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greg_mitch
Joined: 03 May 2006
Posts: 5320
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| Posted: Tue Jun 09, 2009 10:30 pm Post subject: Is it time to switch from PS3 to HTPC for BR? |
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I can sell my 40gb used PS3 for anywhere from $250 to $280 on ebay (checked completed listings). Can I get an HTPC capable of playing BR for this amount?
I am going to see what I can come up with at newegg, but wanted to see if people are actually considering doing this.
I went away from it but have constantly been coming back to the idea with new BR players near $400 for the mid range players.
Talk amongst yourselves...
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ecrabb
Forum Moderator
Joined: 13 Mar 2006
Posts: 15909
Location: Utah
TV/Projector: JVC RS40, Epson 5010
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| Posted: Wed Jun 10, 2009 2:53 am Post subject: |
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Not me (I know you're surprised). I will likely never have an HTPC as my only BD playback device in the theater. There's too much dicking around with drivers, filters, updates, video cards, sound cards, blah blah blah. If you could set them up and leave them alone, it would be one thing... But, then that sort of defeats part of the purpose of having the HTPC: customization and flexibility to tweak.
I want an appliance so that when I want to go watch a movie, I can watch a movie. The last thing I want is to have my theater down because the computer is down. HTPC is great - I like the capabilities - but not as my only playback device.
SC
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AnalogRocks
Forum Moderator
Joined: 08 Mar 2006
Posts: 26706
Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
TV/Projector: Sony 1252Q, AMPRO 4000G
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| Posted: Wed Jun 10, 2009 2:57 am Post subject: |
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I love my HTPC. That being said however it's nice to have the Sony BDP-S550 to just drop a disk in and go on the RPTV.
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greg_mitch
Joined: 03 May 2006
Posts: 5320
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| Posted: Wed Jun 10, 2009 4:06 am Post subject: |
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| ecrabb wrote: | Not me (I know you're surprised). I will likely never have an HTPC as my only BD playback device in the theater. There's too much dicking around with drivers, filters, updates, video cards, sound cards, blah blah blah. If you could set them up and leave them alone, it would be one thing... But, then that sort of defeats part of the purpose of having the HTPC: customization and flexibility to tweak.
I want an appliance so that when I want to go watch a movie, I can watch a movie. The last thing I want is to have my theater down because the computer is down. HTPC is great - I like the capabilities - but not as my only playback device.
SC |
You say that but I think they are coming around pretty well.
I think the tinkering is really just upfront. Granted..maybe BR is still changing enough that it will require some tweaking to update FW's and the like to make sure discs play, but I have been surprised with the last Vista Ultimate install and my cheap Sony BR drive. Hasn't flinched yet. Only been restarted a few times in the past 6 months and that was for updates.
Crossing my fingers.
I am going to price a build out at newegg. I like the PS3, but...I hate the controller, dont own a single game, am not that impressed by the browsing capabilities, doesnt have netflix, doesn't do pandora, doesn't play a lot of file types.
For about $300 I can get a decent starter HTPC to play most everything I would need and have some upgradability.
I suppose the HTPC cycle comes and goes and I think I am swinging back in favor of them.
If only they made a mac mini with a BR drive you would be all over that! 
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huggy
Joined: 02 Aug 2008
Posts: 927
Location: Melbourne,Australia
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| Posted: Wed Jun 10, 2009 6:42 am Post subject: |
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I recently sold all my gear (ps3 40g as well) and went the htpc route.It has it's downs but mostly ups.I like the advantage of having everything I want to watch a mouse click away,not having to sit through annoying FBI warnings that you can't fast forward is great!.
The only frequent firmware upgrade is ANYDVD HD and it takes all of 10 mins to download and install.If you keep it simple as I do and not tinker so much,it can be a very good investment.
A great advantage is not having to buy or rent everything you want to watch,there is a lot of stuff out there that is very hard to come by but easy to download.
I'm a media whore and cant get enough mkv's and avi's to watch.I wouldn't know where to start to buy or rent everything I have but the htpc gives me the advantage of media swapping and downloading.
Dave
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garyfritz
Joined: 08 Apr 2006
Posts: 12088
Location: Fort Collins, CO
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| Posted: Wed Jun 10, 2009 2:04 pm Post subject: |
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The PS3 does too, assuming it's a format it supports. That was one of the key reasons I went with a PS3 -- I love the ability to play files off the LAN. One of these days I'll get myself an IR-capable controller...
