PS3 Video Server, Media Server Preliminary Setup and Tests

**ALIENWARE** · **01-07-08, 10:28 PM**

DivX and wmv or wmv-hd have to be 2gig or less to be played on ps3,but mpeg files can be any size,also the ps3 now plays .vob files so you dont have to reneame to mpeg,just rip the movie you have in a single vob file with dvd shrink or dvd decrypter,ripit with 1 audio track,no subtitles,and the ps3 will play.Agood trick I use is rip the movie with dvdshrink and compress the movie to have 4g or less,some times I compress the movie in a 75% of video compression and still look great

**wbassett** · **01-07-08, 10:42 PM**

Quote:

ALIENWARE wrote:

Agood trick I use is rip the movie with dvdshrink and compress the movie to have 4g or less,some times I compress the movie in a 75% of video compression and still look great

GMTA

Now if Sony only adds a video playlist and subfolder support...

**basementjack** · **01-08-08, 01:52 PM**

Hey Guys, this topic interests me so I thought I'd subscribe...

**wbassett** · **01-08-08, 02:32 PM**

Hey jack

Still playing/testing DivX here, but I've scrapped using the trial download from DivX.com. It errors out everytime. Probably because I'm trying to do a VOB file or a mpeg2 that's a renamed VOB file. I have no plans on converting to another format just to be able to convert to DivX. I'll do some looking around for other DivX programs and check them out before I personally say it's not something I'd want to do/use.

**basementjack** · **01-08-08, 02:35 PM**

Ok Guys, I just finished skimming this thread from start to finish.

A few things I can add:

Alternate DVD ripping program -

It's a program called DVDFAB - you can find it at http://www.dvdfab.com

in short, DVDFab is a decent 1 click solution for going from DVD's to other formats.
They seem to update the product regularly.

Some things DVDfab can do...
- Copy a DVD to your hard drive as an ISO or a folder of files
- Copy a DVD to a blank DVD
- Copy a DVD to 2 blank DVD's
- Copy a DVD to formats like divx, mpeg4, h264 etc.

Also - for those with windows media center machines - microsoft has a dvd library feature thats disabled by default - a simple registry change enables it.

the MCE dvd library works with files copied to the HD from dvd shrink or dvd fab - the nice thing here is you have the original dvd - full quality - all sound options - full menus etc...

- Jack

**basementjack** · **01-08-08, 02:43 PM**

Quote:

wbassett wrote:

Hey jack

Still playing/testing DivX here, but I've scrapped using the trial download from DivX.com. It errors out everytime. Probably because I'm trying to do a VOB file or a mpeg2 that's a renamed VOB file. I have no plans on converting to another format just to be able to convert to DivX. I'll do some looking around for other DivX programs and check them out before I personally say it's not something I'd want to do/use.

Bill -

I am with you 100% - I really have no desire to encode to one format then to another.

I downloaded the demo also - but I could not get it to covert from a DVD - it said I needed a $10 Mpeg2 add on for that. I could not find a demo of the add on.

DVDFab is an all in one that claims divx support - but technically I think it's xvid and I'm not sure of the differences.

**01-09-08, 06:43 PM**

i compressed the video as far as it would compress on dvd shrink, but it still comes out over 2 gigs i just need a file splitting program to split the file into 2 separate chunks, i only have a 2 gig mem stick

**basementjack** · **01-10-08, 12:13 AM**

Guys, I've made some progress on the 360, but I don't want to hijack this thread so I'll open a new one...

**wbassett** · **01-11-08, 12:39 PM**

Great thread Jack and it's good to see the 360 get some representation as a media system.

**wbassett** · **01-11-08, 12:55 PM**

Preliminary test with DVDFab..

It works so far. I was able to do a 'generic' rip/conversion and it created a 1GB xvid file on my hard drive. I played it it worked and looked okay, but I did see some artifacting but overall it is much better than anything I have used so far for DivX.

Conversion time took around 2 hours, but I did the high quality two pass option. There are options to convert to PS3 or XBox, but the PS3 conversion took almost four hours to do and the file size is the same as the Xvid. Honestly, there is no need to do a 'custom' PS3 profile since it will play most video files that a DVD player will play.

