PS3 PlayTV broken - Solution now found!

[haxxxen]

thanks for the explanation, didn't know about that at all

I don't know how to do what you're suggesting yet, so I will have to ask how when I am ready to try, if I cannot figure out how to do this myself.

no problem. though, by now it is very easy and well documented, on how to use the Cobra debugging feature

 

[andshrew]

Will the Play TV app launch if you don't have the USB tuner connected? If it does launch, does it still crash in the same way?

 

[Rissy]

Will the Play TV app launch if you don't have the USB tuner connected? If it does launch, does it still crash in the same way?

It launches to a certain point, and then a pop up message appears advising that the PlayTV software will not work without the BOX connected. There is no crash associated with this, although i'll admit i've always then just connected the BOX. I don't know what would happen if i left the BOX unconnected for the 3-8mins period it normally takes for it to crash. I could try that...

 

[Rissy]

Well I can report back now and advise that we can eliminate Option 1 (Faulty breakout box). My brand new, never before used PlayTV package I bought from Ebay, still sealed from factory, does the same thing. It lasted the longest yet (11.5mins) before crashing, but the symptom is still the same. So that leaves Option 2 and 3 only.

Either it's a British TV broadcasting signal difference between 2014 and 2024 (I highly dout it! as DVB-T receiver decoders are still supposed to work in the UK in 2024, and if PlayTV couldn't accept it, then it's doubtful it would work at all, let alone work for over 10mins before suddently stopping and freezing). This was still on OFW 4.55. The working OFW from 2014 where PlayTV worked perfect.
Most likely, it's a time-bomb put into the software to stop it working after a certain date without Sony intervening to keep it operational through software patches.

Does anyone here think this might be something they can take a look at here?

My next step will be to revert my console from OFW 4.55 back CFW 4.91.2 and try the recommended debug of the Cobra payload (whatever that is). See if that tells me more. I'll need some advice on what I have to do for that though...

 

[haxxxen]

@Rissy
if you want to get debug output over console on PC, you have to install Cobra debug payload and you have to get socat Windows edition. it is buried here on this forum on several places

 

[Rissy]

@Rissy
if you want to get debug output over console on PC, you have to install Cobra debug payload and you have to get socat Windows edition. it is buried here on this forum on several places

Thanks, i'll take a look. I might still call you on you for some assistance though

 

[Rissy]

He can go from 4.91 to Rebug 4.21, then Rebug 3.55.4 then any ofw below 3.xx. This is the way i got 2.80 working here.

My apologies for bringing this up again, but is it possible for me to go directly down to 3.66 (if not lower) simply using EVILNAT 4.91.2?

I've now found good reason for me to want to go lower than 4.55, which is what i did the other week ago.

@LuanTeles

Correct me if i'm wrong please. Are you meaning the following in your advice?

REBUG 4.21.2 REX EDITION - Hash code 41E43FF7D0286B2F318CA6F56227A492
Followed by
REBUG 3.55.4 '999' DOWNGRADER - Hash code 06AA0E07AF7EAD6E7E4BDDF18EA3281F

https://archive.midnightchannel.net/SonyPS/Firmware/?cat=rebug

If these are the correct versions, is there a special trick to each of them to switch on the QA flag in each case?

 

[Rissy]

Well. I should perhaps have started a new thread for this post and named it "PlayTV WORKS!"

I've crack it!

I've found the solution to getting PlayTV to work in the modern day.

Another PSX-PLACE Exclusive!

Here's a follow up YouTube video I've created to demonstrate the solution to getting it working.

I think the problem comes down to maximum memory buffer or allocation allowance, or even something as crude as expected number of channels allowed within the software not being exceeded. At somewhere between 132 and 137 channels found, it becomes too much for PlayTV, and this results in it being unstable, causing it to crash randomly at a time shortly after it being started. 10 years ago (2014), the number of channels found with a full scan was around 125. Now it's about 175! Limiting the number of channels found is the key. I know that it's happy with 131 as this is where I have mine settled and crash-free.

The video shows my test results and comments I've made against my findings, and not knowing whether people can actually read them from the video, here they are here to see too.

I hope this is of use to others who may be interested in having their PS3 be a DVR in 2024 just like me.

I'm very pleased I finally found the solution, and I have to report it works on pretty much any firmware (at least that I've tried it on - I can't do them all, as I don't have long enough to live to do all that testing) and it also works with PlayTV V1.00 from the disc, or the latest (last) PlayTV update V2.04. It took me nearly two months (I started in Feb!), but I got there in the end!