Gizmodo
Huzzah! I've discovered why XviD files didn't work in the PlayStation DivX Playback test. Apparently, streaming over Windows Media Player 11 does not work for any XviD files and most DivX files, but it does work fine if you load the files onto an external USB drive or burn it to a DVD. But there's a workaround, kind of.
The best alternative to get "streaming" to work with Windows Media Player 11 is to first locate the file you want to watch over the network, then press the triangle button and copy it to your PS3. The same file that couldn't play back a minute ago will happily render itself when viewed off the PlayStation 3's hard drive.
It seems to us that the fault may either lie with the way that WMP11 streams files or the way that the PS3 plays back streamed files over the network—we're not sure. If the PS3 supported SMB networking, this problem might be eliminated. We'll have to check back in the future if and when they do add this feature.
Sorry for the confusion everybody! When I got DivX, and not XviD, to stream correctly, I assumed that XviD does not work. I should have tested it on an external drive as well. But hurray, XviD works fine on PS3. Thanks for checking up on us.
Update: I just did another test, and EyeConnect on Macs seem to stream DivX and XviD just fine for me. So it looks like a WMP11 problem. Has anyone else gotten it to support streaming w/ WMP11? TVersity seems to stream alright on PCs too, according to some users.
Update 2: Just re-confirmed that TVersity works for me, but the same files that work in TVersity don't work streaming over WMP11. Very strange.
Comments
LOL wat do they say about assuption being the mother of all .......
Interesting. I'll have to do some experiments when I get home...
correction: assumption
@GFX-187: wat?
Works great on my PS3 on everything but a couple of odd xvid files.
I'm off to the local electronics store to buy an external NAS drive with USB. I'm going to hook up both the network and the USB.
Then, I'll download content from uTorrent and save that on the external drive so that my PS3 has access to it. I won't have to re-encode or transfer ever again. I can't tell you how happy this makes me.
Check out this info I found in the Playstation Media Forum. Might be helpful for you guys figuring things out:
I just made a very important discovery in relation to XVID playback!
Here I have two IDENTICALLY encoded videos except for one thing...
Here are the FFMPEG outputs....
This one doesn't play...
Duration: 01:51:07.1, start: 0.000000, bitrate: 883 kb/s
Stream #0.0: Video: mpeg4, yuv420p, 664x274, 23.98 fps(r)
Stream #0.1: Audio: mp3, 48000 Hz, stereo, 112 kb/s
This one does...
Duration: 00:24:09.4, start: 0.000000, bitrate: 983 kb/s
Stream #0.0: Video: mpeg4, yuv420p, 704x400, 23.98 fps(r)
Stream #0.1: Audio: mp3, 48000 Hz, stereo, 32 kb/s
So.. what difference causes it not to play? (BTW these are both recent XVID videos)
VIDEOS THAT HAVE RESOLUTIONS THAT ARE NOT DIVISIBLE BY 16 DO NOT PLAY. the first video has a resolution that is not a multiple of 16, the second one is based on a multiple of 16, so it does play. XVID FTW.
So, for XVID (and probably DIVX too) their are as of now at least 2 requirements:
Resolution MUST be a multiple of 16
Must be encoded in a RECENT version of XVID or DIVX (probably DIVX 4/5 and up and the associated XVID version)
Other possible requirements: MP3 audio and AVI container (is the fourcc even recognized by the PS3?)
Just to clarify, here's my workaround for no SMB sharing:
Buy external NAS drive with both network and USB connections.
Connect network to, well, the network.
Connect USB to PS3.
Save Divx / xvid content to external drive over the network.
@DaveTyranham: That's a pretty decent workaround. Good idea. Though, you can save yourself a couple bucks and just copy it over the network before you play.
Both Xvid and Divx stream fine with my ps3 through windows media player
So in essence you were right, it doesn't work. Who wants to go through the hassle of moving drives or burning discs to watch something that should work just fine over the network.
@MikeSWelch: Sadly, the line he is referencing i know because of the movie Under Siege 2: Dark Territories.
"Assumptions are the mother of all fuck-ups."
I've never heard it any other place... and yea, for some sad reason, that ...astounding... movie sticks with me........
*sigh*
I was able to stream Xvid's to my PS3 last night from my Vista machine without copying anything local. I had to allow my PS3 access to share files on my Vista machine but once that was done, They showed up on the PS3. I had one file say "unsupported" but tried it again and it played fine. It does take a good 20 seconds for the files to start playing but once they do, they look great. It looks like the PS3 is upscaling them or something because I saw very little to no macro-blocking at all.
