Even if the PS3 didn't play any games, its other media abilities still puts it top tier in home entertainment machines. Here the EISA (http://www.eisa-awards.eu/2007/node/738) gives the PS3 their highest award for the category:

Sony’s PS3 is a wonderful example of a powerful media centre, thanks to its inclusion of an audio-video-photo player as well as a web browser to navigate, download, play and chat on the Internet. In addition there’s a 60GB hard disk for content storage, plus Ethernet, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity, and four USB interfaces allowing connection of external hard-disk storage and USB accessories such as keyboards.

However, the most important function of the PS3 is the built-in Blu-ray disc player, which also reads DVD, CD and SACD, as well as embracing the new surround sound formats. Top-notch 1080/24p resolution is available from Blu-ray Discs via a HDMI Ver.1.3 interface with x.v.Color; better still, the PS3 up-converts any DVD movie to 1080p resolution and it accommodates users who prefer to use a traditional remote control - one’s available as an option. Last but not least, PS3 is of course a very advanced game console and a worthy heir to the grand PlayStation heritage.

This just in: PS3 a better media player than game-system.

Welcome to the party, you are a little late though ;)

I am pretty sure there is a media centric forum around here somewhere as well.

This just in: PS3 a better media player than game-system.

Welcome to the party, you are a little late though ;)

I am pretty sure there is a media centric forum around here somewhere as well.

Sigh...you're sadly predictable, Frank, even with the wink.

If we have to put up with threads like this in the "Playstation" section:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=905952

Then, there is certainly no reason why threads like joeblow's here shouldn't be posted here. It is, after all, about the "Playstation," right?

Originally posted by FrankJ.Cone
This just in: PS3 a better media player than game-system.

As an owner of a dedicated home theater for 7 years, that was built for watching movies, I am finding that I am playing video games in my theater 95% of the time now that I own a PS3. During the 6 years I had a PS2 in my theater, gaming and movie watching was split about 50/50. Apparantly I am enjoying the gaming part of my PS3 better...

I like my PS3 but it's not even close to replacing a simple XP Media Center PC, as most owners in the HTPC section of this forum who own both will attest to - me being one of them.

It's true that the PS3 isn't yet as good as an HTPC, but I think for people who are not as tech savvy as many AVSers, the PS3 is the ultimate entertainment machine (well, it will be once the DVR capabilities become functional).

How do I connect my TV into my PC? I have my hdtv connected via svideo as a second monitor, but don't know how to connect it the other way around -___- I know it's off topic and a dumb question. I want to record some of my vids I have on tapes and convert them to avi's and ugh ... record myself playing with the xmb and youtube it (there u go, ps3 reference). I think I need a hdmi to dvi-in cable?

my ps3 is an outstanding media device. plays blu ray discs flawlessly, i love the media slots to transfer hd trailers and content to the hard drive, and the wifi's great for streaming music.

How do I connect my TV into my PC? I have my hdtv connected via svideo as a second monitor, but don't know how to connect it the other way around -___- I know it's off topic and a dumb question. I want to record some of my vids I have on tapes and convert them to avi's and ugh ... record myself playing with the xmb and youtube it (there u go, ps3 reference). I think I need a hdmi to dvi-in cable?


wich model HDTV and Video card ?

S-VHS is sooo 90's

This just in: PS3 a better media player than game-system.

Welcome to the party, you are a little late though ;)

I am pretty sure there is a media centric forum around here somewhere as well.

Frank, I'm giving you some time off.

Kyser

i will say though, the one thing keeping it from top honors in my book is the remote. i love the feel, but the lack of backlighting absolutely kills it for me. i've pressed the wrong button countless times during a movie in a dark room. i love the idea of bluetooth remotes (they should ALL adopt it), but that means i can't program the functions into my pronto.

i will say though, the one thing keeping it from top honors in my book is the remote. i love the feel, but the lack of backlighting absolutely kills it for me. i've pressed the wrong button countless times during a movie in a dark room. i love the idea of bluetooth remotes (they should ALL adopt it), but that means i can't program the functions into my pronto.

Hitting the stop button when fumbling for the similarily shaped pause and play button is priceless. Err, I mean annoying as hell.

Of course the PS3 is a great media device, but lets face it, thats not what it was supposedly built to do. It was promised to be the next great thing in gaming, and its far from it thus far. "Playstation" means gaming to consumers, not media center.....I have no doubts Sony intended it to be just as much of a kickstart to Blu-Ray as they did a gaming machine, but its like the system is caught in a strange "am I a game system, media center, movie player?" sort of role that is keeping it down a bit. I love my PS3, but I havent bought a single game for it yet and would like to think at some point something will appeal to me.

Of course the PS3 is a great media device, but lets face it, thats not what it was supposedly built to do. It was promised to be the next great thing in gaming, and its far from it thus far. "Playstation" means gaming to consumers, not media center.....I have no doubts Sony intended it to be just as much of a kickstart to Blu-Ray as they did a gaming machine, but its like the system is caught in a strange "am I a game system, media center, movie player?" sort of role that is keeping it down a bit. I love my PS3, but I havent bought a single game for it yet and would like to think at some point something will appeal to me.


