I've read here about XBMC and while that was interesting I'm wondering if the latest generation of game consoles can be use as media servers (assuming storage elsewhere). Can I use a PS3, XBOX360 or Wi as a media server?

Yes, Yes and Yes.
But the WII, as you probably know, does not produce an HD picture.

I personally use the Xbox 360 as a media streamer in conjunction with Tversity.

You can but none are as good as XBMC [HD material aside]
For the 360/PS3 to be complete, I'd love to see XBMC on them [odds of happening, about zero]

Thanks that helps (a bit). What are some of the pros/cons of the Xbox360 vs. the PS3, yes I will research it myself as well but was afraid most of the google results would be a fanboi comparison of them as gaming platforms.

I've read here about XBMC and while that was interesting I'm wondering if the latest generation of game consoles can be use as media servers (assuming storage elsewhere). Can I use a PS3, XBOX360 or Wi as a media server?


Cant comment on the PS3, but was using my 360 as a media server.....


Pros
windows media connect is very good, with music as you can display by song, artist, albums....so say you have 100 albums, and your fav artist has 1 track on each, it will, at the push of a button create a playlist of those 100 tracks..very good...

Cons
Can only play a VERY limited amount of video content...MP4 is very basic. WMV-HD is OK...but it struggles with highish bitrate files. It cant play AVC, TS, AVI etc etc etc..(yes, you can transcode on the fly - but you will lose quality).

Plus, the best picture you'll get is over VGA....that's it.

In summary, great as a Music server, but that's it. If your after Hi Def video playback, my advice would be to go for a dedicated media server.

Hope that helps.

K

I use my 360 with Tversity instead of MCE or MP11. It is connected via VGA. The latest 360 has HDMI. I use mine for music, digital photos, digital camera videos, internet radio, and internet RSS and URL feeds. Like other game platforms, the 360 doesn't handle all of the many video formats. That's where Tversity comes in. It transcodes video on the fly.
Granted, if you don't have a really fast PC, it can't keep up with the playback when transcoding HD but the transcoded file is saved so the next time it is played back, it is fine.
I've downloaded HD files and the playback is superb. Viewing of digital photos in HD is awesome. (BTW, the old Xbox doesn't do HD.)

MS has added more codecs to the 360 since its introduction and updates its firmware on a semi-annual basis. Here's a page explaining it's video capability.

http://blogs.msdn.com/xboxteam/archive/2007/05/09/spring-07-video-playback-faq.aspx

This Tversity's home page. http://www.tversity.com/home

Here is a podcast interview with the president of Tversity which may answer questions about using a gaming console as a media device.

http://mediacenter.thepodcastnetwork.com/2007/07/10/media-center-show-v203-ronen-mizrahi-of-tversity

Mike

I use my 360 with Tversity instead of MCE or MP11. It is connected via VGA. The latest 360 has HDMI. I use mine for music, digital photos, digital camera videos, internet radio, and internet RSS and URL feeds. Like other game platforms, the 360 doesn't handle all of the many video formats. That's where Tversity comes in. It transcodes video on the fly.
Granted, if you don't have a really fast PC, it can't keep up with the playback when transcoding HD but the transcoded file is saved so the next time it is played back, it is fine.
I've downloaded HD files and the playback is superb. Viewing of digital photos in HD is awesome. (BTW, the old Xbox doesn't do HD.)

MS has added more codecs to the 360 since its introduction and updates its firmware on a semi-annual basis. Here's a page explaining it's video capability.

http://blogs.msdn.com/xboxteam/archive/2007/05/09/spring-07-video-playback-faq.aspx

This Tversity's home page. http://www.tversity.com/home

Here is a podcast interview with the president of Tversity which may answer questions about using a gaming console as a media device.

http://mediacenter.thepodcastnetwork.com/2007/07/10/media-center-show-v203-ronen-mizrahi-of-tversity

Mike

Mike.....my comments only relate to a purists take on Hi-Def video.....if anyone does not mind a transcoded feed....then that's fine....me: Switching from a 360 to dedicated hardware bulit for the job has been a godsend....just for info...what's your comparison?

K

Does anyone know if it is possible to stream a TV signal (coming in over the net from a Slingbox) from your computer over to the PS3 so that it can be watched on a TV rather than a computer screen?

Initially I was only interested in playing music and HD photos on my home entertainment system.

After a lot of research, I bought a Rapsody N35 at their intro price and held it, unopened, for about 4 months while waiting for updates, never forthcoming, that were supposed to facilitate display photos in HD. I gave up and sent it back.

Then, before Christmas, 2006, I bought and tried the Netgear EVA700. Same story. Even though advertised, photos were not displayed in HD.

Then, after the kids overheard me talking about different media streamers, they gave me an Xbox 360 for Christmas. This gave me what I was looking for, while at the same time, provided the grandkids something to do when the visited. Win, Win!

I agree that transcoding can be a pain at times - there is a pregnant pause before playback begins - the affects can be reduced by a faster PC. Mine is only 2.2ghz.

I've pre-transcoded my digital camera videos and analog camcorder videos to WMV so when I watch them, they don't require further processing and play immediately.

The spring 360 update provided additional codecs which reduces the transcoding requirements when viewing internet content.

Tversity is working with Youtube and the like to have them provide "button", like RSS,
which when clicked, will automatically add the site's feed address into Tversity.

Things are by no means perfect yet, and require a bit of setup to start, but they are improving. Tversity releases updates almost monthly. Their forum is very helpful but don't let is scare you. Getting things to work is 90% of the fun!

http://forums.tversity.com/viewforum.php?f=24&sid=934570b14d1638c10c451bfbfaf904d9

Mike

Does anyone know if it is possible to stream a TV signal (coming in over the net from a Slingbox) from your computer over to the PS3 so that it can be watched on a TV rather than a computer screen?

I dont believe that is possible as there is no Slingbox software for the PS3.

Upgrade,

Look at ORB.

http://www.orb.com/

Mike

Oldpainless68,

What are you using in lieu of the Xbox 360?

Mike

Oldpainless68,

What are you using in lieu of the Xbox 360?

Mike

LimHD...but for streaming over lan...not right now, its not ready...its comming...but for pure picture quality and what it can play (hd-dvd and blu-ray rips)...it fantastic...

Just my 2 cents

K

I dont believe that is possible as there is no Slingbox software for the PS3.


I thought perhaps the PS3 could stream any video from your computer. But it sounds like perhaps it can only stream from compatible software. Is that correct?

Do you happen to know if it can stream internet radio?

The Tversity can stream to the PS3 as it does to the 360, including internet radio. As for the slingbox, ask them on the forum.

Oldpainless68,

I haven't much looked at the new stuff so I missed the Limhd200i.
But found a review here. Thanks.

http://www.mpcclub.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=287

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=852855&page=1&pp=30

Looks like it's supposed to support a lan connection but it doesn't look "painless" to me! Pretty poor implementation of the built-in HDD IMO. And pricy too, don't ya think? And wow, you have a 135" HDTV? Mine is 56" and 720P looks great.
When I go into a store and look at 720P and 1080P side-by-side at 8 feet, I can't tell the difference. It's overkill at that size. Kind of like what's happening to digital cameras. I've got a 2 mp Panasonic FZ-2 that takes great pictures. Who needs 10 mp? They call it "pixel envy".

The end of that thread is really something.

Mike

support a lan connection but it doesn't look "painless" to me!

LOL....the whole LAN thing right now is still very early beta...but it's being worked on. I kinda agree with you about 720p VS 1080p.......

K