HTPC vs PS3 as a media center.

[prerich]

Originally Posted by brett_day

maybe one day 1 machine will rule them all....that would be nice but super freakin expensive

and yep, you're right. the PS3 is harming the sale of standalone blu ray players at the moment, because it is the best blu ray player on the market right now and the only one (apart from HTPC) that is profile 2.0.

I do believe that when prices drop and specs are improved to match the ps3 stand alone unit sales will pick up and the incredible rate of sale that the ps3 has been enjoying will begin to slow.

Possible - very possible.

[prerich]

Originally Posted by brett_day

i believe that both can co-exist and both be successful....look at the discussion that myself and prerich have been having...some people prefer PC's due to the benefits of tweaking, some people like the ps3 for its convenience and ease of use. If there were to be one unit for all, you would be taking away both of the elements that drive people to the individual systems...

pc users will feel short changed due to the lack of tweeks that can be made and the ps3 users will feel hard done by because the ease of use will probably suffer...some people like complicated, some like simple....solution? offer products to appease both types of consumer

Very smart and well thoughtout post can't argue with that

[camper]

Originally Posted by brett_day

not to sure i agree with this statement...why would sony want to harm the incredible amount of income it is making from it's vaio line of pc's

Not sure if it's been said, but there is more money to be made in the living room than in the home office. Getting people indoctrinated into playing home videos and pictures on their big screen TV will cause them to develop a taste to do more. Since most people are sheep and all want to be head of the flock, Joe Public will not be content with just a picture slideshow if Mr. Jones next door has his set to music.

Right now the ability to view pics via a USB drive on a TV is a definite marketing scheme, but as soon as you can increase that capability and offer 'more' through a media center that inserts seemlessly into your TV stand you'll see that dynamic change.

The PS3 has taken Microsoft's lead from the XBox and made their own media center.

Originally Posted by Colorado Blu Skies

People who "know" what it takes to build and maintain an HTPC are going to go that route (in my case and perhaps others eventually)... same for people who don't. They are not going to go that route and go with a stand-alone or ps3 if they like gaming.

I wouldn't say that's true in all cases. I'm a techie, and I have only a vague interest in building a HTPC. Of course, I'm suffering IT burnout in a big way, so I might be less typical. Still, I have the skills and know-how to put together a HTPC and simply don't want to be bothered. If I wanted a HTPC, I'd simply buy one prebuilt because my time is not worth the money I'd save.

Right now, I use my 360 as a media center extender, since my whole house is networked with cat 5e gigabit. I can pull my photo's and movies and MP3's right through the 360, and since that's piped through my reciever (only running the 360 through component video & fiber audio) I have a pretty decent stereo. Since the 360 hasn't included a web browsing capability (a major irritant for me) I can't get streaming audio or video 'on the fly' but I think I can get some content using the 360 as an extender--I haven't played wiht it much. So technically, with the PC I have right now, if I put in a tuner card (I happen to have an old one) I could probably use it as a DVR. So technically, if I add a BD to my PC (not likely, not down there enough) I'd have a HTPC right now.

Anyway, I think I'm tangenting, but can the PS3 connect to an existing PC and pull the media files (pics, MP3's, & movies) to play on your TV?

~Camper

[brett_day]

Originally Posted by camper

Not sure if it's been said, but there is more money to be made in the living room than in the home office. Getting people indoctrinated into playing home videos and pictures on their big screen TV will cause them to develop a taste to do more. Since most people are sheep and all want to be head of the flock, Joe Public will not be content with just a picture slideshow if Mr. Jones next door has his set to music.

Right now the ability to view pics via a USB drive on a TV is a definite marketing scheme, but as soon as you can increase that capability and offer 'more' through a media center that inserts seemlessly into your TV stand you'll see that dynamic change.

The PS3 has taken Microsoft's lead from the XBox and made their own media center.



