Which is a better Hi-Def Player: MacBook (Early 2008) or PS3?

jyhash said:

My home theatre is set up to run Boxee Media Center through a 2.4GHz MacBook from '08, but I also have a PS3 hooked up to play Blu-Ray's and games. Am I shooting myself in the foot (i.e. losing Hi-Def quality) by using the MacBook as my MKV and m2ts Player instead of the PS3? I have them both hooked up the same way (kinda): Mac>Mini-DVI>HDMI and PS3>HDMI, but does the PS3 process the HD videos a better way than the MacBook?

Just curious.

~JYH

Click to expand...

PS3 period!

interface aside, what type of hidef will u be playing?

1080p WILL choke on macbooks... while ps3 plays m2ts 1080p files like bluray.

PS3 purely because of HDMI I'd say...

PS3, and the PS3 interface isn't exactly bad. Simply and easy to understand. Remember that you can also create a media server on your computer (just by installing something like Vuze) and stream it to your PS3 if it's on your computer.

jyhash said:

It does kind of piss me off though that with my media center interface (even when set on 720p in the macbook display settings) there is about a 1 inch black border around the screen that just WON'T go away that kinda pisses me off

Click to expand...

what brand and model is your tv?

I have a LG LCD, and there is a "just scan" option in the aspect ratios. Also i discovered by labeling the input as pc, the tv made all the corrections, and it works fine.

jyhash said:

Um, if you read the original post, I have a MiniDVI to HDMI adapter. So it is running in Hi-Def. Your Comment is irrelevant.

Click to expand...

I'd say it is relevant, seeing as the PS3 will be running video AND audio over HDMI. But, each to their own.

jyhash said:

No it's not. There's no point. If I run Video and Audio over HDMI, it negates the point of me using my Digital audio on my PS3 or MacBook running to my Amp, 7.1 Surround sound, and Sub. This really isn't to do with bundling audio at all as much as it is asking which graphics card and rendering engine does a better job with the HD Video Files, and as I'm putting HD video out over HDMI with both the Mac and the PS3, I'm still using HDMI for the video.

Click to expand...

I guess someone from an engineering perspective can answer that. I for one dont have the patience to use any PC as a Media Center.
PS3 is basic plug and play for me.
I remember the time spent on modding my XBox.
I sure dont miss those days

jyhash said:

No it's not. There's no point. If I run Video and Audio over HDMI, it negates the point of me using my Digital audio on my PS3 or MacBook running to my Amp, 7.1 Surround sound, and Sub. This really isn't to do with bundling audio at all as much as it is asking which graphics card and rendering engine does a better job with the HD Video Files, and as I'm putting HD video out over HDMI with both the Mac and the PS3, I'm still using HDMI for the video.

Click to expand...

I get the same from a single HDMI cable to my AV processor from the PS3. But, as I said, each to their own.
The PS3 has (on paper at least) a better graphics subsystem, being based on the GeForce 7800, whereas I would assume your MacBook is a X3100 Intel chipset. Both will be able to decode Full HD and when properly set up will probably be hard to distinguish from one another on a display.
One advantage of the MacBook is that you can use a multitude of applications as a media player, whereas you have a single choice on the PS3.
The PS3 is going to be a more integrated neater looking solution and will have a quicker startup time and probably be quieter in use.
The PS3 also has a BluRay player (and a very good one at that), which, depending on which model you have may also play SACD's - and also plays games...