Do I really need my WDTV as well as my PS3?

ellisbailey · 20-11-2009, 12:31 AM

I was playing on the PS3 and thinking what a great entertainment hub it would be if played MKV as well.

I have a WDTV media player for MKV duties but then I started to think how nice it would be if the PS3 could do it instead.

From my understanding I can use MKV to Vob?

What are the limitations / problems I will encounter?

I believe I have to use a FAT32 system so 4gb max file size. Alot of my MKV`s are 720p and bigger than 4gb so how do I resolve this?

Is DTS a problem for VOBs as alot of my MKV`s are with DTS sound?

Or am I better off simply sticking with the WDTV? I just like less boxes rather than more under the tv!

Thanks

pixel8 · 20-11-2009, 2:03 AM

Hi, i've just bought a wdtv and tbh i think it's great. I've a ps3 and i looked into the mkv vob thing ages ago and having tried and failed with the program aspect, i decided to leave it and get the box. It would be great if the ps could play mkv's but i think the vobs would maybe take up too much hd space - i've a 60gb

ellisbailey · 20-11-2009, 7:27 AM

Yeah I love my WDTV but I wold rather have ome les box if I can get the PS3 to do the same thing pretty much.

Storage isn`t an issue as I have a 1tb external drive.

Will look into it today.....

Uridium · 20-11-2009, 8:58 AM

MKV2VOB will split those MKV's in order to fit onto a Fat32 USB device if you choose that output option. It will also apply a patch to trick the PS3 into playing the DTS audio.

The PS3 really comes into it's own when you use it for streaming stored video paired with PS3 Media Server running on a PC. You can then just leave the MKV's as they are and the MKV conversion will be dealt with on the fly as will the DTS patch then.

ellisbailey · 20-11-2009, 9:18 AM

Thanks for that. I just tried my first one and it seemed to work ok. I would rather playthem direct off an external 1tb hard drive than have to stream as then I need my Pc on etc.

It kept DTS and split it into two files.

I then copied it onto USB and it played fine and using sequential playback it only gave a very small pause.

My further question is - Is there any way to have the movie thumbnail? No worries if not.

Uridium · 20-11-2009, 9:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ellisbailey

Thanks for that. I just tried my first one and it seemed to work ok. I would rather playthem direct off an external 1tb hard drive than have to stream as then I need my Pc on etc.

It kept DTS and split it into two files.

I then copied it onto USB and it played fine and using sequential playback it only gave a very small pause.

My further question is - Is there any way to have the movie thumbnail? No worries if not.

Not from External USB no.

PS3 Media Server will display a movie thumbnail or Custom box art picture. Another reason i like streaming

Just be aware that because of the special header patch MKV2VOB applies to the DTS audio the outputted files will only play as 2.0ch PCM stereo if you use them on a device other than a PS3.

I tend to just use the AC3 conversion option instead for this reason...

Axum · 20-11-2009, 9:26 AM

No, not if you're not streaming, it would have to be copied to the PS3 HDD... (bah, beaten to it again..!)

I presume you're using your PS3 for gaming a lot then, otherwise i would totally bypass it if i already had a WDTV.... Not sure why you're bothering with the hassle of converting your files when you have something that can play them as-is...

Uridium · 20-11-2009, 9:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Axum

No, not if you're not streaming, it would have to be copied to the PS3 HDD... (bah, beaten to it again..!)

I presume you're using your PS3 for gaming a lot then, otherwise i would totally bypass it if i already had a WDTV.... Not sure why you're bothering with the hassle of converting your files when you have something that can play them as-is...

don't know if they've improved it but the only time I've used a WDTV the interface was like wading through treacle....

Axum · 20-11-2009, 9:52 AM

Wonder if he's got the newer version then...

ellisbailey · 20-11-2009, 11:17 AM

No I have one of the original ones.

I`m just a bit of a minimalist so want less rather than more boxes in my living room.

Thanks all for the help.

pixel8 · 21-11-2009, 11:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Uridium

don't know if they've improved it but the only time I've used a WDTV the interface was like wading through treacle....

I've a WDTV (not Live with ethernet) and not the mini!!!??? Yeah - interface is sluggish

and i got it to save all the hassle of conversion. I have to say that i've quite a few avi film files and the wdtv does a great job with them - definition is better and colours are more vibrant

Quote:

Originally Posted by ellisbailey

No I have one of the original ones.
I`m just a bit of a minimalist so want less rather than more boxes in my living room....