They work fine over the network if you're using TVersity.
I've got an .avi movie file on an SD card and it will NOT play on my PS3. I told Jesus Diaz last nite that I'm having trouble getting a few files to play. I am not streaming any files over my network. What gives?? These files play on my PC with no problem. Any helpful info would be great!
@blazedshaggy: Hmmm, try copying it to your PS3's HD first?
@metalhaze: @DaveTyranham: @DaveTyranham:
I believe I may have found an all-around solution to this whole thing. There is this little network storage device made by Thermaltake which has BT download function built-in. I am going to get one to try it out. Imagine not having to leave a power hungry PC on all the time to download and share the files. Here is the link in case someone is interested: Muse X-Duo RAID [thermaltakeusa.com]
Strangely enough, no one mentioned the simplest workaround for divx/xvid playback. It solves the issue of the height/width not being an even multiple of 16, and doesn't require you to copy anything over the network.
Buy an xbox 360.
Not trying to start some massive argument, just stating the obvious.
When I said "doesn't require you to copy anything over the network," i meant it will stream without copying to the xbox hard drive first.
I call BS because I was just playing some Xvid files a minute ago using WMP11 over the network.
Although there are some WMV's that don't work at all, but do work on the XBox 360. Perhaps it's because they are not VC1?
Also, I tried playing back some Xvid/Divx movies with AC3 audio and I would only get 2 channel audio, but the PS3 display would have the dolby digital icon enabled with 2 channel next to it O_o
Does anyone know if with the new update the PS3 is capable of AC3 output w/ Xvid/Divx?
do not use WMP as the media server, use TVersity
The headline is misleading. Divx and Xvid work just fine streaming. I don't use Windows Media Player 11, but who would? lol
@radikaled: I was able to stream files using WMP11 also. I do have a few files that are AC3 and plan on testing them when I get home from work tonight.
Another advantage of the xbox is that they've listed what their video player is capable of on their site. An obvious disadvantage is how limited that list actually is. Yes, i love playing back divx/xvid on the xbox, but some of the limitations confuse me. For example (and i'm not double checking this, so feel free to prove me wrong with a link to the infamous FAQ), the xbox can play 5.1 channel sound in an xvid/divx file, but only two channel from h.264.
Also, all these media playback features only work from the xbox dashboard, not the media center extender interface.
works fine using EyEConnect on Macs over DNLA.
@radikaled: @JohnDeLuca: Can you guys shoot me an email and let me know what your settings were and which files you were playing back?
OMG gizmodo = fail
I was able to play "dirty.sexy.money.s01e10.hdtv.xvid-notv.avi" over the network, using wmp11 sharing on vista last night, with no issues.
It was the only thing I tried, if you have some recommendations about other files that are easy to obtain I would be happy to test those as well.
Not sure if it was 5.1 or not, I just had the file available and was able to test functionality.
@thefastest: The PS3 firmware doesn't work on the Xbox.
Gizmodo is supposed to be on top of technology, yet they use WMP11 to stream their "TV" and "Movies" Yeah sure you use WMP11.
Tversity works perfectly fine. And it works for BOTH consoles. It is now bundled with FFDShow so that transcoding is done on the fly. However now with Full Divx/Xvid support. There is no longer a need to transcode.
Why do I feel like BRIAN/JASON are inept at their job? Seriously. How can you jump to the conclusion, and post ANOTHER erroneous story about the PS3? XVID works over the Network. Try using a non-microsoft product on its rival console next time? Its a slap in the face to all of your readers, saying that "OH IT DOESN'T STREAM! BUT YOU CAN COPY IT TO YOUR HDD."
It does stream.
Stop lying. The article needs to speak about Tversity/Nero/Winamp and other fan favorites.
@smitty1123: haha very good point.
i really hope you were joking though and not really thinking that i was attempting to somehow get the ps3 firmware onto the xbox...
Seriously.. Everything streams real nice to the PS3 and plays great if you use TvVersity. It's a free media server and transcodes on the fly. Not sure what the big problem is. I've been using it with the PS3 for a long ass time now.
@Jason Chen: Sure. I can send that when I get home from work later on tonight. I do know that once I enabled the Media Server portion on the PS3, my Vista machine detected it and I had to allow it to share files between the PS3 and Vista. That was really the only setting I had to do. I will e-mail you the file names when I get home later though.
Yeah, I was about to talk of TVersity. it's the best thing to use out there. WMP11 is so slow compared to TVersity, it's not even funny.
Gizmodo fails hard with this.
