NetBSD TV: The Streaming Video Client

For quite some time I’ve been looking for a streaming video client that would allow me to watch the video files that are stored on my NetBSD server on the TV in the sitting room. I thought that my requirements for such a client were pretty basic:

1. Decent analog video (preferably via a SCART connector) and digitial audio output.
2. An HDMI connector for future use.
3. Support for popular video file formats like DivX and MP4.
4. Doesn’t require a proprietary server software.
5. A good WAF.

But I was wrong. I couldn’t find any streaming video client that met these demands in over a year. When I recently learned that Sony’s Playstation 3 (PS3) supports DivX in newer versions of its firmware my interest was sparked. After a bit of research I found a number of facts in favour of the PS3:

1. The PS3 supports UPnP AV and works fine with MediaTomb, an open source UPnP MediaServer.
2. The PS3 has all the video and audio connectors that I wanted.
3. As the PS3 can also play DVDs it could replace my DVD player. That would not only avoid an increase in the number of devices in the sitting room but also prevent a shortage of SCART ports on the TV.
4. The case of the PS3 is well designed and shiny.
5. In addition to all that the PS3 is also a powerful game console and a Blu-ray Disc player. And I was keen to play Assassin’s Creed anyway.

Based on the above evaluation I came up with a profound business case which was approved by the secretary of domestic affairs straight away (the WAF was even better than anticipated). I bought a Playstation 3 online the next day.