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Digital Foundry: PS4 vs Xbox One: which is the better media player?

E

ElTorro

I wanted to dominate the living room. Then I took an ESRAM in the knee.
http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/d...-vs-xbox-one-which-is-the-better-media-player

User reports of compromised 24Hz playback on the Xbox One, however, are disturbing for a console so heavily focused on non-gaming usage. 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. 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.

At this point in time the solution is to switch the Xbox One to 60Hz when playing Blu-ray discs, but doing so introduces noticeable judder as the 24fps source is displayed unevenly through a 60Hz output - not exactly an ideal fix. In fact, we noticed some judder when using 24Hz playback from time to time, indicating that the Xbox One isn't always correctly handling this frame-rate. Microsoft is aware of these issues and is investigating the cause, but there's so sign of an update to fix it thus far - a particular disappointment given the Xbox One's huge multimedia focus.
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In encountered that issue myself, but an update of the Blu-Ray player app a few days ago seems to have fixed it.

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.
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It's early days for the next-generation consoles and right now both Sony and Microsoft are still working on getting a number of features up and running on their respective platforms, indicating that neither system was truly finished in the run-up to launch. With Microsoft in particular, we understand that resources were strained owing to the last minute decision to drop the cloud-based DRM in favour of a disc alternative, necessitating a large repurposing of internal resources. But the bottom line is clear - across a range of media tests, both Xbox One and PS4 have their issues, while the last-gen PlayStation 3 copes brilliantly in almost all scenarios.

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.

If your primary media consumption lies with 1080p Blu-ray, the PS4 is generally up to the task, performing as well as any standalone player in this regard, bar the odd incompatibility issue. However, the console's handling of DVD content and 1080i Blu-rays will upset the purists given Sony's previous media focus with the PS3, which generally does everything right. However, it's clear that of the two next-gen machines, the PS4 offers the preferable experience right now in terms of general usage - even though there are some issues with the key Netflix and LoveFilm apps.
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With that in mind, it's currently hard to give a concrete endorsement to either next-gen console as a direct media hub replacement for the PS3 when there are so many issues. Some of the intermittent bugs are annoying to deal with and make the whole experience more frustrating than it should be, and the lack of quality assurance in general is disappointing - even basic testing shows up some serious issues that shouldn't have made their way into a shipping product, especially on Xbox One. This is a shame considering that picture quality for 1080p content is accurately displayed on both machines, and there has been some thought into the number of configurable audio/video options available on each system.

With a bit more time and work we could see the PS4 and Xbox One deliver an even more engaging entertainment experience than previous consoles, merging gaming, user-uploaded content, film and TV into one bespoke package that complements the modern loving room. But as of now, just getting the core functionality completely nailed would be a start - and in that respect, the stalwart PlayStation 3 covers all bases.
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As EuroGAFer and somebody with an extensive Blu-Ray collection, I approve this message. Hope that future patches will fix the XBO. I'd still like to prefer it for media playback just because I can control it with my Logitech Harmony.

Lip-sync me if old.
 
Clearly Sony focused on the game part of the PS4 OS. PS3 is still best for bluray, and yet far behind some open source software
 
Interesting. Personally I wouldn't use either of them as media players until they fix some of the jank. Ps3 is still preferable for media if you had to choose a console to watch on.
 
I agree with their conclusion, they've both regressed. I expected to pack up my PS3 but it's media features and PS+ keep it next to the PS4.
 
That's too bad for both the xbone and the ps4. I am beginning to outgrow my ps3 as a media player, and if either new console had actually surpassed it in functionality I might have been looking to pick one up now instead of a year or so from now when they have a substantial game library.
 
It's kind of embarrassing that a 35 USD RPI running OSS can easily best either of the new consoles when it comes to media playback. Especially so for the X1, given that that was one of the differentiators that was supposed to justify its exorbitant pricing.
 
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.
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They still haven't fixed this?

Embarrassing....
 
As somebody who pretty much just uses Crunchyroll exclusively the PS4 is a godsend. PS3 app was ass and PS4 runs smoother and more stable than using it on the PC where it will freeze and lock up whenever it feels like it.

Definitely fall into a weird niche but yeah. Unfortunate that the other stuff doesn't apparently work as well for both systems.
 
Jack all of all trades, Master of none?
Eh it's kinda weird MS doesn't have all the media features up to par, but I reckon these are minor issues.
Still embarresing for something that calls itself the All-In-One Entertainment system.
 
Sony also make some excellent standalone BR players with Netflix/etc built in ;)

Bonus: you can get them region hacked to play A,B and C discs too.
 
Until a Plex client comes to the Bone, I will have my Roku plugged into the HDMI-in. That has worked flawlessly for me so far.
 
Miles Quaritch said:
They still haven't fixed this?

