusion for Mac’s
  5. Windows XP (or Vista)
  6. PlayOn
  7. Windows Media Player 11 for PC


Obviously, the PS3 needs to be connected to a TV and the wireless network settings need to be enabled. Also, the Mac needs to be running an installation of VMware Fusion with Windows XP.

For VMware Fusion, make sure that the Virtual Machine is installed. This is located in the “Virtual Machines” option and then “Install VMware Tools”. After installation and a re-start of VMware Fusion, open the XP Virtual Machine and then navigate to the “Virtual Machines” option in the toolbar. Go to the “Network Adapter” options and select “Bridged”.

PlayOn needs Windows Media Player running in order to work. There may be some settings for Window Media Player that will need to be checked.

  1. Open the Services window (Start > Control Panel > Performance and Maintenance > Administrative Tools > Services).
    Navigate to “Windows Media Player Network Sharing Service”, double-click so it opens a windows and make sure the Startup Type field states either “Manual” or “Automatic” . I set the Startup type on mine to “Automatic”.
  2. Select OK and then close the Services window.
  3. Open Windows Media Player 11 and Click the “Alt” button and then select Tools > Options.
  4. In the “Library” tab, select the “Configure Sharing” button.
    On the “Media Sharing” window that appears, select the check box for “Share my media to:”.
  5. Then select the device in the big white text box area. The PS3 will most likely appear as “Unknown Device”. The “Settings” button can be used to specify what types of info is shared. Select “OK”. In the Options window (with the “Library” tab showing), the “Monitor Folders” button can be used to share specific folders.

Install and then start PlayOn. Then start up the PS3 and search for devices. PlayOn will appear.

I am streaming Netflix and it is working much better than my Vista Ultimate laptop that I used to have. By much better, I mean that the stream comes through without too much choppiness.