Playstation 3 : non-bias

Dolby

Dolby

Honorary Master
Joined
Jan 31, 2005
Messages
39,237
Reaction score
6,204
GAMES : Games are roughly equal on either console and it comes to down to the exclusives. I've tried a PS3 and Xbox side-by-side with similar games (Forza 2 and GT5 Prolugue) with both on HDMI. Guess what? That massive difference everyone has been telling you does not really exist. Some games are slighly better on the 'box, some are better on the PS3 and some are negligable. There are people on the forum with BOTH consoles and they'll confirm.

BLU RAY : Well that's pretty decent and could be a reason to buy for many. A few things to keep in mind : if you have a small TV, you're going to be hard pressed to notice a huge difference between DVD and BD - let alone upscaled DVD. Also bear in mind that not all BR players are the same. The PS3 BR was actually a great BR when it was launched - but towards late 2009it's performance is on par with entry level players from Samsung and Sony.

HOME ENTERTAINMENT : When it comes to media streaming, the PS3 is slightly below par of even the entry level machines. Slightly limited in what it can play and do, but not too bad if that's what you're looking for mainstream and value all in one box. If you've got a ton of movies, series and music in different codecs/contaiers and are a real media buff, your best bet is to go seperate if you can. As good a job as a PS3 can do, it's no match for a stand alone, despite what everyone tells you.

Listening to certain people on here, you'll be think the PS3 is *the* best when it comes to every function. Truth is, it isn't, and it's up to the indivual to determine what he currently has (equipment wise), what he will get in future (equipment wise), what he values most about the functions (BD? games? streaming?) and what games you prefer.

Great machine - but it does have limitations which should be told and may - or may not - be relevant
 
When using my PS3 in conjunction with ps3 media server software on my pc I have yet to come across a media file I cannot play on my ps3. I have tried everything from flash (flv) to 1080p MKV files.
 
Gambit said:
When using my PS3 in conjunction with ps3 media server software on my pc I have yet to come across a media file I cannot play on my ps3. I have tried everything from flash (flv) to 1080p MKV files.
Click to expand...

Fair enough comment. This isn't a argument post - I'm trying to be as fair as possible.

You need a reasonable well specced to transcode on the fly without jaggering though? Subtitles? Alternate languages?

How about music/audio? If you've got a collection of FLAC lossless and transcode to what the PS3 understands, surely you'd lose the lossless? From what I understand, you definatley lose track ID.
 
Last edited:
Yeah, not trying to argue just letting you know it is possible to watch anything you want in case you didn't know that windows media streaming is not the way to go :)

I will try a flac file and see what it is transcoded to. If it gets transcoded to pcm (which i think is the most likely) then it would still be lossless as pcm is uncompressed.
 
Last edited:
I also use my PS3 + PS3 Media Server to stream to my TV, and it is a top-drawer solution.

In most cases, HD content is "muxed", not transcoded. This demands very little of the CPU. The only time you are likely to need to transcode a HD video is if there are subtitles. These need to be transcoded into the stream, and this is where you need a decent spec machine doing the grunt-work. If you have a newer nVidia GFX card though, you can get PS3 Media Server to utilise the hardware acceleration and take the load off your CPU.

All-in-all, with PS3 Media Server, the PS3 becomes a very capable media streamer. Probably better than most. It could all be in my head, but the overall output quality I get from my PS3 is far better than I used to get from my Media PC (which I decommissioned once I discovered PS3 Media Server).
 
Dolby : If your conclusion is "isn't much between the PS3 and 360" as consoles....then I agree...but i still believe the PS3 edges out the 360 on the media side, edges it out on t he network side (has an integrated web browser), edges it out on the hardware side(blu-ray, overall technology and stability) and definitely on the exclusives (I'm sorry, but the x-box library definitely in no way matches the Sony's library and it's further dented if you take pc owners into account)...360 edges it out on the online store, cheap alternative SKU's (although this in my books is a negative but it makes it more accessible) and pc architecture....so yeah, this debate will go on for ages because there there isn't much between them....but if you couldn't tell, PS3 has been my choice and i've not had anything to complain about...if i had to be super critical :

1. No back USB ports
2. No incremental updates (150mb odd updates suck)
3. Some missing online features (cross-xxx-chat)
4. Support for N+ wireless networks
5. Better use of PSP (know this is the development aspect, but Sony should have explored this more with them)
6. Backward compatibility (doesn't bother me at all cos i have a PS2 still connected, but it should be mentioned)
 
Gambit said:
Just tested a flac file. PS3 media server transcodes the flac to pcm so it is very likely there will be no loss.
Click to expand...

