Media to TV, Deciding Best Way, Advice Please

[ndhl56]

Hello,

I recently acquired a new Sharp 1080p LCD and I am now motivated to have a proper setup to run files off of my PC and on to the TV. I also have a PS3 and have fallen in love with Blu-Ray. I am currently streaming to PS3 using WMP11. I want to have the best setup I can for both ease of use, storage size, and quality of output. As far as I can tell these are my options:

1) Stream to PS3 as I am Now
The downside to this option is storage space...my laptop only has 60gig HD (1.6 ghz processor, 2GB RAM), and it is fast approaching full. Also, I want to ensure that the output quality is top notch, and I don't know if a 1080p file will "hiccup" over my connection. It is bottle necked right now at 54MBPS by the laptop connected to the network wirelessly. A small 1080p video sample played with only minor hiccup...so this is encouraging if I connect it to the router and get 100MBPS. Again, storage space will be an issue...but what about this: If I connect a 500GB USB drive to the laptop, will the file being on the USB drive and not the laptops internal HD cause a bottleneck? I would assume "no" because the USB 2.0 transfer rate is faster than an ethernet connection (480 MBPS vs. 100MBPS???)

2) Run files off of a USB HD
Storage space issues will disappear, but I am reading that PS3 only recognizes FAT32 file systems, and the 4GB file size limit will restrict my ability to play 1080p files as they are all (from what I have seen) considerably larger than 4GB. I liked this option best until I uncovered this stumbling block. Only an issue for HD files though. Dang, if only the PS3 liked NTFS.

2.1) Install Linux partition on my PC, format USB HD as EXT3 file system: Am I correct in assuming that if I do this I will be able to access any files I have on the computer through the Linux partition, save them on the USB HD that is also the same file format (EXT3) and that the PS3 does indeed recognize and accept EXT3? If this is the case, it seems I could just use the USB HD and would encounter no file size limitations.

3) Run a media center (WD TV) with USB HD(s) through HDMI
I like this option as well...it solves both my overall storage space issue (with the USB HD) and also solves the limitations of FAT32 because I can format the drive as NTFS since the WD TV interfaces directly with the TV and not the PS3...my issue here is one of redundancy though since I already have the PS3 that will play my files in 1080p, also via HDMI. This option cuts out the PS3, and since I have it already it seems a shame to not use it.

Bonus Question: Will any of the options above allow me to play raw DVD and BD rips? I am not familiar with the raw BD formats yet.

Any and all advice would be appreciated. I realize there are merits to each option, but I want to take the time to try and get the right setup from the get go. For the time being, WMP11 is working perfectly for what I need it to, which right now is files about 550MB or less. It is really the case that I want to be able to play larger 1080p files down the road with top quality output and no storage space issues.

Thanks so much! I haven't really been active on these forums since I first learned to make SVCDs way back when, hahaha.

-Ndhl56

[ocgw]

The easiest, highest quality, most reliable, and most universal way is to play blu ray ISO files thru HDMI to your TV w/ Cyberlink PowerDVD Ultra

All you will need is Slysoft AnyDVD HD (decrypter), (TsMuxer if you want to save movie only (freeware)), PowerDVD Player, & imgburn (for ISO creation) (freeware)

K.I.S.S. principle, keep it simple, no conversions, and your files can later be burned to disc w/o additional manipulation

in my most humble of opinions

ocgw

peace

[redwudz]

I don't think that laptop can handle playback of BD, MKV or .m2ts HD files. I would look into the WDTV idea. You can get a HDMI switch and cable cheap enough from monoprice.com if you need one, and still have your PS3 connected.

[ocgw]

I don't think that laptop can handle playback of BD, MKV or .m2ts HD files. I would look into the WDTV idea. You can get a HDMI switch and cable cheap enough from monoprice.com if you need one, and still have your PS3 connected.

Maybe, maybe not, you could be right, but, I have been playing blu ray movies @ work on simularly spec'd PC's w/ a portable HDD since last summer by playing the mpeg2 stream out of a .m2ts file out of a blu ray folder w/ VLC

mkv, and .m2ts files require considerable cpu overhead, but not playing blu ray folders or iso's w/ Powerdvd as long as you are just handing off the digital video for the digital monitor or TV to decode

I "shy away" from any solution that involves OB HDD's, the 3.5" ones get too hot, & I would be afraid they won't last, but the 2.5" drives stay pretty cool, but are more expensive

Have you given thought to building a cheap media center PC?

ocgw

peace

[ndhl56]

I have considered a media PC. Or a new PC in general really, with a vid card that I could hook to the TV. I just assumed that cards /w HDMI out would be all the norm now, but most I look at online seem to be dual DVI out. The tech at work suggested a DVI to HDMI converter, but admitted he wasn't sure what the loss in quality would be, if any. So I am not exactly sure what I would need to build a basic media PC, but know that there are tutorials, guides, etc. on the site. Gonna start readin :P

WRT the above query: If I had a new machine that was well spec'd, and had it hooked up via ethernet cable to my network /w the PS3, would that be a fine way to play most media files? I realize I probabably wouldn't be able to easily play ISO's easily...or at all.

Thanks for the replies,

-Ndhl

[ocgw]

I have considered a media PC. Or a new PC in general really, with a vid card that I could hook to the TV. I just assumed that cards /w HDMI out would be all the norm now, but most I look at online seem to be dual DVI out. The tech at work suggested a DVI to HDMI converter, but admitted he wasn't sure what the loss in quality would be, if any. So I am not exactly sure what I would need to build a basic media PC, but know that there are tutorials, guides, etc. on the site. Gonna start readin :P

WRT the above query: If I had a new machine that was well spec'd, and had it hooked up via ethernet cable to my network /w the PS3, would that be a fine way to play most media files? I realize I probabably wouldn't be able to easily play ISO's easily...or at all.

Thanks for the replies,

-Ndhl

There is no loss from DVI to HDMI, it just passes the signal thru to different pins

ocgw

peace

[ndhl56]

Thats interesting then. Thanks for the advice!

[guns1inger]

You could also put a much larger HDD in the PS3 (change over is very simple) and move media files to it for playback.