A comparison of PS3 and 360 as media players

[patsu]

It supports CABAC encoding, and level 5.1 H.264.

Previously, many doubters claimed that the CABAC algorithm won't be able to run efficiently on Cell ^_^. The developers have come a long way since then, with 40mbps playback, and now accelerated H.264 encoding.

 

[patsu]

For people who have the right setup, the following instructions set up a squid proxy to use hulu on PS3.
http://www.ypass.net/blog/2009/06/got-a-ps3-want-hulu-back-easy-enough/

I was looking for the Proxy setting in the PS3 web browser. Couldn't find it. It's in Network Settings instead.

 

[patsu]

Paramount and Universal Announce iPhone Blu-ray Connectivity

This seems to be based on NetBender's BD Touch announced months ago:
http://www.blu-ray.com/news/?id=3154

Paramount will allow iPhone owners to download exclusive content as well as use their devise as a remote control. They have named this feature "Mobile Blu", a term, we predict, you will be hearing much more about in the future.

Universal is taking it a step further with the upcoming Blu-ray release of 'Fast & Furious, which is due to hit store shelves next week. On this release, iPhone (and iPod Touch) users will be able to control the "Virtual Car Garage" feature, including rotating 360 views of cars featured in the film, and instantly view detailed information about the rides.

Future Universal films will introduce even more interactivity, enabling viewers to view and download exclusive bonus content on their iPhones, use their phone as a remote control, and even gain detailed information regarding the film and its stars in real time.

The Universal release requires an App (which will be available on Apple's App Store soon). The disc will also allow connectivity with viewer's Facebook and Twitter accounts.

 

[obonicus]

How will it communicate with the players? Bluetooth? Wifi? Does the iPhone have an IR port?

 

[patsu]

WiFi. http://www.netblender.com/main/products/bd-touch/

BD Touch is BD-J technology that enables communication between a Blu-ray disc and a Wi-Fi mobile device like the iPhone and iPod Touch.

Transfer media from Blu-ray player to handheld device with Blu Explore
Organize your mobile content in the Blu Lounge
Remote control with skins - control movie playback using mobile device
Browse filmography info for the disc you are watching and other related movies
Keyboard - use handheld device keyboard to enter data to player
Create games based on title that interact with handheld device
Multiple handheld devices can integrate with a single BD disc simultaneously - multi-player games!

They added other devices to the mix recently:
http://www.engadgethd.com/2009/04/2...hone-exclusivity-on-bd-touch-2-0-connects-bl/

It's a new year and NetBlender has a new change of gear, pairing with BluFocus to bring last year's BD Touch software -- and its BD-Live enabled Blu-ray player to iPhone / iPod Touch connections -- up to version 2.0, featuring crossplatform capability with other WiFi enabled handhelds like Blackberry, Android and Palm Pre.

 

[obonicus]

It's an idea to add to PS3-PSP functionality, at least. Or is that there already?

 

[patsu]

The PS3-PSP connectivity stops at RemotePlay and Digital Copy. I believe NetBender requires a Java stack on the handheld device.

Sony Pictures demoed Portable Play in CES more than a year ago, but I haven't heard of it since.

 

[AntShaw]

Sony needs to get on this and give us the ability to control the entire PS3 via the iPhone. I currently have an old powerbook that I use a virtual jukebox with iTunes and the Remote iPhone app. Works like a charm for parties and get togethers. I'd gladly do away with that box and put it on my PS3.

 

[patsu]

Heck, with enough studio support, NetBender should go to BDA directly to establish a standard but optional collection of BD-Live services. Integration between the BD player and other smart devices would enable a slew of interesting applications.

Beside NetBender's BD Touch, the recent ones are:
* Shopping: http://www.homemediamagazine.com/high-def/bd-live-title-include-shopping-feature-august-16311
* Movie IQ: http://www.sonyinsider.com/2009/06/18/movieiq-coming-to-sony-blu-ray-discs-this-fall/
* CineChat: http://www.gearlog.com/2009/06/movieiq_cinechat_the_new_bd-li.php

I'm guessing the initial implementations would be too flashy and heavy weight (Yuck !). If they continue to work on it, they should be able to remove the fat.

 

[Arwin]

I think the PSPGo's BlueTooth support is probably relevant here also. There's a few other features as well taht I think can benefit - it's probably important for Sony to have the PSP connect to the PS3 without using the WiFi, so the PS3 can stay connected to the internet through WiFi and doesn't have to have a wired connection (because if the PS3 is connected to PSP it's a WiFi host, and it can't do host and client with the same WiFi adapter at the same time I think)

 

[patsu]

http://www.andriasang.com/e/blog/2009/08/06/free_ps3_porn_viewer

An organization called Digital Media Mart (DMM) has made available a Blu-ray disc called DMM.TV. Similar to a product offered for set top boxes, the disc includes a viewing app for downloading and streaming high definition movies. In this case, the movies are all of the adult variety.

