Streaming video from PC to consoles and other devices?

[ibex333]

Do I need a wireless network card for that? Is there some way to do this just using a wireless router, or connecting the PS3 to PC through a network cable? I cant quite understand how the process works.

I see plenty of guides on the internet explaining how to set up streaming, but all of them assume I already have everything set up hardware wise.

 

[VirtualLarry]

You can connect either wireless or wired. If wireless, you need a router/AP, if wired, all you need is a switch (well, if you don't want to manually configure IP addresses, again, a router helps here, because it hands out IP addresses using DHCP).

 

[rasczak]

i use tversity for streaming movies from my pc to my ps3. you need to convert your files to .avi format though, but after that it's gravy. it works just as well to the wii but the problem i have with it is the screen resolution. as for stuff like streaming hulu, i use playon and have that service running to which streams hulu casts to my wii perfectly. all of this is done wirelessly.

 

[smitbret]

i use tversity for streaming movies from my pc to my ps3. you need to convert your files to .avi format though, but after that it's gravy. it works just as well to the wii but the problem i have with it is the screen resolution. as for stuff like streaming hulu, i use playon and have that service running to which streams hulu casts to my wii perfectly. all of this is done wirelessly.

Um, what? Why would you need to convert the files to .avi? This is wrong. No conversion necessary.

 

[rasczak]

Um, what? Why would you need to convert the files to .avi? This is wrong. No conversion necessary.

Ahh I forget, these are my anime files. I had a lot of .mkv files that needed to be converted to .avi for streaming, otherwise I got a network error. For "normal" videos, you are correct.

 

[smitbret]

Ahh I forget, these are my anime files. I had a lot of .mkv files that needed to be converted to .avi for streaming, otherwise I got a network error. For "normal" videos, you are correct.

Tversity will transcode those .mkv files automatically as long as the transcoder is turned on. I don't think I've ever run into an .avi file that the PS3 wouldn't playback natively.

As far as what's needed to connect:

Just get a router, it will reduce the amount of headache in the long run. 90% of the problems we see for streaming media are due to network issues and people trying to cheap out. It sounds like you will be able to wire everything together, which is very good. Go to NewEgg and just find the cheapest router that gets 3 stars or more. Unless you will be streaming high action, 1080p streams you won't need gigabit (even then, you probably won't). I'd be inclined to go with this one:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16833127288

I've never used it personally, but I'm partial to D-Link, it has good ratings and can do wireless N if the need ever arises. It's also no more expensive than a non-wireless router with similar ratings.

Cat5 from PC to Router to PS3. Simple and easy. Since the PS3 has wireless G built-in, you could just run the cable from the PC to the router and use wireless to the PS3. You will not, however, get good results streaming HD media using the PS3's built-in wireless adapter. There's just not enough bandwidth in the Wireless G spectrum. But if you want to avoid headaches, just Cat 5 all the way if you can.

Also, incompatible media files are always something to be aware of when it comes to streaming video. The PS3 will not accept .mkv files and will flake out on any .mp4 that was created using QuickTime. That's where the transcoding comes in. If you're just one guy with a PC and one TV, it will work smoothly with just about any modern PC. However, if you need to run multiple streams (more than one tv, simultaneously) or the PC needs to be in use for anything short of browsing the internet, then you could have more problems. I prefer to just remux my files to compatible formats, but that can have a pretty steep learning curve.

 

[ch33zw1z]

Ahh I forget, these are my anime files. I had a lot of .mkv files that needed to be converted to .avi for streaming, otherwise I got a network error. For "normal" videos, you are correct.

What codec pack are you using? What is your OS?

 

[ibex333]

I already have a wireless router. It's a Buffalo 54g or whatever that model was called. Too lazy to look.

However I thought routers are used to share connection to the internet between computers/devices but not data! I still dont understand how you guys are able to do it. This is very interesting. I will try to do this during as soon as I have time.

Oh and yes, I only need to do this with one PC and one TV. There will be no multiple streams.

 

[ch33zw1z]

I already have a wireless router. It's a Buffalo 54g or whatever that model was called. Too lazy to look.

However I thought routers are used to share connection to the internet between computers/devices but not data! I still dont understand how you guys are able to do it. This is very interesting. I will try to do this during as soon as I have time.

Oh and yes, I only need to do this with one PC and one TV. There will be no multiple streams.

Streaming from a PC to PS3? Use Tversity, PS3 Media server, or Playon.

 

[ibex333]

Sorry for bumping an old thread, but I have more questions.

I successfully streamed videos from my PC to PS3 using a "PS3 media server" program.

Still, I dont understand what wireless cards are for, when someone has a wireless router. Can someone please explain this to me? It seems like a wireless router can do everything a wireless card can do.

Also, is there any program for streaming to PS3 which allows to stream you-tube and netflix from PC?

I know PS3 now has netflix built in on it's firmware, but I have a jailbroken console, so connecting directly to the internet/updating firmware is not an option.

 

[Jamsan]

In very basic terms: Wireless routers send out signals from the antennas to perform it's functionality. Wireless cards are necessary in laptops, PS3s, etc. so it can pick that signal up and connect to the Internet.

Think of a basic AM/FM radio. The radio signal is broadcasted out from a studio. Without an AM/FM receiver, you wouldn't be able to hear what they're broadcasting. Substitute your wireless router for the equipment at the studio, and wireless cards for your AM/FM receiver.

 

[smitbret]

Tversity will let you do YouTube and Hulu. I'm not sure what does NetFlix. I think PlayOn might support it, but it's subscription based.