I wouldn't say that's true in all cases. I'm a techie, and I have only a vague interest in building a HTPC. Of course, I'm suffering IT burnout in a big way, so I might be less typical. Still, I have the skills and know-how to put together a HTPC and simply don't want to be bothered. If I wanted a HTPC, I'd simply buy one prebuilt because my time is not worth the money I'd save.

Right now, I use my 360 as a media center extender, since my whole house is networked with cat 5e gigabit. I can pull my photo's and movies and MP3's right through the 360, and since that's piped through my reciever (only running the 360 through component video & fiber audio) I have a pretty decent stereo. Since the 360 hasn't included a web browsing capability (a major irritant for me) I can't get streaming audio or video 'on the fly' but I think I can get some content using the 360 as an extender--I haven't played wiht it much. So technically, with the PC I have right now, if I put in a tuner card (I happen to have an old one) I could probably use it as a DVR. So technically, if I add a BD to my PC (not likely, not down there enough) I'd have a HTPC right now.

Anyway, I think I'm tangenting, but can the PS3 connect to an existing PC and pull the media files (pics, MP3's, & movies) to play on your TV?

~Camper

yes it can! the ps3 is an excellent media extender...works just like the 360. I have the media on my pc stream wirelessly to the ps3.

[camper]

Originally Posted by brett_day

yes it can! the ps3 is an excellent media extender...works just like the 360. I have the media on my pc stream wirelessly to the ps3.

How does it setup? Does it read the HDD directly on the PC (with it's own software) or does it use the actual XP/Vista Media Center interface?

~Camper

[brett_day]

Originally Posted by camper

How does it setup? Does it read the HDD directly on the PC (with it's own software) or does it use the actual XP/Vista Media Center interface?

~Camper

it does not use the media center interface...i never used that interface on the 360 i thought it ran way to slow....it finds your pc and calls it a media sever, then it lists by file name the songs/movies you have on your comp..just like the 360 used to be able to do as well. It works very well on the ps3.

I never had to install anything on the pc to get it to work....just setup your pc to share media files and the ps3 and the pc will find each other, works flawlessly

[The Seventh Taylor]

Originally Posted by prerich

1. No SACD - but thats also Sony proprietary and all PS3's are not SACD capable either.

Correction. SACD isn't Sony-proprietary, at least not any more Sony-proprietary than Red Book CD.

[kingofgrills]

Originally Posted by camper

How does it setup? Does it read the HDD directly on the PC (with it's own software) or does it use the actual XP/Vista Media Center interface?

~Camper

You pretty much need to run Media Center, Tversity, or a similar program on your PC with sharing enabled for it to work. Once that's set up, the PS3 can read from all available PCs on your network. I routinely stream audio, video, and photos from my main tower PC as well as my laptop. The PS3 makes it pretty seamless.

I forgot the 360 still doesn't have a web browser available. That's a bummer. The PS3's web browser works fairly well for being a console. I use a wireless Logitech keyboard and mouse, and it works great kicking back on the couch.

[blu-backer]

As some have already noted, a "decent" HTPC can have quite a bit more functionality and expandability, but at a definite premium in price. I've been in IT for quite a while and can build a pretty good machine, but no way I can come close to the price of a 40GB PS3. I suppose I could try to do it with bare minimum parts, but I wouldn't want one with sub-par performance.

Srsly, if someone is already jonesin' to drop a couple of thousand dollars into an HTPC, a $400 PS3 is probably not too expensive to get. Why not get both? You may find yourself using the PS3 more than the HTPC.

BTW, I like Microsoft. I've been working with their stuff since MS-DOS. I'm very comfortable with their operating systems. But in this case, the PS3 is the easiest and most cost effective way to enjoy Blu-Ray and other multimedia goodness.

[blu-backer]

Originally Posted by camper

How does it setup? Does it read the HDD directly on the PC (with it's own software) or does it use the actual XP/Vista Media Center interface?

~Camper

In Windows Vista, we use Windows Media Player. Simply go to the Library and select Media Sharing. You just need to allow it to share with the PS3, which normally show up as "unknown device", and after that, the PS3 can access the photos, movies, and music that you have on the PC.

