HTPC vs PS3 as a media center.

[prerich]

Originally Posted by Entertainment72

, I'm not using it for HTPC operations, I don't even have an HTPC. I have a PS3 why would I want an HTPC. I use Vista Business on my business laptop until the mac book pro comes.

Ahhh...ok. I would use XP PRO myself does your business network accept Macs readily?

[ps3andlovinit]

Originally Posted by brett_day

Advantages of PS3 as a Media Center

8.HD gaming without needing to spend upwards of $600 for an sli or crossfire set up

On-line gaming is free for everyone in the family .. vs pay per account per game for lots of (most?) PC gaming.

[caliminius]

Originally Posted by dadkins

Uhm... the theoretical max of 802.11g is ~24mbps
Verizon has 30+mbps service.
Paxio can obliterate wireless because if you are lucky enough to live in a served area, and have $395 per month for internet, they will hit you with gigabit.
I know someone who has Paxio 100x100...



Poor NIC card!

I run into the max of "g" wireless all the time.
When I want to download a file I will light it up on the A Series on the desk that is wired.
It regularly gets 28-35mbps, as where these wireless laptops hit 17-20mbps.

Comcast with PowerBoost that lasts for 50+MB
Wireless laptops cannot take advantage of PowerBoost.

The max for 802.11g is 54mbps...the average speed is the 24mbps you stated. Regardless, the PS3 has gigabit ethernet so it can could benefit from that same service just like a PC. Sure, you can toss 802.11n into a PC and give it a wireless edge.

[prerich]

Originally Posted by ps3andlovinit

On-line gaming is free for everyone in the family .. vs pay per account per game for lots of (most?) PC gaming.

There we go - that's a legitimate advantage...but the pc has some free online gaming also, but I believe the PS3 has more. Gotta look into this.

[prerich]

Originally Posted by caliminius

Sure, you can toss 802.11n into a PC and give it a wireless edge.

Thanks thats another HTPC advantage but that would actually go under upgradability.

[prerich]

Originally Posted by brett_day

i don;t have a 320gb i have a 160gb and the drive cost me $40....so $440 compared to $1500......

A $1500.00 HTPC would give me 2TB or greater HDD space so 160 gb vs 2000gb. It's all relative.

[brett_day]

Originally Posted by prerich

Money for parts is not an issue with techie people, we have our ways .

Ok so lets look on the grand scheme of things here...i would say most people are not techie's and most people do not have money to throw out at the new, better, improved video cards / processors that come out every 6 months.....again original build then more $$$ upgrading...

Interms of which is better for Home theater use it is still the ps3. You buy it, take it out of the box, plug it in, and away you go....The vast majority of people who want to watch blu's don't want to mess with the extra crap that comes with owning a pc....

and also...just because you can edit photos, edit music, write a letter on ms word or make a spreadsheet using excel so you can track the copious amounts of money you have spent building your pc, that does not make it a better Home theater solution...these things listed above have nothing to do with Home theater.....define home theater?

Imho Home theater is all about being able to watch dvd's, blu's, enjoy lossless audio, play mp3's or other music files and any videos you may have on your hard drive....all of which the ps3 can do and do incredibly well all for $400 ($500 with a decent hard drive upgrade)

[bhampton]

I used HTPC from 1999 till 2006... Nearly 10 years.

I started with a hardware DVD Decoder card (Creative dxr2) and eventually was mixing decoders and filters and running stuff like Re-Clock.

I was happy to leave it all behind for PS3. When all is said and done a computer remains a computer pretty much. Trying to force it to give the right amount of attention to timing video is quite a trick unless you use some specialized hardware. (Meaning the PC may have other things running and keeping the audio and video in sync and accurate isn't always easy.)

And... If you want you HTPC to play Blu Ray then it's not a cheap HTPC certainly no where in the vicinity of the price of the PS3.

I mainly watch Movies on Blu Ray or sometimes even DVD. I don't want or need DVR and timeshifting of cable and stuff like that. Netflix keeps me busy with plenty of stuff to watch.

