PS3 as a media system

Dolby

Dolby

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I thought instead of derailing the Tekken 6 thread, I'd just open a new post and perhaps IAP can clarify exactly what he means by the statment below :

I am Penguin said:
the PS3 for the extra's in media centre it gives/brings (AT ANY PRICE)
Click to expand...

I do quite like media streaming and actually recently checked out the media section on the PS3. I could be wrong, so please correct me if I am :

If I go direct connect to the Playstation, I'm limited to 4GB file size FAT32 - which removes even direct VOB rips of DVDs, let alone BR or HD rips. I cannot search the material - simply browse it. I have 23,000 songs :/

It can't do MKV (limited I hear - but so limited that none of mine play) and certain other formats/codecs (m2ts etc) battle too. You require certain folders for the PS3 to recognise (PHOTOS, VIDEOS, MUSIC etc) Apart from the limited functionality, you've got a pretty crappy GUI while browsing files (no DVD cover, no synopsis of what you're watching, no genre, cast, ratings etc etc)

So we go wireless now - and we get more codecs and containers as we have 3rd party software installed. We also bypass the 4GB file size limit - whew! Unfortunatly, those are usually HD files which can't really be streamed on Wireless G, as it's too slow with the theorteical max of 54mbit :/ We still don't have the DVD cover, synopsis etc etc either.

Now with a dedicated media streamer, I browse this GUI which can be fully customised with pictures, background etc http://mybroadband.co.za/photos/showphoto.php/photo/13198/size/big/cat/500

When entering the movie, the GUI changes to reflect http://mybroadband.co.za/photos/showphoto.php/photo/13199/size/big/cat/500

I have an array of connections, so the system can fit into any entertainment system (HDMI 1.3, RCA, optical, coaxial, S-Video etc) in addition to USB's (host and client) and ethernet. It's played every format thrown at it to date.

How is the PS3 the best media machine at any price? Or am I missing something?

On the music side, I have a 24/96khz Burr Brown DAC that - apart from MP3 - plays Apple Lossless, FLAC, WMA Lossless, AIFF, WAV, PCM, AAC, Ogg Vorbis, MP2, MusePack, WMA. Best of all, I can search my 23,000 tracks via artist, album or title.

My Samsung TV has pretty much the same media as a PS3 - and it's basic :/ In fact it does MKV, see's NTFS drives and doesn't require certain directories to function.

I can see you saying it's OK on the media side, but please - to say the best at any price when budget systems will do the same?
 
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I am quite happy with my PS3 as a media player. Run a network cable for my desktop and stream everything off it using the ps3 media server app. On the 100mbit connection plays 1080p mkv files with no hitch (forwarding thru them isn't so smooth, but its not smooth on the pc either). The PS3 media server app uses mencoder, and can do any files, so you aren't really limited to 4gig files. There are better things out there if you are looking to play directly off the drive (even for streaming, but this is quite good).

Plays all my music as well (don't like the ps3 interface for music though, rather use a pc with itunes).
 
Dolby, can you put prices next to the alternative equipment you mentioned.

Media Streamer -

Burr Brown DAC -

Samsung TV -
 
Fudzy said:
Dolby, can you put prices next to the alternative equipment you mentioned.

Media Streamer -

Burr Brown DAC -

Samsung TV -
Click to expand...

How is a TV alternative equipment? It may have a basic media centre but then most HD TVs coming out now do.
 
Fudzy said:
Dolby, can you put prices next to the alternative equipment you mentioned.

Media Streamer -

Burr Brown DAC -

Samsung TV -
Click to expand...

Oh I'm sorry ... when he mentioned the best media player at any price, I assumed that - um - he meant the PS3 is the best media player at anyprice.

Misunderstanding on my part.
 
timgaul said:
How is a TV alternative equipment? It may have a basic media centre but then most HD TVs coming out now do.
Click to expand...

A TV with a built in media centre is a bit more than your basic flatpanel, show me a sub R10k set which does.
 
Dolby said:
Oh I'm sorry ... when he mentioned the best media player at any price, I assumed that - um - he meant the PS3 is the best media player at anyprice.

Misunderstanding on my part.
Click to expand...

No misunderstanding, I'm just interested. Not trying to start an argument or anything.
 
Fudzy said:
No misunderstanding, I'm just interested. Not trying to start an argument or anything.
Click to expand...

I see what you're trying to do, actually ;)

But if we both agree it's a basic media system, then great. When people start saying that it's the best at any price point and that as a BR, it'd slaughter a R10,000 dedicated player - I get a little iffy. I mean check this claim as well from IAP (he deleted, but's been quoted here http://mybroadband.co.za/vb/showthread.php?t=192946&highlight=theater&page=2 :

Originally Posted by I am Penguin : you may want to look at something decent like 10K for a BluRay player which maybe still wont do what the PS3 slim can do.