@vgfanboy: You're right, that does work. I just tested that and added it to the post.
@bob4apples: Same here. I have had no problems streaming XVID with Windows Media Player 11.
@Neight: TVersity transcodes the video, degrading the quality, and this is especially noticeable on an HDTV.
I agree with Neight, TVersity works better than anything else.
and the Ps3 works fine streaming from it. And it's faster than WMP11.
Once again, gizmodo fails.
@jiffy: You can turn off transcoding in TVersity as well, which leaves the rendering to the PS3. This seems to work fine.
@thefastest: Just making a joke. But really, the easiest way to do any of this is just get a wireless mouse/keyboard, a video card with TV out and a bunch of cable. Way easier and cheaper than buying an Xbox or PS3. Still, it's kinda neat that there are some other alternatives...
@Jason Chen: I just sent you an email Jason. I forgot to mention that I am running XP Pro SP2, not Vista like JohnDeLuca. Hope it helps!
To those that can't seem to get this to work.. A few pointers from personal experience...
-Use Tversity
-Install FFDshow and DivX
-Make sure UPNP is enabled in your router. On my ancient Linksys router, it was one check box.
Share some files via TVersity and then reboot the PS3. It should auto search the network and find the media server.
@smitty1123: If I loved alone that would work perfect. Unfortunately, my wife or daughter will most likely be using the tv the my HTPC is hooked up so having a 360 or PS3 to stream programs or movies to makes it possible for me to watch recorded tv or movies in a different room.
@Jason Chen: You do know that windows media player 11 is designed to work for the xbox360 as is their connect software and windows media center OS..?
The xbox360 and microsoft apps interface using a proprietary version of the upnp protocol and tversity and twonky only got it to work by reverse engineering it.
It doesn't kinda work, It works... Why you would base your review(?) on results gotten from using the competitions proprietary software baffles me.
I have both a ps3 and a 360 and In my opinion the playback on the ps3 is better. Picture Sound and UI (when tested using the same video). The ps3 does a much better job auto detecting the right aspect ratio. You don't have to manually set it to letter box etc each time you play a video like on the xbox360.
This is what you typed for the xbox360: Xbox 360 DivX/XviD Playback Tested (Verdict: It's Almost Perfect)
[gizmodo.com]
Seriously what's going on here...
how come some peeps still need tversity?
mine runs divx n xvid directly from vista with no issue
anyway just incase this may or may not help -although this is quite obvious-.. if you're using vista, you need to enable the under network and sharing.
So - Does the PS3 stream any format in surround sound yet? That seems to be the only really big piece of the puzzle that is missing...
To hell with the PS3 vs Xbox360 argument. Stick with XBMC.
Doesn't TVersity transcode? As far as I know, DivX and VxiD via TVersity has worked for a while now (It worked when I first got my PS3, but I didn't feel like keeping yet ANOTHER service running on my PC, so I uninstalled it).
I have problems with some but not all XviD files on my PS3 using WMP11. All DivX files work fine.
oh, silly me, I just read your comment about transcoding above.
Works fine for me on my Mac using EyeConnect.
Ok guys here is more funky stuff. I just tried a multichannel audio xvid file. Good news is that I get the 5.1 output. Here is the strange part. I'm not sure if it's because of the update but I only get the 2 rear channels if I enable rear speaker surround.
I have a 7.1 capable receiver but I don't have the other 2 rear speakers to make it a 7. system. If on my receiver I enable the rear surround speakers (even though I don't have any), then the sound comes out of my surround speakers O_o. SOOo I have to enable 7.1 sound to get 5.1...... O_o
Fortunately, this strange behavior only happens with Xvid/Divx playback.
Sorry guys my explanation is not the best but hopefully you guys understand what I'm talking about.
It's obvious that Gawker media has a pro-Microsoft, anti-Sony bias. When people have a bias, they tend not to think logically and hence you see it in their articles. Everyone is biased, so we're all guilty of it at one time or another.
Xvid works well for me. I prefer to watch movies on my PS3 anyways, as it's quieter and more reliable.
I don't think this has been mentioned, but the blu-ray remote is ideal for this stuff, I kept pushing the wrong button on the sixaxis and restarting the videos when I first started.
The remote is especially good for other people to use it (wife, family, etc).
Also, I don't understand why you would want to use TVersity if transcoding is unnecessary... The WMP11 library is a lot easier to use imho. Clearly if WMP isn't working for you for some reason then it does make sense to use whatever works.
Quick note to people having problems with WMP sharing to ps3, does WMP play the files natively on your PC?
(be sure to install ffdshow if not)