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Update: see my note at the bottom about native DivX support on your PS3.
Ah, the PlayStation 3 and the iMac G5: two great looking machines packed with powerful hardware and huge potential for media-centre magic. But getting them to talk to each other can be something of a hassle. And getting DivX films to play on your PS3 is still impossible, unless you go down the even more problematic Linux avenue. I spent ages trying to find a good system which would allow me to not only share multimedia content with the PlayStation 3 but which could also transcode DivX/XviD to a readable format for the codec-deficient console.
And I've found it! The solution is to use two applications, one to share your media and one to do the transcoding work. After testing a couple of media server apps, including TwonkyMedia (which I found to offer a very unstable connection), I settled with EyeConnect, a powerful and easy to use media server for Tiger and Leopard which combines a clean, simple interface with a stable network connection to the PS3.
After installing EyeConnect, make sure that it can 'see' your PS3. If it can't, make sure that your PS3 is properly configured to access your home network and that it is set to 'look for' media servers. If you use a firewall, you might also need to make sure that the port EyeConnect wants to connect with is open. Once you can see your PS3, take a look at the other settings in EyeConnect which cover folders, filetypes etc. There's no need to change any of them, though.
Next you need to download a program that can transcode your DivX files to a readable format. The best solution I've found is VisualHub. Once installed, VisualHub is very easy to use: just add your DivX file to its queue, select an output folder (pick the same folder EyeConnect is using for movie files) and then select your transcoding options. The best quality will be found using the 'VCD' template at maximum. Once you've started transcoding, take a look at the relevant folder on the XMB. You should see the DivX file you picked already there, even though the transcoding isn't complete. In MPG format, there is some slight loss of quality but you can play with the display size in the PS3's video menu to get optimal performance.
Hopefully, the PS3 will introduce native support for DivX, rendering the transcoding step unnecessary. But for now, this is a fairly simple system that works. Enjoy!
Update: DivX is coming to the PS3! Not sure when, but this would definitely negate the need for VisualHub. More news on this as it comes.
Update 2: DivX is now fully supported by the PS3. Make sure you install firmware 2.1 and you'll be able to stream DivX/XviD movies straight from your Mac to your PS3 with EyeConnect. So there's no need for VisualHub now. Incidentally, after a few weeks, I'm still really happy with EyeConnect. After the trial ran out, I didn't hesitate to purchase a licensed copy. Which is pretty unusual for me.
I used to be able to stream photos and MP3s from my MacBook to my PS3 over my wireless G network. The wireless network wasn't fast enough to stream video. But then I upgraded EyeTV to 2.5, and the PS3 to 2.1, and now I can only stream photos -- the music has died. I get "Media Server Error 80710736" whenever I try to stream music. DLNA and Mac/PS3 compatibility needs to improve. I'm running: MacBook with EyeTV & Eyeconnect PS3 Airport Extreme LAN (PS3 is wired / MacBook is wireless)
I was using the PS3 as a media centre to stream music and video from my mac. Now it no longer works. Can see photos and the names of the files. But any attempt to play a music or video file results in a 80710736 error. eyeConnect 1.5.1 PS3 - 2.4.0 iMac with os 10.5.3 The whole setup was working fine until PS3 Firmware update 2.40. Any ideas?
Hi Mark - I just checked on my PS3 and it's happening to me too... I'll look into it!
Same for me. I'm using Just installed 2.4.1 and now no .avi files will play. I'm using a mac, EyeConnect and Airport Extreme. "Media Server Error 80710736".
Same here , got to work PS3 with eyeconnect about 4 months ago , since last ps3 update a week ago am getting “Media Server Error 80710736″.am using Imac with , EyeConnect and Airport Extreme.
Same here, Imac, EyeConnect and Aiport Extreme. Error 80710736. No problems before this update. Any fix?
I've looked into it and I can't find any solution. I reckon that EyeConnect needs to be updated. I've tried with Nullriver MediaLink and everything works fine. Disappointing that Elgato don't seem to offer much in the way of updates for EyeConnect. I'll speak to Elgato and try to find out what the problem is.
