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Get up to speed with the digital music service that gives PS3 music lovers access to millions of songs.

What is Q Music Unlimited?

Q Music Unlimited is a cloud-based, digital music service that gives music lovers access to a constantly expanding catalogue of millions of songs from major labels including Universal Music Group, Sony Music Entertainment, Warner Music Group and EMI Music, as well as local and independent labels from around the world.

Where is Q Music Unlimited available? 

Q Music Unlimited is currently available in the UK, Ireland, France, Spain, Italy and Germany only.

Can I access Q Music Unlimited on other devices apart from PS3?

Q Music Unlimited is initially available across Sony's 2010 models of network-enabled BRAVIA TVs, Blu-ray Disc players and Blu-ray Home Theatre systems, as well as PlayStation 3 systems, and personal computers, including VAIOs. Over time, it will become available on a range of Sony's portable devices as well as Android-based mobile devices and other portable devices.

Can I try out Q Music Unlimited before buying it?

If you subscribe to the premium service, you can try it out for a one-off, free, 30-day trial.

Is Q Music Unlimited available on PSP?

Yes.

For more information on Q Music Unlimited, including detailed frequently asked questions, please visit qmusic.com.

Everything you need to know about the free music video application coming to PS3 in June 2009.

What can I watch on VidZone?

With VidZone on PlayStation 3 you can create your very own personal music experience. The service features thousands of music videos from well known artists, with many more coming in regular updates. VidZone is a leading online music video service and is able to provide a vast range of videos from many genres.

Does it cost anything?

No, the application itself can be downloaded for free from PlayStation Store, giving you unlimited access to all of the music videos.

How will I access the application once I've downloaded it?

The VidZone icon will appear under Music on the PS3 Home Menu (XMB); select it to start the application. You can then browse videos and create playlists using the Wireless Controller. The controls will be familiar if you're used to PlayStation Store and there is a manual detailing more advanced controls at eu.playstation.com/vidzone.

How do I use the VidZone main menu?

VidZone's main menu is accessible by pressing the Circle button from the Featured screen, the first screen you see when launching VidZone. The VidZone main menu carousel allows access to On-Demand content, TV, Settings, and back to the Featured screen.

What is TV in VidZone?

It is possible to watch exclusive music TV channels created by VidZone. These are made up of your favourite VidZone artists and genres. You can select featured TV channels from the Featured screen and also by accessing the TV menu via the main menu carousel. It's possible to browse all channels available in your territory and save these under My Favourites by pressing the Triangle button to select Options. VidZone will play a featured TV channel automatically when starting up.

Can I control TV channels just like I can with my playlists?

It is not possible to skip tracks, fast forward or rewind whilst watching a TV channel.

Where can I find my playlists?

These can be found under On-Demand on the main menu carousel. Now Playing only represents On-Demand music videos and playlists and not TV channels.

Is it possible to save a Recommended Playlist as my own?

Yes, just select the Recommended Playlist you want to save, press the Triangle button and then select [Save as a Playlist].

Can I loop or shuffle a playlist that is playing?

It is possible to loop or shuffle an On-Demand playlist by pressing the Triangle button on Now Playing within the On-Demand menu. Select Loop On / Off or Random to shuffle your Now Playing list.

What is the difference between On-Demand and VidZone TV?

On-Demand lets you tailor the music video to your own tastes; you can search for your favourite artists and create your own playlists. VidZone TV is a feature available on the main menu carousel which provides pre-selected music TV channels.

Does the video window fill the screen?

While you are browsing a menu, either TV, On-Demand or Settings, a window is visible on the left hand side of the screen. You can switch full-screen mode on and off at any time with the SELECT button. It is also possible to access the main menu by pressing the Circle button when at the top of the menus or in the Feaured screen.

How many videos can I have in my playlist?

As many as you like; there's no limit to how many videos you can add or how many playlists you can create.

Can I skip to the next video?

In On-Demand, you can pause, rewind or fast forward a video, or skip to the next or last one in your playlist, at any time.

What criteria can I use when searching?

You can search by the name of the video or the name of the artist, and you can refine your search by limiting results to a particular genre. You can input into the search by using the virtual Keyboard which is accessed by pressing the Triangle button. It is also possible to search using related keywords, so for example searching for "Kill" will find "The Killers".

Will I have to wait for the music videos to download?

