Media Streaming on the PS3

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Nightwyrm

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#21591 1-May-2008 16:00

What's your weapon of choice to stream media from your computer to the PS3? I'm in the midst of trialling several media servers tools on my PC and am curious what others are using (and how they found using them).

For me...

TVersity: freeware, simple to install, can be a bit fiddly to configure (firewall ports, etc.), does not display album art but tracks are in correct order, and PS3 has trouble picking up the server presence. Overall, not too bad but could be better.

Nero 8: licensed, simple but long to install, Nero Scout is fairly heinous but a necessary evil, crashes when trying to import iTunes library, displays album art on tracks but tracks are ordered alphabetically by track name, PS3 picks up server presence easily. Overall, I think this had potential but turned out to be a load of pants.

TwonkyMedia: licensed but cheap, simple and quick to install, imports iTunes library, displays album art on tracks and tracks are in correct order, does do something funny with metatags (e.g. "The Band" becomes "Band, The"), and PS3 easily picks up server presence. Overall, I think I could be onto a winner.

Anyone else?

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lchiu7

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#127708 1-May-2008 20:44

I use Tversity - works pretty fine for me. Now that the PS3 can play divx content, Tversity really doesn't have to transcode content - just act as a DLNA server which it does fine.

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sneakattack

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#127999 2-May-2008 18:45

I just use Windows Media Player. I found TVersity to be a bit unreliable. The PS3 plays all the media formats I use now anyway (including the TS files that MediaPortal creates).

steve98

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#129283 8-May-2008 08:03

I generally just use Windows Media Player 11. TVersity is a bit touch-and-go for me. It works, but it often doesn't show up on the PS3 for about 10 minutes so it's not something I could rely on. WMP11 shows up straight away, though, and seems to play 95% of stuff I throw at it. If it doesn't work, then I use TVersity.

I actually bought the PS3 primarily as a media-server - I'm not a huge gamer these days - it's great that Sony keep introducing new firmware that just make it better and better. In all honestly, it's the best home theatre appliance I ever bought.

Steve

chiefie

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#129290 8-May-2008 09:04

While on this subject (as we're looking to get Sony PS3 for BluRay and media streaming, then PS3 gaming). I had a look at Linksys NAS200, I'm just wondering if anyone had any experience with NAS (with UPnP/DLNA) experience?

Also, as the PS3 is in the lounge which is a distance away from our wifi coverage, I am looking at using one of those HD powerline ethernet (200Mbps at best). I have 14Mbps version between my room and another room, and will replace this with the HD ones with hope that it will be good enough for PS3 streaming. I know it won't hit 200Mbps but it should give a good speed connection though... Won't it?

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steve98

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#129291 8-May-2008 09:10

chiefie: I have 14Mbps version between my room and another room, and will replace this with the HD ones with hope that it will be good enough for PS3 streaming. I know it won't hit 200Mbps but it should give a good speed connection though... Won't it?

I would say that even 14Mbps is plenty for most media files, unless you're wanting to stream High Definition content.

I have a D-Link G604T, not top of the range by any measure, it is at opposite ends of the house to my PS3 and it gets about 50% signal strength, but I have no problems streaming divx / mp3, even the occasional DVD VOB file seems to be fine. I would buy the PS3 and give it a go on your existing setup before you go to the expense of buying the extra kit.

Steve

chiefie

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#129304 8-May-2008 10:12

Steve98, I have rented PS3 and tried the 14Mbps powerline ethernet and tried doing a System Update and it's taking ages... not sure if the server was busy or what.

I do think 14Mbps is good enough but sadly I only have a pair of powerline ethernet units and to expand the powerline ethernet network, I'll be looking to replace the existing ones for faster one.

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bazzer

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#129322 8-May-2008 11:30

System update always takes ages on the PS3. I usually d/l it on the PC and transfer it over on a USB stick.

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lchiu7

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#129373 8-May-2008 14:39

steve98:
chiefie: I have 14Mbps version between my room and another room, and will replace this with the HD ones with hope that it will be good enough for PS3 streaming. I know it won't hit 200Mbps but it should give a good speed connection though... Won't it?

I would say that even 14Mbps is plenty for most media files, unless you're wanting to stream High Definition content.

I have a D-Link G604T, not top of the range by any measure, it is at opposite ends of the house to my PS3 and it gets about 50% signal strength, but I have no problems streaming divx / mp3, even the occasional DVD VOB file seems to be fine. I would buy the PS3 and give it a go on your existing setup before you go to the expense of buying the extra kit.

Steve

I am able to stream HD content over 802.11g to my PS3 but there is the occasional hiccup. Interestingly using my Popcorn Hour over wireless the experience is much better. I suspect that is because the PCH actually buffers content internally which smooths over any hiccups in wireless integrity. When starting a video, especially a HD one, it takes about 30s or so before content is displayed and the network activity light is flashing continuously.

If you are that far away from your wireless network and you find the PS3 wireless can't cut it, there is another option to use a wireless bridge. You could position the bridge much closer to your AP than the PS3 is currently located.

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mortonman

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#129455 8-May-2008 19:34

bazzer: System update always takes ages on the PS3. I usually d/l it on the PC and transfer it over on a USB stick.

NOt trying to hijack but i tried to use my usb stick and the PS3 didn't reconise the file so i had to download via PS3 in the end. How do you do it?

sneakattack

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#129456 8-May-2008 19:35

mortonman:
bazzer: System update always takes ages on the PS3. I usually d/l it on the PC and transfer it over on a USB stick.

NOt trying to hijack but i tried to use my usb stick and the PS3 didn't reconise the file so i had to download via PS3 in the end. How do you do it?

You don't put it at the root of the USB stick. Create a folder called PS3, then inside that create another folder called UPDATE, and put the PBP file in there.