PSN vs xbox live questions

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bellyfrog

99 posts

Master Geek

#79695 21-Mar-2011 11:36

Hey,

I'm about to buy either a PS3 or an xbox 360. I know that you have to pay a subscription for xbox and not for PSN so I'm leaning towards that. I'm just wondering if they both perform more or less the same network wise?

As I'm from the UK I'm used to much better internet than here and I've run into quite a lot of problems with PC gaming online, so I'm hopeful for console gaming!

billgates

4624 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#450322 21-Mar-2011 11:42

you get what you pay for. Xbox live is a much nicer experience in comparison to PSN. Xbox live majority of the times also gets the exclusive DLC like Call of duty maps a month before PSN. Friends management/chat and party chat is much much better on Xbox live.

In the end it's not just about Xbox Live vs PSN. It's also about exclusives, other features likes windows meda center or blu-ray and now it's also about Xbox 360 Kinect vs Playstation Move.

Do whatever you want to do man.

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bellyfrog

99 posts

Master Geek

#450328 21-Mar-2011 11:55

That is true but I have weighed up the other features already the main thing I am worried about is whether I am going to be able to get a stable connection.

I just want to know if both work pretty well over here as I've found PC gaming here very mixed.

NzBeagle

948 posts

Ultimate Geek

Trusted

#450356 21-Mar-2011 12:54

I have a friend who uses a 3G data stick for Xbox Live with fairly decent results. So with fixed line broadband you will not have any issue with XBL. Connections are competitive with Aus Hosts, gets a bit more challenging with US at times, but nothing like a good challenge to give ya a good gaming experience.

Additionally, I would +1 for the Windows Media Center integration, I stream 720p mkv's over the A band of my 1st Gen wireless adapter, very easy to set up and use.

In this regard PS3 does have a few media server options, one of my friends uses this, however the software they use transcodes it to a lower resolution to get it across their wireless G network.

jonofan

52 posts

Master Geek

#450373 21-Mar-2011 13:34

What are you playing? I find PC gaming connections to be better than over Xbox live. It really seems to depend on the game, and how many NZers you've got playing that game on your platform.

If you've got friends who are on Xbox Live then I'd definitely recommend that, as XBL does the friend management and chat parties really well.

munkybone

23 posts

Geek

#450388 21-Mar-2011 14:15

I use PSN but have to admit the XBL system is a lot better to use.

cgrew

860 posts

Ultimate Geek
Inactive user

#450412 21-Mar-2011 15:55

Wow wow wow, hang on a tick.. The PSN is stable if not as stable as Xbox Live? I've played Modern Warfare 2 heaps online in the past and it worked a bute, plus Uncharted 2: Among Thieves, that game also worked primo online.

Plus don't forget the fact that it's free of course and I see no real issue with talking to friends on PSN either.

That's about all I have to say for now..

NonprayingMantis

6434 posts

Uber Geek

#450428 21-Mar-2011 16:49

I had a 360 before and a PS3 now, but rarely used the ?social? type features on either one so hard to comment on that aspect, but in terms of actual experience when playing online, I?ve found PSN to be no different to XBL.

Mostly I played MW and GTA4 on 360, and MW2, Uncharted 2 and Resistance 2 on the PS3. Unless you accidentally got stuck in a US server both were fine.
However due to fatherhood my online gaming has shifted to single player as I need games that can be paused and saved at any time to tend to my wife?s demands.

JMatt94

225 posts

Master Geek

#450429 21-Mar-2011 16:56

Have a 360 and PS3, they're pretty much identical network wise in my experience. XBL has nicer functionality for friends/parties etc though, but I don't think it's worth the extra money. If you have more friends who have an Xbox than PS3 or vice versa, choose that one :)

NzBeagle

948 posts

Ultimate Geek

Trusted

#450436 21-Mar-2011 17:37

JMatt94: Have a 360 and PS3, they're pretty much identical network wise in my experience. XBL has nicer functionality for friends/parties etc though, but I don't think it's worth the extra money. If you have more friends who have an Xbox than PS3 or vice versa, choose that one :)

I have both also, definitely go for the console your friends use, this is the main reason for getting either. Also, the fee isn't really an issue, hit a subscription once a year and forget about it.

Dannysw

21 posts

Geek

#451093 23-Mar-2011 12:13

I have a ps3 and have found that online gaming has always been fine, however trying to download updates takes a long time. For example I went to download around a 20MB update for LBP, and it took about half an hour, and firmware updates are ridiculous (but I just get them on my computer from a closer server real quick now).

I am not sure if this is just my ISP problem or if its because the servers are in the UK and NZ has a limited bandwidth on the fibre over to there.

timmmay

19631 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#451104 23-Mar-2011 12:54

Downloading singstar songs on PSN takes AGES, sometimes a few hours for a half dozen songs. This is on TelstraClear cable which is really, really fast, and the PS3 is on a wired network.

Their online payment system is really flaky too, I use my credit card all over but it rejected it for an entire month, along with all my friends credit cards. I had to buy vouchers at DSE.

Looking at the xbox that a friend uses it seems to be a much nicer user experience.

ChrisNZL

308 posts

Ultimate Geek

#451127 23-Mar-2011 13:51

Download times are pretty painful on PSN compared to Xbox Live.
But, PSN has free online play compared to Live, and the PS3 dubs as a Blu-ray movie player.
In-game online performance, I'd say they're both on par. Cross your fingers that you play against NZ/Aus gamers!
Also take a look at exclusive games for each console - maybe one will seem more appealing.

Creator of Tallowmere. Working on Tallowmere 2.

merve0o0

491 posts

Ultimate Geek

#453458 30-Mar-2011 12:38

Connection quality regarding lag etc seems to depend on the game allot of the time. Blops for me is near unplayable due to lag yet mw2 is fine.