Neither of the new-generation consoles is a particularly good at playing back media – but which one is the least bad? Eurogamer’s Digital Foundry has done an in-depth technical analysis of each console’s media functions, confirming that they’re both pretty bad. Only one is noticeably worse.
Neither console allows users to playback their own media, whether through an attached drive or through DLNA media server file-sharing. That rather limits the amount of stuff you can consume on each system. that blocks out a lot of that illicitly-gained pirated media, but neither console is particularly good for legal media either.
The PlayStation 4, famously, lacks the ability to even play Audio CD’s, but each system is able to play DVD’s and Blu-Ray discs. As far as Blu-Ray playback goes, “both consoles output a pure 1080p image without artificially changing the source material in any way, meaning colour accuracy, sharpness and detail are identical.” That’s great news,if standard Blue-rays are your thing, but any that run at 24fps will cause you headaches, especially on the Xbox One.
“24fps is a core part of the Blu-ray specification, and any modern device worth its salt should be able to correctly handle that frame-rate without issue.” says Eurogamer. “Indeed, the PS3 plays back material at 24Hz flawlessly without introducing any unwanted side effects, and we found the PS4 to be equally solid in this regard. And yet we are on shaky ground with Xbox One. Initially we found the machine outputting a solid 24Hz signal free of any anomalies, but testing a number of discs over a two-hour period revealed some serious audio sync issues where the sound would often lag behind the video by a couple of seconds regardless of what audio setting is selected, making films viewed in this mode unwatchable.”
DVDs don’t fare much better on either system, but there’s an added problem if you want to play PAL DVD’s – i.e, the sort they sell here in South Africa. The Xbox One just completely forgets that the 50hz PAL standard even exists. It instead converts it to 60hz, introducing unwanted judder. and it’s not just in DVDs. It’s everything.
The Xbox One’s complete lack of respect for PAL 50Hz signals across all services – including TV signals from the HDMI input – also extends to playing DVDs, with the machine converting everything to 60Hz. As when viewing live TV through the console, the only way to disable this is to manually force the console into a global 50Hz mode via the dashboard, but then this causes judder in games which are rendered at 60Hz. The situation is far from ideal.
It really reaffirms our belief that Xbox One was made with America in mind. The PS4 isn’t perfect either, and on both consoles there are issues regarding Netflix playback,and playback of just about everything else.
It’s unfortunate for the PlayStation 4, considering that the PS3 is one of the best media playback devices I own. For the Xbox One to be a poor media player though, is downright egregious. It was made to be a media centre that would take over the living room.
It it’s Xbox One’s poor showing overall that saddens us. This is a piece of hardware built from the ground up to be the centre-piece of the living room – but its innovative OneGuide TV functions have no support outside of the USA, there’s zero respect for 50Hz content and there are fundamental problems with playback of disc-based media, while we have issues with the all-important Netflix client, which simply isn’t fit for purpose in its current state.
Improvements will be made on both systems, but right now there’s really no reason to get either machine if media is a primary concern. If you care about media, stick with your PS3 for now…or get anything that runs XBMC.
Last Updated: February 3, 2014
Devon Stanton
February 3, 2014 at 15:36
Haven’t MS already said there is a massive update incoming to fix these issues? Currently watching Netflix and my Blu-Ray’s on my Xbox one (with my voice!) only issue I’ve had is that I can’t say play movie in the movies menu.
Exalted Overlord Geoffrey Tim
February 3, 2014 at 15:41
There’s just been a new BD update, but it still doesn’t address the 24fps issue all that well. Netflix is kak on both machines, presumably updates will be coming for both soon. Eventually, it will all be fixed – point is that neither console is great for media right now.
TiMsTeR1033
February 3, 2014 at 15:59
Once again I am glad to not be a beta tester.
SheHulkNigri
February 3, 2014 at 16:10
So far, the Xbone is not good for media, nor is it doing so well with games when compared to the PS4. Does that sound about right?
Rikus
February 3, 2014 at 16:02
Wait…you can’t say “play movie” in the movies menu?
Devon Stanton
February 3, 2014 at 16:22
no, you can say “play movie” from the xbox home screen but once it gets to the menu it’s kinda stuck I thought it would’ve at least put a select 1 option. but no such luck
Rikus
February 3, 2014 at 16:28
That is funny, but I guess it will come in a future update
Martin du preez
February 3, 2014 at 15:37
Ouch Xbone fails at even TV lol. What then is it good for?
Rags
February 3, 2014 at 15:48
Sports?
Zubayr Bhyat
February 3, 2014 at 22:11
Call of Duty?
Anon A Mouse
February 3, 2014 at 15:51
Ordering pizza?
Rikus
February 3, 2014 at 16:20
…with your voice!
TiMsTeR1033
February 3, 2014 at 15:58
it makes a good paperweight.
Martin du preez
February 3, 2014 at 16:04
I also heard it’s apparently a nifty water cooler as well.
Anon A Mouse
February 3, 2014 at 15:54
Who still plays Blu-ray? I’ve used my PS3 for that but have recently streamed the stuff I want to see. Far more convenient me thinks.
ALKi1234
February 3, 2014 at 16:03
Nothing beats Blu-ray when it comes to eye candy. Ordered BBC Life last week and i’m counting the days.
Purple_Dragon
February 3, 2014 at 20:04
BBC stuff on Blu-Ray is just fantastic.
SheHulkNigri
February 3, 2014 at 16:09
I do. Streaming is a pain in the arse if you do not have a decent line.
