Is PS3 a good choice for me??

[Semidevil]

having a system that is a gaming system, blue-ray player, and also a pc with wifi, sounds very appealing.

If I buy a PS3, the main function would be to use it to get online and watch videos on my big screen tv(youtube, etc etc), checking emails, reading online stuff, etc etc. I might play games, but that will be very very minor. DVD watching, I might do moderately, but not that often.

So if I want to use the PS3 as a PC, how will does it compare? What type of things can a PC do that a PS3 cannot do? I'm not into online games, and I dont use the PS3 for photoshop or whatever, it will mostly be for internet videos from various sites.

Will the PS3 be able to view all video formats and video players properly?

Is the PS3 pretty much a PC, or does it have some restrictions?

also, since there is a 40gb and a 80 gb version, is there any other difference besides storage space? Am I able to download programs onto the PS3? also, what internet browswer is used and is there an operating system??

 

[Auryg]

Why do you want to use a PS3 as a PC? You (seemingly) already have a PC.

 

[Semidevil]

well, I want to be able to watch streaming videos on my tv in my living room, and a ps3 'sounds' like a good choice as it is a 3-1 system. I basically want something permanatly connected to my tv for internet browsing.

I dont want to move my primary pc over there as I want my current pc to stay in the study room. Buying a another desktop/laptop could be an option, but then again, its the same price as a ps3(if not more).

just trying to see what my options are so I can surf in the living room.

 

[mikehartl]

I think the PS3 would be a perfect choice for you.

It doesn't have an operating system in the sense that you can download and install programs, etc. but it works very well for internet browsing and is EXCELLENT at streaming video. I use a program called MediaLink to stream from my Macbook to my TV downstairs, but there are alternative programs out there.

And for internet browsing, you can use a bluetooth keyboard to wirelessly type on your PS3, so if you're planning on writing emails/etc while laying on the couch that would probably be your best bet.

As you already stated, it does have a bluray player and though it doesn't have quite as big a game collection as the XBOX 360, that won't be a problem for you seeing as how you don't play many games. Finally, the only difference between the 40 and 80GB versions is the 80GB has PS2 backward compatibility, where the 40GB does not. The only other difference is the price, obviously.

 

[Semidevil]

so just to clarify, does the ps3 allow watching of almost all types of streaming videos in all formats? I'm currently reading stuff online and some people are saying that it can only watch youtube vids, but not other sites???

 

[RESmonkey]

Get the cheapest PS3, install a regular laptop HDD on it, and you're set.

 

[Dari]

Originally posted by: Semidevil
so just to clarify, does the ps3 allow watching of almost all types of streaming videos in all formats? I'm currently reading stuff online and some people are saying that it can only watch youtube vids, but not other sites???

I don't think so.

 

[RESmonkey]

Do you plan on watching Xvid files that you download? If so, you might want to stream those from PC. The rest of the stuff is PS3-friendly.

 

[mugs]

I don't use my PS3 for streaming video, because I have an HTPC... but as I understand it, if the PS3 won't play it you can probably transcode and stream it with TVersity. I haven't used the web browser much either, because my PS3 is in the same room as my computer.

 

[DaveSimmons]

You might be better off with the $400 laptop in Hot Deals.

- it streams everything your other PC sends (just make a folder shared and you're done)
- it browses with your choice of IE7 or Firefox, with all the plugins like Flash, QuickTime, Real available and as the latest versions
- it plays all web video properly since everything is written for IE7 first
- it plays Netflix, Hulu and other locked-to-windows content

The PS3 runs linux not Windows, and obnly has 256 MB of RAM for it -- even the $299 Asus eee has 512 MB.

> Am I able to download programs onto the PS3?
What kind? You said you just want to browse videos?

You can find linux substitutes for Windows programs, but you'll have to find them and learn them instead of using the Windows programs you already know.

If you don't care much about blu-ray or PS3 games, I don't think it will work better for you than just getting another PC.

 

[CKDragon]

For the uses you described, $400 HTPC > PS3, in my opinion. I don't know how cheap internal PC BD drives have gotten, but you can always upgrade the HTPC if you're not willing to pay for it now.

 

[Schfifty Five]

http://www.fatwallet.com/forums/off-topic/842173/

This guy seems to have the EXACT wording as you do! How weird is that?!?!?

 

[mugs]

Originally posted by: CKDragon
For the uses you described, $400 HTPC > PS3, in my opinion. I don't know how cheap internal PC BD drives have gotten, but you can always upgrade the HTPC if you're not willing to pay for it now.

As long as you don't care about having a small form factor. You're not going to build a PC in a HTPC case for $400, but you could certainly buy a bargain PC and turn it into a HTPC. As long as you're willing to wait for the right deal on a PC. My HTPC is an Acer that I got for $270. I added a capture card and a second hard drive. Could have done it cheaper with the $200 eMachines that I got more recently.

But neither will play PS3 games or Blu-ray movies.

 

[BladeVenom]

If you're not interested in PS3 exclusive games, then I think a PC is a better choice.

What type of things can a PC do that a PS3 cannot do?

Edit videos, create videos, transcode videos, share videos, and then burn them to disk. Also there's a lot more storage space in a PC for videos.

 

[CKDragon]

Originally posted by: mugs

Originally posted by: CKDragon
For the uses you described, $400 HTPC > PS3, in my opinion. I don't know how cheap internal PC BD drives have gotten, but you can always upgrade the HTPC if you're not willing to pay for it now.

As long as you don't care about having a small form factor. You're not going to build a PC in a HTPC case for $400...

Back when I was toying with the idea of building one, I thought I saw Hot Deals & Fat Wallet posts where people collected enough budget parts to put together a 1080p-capable HTPC in a small case for about $400. My memory is hazy on the details, though, so you're probably right.

If I had the OP's interests, I'd still rather pay the extra $$$ for an HTPC over a PS3 or even a BD-enabled 360.