Playstation or XBOX for a media player?

[SCB]

I have been interested in making a Media Player for my Mac for a while. Does anyone have experience with this, and/or what will work best? There's XBOX Media Player for XBOX and there's Gameshark (QCast) for Playstation 2. Which one works best? The Playstation seems easiest to set up but the XBOX seems to support many more formats. Even so, I haven't really seen any guides on getting either of these apps set up on a Mac.

Can someone point me in the right direction?

[qshartle]

Qcast is a legal way of doing it. XBMP is illegal, but has more features. All you need is either a straight ethernet to ps2 for qcast to work. I have qcast, and it plays all the formats you can download and make. (avi and mpeg) altho XBMP plays mov and such, u really dont need it.


For qcast, they include instructions, for both pc and mac.




Q

PS, if you have a wireless network in ur house, you can get an adapter that makes the ps2 read your airport network, so mac in ur office, ps2 with movies in ur bedroom.

[ps2daddy]

Well the qcast tuner will definitely do the job the cheapest and easiest way esp if you have a wireless network adaptor for the ps2 (also if you already have a ps2) qcast is $40-50
It also is compatible with macs
http://www.broadq.com/qcast2.htm
I know the newest gameshark is supposed to be getting a media player but I dont know if it will work with macs though

Linksys also sell a AVwireless braodcaster that you can buy also if you didnt want to buy a ps2

http://www.linksys.com/products/product.asp?grid=33&scid=38&prid=554
Its a little cheaper than a ps2 + network adaptor its $144 there http://www.compuhq.com/liciwmwimead.html

A ps2 with network adaptor is $199 right now
xbox is $179
PS2 network adaptor is $39.99 or $29.99 I forget
Refurbished xbox is $139
Refubished ps2 is $149

With the qcast tuner or this device will allow you to stream audio or video to any stereo or tv.

I would say that if you are not worried about playing games the linksys device is the way to go it works wirelessly or wired depending on your needs. I hear that it only works with xp and windows 2000 though so keep this in mind (I guess that wouldnt do you much good since you own a mac and probably dont want to run everything via a pc emulator, some stuff probably wouldnt work this way either)

If you want to do it the game route its lots of fun too!!

I would recommend a ps2 over an xbox to do this (not because my name is ps2daddy either) since you have to spend more money on chipping it and modchip xbox bios are not very legal even though playing backup games in which you legally own the original copies is legal.

No chip at all is required for the ps2 to do this

The choice is yours I hope that info helps

[ps2daddy]

The gameshark version is just rebranded qcast I hear (so its mac compatible) $49.99
http://www.gizmodo.com/archives/008471.php
http://popularmechanics.com/technology/tech_tuesday/2003/8/tech_tuesday_8_26_03/index5.phtml

Note this will also work wired or wirelessly as long as you have an official ps2 network adaptor

[ps2daddy]

The gameshark version is just rebranded qcast I hear (so its mac compatible) $49.99
http://www.gizmodo.com/archives/008471.php
http://popularmechanics.com/technology/tech_tuesday/2003/8/tech_tuesday_8_26_03/index5.phtml

Note this will also work wired or wirelessly as long as you have an official ps2 network adaptor

If you want to go wireless to your ps2 you need a device such as this $75 also
http://www.linksys.com/products/product.asp?grid=33&scid=38&prid=550
http://www.ewiz.com/detail.php?name=LS-WGA11B
You also need a wireless router too

I use a WET11 (Wireless Ethernet Bridge) from linksys cost me $119

The link I gave you is cheaper than the WET11 and works just as well.

[galactica]

quoting yourself 8)

[ps2daddy]

quoting yourself 8)

Yeah I guess I should have just hit reply but I was typing and I got carried away
.............

I get kinda cooky like that sometimes

[SCB]

I don't have a PS2 or XBOX but I'm now leaning more towards the PS2. The only reson I've really considered the XBOX is because I've heard it isn't nearly as picky with the media it plays. Any truth to this? Anyway, I have various MPEG-1/2 and avi files that I want to play on my TV. I should be able to play all of them on the PS2, right?

I've also read that the network adapters for PS2s are hard to get hold of; is that right?

I was also wondering if I needed the DVD kit to pull this thing off?

Thanks for all the help and info.

[ps2daddy]

I don't have a PS2 or XBOX but I'm now leaning more towards the PS2. The only reson I've really considered the XBOX is because I've heard it isn't nearly as picky with the media it plays. Any truth to this? Anyway, I have various MPEG-1/2 and avi files that I want to play on my TV. I should be able to play all of them on the PS2, right?

I've also read that the network adapters for PS2s are hard to get hold of; is that right?

I was also wondering if I needed the DVD kit to pull this thing off?

Thanks for all the help and info.

Since you are streaming from your computer it doesnt matter about DVD-R or + R as far as your movies. Basically if you can play it on your computer it will play on your ps2.

The newest versions of PS2s ususally will handle DVD +/- R very well as far as if you want to play dvd directly from your ps2 or if you are intersted in backing up your original games (send me pm if you need info on a good installer also can be done without chip too).

Network adaptors are very easy to find at bestbuy, circuit city, funcoland,gamestops, EB, Baggages....ect,ect. Should be $39.99
In the beginning they were superhard to get a hold of you can buy a ps2 with a network adpator already in the box for $199.99 (best buy, circuit city,....ect ect)

Also you can play dvd-r movies directly without the aid of a chip and you also dont need the dvd remote kit. You only have to use the DVD remote kit if you want a wireless remote you can use your joypad if you like.
Refub DVD remote kits are ~$12.99 -$15.99 new is $19.99

[ps2daddy]

Also you might want to hold off till around x-mas or right after.