No, the videos are streamed so they should open and play immediately, providing you have a reliable Internet connection.

What can I access via Remote Play for PSP?

Everything - you can watch videos, browse the collection and edit your playlists.

Learn how to find your favourite artists and create playlists with the free music video application on PS3.

Once you've downloaded the VidZone application from PlayStation Store, an icon will appear under Music on the PS3 Home Menu (XMB); from then on, selecting this will open VidZone, providing access to a world of free music videos.

The first thing you will see is the Homepage, where you can use the left and right directional buttons on the Wireless Controller to browse through a selection of preset playlists. These are chosen and updated by VidZone every week and are based on most-viewed videos or certain themes, genres or eras.

You can select any of these with the X button and it will be added to your Now Playing list, which is like an ongoing playlist, allowing you to queue videos to play easily and quickly. At any time, you can press the SELECT button to enable or disable full-screen mode; the R1 and L1 buttons to skip to the next and previous tracks; the R2 and L2 buttons to fast-forward and rewind; and the START button to pause the current video.

Searching

As long as you aren't in full-screen mode you can perform a search based on the name of the video, the name of the artist or the genre. Use the scrolling text bar to enter your search term and press the X button to check the results. Once you've highlighted the video you're looking for, you can press the Square button to play it now, the X button to add it to Now Playing, or the Triangle button to bring up a list of options, such as adding it to one of your Playlists.

The Related Videos option in the main menu is useful if you're enjoying the video currently playing and would like to see others by that artist or of a similar style. Simply select Related Videos to scroll through and play them there and then and add them to Now Playing or one of your Playlists.

Creating Playlists

VidZone allows you to create as many Playlists as you like, with no limit to how many videos you can add, and it's really easy to do.

Select Playlists from the main menu, followed by my Playlists; this is where your party soundtracks and chill-out collections will appear, but as you haven't created any yet, select New Playlist to get started.

First, give it a name and a description, then select Save Playlist to return to the My Playlists menu. From now, you can select any track in the Search menu and add it to any of your saved Playlists using the Triangle button. It's as easy as that!

Remote Play for PSP

Whenever you have access to a Wireless Internet connection you can access the entire VidZone service on the move, using Remote Play for PSP.

First, make sure your PS3 and PSP systems are set up for Remote Play using the relevant guide on eu.playstation.com. Then it's simply a case of selecting VidZone as you would if you were on your PS3 at home; the applications features and controls are also exactly the same.

Hopefully, with this guide you can start enjoying all of the great music videos and features VidZone has to offer in no time. If you'd like further information on this great application, or a more in-depth explanation of Remote Play for PSP, check out the related articles on eu.playstation.com.

Music files that are saved on the Hard Disk Drive or storage media can now be upsampled for output on the PS3 system.

You can improve the playback quality of the music files by adjusting settings in [Audio Output Settings], [Output Frequency] and [Bitmapping].

Required playback conditions for upsampled output
The audio device in use must support sampling frequencies of 88.2 kHz or 176.4 kHz.

Adjusting settings for upsampled output

1. Select ［Linear PCM 2 Ch. 88.2 kHz］ or ［Linear PCM 2 Ch. 176.4 kHz］ under Settings > Sound Settings > ［Audio Output Settings］.

2. Select ［44.1/88.2/176.4 kHz］ under Settings > Music Settings > [Output Frequency].
Audio is upsampled and outputs at a frequency of either 88.2 kHz or 176.4 kHz depending on the audio device in use.

3. If necessary, adjust settings under Settings > [Music Settings] > [Bitmapping] to match your preferences.
You can further improve the playback quality by adjusting this setting.

• If [Output Frequency] is set to ［44.1/88.2/176.4 kHz］, you cannot use other features such as Photo or Internet Browser while the music is playing. You must set to [48 kHz] to use these features while listening to music.
• Playback quality will vary depending on the content being played and the playback conditions of the audio device in use.

[Audio Multi-Output] is an option under [Sound Settings].

With this feature you can set the audio output to the HDMI OUT connector, the DIGITAL OUT (OPTICAL) connector, and the AV MULTI OUT connector simultaneously without having to manually adjust the connections on the devices in use.

Off: Disable the multi-output feature.
On: Enable the multi-output feature.