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emdawgz1
Joined: 14 Mar 2006
Posts: 7949
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| Posted: Wed Jun 10, 2009 2:22 pm Post subject: |
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The only way i'd go HTPC would be if i could get a card to let me DVR my dishnet.
Without that... i'm not interested, too much "dicking" around.
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fuzzybee
Joined: 26 Sep 2006
Posts: 187
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| Posted: Wed Jun 10, 2009 3:23 pm Post subject: |
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Does it have to be a card? How about the Hauppauge HD-PVR? USB, component recording.
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greg_mitch
Joined: 03 May 2006
Posts: 5320
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| Posted: Wed Jun 10, 2009 7:13 pm Post subject: |
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| emdawgz1 wrote: | The only way i'd go HTPC would be if i could get a card to let me DVR my dishnet.
Without that... i'm not interested, too much "dicking" around. |
You can already do that for SD...have been able to for years.
If you want HD you would need the HD PVR. Either way...many people doing exactly what you wanted with HTPC's.
| Quote: | | The PS3 does too, assuming it's a format it supports. That was one of the key reasons I went with a PS3 -- I love the ability to play files off the LAN. One of these days I'll get myself an IR-capable controller... |
I think this ability is a little overhyped for the PS3...at least in a HT application. I can't name one time when I have wanted to scroll through pictures or look at .avi's. Playing music is different...I have done that several times, but almost any device can play music for much cheaper.
What I would want to do is play my archived BR's in MKV and the PS3 can't do that.
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emdawgz1
Joined: 14 Mar 2006
Posts: 7949
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| Posted: Wed Jun 10, 2009 7:30 pm Post subject: |
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| greg_mitch wrote: | | emdawgz1 wrote: | The only way i'd go HTPC would be if i could get a card to let me DVR my dishnet.
Without that... i'm not interested, too much "dicking" around. |
You can already do that for SD...have been able to for years.
If you want HD you would need the HD PVR. Either way...many people doing exactly what you wanted with HTPC's.
| Quote: | | The PS3 does too, assuming it's a format it supports. That was one of the key reasons I went with a PS3 -- I love the ability to play files off the LAN. One of these days I'll get myself an IR-capable controller... |
I think this ability is a little overhyped for the PS3...at least in a HT application. I can't name one time when I have wanted to scroll through pictures or look at .avi's. Playing music is different...I have done that several times, but almost any device can play music for much cheaper.
What I would want to do is play my archived BR's in MKV and the PS3 can't do that. |
I have converted several "titles" from MKV to AVI and my PS3 plays them w/ no worries. Lookin good too...
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garyfritz
Joined: 08 Apr 2006
Posts: 12088
Location: Fort Collins, CO
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| Posted: Wed Jun 10, 2009 7:39 pm Post subject: |
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I've ripped plenty of SD DVDs to mp4's and it works fabulously. One of these days I'll figure out a BR ripper (possibly by loading new OS into the PS3) and I'll be able to "tivo" BR disks too.
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greg_mitch
Joined: 03 May 2006
Posts: 5320
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| Posted: Wed Jun 10, 2009 8:38 pm Post subject: |
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| emdawgz1 wrote: | | greg_mitch wrote: | | emdawgz1 wrote: | The only way i'd go HTPC would be if i could get a card to let me DVR my dishnet.
Without that... i'm not interested, too much "dicking" around. |
You can already do that for SD...have been able to for years.
If you want HD you would need the HD PVR. Either way...many people doing exactly what you wanted with HTPC's.
| Quote: | | The PS3 does too, assuming it's a format it supports. That was one of the key reasons I went with a PS3 -- I love the ability to play files off the LAN. One of these days I'll get myself an IR-capable controller... |
I think this ability is a little overhyped for the PS3...at least in a HT application. I can't name one time when I have wanted to scroll through pictures or look at .avi's. Playing music is different...I have done that several times, but almost any device can play music for much cheaper.
What I would want to do is play my archived BR's in MKV and the PS3 can't do that. |
I have converted several "titles" from MKV to AVI and my PS3 plays them w/ no worries. Lookin good too...
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By maintaining sound and video quality?
If I have to "convert" them to another format that wouldnt be acceptable either. I already have about 2 hours into each MKV.
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emdawgz1
Joined: 14 Mar 2006
Posts: 7949
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| Posted: Wed Jun 10, 2009 8:46 pm Post subject: |
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| greg_mitch wrote: | | emdawgz1 wrote: | | greg_mitch wrote: | | emdawgz1 wrote: | The only way i'd go HTPC would be if i could get a card to let me DVR my dishnet.
