The "PS3Media Server" Thread (program)

[MecPro]

So what's the general consensus about streaming from Mac to PS3 should be PS3 Media Server? As I bought the Nullsoft app which streams everything PERFECTLY except .mkv's.

I am using wireless currently, but I will get some homeplugs (ethernet over power) to feed a wired connection to my two PS3's and I hope to get 100T Base connection running at near full utlisation.

Or should I just get a mac mini?

The .mkvs in question are BR rips, so they're quite large

 

[DoFoT9]

So what's the general consensus about streaming from Mac to PS3 should be PS3 Media Server? As I bought the Nullsoft app which streams everything PERFECTLY except .mkv's.

generally people do seem to use MediaLink more - as its a paid app and doesnt need as much "setting up", but i find it weak and not as customisable.

I am using wireless currently, but I will get some homeplugs (ethernet over power) to feed a wired connection to my two PS3's and I hope to get 100T Base connection running at near full utlisation.

Or should I just get a mac mini?

The .mkvs in question are BR rips, so they're quite large

i can stream BR rips no problems using my iMac i7 and gigabit ethernet. using 100T Base might bring some problems if you ever have to stream both at the same time though. a BR rip would roughly be 40mb/s, 100T Base would never get any higher then 80mb/s. it also requires a pretty powerful machine to transcode on the fly. so the choice is yours really.

 

[MecPro]

generally people do seem to use MediaLink more - as its a paid app and doesnt need as much "setting up", but i find it weak and not as customisable.



i can stream BR rips no problems using my iMac i7 and gigabit ethernet. using 100T Base might bring some problems if you ever have to stream both at the same time though. a BR rip would roughly be 40mb/s, 100T Base would never get any higher then 80mb/s. it also requires a pretty powerful machine to transcode on the fly. so the choice is yours really.

I'll only ever really stream to the one as it serves as my media server/DVD/BR player. But what I might be doing at the same time is just using the internet as normal on my laptop

My machine (as you see in the sig) is a 2.4Ghz C2D MBP, so I hope the processor will be powerful enough to transcode it on the fly.

 

[DoFoT9]

I'll only ever really stream to the one as it serves as my media server/DVD/BR player. But what I might be doing at the same time is just using the internet as normal on my laptop

My machine (as you see in the sig) is a 2.4Ghz C2D MBP, so I hope the processor will be powerful enough to transcode it on the fly.

hhmmm cutting it fine with that MBP TBH i think. only one way to find out though! goodluck

 

[apfhex]

So what's the general consensus about streaming from Mac to PS3 should be PS3 Media Server? As I bought the Nullsoft app which streams everything PERFECTLY except .mkv's.

PS3MS's configurability was a deal breaker for me - Medialink just can't do some of the things I want it to, although the "just works" aspect was enticing. For now I just wish PS3MS had a better UI.

in the preferences, had you ensured that you are using 600MB buffer for transcoding, and that you have selected all 4 cores to transcode? its only set to 2 by default i think..

I do have it set to 600MB and 4 cores. The file in question is really big, like 12GB, high quality with lots of detail and action... smaller/more compressed 1080p seems to be OK.

 

[dukebound85]

I like PS3MS though it does seem to run the buffer out frequently (constant stuttering of movies)

Any idea how to fix this? I have played with the buffer settings to no avail

 

[sammich]

ML's configurability was a deal breaker for me - it just can't do some of the things I want it to, although the "just works" aspect was enticing. For now I just wish PS3MS had a better UI.

I think I'll be going leaving behind ML too. It does 'just work', but now I can get PS3MS to work, it's far and beyond a better option, especially with subtitles and configurability right from the XMB.

I do have it set to 600MB and 4 cores. The file in question is really big, like 12GB, high quality with lots of detail and action... smaller/more compressed 1080p seems to be OK.

How long does it take for your buffer to drain? On my 2.33 C2D it will drain in about 5-10 minutes on a 10GB 1080p movie, streaming out at 6-8MB/s. It's using all of your cores right?

I like PS3MS though it does seem to run the buffer out frequently (constant stuttering of movies)

Any idea how to fix this? I have played with the buffer settings to no avail

What is your machine, and the rough bit-rate of your file?

 

[DoFoT9]

PS3MS's configurability was a deal breaker for me - Medialink just can't do some of the things I want it to, although the "just works" aspect was enticing. For now I just wish PS3MS had a better UI.

yup the UI is VERY ugly! but it works. sort of..

