PS3 vs. Xbox 360...which should I get? (non-gamer)

[UNCjigga]

Now that both consoles are fairly mature, I'm debating which one I should get as a non-gamer. The features that matter to me are total cost of ownership, DVD video quality, streaming media support, compatibility with subscription services (Netflix, Hulu Plus, NFL Sunday Ticket, etc.), and New Release movie rentals (Amazon Unbox, Xbox Live, Sony, etc.) Secondary would be support for some occasional casual gaming. I know that a lot of you own both so I'll be looking to hear your feedback.

I've done my research but I'm still not able to make a decision. My former roommate had a PS3, and I'm convinced that Sony has the best DVD upconversion/quality hands down (in fact I remember reading that Criterion uses it as their reference player?) I know that later Xbox models added 1080p support but I'm not sure if the DVD upconversion has improved to the point that it's indistinguishable from Sony's. Sony also has the added advantage of supporting Blu Ray, but I'm not sure how important that will be in the long run (I don't own any Blu Ray movies and streaming will probably win the format war.)

When it comes to streaming support, however, everyone says that Xbox is better or easier to use but I'm struggling to see any major differences. Both support streaming over wifi from PCs, and both seem to support DLNA for streaming from a mobile device (I have a DLNA-capable Android phone.) Which console supports more codecs (DivX, Xvid, Matroska, etc.)--and are they supported natively or through additional software? Is video quality still better on the PS3?

As for the subscription services, I know both support Hulu and Netflix, but Xbox seems to require a Gold membership in order to use them (additional $60/year). Is this still true? If I can't find a movie on Netflix, which console provides better/cheaper choices for movie rentals? Are there other services I should consider that are exclusive to either console?

 

[Sephire]

Both.

 

[Sephire]

Xbox 360 LIVE is $40 when on special (this happens regularly). $60 is paid by people who has automatic renewal with their credit cards hostage to Microsoft :biggrin:

PS3 is excellent in streaming content locally or online. Blu-ray and DVD upconversion is among the best. The interface is better than the Xbox dashboard (for me at least). The bluetooth remote responds much, much faster than the IR remote of the Xbox 360. Internet browser support too.

The Xbox 360 when paired with Windows machines usually has better user experience with native suppport of Windows Media Center. You can also stream .mkv files but the PQ is degraded somehow (compared to HTPC). Xbox LIVE still has the edge even if you dont use it for online gaming.

 

[gorcorps]

Did the 360 finally get hulu? A couple months ago it was ps3 only.

 

[zerocool84]

I don't really play games as much as I used to so I sold my 360 and got a PS3 since paying yearly for Live wasn't good since I didn't play much. I can use Netflix/Hulu/Vudu without needing to pay yearly. Plus I wanted a Blu-ray player. I honestly wouldn't use any of the built-in movie rental/purchase options from either system as they're both expensive. If you're a non-gamer I'd get the PS3.

 

[gar655]

If it weren't for playing some games, I wouldn't own an Xbox. I can get netflix for free any number of ways. Netflix was the only reason I paid for and Live subscription, PS3 and Wii didn't have it. Now they do.

Get the PS3.

 

[Sephire]

No Hulu on Xbox.

 

[lokiju]

I have both and never touch my Xbox 360 and use my PS3 weekly if not daily.

Easy pick for me, PS3 is much better overall unit.

 

[RavenSEAL]

PS3 :thumbsup:

 

[DaveSimmons]

I have both. PS3 connected to TV with HDMI, 360 using HDMI but indirectly via Onkyo receiver.

DVD playback is better on my PS3, the 360 has a screen door effect sometimes that's distracting. It's possible the Onkyo is causing this somehow but I never see this effect in 360 games or with a couple of downloaded TV episodes.

360 does NOT have blu-ray playback. I never buy them, but I pay Netflix the extra $x/month to be able to rent them. PS3 is still an excellent blu-ray player if no longer quite as good as the newest $300 models.

Netflix is about the same on both, though I'm not sure if HD content is available on the 360 yet (it was on PS3 first). Also, you must pay ~$40/year for Live Gold on the 360 to use Netflix.

Hulu+ is on PS3 only right now (coming to 360) and works pretty well, but note that Hulu+ on anything other than a PC is missing a bunch of regular Hulu content (because the networks like CW won't let Hulu show the content on a PS3, Boxee, etc.)

Vudu works great for movie rentals on PS3. I watched Machete in 720p with surround and it looked and sounded better than a DVD.