Without that... i'm not interested, too much "dicking" around. |
You can already do that for SD...have been able to for years.
If you want HD you would need the HD PVR. Either way...many people doing exactly what you wanted with HTPC's.
| Quote: | | The PS3 does too, assuming it's a format it supports. That was one of the key reasons I went with a PS3 -- I love the ability to play files off the LAN. One of these days I'll get myself an IR-capable controller... |
I think this ability is a little overhyped for the PS3...at least in a HT application. I can't name one time when I have wanted to scroll through pictures or look at .avi's. Playing music is different...I have done that several times, but almost any device can play music for much cheaper.
What I would want to do is play my archived BR's in MKV and the PS3 can't do that. |
I have converted several "titles" from MKV to AVI and my PS3 plays them w/ no worries. Lookin good too...
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By maintaining sound and video quality?
If I have to "convert" them to another format that wouldnt be acceptable either. I already have about 2 hours into each MKV. |
Dunno about sound... I dont have Surround sound. Video quality is Spot on... Looks great!
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WanMan
Joined: 19 Mar 2006
Posts: 10270
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| Posted: Thu Jun 11, 2009 6:52 am Post subject: |
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| emdawgz1 wrote: | The only way i'd go HTPC would be if i could get a card to let me DVR my dishnet.
Without that... i'm not interested, too much "dicking" around. |
I thought someone was selling HDMI input cards that could do this. Not sure if that included BW in the electronics for HD content, though.
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ecrabb
Forum Moderator
Joined: 13 Mar 2006
Posts: 15909
Location: Utah
TV/Projector: JVC RS40, Epson 5010
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| Posted: Thu Jun 11, 2009 8:01 pm Post subject: |
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| greg_mitch wrote: | | I think the tinkering is really just upfront. Granted..maybe BR is still changing enough that it will require some tweaking to update FW's and the like to make sure discs play, but I have been surprised with the last Vista Ultimate install and my cheap Sony BR drive. Hasn't flinched yet. Only been restarted a few times in the past 6 months and that was for updates. |
You're right that most of the tinkering is definitely up-front. I'm a tech-geek - I love this stuff... Just not if it negatively effects my theater. I just abhor the idea of running some software update and then all of a sudden the audio breaks or the picture develops some weird anomaly, rendering my theater screwed up (or dead). I'm just not going there. Too much to go wrong right now.
| greg_mitch wrote: | | Crossing my fingers. |
See, that's what I mean. I don't have to cross my fingers. I'm about as certain as a person can be that when I got down to the theater to watch a movie, that I'll turn the PS3 on, and the movie will play flawlessly. At least it has every time so far.
| greg_mitch wrote: | | I am going to price a build out at newegg. I like the PS3, but...I hate the controller, dont own a single game, am not that impressed by the browsing capabilities, doesnt have netflix, doesn't do pandora, doesn't play a lot of file types. |
Yeah, I can see how those things are nice for some... Like I said, I see the value, and at some point I'll probably start using an HTPC again. But, for now, I don't need any of that stuff: I hate the quality of Netflix streaming, I don't sit in the theater and listen to streaming internet radio, and I don't download ripped discs or rip my own. Hell, I'm lucky if I have time to watch the few mainstream releases I rent, let alone fart around ripping, converting, saving, archiving, etc etc etc. I have no need for any of that. There a zillion things I'd rather spend my time doing. Once or twice a month, I spend an hour playing Halo 3 or GT 5 Prologue, or I race a few laps while I'm waiting for the wife to come downstairs for the movie. So, I do actually use the game capability a little.
| greg_mitch wrote: | | For about $300 I can get a decent starter HTPC to play most everything I would need and have some upgradability. |
That's the other thing that bugs me about the HTPC. Yeah, it's only $300-odd dollars now. Then, later you want this doodad, then that doodad, then another doodad... Pretty soon, the $300 has turned into $600. I REALLY don't need any more expensive hobbies! I think the only things I've purchased for the PS3 was the BT remote (which I actually like) and a second controller for 2P games.
| greg_mitch wrote: | | If only they made a mac mini with a BR drive you would be all over that! |
Damn straight!!! That would ROCK! It would be a little pricey, but there'd be no software activation, no Windows device drivers to worry about, a simple (easily emulated) IR remote, beautiful UI, and all in a tiny-footprint low-power piece of hardware. Yeah, I'd be all over that!!!
