PS3 or Popcornhour?

stevetaylor · 11-11-2009, 10:22 PM

I was pretty set on the new Popcornhour c-200 to stream media from Pc/laptop to Tv & audio in lounge.

However i've now looked at;
PS3 Media & Streaming - AVForums.com

can anyone help me choose please?

DenzilTK421 · 11-11-2009, 10:38 PM

Depends on the file types you want to play.
MKVs will not play on the PS3 without a whole host of effort.
But the PS3 offers games, internet etc...

Axum · 11-11-2009, 11:39 PM

That's not strictly true to be honest...if you're talking about MKV playback...

It depends primarily if you can stream from your PC and you're wired/homeplugged (and you don't mind your pc being on, as it will have to be for the PCH obviously, unless you go down the USB HDD route). If you can then MKV-playback can be achieved easily via PS3MS.

Depends on your setup, what you want to play, how good your pc is, lots of factors...

End of the day, the PS3 can play pretty much anything using PS3MS, but if you're not going to stream then a dedicated media player would be better, if you don't want games....

I wouldn't go for a PCH either, i'd go for an Xtreamer or WDTV if ALL i wanted to do was stream/play video/music/photos...

Let us know what your current setup is, and what you want to achieve, and we can comment further...

stevetaylor · 12-11-2009, 6:23 AM

Current set up is;

Loewe Concept32, Virgin+, Virgin broadband, Belkin wireless router (old is this the time to renew & what will work well with my new set up)

All connected behind TV.

I'm going to buy new laptop possibly Vaio FW (willgive me blue ray)Win 7

Will upgrade PC soon.

Also going to buy audio now (looking at Denon AVR-1610) open to advise.

Want to stream from laptop & PC in order of preference;

I'm a complete novice at all this & would really appreciate any suggestions!!!

Music, Photos, Videos,

Uridium · 12-11-2009, 9:25 AM

If your ONLY interested in streaming media then I'd go for a PCH.

But if you think you'll make use of Bluray, Vidzone, Web browser, iPlayer and gaming then go for the PS3.

Axum · 12-11-2009, 10:20 AM

As you say you're a novice, and you don't really know what you'll be streaming, but crucially you WILL be streaming then i'd go for a PS3. It still makes a difference (to future streaming as your knowledge increases) as to whether you're or can be wired or not...

Either way i still say don't bother with a PCH!

**Hillskill** · 12-11-2009, 12:35 PM

I went for a PCH simply because ISOs are supported. Last thing I want to do is get up and swap discs etc and ISOs are neater then VOBs for the PS3.

Axum · 12-11-2009, 3:39 PM

If you're streaming though i'm sure PS3MS handles ISO files....

Uridium · 12-11-2009, 4:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Axum

If you're streaming though i'm sure PS3MS handles ISO files....

Not as well as a PCH though. with a PCH you will get full DVD menu's etc...just as if you had placed the DVD in the tray

with PS3MS on the PS3 you just get the movie files from within the ISO

crooksy · 12-11-2009, 5:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Uridium

Not as well as a PCH though. with a PCH you will get full DVD menu's etc...just as if you had placed the DVD in the tray

with PS3MS on the PS3 you just get the movie files from within the ISO

Just to add Uridum if you rip DVD ISO's using DVDFab (basic version is free) you can select to rip only the main movie. This makes it much easier to select and play ISO movies from the PS3 XMB using PS3MS.

I would agree with Axum that you should go with the PS3 and PS3 Media Server route. I think this is a more future proof solution and provides you with alot more options for streaming.

Sony will always continue to update XMB and launch complatible hardware with the PS3.

Currently I have a PSP that I use to connect to my PS3 via remote play. I use it mainly as a remote control for my music when walking about the house, but I can also stream movies to it.

I can't wait to get my hands on the new Sony mobile phones that are remote play compatible. That way I can have access to all of my music/photos and videos from anywhere. I am sure Sony also has plans on upgarding the Walkman MP3 to be remote play compatible.

These are all features that PCH can't do and while you might not use them now I am sure once you get bitten by the bug and have all your media in one place you will start thinking about all these additional cool features.

Uridium · 12-11-2009, 8:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crooksy

Just to add Uridum if you rip DVD ISO's using DVDFab (basic version is free) you can select to rip only the main movie. This makes it much easier to select and play ISO movies from the PS3 XMB using PS3MS.

doesn't that defeat the whole point of ripping as an ISO though

The point of an ISO is a like for like copy of the DVD.

You may as well just rip the Main movie as a Vob/Mpg

I'm sure you've spotted i'm a huge fan of the PS3 as a streamer (I have 3 in the house!) but i still think that if you are only going to use it as a streamer (so no BluRay, VidZone, Gaming, iPlayer) then a PCH (or a.n.other NMT) would be a better purchase. For one it will stream every format out of the box with no issues and secondly they are very customisable with YAMJ etc..

Don't get me wrong the PS3 is a cracking streamer but as a pure streaming device it still lags behind the NMT's and the WDTV Live.

stevetaylor · 12-11-2009, 10:09 PM

Thanks guys, i think i'm leaning slightly to the PS3 as i will use blue ray & my son will game when back from uni.
Do you think i should replace the Belkin54g wireless router? If so with what?
Is there a clever way to set all of the kit up local to my tv?
The only device that cannot be wired is my Pc in another room
I can stream wired or wirelessly to my new laptop dependent on location, so r we still looking at a PS3?

Axum · 12-11-2009, 10:41 PM

Use Homeplugs.

crooksy · 12-11-2009, 11:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Uridium

doesn't that defeat the whole point of ripping as an ISO though

The point of an ISO is a like for like copy of the DVD.

