Which console for stream HD mp4 video ?

[guns1inger]

I haven't seriously looked at a console since I purchased my original playstation many years ago. I am now looking at buying a new console, primarily for streaming videos and upscaled DVD playback. At this stage I favour the PS3, as a high quality blu-ray player, streaming video box and it's ability to playback HD from DVD discs. However I know the Xbox Pro can do many of the same things (except play blu-ray discs) and costs around 25% less than the PS3.

Is there any reason to look at the Xbox Pro over the PS3 ? If Nintendo had produced a HD Wii that would probably be at the top of the list, but as an SD only device I have no interest in it.

Any thoughts or opinions will be appreciated.

[yoda313]

Though I haven't used the streaming function intensely on the ps3 it is a little more robust than the 360.

From what I'm told by fulcilives who does compressed video more than I do the ps3 has a little more flexibility on the mp4 side of things. Though the 360 does do mp4 apparently it is a little pickier than the ps3.

Also giving an edge to the ps3 is that it can do m2ts files on a dvdr. I just finally tested it with a muxed .tp high def off the air recording. Looked really good on a fully burned maxed out dvd +R dl disc. Though there was a little initial audio sync it looked to clear up later on.

One advantage the 360 has is it is an official windows media center extender. That is very efficient. Of course wifi sucks for video and as far as I know there is no support for wireless N on the 360 yet so G is it. You can stream music to it over wifi G with no problem. Best to use a lan connection for video.

That said I will say this for the 360 - I like the games better for it. Even though so many are multiplatform now I just prefer the 360. And XBOX LIVE is much more established then the PS3 network.

Though the addition of BLURAY does give the PS3 an edge there. I'd recommend getting the NYKO bluwave remote that comes with an ir dongle. That will let you use any infrared remote with the ps3. The downside is that without that you can only purchase the ps3 bluetooth remote. That is rather bulcky and not too pleasing to the eye.

I'll say this for the 360 also - it has a built in IR port on the front. You can also get a logitech harmony remote specially designed for the 360 and can be fully programmed like a regular harmony (though I use the full size xbox 360 non programmable remote).

These are some things to think about.

Two more on the game side - GEARS OF WAR 2 is xbox 360 only and RESISTANCE 2 is PS3 only. If you favor one or the other that could tip the scales (of course rockband and guitar hero are available for both systems).

EDIT - one more thing - the other knock on the 360 aside from the infamous ring of death is that it has a very loud fan noise and disc reading. This can be distracting on quite movies. However that can be relatively minor depending on your preferences of course. I think you can buy a modded console online for quiter fans. However I'm not sure how you get online on XBOX Live with a modded console these days. You could pm ps2daddy for an update - though I haven't seen him around here lately so maybe you could check out xboxscene.com for more info on mods.

EDIT 2 - One thing I forgot to mention. The 360 controllers are available in wireless models AND they have removable battery packs. You can get chargeable battery packs. You can either get a usb type charger that can connect to the console for charging or you can get a wall plug unit independent of the console.

The downside I could see to the ps3 is that the controllers do not have removable battery packs. The only difference however is that you can directly connect a standard usb cable to begin charging. So you could still play but you won't be wireless. That is a possible deciding factor if your a heavy gamer (time wise not waist wise of course ). Now there may be third party ps3 controllers that do have a removeable battery pack. I don't know if there are but they are not available directly from sony to my knowledge.

That is another insider note you might want to consider between the consoles. I know its not directly involving video watching but its another factor for gaming.

EDIT 3 - another thing you probably already know but worth mentioning - only some ps3's can play ps2 games. The 40gb version DOES NOT play ps2 games. The original 60gb and the newer 80gb versions do. Double check at the playstation website before commiting to a size version.

[guns1inger]

The 80GB versions released over here say they don't play PS2 games in rather large letters on the back.

I'll have to re-read all your info to take it all in - many thanks for the feedback .

[Xylob the Destroyer]

I have had nothing but problems streaming with my PS3.
It constantly loses the connection (my networked is WIRED, not wireless) to the PC with the media on it.
Plus, the PS3 won't recognize the genres or playlists createdin MediaPlayer.
Finally, you can't stream music while playing a game.

My 360 streams music & video flawlessly.
It recognizes all of the MediaPlayer settings on the PC with the music and will even recognize the playlists on that machine.
Best of all, you don't have to put the music on the console hard drive if you want to navigate away from the in-console player. Play a game, search for content, whatever.

Too bad I play more games on my PS3 than I do on my 360...

