Hi-Def Camcorder files via NAS to PS3

visioneer · 04-11-2009, 1:44 PM

Hi All. I've read and read and read (again!) the media playback thread and other posts here but still none the wiser. I'm about to get a Canon HF200 camcorder and want to have the video stored on a NAS to stream to the PS3.

From what I have read so far, I don't want to have to use a PC to convert the files before storing on the NAS - it needs to be a simple a solution as possible. Basically, shoot the footage (family etc), store on NAS and then view on PS3. Can I do this?

Uridium · 04-11-2009, 1:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by visioneer

Hi All. I've read and read and read (again!) the media playback thread and other posts here but still none the wiser. I'm about to get a Canon HF200 camcorder and want to have the video stored on a NAS to stream to the PS3.

From what I have read so far, I don't want to have to use a PC to convert the files before storing on the NAS - it needs to be a simple a solution as possible. Basically, shoot the footage (family etc), store on NAS and then view on PS3. Can I do this?

Yes but only if the camcorder will record into a format that the PS3 natively supports.

Many camcorders don't however so you'll need to check the Camcorder's file output type. (container used and video/audio codec within)

visioneer · 04-11-2009, 2:14 PM

Thanks. I've just downloaded the manual for the camcorder and it says:

Movies: AVCHD video compression MPEG4 AVC/H.264; Audio compression Dolby Digital 2ch

Will this be ok to just copy across? I am hoping that the camcorder produces one file for each clip that I record, so that I just copy one file at a time across to my NAS for viewing via PS3.

Axum · 04-11-2009, 2:26 PM

I reckon those would be fine, probably be .m2ts files which i think i'm right in saying the PS3 natively supports...

visioneer · 04-11-2009, 2:33 PM

Great

Sounds like my idea might actually work then. I assume that as far as the PS3 is concerned it doesn't matter where on the NAS I store the files?

I am proposing to keep it simple and have a sub-folder called 'Video' and then in that folder, maybe some further sub-folders eg, 'birthdays', 'holidays' etc each of those folders having the actual video files in. Would this be ok?

Uridium · 04-11-2009, 2:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Axum

I reckon those would be fine, probably be .m2ts files which i think i'm right in saying the PS3 natively supports...

just need to check the audio isn't encoded in something stupid like AAC

Quote:

Originally Posted by visioneer

I am proposing to keep it simple and have a sub-folder called 'Video' and then in that folder, maybe some further sub-folders eg, 'birthdays', 'holidays' etc each of those folders having the actual video files in. Would this be ok?

Just remember to go no further than 7 folder levels as the PS3 won't display anything further than that.

visioneer · 04-11-2009, 2:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Uridium

just need to check the audio isn't encoded in something stupid like AAC

Where would I find out if that is the case? I can't see anything in the manual.

Quote:

Just remember to go no further than 7 folder levels as the PS3 won't display anything further than that.

Ok, I don't think that would be a problem.

Many thanks for your help with this - much appreciated.

Axum · 04-11-2009, 2:54 PM

Have you done some searching around your actual camera model, i'm sure there must be some posts out there describing what format it records to...

Found : http://camcorder-test.slashcam.com/c...vergleich.html

which says, a way down the page, "Dolby AC-3 Digital 2 channel 48 KHz", so should be fine.

Uridium · 04-11-2009, 3:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by visioneer

Where would I find out if that is the case? I can't see anything in the manual.

in post#3 you said it states

"Movies: AVCHD video compression MPEG4 AVC/H.264; Audio compression Dolby Digital 2ch"

Now assuming that means the audio stream in videos is recorded as Dolby Digital 2.0ch you'll be fine...

Now what I'd do is......go into my friendly local leccy gadget store....(not DSG then

); explain briefly what you want to do and ask if prior to buying the camera you could record a short video in store onto your own flashcard/USB (or whatever media it uses) and take that home to test if your PS3 will play it back OK.

Takes the guess work out then and you can buy without worry....

visioneer · 04-11-2009, 3:11 PM

I've just confirmed what you have said via another site. It mentions AC3 2ch as you say. Good idea re the test - I'll try and get that sorted and post back with results.

Thanks for you help

visioneer · 04-11-2009, 4:11 PM

Another thought - if I could find a NAS drive that will automatically transfer files off a usb stick onto the nas into a relevant folder then I'd have a fully plug and play system

Anybody know if such a NAS exists? I was thinking I could get a USB stick card reader and put the SDHC card from the camcorder into that and plug it into the NAS.

Probably a pipe dream I know but I'm trying to eliminate the need for using a pc completely!

Uridium · 04-11-2009, 4:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by visioneer

Another thought - if I could find a NAS drive that will automatically transfer files off a usb stick onto the nas into a relevant folder then I'd have a fully plug and play system

Anybody know if such a NAS exists? I was thinking I could get a USB stick card reader and put the SDHC card from the camcorder into that and plug it into the NAS.

Probably a pipe dream I know but I'm trying to eliminate the need for using a pc completely!

Don't think you will find that.

but...you could just write a small batch file on your PC that with a single click when run does a copy of all the files on the USB stick to a folder on the NAS (as a mapped network drive)

e.g. (with E:\ being you USB stick and F:\ being a mapped drive to your NAS...

xcopy e:\movies\*.m2ts f:\movies

you could even create an autorun.inf file on the USB stick that runs the 'file copy' batch file as soon as you plug it in....

e.g. the below saved on the root of your USB stick in a file named autorun.inf

[autorun]
open=filecopy.bat

visioneer · 04-11-2009, 4:46 PM

Great idea, but would this work if I am just using a USB stick card reader? Didn't think that they had memory on them. I am looking to put the SDHC card from the camcorder into a USB stick card reader.

If there is a USB card reader than has storage capacity on it to put the inf file on then great.

Uridium · 04-11-2009, 4:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by visioneer

Great idea, but would this work if I am just using a USB stick card reader? Didn't think that they had memory on them. I am looking to put the SDHC card from the camcorder into a USB stick card reader.

If there is a USB card reader than has storage capacity on it to put the inf file on then great.

You put the autorun.inf on the SDHC card... the camcorder won't do anything with the autorun.inf; only windows will.

visioneer · 04-11-2009, 4:54 PM

I wondered about that but wasn't sure if it would affect the camcorder. Sounds like this could work now. I'll let you know as and when I get the camcorder.

Thanks again

visioneer · 05-11-2009, 12:15 PM

An update. Managed to test the Canon HF200 and got some files to play around with. The files are .mts and via a card reader they play directly off the card on the PS3.

They will also stream via PSMS, both from the card reader plugged into my PC and from my existing NAS. However, via the NAS the playback is jerky and stuttering (I assume the transfer speed of the NAS isn't good enough?? It's an nolder Lacie EdMini unit). Playback via PSMS is perfect, as is playback when directly plugged into the USB port on the PS3.

Looks like I need to get a new NAS. Also, didn't manage to try out the batch files idea but will look to do that when I get chance.

Axum · 05-11-2009, 12:29 PM

Sounds like you're all ready (bar a new NAS) to get up and running then, good stuff