Don't know if this will suit you but have you considered Vuze...D/load the files onto the pc and they automatically convert (HD or SD) and are sent to your PS3 - Oh and that's any and every PS3 in the house

n (Hope i'm not breakin' any roolz here...)

Uridium · 21-11-2009, 11:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pixel8

Don't know if this will suit you but have you considered Vuze...D/load the files onto the pc and they automatically convert (HD or SD) and are sent to your PS3 - Oh and that's any and every PS3 in the house

n (Hope i'm not breakin' any roolz here...)

PS3 Media Server does the same but using far more efficient encoders

(as well as all the other extra features it adds. Seriously after using PS3MS you'll wonder why you ever used Vuze

)

pixel8 · 21-11-2009, 1:15 PM

...so is this something more to buy or is it a psn download?

Axum · 21-11-2009, 2:18 PM

Read the Media Guide...it's a piece of freeware..

*Haggler* · 21-11-2009, 2:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pixel8

I've a WDTV (not Live with ethernet) and not the mini!!!??? Yeah - interface is sluggish

and i got it to save all the hassle of conversion. I have to say that i've quite a few avi film files and the wdtv does a great job with them - definition is better and colours are more vibrant

Not sure what you mean by sluggish, but make sure you eject the attached usb hd instead of just switching it off and startup is not sluggish at all, it's a fantastic piece of kit with both official and unofficial firmware updates available and some of the newer unofficial boxart gui's look superb.

ellisbailey · 21-11-2009, 4:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Haggler

Not sure what you mean by sluggish, but make sure you eject the attached usb hd instead of just switching it off and startup is not sluggish at all, it's a fantastic piece of kit with both official and unofficial firmware updates available and some of the newer unofficial boxart gui's look superb.

Where do I find the unofficial firmwares then?

...goes of to google....

*Haggler* · 21-11-2009, 4:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ellisbailey

Where do I find the unofficial firmwares then?

...goes of to google....

This is a good place to start, read all posts thoroughly before applying any updates though, if in doubt don't bother.

It's a riveting read regardless.

WDTV Forum - WDTV Media Player - Index

pixel8 · 22-11-2009, 1:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Haggler

Not sure what you mean by sluggish, but make sure you eject the attached usb hd instead of just switching it off and startup is not sluggish at all, it's a fantastic piece of kit with both official and unofficial firmware updates available and some of the newer unofficial boxart gui's look superb.

Thanks for the advice and i'm off to read that thread - Regards unofficial f/w, what benefits are there?
Oh and by sluggish i meant when you press the remote, it doesn't immediatly change or move - it's ok but not as quick as say, the ps3....and i agree - fab wee box

PS: Any opinions either way regareds the PSMS?

Uridium · 22-11-2009, 4:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pixel8

PS: Any opinions either way regareds the PSMS?

what was the question re. PS3MS as i can't see it?

kBm · 23-11-2009, 11:03 AM

Would the opinion be that a WDTV is worthy investment along side a PS3?

Christmas is just round the corner and i had my eye on the WDTV for a while....

Axum · 23-11-2009, 11:08 AM

It really depends on what you're using it for....

In my mind, all it really gives you, if streaming is an option, is slightly more easily-playable HD content.

If you can't stream, and you'll be doing everything via USB, then it'll give you slightly more easily-playable content full-stop, i.e. you won't have to have your PC on, potentially trying to transcode "problem" video files.

If you've already got a PS3, and your PC is usually on anyway, then to me, it doesn't give you a great deal more functionality, as you can achieve pretty much everything it does using the PS3 and good streaming software (PS3MS).

*Haggler* · 23-11-2009, 12:30 PM

What Axum says ain't far off the mark, if you don't already already own a ps3 then imo it's a must, if you own both a ps3 and a wdtv already then keep both as the firmware updates for the wdtv are getting better and better, if you own a ps3 and are considering getting a wdtv too then well the choice is yours...

It's worth mentioning the wdtv is sub £80

It's also of note that if you have limited space it's smaller than a portable hd and the two can be stacked on top of each other if necessary, taking up a measly 5" of space, thus bunging it on a side shelf of your av cabinet is a viable option unlike your rather larger ps3

kBm · 23-11-2009, 2:38 PM

Cheers.

