media hub

[mrgq912]

So Let me preface this buy saying I only want one system in my living room, I don't want both.

I bought the 360 two weeks ago. It was mostly to use as a device to store my pictures and music and movies. But I quickly realized even though I have a large 120gb hard-drive, I can't store anything directly on it. I had to use my external hard drive hooked up via USB. Also it does not play any of my DiVx movies, I don't want to stream movies but just play them of the hard-drive.

After reading some things about the PS3, i am beginning to wonder if that would be a better media hub for the living room. It plays divx, more open in its hardware use, more quite, and also plays blu-ray.

Can i have some opinions on this matter, which is better in this area.

As far as games I don't really care that much about console games, I mostly do sports and fighters, and both systems have those.

 

[nycxandy]

Build yourself a HTPC.

 

[mrgq912]

too expensive to build HTPC. And although I games are not that important I do want to be able to game with my friends occasionally.

 

[nycxandy]

The Xbox 360 might include Divx support once their Fall Update comes out later in December, but that's only speculation. But for now, it looks like a PS3 is your best bet.

 

[DaveSimmons]

The 40GB PS3 loses PS2 compatibility but it uses less power and runs even more quietly than the 80GB PS3.

If you want to use it as an upscaling DVD player it's quite good at that and the blu-ray drive is quiet unlike some of the $10 DVD drives MS uses in the 360.

Blu-ray itself is very nice if you have a HDTV (but so is HD-DVD). I'm glad I got to see movies like The Fountain and Curse of the Golden Flower in true 1080p instead of upscaled 480i.

 

[mrgq912]

But how good is the divx player, how easy is it to transfer files onto the harddrive, and how is there web browser. Do u even use it.

 

[mrgq912]

Basically i have till Dec, 5 to decide if I want to keep the 360 or exchange for PS3. I hope by then we have more news on Divx support for the 360.

 

[DaveSimmons]

Originally posted by: mrgq912
But how good is the divx player, how easy is it to transfer files onto the harddrive, and how is there web browser. Do u even use it.

I don't use P2P or newsgroups, so I haven't had a reason to try the divx, I'm not even sure it's out yet.

You can load the HD from memory cards (80 GB PS3), USB flash drives, USB hard drive. I don't think you can copy via network, just stream from servers, but I haven't had a reason to try that either.

 

[Jules]

The PS3 is also getting DiVx from what im told.

Found a link:http://www.joystiq.com/2007/11...ivx-support-announced/

 

[mlm]

Originally posted by: mrgq912
But how good is the divx player, how easy is it to transfer files onto the harddrive, and how is there web browser. Do u even use it.

Divx isn't out yet.

You can transfer files either through storage media (USB and whatever the model you get will support). You can also copy things onto the PS3 via the DLNA server.

I don't use the web browser on a regular basis, but other people seem to be satisfied with it.

 

[Gooberlx2]

Just get an old xbox and put XBMC on it. Save money too.

 

[onlyCOpunk]

I'm for the idea of an old XBox too. Although XBMC is an illegal piece of software so it mustn't be talked about on here.

Otherwise if you are brave enough to go throught he Linux process to get PS3 to play Divx then by all means. Or if you have the time and want to convert all of your video to the PS3 video format then that should also work. Neither are really a formidable media player option yet so still your best bet is an old XBox or a cheap HTPC.

 

[JackBurton]

Originally posted by: Gooberlx2
Just get an old xbox and put XBMC on it. Save money too.

Exactly.

 

[Netscorer]

If you are waiting for a DIVX support from MS or Sony to play your files straight up - you will be sorely dissapointed. First, there are many DIVX sub-specifications, then there is XVID, X264 and other codecs. I am not even talking about Audio support here. Look at what it takes sometimes to even play movie file on your PC and you have access to all the codecs on that platform.

So the best bet would still be to build an HTPC. Good news are that Sony PS3 allows you to do just that - via Lynux install. There are multiple forums and step-by-step guides published on everything you need to do, so it is not as intimidating as it seems. Another huge advantage PS3 has vs Xbox 360 is built-in Wi-Fi support, ability to easily hook up external HD, keyboard/mouse, memory cards and other goodies, usually only associated with PC.