Interesting.

How about subtitles? Alternate angeles and subtitles?
 
Gambit said:
With the newer versions you can select that subtitles are disabled so you don't have to transcode.
Click to expand...

Yes, but I'm talking about those times when you WANT subtitles. For example when there are foreign-language spoken scenes in a movie. Then you have no choice but to transcode. If you're watching a 1080p video, you better have:
a.) a fast dual-core processor
b.) New nVidia GFX card and some technical know-how to set it up to be used by PMS
c.) A gigabit connection between your PS3 and your PC. The transcoded stream can peak at up to 250mbps.
 
Lemon369 said:
Dolby : If your conclusion is "isn't much between the PS3 and 360" as consoles....then I agree...but i still believe the PS3 edges out the 360 on the media side, edges it out on t he network side (has an integrated web browser), edges it out on the hardware side(blu-ray, overall technology and stability) and definitely on the exclusives (I'm sorry, but the x-box library definitely in no way matches the Sony's library and it's further dented if you take pc owners into account)...360 edges it out on the online store, cheap alternative SKU's (although this in my books is a negative but it makes it more accessible) and pc architecture....so yeah, this debate will go on for ages because there there isn't much between them....but if you couldn't tell, PS3 has been my choice and i've not had anything to complain about...if i had to be super critical :

1. No back USB ports
2. No incremental updates (150mb odd updates suck)
3. Some missing online features (cross-xxx-chat)
4. Support for N+ wireless networks
5. Better use of PSP (know this is the development aspect, but Sony should have explored this more with them)
6. Backward compatibility (doesn't bother me at all cos i have a PS2 still connected, but it should be mentioned)
Click to expand...

Fair enough.

Do you understand why I created the thread though? If I came on here and read many of these posts, I'd more than likely be sorely disappointed when I got the unit home. I did say it was fantastic as an all-in-one unit and value for money. In the same breath, it's not the best Blu Ray player under R10,000.00 and other claims.
 
Gambit said:
When using my PS3 in conjunction with ps3 media server software on my pc I have yet to come across a media file I cannot play on my ps3. I have tried everything from flash (flv) to 1080p MKV files.
Click to expand...

I do admit though, streaming video can be frustrating, especially when trying to rewind or fast forward.
 
Last edited:
PythonFSi said:
Lol! And you say this thread is non-biased?

You attack every response!
Click to expand...

Apologise - thought those were questions.

How else should I phrase 'what about FLAC?' or 'what about subtitles?'
 
PythonFSi said:
Lol! And you say this thread is non-biased?

You attack every response!
Click to expand...

It was a valid question, involving the difference between .flac and .pcm; streaming quite of trancodes and there may quite well be a reason you preferred it in the original format.
 
I have a question.

How does the Xbox handle subtitles inside a .mkv file, or an .avi file when streaming to the device?
 
StNick said:
I have a question.

How does the Xbox handle subtitles inside a .mkv file, or an .avi file when streaming to the device?
Click to expand...

I've never tried.

But did you read the initial reason of the post? To get a more realistic view of the PS3 and it's functions? Not a comparison?
 
StNick said:
I have a question.

How does the Xbox handle subtitles inside a .mkv file, or an .avi file when streaming to the device?
Click to expand...

.avis can be played natively, however most streaming transcoders would transcode into .wmv. As for .mkv, that can't be played on the XBox 360 and would require transcoding in to .wmv.

However, you can get cheaper alternatives (mines arriving in a few mins!) that will play .mkv without the need to transcode.
 
Dolby said:
I've never tried.

But did you read the initial reason of the post? To get a more realistic view of the PS3 and it's functions? Not a comparison?
Click to expand...

Yes I did, thanks.

Did you not read my question though? I wasn't drawing any comparisons, simply asking how the Xbox handles it. Since you mentioned the Xbox and other streaming players, I figured it was a legitimate question.
 
StNick said:
Yes I did, thanks.

Did you not read my question though? I wasn't drawing any comparisons, simply asking how the Xbox handles it. Since you mentioned the Xbox and other streaming players, I figured it was a legitimate question.
Click to expand...

In that case, I've never tried
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top
Sign up to the MyBroadband newsletter
X