I would never... ever... go back to HTPC now. PS3 is very HTPC like except for how robust and accurate and wonderfull it is.

Plus,.. the OS isn't a crappy Microsoft product that people will struggle with instead of just demanding the thing works properly.

-Brian

[supersix4]

Originally Posted by brett_day

Ok so lets look on the grand scheme of things here...i would say most people are not techie's and most people do not have money to throw out at the new, better, improved video cards / processors that come out every 6 months.....again original build then more $$$ upgrading...

see you hit the nail on the head thats been my biggest gripe with comp's lately and is why I've switched my preference to system's beacause from ps1 to ps3 its been 12 years!

I couldn't even make it 4 without having to dump a 6800ultra and 7800gtx... I'll always have both and will always use both, but for the average joe who doesn't wanna build one on newegg or can't find deals,

they will be looking at prices along the lines of VGX-TP20E/B exc. at bestbuy. and they just can't match the price/easy and long term use of a ps3.

Lol I mean just try going up to a couple at bestbuy and saying why not an HTCP they will probly respond OH HDTV I already have one.

[brett_day]

Originally Posted by supersix4

see you hit the nail on the head thats been my biggest gripe with comp's lately and is why I've switched my preference to system's beacause from ps1 to ps3 its been 12 years!

I couldn't even make it 4 without having to dump a 6800ultra and 7800gtx... I'll always have both and will always use both, but for the average joe who doesn't wanna build one on newegg or can't find deals,

they will be looking at prices along the lines of VGX-TP20E/B exc. at bestbuy. and they just can't match the price/easy and long term use of a ps3.

Lol I mean just try going up to a couple at bestbuy and saying why not an HTCP they will probably respond OH HDTV I already have one.

totally agreed! in terms of the best overall value, the PS3 is the way to go...not only is it the best blu ray player available on the market today...it can do everything straight from the box!

Along with the home theater side of things that the ps3 can do, you can also play some of the most advanced games on it as well! There are no pc's out there that you can buy for $400 that would be able to run games such as, mgs4, gt5 and haze at the same resolutions and frame rates as the ps3

[prerich]

Originally Posted by brett_day

Ok so lets look on the grand scheme of things here...i would say most people are not techie's and most people do not have money to throw out at the new, better, improved video cards / processors that come out every 6 months.....again original build then more $$$ upgrading...

Interms of which is better for Home theater use it is still the ps3. You buy it, take it out of the box, plug it in, and away you go....The vast majority of people who want to watch blu's don't want to mess with the extra crap that comes with owning a pc....

and also...just because you can edit photos, edit music, write a letter on ms word or make a spreadsheet using excel so you can track the copious amounts of money you have spent building your pc, that does not make it a better Home theater solution...these things listed above have nothing to do with Home theater.....define home theater?

Imho Home theater is all about being able to watch dvd's, blu's, enjoy lossless audio, play mp3's or other music files and any videos you may have on your hard drive....all of which the ps3 can do and do incredibly well all for $400 ($500 with a decent hard drive upgrade)

Music Editing and movie editing is great for Home Theater - if you can do it. I didn't mention stuff like word - only multi-media stuff. You are definately a convienence person - like I stated before - take it out, plug it in. I'm a geek,nerd whatever you want to call me - but I like to see how much performance I can get out of a product. I'm the type of person that changes his powercords to Hospital grade stuff for that extra bit of performance (difficult with regular sized recepticals but worth the trouble to me) - like said, its all realative what's important to you? My HTPC kept me from buying an expensive video processor before BD came out - I 've been enjoying upconversion before it was popular. Now I enjoy every type of HD medium out there. Lossless audio (music) - with Adobe and a good audio card - can't beat what you can put on your machine, forget mp3's we've got plenty of room - and if you are concerned use FLAC lossless compression. The PS3 can do it very well for 400 bucks - but not as well - a techie can tell the difference. It all depends on what you want. That's what I like about competition

I like all of the points pro and con HTPC. This is turning out to be a good discussion. Does the PS3 have more in common with an HTPC than a gaming console and is that the PS3's real target - the computing industry? Very interesting question - can anyone say Sonosoft (Sony becoming the next Microsoft - trying to create one machine to rule them all)?