You can even create photo slideshows on the PS3, using photos and music from the PC. Great for showing family the latest pictures you took. And if you have a High-Def Video Camcorder, the PS3 plays .m2t files, which can be streamed from the PC, put on a USB stick, or burned to a DVD.

Bar none, the PS3 is the best piece of home entertainment equipment I've EVER purchased.

[ps3andlovinit]

Originally Posted by camper

Getting people indoctrinated into playing home videos and pictures on their big screen TV will cause them to develop a taste to do more. Since most people are sheep and all want to be head of the flock, Joe Public will not be content with just a picture slideshow if Mr. Jones next door has his set to music.

Right now the ability to view pics via a USB drive on a TV is a definite marketing scheme, but as soon as you can increase that capability and offer 'more' through a media center that inserts seemlessly into your TV stand you'll see that dynamic change.

Right now we have our family photos and videos etc running *from* the PS3 doing just that. The multimedia capabilities was one of the very appealing points of the PS3. Photo albums run with the music playing at the same time...great for family over, kids have their friends over etc..

Originally Posted by camper

The PS3 has taken Microsoft's lead from the XBox and made their own media center.

Absolutely. No media "extender" *required* was a key bit from my perspective..especially since we switched to Macs a few years ago.

Originally Posted by camper

If I wanted a HTPC, I'd simply buy one prebuilt because my time is not worth the money I'd save.

Same here.

.

Originally Posted by camper

Anyway, I think I'm tangenting, but can the PS3 connect to an existing PC and pull the media files (pics, MP3's, & movies) to play on your TV?

Both from other OS's .. and as I said directly off the PS3 itself. FYI.. while the PS3 browser is clunky for some things.. it streams music off sites like musicovery.com quite nicely.

[supersix4]

Originally Posted by blu-backer

As some have already noted, a "decent" HTPC can have quite a bit more functionality and expandability, but at a definite premium in price. I've been in IT for quite a while and can build a pretty good machine, but no way I can come close to the price of a 40GB PS3. I suppose I could try to do it with bare minimum parts, but I wouldn't want one with sub-par performance.

Srsly, if someone is already jonesin' to drop a couple of thousand dollars into an HTPC, a $400 PS3 is probably not too expensive to get. Why not get both? You may find yourself using the PS3 more than the HTPC.

right on, as it seems to have been well established neither is the end all be all of providing media and they can both coexist

[dadkins]

Originally Posted by prerich

You have always made the most use of HTPC ! Continue to enjoy as I will also!

Oh yeah...

[prerich]

Originally Posted by supersix4

right on, as it seems to have been well established neither is the end all be all of providing media and they can both coexist

This indeed is the truth

[pseudomaniac]

Agreed - though I find now with the Media PC and XBox 360 side by side, I don't use any of the media center functions on the xbox. It's not nearly as featured as the Playstation in that context tho.

To enhance the media pc use, one of the coolest things I've done with my MediaPC was add a cheap usb bluetooth adapter. Stroll into the room, link up the cell phone and I can copy MP3s back and forth (also an MP3 player in the phone) - as well as use the cell phone as a bluetooth pointing device.

I have my media PC in my game room downstairs with the bar and dartboard, etc. It's nice to just keep the phone in my pocket and be able to skip tracks using the mediaPC as a jukebox, without needing line of sight to the unit. It's a huge hit too.... "Dude, you're running your TV with your phone. Can you launch the space shuttle with that thing?"

Ahhh....technology.....

[prerich]

Originally Posted by The Seventh Taylor

Correction. SACD isn't Sony-proprietary, at least not any more Sony-proprietary than Red Book CD.

When I said that it was proprietary - (bad choice of words) I really meant that you have to have a SACD player to do it - not universally available on all machines. DVD-A is available to all PC's with a dvd drive (VLC media player - freeware, will decode DVD-A) currently there is no software for SACD you must have a SACD player. I hope this clears up my reasoning .