You may as well just rip the Main movie as a Vob/Mpg

Simple - it's free (with DVDFab) quick and easy and ensures that I get an exact copy (image and sound quality) of the original movie. I just have to pop in the DVD select main movie and leave it and 5mins later ccan be streaming it to the PS3 with no @rsing about converting the rip to a different format.

Axum · 13-11-2009, 7:35 AM

Yeah, i think there's crossed wires here as he knows you can do that, we've been doing that for years with DVDShrink...

Uridium · 13-11-2009, 8:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crooksy

Simple - it's free (with DVDFab) quick and easy and ensures that I get an exact copy (image and sound quality) of the original movie. I just have to pop in the DVD select main movie and leave it and 5mins later ccan be streaming it to the PS3 with no @rsing about converting the rip to a different format.

That's exactly what i do with DVDShrink. Just rip the main movie as a single Vob.

crooksy · 13-11-2009, 3:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Axum

Yeah, i think there's crossed wires here as he knows you can do that, we've been doing that for years with DVDShrink...

I don't think there is crossed wires, I was just explaining that with the free version of DVDFab I can't select a different format to rip the main movie - hence why I rip the main movie as an ISO

BTW question for you guys since you know a thing or two about PS3MS, if I was to buy a second PS3 for another room could I stream the same music to both PS3's at the same time and have a multi room setup? And if so have you guys experienced any syncing issues with the playback?

Uridium · 13-11-2009, 3:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crooksy

I don't think there is crossed wires, I was just explaining that with the free version of DVDFab I can't select a different format to rip the main movie - hence why I rip the main movie as an ISO

BTW question for you guys since you know a thing or two about PS3MS, if I was to buy a second PS3 for another room could I stream the same music to both PS3's at the same time and have a multi room setup? And if so have you guys experienced any syncing issues with the playback?

As the streaming request is client not server initiated you would have to press play on both PS3's at the same time.

There isn't currently a way to push a stream out from the server.

crooksy · 13-11-2009, 5:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Uridium

As the streaming request is client not server initiated you would have to press play on both PS3's at the same time.

There isn't currently a way to push a stream out from the server.

Doh I had a brain f@rt, I never thought of that!

So would it allow me to play two different songs in each room at the the same time?

Uridium · 14-11-2009, 1:21 AM

Yes it will stream to multiple clients at the same time

stevetaylor · 17-11-2009, 9:52 PM

Thanks for all the help guys bought PS3 from Sainsbury's i've downloaded PS3 media server & I'm up & running!!!
Can I stream Spotify through the PS3 to my new Denon 1610 & Jamo speakers?
If so how?

Rob.butters · 25-11-2009, 11:29 AM

Guys

Sorry to Hi-Jack this thread....but (silly question time).

I have a 1.5TB Network Drive at home wired to my wireless router. I have my PS3 wired to the router. I have managed to copy most of my CD collection to the Network Drive and have ripped a couple of DVD's (just to test).

The PS3 will play the CD's but not the DV'D's, it just comes up Corrupted file! is there a piece of software i can get (preferably free) to convert the DVD's into a format that the PS3 will play, i'm not bothered about Special features etc.

I am currently using:-
Handbrake
DVD43
TVersity

If this can't be done then i'll have to look into getting a media server, but i know nothing about those either!!!!!

Cheers

Rob

Uridium · 25-11-2009, 12:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rob.butters

Guys

Sorry to Hi-Jack this thread....but (silly question time).

I have a 1.5TB Network Drive at home wired to my wireless router. I have my PS3 wired to the router. I have managed to copy most of my CD collection to the Network Drive and have ripped a couple of DVD's (just to test).

The PS3 will play the CD's but not the DV'D's, it just comes up Corrupted file! is there a piece of software i can get (preferably free) to convert the DVD's into a format that the PS3 will play, i'm not bothered about Special features etc.

I am currently using:-
Handbrake
DVD43
TVersity

If this can't be done then i'll have to look into getting a media server, but i know nothing about those either!!!!!

Cheers

Rob

What are you ripping the DVD's as ? (video/audio codec's) sounds like you are ripping to a fromat the PS3 doesn't like.

Rob.butters · 25-11-2009, 12:48 PM

Thats my problem, i haven't got a clue.

Because i have the CD's on the Network Drive I liked the idea of having my DVD's on a hard drive then use the PS3 as the media server.

I did it initially through iTunes with some digital copies of Blu-ray movies (The day the earth stood still and Fast and Furious) saved them onto the Network Drive but the PS3 wont recognise them, i think it's M-Peg!!

What i want to do now is start putting my DVD's onto the Network Drive to get rid of them out of the lounge and make room for my Blu-ray collection.

Which i no doubt will want to try and rip to the drive as well at some stage (if it's possible).

Would it just be easier to get a stand alone Media Server???

Uridium · 25-11-2009, 12:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rob.butters

Thats my problem, i haven't got a clue.

Because i have the CD's on the Network Drive I liked the idea of having my DVD's on a hard drive then use the PS3 as the media server.

I did it initially through iTunes with some digital copies of Blu-ray movies (The day the earth stood still and Fast and Furious) saved them onto the Network Drive but the PS3 wont recognise them, i think it's M-Peg!!

What i want to do now is start putting my DVD's onto the Network Drive to get rid of them out of the lounge and make room for my Blu-ray collection.

Which i no doubt will want to try and rip to the drive as well at some stage (if it's possible).

Would it just be easier to get a stand alone Media Server???

Have a look in the Media guide linked in my sig. Some info on Ripping DVD's for the PS3 in there.