In a world of all-in-one devices, it should come as no surprise that Sony’s PlayStation 3 made our list of the best home media servers. Sony has done everything it can to turn the PS3 into a complete media center. Armed with Blu-ray player compatibility, internal storage for personal media, web connectivity, and some of the most forward-thinking hardware available, it becomes clear why this device made our list of the best media servers.
The PlayStation 3 home media server supports every movie resolution that you could need, including the high-definition widescreen standard of 1080p. It also comes with several extra features that other media players do not, including 3D movie compatibility (with firmware update) and support for the amazing 240Hz refresh rate on TVs. If you want a media center that will play almost anything you can throw at it, the PlayStation 3 is a fantastic option.
The PlayStation Network allows you to purchase or rent movies and TV shows via their proprietary network and store. You also have access to Hulu and Netflix through applications that you can operate from your PlayStation system. So whether you choose to stream your favorite movies through Netflix, purchase them and store them on your PS3’s hard drive, or stream them from a computer or media server in your home, the PlayStation 3 will meet your every need.
With 320GB of internal storage, the PlayStation 3 provides ample space for a healthy selection of stored movies, photos, music and other media. The device can’t serve media to other devices like a traditional server, but it can stream media from any computer with sharing turned on and even boasts its own hard drive for storage if needed. The only thing Sony’s game console lacks in this area is the ability to purchase music; you can stream through some custom radio apps like Pandora, but you won’t be able to buy songs anywhere.
The PlayStation Network’s library of apps for internet content is extensive, and every one of the major players in the respective media markets is covered: YouTube and Hulu for TV shows, Netflix for movies, Pandora for radio and Flickr for photos. You’ll be free to do almost anything you want on the PS3, including what a traditional home media server can provide.
The home media server interface that the PlayStation 3 uses is intuitive and easy to navigate. We had no problem locating specific features and navigating to each of the options we needed to use. We’re confident that your experience will be similarly simple and painless.
While the PlayStation’s proprietary store has had a few problems with security in the past, it is largely a well-supported and sound media network. If you have specific questions, their FAQs section will give you plenty of answers. Though, if you find you need further assistance, you can contact Sony via phone or email.
While it cannot serve content to other devices, the PlayStation 3 makes a great home media server for your primary television, giving you access to all of your stored media on shared computers as well as its own hard drive. This device will serve you well, however you choose to use it.
