Streaming .avi files to the PS3

heebusjeebus · 05-11-2008 05:25PM #1

Hey all,
I've managed to add extra codecs to Windows Media Centre for my Vista 64 pc and have setup the PS3 as a media extender to play all my music, movies and TV shows. All this is happening in my home network over a Wireless-G router.
What I'm finding is that the .avi's will play for 20 or so seconds and then pause while it buffers.
Is this simply a bandwidth issue or are there other forces at play here? The files are not HD quality, justthe typical 700mb movie files.
I'd prefer not go for a wired connection as it will require some drilling through walls!!!

Anyone else have any wisdom in this matter??

Cheers

HJ

Rev. Kitchen · 05-11-2008 05:42PM

I had problems with windows media, tversity and Orb but installed Twonky vision and it worked perfectly from the get go.

ongarite · 05-11-2008 06:11PM

Sounds like a wireless issue.
Is the PC wired to the router also? How far is PC from router? How far is PS3 from router?
If you go to the Network Settings, what the signal strength?
How many walls to go through? Cordless phones, microwave ovens nearby?

heebusjeebus · 05-11-2008 06:26PM

ongarite wrote: »

Sounds like a wireless issue.
Is the PC wired to the router also? How far is PC from router? How far is PS3 from router?
If you go to the Network Settings, what the signal strength?
How many walls to go through? Cordless phones, microwave ovens nearby?

PC is also wireless.
PC is getting a 46% signal from router as my room is in an extension, so its gotta punch through an "outer" wall.
PS3 is slightly closer to router but must also pass through the outer wall.

No phones or microwaves near.
I'm gonna try and get an aftermarker antenna for the router and see if that will help matters.

Hal1 · 05-11-2008 06:33PM

Try adjust the antenna on the router to see if signal increases, or use some other software such as VLC player and it does streaming. Get it here.

heebusjeebus · 05-11-2008 06:35PM

Cheers Kitchen + Hal1. Looking into Twonky now. Didnt know I could stream with VLC!

Hal1 · 05-11-2008 06:37PM

heebusjeebus wrote: »

Cheers Kitchen + Hal1. Looking into Twonky now. Didnt know I could stream with VLC!

There's a complete 'how to' guide on their site too.

RangeR · 05-11-2008 08:14PM

heebusjeebus wrote: »

PC is also wireless.
PC is getting a 46% signal from router as my room is in an extension, so its gotta punch through an "outer" wall.
PS3 is slightly closer to router but must also pass through the outer wall.

No phones or microwaves near.
I'm gonna try and get an aftermarker antenna for the router and see if that will help matters.

Having the PC wireless as well as the PS3 is going to slow things down. You are using twice the bandwidth. Once from PC to WIFI access Point and once from WIFI access point to PS3. If you wire one of them, you should see improvement.

What's the signal strength on both the PC and PS3? If it's less than 70% to 80%, then there is not much you can do except copy the file to the PS3 before you play it.

OR,

[JUST_A_SUGGESTION]re-encode the file to be a lower bandwidth hog. Maybe adjust the bitrate by 30% to 50% and half the screensize [which should bring your avi down to about 350MB]. You can then use the PS3 video options to put it to full screen. However, video quality WILL suffer. Just depends if you are willing to put up with that drop in quality.[/JUST_A_SUGGESTION]

heebusjeebus · 05-11-2008 10:58PM

I've improved the location (slightly) and now getting 60% sig quality.
Movies are now running better but there is a pause when the video bitrate hits 2Mbps. Will prob get a direct connection from the PS3 -> PC and then use internet sharing to get the PS3 online but thats for another nite.

For those interested in adding codecs for Windows Media Centre for Vista 64, I used:
http://fileforum.betanews.com/detail/Vista_Codec_Package_x64_Components/1159994557/2

Also I am getting errors "PS3 content cannot be played message (80028801)".

Found an MPEG4 Modifer that supposedly fixes the issue (http://www.moitah.net/). It must be run on the .avi that you get the errors with. So far I've only tried it with one file and it played through this time no bother.

Nick_oliveri · 06-11-2008 06:51AM

heebusjeebus wrote: »

Found an MPEG4 Modifer that supposedly fixes the issue (http://www.moitah.net/). It must be run on the .avi that you get the errors with. So far I've only tried it with one file and it played through this time no bother.

What are you changing? The 4CC (XVID to DiVX) or aspect or what?

heebusjeebus · 06-11-2008 09:03AM

Nick_oliveri wrote: »

What are you changing? The 4CC (XVID to DiVX) or aspect or what?

Just unpacking the bitstream (whatever that is!).

Nick_oliveri · 06-11-2008 09:46AM

Interesting, ill get back with my results.

RangeR · 06-11-2008 10:44AM

heebusjeebus wrote: »

I've improved the location (slightly) and now getting 60% sig quality.
Movies are now running better but there is a pause when the video bitrate hits 2Mbps. Will prob get a direct connection from the PS3 -> PC and then use internet sharing to get the PS3 online but thats for another nite.

If you CAN'T run wires
Could you maybe move the wifi access point a little? Maybe slightly closer to your room, or maybe slightly higher?
You might also be able to purchase a higher gain aerial for the WIFI AP.

If you CAN run wires, all you need in one network cable going from your Wifi AP / Router to your room. Then purchase a VERY cheap switch [4 or 8 port] for your room. Plug that network cable into it. You then have full speed access to all devices on that switch. Bisto.

JoeyJJ · 06-11-2008 02:05PM

Not cheap but might be an option for some is the homeplug network devices

http://www.digitalera.co.uk/products/Zyxel_PLA_401_AV_200Mbs_Homeplug_Starter_Kit-992-31.html

http://www.digitalera.co.uk/products/Devolo_dLAN_duo_Ethernet_or_USB_Homeplug_Starter_Kit-798-31.html

RangeR · 06-11-2008 02:30PM

JoeyJJ wrote: »

Not cheap but might be an option for some is the homeplug network devices

http://www.digitalera.co.uk/products/Zyxel_PLA_401_AV_200Mbs_Homeplug_Starter_Kit-992-31.html

http://www.digitalera.co.uk/products/Devolo_dLAN_duo_Ethernet_or_USB_Homeplug_Starter_Kit-798-31.html

Never thought of that but great tip. I've used these with much success. Not quite LAN cable speed but much faster than WIFI.

Streaming .avi files to the PS3

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