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I would like to incorporate the PS3 into my Home Network so I can play my AVCH files from the Network on the Hard Drive on other PC without having to use a AVCHD or AVCH file with an external drive or USB storage device. I know KEN has mentioned he has done this but I have no idea about how to connect it up as the PS3 does not have a windows operating system.

It depends which PS3 you have. There is one with a wireless receiver which will connect to any wireless modem you might have. You might, as normal when connecting any device to a wireless network, be required to enter the WEP password. Anyway, the detailed instructions are contained in the PS3 Manual.

If your PS3 is an ordinary one like mine, then all you need is a sufficiently long cable to fit between your computer and wherever you have the PS3 set up; plus of course a spare LAN connection on the back of your modem or router. In my case, I bought a 25 metre LAN cable for a few dollars, connected it to a LAN jack on the back of my Netcomm N9 wireless modem/router and the PS3 connected itself automatically.

It does not use Windows, of course, as you note. But it does have an internet browser and your network connection should automatically (again) give you access to that. P3 has a software keyboard included, but I spent $20 to buy a cheap Logitech USB keyboard which now sits out with the PS3.

To gain access to your main computer's multimedia, though, the PS3 needs to see a multimedia server on the network. First, you will need to go into your network settings and ensure that your main computer is set to share files with other devices on the network. You might also need to adjust any relevant firewall settings in this regard, though I have found that my firewall settings seemed to be automatically adjusted when I enabled file sharing in the Vista Network and Sharing Centre.

Windows Media Player 11 is one media server that PS3 is happy with. I don't know if earlier versions of WMP will work, but they may. Anyway, you just start WMP and make sure it has up to date scans of the multimedia files on your computer. I don't think you have to keep WMP open after you have opened it the first time. In practice, though, I tend to leave it minimised on the task bar. Certainly, after rebooting, you have to open it at least once. And the next time you turn on the PS3, it should show an active icon of the WMP server under either the Video, Music or Photos tabs.

Under any of these categories in PS3, when you select WMP, a drop down menu appears offering a choice of Video, Music or Photo files. While you can open any of these regardless of the PS3 category you happen to be in at the time, I am pretty sure you can only actually open specific files relevant to that open PS3 category. In other words, If you are under Video, then you can only actually open and play video files. Ditto re music under the Music tab and photos under the Photo tab. And when you click on any of the main categories, you get further drop down nested sub-menus which can refine your choice (e.g. All Videos, By Date, Album etc...)

Nero MediaHome (part of Nero 8 and possibly 7) is another acceptable multimedia server for PS3, though in practice I had difficulty getting that one through my computer firewall. However, curiously enough, when you have MediaHome set up and running (having had it also scan your computer and index your multimedia files), and switch on WMP, then the main page of the lattr will show a link to MediaHome at the bottom of the directory tree on that page. And indeed, when you open PS3, there should now be an active icon for Nero as well as WMP! In other words, the WMP link evades any firewall setting which might block Nero access.

The streaming works great. The only limitation I have found possibly relates to network bandwidth. If you are watching a video streamed from your computer (particularly if it is HD), then I find that if I fast forward it on the PS3 and the FF speed is too high (say above 10x), then an unexplained 'network error' message is displayed on the PS3 and streaming stops. But you can usually start it again with no trouble. If not, then a simple restart of the PS3 re-establishes the network/media connections.

As a further tip, you might want to investigate the availability of the Sony Bluetooth multimedia remote control for the PS3. I just got one and it makes a big difference as it is exactly the same form as standard remotes for your TV, DVD player etc. And it is so much less clumsy to handle when you are only using the PS3 for multimedia, as I am, than the gaming remote which the PS3 comes with. The genuine Sony multimedia remote costs around A$25 here is Australia but it will probably be less if you are in the US or Europe... And the Bluetooth connection with the PS3 is easy and gives a longer range of contact than a normal remote.

Thank you Ken for that info I will try it today. By the way I am living in Perth Western Australia. I saw in the paper today that Retrovision is giving away a free PS3 with every purchase of their Bravaria HDTV. I wonder if Sony is having a problem shifting them at $700 AUD or maybe it is the HDTV. I know they had a similar promotion last Christmas here. Not sure if this is Australia wide or not.
Cheers and thanks again.
Tony

That deal is also being offered here -- though the PS3 has to be claimed direct from Sony through redemption. The HDTV in question (46 inch Bravia) gets good reviews. I think it is also the usual electronics sale time coinciding with the end of our Financial Year on 30 June...