I do have it set to 600MB and 4 cores. The file in question is really big, like 12GB, high quality with lots of detail and action... smaller/more compressed 1080p seems to be OK.

with my iMac i7 i have never had problems streaming the files (that work). they are roughly 15-18GB in size and they stream with no problems. it only uses ~250%CPU too...

I like PS3MS though it does seem to run the buffer out frequently (constant stuttering of movies)

Any idea how to fix this? I have played with the buffer settings to no avail

yea man wahts your machine?

I think I'll be going leaving behind ML too. It does 'just work', but now I can get PS3MS to work, it's far and beyond a better option, especially with subtitles and configurability right from the XMB.

ML seems alright, it just cant play m4v!

How long does it take for your buffer to drain? On my 2.33 C2D it will drain in about 5-10 minutes on a 10GB 1080p movie, streaming out at 6-8MB/s. It's using all of your cores right?

that sucks...

 

[dukebound85]

my machine is a hackintosh

q6600
8 gig ram

Bit rate is whatever corresponds to 60% quality on HB

 

[MecPro]

hhmmm cutting it fine with that MBP TBH i think. only one way to find out though! goodluck

Hope so too! I'm going to get some homeplugs (200MBps) tomorrow, and a gigabit switch so I can give it it's best shot

Other than that, I don't even know if a Mac Mini will be powerful enough to transcode my movies and I can't afford to get another bigger Mac at the minute ..

Maybe a windows HTPC

 

[sammich]

Hope so too! I'm going to get some homeplugs (200MBps) tomorrow, and a gigabit switch so I can give it it's best shot

Other than that, I don't even know if a Mac Mini will be powerful enough to transcode my movies and I can't afford to get another bigger Mac at the minute ..

Maybe a windows HTPC

Can you use your MM as a HTPC?

my machine is a hackintosh
q6600 8 gig ram
Bit rate is whatever corresponds to 60% quality on HB

Something isn't right, they're only DVD rips and it doesn't stream properly? What is the CPU% utilisation, and what is the connection to your PS3?

 

[MecPro]

Can you use your MM as a HTPC?

I don't have one yet!

Basically I bought a second PS3 as a media centre for DVD/BR & streams, but when I decided to rip my BR i figured out some were struggling to be streamed.

So I am at this point at the mintute, deciding whether to stick or twist and get a MM. I don't know when they'll be getting an upgrade either. So that's why I possibly want to see how much juice I can squeeze out of this MBP and PS3

 

[sammich]

I don't have one yet!

I'm waiting for the MM update too. I'd hold out for it.

Basically I bought a second PS3 as a media centre for DVD/BR & streams, but when I decided to rip my BR i figured out some were struggling to be streamed.

I was going to ask why you needed a 2nd PS3, but perhaps you have one for another TV?

So I am at this point at the minute, deciding whether to stick or twist and get a MM. I don't know when they'll be getting an upgrade either. So that's why I possibly want to see how much juice I can squeeze out of this MBP and PS3

I'm going to take a step back now. I was under the impression that you had problems with your streaming but now I see I've got you mixed with the other two posters replying here.

You should be fine with the 2.4, but you can't sit the whole way through the movie without it needing a 'buffer' refill, which is what I need to do.

My suggestion is to get a MM. Then you won't have to worry about anything not working. You can get Plex fired up, use the remote to grab new subtitles, have movie info and covers.

 

[MecPro]

I'm waiting for the MM update too. I'd hold out for it.



I was going to ask why you needed a 2nd PS3, but perhaps you have one for another TV?



I'm going to take a step back now. I was under the impression that you had problems with your streaming but now I see I've got you mixed with the other two posters replying here.

You should be fine with the 2.4, but you can't sit the whole way through the movie without it needing a 'buffer' refill, which is what I need to do.

My suggestion is to get a MM. Then you won't have to worry about anything not working. You can get Plex fired up, use the remote to grab new subtitles, have movie info and covers.

Seems to be the best bet really.

Waiting on the MM will be painful, but at least then I'll have money to make a little upgrade or two. When you say you have to wait on the buffer refill, how often does that happen and how long for it to refill?

Oh, and I have two PS3's because I bought one in Canada when I was there, then forgot it wouldn't play my EU DVD's/BR. I was going to get a separate BR player but the ones I wanted were comparable to a 2nd hand PS3 I ended up purchasing. I also have a large libaray of DVDs so it was a must need to have a compatible upscaler

 

[DoFoT9]

my machine is a hackintosh

q6600
8 gig ram

Bit rate is whatever corresponds to 60% quality on HB

oh, so literally nothing. only 3000kbps or so roughly. there should be NO reason for it to lag at those low rates.... what on earth..