I'll be checking some test files out on my 55" set this weekend, and to me that's the real test. Sometimes things can look pretty good on a smaller computer monitor but when blown up in size is when all the flaws show up.

So far though, this is looking very promising for those that don't mind a slight drop in PQ in favor of saving storage space.

I did have a problem with a couple of movies I have, but it also could be something with the trial version. Right now I give it a thumbs up and thanks jack for pointing this one out!

**basementjack** · **01-11-08, 07:24 PM**

Hey Bill -

As I have time, I'm playing with different options for encoding -
I got the divx trial to work with DVD vob files, unfortunately the converter is really, really basic - so I don't know how useable it will be long term, but I plan to do some comparisons of picture quality between the Divx pro codec, and what is included with DVD fab.
I've also tried some alterante settings in fab (Mostly higer bitrates so far) - from what I've seen, there is more quality available over the defaults.

**basementjack** · **01-11-08, 07:25 PM**

Bill, one more thought - after we both finish our reseach we should figure out if there is one file type that works universally well with both systems.

**wbassett** · **01-12-08, 12:26 AM**

Sounds good.

Xvid works, but isn't DVD quality and I see a very minor audio sync problem. It's not bad and most may not even notice it, but it is there.

I'd say it's okay if someone really needs to save space, but so far I haven't seen anything that's DVD quality aside from just using the DVD vob itself.

I think this is great that we're getting a full evaluation of the various compressions and codecs and how they preform. The more we can test the better people can decide.

**ALIENWARE** · **01-14-08, 09:52 PM**

Well,you just have to tweak the settings of the DivX converter,and you will get DVD quality,I know I have,and I have a HDTv.Also,Divx have released the new version that now have support for 720p and 1080p in the converter,I did a test with TRANSFORMERS MOVIE,a clip of 2min,and the 1080p conversion convert the movie in the exact quality of the dvd,but when I was to convert the entire movie,the size was more of 2 gig,and the PS3 dosnt support divx movies that have more of 2G,that was bad for me.Still,Divx converter is ,for me, the best video converter I tested

**EQDruid** · **01-16-08, 01:35 PM**

Well I have been Ripping away my Collection of DVD's.... Noticed a few Problems.

1) Some Movies don't sync with the audio, I'm using the DVDShrink and just Renaming the VOB file, and placing that on my extrenal Hard drive.

2) getting a flash from 5.1 to 2 audio channel sound, tho I think thats my fault =p, will have to redo thoose movies

What program do you sudjest to play beack the Video .Vob files on your computer, so that I don't have to keep running up and down the stairs and plug in the HD to the Playstation to make sure everything is working correctly?

EQDruid

**wbassett** · **01-16-08, 02:09 PM**

I haven't run into this problem. I did at first have a problem not getting any audio but after going into the settings I was able to get audio working.

I always just select the 5.1 audio and no commentary or secondary audio tracks.

I check the files on my computer using Power DVD and skim through the movie to make sure it works and is in sync.

Other than that, how's the rest of it going and for the movies that work how is the PQ to you?

Basementjack is doing a lot of testing with DivX and other codecs and checking various settings and checking picture quality.

**EQDruid** · **01-16-08, 02:37 PM**

Loving it so far..

I am reformatting the exteranal HD with the slow process so that it might fix any issues ( I hope) and redoing the the movies I converted with more then 1 audio track.

Thank god for my PC.. ( 4.2 GTHZ with 8 Gig Ram Quad Core ) Movies take about 10 mins to rip each keeping each movie under 4 gig.

did you partion your exteranl HD? or left it in tact? Thinking I might of slowed it down tring to add multi movies at the same time instead of 1 at a time.

EQDruid

**EQDruid** · **01-16-08, 09:06 PM**

Well I am about to give up...

Some movies play all right, and some just keep out on me.

On the PC, their is sound, then no sound on the PS3,

Sound but not in synch with the Video, and then there is a Huge delay with even the PS3 even opening the file.

With over 3500 DVD's I can't be having to recheck every DVD untill I show it off and look like a fool. =/

Open to some Idea's. Been following everything.

