Crashing/freezing when playing game/movie (blu-ray/dvd)

The PS3s' DVD and Blu-Ray player is region locked. This means that your Australian PS3 can only play DVD and Blu-Ray movies made for the region Australia is in or are region free (region code 0).

For DVD's, Australia is region code 4.
For Blu-Ray, Australia is region code B or region code 2.

Although this doesn't help your current problem, the PS3 is region free for PS3 games (you can play games from any region).

To work around this, I propose either ripping the DVD to your computer, then burning it onto a different DVD or streaming the DVD directly from your computer to the PS3. Streaming is definitely the better bet if you have more DVD's from another region.

To rip and burn your own copy, use a blank DVD disc and DVD burning/ripping software such as Nero.

To stream to your PS3, check out the following:
PS3 Media Server (my personal favorite) for PC
TVersity for PC
MediaLink for Mac

Enjoy your movie (hopefully)!

You can follow below steps to play DVDs on PS3.
Step 1: Insert Blu-ray disc into PS3's Blu-ray drive. Playing Blu-ray disc movie works exactly the same way as entering a game, except you need to head into the Video Tab in your PS3's home menu, rather than the Game Tab. Highlight the Blu-Ray and press X to start it immediately.
Step 2: Now the Blu-ray disc will load like a traditional DVD. Use your controller to access the menu, and use the D-Pad to select your option and press X to enter. When the media is playing, you can press triangle to open a mini-menu that will give you access to options such as subtitles, audio channels and volume. You can also access the main menu, using the arrow keys to navigate. Press triangle again to close this menu.

However, if you can't do it successfully, try to convert DVD to regular video and transfer to PS3.
Step 1: Download and install Leawo Blu-ray to PS3 Converter, and then launch it.

Step 2: Get source Blu-ray movies ready. Insert Blu-ray disc to the Blu-ray drive, or get source Blu-ray folders ready for loading and converting.
Step 3: Load Blu-ray sources
Click "Add Blu-ray/DVD" button on the program interface. This Blu-ray to PS3 converter would then guide you to browse source Blu-ray movies for loading.
Note: After loading source Blu-ray movies, you could select subtitles and audio tracks, play source Blu-ray movies, edit Blu-ray movies, snap screenshots, etc.
Step 4: Do output settings

Next to the "Add Blu-ray/DVD" button, click the dropdown box and select "Change". You will then arrive at the Profile setting panel to select output format from "Format" group or "Device" group. Select "MP4? from "Format" or directly choose "PS3? from "Device > Sony".

Optional settings: After you've set the output format, click the same dorp-down box and click "Edit" option and then you could adjust video and audio parameters of selected profile, including: video codec, audio codec, bit rate, aspect ratio, frame rate, channel, etc.
Step 5: Start converting Blu-ray to PS3

Back to the main program interface, click the green "Convert" button. You could then set an output directory on the right popup sidebar. After setting output dirctory, click the below convert button to let this Blu-ray to PS3 Ripper instantly start converting Blu-ray to PS3 videos.
Note: Internet connection is required during the whole conversion.
After you convert Blu-ray to PS3 friendlier videos, you can transfer the videos to PS3 and then start to play Blu-ray on PS3 in a indirect way. For details, you can read the extension part.
For more details, check: Direct and Indirect Ways to Play Blu-Ray on PS3

Well if the regular dvd's dont work.. I would recommend you to buy Blu-Ray movies instead.. PS3 is the best known blu-ray player. buy at least one blu-ray movie and try that.

thats becouse it a BLU-RAY it is diffrent i figured out the hrd way 2 :P

the laser is starting to go bad in the dvd drive. It takes more power for the drives laser to read and play a blu ray movie then it does to play a dvd game.

You can either replace the laser if you have the technical knowledge to take the dvd drive apart, or just replace the drive. You can usually find either one on ebay.

weird

I had the same prob. Did a game freeze on you and you turned off from the back of ps3? If so it probally fried the blue ray and only plays dvd's and ps2 discs. if in warranty call sony

i bought ps3 and it plays games ok i play a blueray and it had no colour.

Could be an overheating issue.. Is there enough air circulation around the unit? Is it possibly dusty? try and perform minor servicing (use a can of compressed air incase if there's dust causing problems)

Does this happen on regular dvd's ?

At this time the region lock on ps3 only includes DVD and ps1-2 titles. Although some games will have the 80028F10 error. Most ps3 and blue ray will play without problems, my only suggestion being that if you are in the US, make sure you get a US ps3.

hope this helps.