There's a lovely downloadeable game where you help a momma chicken hatch a bunch of eggs. The game pushes the boundaries of next-generation gaming by letting you shake the controller up and down to smash all the eggs at once : it's truly exhilerating and makes my pulse beat. My girlfriend has to stand by with a depressant in a needle primed for me in case I get close to a heart attack from the intense egg-hatching action. It's relatively cheap to purchase, as well, so you should try it. It might just open the PS3's possibilities to you in new and exciting next-gen ways.

wich model HDTV and Video card ?

S-VHS is sooo 90's

x800xl and a samsung LNS3252D. I'm contemplating upgrading my video card to an x1950pro soon. I might upgrade to a 8800gts if their around $200 by January 08.

Of course the PS3 is a great media device, but lets face it, thats not what it was supposedly built to do. It was promised to be the next great thing in gaming, and its far from it thus far. "Playstation" means gaming to consumers, not media center.....I have no doubts Sony intended it to be just as much of a kickstart to Blu-Ray as they did a gaming machine, but its like the system is caught in a strange "am I a game system, media center, movie player?" sort of role that is keeping it down a bit. I love my PS3, but I havent bought a single game for it yet and would like to think at some point something will appeal to me.

Well I can't vouch for your tastes but I've found quite a bit that I enjoy. I'm pretty open to lots of variety which is why I've never regretted owning any of the playstation systems. My current addiction after having completed The Darnkess (awesome experience) is Warhawk :D

x800xl and a samsung LNS3252D. I'm contemplating upgrading my video card to an x1950pro soon. I might upgrade to a 8800gts if their around $200 by January 08.

samsung LNS3252D

Composite (RCA audio/video): 2 inputs (1 on the side)
S-Video: 2 inputs (1 on the side)
Component (Y/Pb/Pr): 1 input
HDMI: 2 inputs
PC: 1 D-Sub15 input
RF: 2 inputs
Sound monitor output: 1
Digital optical audio ouput: 1
Headphone: 1
RS232 port: 1

Nice little set there,
I would try using a VGA cable to connect your x800xl to this set, if not use a DVi to HDMI cable. Get the latest drivers and always research whats best here at AVS's HTPC area.

VGA/DVI/HDMI is worlds better than S-VHS. good luck.

Way to go PS3
Nice award

Sony deserves this award in IMO and im glad that EISA awarded this award. So far I've been pretty impressed w/ the quality of games they've released especially Warhawk (which I consider next-gen). As a media center I dont understand how ppl can even argue that the PS3 is not the best. I mean software wise it needs work that I understand but hardware wise nothing comes close.

There's a lovely downloadeable game where you help a momma chicken hatch a bunch of eggs. The game pushes the boundaries of next-generation gaming by letting you shake the controller up and down to smash all the eggs at once : it's truly exhilerating and makes my pulse beat. My girlfriend has to stand by with a depressant in a needle primed for me in case I get close to a heart attack from the intense egg-hatching action. It's relatively cheap to purchase, as well, so you should try it. It might just open the PS3's possibilities to you in new and exciting next-gen ways.

I think you're talking about a wii game. Which one, I'm not sure, but there's at least 30 games where this scenario would make sense on that platform.

I think you're talking about a wii game. Which one, I'm not sure, but there's at least 30 games where this scenario would make sense on that platform.

I beg your pardon, but the "rubber ducky" game [for the PS3] is quite similar. You tilt the controller to make the ducks swim one way or another and shake the controller to flip the shark over or when the ducks have to jump to the next tray.

Try it. It's a free demo at the store.

Sony deserves this award in IMO and im glad that EISA awarded this award. So far I've been pretty impressed w/ the quality of games they've released especially Warhawk (which I consider next-gen). As a media center I dont understand how ppl can even argue that the PS3 is not the best. I mean software wise it needs work that I understand but hardware wise nothing comes close.


Really the only advancement imo if offers is the integrated bluray playback... the rest of the stuff it has really doesnt make it a good media center.

IMO the 360 is far better than the ps3 because I make full use of the 360's extender capabilities (that alone imo makes the 360 a better "media center" than the ps3). Granted I have 2 360's accessing a massive mce server I built for the house and its all pretty impressive how well it works across multiple devices (streaming hd to 2 tvs at the same time with a quad tuner setup recording to 2.5 tb of storage). Not everybody uses the extender capabilities but you can make a case that not everybody uses the bd playback on the ps3 (and I have a ps3 and its great for bd playback but thats all i ever use it for [when not playing the few good games] where i use mce-x every day since its my primary hd-dvr).

Really the only advancement imo if offers is the integrated bluray playback... the rest of the stuff it has really doesnt make it a good media center.

