what is the best way to watch downloaded movie files.
 

How do you guys watch your downloaded movie files on your big plasma TV?

I am new to digital world, forgive me for noob question.!

Here is what i have come up with on my own:

1) burn onto a DVD and play back with PS3 or an HD upconverting DVD player that reads diVX.

2) buy an external hard drive.--> save files on there--> buy and hook up the drive to a Western digital Medial player (sold at costco and futureshop).


3) buy something called popcorn hour network media center A110. I am not good with computer and networking, so I will probably not confuse myself looking into such option.

4)..................Anyone else suggest ???


What is the best way a noob like me should approach this?

I have a cable running from my PC to my receiver. My receiver sends the signal to my projector. My media room is all wired in wall and ceiling and everything runs through my receiver; Xbox, Shaw PVR, Satellite, PC, DVD player and it's all output to my projector.

When I want to give a movie to my parents I use Nero 8 "Nero Vision" to burn them. It converts them to DVD format and then burns it to disk.

This has been covered many times. I personally use TVersity to stream files from my PC to PS3 over the network, there are Youtube videos on how to set it up as it's dead simple. Best part is you can play ANY file with it.

IMO the best way is to hook a laptop up to the TV via HDMI cable if the laptop supports it. Then you can play ANY file without having to convert, etc.... Because playing a 700MB avi (or even 1.4GB .mkv) on an upconverting DVD player is nothing compared to a proper HD rip (but of course nothing beats the original uncompressed source).

Personally I either throw the movie onto my usb and plug the usb into my dvd player or plug the usb into my ps3 and upload it.

Recently I've gone with the uploading to PS3 for everything. Reason is watching a movie on a USB thumb drive has some major negatives that really piss me off.

#1 - If you happen to only make part way through a movie and gotta continue next time fast forwarding is a major bitch. The first 20 mins or so forward at a fairly decent rate but after that it is SLOOOOOW as fuck and it's annoying sitting there waiting for it to slowly creep to wherever you need it to.

#2 - An even more annoying problem. If you watch movies with parts that have a really high bitrate. Usually happens more in actions movies. When it comes to those parts it jitters because the USB can't handle it.

So now I just upload everything onto my ps3 which solves all my problems but will try this TVersity thing soon.

Thanks for all the suggestions, I have no laptop or too much money to wire everything in a theater room. I also can not have computer sitting right next to the plasma screen.

So PS3 would be the best way i guess. What files formats can ps3 handle (without Tversity), I will need to then download the best quality and compatible format for movie purposes.

why cant you have a laptop beside the tv? laptops dont weigh that much to move

i use a VGA cable

i just use windows media server through my PS3

I download shit loads of movies and tv shows daily and play them on my ps3. So far all movies and tv shows I've downloaded have played with no issues. I've only ran into some minor issues with files not playing when it comes to anime.

Grabbed the following from the playstaion website.

Video > Types of files that can be played
Types of files that can be played

The following types of files can be played under (Video).

* Memory Stick Video Format
* - MPEG-4 SP (AAC LC)
* - H.264/MPEG-4 AVC High Profile （AAC LC）
* - MPEG-2 TS（H.264/MPEG-4 AVC, AAC LC）
* MP4 file format
* - H.264/MPEG-4 AVC High Profile (AAC LC)
* MPEG-1 (MPEG Audio Layer 2)
* MPEG-2 PS (MPEG2 Audio Layer 2, AAC LC, AC3(Dolby Digital), LPCM)
* MPEG-2 TS（MPEG2 Audio Layer 2, AC3（Dolby Digital）, AAC LC）
* MPEG-2 TS（H.264/MPEG-4 AVC, AAC LC）
* AVI
* - Motion JPEG (Linear PCM)
* - Motion JPEG (μ-Law)
* AVCHD （.m2ts / .mts）
* DivX
* WMV
* - VC-1（WMA Standard V2）