I'm waiting for the MM update too. I'd hold out for it.

goodluck. its at least 1.5years off

 

[sammich]

goodluck. its at least 1.5years off

Doubt Apple will take that long. The arrandale chipset is a logical step forward, if it's anywhere near the previous update cycle length, then we're only waiting for a few months at most, which would coincide with my birthday.

Waiting on the MM will be painful, but at least then I'll have money to make a little upgrade or two. When you say you have to wait on the buffer refill, how often does that happen and how long for it to refill?

You'll just need to monitor the status pane in PS3MS and see how fast the buffer runs down when the video is playing. Pausing the video will allow the buffer to refill.

 

[DoFoT9]

Doubt Apple will take that long. The arrandale chipset is a logical step forward, if it's anywhere near the previous update cycle length, then we're only waiting for a few months at most, which would coincide with my birthday.

remember how many updates apple skipped lastnight with the mini?

You'll just need to monitor the status pane in PS3MS and see how fast the buffer runs down when the video is playing. Pausing the video will allow the buffer to refill.

thats so annoying but.... it shouldnt have to do that, not with quad cores and DVD rips!

 

[sammich]

Just some info I thought I might throw in. PS3MS doesn't do iTunes playlists, so it's not fun to use it with music. Having ML as well to make up for that is fantastic.

remember how many updates apple skipped lastnight with the mini?

Last night? What?

thats so annoying but.... it shouldnt have to do that, not with quad cores and DVD rips!

I was explaining to MecPro what I meant about the buffer refill because it seems he's watching similarly large mkv's as me, with a similar machine to boot.

 

[DoFoT9]

Last night? What?

last time* 4hrs sleep will do that to you!

I was explaining to MecPro what I meant about the buffer refill. He has a similar machine to me, and he's watching a similar source movie as mine (10GB 1080p mkv).

woops...

EDIT: sammich. PS3MS DOES do iTunes!!!!!! it can read your playlists etc. make sure you have the latest version

 

[sammich]

last time* 4hrs sleep will do that to you!

Pffft, I can make bug free perfect code in my sleep. But I was probably dreaming...

EDIT: sammich. PS3MS DOES do iTunes!!!!!! it can read your playlists etc. make sure you have the latest version

I'll have to check it out in the morning. Good to hear though.

 

[DoFoT9]

Pffft, I can make bug free perfect code in my sleep. But I was probably dreaming...

HA! its amazing what the mind thinks of. too bad i dont remember most of my dreams, ill remember maybe 1 a month.

I'll have to check it out in the morning. Good to hear though.

yes please do. i cant remember the setting though. its there somewhere!

 

[sammich]

HA! its amazing what the mind thinks of. too bad i dont remember most of my dreams, ill remember maybe 1 a month.

Just like how you remember the answer to something that was brought up in a conversation yesterday, so you scream it out loud to no one.

yes please do. i cant remember the setting though. its there somewhere!

I think I have it all figured out. Added media folders, library mode or something, etc. Plus I figured out the problem of my settings always being reset when I reopened MS...the SAVE BUTTON!

And as well, my machine can handle the 1080p content like a pro with the buffer filled before starting. 15500 kbit rip of Star Trek And I can't really tell the diff in the pic quality.

 

[apfhex]

How long does it take for your buffer to drain? On my 2.33 C2D it will drain in about 5-10 minutes on a 10GB 1080p movie, streaming out at 6-8MB/s. It's using all of your cores right?

I didn't see how long it would take in total, but that seems about right. It was definitely using all 4 cores even though there was plenty of idle CPU left over.

 

[DoFoT9]

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sammich, is that startreck movie downloaded or ripped yourself out of interest? 90% of my ripped BDs do not play over ps3ms.

 

[sammich]

I didn't see how long it would take in total, but that seems about right. It was definitely using all 4 cores even though there was plenty of idle CPU left over.

So it's got plenty of power left over but it still doesn't transcode far enough ahead to not stutter on the PS3? Or does it play fine?

sammich, is that startreck movie downloaded or ripped yourself out of interest? 90% of my ripped BDs do not play over ps3ms.

Lets just say it's ripped from a BR. Why don't they play? Does the ps3 just refuse the format or does ps3ms not like how you encoded it?