SC
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ecrabb
Forum Moderator
Joined: 13 Mar 2006
Posts: 15909
Location: Utah
TV/Projector: JVC RS40, Epson 5010
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| Posted: Thu Jun 11, 2009 8:04 pm Post subject: |
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| garyfritz wrote: | | I've ripped plenty of SD DVDs to mp4's and it works fabulously. |
Gary, the problem I ran into with ripping SD DVD's was that the mp4 container apparently wouldn't handle AC3, so you had to convert the audio to AAC audio, which means the PS3 has to decode, which means you lose bass management. Apple's mov mp4 container would handle H.264 video w/AC-3 audio, but the AppleTV is the only thing that would then play it back - not the PS3.
What's the process you're using and what audio format do you end up with?
SC
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garyfritz
Joined: 08 Apr 2006
Posts: 12088
Location: Fort Collins, CO
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| Posted: Thu Jun 11, 2009 8:13 pm Post subject: |
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Hm. I use handbrake to rip it. The PS3 setting does indeed use AAC.
What do you mean you lose bass management? I haven't noticed the LFE channel being missing, but I haven't been using it enough lately to be sure.
The Playstation site says the only PS3-playable format that includes AC3 is MPEG-2 TS. I understand none of this so I have no idea if that would work. Any idea?
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ecrabb
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Joined: 13 Mar 2006
Posts: 15909
Location: Utah
TV/Projector: JVC RS40, Epson 5010
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| Posted: Thu Jun 11, 2009 8:54 pm Post subject: |
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My point was that if you re-encode the AC3 to AAC, first of all, you're losing quality in the process. AC3 is already pretty lossy and it isn't that great on DVD, anyway. So, it would be nice to keep the AC3 intact (this goes for other containers, too - not just mp4).
Second, if you encode to AAC, the PS3 will need to decode the AAC and output PCM, since very few AVR/prepro's can decode AAC. Now, with PCM as the output, I was thinking that some AVR/processors won't "manage" the bass... Meaning that if you set your mains to "small", it won't redirect the bass to the sub channel to be output there with the LFE. But, now I'm thinking I was mixing that up with using 5.1 analog inputs. PCM from the PS3 should be fine, actually. So, it would just be quality loss of converting the AC3 to AAC to worry about.
So many permutations and combinations to this stuff... Unless somebody knows off-hand, I'll have to do some more reading.
SC
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greg_mitch
Joined: 03 May 2006
Posts: 5320
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| Posted: Fri Jun 12, 2009 2:01 am Post subject: |
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| ecrabb wrote: |
See, that's what I mean. I don't have to cross my fingers. I'm about as certain as a person can be that when I got down to the theater to watch a movie, that I'll turn the PS3 on, and the movie will play flawlessly. At least it has every time so far.
Yeah, I can see how those things are nice for some... Like I said, I see the value, and at some point I'll probably start using an HTPC again. But, for now, I don't need any of that stuff: I hate the quality of Netflix streaming, I don't sit in the theater and listen to streaming internet radio, and I don't download ripped discs or rip my own. Hell, I'm lucky if I have time to watch the few mainstream releases I rent, let alone fart around ripping, converting, saving, archiving, etc etc etc. I have no need for any of that. There a zillion things I'd rather spend my time doing. Once or twice a month, I spend an hour playing Halo 3 or GT 5 Prologue, or I race a few laps while I'm waiting for the wife to come downstairs for the movie. So, I do actually use the game capability a little.
SC |
I can't believe you just jinxed yourself like that. The PS3 has failure rates that seem to be creeping up...nowhere near the xbox failure rate but more than a set top player.
It is impossible for me to give up features for form....typical, right? I don't sit in my theater and listen to streamed music but at this point it is the only source of music in the basement and Pandora is miles above local radio.
I have been really impressed with Netflix streaming quality...haven't tried it at 110" yet..but 42" from 12' looks very acceptable.
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garyfritz
Joined: 08 Apr 2006
Posts: 12088
Location: Fort Collins, CO
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| Posted: Fri Jun 12, 2009 2:23 pm Post subject: |
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| greg_mitch wrote: | | I have been really impressed with Netflix streaming quality...haven't tried it at 110" yet..but 42" from 12' looks very acceptable. |
Hell I would hope so! 42" diagonal is about 38" wide, so you're viewing at 12*12/38 = 3.8 screen widths! You couldn't tell the difference between 480i and 1080p at that distance. (And that's the kind of distance most people watch at, and Netflix & others are targeting that demographic. It's cheap to hit 95% of the market, and expensive to hit the last 5%, so why should they bother?)
Watch it at 1.2 - 1.6x width with a good 1080p display and I bet you'll notice what SC is talking about...
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