Notices about using the multi-output feature

• Audio output to connectors that are not selected in Settings > [Sound Settings] > [Audio Output Settings] is downscaled to 2 channels.
• If you select [HDMI] in Settings > Sound Settings ＞ [Audio Output Settings], audio will output from the HDMI OUT connector with the following restrictions:
  - Audio in Linear PCM format can only output up to 5.1 ch, 44.1/48 kHz.
  - Even if [Audio Multi-Output] is set to [On] on a CECH-2000 series system, bitstream audio recorded in Dolby TrueHD, Dolby Digital Plus or DTS-HD format cannot output on the system.
• If you select [Optical Digital] in Settings > Sound Settings > [Audio Output Settings], audio will output from the DIGITAL OUT (OPTICAL) connector with the following restriction:
  - Audio in Linear PCM format can only output up to 44.1/48 kHz.

Bring your music to life on-screen with the PS3 system's Visual Player.

During music playback, press the Triangle button to display the control panel, and then select [Visual Player].

• Each time you select [Visual Player], the pattern of the visual player will change.
• You cannot change visual player patterns when [Photo] or [Internet Browser] content is displayed.

Tweak your output settings for the very best listening experience.

Bitmapping

[Type 2] has is an option in [Bitmapping] under Settings > [Music Settings]. This option enables users to adjust settings for the audio output of audio CDs or Super Audio CDs.

Off: Disable bitmapping.
Type 1: Set to use a technique called "dithering" to reduce noise or distortion produced during audio output.
Type 2: Set to use a technique called "noise shaping" to reduce noise in the audible range.

When playing audio CDs, [Type 1] and [Type 2] options are effective only when audio is being output at a frequency of 88.2 kHz or 176.4 kHz. Set [Audio CD Output Frequency] to [44.1/88.2/176.4 kHz].

Adjust the CD output settings to match the audio device you are using.

[44.1 / 88.2 / 176.4 kHz] is an option in [Audio CD Output Frequency] under Settings > [Music Settings]. This option enables users to set the output frequency for audio CDs. Adjust the setting to match the audio device in use.

48 kHz: Set to output audio at a sampling frequency of 48 kHz.
44.1 / 88.2 / 176.4 kHz: Set to output audio at the highest sample frequency possible for the device in use. Select from 44.1 kHz, 88.2 kHz or 176.4 kHz.

• If the audio device in use does not support frequencies of 44.1, 88.2 and 176.4 kHz, sound may not be output from the audio device. In this case, select [48 kHz].

Improve the output quality of music on CD with the upsampling feature.

Upsampled output of audio CDs is supported. You can adjust audio CD playback quality by adjusting settings under [Audio Output Settings], [Audio CD Output Frequency] and [Bitmapping].

Playback environment required for upsampled output

• The audio device in use must support a sampling frequency of 88.2 kHz or 176.4 kHz.
• The PS3 system and audio device must be connected using an HDMI cable or digital optical cable.

Adjusting settings for upscaled output

1. Select [Linear PCM 2 Ch. 88.2 kHz] or [Linear PCM 2 Ch. 176.4 kHz] under Settings > [Sound Settings] > [Audio Output Settings].

2. Select [44.1/88.2/176.4 kHz] under Settings > [Music Settings] > [Audio CD Output Frequency].

Audio output is upsampled at a frequency of 88.2 kHz or 176.4 kHz to match the audio device in use.

3. If necessary, select the setting that you want under Settings > [Music Settings] > [Bitmapping].

You can further adjust the playback quality by adjusting the bitmapping setting.

• The playback quality of audio CDs varies depending on the content that is being played and the playback environment.

Adjust [Dynamic Normalizer] settings to make music tracks play back with more consistent volume levels.

When you are playing music that is saved on the hard disk drive or storage media, you can use this setting to reduce the difference in volume levels between music tracks when the tracks are played.

[Dynamic Normalizer] is an option in [Music Settings] under Settings.

Off: Do not use dynamic normalizer
On: Use dynamic normalizer

Set up your PS3 to play Windows Media Audio files.

[Enable WMA Playback] is an option under Settings > System Settings.

To enable music data in WMA format to be played, you must first connect to the Internet and perform an authentication procedure. Follow the on-screen instructions to perform this operation.

Find out about using the mini-size control panel when listening to music.

You can use a mini-size control panel while playing music.

