XBOX Vs PS3 Vs Gaming computer

[scottmandue]

Ok, want to use this as a entertainment unit and Internet access... not primarily as a gaming unit.

But gaming is a plus.

Mostly want to watch video... blue ray and stream off Internet... what is the quality of torrent off the Internet?

I would like 1080p, 5.1 surround, and the ability to surf the net and do email.

Being a tech I like that the computer has more power... however the XBOX, PS3 are MUCH less expensive.

[bivenator]

PS3 will do most of what you want. I have found the quality of streaming movies depends more on connection speed than the hardware playing it. I think the PS3 is the only with blue-ray, unless xbox has added it recently. I have a large hard drive in the PS3 and store music and movies. Works well for me.

[stomachmonkey]

Originally Posted by scottmandue

Ok, want to use this as a entertainment unit and Internet access... not primarily as a gaming unit.

But gaming is a plus.

Mostly want to watch video... blue ray and stream off Internet... what is the quality of torrent off the Internet?

I would like 1080p, 5.1 surround, and the ability to surf the net and do email.

Being a tech I like that the computer has more power... however the XBOX, PS3 are MUCH less expensive.

Xbox's and PS3's are quite capable pieces of hardware.

MSFT and Sony sell them for less than cost, somewhere around $300 less. Meaning a PS3 should have cost closer to $1,000.

They make up the loss on software sales, least that's the idea.

Torrents off the net can be great quality or crap, just depends on who converted and posted the content.

Personally I'd go for a Windows Media PC and be done with it.

[Head416]

I pay $8/month to watch tv on my PS3 via Hulu Plus. Pretty happy with it. Also watch Netflix on it. The thing is, you are restricted to apps they have for the device, not just going to any website and watching whatever you want. For example, I have to watch The Office through the Hulu Plus app, I can't watch it by going to NBC.com like I could from a PC.

[scottmandue]

Originally Posted by Head416

I pay $8/month to watch tv on my PS3 via Hulu Plus. Pretty happy with it. Also watch Netflix on it. The thing is, you are restricted to apps they have for the device, not just going to any website and watching whatever you want. For example, I have to watch The Office through the Hulu Plus app, I can't watch it by going to NBC.com like I could from a PC.

Can you do that with an XBOX (watch at NBC.com)?

Another problem with the PC (besides costing twice as much as a XBOX or PS3) we have bluetooth mouse/keyboards here at work, they seem to drop out a lot when you get over 5 or 6 feet away. Sitting on my couch I presume I would be 6 to 8 feet away from the PC.

Wife likes the kinect thing... but it is not a make or break for me (not sure how much we would really use it) like I said it is more of a TV/Internet box for me so it comes down to which is better at that.

[John Rogers]

At the end of last year I upgraded my home PC as it had been humming right along for about 3 years and here is what I did: AMDx6 CPU, ASUS motherboard that was made specifically for it, NVidia graphics card with 3GB RAM using the HDMI out to a 40 inch Sony Bravia HDTV. I have a TV tuner card so I can watch Dish Network satellite TV and with internet access I can also watch anything online. I reused the 4 1TB drives as they are fairly new but added a couple of new DVD players/burners as they are SATA and a bit faster than the old ones. Several things I found out later were that I could assign all the services and background tasks to one "core" leaving the others free to do video, etc. The cores can be over clocked if needed but so far the most I have had the power up to is about 10% total?!

Some things to consider, if you want to watch text such as what I am typing, make sure that the HDTV has the ability to view "PC" HDMI as regular HDMI is mainly for video or movement. The text will end up being very fuzzy and impossible to read.

Additionally the speed of the internet connection will determine how well things run with streaming video so fastest is best. I have several students that run T-1 lines and have dual processor motherboard machines as they are serious gamers!!!!

[Head416]

Originally Posted by scottmandue

Can you do that with an XBOX (watch at NBC.com)?

Not sure, I only have the PS3.

[stomachmonkey]

Boxee - Watch Movies, TV Shows and clips from the Internet on your TV.

[nynor]

computer user, here. my PC is also attached to a large TV and the stereo. it has been my entertainment system for 15 years, like this. the computer itself has evolved, of course. frankly, i just don't like gaming systems. i play computer games, but i prefer the adaptability of a keyboard and mouse, and i have a joystick, rudder pedals, and console style game controller. i also have a custom built (by me) controller to play 720 (that's right, the skateboarding game from about 1986 (skate or die!)) i find that the PC fits my uses better and is more adaptable. for about $1000, you can build a screaming PC. i am pretty sure i could put together a pretty good one for about $500.

that said, i am a computer tech (paid) from way back, so if something breaks/dies/viruses i can fix it quick and i have tons of spare part lying about the basement.

YMMV.

[stomachmonkey]

Spare MacBook hooked up via DVI to 61" screen.

Controlled via VNC by another laptop/iPhone/tablet.

[scottmandue]

I am a tech... however unlike most of you tech's when I get home I like to unplug and the last thing I want to do is fool around with a computer... or play tech support if/when the thing has problems.

That is why I am leaning toward the K.I.S of a game box.

That and my wife is very low tech and I want her to be able to interact with the thing (without giving me a call).

[stomachmonkey]

Originally Posted by scottmandue

I am a tech... however unlike most of you tech's when I get home I like to unplug and the last thing I want to do is fool around with a computer... or play tech support if/when the thing has problems.

That is why I am leaning toward the K.I.S of a game box.

That and my wife is very low tech and I want her to be able to interact with the thing (without giving me a call).

Seriously then look at a Boxee.

Much cheaper than a gaming console and all you lose is the gaming aspect.

I picked up a Sony Blu Ray for $80 at Costco last month, has Hulu, Netflix, Pandora etc... built in. Have to check if it has a built in browser, not sure on that.

If you go gaming rig then do the Xbox. The PS3 will drive you up a wall, every time my kid turns it on there is a new system update and it's minimum 30 minutes before he can even begin to play.

Sure you can set it to autoupdate in the middle of the night but I like to be able to decline an update if I choose. Like when they killed the ability to have Linux installed as an alternate OS.

[scottmandue]

Originally Posted by stomachmonkey

Seriously then look at a Boxee.

Thanks!

Either this or the XBOX will do.

[PorscheGAL]

Just going to throw this out there. If you have the intention of online game play, you have to pay monthly on Xbox but not the Playstation.

[intakexhaust]

I use a small dual core HP 12.1 inch tablet laptop (iPad type screen but full PC proc.) screen flips around and with the Xbox 360 wireless adapter. 4 gig ram, decent graphics. Windows 7 Ultimate. Use the media center and never ending freebies from MS. They giveaway so many other incredible programs, including for program developers. Just register a clean 7 Ultimate O.S. , email them for whatever you need and its usually free. For gaming, sometimes I use two 360 controllers for some Madden NFL and another player. No sweat. I also use this laptop for an online GPL and R-factor racing league. Also, if a monitor or large TV is available, I plug in and go. Good for LAN racing parties, whatever. Everything packs into this little amazing device. I do push this thing all day for ACAD, biz, website work, play time so it does run hotter than norm.

[stomachmonkey]

One thing about gaming consoles.

The fans can be loud.

Xbox's were originally noisy, got quitter but the current crop are noisy again, some more/less than others.

So you may not want it to close to where you're sitting.

Enclosing them won't work as they'll more than likely overheat or die a premature death.