Embarrassing....
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There was an update to the Blu-Ray player app a few days ago. I tested only one Blu-Ray with that version, but it had no lip-sync issues at 24p. So maybe they fixed it.

morpix said:
My PS3 isn't going anywhere, but I am surprised the XBone does so poorly.
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Yeah. As somebody who has both consoles, I just don't get the quite widespread meme that the XBO is the better media player. Currently, that verdict is highly disputable. The only benefits that I would give it right now, are HDMI-In and support for Logitech remote controls.
 
Really disappointing for both, But how can Microsoft fail so hard in that aspect as it was part of their main focus, the "all in one" that was supposed to replace all devices?

And even here PS4 gets the edge between the 2, it's like they can't do anything right or at least better than sony, really pathetic.

But sony are not saint either, how can they produce a worst product than their previous one that came out years ago?

Really annoyed by that article, i really expected more on that front from my next gen system.
 
They're both pretty bad as media players imho. My Roku 3 eats them alive. I'm sure they'll improve over time though its puzzling to me why they didn't start off at the baseline level of functionality established by the 360 and the PS3.
 
Another disappointing fact is that you cannot select different languages in Xbox Video at all. (It's the same issue with the 360 though.) That fact alone keeps me from renting movies there. I am still using my Apple TV for that.
 
I simply have no desire to have my game console to be an all-capable media hub. I use it for games and sometimes video services.
 
I use my HTPC for all media related stuff that is not TV. However, it is annoying that PS4 is missing features which the PS3 had.

I really hope Sony adds those features.
 
I still use the PS3 for USB-based playback, but have had no issues with BD/DVD playback or Netflix on my 4. I don't have any 1080i BDs so that's a complete irrelevance AFAIC.

I'm pretty relaxed about the USB thing since I've decided the next TV I buy will be able to run USB playback natively.

I found the comments about Lovefilm/Amazon interesting tho because they're why I un-subbed from the service back when it was just Lovefilm on the 3.

Shocked about the XBone tho - still miles away from its centre of the living room concept outside the US.
 
If only they made <$100 Blu-ray players that outperform both of them and didn't increase wear on what I'm sure will be a sturdy BD drive in the consoles.
 
Miles Quaritch said:
Would be nice if MS announced they were releasing patches...ah well, will boot up the console later and download the update.
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I did have to manually set my resolution to 1080p and reboot my console to get it to work right, though. Bizarre fix, but it was recommended by Xbox Support and seems to have worked.
 
Why oh why did MS focus on kinect?
It has no place within the windows ecosystem or my living room. I'm hoping the new CEO ditches it.
 
It's odd. I live in a PAL country and haven't had these issues. I run my Sky box through my Xbox One fine. Is it just a UK thing? Or does NZ Sky do 60Hz? Blu-rays and DVDs have been fine, too. The only problem I had was the 576i output from my Freeview box's HDMI was just something the Xbox couldn't deal with.
 
The PS4 situation while a bit of a surprise compared to the PS3 although I suspect in their case it's more about focusing on a simple/fast GUI for launch that focused on games and basic media apps. It should catch up with PS3 in time via firmware updates (although I do remain a little concerned about their pushing of their services in the dash for media and lack of openness at the moment for your own media playback).

The XB1 though is a big surprise given the huge focus on TV/Media to the extent the console even has an HDMI in as well as output channels. Just seems like further confirmation of rushing to market before they were fully ready. I do wonder what they're going to do with some of the issues for PAL market though - while casual buyers won't be aware until its too late anyone serious about the media side will likely do their homework.

Ironic that out of the PS3/360/PS4/XB1 the PS3 remains the best for general media purposes whether physical media, digital media or streaming of your own media.
 
I'm of the understanding that PS3's media features improved over time so I'm not shocked. I use netflix on PS4 a lot and it gets the job done. Still have the trusty PS3 for bluray.
 
So if they didn't concentrate on media, didn't concentrate as powerful gaming console. Then what the hell did xb1 concentration was? I honestly don't get it. it really is a gimp 360
 
So the early adopters are basically beta testers. It is truly embarrassing for products to be released with such blatant flaws.
 
beast786 said:
So if they didn't concentrate on media, didn't concentrate as powerful gaming console. Then what the hell did xb1 concentration was? I honestly don't get it. it really is a gimp 360
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KI machine? (at least that's all it would be for me if I got one)
 
Meh, works just fine as a BluRay player and NetFlix player when needed... for Disney movies and certain cartoons for my daughter. I do admit that my Ps3 is FAR superior in both regards for the Bluetooth remote alone. Kinect is easy for BluRays but not so much for NetFlix. Espcially searching... ugh!
 
upJTboogie said:
I agree with their conclusion, they've both regressed. I expected to pack up my PS3 but it's media features and PS+ keep it next to the PS4.
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Pretty much. THere is no need for me to use either of them as I already have solutions in place that do what I want.


It would be nice if they did it better than what I currently do, but their both below average IMO
 
Not the ps4. Cannot believed they removed the media streaming feature. Had to buy a roku to use plex. Can't speak for xbox 1
 
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