Hints

* Depending on the data type, some files may not be playable or some control panel options may not function during playback.
* Some video files distributed over the Internet have playback restrictions. For details, contact the content provider.
* To play WMV format files, you must go to (Settings) > (System Settings) and set [Enable WMA Playback].
* When using a USB adaptor to play video files, you may need to use a USB adaptor (not included) that supports copyright-protection features (to play copyright-protected files).
* When using a USB adaptor to play AVCHD-format video files saved on Memory Stick™ media, use a device that supports Hi-Speed USB (USB 2.0).
* WMV format copyright-protected files cannot be played.

http://manuals.playstation.net/docum...filetypes.html

the only problem with USB to the PS3, is I think you're limited to 4GB. My copy of Transformers runs at 12GB. depending on your laptop/desktop's capabilities, you can just hook that up quickly, all you really need is to plug in the VGA cable, audio Y cable, and a mouse

HD files take up 12GB (i.e. Transformers), so to makee it possible for ps3 playback, use mkv2vob and split that file into 3 parts.

What I do to watch HD movies is stream with PMS to PS3 to TV, or use ext hdd.
Carrying computer to living room is too much which is where a laptop comes into play.

Most, if not all, 1080p are in .mkv container-the ps3 cannot play if you plan on using a hdd.
Use mkv2vob to remux the file to an mpeg and voila.

Personally, I'd never burn a hi-def movie just to play on the PS3. Waste of DVDs.

if im not gonna use my laptop, i download the files onto my ps3



AVCHD files are made to fit on dvds


and i thought media servers doesnt stream DTS audio? thats why i usually use my laptop

Having a computer connected to your TV is the best way, whether it's a laptop or a PC. It ensures you'll be able to play absolutely anything you throw at it...

Mmm. Netbook + Shared Network + TV =]
Used to stream from PC to PS3 but it was too troublesome and sometimes laggy.
USB + PS3 was annoying since you have to switch it out often especially for big files.

never had such problems with either external HDD via USB or USB flash drive.

got any tutorial on how to set up ps3 + wireless router (in basement) -----> in order to connect wirelessly to my PC' in my office upstair?

^ umm, the PS3 has built in wifi. it's not a cheaped out POS like the 360

coulda sworn there's a feature in TVersity that lets you pick your audio output format

actually, the PS3 WIFI itself is a cheap out piece of shit.

I have a PS3 since 06, and I think I have only used its wireless capability for maybe a week, then I connected it with a cable for internet.

On the other hand, all other computers I have are connected wirelessly, and the download rate is holding at 1.2 mbs stable.

Go with cable if you can imo

well yes, always use a cable if you can. reliability FTW. but at my parents place the PS3 is running through about 5 walls over about 50 feet to an oldass G router, and the connection strength has never been an issue.

last question:

Here is my problem: I rent a basement suite. I use my landlord's internet+ his wireless router to get signal on my desktop's wifi card.

Will Tversity and ps3 be able to connect (wirelessly) at all? I do not have the wireless router in my suite as i mentioned, it is located upstairs in the landlords house.

Will it work, if yes, how easy is it.

I wish I can do it with wire. But I just cant. so please help. Thank you

yes, if they're both connected to the same network, it will work. Alternately, if you never plan on using the PS3's online features, just buy a cheap router and connect both your desktop and PS3 to that to link them, either with cables or connect the PS3 wirelessly if the connection to upstairs isnt good enough.

one other thing to note is that if the file is already in a PS3-compatible format, you can use TVersity to copy over the file, and play it back on your PS3, uncompressed and unedited.

so i guess tversity will automatically stream to landlord's router upstairs and send signal back down to my ps3's wifi , and then PS3 will recognize Tversity server.


It just all sound so confusing with the streaming from basement to upstairs then downstairs....... hahaha, i am such a newbie

check out the setup videos, its not too bad

Maybe if you have a piece of shit flash drive. If you get something that has a consistent, high transfer rate, it's not a problem. If you get a piece of shit half-price special from Futureshop, Staples, Best Buy, etc., you'll likely have this problem.

Personally, I just use an HTPC (old gaming PC) and external hard drives.

I've been using 3 different USB's for over 3 years now 2 of which is your very avg USB and 1 so called high end USB stick which still gave me problems. Oh wells regardless of those issues I mentioned I would still choose to use my PS3 anyways.