Sony PSN for buying TV shows and movies is about the same as buying them for the 360, at the same prices.

Neither one supports Amazon or iTunes.

I don't p2p "stuff" so I have no idea which one is better for playing it.

The bluetooth remote on the PS3 works better for me, since you can point it anywhere while Microsoft's 360 remote has a narrow aiming area for the IR receiver to see it. (Both are extra charge accessories, around $20?)

If you did ever decide to do any online gaming, the 360 offers more players and a better interface but costs $40/year for Live Gold. Online play is free on PS3.

 

[speg]

PS3 for Blu-Ray... Does the 360 have a browser? I occasionally find it useful to pull something up on my PS3.

 

[Sephire]

None.

 

[Duder1no]

I just got a PS3.

Don't have an X-Box, never have so I can't really compare.

PS3 native Wifi, Blu-ray and wireless controllers are awesome, lots of demos to dl, some of them even let you play online.

Plus online gaming is FREE, can't beat that.

EDIT: just installed PS3 Media Center right now, worked right out of the box (it's free) and it's fucking awesome! Stream media from your PC to your PS3.

 

[UNCjigga]

PS3 wins. Thanks guys!

 

[Powermoloch]

PS3 ftw

 

[gorcorps]

Solid choice. I have both and the PS3 definitely wins for media playing and streaming. For games I'll always side with the 360, but the PS3 does indeed upscale SD stuff better, the Netflix app seems to be better, and although Hulu+ costs too much IMO (and is a bit buggy) it's still good enough. Plus blu-rays really do look nice, and sound nice too if you have the system for it.

One thing to take note of: the PS3 has no IR port and if you use it for media mostly I'm assuming you'll be using a remote more often than the controller. Logitech makes a Harmony adapter that apparently works well enough, though it's a bit pricey. I've heard you can get other PS3 IR adapters which will still work with Harmonys and are cheaper, but I'm not sure where to find them or which ones are reliable.

 

[DJK Frank 16]

For a non gamer it sounds like a PS3 is your best choice. I own a 360 and love it.

But sounds like you get a lot more features without the price of Live. Best of luck with whatever you decide !

 

[RavenSEAL]

Solid choice. I have both and the PS3 definitely wins for media playing and streaming. For games I'll always side with the 360, but the PS3 does indeed upscale SD stuff better, the Netflix app seems to be better, and although Hulu+ costs too much IMO (and is a bit buggy) it's still good enough. Plus blu-rays really do look nice, and sound nice too if you have the system for it.

One thing to take note of: the PS3 has no IR port and if you use it for media mostly I'm assuming you'll be using a remote more often than the controller. Logitech makes a Harmony adapter that apparently works well enough, though it's a bit pricey. I've heard you can get other PS3 IR adapters which will still work with Harmonys and are cheaper, but I'm not sure where to find them or which ones are reliable.

They sell a bluetooth controller for $25-30, pretty nice actually.

 

[ch33zw1z]

For a non-gamer, PS3 IMO. I own an Xbox 360, and use it for games as well. I just renewed my Live membership for $35 on special.

 

[purbeast0]

non gamer, ps3 for sure, especially w/the recent hacks for it which may bring some really nice homebrew media players to it.

 

[gorcorps]

They sell a bluetooth controller for $25-30, pretty nice actually.

The point of getting a Harmony is to reduce the number of remotes you have to use. If you still have to use a separate remote to control the device, then you didn't solve the problem at all... just changed the extra device you have to use. The PS3 not having an IR port is either a retarded design oversight, or Sony attempting to force more accessory purchases. Either way it's bad.

 

[vi edit]

I own both and the PS3 is used almost daily for Blu Ray, Netflix, music streaming, DVR streaming off of my media center, ect. I don't use the Xbox for hardly anything any more.

The *only* advantage the XBox has is a true Media Center integration that I can watch live TV on. So that's a plus. But the PS3 makes up for it in spades with the BR player, and all of the media tank options. It really is an amazing device.

 

[Pr0d1gy]

PS3 without a doubt. Do you want to pay a yearly fee just to access Live so you can actually watch Netflix streaming? It almost doubles the cost of Netflix.

 

[Malak]

There is zero point to an Xbox if you aren't a gamer. This is a very, very easy decision.

 

[puffywulf]

PS3 definitely. I have it setup to play all my content: Hulu, Netflix, NAS drives. One thing I would like though is the ability to play SRT files, which both cannot do at the moment. This is when my Lenovo Q150 with XBMC comes in to play.