[Xylob the Destroyer]

I find the PS3 to be rather noisy as well as the 360.
Watched Casino Royale on Blu-ray last nite and the fan on the PS3 was irritating as hell.

Also, don't skimp on hard drive with the 360. Mine has a 20GB and I'm constantly getting an error saying I can't download a demo or video because the damned hard drive is full....

I've been trying to see if you can download and install videos and demos to an external USB2.0 hard drive, but I'm not finding much info...
I don't think it can be done and I'm not willing to mod my consoles.

A plus for the PS3 is you can stick any sized hard drive in it that you want to. Hell, the owner's manual even gives you directions on how to do it.
There are a ton of sites with lists of compatible drives (it has to be a laptop drive, & if I recall correctly has to be SATA).
I may be upgrading eventually, but my OEM 60GB hasn't been a problem so far and I've got tons of shit downloaded to it -- games, demos, videos, home beta installed (sets aside 4GB) and the OS sets aside another 10GB. That cuts my HD down to 46GB.
$ony must use different compression on the disk???

[yoda313]

I'll have to re-read all your info to take it all in - many thanks for the feedback

No problem. this is a lot of hands on info. Stuff you might not think about until you get it on hand and find out for yourself.

find the PS3 to be rather noisy as well as the 360.

Well I'm not saying the ps3 is silent. It does have a fan just like the 360. Its just in my view its quiter than the 360. Mind you my 360 was bought used and is an original non hdmi model. Perhaps newer hdmi 360's are slightly quiter but I doubt it.

Plus, the PS3 won't recognize the genres or playlists createdin MediaPlayer.

I'm sure that's due to the whole sony vs microsoft battle in the console wars. I'm assuming you are reffering to windows media player.

Too bad I play more games on my PS3 than I do on my 360...

I'm actually the opposite. I only have heavenly sword and Ninja Gaiden Sigma on the ps3. I have way more games on the 360 including Ninja Gaiden 2 and both rockbands and guitar hero world tour plus others (naturally halo 3 as well).

Also, don't skimp on hard drive with the 360. Mine has a 20GB and I'm constantly getting an error saying I can't download a demo or video because the damned hard drive is full....

Yes you can upgrade to a newly released 60gb or a 120gb.

@guns1inger - please note the 360 has an external side mounted harddrive. It has a sunken docking port on the side of the console to install the harddrive (simple plug and play no jumpers and its a self contained propriety harddrive designed by microsoft - it probably uses standard components but it is in a unique external casing that plugs into the side).

@xylob and guns1inger - regarding harddrives don't forget you can add external usb drives as long as they are fat32. Of course I don't know if you can load downloadable content onto them. I would doubt that is possible. However you can certainly load videos, pics and music on it.

One other note on external harddrives. It has been posted on this website that if you use Macdrive 7 (I think that was the program) you can format a harddrive to the mac hfs system and you can bypass the 4gb file limit of fat32. I did test the hfs on the 360 and it worked if I remember correctly. I don't remember if I tested the ps3 with it or not.

@guns1inger - I know this is a lot to take in. Just remember if you plan on using either console for gaming more than causually you will be buying many extras. As mentioned rechargeable battery packs for the 360 are a good idea. Plus getting a mic headset for either system would be ideal for online gaming. And of course memory cards if you go to a friends house frequently. One thing I never tried was those skins you can get for the consoles. A nice touch is the 360 has a removable faceplate you can swap out with a wide range of covers from games and such.

In the end I don't think you'll be disappointed with either console. Just remember the 360 has been out longer than the ps3 and as such I believe has a larger game library.

Regarding the ps3 even if you get a model that doesn't support ps2 emulation please note ANY ps3 will play original playstation 1 games if you still have any.

One other note on backwards compatibility - the XBOX 360 does play many original xbox titles. However it does not play all. Go to xbox.com to find out what are backwards compatible and which are not.

From a mere price point the 360 is a better deal. However if you get one without a harddrive you won't be able to go on xbox live. You need a harddrive to do that. (edit - of course by harddrive I mean an official microsoft xbox 360 designed harddrive - not a seperate usb harddrive).

EDIT - another thing I just remembered - the PS3 actually has a web browser. The 360 does not. Now if you have media center setup as an extender you will be able to access some web content. However its not a full browser perse. Its more streamlined stuff designed for using a computer on a tv.

One last note while I'm thinking of it - The 360 can now stream netfilix movies. Of course SONY recently blocked their movies so it won't be as robust as using a pc with netflix.

[Xylob the Destroyer]

my 360 was also purchased used and is not HDMI...

