Our native mobile app has a new name: Fora Communities. Learn more.

Is PS3 Right For Me?

1045 Views 7 Replies 3 Participants Last post by NickTF, Jan 18, 2008

NickTF

Discussion Starter · Jan 18, 2008

I've posted this in the PS3 section as well but I figured I'd ask here as this section is probably full of people more intune with the needs I'm trying to fulfill with this purchase. Thanks in advance

Ok guys i've been in the market for a computer to integrate well into my home theater and have spent a little bit of time looking at the PS3 as it seems the better option. My plans are to place the unit under my projector stand holding my panny AX200 and run an s-video cable to the projector (two HDMI inputs are already taken by HD DVD player and Comcast Digi-Cable box). I will run audio cables to my reciever. Besides HDMI (my reciever does not input HDMI) what are the digital outputs this PS3 uses for sound (optical, etc.)?

What I want from the PS3 is:

1. the ability to use my wireless internet connection via the D-Link DIR-625 router (which I think will work after looking on one of the sticky pages)

2. the ability to brouse the web and get on message forums etc. just like I would with a pc

3. the ability to be able to type/use internet through a wireless keyboard and mouse

4. the ability to dowload and store music to play through my 7.1 + infinite baffle sub 4400 watt setup (sorry had to boast a second)

5. the ability to incorporate blue ray disks into my HD capabilities with 7.1 channel sound being able to be placed into my reciever. I already have HD DVD player.

6. and lastly to be able to play games but not really as concerned with this

Now all of this being said what i'm most unclear on is the browser features of this unit. Is browsing the internet via a play station 3, wireless keyboard and mouse, similar to browsing with a PC? If not how do they differ?

Also, isn't it better to buy the unit with the smaller harddrive and get a large external hard drive? If so, how much do they cost and how do they connect (usb cable, blue tooth, wi-fi, etc.)?

Any suggestions are greatly appreciated guys, thanks a bunch!

See less See more

Save

1 - 8 of 8 Posts

James Mos

· #2 · Jan 18, 2008

If you're not going to use the HDMI, the only other input you should use from a PS3 would be a component video connection(adapter needed). If you use anything less than that, I.E.:S-Video or composite, then it's a complete waste of a high definition movie since S-Video I believe only goes into the 5xx line range of resolution and composite is only 480i(I believe) when HD is a minimum of 720 but blue ray is usually 1080.

Now, for the 7.1 audio, without using an HDMI connection you won't get the full benefit of the uncompressed audio on Blue Ray disks either but as you stated, your receiver doesn't have HDMI in so that is a mute point. You'll get the prior audio formats available from the Toslink connection from it such as Dolby Digital and DTS.

All the other things you want to do will work great and the cool thing is that you can rather easily upgrade the hard drive to a 250gig drive and NOT void the warranty in doing so! It just uses a SATA 2.5" laptop drive.

See less See more

Save

NickTF

Discussion Starter · #3 · Jan 18, 2008

Quote:
Originally Posted by James Mos /forum/post/12855977

If you're not going to use the HDMI, the only other input you should use from a PS3 would be a component video connection(adapter needed). If you use anything less than that, I.E.:S-Video or composite, then it's a complete waste of a high definition movie since S-Video I believe only goes into the 5xx line range of resolution and composite is only 480i(I believe) when HD is a minimum of 720 but blue ray is usually 1080.

Now, for the 7.1 audio, without using an HDMI connection you won't get the full benefit of the uncompressed audio on Blue Ray disks either but as you stated, your receiver doesn't have HDMI in so that is a mute point. You'll get the prior audio formats available from the Toslink connection from it such as Dolby Digital and DTS.

All the other things you want to do will work great and the cool thing is that you can rather easily upgrade the hard drive to a 250gig drive and NOT void the warranty in doing so! It just uses a SATA 2.5" laptop drive.

Yeah, my reciever is not capable of the full uncompressed audio so like you said it's not an issue for me just yet. I was told the same thing in the playstation forum on the video so i'll just brake down and get a switcher for HDMI and use one of the two inputs on my projector for that sharing with the DVD or cable box.

Guys over on the playstation forum are indicating the browser for internet is very clumbsy. Can anyone comment on the browser's limitations?

I'm sure a true HTPC is more powerful but to option it with some of the options this playstation unit will have will push it into the $900 plus range in a hurry i'm thinking! Correct me if i'm wrong though. Thanks guys!!!

See less See more

Save

kayesque

· #4 · Jan 18, 2008

The PS3 browser will do in a pinch for some sites, but if browsing capability is a priority for you it will not suffice. The most significant problems I have run into relate to memory. A lot of pages simply will not load because the PS3 does not have enough memory. Especially longer "blog"-type pages, are too big to load within PS3 browser. Later versions of flash are not supported. PDF is not supported. Java is not supported. Javascript may be (is probably) supported, but I gave up browsing on my PS3 a long time ago. It is great for media center, using PC as uPNP server, works better for playing back video files than anything on my PC, VMC or Sage especially now that it has divX support. I think PS3 is a great HT component but it is no replacement for having a PC hooked up to your TV as well. They both have their strengths and weaknesses.

See less See more

Save

NickTF

Discussion Starter · #5 · Jan 18, 2008

Well I'm not looking to spend more then about $800 or so so I don't really have any pc options for what I require or do I?

Save

James Mos

· #6 · Jan 18, 2008

One thing you could do is install linux on the ps3 and then you could install a browser like opera or mozilla. I don't know anything about putting linux on it but I know it's doable and I believe you don't loose the regular interface either.

Take a look on google or something and maybe that will work for you.

Save

NickTF

Discussion Starter · #7 · Jan 18, 2008

Quote:
Originally Posted by James Mos /forum/post/12859871

One thing you could do is install linux on the ps3 and then you could install a browser like opera or sometime. I don't know anything about putting linux on it but I know it's doable and I believe you don't loose the regular interface either.

Take a look on google or something and maybe that will work for you.

That was suggested on the other thread I started in the playstation thread. Something about having to partition the harddrive and do it and using firefox or something for the browser. I will look into all of this. I probably won't make a move until tax returns.

Save

NickTF

Discussion Starter · #8 · Jan 18, 2008

I looked into a thread over on the PS portion. It seems as though the Linux system has alot of issues running on PS3, some of them related to the small 256 megs of ram. Hmmm, maybe i'll have to look more into the HTPC arena.

Save

1 - 8 of 8 Posts

This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.

Top Contributors this Month