Sony and home networks

[Jumpinbeans]

Has anyone heard anything about whether Sony will add the ability to browse and stream from home networked devices in any upcoming patches for the PS3. For me it seems that it is the one key thing missing for the console........well that and GT.

[gtech]

Nope sorry mate, not sure about that probably cus i got no need for it ... yet!!, what are you trying to stream from???

[Nick]

There is rumour of a third party app that will allow streaming.

Of course, you can install Linux on the PS3 and then go from there.

But right now there's no native support for any sort of media streaming over a network.

This, to my mind, is the PS3's biggest failing as it leaves it firmly in the 'games console' category, whereas the Xbox 360 has proved that being able to do more adds value to the product... and those extras are things that people actually use.

[Barrichello]

There is rumour of a third party app

This, to my mind, is the PS3's biggest failing as it leaves it firmly in the 'games console' category, whereas the Xbox 360 has proved that being able to do more adds value to the product... and those extras are things that people actually use.

Not at all.

I use my PS3 alot more than my 360 now.

Its not just for games, its also my main media medium with Linux installed. Also watch loads of Blue ray films, and the "FREE" internet play is nice as well.

360 is collecting dust now tbh.

[Nick]

Yes, but how many people are going to run Linux on their PS3?

The point is, the Xbox 360 does all this without having to run a separate OS. It's properly integrated into a network whereas the PS3 isn't.

Sure, for the tech savvy, setting up the PS3 for streaming is do-able, but even then, how many tech savvy folk can be bothered? Not as many as you'd think, by a long way.

Now, if Sony can sort out some proper media streaming, perhaps even swallow a bit of pride and pay a bit of cash, the PS3, streaming everything over the network and upscaling to HD resolutions will find itself pushing to take over from my Xbox 360 as the media extender of choice.

[bigblue]

Spot on. I imagine I'm more tech savvy than average, and I certainly have the ability, but I don't plan on even bothering with Linux on the PS3.

I LOVE the media facilities on the 360. And I love the fact they're so straightforward my missus can use them. If her pals come round, she can be boring them with our holiday snaps in no time at all. I don't think MS actually make enough of a play about the media extending.

I was going to trade in my 360 just now then replace it with an Elite (if we ever see it) later. Decided against it as I can just use the current 360 as a MCE box in the bedroom and put the Elite in the living room. I don't see me having multiple PS3's somehow.

And how much is a MCE extender, $200 or so ? Added value ? I think so. Blu-ray player in the PS3 is very nice, but as with the PS2 and DVD you'll soon want to buy a better standalone player. Well, that is, if the market ever matures...

[Veles]

So far I havn't made use of the 360's media streaming functionality, but that is down to it being right next to my PC XD If I were to have a HDTV somewhere elsewhere, I think media sharing would be somthing I'd use more though, it's definitely a cheaper alternative to an HTPC. Would be great if Sony could add streaming functionality, not sure I can see it happening though.