EQDruid

**wbassett** · **01-16-08, 11:21 PM**

We'll figure this out, and it is important we do.

Okay let's start with some basics and let me see if I can duplicate it... I have around 1500 SDVDs now, nowhere near what you have, but maybe we have some of the same titles you're having trouble with.

First what model PS3 do you have and what firmware level?

I have a 60GB first gen PS3 with FW 2.01 and an external USB 320GB Western Digital My Book. So far I have only had a problem with one bonus feature Bond disc, one that Best Buy was giving away in one of their promo's...

Next, you mentioned reformatting one of your drives I believe? How did you reformat it? The PS3 only reads FAT32 and Windows does some strange things when formating FAT32, especially on these drives. Is the problem on just one drive or across multiple drives?

Don't give up. From what I have seen and experienced so far is any time you convert from the original file format there is a performance hit of some kind... it's inevitable, you're making a change and as good and powerful as our PC's can be, we don't have studio gear so there will be a hit. Sometimes it's so minor nobody will notice, sometimes it's major.

Compression... always some PQ hit with compression, and add compression and conversion and it tends to compound things sometimes. That's one reason why I like to stick with the original file format. Also, with 2.1 (maybe 2.01 as well) you can use the .vob extension and won't even have to rename it to .mpeg. Might want to give that a try too.

Last thing, what version level of Shrink do you have? I have 3.2.0.15

If you continue to have problems with Shrink, try DVDFab. It can also convert to XVid and even has a 'PS3' mode. Worth a try and we will get you rolling don't worry.

Send me a list of some of the titles you're having trouble with and I'll see if I have the same problem. It could be the title too, but like I said, we'll figure this out don't worry or give up.

**ALIENWARE** · **01-17-08, 03:17 AM**

does anyone knows if PS3 plays .mkv files,think I have to test that,is very popular and TRUE HD QUALITY,I will post soon my homework results.

**wbassett** · **01-17-08, 03:53 AM**

Honestly, I never played around with .mkv so I can't answer that but maybe someone else can.

**EQDruid** · **01-17-08, 04:58 AM**

I have shrink 3.2 with the 60 gig model ps3, latest firmware. I bought 4 Seagate freeagent 500 gig drives. Formatted Using Swissknife to fat32.

Might just use DVD fab and see if that is the problem. Having problems with the Movies The Prestige and Super Troopers and a few others but thats a start.

Thanks for looking into this... and sorry for sounding alittle cranky, wife and I both have the flu atm.

EQDruid

**EQDruid** · **01-17-08, 05:21 AM**

Tring DVDfab Plat now to convert using the PS3 settings. Takes 4 times as long, but if thats the case, I guess this is going to take alot longer then I was hoping. But such is the ways. Hope this turns out ok for the time invested.

EQDruid

**ALIENWARE** · **01-18-08, 09:45 PM**

Have anyone notice the new nice visual player when you play music on PS3,you have to be on he latest firmware,play any mp3,and press scuare 2 times,you get an VERY,VERY NICE EARTH VIEW visual player.This is great for anyone that have a HDTV,I notice this today.
Sorry if you all know this,but I didn't,all this time I was testing diferent video files,specialy DivX,speaking of that,I will report soon my results on video files and quality.
And sorry for the change of avatar,but aparently,this site don't want that avatar cus is an ALIENWARE WALLPAPER,yea I don't get it,but I dont make the rules of this site,anyway,be sure to chek the music visual player with a nice relaxing music you have.

**EQDruid** · **01-19-08, 01:57 PM**

Yeah, it's pretty sweet. Tho I personally Like to play Blast factor with Chemical brothers Playing in the background....

Found a trick with getting the PS3 to play the Video's in sync, Just let the Exteral hard drive warm up alittle bit... Seems it takes a few minutes for the HD to sync with the PS3..

Don't know if its the PS3's fault or the HD. Just noticed with 50 movies on thier so far that it takes a few minutes for all the movies to display. So if i start a movies and it sits there, i give it a few minutes then I try and restart it, works perfectly....

EQdruid

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