People need to realise (as some do), that there are better BR players and there are better media streamers.
 
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Dolby said:
I see what you're trying to do, actually ;)

But if we both agree it's a basic media system, then great. When people start saying that it's the best at any price point and that as a BR, it'd slaughter a R10,000 dedicated player - I get a little iffy. I mean check this claim as well from IAP (he deleted, but's been quoted here http://mybroadband.co.za/vb/showthread.php?t=192946&highlight=theater&page=2 :

Originally Posted by I am Penguin : you may want to look at something decent like 10K for a BluRay player which maybe still wont do what the PS3 slim can do.

People need to realise (as some do), that there are better BR players and there are better media streamers.
Click to expand...

I'm pretty sure there are, but can you beat having a sub par media streamer and pretty good blu ray player for less than R4000?

I'm still interested in the prices of your toys though.

timgaul said:
Sony 40" (102 cm) Full HD LCD TV Series V550

Ah, its back up to R10999.00 and includes ethernet streaming.

http://www.makro.co.za/live/content...t=1182&ProdId=22691&Sku=000000000000156988|EA
Click to expand...

I thought that might be the one you were referring to, R10,999 is the promotion price though. Helluva nice screen regardless.
 
Fudzy said:
I thought that might be the one you were referring to, R10,999 is the promotion price though. Helluva nice screen regardless.
Click to expand...

Found the damn catalogue. It was the Samsung that is R9999.00, but it doesn't have streaming. The Sony is down to R10999.00
 
Dolby said:
Now with a dedicated media streamer, I browse this GUI which can be fully customised with pictures, background etc http://mybroadband.co.za/photos/showphoto.php/photo/13198/size/big/cat/500

When entering the movie, the GUI changes to reflect http://mybroadband.co.za/photos/showphoto.php/photo/13199/size/big/cat/500
Click to expand...
Thats pretty cool, im assuming those mkv's are on your HDD, did you have to enter all that info yourself or was it imbedded in the file, or does a program do it for you?
 
Dolby said:
I see what you're trying to do, actually ;)

But if we both agree it's a basic media system, then great. When people start saying that it's the best at any price point and that as a BR, it'd slaughter a R10,000 dedicated player - I get a little iffy. I mean check this claim as well from IAP (he deleted, but's been quoted here http://mybroadband.co.za/vb/showthread.php?t=192946&highlight=theater&page=2 :

Originally Posted by I am Penguin : you may want to look at something decent like 10K for a BluRay player which maybe still wont do what the PS3 slim can do.

People need to realise (as some do), that there are better BR players and there are better media streamers.
Click to expand...

If you were not so idiotic in your bias you would for one have noted the Topic, and stuck to the topic in context.

360 vs PS3 - Which Offers a Better Home Theater Experience?

It did not say "DOLBY's 130K HT sytem V the PS3".
Up untill a short while ago the PS3 was the best BluRay player on the market.
The OLD PS3 still beats many more expensive players in capability and features.
The new PS3 slim even adds more funtionality and at a new unbeaten pricepoint for a BluRay player + Media centre + DAMN good (The best) gaming console. ALL IN ONE!
There are in the latest reviews (Link YOU posted) only a few (three to be exact) dedicated BluRay players in the same price range that outshoned the PS3, not by far anyway and that excludes functions of using it as Media centre from PC and/or gaming console.
FACT! many higher priced dedicated BluRay players can not do what the PS3 can do.

So you are iffy because you could not get a loan PS3 working on your system in 8 months, that was I am sure even before the latest PS3 firmware updates The new slim PS3 does everything for R4000.00 yet you prefer to bash it. Maybe it has something to do that you are an Xbox owner. Did that work on your system? You are iffy because for some reason you like to argue off topic out of context, everytime the PS3 capabilities are mentioned you are compelled to compare it with you BluRay less personal HT system.
 
Dolby said:
People need to realise (as some do), that there are better BR players and there are better media streamers.
Click to expand...

But there are NONE other than the PS3 than can do all inclusive. For R4000.00

Very good Media center/streamer
From PC to PS3 using WMP or PS3 media server


Very good BluRay player
Can do DTS HD master decoding LPCM over HDMI (8 channels)
Can bitstream raw BD data over HDMI
Can Do HDMI-CEC
BD live
Etc.

Excelent gaming console.
None of the old claims of it's lack of power/performance, bad price point, low game quality, etc, always used to bash the PS3 remained, (as was stated and predicted in the past)
 
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