***Disclaimer***

This is just a thread to get some of the "creative juices" flowing amongst some of the skilled open source software programmers out there. Trolls and anyone not wanting to add constructively to this thread please stay away. This is after all, the avSCIENCE forum.

***Disclaimer End***

Topic: Enable HD-DVD playback on the PS3 by use of the XBOX360 add on.

Assumptions:

#1: The XBOX 360 functions like any other USB stand alone device.
#2: The PS3 can accept and use USB standalone devices while running Linux operating systems.

So, beside the obvious flurry of updates from both MS and Sony to block this grand undertaking, does anyone with any experience in using the XBOX addon on or the PS3 linux software see any reason why this would not work? It could even be broken down into two seperate goals.

Goal #1: Just get the addon recognized and functioning as a CD/DVD player in linux.
Goal #2: Find software to run the HD content in linux. (Windows emulation, etc.)

I do realize, that if any such implementation were to happen, it would be squashed immediately with driver updates to the addon and firmware updates to the PS3. However, anyone with previous XBOX experience remebers how certain games allowed you to load a linux operating system with the use of a USB thumbdrive. NEVER SAY NEVER!!!!!

I think that the biggest problem you would have would be with the encryption/drm. Specifically, neither the Blu-Ray nor HD-DVD camp is likely to authorize an open source software player simply because it could not be certified to uphold the requirements of AACS with regard to content protection.

In short, the technical hurdles could likely be overcome quite easily, but the DRM and encryption hurdles would be insurmountable in an open source world. While I suppose someone could make a closed source media player that supported the AACS requirements, getting it authorized would be an expensive process and the market would be rather small.

That said, it would be interesting to see Microsoft make a Blu-Ray add-on to go with the HD-DVD add-on. (Even better would be a combination device, but thats not too likely.).

I wonder if the BDA would authorize Microsoft to make such a device. If its not entirely controlled by Sony, they'd have pretty much no choice in the matter. If they DID authorize Microsoft, that would ironically convince me that Sony isn't planning to be the all-seeing, all-knowing, all-controlling master of Blu-Ray. I'd buy such a device.

EDIT: I neglected to mention that one of the AACS requirements is that the system be more or less a black-box. For example, you shouldn't be able to intercept the video and audio by monitoring it as it passes through the hardware and you shouln't be able to insert arbitrary code (like a DirectShow filter) into the decoding and playback process. On a system that doesn't implement that level of content security (right or wrong) theres basically no chance of a player being authorized.

In short, the technical hurdles could likely be overcome quite easily, but the DRM and encryption hurdles would be insurmountable in an open source world.

Not if you use another players key that conviently gets leaked into the public domain ;)

My main concern is how much of the PS3's power does linux have available to itself, considering it's running ontop of the GameOS, there's a high chance it may be very inefficient.

I do realize, that if any such implementation were to happen, it would be squashed immediately with driver updates to the addon and firmware updates to the PS3.

No one can force you to update your hardware so i think it'd be worth a shot, however i'm not willign to spend my time on it because i'd rather see only one format survive past 2007.

You might have a bit of problem playing these 1080p videos as the PS3 has problems even playing 720p mpg2s under linux.

Right now. The devs are just starting to get cracking.

I could see it happening most likely through linux with some packages you have to get from a .ru, .ro, or .bz address. :D

Not if you use another players key that conviently gets leaked into the public domain ;)


... until the leaked key is revoked, thus limiting you to playback of discs released prior to the leak. Most (all?) hardware players will be firmware upgradeable to allow for the manufacturer to push a new key if the previous one is leaked, so official players wouldn't be affected by a leaked key -- but unofficial players using the leaked key certainly would be affected. Key revocation might ultimately become infeasible -- too painful for the studios due to consumer complaints -- if HD-DVD becomes wildly successful (ownership similar to current DVD numbers), but that'll take time.

That said, it would be interesting to see Microsoft make a Blu-Ray add-on to go with the HD-DVD add-on. (Even better would be a combination device, but thats not too likely.).

I wonder if the BDA would authorize Microsoft to make such a device. If its not entirely controlled by Sony, they'd have pretty much no choice in the matter. If they DID authorize Microsoft, that would ironically convince me that Sony isn't planning to be the all-seeing, all-knowing, all-controlling master of Blu-Ray. I'd buy such a device.

You seem to forget that Microsoft is a staunch supporter of HD DVD (and rightfully so).