Same error/problem here. Just downloaded the EyeConnect trial today for my leopard Macbook Pro, and a newly updated PS3. "Media Server Error" "80710736"
There's a knowledge base post on Elgato's website which says that they're aware of the issue. They say:
So it looks like we just have to wait. In the meantime, Nullriver's MediaLink is still working properly.have the same probs as the guys above me but i have bought this programm to stream movies to my ps3 and now it is not working wouldit not be great that this compagny would payed the persons there money back because i think a solution will be a thing for a long breath if they will find a solution so lets c if there is in 2 months from now a solution so 1 oktober
I have the full version of EyeConnect with the newest update for the PS3. I am streaming a movie from my Macbook and have no problems with exceptions to and annoying Network Error 80710736 in the top right corner. Other than it being annoying there are no other problems with playback. It does have a hard time with rew/ff, but it catches up after a bit.
I have an iMac running XBMC with uPnP enabled. The PS3 can find the server just fine, but is unable load all videos and eventually keeps giving this dreaded 80710736 error. I can play some movies too, but the error keeps coming up and the video stutters. Earlier, I was using a PC with Windows and Windows Media Player 11 Media Sharing. It only occasionally gave similar DLNA errors, but that was probably because I had more than 100 gigs of videos there. But still, I had better success with that. I'll try to boot into Windows and see what happens.
Aalaap - I've switched to using MediaLink which seems to offer much better performance than EyeConnect. I recommend giving it a go.
I'm running Media Link, EyeConnect and getting nowhere. The error code 80710736 relates to a network comms issue related to Nat 2 vs Nat 3. Now I am on a wired connection to my iMac through a 1gbps switch and pass data all over the home network at high speed without a glitch but he PS3 has NEVER liked playing content (mostly the movies) Its really starting to burn my patience that the PS3 cant just look for drives. Any suggestions?
PS3 media server http://code.google.com/p/ps3mediaserver/
I have the same error poping all the time. I already tried PS3 Media Server (on PC, it works fine, but my iMac does less noise), on iMac, I have the error. I tried EyeConnect too, but same problem. I am now giving a go to MediaLink and I haven't seen the error yet.
I am using the latest ps3 firmware 2.6 and the latest EyeConnect and I can intermittently stream videos from my Mac but only with the annoying 80710736 error in the upper right. In addition I get the DNLA Media Server error from time to time and need to restart EyeConnect. While I can also browse my Mac's ITunes and IPhoto's folder structure through EyeConnect it is unable to show any actual photos or music. I am on a trial of EyeConnect and regardless whether this is Sony's fault or not I can't see why anyone would buy EyeConnect.
@Coldbeer - unfortunately you're right. Since I wrote the original post, various updates to the PS3 firmware have made EyeConnect and MediaLink virtually useless to me. I'm now testing PS3 Media Server which is open source and seems to work well.
i just got it today eyeconnect on my macbook pro . it plays video and photos and music but it saying on right coner error 80710736 please help somebody.
Hi all i tried PS3 Media server, the best one for me, cos it launches all kind of videos, ts, vobs, mkv, and so on. On pc works fine but on my imac i have the same error like you. Any solution? Regards
@ismet & xavi - error 80710736 refers to a network timeout. Assuming you're streaming wirelessly and the devices are not too far apart, I reckon you're trying to use up too much bandwidth at one time. In PS3 Media Server, go to Transcoding Settings > Encoder settings > Maximum Bandwidth and set the max bandwidth to 14 or 15 (Mbps): this might solve the problem. This is one of the many advantages of PS3 Media Server, as in the competing, paid solutions, you have pretty much no control over things like bandwidth.
Solved the issue (system: MacBook Pro Unibody, PS3 80 Gig, Telekom Router Speedport 702, 100MB auto detect): Reset the PS3 settings in the settings menu. The issue is related to activated services of divx and wma (can only be disabled if disabling all settings, ps3 will reboot, no game settings or profiles deleted). I got no errors for about 2 hrs streaming mkv now :)
I can't "see" my PS3. Where do i go onto the playstation to change the setting?? Im technology impaired!