Watching .mkv files on TV
 

I was going to pick up a PS3 this winter because I'm getting a new TV. I thought I could load movie files onto the PS3 and watch it directly on TV. Apparently, the PS3 doesn't play all kinds of files, including .mkv.

Is there any type of players that plays .mkv files?

Right now, I have those DVD players where you can connect an USB stick and have the DVD player play the movies off the USB, but the types of content that I can play on it is very limited.

I tried searching mkv players on google and all it gave me was mkv players program, not an actual player to connect to the TV.


Thanks

Setup old PC with Windows Media Center, install codecs... the end... it'll play anything you throw at it.

convert the mkv files if you want to use your ps3
http://www.mkv2vob.com/showthread.php?tid=1

!LittleDragon: I don't have a old PC with HDMI output, and if I'm not connecting through HDMI, it defeats the purpose of watching HD content, no? (feel free to correct me if I'm wrong)

twitchyzero: How often does it work? Meaning, would it work on most .mkv file, or like say, 50% of them? (say for eg. there are some .avi files I can't play, or don't know how to play, I downloaded them, and they just won't open)

I wanted a PS3 because I needed a Blu-ray any ways, and most Blu-ray players cost at least $100.

reamemiya - it works on every single file I've tried. If the files are more than 4GB in size (FAT32 format) then you can't transfer them to your PS3 but the same program can automatically break the file up for you.

I use mkv2vob too and never had a problem when I put it on a usb drive, just make sure you put the files in a root folder named "VIDEO" or else the PS3 won't detect it as a video.

Try the Seagate Freeagent TV or the D-Link Boxee Box or the Patriot TV player thingy. They work with MKV files and are not that expensive.

http://ncix.com/products/index.php?s...l&promoid=1267

I have that one, and YES IT PLAYS MKV. It works awesome. Has HDMI. I connect an external drive to it to store files... I update the hard drive every week or so with new stuff.

mkv2vob + ps3 + computer running tversity

is how i used to watch all my HD movies, worked without issues

Patriot Box office is also really cheap right now. Plays everything as well.

use MKV2VOB, in the settings you can tell it to split the file into 4GB sections as needed (to fit on FAT32) or you can use PS3 Media Server to send over the file (will work for any size)

the only time I've had MKV2VOB fail on me, was when there was a problem with the source MKV.

You can get 1080p (and greater) video out of a computer using either a VGA or DVI connection.

Besides mkv file, have you guys had problems playing other file types on PS3? I know that PS3 can only play .avi files processed with DivX codec. Common file types I usually download is .mkv, .avi, .rmvb.

For my purpose (watching Blu-ray disc movie and movie files from torrents), would I be ok with a PS3, or would I be better off getting those media players? As long as I can play most files, I would rather get a PS3. I just don't want to get a PS3 and find out there's lots of stuff I can't play, and end up spending more money getting a media player.

For my use, movies/videos > games

Thanks all

just get the ps3 since you mentioned you'll be watching blu-ray..unless you don't plan to game whatsoever. In that case buy those cheap Patriot Box Office or WD Media player + entry-lvl standalone blu-ray player but it'll end up costing pretty close to a ps3 for both of em.

my ps3 usage: 35% watching shows in avi... 25 % movies on blu-ray..and the rest of the time i play games so it serves its purpose well. Just try to buy a bundle that includes the BD remote which makes things easier. The .avi files for tv shows i download have all worked on my ps3, only when i go download movies from different not so reputable trackers did I run into the ps3 not supporting the codec (even if it's avi container).

Mine has no HDMI out either. I have a DVI to HDMI cable and I'm running digital sound through the digital coax to my receiver. If you have old hardware laying around, make use of it. My first media center ran on a 2.0ghz P4 so the requirements aren't high but if you plan on playing back 1080p MKV's, you'd want at least a hyperthreading P4. The thing's my PVR, music library, video library, blu-ray player, etc...

there are dvd players that play .mkv files... futureshop had a demo player for 78.99 that plays all kinds of other formats.

ps3 + PS3 Media Server = stream anything from PC to PS3 (including .mkv)

no need to convert mkv files, put files on usb, or do anything after downloading, just start up PS3 Media Server and stream

i have no problems streaming movies in 1080p either (but might not work well on wireless though)

If you stream instead of loading the files onto the PS3, you can play any video files. I've had no problems with avi, mkv, rmvb, or wmv files. Apparently you can stream .iso images too, but I've never gotten that to work properly...

I use my PS3 to watch movies more than I play games on it.

But you do need a decent PC to be able to transcode/stream video files smoothly.

Seems like OP needs a simple solution.

PS3 Media Server + Wifi Router = Stream (Or wired)

You can download the PS3 Media Server here: http://code.google.com/p/ps3mediaserver/downloads/list

Install the PS3 Media Server, run it, (no config necessary), turn on your PS3, navigate to the video via PS3 and play.

It'll transcode and all sorts of awesome shit when OP decides to go down that route.

Done.

just have a general question regarding Media Server...does it lag on if ps3 is connected wireless? I'm assuming the ports have to be forwarded and it has to be all connected to the same router? Does it work if you have your pc connected to one router but the ps3 connected wirelessly to the gateway or another router? There should also be no problems streaming mkv files larger than 4gb either?

i have the HP media servers with windows media server.. it can play mkv when connected to the PS3..
yes. it does lag with wireless... usually.. video lags while sound keeps play.. but eventually catches up..

ever since i installed win7, i just used their built-in WMP server to stream now. no need to download ps3 media server (which is what i used to use)

works flawlessly.

^ i'm having trouble setting that up ?_?

You're wrong - if your TV has a VGA input, you can use that; if your video card has DVI out, you can use a DVI-to-HDMI adapter (since HDMI = DVI video + S/PDIF audio).

I've streamed 1080p to my PS3 wirelessly, works fine. As long as the signal is decent and the video isn't huge, it should be fine.

Thanks for all the replies

Regarding hardware, the hardware that I have lying around is a netbook, which I don't think will do a good job of streaming and transcoding(?) 1080p files.

Someone mentioned that costs of PS3 ~= to media player + standalone Blu-ray player.

Pros of the media player would obviously be hassle free with playing movies

Pros of the PS3 would be gaming.

You guys mentioned that I can stream movies on a PS3 directly from a computer. Will a netbook be powerful enough? If a netbook is not powerful enough, my only option is to have both PS3 and the my PC connect to the router through wireless, and I'm not sure if that'll end up with very choppy and laggy video play back

As long as you're not doing transcoding, the netbook should work fine. Doing a complete wireless to wireless transfer shouldn't be a big issue even under mediocre signal conditions.

you will need to use mkv2vob to avoid transcoding for mkv's though, on a netbook that might take upwards of 30 minutes to convert a decent sized movie.

on wireless G, average file copy is like 3-5MB/s? A 13gb 120minute 1080p movie is only 1.8MB/s.