[supersix4]

Originally Posted by prerich

This is turning out to be a good discussion. Does the PS3 have more in common with an HTPC than a gaming console and is that the PS3's real target

See I think thats why the ps3 is such a good choice, cause even you just mentioned how many levels the ps3 is able to work on for its price/ easy use and it's able to do both very well. Run things on the HTCP side but then be able to pop in killzone 2 for some insane graphics, a 8600gt $1000 HTCP while it will kill blu-ray movies, internet hdd space exc. wouldn't be able to just throw in killzone 2 and run it at 1080p... I think HTCP isn't really being designed for average joe but more for people looking for features/functions. Just like I don't think anyones buying a ps3 looking for a cell chip to compete with a QX9770 lol.. I think there is room enough for both to prosper.

[prerich]

Originally Posted by supersix4

see you hit the nail on the head thats been my biggest gripe with comp's lately and is why I've switched my preference to system's beacause from ps1 to ps3 its been 12 years!

I couldn't even make it 4 without having to dump a 6800ultra and 7800gtx... I'll always have both and will always use both, but for the average joe who doesn't wanna build one on newegg or can't find deals,

they will be looking at prices along the lines of VGX-TP20E/B exc. at bestbuy. and they just can't match the price/easy and long term use of a ps3.

Lol I mean just try going up to a couple at bestbuy and saying why not an HTCP they will probly respond OH HDTV I already have one.

Showing the differences again - different priorities. Aveage Joe vs a Techie Nerd. I get a good laugh from Best Buy people.

Techie Best performance (tweekable) over price = HTPC
Convienence and good performance out the box = PS3

No problem here.

[prerich]

Originally Posted by supersix4

See I think thats why the ps3 is such a good choice, cause even you just mentioned how many levels the ps3 is able to work on for its price/ easy use and it's able to do both very well. Run things on the HTCP side but then be able to pop in killzone 2 for some insane graphics, a 8600gt $1000 HTCP while it will kill blu-ray movies, internet hdd space exc. wouldn't be able to just throw in killzone 2 and run it at 1080p... I think HTCP isn't really being designed for average joe but more for people looking for features/functions.

I can certainly agree with you on that

[supersix4]

Originally Posted by prerich

Techie Best performance (tweekable) over price = HTPC
Convienence and good performance out the box = PS3

No problem here.

lol you got it it's just like try explaining to a mom or uninformed person that the qx9770 is worth it they would look at you like

[brett_day]

Originally Posted by prerich

Music Editing and movie editing is great for Home Theater - if you can do it. I didn't mention stuff like word - only multi-media stuff. You are definately a convienence person - like I stated before - take it out, plug it in. I'm a geek,nerd whatever you want to call me - but I like to see how much performance I can get out of a product. I'm the type of person that changes his powercords to Hospital grade stuff for that extra bit of performance (difficult with regular sized recepticals but worth the trouble to me) - like said, its all realative what's important to you? My HTPC kept me from buying an expensive video processor before BD came out - I 've been enjoying upconversion before it was popular. Now I enjoy every type of HD medium out there. Lossless audio (music) - with Adobe and a good audio card - can't beat what you can put on your machine, forget mp3's we've got plenty of room - and if you are concerned use FLAC lossless compression. The PS3 can do it very well for 400 bucks - but not as well - a techie can tell the difference. It all depends on what you want. That's what I like about competition

I like all of the points pro and con HTPC. This is turning out to be a good discussion. Does the PS3 have more in common with an HTPC than a gaming console and is that the PS3's real target - the computing industry? Very interesting question - can anyone say Sonosoft (Sony becoming the next Microsoft - trying to create one machine to rule them all)?

Dude i see your points i really do...but again going back to blu ray playback...so the ps3 and the HTPC can both playback Blu's at 1080p...1080p is 1080p....there is no difference in regards to the playback...nobody will notice any difference in terms of playback not even the most die hard techie...

