Man the sqeezebox has a nice UI and everything, but in my case other than a fancy UI it does a fraction of what the PS3 is capable of in terms of steaming media.

The PS3 will stream media from a computer running a UPnP media server application (Tversity for example). You can set up tversity to on the fly transcode almost any non-DRMed audio or video file into a format the PS3 will play. Tversity also supports streaming internet radio to clients. Although, I haven’t tried this myself. The main thing holding the PS3 back as a media hub is that the PS3’s UI for media files isn’t exactly stellar…

What sony really needs to do is partner with adobe to get Flash 9 ported to the PPC/Cell architecture and then add it to the PS3 as a firmware update. If they did that, you could use services like pandora and imeem for music and hulu for TV all from your PS3’s web browser. I’m not holding my breath for flash 9 support, since I don’t expect any sony adobe partnerships. I would be very surprised if the PS3 didn’t receive many media related updates during the life cycle of the PS3 hardware.

Clint, if you want to get away from your PC. Just get a USB external HDD format it as fat32 and create MUSIC, PICTURE, and VIDEO folders, and plug it into your PS3. If your digital music collection is wav/mp3 your good to go… Minus the squeezebox remote fanciness.

In regards to downloading a first run movie vs. going out to the theatre:

1) As things stand right now, I would easily and gladly buy a box and pay $20 to be able to watch first run movies at home. My TV looks better than the movie theatres (which are washed out because the green exit lights shine right onto the screen and they never close the lobby doors!) and my sound system kicks the crap out of the local movie theatres.

More than any of that though, it’s the people. I hate having people with their feet up on the back of my chair! And it isn’t any better if they are one seat over – the seats are all connected! I hate the rudeness, the constant cell phones calls and texting…it is just plain unpleasant 🙁

BUT…

2) What I would love way more than being able to download first run movies at home would be for some rich company to open a movie theatre and actually CARE about the experience. I want screens without stains on them. I want screens without rips or visible seems in them. I want projectors without half-dead bulbs. I want lobby doors closed and exit signs designed so that they do not throw light onto the screen!

I want awesome sound! Speakers that are not blown. Speakers that are not distorting. Amps that are not underpowered.

But MOST of all, I want ushers! I want people on cell phones kicked out. I want people with their cell phones open the whole movie (texting) so that the bright screen light distracts me while I’m sitting further back in the theatre – I want them kicked out! I want people with their feet up on the backs of the seats to be told to put their feet down. And honestly, I want a system where to get in, you have to show your ID and have your information taken down and stored. And if you cause a problem 3 times? You’re banned for a year!

Make a theatre like that and I would go see 2 movies a week probably and I would pay $15 a head every time! I LOVE movies, but I hate the theatres and I hate the rude people with no manners. As it stands, I see maybe 1 movie a year in the theatre.

So tell me, how is that making the studios any money? They get my money when I buy or rent a Blu-ray or DVD, but just think of how much MORE money they would make if I paid $20 to watch a first run movie at home or $15 a head to see one in a pleasant theatre and ALSO still bought the ones that I really liked!

I want the People’s Republic of Rob to start a movie theater chain!

lol – that should be Audioholics’ next big thing: start a movie theatre chain! I will let you use all of my ideas for a mere 10% of all gross revenue :p

Great Show!!! hope you get Gene more often Tom!