[olug] Tiny computers

[T. J. Brumfield]

On Mon, Apr 5, 2010 at 3:48 PM, nate <nate at bluddclot.com> wrote:
> I know people that use Netflix on the PS3. It works out very well and is
> good quality. The downside is that you have to use Netflix's web-based
> UI on a Windows PC to setup what movies you want to play on the PS3.

You need to go to the Netflix website to add movies to your queue. You
can do this from the PS3's web browser, but you can't pull up the web
browser while using the Netflix UI at the same time. It isn't perfect,
but it isn't terrible. Or you can just fire up the laptop and browser
to Netflix.com to manage your queue.

> However Linux PC is going to be superior in terms of web-based
> entertainment (not Netflix since it's Windows-only on the PC, so far).
> Youtube, Hulu, Amazon, etc etc.  Also Linux has a much wider range of
> media support. The PS3 is going to be very limited in the codecs and
> media it supports... Linux can play just about anything.

The PS3 web browser isn't perfect, but if you just want to browse
Youtube, it isn't terrible. You could easily contend a proper
keyboard/mouse solution is better than a PS3 controller, and I will
agree. However, you can use a keyboard/mouse with the PS3.

Flash on Linux isn't fantastic. If you want a very simple interface
for pulling up web content, the PS3 really isn't that bad.

Let's look head-to-head.

PS3:
Built in video-rental service
BluRay
Netflix
$300
Can use simple PS3 controller or keyboard/mouse (keyboard/mouse can be
a pain from the couch)
Built-in wifi
Quiet

Linux media-center PC:
No Netflix
No BluRay
No built-in video rental service
Must use keyboard/mouse
If you want to match the $300 price-tag, you're likely not going to be
cheap, fast, quiet and have good HD video to boot. Somewhere you're
going to have to compromise.

I do agree that it comes down to what you want, but if this person
doesn't currently have a BluRay player, the PS3 would be the way I'd
go.

-- T. J.