MP4 or MKV for streaming to PS3

[Carpo]

After a long while I finally have a spare PC that I can use to stream media to my PS3, which format is better suited to stream on PS3?

All the MKV files i have here play ok on it, but I am considering re-encoding all the bluray films I have as I know there is an option in MeGUI for PS3, so I am just wondering on the container

[sneaker_ger]

They should both be work fine for streaming to the PS3. MP4 would have the additional advantage on running natively on the PS3 player via e.g. USB, while MKV is not supported at all (all streaming softwares convert it on the fly to a different format). On the other hand you can not have native multi-channel playback in MP4 on the PS3, so this advantage is kinda moot.
Personally I would continue using MKV with AC3 or DTS* audio just for the better multi-channel support on a variety of cheap consumer devices. You won't be using the PS3 forever.

(* though DTS support is not as good as the AC3 support. Some manufacturers don't want to spend the money for the DTS license.)

[Carpo]

thanks, will stick with MKV/AC3 as I have been :) what about re-converting using PS3 profile? Would you advise that or keep it as DVXA as I have been, mainly as I used to have the PC hooked up to the TV

[sneaker_ger]

Those MeGUI profiles are deprecated, I wouldn't recommend any of those. Just stick to x264's presets, tunings and levels in the up-to-date MeGUI (development) versions for the future. You can keep your existing "DXVA" files.

[Carpo]

thats what i meant, i normaly use film - hgh - 4.1 and then use the target playback device option

PS3

program --level 4.2 --preset slower --tune film --pass 2 --bitrate 1203 --stats ".stats" --qpmin 10 --qpmax 51 --vbv-bufsize 31250 --vbv-maxrate 31250 --colorprim bt709 --transfer bt709 --colormatrix bt709 --output "output" "input"

DXVA

program --level 4.1 --preset slower --tune film --pass 2 --bitrate 1203 --stats ".stats" --qpmin 10 --qpmax 51 --colorprim bt709 --transfer bt709 --colormatrix bt709 --output "output" "input"

As you say I wont be using the PS3 for ever so should I just stick to the DXVA option?

[sneaker_ger]

Both settings seem to be fine, but I would remove "--qpmin 10 --qpmax 51" unless you have a valid reason to set those. I'd keep level at 4.1, because level 4.2 does not make any sense with vbv values set to 31250. While using vbv can be a good idea for compatibility I don't know who came up with those values - I'll ask in the MeGUI thread about that.