1. While playing music, press the PS button.

The PS3 Home Menu screen is displayed.

2. Use the directional buttons to select the icon for the music content being played under Music.

The mini-size control panel is displayed.

Hints:

• The icon is displayed at the top under (Music).
• The mini-size control panel can be hidden by pressing the Circle button while playing music.

Status and control panel icons

Previous: Go back to the beginning of the current or previous track.

Next: Go to the beginning of the next track.

Stop: Stop playback and hide the mini-size control panel.

Shuffle: Play tracks in a random order.

Repeat: Play tracks repeatedly. You can select one of the following repeat modes by pressing the X button.

• Play one track repeatedly.
• Play all tracks repeatedly.
• Clear repeat play and play all tracks in order.

Volume Control: Adjust the volume output level of the tracks being played under Music. You can select one of five levels.

Hint

• If the volume output level is too high, the audio may become distorted. In this case, lower the level.

With a Hard Disk Drive, PlayStation 3 is the perfect partner for your music collection.

Select the Music icon on the Home Menu of PlayStation 3 to access your music and audio files.

Populating your PS3 with your favourite sounds is easy. Simply pop in an audio CD and the icon will pop up in the Music category. Find the track(s) or album(s) you want, press the Triangle button on your Wireless Controller and copy to PS3. The same goes for tunes stored on connected devices such as PSP, USB drives and other compatible storage devices.

You can also access the music collection on your PS3 via Remote Play with your PSP, including the Visual Player.

With PS3, you can group similar content together to make it quicker to access.

You can select [Group Content] when changing a file or folder icon.

You can change the icon for a file or folder saved on the hard disk of the PS3 system on the screen that is displayed when you select [Information] from the options menu. By selecting [Group Content] on this screen, you can sort displayed images by date. Use this feature to search for a specific image from among many image files.

You cannot change the icon for some file types.

Find out how you can use playlists to group content together and make it easier to access.

You can create playlists to organize content under Music and Photo. You can select images or tracks saved on your hard disk and arrange them in any order you like to create (and play) playlists.

1. Select [Playlists] under Music or Photo in the PS3 Home Menu.

2. Select [Create New Playlist]. Follow the on-screen instructions to create the playlist.

3. Select the playlist that was created, and then press the Triangle button.

4. Select [Edit]. The images saved on the hard disk are displayed on the left side of the screen, and the playlist contents are displayed on the right side of the screen.

5. Select the content that you want to add to the playlist, and then press the X button. The content is added to the playlist. When the content has been added, press the Circle button to stop editing.

• You can play the playlist that was created from [Playlists]. If you press the Triangle button, and then select [Edit] from the options menu, you can edit the playlist at any time.
• You can also select [Add to Playlist] from the control panel.
• Only content that is on the hard disk can be added to a playlist.

Copying playlists

You can copy playlists that you create in Music and Photo to a PSP system.

You can use playlists that you create on your PS3 system on a PSP system to play songs or show photos in the order you like. To do this, you have to upgrade the system software of your PSP system to the following version:
For Music playlists: version 3.10 or later
For Photo playlists: version 3.80 or later

1.  Connect the PSP system to the PS3 system using a USB cable. 
Check that you have Memory Stick Duo media inserted in the PSP system.
2.  Select [USB Connection] under Settings from the PSP system's Home Menu.
3.  Select [Playlists] under Music or Photo from the PS3 system's Home Menu.
4.  Choose the icon of the playlist that you want to copy, and then press the Triangle button.
5.  Select [Copy].
Specify [PSP™ (PlayStation®Portable)] as the destination. Follow the on-screen instructions to copy the playlist.

Update information such as track and album names to make your music easier to access.

Edit CD Information

You can edit CD information manually, including information such as the track name or album name.

1. Select the icon of the audio CD or track that you want to edit information for, and then press the Triangle button.
2. Select [Information] from the options menu.
3. Select the item that you want to edit, press the X button, and then enter the information.

• You can also send modified information to the All Media Guide company if CD information that was automatically obtained by the PS3 system is not correct. Select the icon of the audio CD, press the Triangle button, and then select [Send CD Information] from the options menu.
• All Media Guide is a company that provides a CD information database. Information that is sent from the PS3 system is useful for increasing the accuracy of All Media Guide's CD information database.
• You cannot change or send CD information for Super Audio CDs.