[prerich]

Originally Posted by pseudomaniac

Agreed - though I find now with the Media PC and XBox 360 side by side, I don't use any of the media center functions on the xbox. It's not nearly as featured as the Playstation in that context tho.

To enhance the media pc use, one of the coolest things I've done with my MediaPC was add a cheap usb bluetooth adapter. Stroll into the room, link up the cell phone and I can copy MP3s back and forth (also an MP3 player in the phone) - as well as use the cell phone as a bluetooth pointing device.

I have my media PC in my game room downstairs with the bar and dartboard, etc. It's nice to just keep the phone in my pocket and be able to skip tracks using the mediaPC as a jukebox, without needing line of sight to the unit. It's a huge hit too.... "Dude, you're running your TV with your phone. Can you launch the space shuttle with that thing?"

Ahhh....technology.....

Ohhh...so you're "beaming" your MP3's to your computer?

[pseudomaniac]

Well, you could do that I suppose - but usually it's better used as a remote mouse - literally - use the directional pad and option buttons as clickers - and it assigns the number buttons to skip, play, etc. functions.

The Mp3s are on the mediabox, and the phone is just a mouse (tho you can copy the Mp3s back and forth via bluetooth and stream audio at an OK bitrate in this fashion too).

[maxmcleod]

1.Cheaper than a quality HTPC True, ill give you that
2.Much more reliable and Stable than Any PC not if you know what your doing, can be just as stable
3.One of the best Blu Ray Drives in the businessin your opinion... personally, i like the fact that I can pause minimize my movie, surf imdb.com find out who the hell a particular actor is, realize its matt damon, and return to my movie...
4.Remote play with the PSP doesn't this require a sony tv for its other features? and can't you just rip your movies video to the psp anyway???? my friend puts movies on his psp all the time sans PS3
5.Wireless media streaming from a non HTPC, means a big hd is not requiredmedia extenders? maybe im confused on this one
6.TV shows to be coming to PSN in near future available through torrents, websites, and oh, from your cable connection for years
7.Can use wireless controller sony bluetooth remote for blu ray wireless keyboard/mouse as well has IR remotes that do it all even control your mouse if you want to be lazy
8.HD gaming without needing to spend upwards of $600 for an sli or crossfire set up i spent 60 bucks on my video card, and people that have a ps3 see my gaming and think it looks just as good... not sure why you have to max everything out, except to prove a point
9.World exclusive games such as GT5, Metal Gear Solid 4 got me there, but there is something about PC games that consoles can't compete... oh yeah keyboard and mouse (personal preference)
10.Upscaling dvd player to 1080p software upconvert/upscale/upsample (whatever you want ot call it) looks better than most standalones
11.Built in wireless for net connection do i even need to say this one... PCs been doing it for years
12.Good web browser, picture viewer and music player Much better web browser, better photo organization not to mention the ability to use online photo printing services any time you want, and your choice of music library management(itunes, zune, etc...) not to mention, i have my music/pictures backed up on raid, does ps3 do that?
13.Supports HDMI v.1.3 out of the box don't need it with my setup yet no HD audio receiver
14.No BSOD.....Ever Never had one... how does that feel?
15.No software or Driver incompatability issues. Once settled, and you know the problem, not much of an issue...
16.True Lossless Audio Support soon, but see #13
17.Can use Linux, which imho is far better than any M$ OS Personal preference, I prefer MS Vista has been very kind to me
18.Cell Processor Baby! eehhh its not going to make my blurays any prettier... so what's the point...
19.No adware, Spyware. Viruses or Trojans that's because you can't run any extra programs... which is still my htpc reigns supreme imho

I wanted to add, the PS3 only has 1 maybe 2 games i would play... the HTPC I have a library of games spanning back to the 80s that I could potentially play, oregon trail anyone? maybe some duke nukem?? fallout even?

[prerich]

Good points Max !!!