Anon A Mouse
February 3, 2014 at 16:17
I do streaming through my 3g card and don’t really have any issues. Even watch a bit of live sport but that’s crap.
Rikus
February 3, 2014 at 15:59
Wow, that is some serious design flaws on the Xbone right there. I mean, the thing was built to watch media. The PS4 I can forgive, since it is not aimed at being an all in One media device, but that is a massive fail on Microsoft’s behalf..
SheHulkNigri
February 3, 2014 at 16:13
I kind of get the feeling the Xbone is going to go the way of the Sega Saturn…
Brady miaau
February 3, 2014 at 16:13
Why the downvote?
Makes sense
Rikus
February 3, 2014 at 16:17
I was also wondering about the downvote. Maybe the person didn’t agree with the PS4 being forgiven. On that note, let me just say that I also want media capabilities on the PS4. In fact, I want all the media capabilities of the PS3 on the PS4. But, the PS4 was released purely gaming machine, with media features to come later. The Xbone was launched as a media machine from the start, and that is why it is a massive fail.
Hammersteyn
February 3, 2014 at 16:28
Don’t worry, we have more upvotes than they have down votes.
Rikus
February 3, 2014 at 16:30
Have an upvote sir
Hammersteyn
February 4, 2014 at 07:31
hehe, have another one as well.
Gr8_Balls_o_Fire
February 3, 2014 at 16:42
Dude what’s your PSN name again? I haven’t had a chance to use the PS until later today hopefully. Cheers
Hammersteyn
February 4, 2014 at 07:31
no worries bud it’s hammer_steyn
Zubayr Bhyat
February 3, 2014 at 22:12
XO Slim is probably going to get a hardware upgrade over the original 😛 New GPU / CPU etc.
Rock789
February 3, 2014 at 16:19
Ouch… Guess it’s another notch for the PS4 belt, then.
DrKiller
February 3, 2014 at 16:27
lol thats very funny! But the best media player, is a Samsung Smart TV running Plex 🙂
Hammersteyn
February 3, 2014 at 16:28
So for a $100 more they don’t even get this right?
UltimateNinjaPandaDudeGuy
February 3, 2014 at 16:31
Would say PS4, but Cinavia… Think about selling my PS3 and just getting a media player. Anyone know of one that works with PS3 Media Player?
DrKiller
February 3, 2014 at 16:32
Get a Samsung Smart TV, it works with EVERYTHING!
PS: PS3 Media Server is old, try using Plex 🙂
UltimateNinjaPandaDudeGuy
February 3, 2014 at 16:34
Does Plex maybe stop that Cinavia thing?
Also I have a Bravia already 🙁 Don’t want to spend all that money on a smart TV really. Promised myself I would never spend more than 4k on a TV.
DrKiller
February 3, 2014 at 16:35
Cinavia are only for BluRay devices… So everything that does not have a BluRay drive, will not have cinavia…
Plex is just better with organising your media.. Trust me.. it does a PROPER job 🙂 Even tells you what you haven’t seen yet!
UltimateNinjaPandaDudeGuy
February 3, 2014 at 16:39
Definitely going to give it a try! I think I am just going to see if I can get a nice media player that works with Plex… Also reading up on this Plex thing now. Looks cool.
Does it do the same thing? Just stream the media?
Exalted Overlord Geoffrey Tim
February 3, 2014 at 17:27
Any DLNA capable player will work with plex, but /native/ Plex support is better.
DrKiller
February 3, 2014 at 18:33
Ultimate Ninja, give me your email address.. I’m sure you would like to know more about Plex, this is just not the place to talk about it 🙂
Guest
February 3, 2014 at 18:36
I was just typing an epic comment actually 😛
Send to stefanfrost@gmail.com
I am deleting this comment straight away after posting. Don’t want my email address on here for all to see 😛
DrKiller
February 3, 2014 at 19:09
Thats fine, I got it 🙂
PS: I see no upvotes on any of my posts.. wtf?
Rikus
February 3, 2014 at 16:33
Cinavia is not only on Sony products. You might also find it on newer bluray players
DrKiller
February 3, 2014 at 16:34
It’s only on BluRay players.. All the new updates for BluRay players “enables” them
Rikus
February 3, 2014 at 16:35
That’s what I was implying
Rikus
February 3, 2014 at 16:38
There are a couple of programs capable re-ripping the video to bypass Cinavia. Just Google it. The unfortunate drawback is you have to rerip everything.
Edit: Just be careful, there are a couple of scammers ready to take your money for Cinavia removal.
Brenz
February 3, 2014 at 18:46
This is such a joke.
Here guys, have a multi media device that it designed to be an all in one home entertainment system, to give you all your “”TV””, gaming and multi media needs all in one. Oh wait, you dont live in the US, well then, here have this big hairy ball to suck on, go on, enjoy, its on us..
Thanks MS, you know, Sony may not be perfect, but at least i dont feel raped.
Stanley Watson
February 4, 2014 at 12:50
Netflix on PS4 working great for me. Hulu+ not, despite 4mbs line and unshaped data.
Yeah, it sucks needing to keep to consoles just in order to be able to play your own media.
That Tall Ork Norm
February 4, 2014 at 13:23
The Xbone has really elevated to a whole new level of ‘suck’.
CAE9872
February 4, 2014 at 13:58
Wow! This will be an interesting read of their full report – DF guys usually pretty good and in-depth. But man, how do you “forget” about Europe/50Hz mode for PAL regions. Did NO-ONE check this? At all?
Too many chefs, too few cooks perhaps?