If you have Hi-Def TV and decent speakers in your living room, then Blu-Ray and regular DVD upsaling are must as well. You would not believe how good a regular SD DVD can look on your big screen TV if upscaled properly. And Blu-Ray gives you full 1080P video glory with uncompressed surround sound.

 

[Schadenfroh]

Originally posted by: Netscorer
- via Lynux install.

But, does Yellow Dog Linux on the PS3 have support for divx and adobe flash via the browser?

 

[Gooberlx2]

Originally posted by: Netscorer
If you are waiting for a DIVX support from MS or Sony to play your files straight up - you will be sorely dissapointed. First, there are many DIVX sub-specifications, then there is XVID, X264 and other codecs. I am not even talking about Audio support here. Look at what it takes sometimes to even play movie file on your PC and you have access to all the codecs on that platform.

h.264 + aac is already supported by the Xbox360. DivX and XviD are both implementations of mpeg-4 ASP. Supporting one essentially supports the other with the possible exception of some rarely used encoding flags. Mp3 2-ch stereo was/is the most common audio format for those codecs by a wide margin. MS has already announced
support for DivX and XviD in future media center extenders....and considering the Xbox360 is a programmable extender.....

 

[RESmonkey]

PS3, or XBMC on the old Xbox. I have PS3 and 360, and the PS3 is the better in media stuff.

 

[Netscorer]

...h.264 + aac is already supported by the Xbox360...

Would you please elaborate on how Xbox 360 supports H.264 format. I have plenty of files in .mkv wrapper that are encoded in H264 and my Xbox does not read them unless I stream them via Traversity and loose surround sound in the process.

DivX and XviD are both implementations of mpeg-4 ASP. Supporting one essentially supports the other with the possible exception of some rarely used encoding flags. Mp3 2-ch stereo was/is the most common audio format for those codecs by a wide margin.

That depends. I don't remember the last time I was watching the movie in simple stereo. This to me is equal to watching a TV version cut that is made to make time for commercials.

MS has already announced
support for DivX and XviD in future media center extenders....and considering the Xbox360 is a programmable extender.....

I am all for universal support with 100% compatability. But I just don't see it happening in a company that does not hold any interest in supporting competing codecs to its own product. Then there is always question of subtitle support, multi-audio, etc. I just sincerely doubt MS (or Sony for that matter) will hold interest in replicating the universal applicability of, let's say, K-Lite Codec pack.

 

[potato28]

Originally posted by: Schadenfroh

Originally posted by: Netscorer
- via Lynux install.

But, does Yellow Dog Linux on the PS3 have support for divx and adobe flash via the browser?

Through 3rd party add-ons, there could be.

 

[RESmonkey]

Well, remember. You can't access the GPU one you're in linux mode. That might affect some high definition DixX and Xvid stuff you watch.

 

[tatteredpotato]

Originally posted by: Netscorer

...h.264 + aac is already supported by the Xbox360...

Would you please elaborate on how Xbox 360 supports H.264 format. I have plenty of files in .mkv wrapper that are encoded in H264 and my Xbox does not read them unless I stream them via Traversity and loose surround sound in the process.

h.264 is supported, although there are restrictions. I believe it requires a .avi container, but don't quote me on that. Google around and you'll find the restrictions.

 

[secretanchitman]

seriously...between ONLY the 360 and ps3...the ps3 is the way to go.

but i would suggest getting an HTPC, then ps3, then 360...in that order.

 

[Gooberlx2]

Originally posted by: ObscureCaucasian

Originally posted by: Netscorer

...h.264 + aac is already supported by the Xbox360...

Would you please elaborate on how Xbox 360 supports H.264 format. I have plenty of files in .mkv wrapper that are encoded in H264 and my Xbox does not read them unless I stream them via Traversity and loose surround sound in the process.

h.264 is supported, although there are restrictions. I believe it requires a .avi container, but don't quote me on that. Google around and you'll find the restrictions.

It supports the mp4, m4v, mp4v and mov containers....still with only 2-ch stereo audio. link

I highly doubt the mkv container will ever be supported...as much as I would like it to.

 

[randay]

i think the ps3 is the better media hub, install your own harddrive, gigabit/wireless, external HD, flash thumbdrives, and last but not least, the ability to install linux.

 

[tatteredpotato]

Using the 360 as a Media Center Extender is awesome, although the format restrictions are kind of annoying. I'm still hoping that Dec. 4 will bring me DivX.