I do not think sony is trying to aim the ps3 as an alternative to PC's, there is no way a ps3 can compete with some of the things that a pc can do...they are trying to aim for the mass market though....they want blu ray players accessible to every family in america....most americans are not super rich and cannot afford a super pc to play back blu's.

The idea of the ps3 was to make a multimedia device that supports all the next gen technology at an affordable price...you could hook up a ps3 and the best HTPC you can find, play them side by side and you would not see nor hear a difference in the quality of the playback....1080p is 1080p and lossless audio is lossless audio...there will be no difference between the ps3 and the pc in regards to how they handle blu's, music etc

I am a man of convenience, but i am also a techie too! I build pc's, i do it for a living...but i would not recommend a HTPC over a PS3 to anyone simply because you are not going to gain anything in regards to the home theater side of things from your $1500 pc compared to a $400 ps3

[prerich]

Originally Posted by brett_day

Dude i see your points i really do...but again going back to blu ray playback...so the ps3 and the HTPC can both playback Blu's at 1080p...1080p is 1080p....there is no difference in regards to the playback...nobody will notice any difference in terms of playback not even the most die hard techie...

I do not think sony is trying to aim the ps3 as an alternative to PC's, there is no way a ps3 can compete with some of the things that a pc can do...they are trying to aim for the mass market though....they want blu ray players accessible to every family in america....most americans are not super rich and cannot afford a super pc to play back blu's.

The idea of the ps3 was to make a multimedia device that supports all the next gen technology at an affordable price...you could hook up a ps3 and the best HTPC you can find, play them side by side and you would not see nor hear a difference in the quality of the playback....1080p is 1080p and lossless audio is lossless audio...there will be no difference between the ps3 and the pc in regards to how they handle blu's, music etc

I am a man of convenience, but i am also a techie too! I build pc's, i do it for a living...but i would not recommend a HTPC over a PS3 to anyone simply because you are not going to gain anything in regards to the home theater side of things from your $1500 pc compared to a $400 ps3

one word .... upconversion. PC handles it better - even the -should I even say it - high end HD-DVD XA2 - best the PS3. To me that's the main HTPC advantage. The way a processor handles upconversion will effect its look from one player to another -even it they are both handling it at 1080p. Some just do it better.

P.S. I understand your arguments also - and I know you're a tech (I've read some of your other post )

[Colorado Blu Skies]

Honestly why is there even a debate for this? Without the help of the PS3 blu-ray would more than likely still be battling it out with HD DVD... are you that hard up to find something to argue about.

[ps3andlovinit]

Originally Posted by prerich

There we go - that's a legitimate advantage...but the pc has some free online gaming also, but I believe the PS3 has more. Gotta look into this.

Tied into that is the whole management of on-line credit card info, accounts and passwords etc, multiple device licensing etc. For a family in particular the PSN is a no-brainer and provides more than enough variety to meet our needs. I can see hardcore gamers and "geeks" wanting additional avenues and flexibility but the gap/appeal is no longer significant enough to warrant the hassle .. keeping up to date with patches and drivers etc just got old as I got older and more kids arrived.

Ironically it was our original Xbox that made that future "apparent" and appealing .. however it was the PS3 that delivered the actual goods as an "all-in-one" multi-media device.

[brett_day]

Originally Posted by prerich

one word .... upconversion. PC handles it better - even the -should I even say it - high end HD-DVD XA2 - best the PS3. To me that's the main HTPC advantage. The way a processor handles upconversion will effect its look from one player to another -even it they are both handling it at 1080p. Some just do it better.

P.S. I understand your arguments also - and I know you're a tech (I've read some of your other post )

I know both have platforms have their advantages and disadvantages and yep i will agree with you on the point you make about upconversion...but i am looking at i from the point of view of the Blu...i watch sd dvd on my ps3 and am really happy with it...it is still an upgrade from watching them on a non upconverting dvd players and for the most part i think the masses will be more than happy with that, most people will be buying a ps3 to watch blu's though and honestly there will be no difference between the ps3 and the htpc....and by the way! thanks for a great discussion so far! It has been the best discussion i have had on here for a while!