...

Currently, the DMM.TV disc runs on just one Blu-ray player: the PlayStation 3. DMM does say that it's looking into compatibility with other hard disc equipped Blu-ray players, but for now you've got to have a PS3 to gain access.

...

DMM is apparently so anxious to get subscribers that it's giving away the DMM.TV disc for free. It's even covering the shipping costs!

Japan only though.

 

[Gradthrawn]

http://www.andriasang.com/e/blog/2009/08/06/free_ps3_porn_viewer



Japan only though.

I'm curious as to why, and how, it only works with the PS3 if its following BD standards? How much of the PS3's (or any player's) specific hardware can a BD utilize? I figured player specific hardware would be abstracted from BD authors/developers through some BD standards compliant API.

 

[betan]

Maybe the Blu-Ray code is rejecting other hardware purely based on performance reasons.

I'm alo guessing the api has functions to get player info, otherwise it may be difficult to circumvent bugs and incompatibilities.

The interesting thing is, someone can author a netflix BD.

 

[patsu]

Yeah... some Blu-ray movies have downloadable content.

The DMM.TV viewer sounds like a BD-Live application. At the moment, PS3 has the fastest implementation given its CPU headroom and large disk space. My guess is: To reduce server bandwidth usage, the entire movie may be stored on the local HDD (e.g., No need to contact server for rewind, multiple viewing within a short time). Hence, DMM is only considering HDD-based Blu-ray players.

The profile of Japanese PS3 owners may fit their target audience too.

 

[Arwin]

I just tried an .mkv container encoded movie on the 360 and instead of not working, it requested me to download a codec and then I could playback those mkvs ... is that new?

 

[JPT]

I just tried an .mkv container encoded movie on the 360 and instead of not working, it requested me to download a codec and then I could playback those mkvs ... is that new?

W000t, thats the only thing I am missing from my PS3 in regards to codecs....

 

[obonicus]

W000t, thats the only thing I am missing from my PS3 in regards to codecs....

Yeah, but it's not like it's arbitrary installable codecs. It's more like MS not including the codec with the last update (because most people may not need it) and having you pick it up on-demand. It'll still be dependent on the platform-owner's whims, like with the that come with the PS3's constant firmware updates.

 

[patsu]

New kid on the block: http://www.highdefdigest.com/news/s...o_Offer_Downloads_of_Major_Studio_Films_/3337

DivX certified products are everywhere, and it’s no surprise that the much loved video format has taken off. The only problem though, is that until now, there’s been little to no legal DivX content worth playing. Film Fresh aims to change that, thanks to agreements with Lionsgate, Sony, Warner Bros and Paramount.
ADVERTISEMENT

The ability to legitimately download a movie in DivX means that consumers have a lot of freedom with their media. Though the service only offers a single download of your chosen film, that film can be backed up on DVD-R, USB dongle, or whatever storage device you prefer.
Title prices range from $9.99 to around $15, not expensive, but not exactly cheap for digitally delivered content, especially since at the moment, Film Fresh only offers films in standard definition.

How to use it on PS3 ?
http://www.filmfresh.com/help-playstation-3

Looking at the complex authorization process. It probably will (should) tank.

Turn on your PlayStation 3 and go to your “System Preferences.” Select “DivX” within those preferences, and you will see your 8- or 10-digit DivX registration number. Write this number down.

Then download and install the free DivX software bundle from DivX.com. This will install the DivX Player, which you will need to finish the registration process.

After you’ve installed the DivX player, open it. Go to the DivX player’s “Tools” menu and select “User Account.”

Fill out the form you find there and submit it. A confirmation email will be sent to the address you provided in the form. Just click on the link in that email, and your account will be verified.

Then you will need to register your PlayStation 3 to your DivX account. This will allow your PlayStation 3 to recognize films you’ve downloaded.

Open the DivX Player. Go to the “Tools” menu and select “Device Manager.” (You might have to log into your DivX account to do this.) Then select “Register Device.”

Choose “Sony” as the brand of your device and enter the DivX registration code you found in your “System Preferences.” Follow the instructions that appear.

When the instructions ask you whether you want to burn the registration file or save it, we recommend that you save it for now, and burn the file later after you’ve completely enabled your PlayStation 3.

After you’ve saved the file, go to the “Videos” menu, choose “Data Disk” and then choose and play the registration file. This will complete the registration of your PlayStation 3.

Once your PlayStation 3 has been registered to your DivX account in this manner, it will automatically play your Film Fresh downloads.

To transfer your downloads from your computer, burn a DVD of your download or transfer the download to your PlayStation 3 using a USB drive.

 

[JPT]

Is this available worldwide or just a specific region as usual?

Also on the mediaplayer part, my PS3 only lacks one thing for me, and that is support for Matroska containers.

 

[patsu]

Is this available worldwide or just a specific region as usual?

Good point. I may check it out to see if I can watch foreign films on it.