PS2 as a media player from your PC

[Mok_the_magic_man]

You talked about this on the show and I have never heard of this before. So am I to understand your PS2 acts like a go between from the PC to your PS2 to your TV through the network connection? What did the $30.00 media package have in it? Was it just a disk or hardware? What files CAN'T you watch from your PC through this connection? Do you have a link to more info on this. This sounds like something I would like to set up as well. :lol:

[Shane R. Monroe]

Its called GAMESHARK MEDIA PLAYER.

The package comes with 2 CDs .. one for your PC and one for the PS2.

You install the software on your PC, and you can then run a 'media server'. You can set permissions, folders, etc.

You then boot the PS2 up with the other disc. It scans your LAN to find server(s). You choose the server, log in as it were, and you then have a file browser.

Queue up all the movies or pictures you want, then hit play. The media then streams from the server to the PS2 to your screen.

You can tell it was designed to play DivX (grrrr) but it DOES support Xvid and all forms of MPG. However, anything with too high of bitrate (say an SVCD) will hiccup and break up. But, VCD and Xvid work a treat.

Search Google .. you'll find it.

The nice thing is, the client server model allows the application to be updated all the time from them... Its updated a couple times since I got it.

[Dragon57]

Shane,
How is your PS2 connected to your media server, wireless, 10 or 100Mbit? I was curious if bandwith was the issue with jerky video or not.

I may be in the market for a PS2 and if this media player thingy works well for all my video, that may push me over the edge to get one.

TIA

[Shane R. Monroe]

Everything is hardwired ... 100 mbit.

I double checked -- I thought the same thing -- maybe there was a 10mbit hump somewhere, but I'm afraid it just isn't so.

I'm curious why they don't offer a buffering system for SVCD. They actually advertise MPG2, which doesn't make sense - since all MPG2 would probably be too beefy to move across.

I'd be interested in anyone else's experience.

[Dragon57]

Something has got to be wrong with the client/server software if you can't stream SVCD via 100Mbit. I have my laptop temporarily connected to my big screen via the tv-out port and I stream SVCD via a 802.11b wireless connection from it back to my server and I have no problems at all.

[Nectar]

Sounds interesting. Too bad my PS2 doesn't read CDs ... but I'm thinking of buying a new one.

Does it stream sound as well or would I have to rely on my PC speakers?

[Shane R. Monroe]

Its all through the PS2.

[Mok_the_magic_man]

I am really intrigued by this product. I have a few more questions.

Can you control a movie from the PS2 or do you have to run to your computer turn it on and run back to your PS2? Does the software have it's own movie player interface?

Does it have any sort of cool graphic animation for when it plays MP3's?

Have you ever come across a movie format that you wanted to use that wouldn't work? What do you wish it could do that it doesn't?

This really seems like a cool way to connect my PC Media to my living room big screen tv without having to burn disks all the time!!! Yay!

[Shane R. Monroe]

You control it 100% with the PS2 controller. ONce the media server is running on the PC, you set and forget.

The software has a very usable interface .. takes some getting used to tho. You can do everything you need - including FFW and REW.

I haven't tried MP3s yet. I could ...

Yeah, it won't play SVCDs well enough to stream.

Its quite cool if you have no whitebox connected.