I see where this thread is going and let me put an end to it right now. Yes, you can charge your controller through a regular USB port.

Unfortunately, that solution does not allow Sony to make money off of stupid people. This product is better than your computer's ports because it helps Sony separate money from idiots.

OMG! Ponies!

I don't know why they can't just let us charge them with the system "off". Xbox does that.

thebigcheese

I had the same problem with a 3rd party Wii charger base. However, i don't use Wii connect24 because of my mods. If you had that on, it might still power the usb port.

Anyway, couldn't all of this have been fixed through a firmware update? Doesn't the Xbox charge while turned off?

Optimus-Prime

@banmojo: Yes banmojo, yes they can. No need to help cure cancer just to charge a controller.

Vitamin_G

Shouldn't you be able to charge them with any usb charger?
I have one like this, but with one usb port, that I use to charge my iPod without a computer.

Samutz

can't PS3 controllers get charged off a PCs USB port?

banmojo

I charge mine using my iPod charger.

will

.. i just plug mine into the TivoHD that the ps3 sits on top of. That's always on for me :)

ercdvs

Nyko has made something like this since the PS3 was released.

I supose the Sony version is making news becasuse it's Sony, but the Nyko one (or any wall USB charger) will likely do a better job.

The Nyko one has 2 USB ports and comes with 2 extra USB cables. It cost me $10 and has been a welcome addition to the wire nest behind my couch.

DaveTyranham

@OMG! Ponies!:

Agreed!!

Why would Sony just power the USB ports while in standby when they can charge you $30 for an adapter and put ANOTHER Sony branded cord in your livingroom.....

CommodorePerry

If you have an Xbox 360, you should charge them through it's USB ports and see if it rips a hole in the space/time continuum.

PollockRoc

@OMG! Ponies!: Yes, but why is this considered news?
In my opinion, the criticism is not a result of Sony making an overly expensive item, but rather of Gizmodo considering this to be news-worthy.

Samutz

One solution would have to design an on/off switch onto the controller themselves.

soulfinger

Honestly, god forbid Sony would just include the ability to charge the controllers if connected to a PS3 that's in stand-by mode. Can it really be that hard to accomplish?

PhiCancri

I use my computer.
I'm pretty sure it uses less power than that giant black monster in my living room.

tony_important

@vincentw561: Do you, like many other people, have a Scientific Atlanta HD-DVR from your cable company. If so, you can use the USB port on the front of it. It charges a 'troller too. No computer in the living room required.

OMG! Ponies!

Yes, you can charge the PS3 controllers through a standard USB port. Unfortunately, I don't have a ton of USB ports on the side of my couch, and bringing my laptop to the couch, plugging it in, and turning it on seems pretty ridiculous as a solution just to charge a controller.

I wish normal mini-USB wall chargers worked, like the handful of cellphone chargers I have around my apartment. No luck.

typoink

I used an old Motorola cell phone charger that has a mini usb plug. Plugged it in by the coffee table now not only does it stay charged, as an added bonus I don't have to walk... all... the... way... across the living room to get the controller.

Captian_Caveman

@OMG! Ponies!: Yeah, because my computer sits in the same room as my PS3 and TV. Get real, I am not going to walk to the other side of the house to charge my controller. Plus, not everyone keeps their PC's on. There are cheaper solutions out there, but it is dump to blame Sony for making one of these and charging for it.

vincentw561

@Samutz: You act as if this is the Wall Street Journal.

GTgeek

If you have a Tivo or some other DVR with USB ports, you can use that as it is always on. I use my DIRECTV DVR to charge mine.

vincentw561

Yeah just what I want ANOTHER USB charger to go with the thirty five I already have...Like theres not enough spaghetti behind my couch already

VideoVampire

@banmojo: Only if you have a driver installed for it. At least that is how it works on mine.

vincentw561

@vincentw561: Nope. Driver is only needed to actually use as a controller.

y2julio

The Simple one is your cable box.
pretty much all of them have usb ports on board that do nothing thanks to your cable company... but they do provide power at all times.

i have a big pace box that sits next to ps3... 3 onboard usb ports. charge my cell phone and my two ps3 controllers.

MacMasterShane

@will: I've been wondering if that was safe to do... It works ok?

Phenostar

@OMG! Ponies!: Do you, like many other people, have a Scientific Atlanta HD-DVR from your cable company ?
Fixed that for you.

Phenostar

@vincentw561: Yup, I plugged mine into my MacBook while I was playing GTA4 because I didn't want to sit on the floor.

Phenostar

Odd, when I plugged my Dualshock 3 into my iPod AC adapter it didn't charge at all. Haven't tried a USB port on my PC yet though.

Nintenboy01

@OMG! Ponies!:

Computer and DVR are far, far away from my PS3, on different floors, and there's a handy wall socket near the couch that would allow me to play while charging instead of having to sit on the ground. Doesn't sound too bad to me; if Sony was really trying to scalp you, wouldn't they make it only charge one controller at a time?

man in gauze is king ramses II, actually

@Samutz: If it is the Apple one it may not work. I have one for my wife's iPod and it won't charge other USB stuff, I think they screwed with the pin outs just to be assholes.

BanMeAgainBrianLam

30$ for that? all you need is another 3$ mp3 player cable...

urbanturban666

Ive just been plugging the dead controllers into the usb port on my dish dvr. It complains about unsupported device but if you ignore that it will charge your controllers.

shas8300

@OMG! Ponies!: At this point I feel like an idiot for buying the PS3.

Rabid Penguin

@vincentw561:
I agree, needing a driver is 100% false. It uses the power pins from any (standard) USB port.

JEmlay

@banmojo: i totally dont have a PC in my living room, and getting one just to charge ps3 controllers is a bit rediculous. so fail.

f0rge

I charge my PS3 controllers using the USB plugs on the Wii

Atlantys

@VideoVampire: So use the other ones! They're usb chargers not fingerprints, they're pretty much all the same.

chrishw

@Atlantys:
I see what you did there.

Evil J

@f0rge:
How does he fail? He brought up a perfectly valid point. He didn't say to buy a PC instead of this adapter. So yeah, YOU fail.

JEmlay

The Port that came with My iPhone works so does the one that came with my BlueTooth Headset.

Assassin_Kensei

Ridiculous, plug it into your damn computers! It is USB!
Gah!

EnzoFX

One piece of advice, you can turn off the controllers if you are going to be doing something with the Console other than gaming. For me, once I get folding running, I hit the PS button and turn off the controller. Reduces dead controller anger significantly.

TressaBabblerash

If only the ps3 would behave like most computers in that the USB ports are powered even when the computer is not powered on, as long as it's plugged in. That said, buy yourselves a cheap powered USB hub instead of this, save you some money and get something actually useful for other stuff as well.

XenaCinyras

1. The pic is bogus--the end of the USB cable that attaches to the PS3 controller uses a tiny connector--not the one shown at the top of the pic here. 2. I use my laptop USB and my ipod USB charger to charge my PS3 controllers.

ZanHaest

@shas8300: I use the usb ports on my Comcast DVR. It doesn't even complain about the unsupported device because the ports are all disabled.

Ben Zvan