I did stream for a while, but the playback went a bit juddery so i returned to usb connection for smooth playback!

Im liking the idea that i have two devices that can cover all bases of video formats! Plus as the WDTV is small, it can be moved from one room to another if required.

Quote:

It's worth mentioning the wdtv is sub £80

Even better, its £69 at Amazon.

Axum · 23-11-2009, 2:49 PM

Make sure you get the newer "live" version....

In my mind, unless it's for cosmetic reasons, then if you can stream and you already have a PS3, then you don't really need one of these as there are ways round the format/codec issues, but taking those "ways round" might be too technical or time-consuming for some, so can see why these are attractive options to some...

Silent-Bob · 23-11-2009, 3:52 PM

I own a PS3 and I found streaming (about 12 months ago) to the PS3 very hit and miss and rubbish for HD content due to stuttering - plus it meant having the PC on too, so extra on the electricity bills.

Converting HD content to play on the PS3 wasn't a bad step forward but it became tiresome to me having to go through this process and split files etc.

Therefore I bought a WDTV and haven't looked back since. Firmware upgrades have been good and the unit responds well within menus and plays files, music and photos almost flawlessly. It will even output HD files to CRT TVs. I also like the resume option it has if you stop watching something it will pick up where you left off.

The best thing about the WDTV is its portability. With a large flash drive or small portable HDD means you can take it anywhere (I've taken it on holiday several times) and it will play on any TV with standard low def sockets (scart, component etc) as well as HDMI.

The only downside is it wont output DTS downmixing via TVs, only via an amp although you can re-encode the files so it does, so you have to be careful when taking these files away from your home set up. The new WDTV Live does have DTS downmixing via TV speakers and is thus an improvement - with additional features - YouTube access amongst them.

In short my PS3 is used for soley for gaming and net use which should hopefully prolong its life. The WDTV is used for media and I would highly recommend a purchase but probably of the WDTV Live purely for the DTS downmixing feature.

kBm · 23-11-2009, 4:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Silent-Bob

In short my PS3 is used for soley for gaming and net use which should hopefully prolong its life. The WDTV is used for media and I would highly recommend a purchase but probably of the WDTV Live purely for the DTS downmixing feature.

Sounds good to me!

As for DTS downmixing, the ps3 will do that for me right, When i finally (if ever) get a proper amp and speakers...

ellisbailey · 23-11-2009, 4:19 PM

Now I am of the opposite opinion.

I had a WDTV initially and then got a PS3.

Once I started using the PS3 for media and bought a remote for it, I fell in love with PS3 even more so and sold the WDTV.

It`s a great unit don`t get me wrong, but I didn`t see the point of having both unless I wanted to take it from one room to another or to friends etc to watch a movie.

It`s a bit of a mission transcoding everything the once with MKV2VOB (I don`t want to stream). But once it`s done it`s done and then I have the same functionality as I did with the WDTV but with one less box in the house and can sell it.

Horses for courses I guess but I`m well chuffed with the PS3 and PSMS.

Axum · 23-11-2009, 4:25 PM

I definitely think your last sentence is the most important....it really depends on what you want, if you want a portable movie player that you can take round your mates, then yes, a WDTV or one of the other ones would suit a lot better.

If you can't stream, then again, it's probably more suited, especially if you're not too technically minded as it just plays whatever you throw at it.

Uridium · 23-11-2009, 4:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ellisbailey

Now I am of the opposite opinion.

I had a WDTV initially and then got a PS3.

Once I started using the PS3 for media and bought a remote for it, I fell in love with PS3 even more so and sold the WDTV.

It`s a great unit don`t get me wrong, but I didn`t see the point of having both unless I wanted to take it from one room to another or to friends etc to watch a movie.

It`s a bit of a mission transcoding everything the once with MKV2VOB (I don`t want to stream). But once it`s done it`s done and then I have the same functionality as I did with the WDTV but with one less box in the house and can sell it.

Horses for courses I guess but I`m well chuffed with the PS3 and PSMS.

I agree. I didn't need the portability and moved from a popcorn hour to a PS3 with no regrets. Yes the PCH played the HD stuff 'as is' but too be honest the MKV2VOB (or straight PS3MS transcodes if your PC is fast enough) really aren't that much of an issue and i still think we will get native MKV container support on the PS3 soon..