IMO the 360 is far better than the ps3 because I make full use of the 360's extender capabilities (that alone imo makes the 360 a better "media center" than the ps3). Granted I have 2 360's accessing a massive mce server I built for the house and its all pretty impressive how well it works across multiple devices (streaming hd to 2 tvs at the same time with a quad tuner setup recording to 2.5 tb of storage). Not everybody uses the extender capabilities but you can make a case that not everybody uses the bd playback on the ps3 (and I have a ps3).

Very impressive to say the least. But keep in mind that your answer is 'AVS fare' not the typical game console buyer's knowledge or budget level. The PS3 does it all at a single price of admission and much more simply for those that still don't understand "HDTV".

I think you're talking about a wii game. Which one, I'm not sure, but there's at least 30 games where this scenario would make sense on that platform.

Yes, it's Wii-ish but it's called Pikoyama or something and it IS on PSN for those of you who want to play the game and it's astounding six-axis implementation!

Sony deserves this award in IMO and im glad that EISA awarded this award. So far I've been pretty impressed w/ the quality of games they've released especially Warhawk (which I consider next-gen). As a media center I dont understand how ppl can even argue that the PS3 is not the best. I mean software wise it needs work that I understand but hardware wise nothing comes close.

You should take $400 and buy an old XP Media Center PC - then come back and say things like "how can ppl argue the PS3 is not the best media center". Currently, for the money and features offerred, a pc is still the best Media Center - there's no limitation on file types, connection types, remote interfaces, etc.. etc... ad nauseum.

I havn't upgraded my audio system in my dedicated theater in 7 years, with more and more PS3 games supporting 7.1 PCM audio, I'm looking in my couch for all the spare change I can find.:)

I havn't upgraded my audio system in my dedicated theater in 7 years, with more and more PS3 games supporting 7.1 PCM audio, I'm looking in my couch for all the spare change I can find.:)

WM, what gear are you running right now?

I think that the PS3 is an excellent Blu-ray disc player (if you could set it up such that the eject button would work when the unit was in the "OFF" state and turn the machine back off after ejecting, it'd be just about perfect). They hasn't been a single exclusive with any interest for me published, so I don't play games with it yet, but its utility as a BD player makes me perfectly happy with the purchase (given its potential as a gaming platform).

It's cascading-folders UI for dealing with other kinds of media is possibly the worst piece of user interface engineering that I've ever seen. In fact, the XMB pretty much generally sucks. The fact that they've choosen to use Bluetooth forcing me to use a non-backlit remote is also a major detractor.

For MPEG4 AVC and MPEG2 (HD or SD) playback the PS3 is a great player.

Nice to see the PS3 get recognized for the cool things it does.

You should take $400 and buy an old XP Media Center PC - then come back and say things like "how can ppl argue the PS3 is not the best media center". Currently, for the money and features offerred, a pc is still the best Media Center - there's no limitation on file types, connection types, remote interfaces, etc.. etc... ad nauseum.
Then come back after a couple of reformats and reinstalls, version updates, virus/spyware infections and driver/codec nightmares. Not to mention how badly that $400 Windows PC is going fare on hi-def playback.

Then come back after a couple of reformats and reinstalls, version updates, virus/spyware infections and driver/codec nightmares. Not to mention how badly that $400 Windows PC is going fare on hi-def playback.

Ok, I will - when those things happen - which they never have. Maybe SOME people screw up and have to reformat their system and reinstall their OS, but I haven't ever had to. Maybe some people let their HTPC get a virus and screw up their drivers to the point of no return, but I haven't. Your above post reveals your experience and skills with HTPCs and now I understand why you prefer the PS3 to play your media - less chance of user error. Lemme know when the rest of the AV world forsakes every other format besides MP4 and ATRAC...:D

Let me know when you remember the PS3 plays MPEG2, MP3, WMA!

Given you can't remember those things, you don't have much experience with the PS3.

I'm going to report you to Keyser as as well. You constantly use hyperbole to downplay everything about the PS3 but when it comes to other devices you always defend them.

Mattardo, keep out of this thread or this forum altogether. This thread is not about your HTPC.

Everyone else, stay on topic.

Kyser

Originally posted by briankmonkey
WM, what gear are you running right now?
Denon AVR-3300 receiver
Paradigm Monitor Series speakers:
Mini-Monitors for the front L + R
CC350 center speaker
ADP350 Dipole surround speakers L + R
PS1200 subwoofer

Thinking about the Onkyo 705 for 7.1 PCM.

Upgrading the speakers for 7.1 is not as straight forward, I have different options that I have been thinking about.
1) Buy used Paradigm Monitor Series towers (Monitor 5, 7, or 9) to replace the Mini-Monitors and use the Mini-Monitors for the center backs.

2) Buy Paradigm in wall speakers for the center backs, and don't bother upgrading the front L + R to full range speakers.

3) Buy Paradigm in wall speakers for the center backs and still upgrade to full range towers up front, and then ebay the mini-monitors.