Compatible for Both PS3 and XBox 360

[StHapns247]

I have been trying to work this out for a few days now, I am trying to find a format that satisfies my needs as well works on both the PS3 and Xbox 360.

The Xbox 360 is the major issue because it is so limited it what it can play.

I have a lot of blu-rays that I back up, so the requirements are a little lofty:
Must be an HD resolution. 1080p preferred, but will settle for 720p.
Must be 5.1 surround audio.
I would like selectable subtitles, but this seems to be the most difficult part, so while it would be nice, it is not a deal breaker. I hard code forced subtitles.

This is what I am working with for the Xbox 360 supported formats:

AVI support
The Xbox 360 console supports the following for AVI:
File extensions: .avi, .divx
Containers: AVI
Video profiles: MPEG-4 Part 2 (Simple Profile and Advanced Simple Profile)
Video bit rate: 5 Mbps with resolutions of 1280 × 720 at 30 fps
Audio profiles: Dolby® Digital (2 channel and 5.1 channel), MP3
Audio max bit rate: No restrictions
H.264 support
The Xbox 360 console supports the following for H.264:
File extensions: .mp4, .m4v, mp4v, .mov, .avi
Containers: MPEG-4, QuickTime
Video profiles: Baseline, main and high (up to level 4.1)
Video bit rate: 10 Mbps with resolutions of 1920 × 1080 at 30 fps.
Audio profiles: AAC, 2-channel, Low Complexity
Audio max bit rate: No restrictions.
MPEG-4 Part 2 support
The Xbox 360 console supports the following for MPEG-4:
File extensions: .mp4, .m4v, .mp4v, .mov, .avi
Containers: MPEG-4, QuickTime
Video profiles: MPEG-4 Part 2 (Simple Profile and Advanced Simple Profile)
Video bit rate: 5 Mbps with resolutions of 1280 × 720 at 30 fps.
Audio profiles: AAC, 2-channel, Low Complexity
Audio max bit rate: No restrictions.
WMV (VC-1) support
The Xbox 360 console supports the following for WMV:
File extensions: .wmv
Containers: ASF
Video profiles: WMV7 (WMV1), WMV8 (WMV2), WMV9 (WMV3), VC-1 (WVC1 or WMVA) in simple, main and advanced up to level 3
Video bit rate: 15 Mbps with resolutions of 1920 × 1080 at 30 fps.
Audio profiles: WMA7/8, WMA9 Pro (stereo and 5.1), WMA Lossless
Audio max bit rate: No restrictions.

I cannot find such a specific list for the PS3.

I really thought I was going to hit a home run with the WMV format, but it turns out the PS3 does not support WMA Pro 5.1 audio, it will support stereo wma, but not Pro 5.1.

Right now I am testing with the avi option and will report back, but any suggestions from anyone here would be great.

Maybe someone already has this working for them?

Please do not suggest alternate methods for watch the videos on the devices (realtime transcoding, etc...), I have tried them all and require that the files be played naively.

Thank you.

[neomaine]

avi (divx/xvid) with ac3 is probably your best bet.

Another alternative method, besides realtime transcoding from the PC, is to get a media player. Your issue is the very reason I went with a WDTV Live+, about 4 years ago, with everyone else.

Use MakeMKV for any DVDs and TsMuxer for Bluerays, all native support. No re-enconding necessary, just re-muxing.

[mh2360]

If you are streaming to the Xbox 360, then avc/ac3 in .M2TS does work if you set up the Xbox 360 as a Windows Media Center extender with Windows 7 (it wont work with USB or media sharing and probably not with an earlier Windows version).

I have tried with some avc/ac3 .M2TS samples from here, and they played just fine with audio. I can't say whether any 5.1 audio would be preserved because I don't have the equipment.

It should be possible to have a PC set up to serve to the Xbox 360 extender and share files with the PS3 at the same time.