I hear that the big rumor is the PS2 will drop to $99.99 shortly before x-mas
(I actually think it might be more like $149.99)

Only time will tell

[qshartle]

I had one question about Qcast and the Gameshark one, I have an 80 gig external hd with about 50 DTOX backups on it, and I have the wireless network for my ps2 set up, Is there a way to play the dvd folders?



Q

[ps2daddy]

I had one question about Qcast and the Gameshark one, I have an 80 gig external hd with about 50 DTOX backups on it, and I have the wireless network for my ps2 set up, Is there a way to play the dvd folders?



Q

Man you sure do know how to shrink some movies!

I dont have the qcast but as far as I know you basically play the movie on your mac and the wireless network just sends the signal so it should work just fine. All functions take place in the mac/PC the ps2 is just a conduit to your TV.

There is a forum at the qcast site (its down at the moment though) and more info about the product is there too
http://www.broadq.com/qcast2.htm

[ps2daddy]

I had one question about Qcast and the Gameshark one, I have an 80 gig external hd with about 50 DTOX backups on it, and I have the wireless network for my ps2 set up, Is there a way to play the dvd folders?



Q

By the way what online games do you have and do you have a mic. We can discuss talk about macs and ps2s while we beat the tar out of each other if you have Madden 2004

[qshartle]

I do have a mic yes, but i am sorry, football games rnt my cup o tea. I only have socom, and right now, my ps2 is being modded. so I dont have any online gaming for about a week.



Q

[ps2daddy]

I do have a mic yes, but i am sorry, football games rnt my cup o tea. I only have socom, and right now, my ps2 is being modded. so I dont have any online gaming for about a week.



Q

Ok I understand

I am assuming that you are in the UK also
I am in the US and Sony doesnt allow the US and UK servers to connect to each other.

Also make sure that you can disable your chip so you can play and original game online.

DNAS prevents you from playing your backups and you can only use your orginal with chip disabled to play online. (I do know of some people that have been able to play but sony can turn on or off any of the DNAS features they want) As a rule of thumb though dont expect to play backups online and you must disable your chip to play your originals.

[qshartle]

did that, im gettin a custom chip. I do live in the US. But soon to be living in Japan.



Q

[ps2daddy]

did that, im gettin a custom chip. I do live in the US. But soon to be living in Japan.



Q

Oh ok cool.

Which chip are you getting?

I understand I am not the best at madden either but I just like talking to people while I play the games( free long distance ) I might get my whole family to buy a ps2 and get Madden!

[JesterXL]

did that, im gettin a custom chip. I do live in the US. But soon to be living in Japan.



Q

Oh ok cool.

Which chip are you getting?

I understand I am not the best at madden either but I just like talking to people while I play the games( free long distance ) I might get my whole family to buy a ps2 and get Madden!

well it's free if you don't count the price of the playstation, internet connection, network adaptor, headset, and madden... if you are counting that, then your long distance has a setup cost of $285 (if you got the ps2 and network adaptor bundled) to $425 (if you bought your ps2 when it first came out) and the price of internet access each month ($40 for my cable)

but that's close enough to free, isn't it?

[qshartle]

Yeah. My cable is really finecky. I hate it. Japan is trying out a new satelite type internet. Which suposidly is faster than T3 lines. I am hopefully getting that, since it includes, phone, internet, tv(including every american channel), and wireless inteernet all over japan(with special USB thingy.

Don't ask me the name, for its all in kanji, and the translation would be bad.




Q

[ps2daddy]

did that, im gettin a custom chip. I do live in the US. But soon to be living in Japan.



Q

Oh ok cool.

Which chip are you getting?

I understand I am not the best at madden either but I just like talking to people while I play the games( free long distance ) I might get my whole family to buy a ps2 and get Madden!

well it's free if you don't count the price of the playstation, internet connection, network adaptor, headset, and madden... if you are counting that, then your long distance has a setup cost of $285 (if you got the ps2 and network adaptor bundled) to $425 (if you bought your ps2 when it first came out) and the price of internet access each month ($40 for my cable)

but that's close enough to free, isn't it?

Well being the fact that when I got my setup I got it to play online games and when they just recently developed games that had continous talking like madden with the head set. I thought about I have a few few friends (but not many that have the same setup but only missing a head set and I thought hhhhmmm?)

You can talk to anyone in the country as long as you want with the same set up without paying any extra as long as you keep playing

The network adaptor bundle is now $199 with a game a lots of places now
You can get a wired or wireless router for around $40 with rebate
and and you can get a wireless ethernet adaptor for $60
A network adaptor buy itself is $40
+$40 for a refubished game you can do it all for ~300 to $340
I am also sure that most people didnt get a ps2 or cable modem/DSL for free long distance but its an added perk but I do understand your point you do have to pay the cost if you want all the goodies

[qshartle]

With XBOX live, its like that too. I usually talk to my friends in japan that way. It saves me mucho dinero. And I can also kick the crap out of em.




Q

[ps2daddy]

With XBOX live, its like that too. I usually talk to my friends in japan that way. It saves me mucho dinero. And I can also kick the crap out of em.




Q

That is cool the ps2 wont let you join networks from other countries at the moment. (only places within your region)