I bought my PS3 as soon as I read they were taking PS2 capability away. I hunted all over town to find one that would play PS2 games.

I've had some less than positive results playing original PlayStation games on my PS3.
Soul Blade glitches & crashes constantly...
Military Madness does the same.
Tenchu too...

I play my PS3 more because I have so many PlayStation and Playstation2 games I guess.
Plus, the $ony controller is so freakin' awesome. If only it were a bit larger...
360 controllers hurt my hand after only about half an hour of gameplay. Granted, they're not as bad as the original XBOX controller!
Also, the d-pad on the 360 controller is notoriously an absolute piece of SHIT. I downloaded the Bionic Commando demo and almost threw the damned controller through the ******* wall after only 5 minutes.
d-pad on the PS3 controller is rock solid.

[Xylob the Destroyer]

Oh yeah, one other thing -- I play my Wii more than the 360 & PS3 combined!

[yoda313]

Oh yeah, one other thing -- I play my Wii more than the 360 & PS3 combined!

Really???

I barely play my WII. I have even considered selling it.

What games are you into on the WII xylob?

[Xylob the Destroyer]

Mostly downloaded previous generation games!
I loves me some TurboGrafx16!!

[Xylob the Destroyer]

none of the PS3s currently in production support PS2 gameplay
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PlayStation_3#Retail_configurations

[guns1inger]

none of the PS3s currently in production support PS2 gameplay
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PlayStation_3#Retail_configurations

And from what I have been reading in other forums, this may be why the newer ones are quieter to run. Many are blaming the PS2 side of the box for the heat and extra fan noise

[yoda313]

none of the PS3s currently in production support PS2 gameplay

Sorry I didn't know that. I thought there was still one that did.

Mostly downloaded previous generation games!
I loves me some TurboGrafx16!!

Ah that would do it. The only non nintendo games I've bought on vc (virtual console) is BONK and golden axe. Bonk was tg16 wasn't it? Or was that neo geo?

The two that I am STILL waiting for on VC are the original BATTLETOADS and TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES 2 - The Arcarde Game. Also TMNT 4 Turtles in Time for the SNES would be a great addition.

EDIT - regarding the fan noise I didn't catch guns1igners' note about the ps2 issue. I bought my 40gb ps3 this spring so its new hardware. Mine might really be a little quiter than your ps2 capable ps3 hardware. I don't know though....

[Xylob the Destroyer]

And from what I have been reading in other forums, this may be why the newer ones are quieter to run. Many are blaming the PS2 side of the box for the heat and extra fan noise

This would make sense because, especially when your playing PS2 games, you're basically running two consoles at once. Mine has the EE hardware onboard, no emulation. So I fire up the PS3, stick in a PS2 game and now I'm also running the PS2 that is inside my PS3...

Though that wouldn't explain the noise during movie playback.

[TechNight]

wow this is some great info and im really taking it all in too, many thanks! Just to clarify, if i move my 360 to another room I can pick up all my music and videos or whatever so it can play in another room where my computer isn't?

[guns1inger]

Are you using a wireless or ethernet network connection ?

[yoda313]

wow this is some great info and im really taking it all in too, many thanks!

Glad to help. I'm always happy to share insight into my hobbies.

Just to clarify, if i move my 360 to another room I can pick up all my music and videos or whatever so it can play in another room where my computer isn't?

To follow up on guns1inger's statement it depends on your connections. Wifi G is strong enough for music no doubt. However it is really too weak to handle video. As far as I know the xbox 360 is not compatible with wireless N devices. I don't know 100% that it isn't I just know the official xbox wireless device is a G device.

If you want to do video over a network make sure it is a wired lan connection. Or perhaps a powerline network. However I have never used a powerline network so I don't know any potential pitfalls in real world use of a powerline system.

So basically if you want to do wireless networking with the 360 you can play games on xbox live wirelessly a-ok. It's just that if you try to do video, especially high def video, you will be disappointed if you can get a stable connection at all over wifi G.

A lan connection is by far the best bet.

FYI you will need to purchase either the official xbox 360 wireless adapter at 100.00 USD or a compatible wifi device designed for game consoles. The 360 doesn't have internal WIFI.

By the way, the PS3 DOES have internal wifi. Again I believe the ps3 is wifi G but I honestly don't remember. I have since switched to a wired network for my game consoles so I haven't checked up on all the latest wireless news lately.

Ask back if you have more questions.


-----------------------

@Guns1inger - so have you made a decision yet on a game console???