What makes you think Microsoft is going to support Blu-ray in any way, shape, or form?

You seem to forget that Microsoft is a staunch supporter of HD DVD (and rightfully so).

What makes you think Microsoft is going to support Blu-ray in any way, shape, or form?

Microsoft is a staunch supporter of customer demands (some will debate this, probably) and their own business interests (nobody will debate this). If they decided that it would be in the best interest of their customers or their bottom line, they would support Blu-Ray, X-Ray, Sting Ray, or any other wierdly named format that came into existence.

That being said, I don't seriously expect to see it happen. I brought the point up because it would be interesting to see what would happen. If they were outright refused by the BDA, that would pretty much answer any questions about how open the format is and how non-exclusionary it is. In fact, even if Microsoft never intends to market such a device, they should still become a licensee simply to force the issue.

But no, I don't really think that Microsoft is looking to do this. If HD-DVD ultimately fails and Blu Ray (or something else) becomes the standard, though, I don't see any reason why they wouldn't support it. In fact, I would expect them to to be honest. The whole point of making it an external drive is so that they can make a replacement should it become necessary (well, and to keep costs of the main console down, also a good idea).

A lot of people do not give credit to Microsoft where its due. I prefer HD-DVD, and would very much like to see Blu-Ray vanish, but if Blu-Ray wins then I totally expect Microsoft to support that format (and past experience shows that they would). Besides, VC1 and their authoring tools work just as well (or at least at some point will) on Blu Ray as they do on HD-DVD, so Microsoft would still be serving its own ends (and rightly so -- its what their shareholders expect).

You seem to forget that Microsoft is a staunch supporter of HD DVD (and rightfully so).

What makes you think Microsoft is going to support Blu-ray in any way, shape, or form?

Why is Microsoft a staunch supporter of HD-DVD?

You can play blurays on the xbox 360 already also .

Step 1

Buy bluray pc drive

Step 2

Stream it to xbox 360 through wmp 11 beta .

Step 3

ROGFL I guess this is people trying to be sly . The ps3 ultimate media hub . sadly this title is taken by the pc and the xbox 360 with its hd-dvd drive , media center extender and live hd downloads is in second place right now .

You can play blurays on the xbox 360 already also .

Step 1

Buy bluray pc drive

Step 2

Stream it to xbox 360 through wmp 11 beta .

Step 3

ROGFL I guess this is people trying to be sly . The ps3 ultimate media hub . sadly this title is taken by the pc and the xbox 360 with its hd-dvd drive , media center extender and live hd downloads is in second place right now .

No, the idea just kinda struck me when I read the article about hooking up the HD-DVD to your PC and using it pretty easily. Especially seeing that the addon can be had for $169 at some places.

However, I am equally as interested in your assertion that blu-ray could be streamed to xbox 360 through wmp 11 beta. Although this option would cost more it still has a cool factor to it. Does anyone have any experience with this?

I haven't done it , however the 360 supports all codecs through 3rd party (free ) apps .

Your pc decodes it and streams it over to the xbox 360 . It should work just fine. bluray drives are still way to expensive but once tehy drop in price you will see it happen.

Stream it to xbox 360 through wmp 11 beta .

No way that'll work, I'm sure HD and BR are definately blocked from doing that

Any hack that works on the Linux side of PS3 will quickly have it's keys pulled. There is no way in hell Sony will allow HD-DVD on their system

The PSP mod community is still thriving and no reason the PS3 mods won't, as well. I would stay off of the PlayStation Network, even though i've had a blast there with Resistance 40 person team death match, if it mean I could watch my HD-DVD's from the add-on without having to hear the 360's jet turbine powering it.

The PSP mod community is still thriving and no reason the PS3 mods won't, as well. I would stay off of the PlayStation Network, even though i've had a blast there with Resistance 40 person team death match, if it mean I could watch my HD-DVD's from the add-on without having to hear the 360's jet turbine powering it

Yeah, actually there is reason. Current speculation is that the "unusuable" 7th Cell co=processor actually does nothing but watch for modding activity. And you're wisely staying off of online because like MS, sony will be watching for modders on it

Sony HATES modders, even those who only want to play imports with a passion. Like with PSP, PS2 and PS1, they'll be closing loopholes at the hardware level if they have to.

I'll asterisk my comment with the presupposition that HD-DVD needs to be getting played from the PS3 first. The PlayStation Network is a blast right now, though. ;)