H.264 encoder coming to PS3

by Andrew Yoon { Apr 17th 2009 at 12:30PM }

Here's another way to harness the power of the PS3's Cell chip. Fixstars Corporation of Japan has announced CodecSys CE-10, the first H.264 encoder that's designed specifically for the PS3. The product will be showcased at the National Association of Broadcasters show in Las Vegas starting April 20th. The CE-10 software will be installed on a PC, but will somehow allow users to access the power of the PS3 as a way of accelerating video encoding. Fixstars is promising "ultra fast HD encoding" and "high quality low bit rate compression," targeted at the prosumer market at a prosumer price.

When questioned further on how the PS3 would interface with the CE-10 program, we were provided this rather useful document (pictured above). It appears the PS3 will need Linux installed, severely limiting its accessibility to all but hardcore PS3 owners. Considering the rather specific demands of this application, perhaps that makes sense.

CE-10 will be available for purchase in June 2009. For burgeoning HD filmmakers, this should be a very cheap way of turning the PS3 into a powerful piece of video hardware. Also, did we really just say "prosumer?"

Tags: ce-10, cell, codecsys, encoding, fixstars, h.264, nab2009, ps3, video

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Marty McFly @ Apr 17th 2009 12:38PM

I'm guessing that Prosumer is going to mean a high cost product. :( If the price isn't too high, I'd consider it as I'm sure many other people would as well. It would also finally give me an excuse to install Linux on my PS3 and upgrade my HDD. :)

Andrew Yoon @ Apr 17th 2009 12:51PM

The Prosumer range is usually reserved for regular consumers that want to create professional quality stuff. They're usually enthusiasts that are willing to pay more than what the average consumer will spend, but way less than what professionals have to pay.

omf @ Apr 17th 2009 12:40PM

Funny - I was just thinking about a solution like this the other day.

Surfaced @ Apr 17th 2009 5:52PM

Looks like you were beat to it. XD

omf @ Apr 18th 2009 12:34AM

Story of my life...

lxicon @ Apr 17th 2009 12:51PM

where can i get some of this "Flush Memory" as described in the graphic? :)

Devin @ Apr 17th 2009 1:57PM

damn! you beat me to it.

Ander Peevy @ Apr 17th 2009 2:49PM

and the U is so far away from the A on a keyboard, man.

William @ Apr 17th 2009 12:54PM

I wonder how it compares to power and price versus just setting up a new computer with Linux on it?

Brad Grenz @ Apr 18th 2009 3:39AM

Most linux PCs don't have Cell processors to accelerate h.264 encodes. So be sure to include the price of 2 spurs engine cards to your equation. Linux isn't the point of this product. Leveraging the Cell for time consuming encodes is.

Dahk @ Apr 17th 2009 12:55PM

Wow, does anyone still use Linux on their PS3?

It was cool at first, as a sorta... gimmicky project thing, but it's a tad impractical lol.

Devin @ Apr 17th 2009 2:01PM

I agree. The emulators were a HUGE pain in the ass to setup and even then they didn't work right. Most won't work full-screen and getting the DS3's to function was another huge PITA. Also, N64 emulators will NOT work on the PS3 due to its lack of GPU accessibility which really made me mad after I went through the whole process.

Once the PS3's internet browser got to where it could actually load anything I wanted I had no reason to keep it. Sadly, I still have it on my HDD and am waiting for a reason to use it until my extra space runs out.

Tez @ Apr 17th 2009 2:30PM

I hear it's not really worth it. It'll be pretty sweet when the hardware gets hacked, though. Until now it's pretty locked down.

Tyler @ Apr 17th 2009 2:51PM

I saw a video of how to put emulators on it, and use the PS3 controller to control the games...

That made me want to do it.

I would have to, if it wasn't for this meddling 20gb HDD and only 7gb free!

JuanDHexen @ Apr 17th 2009 3:24PM

Can the PS3's Linux run Mame? I'd love to play killer Instinct 1 and 2.

unboring @ Apr 19th 2009 10:55AM

@ lol Tyler

i had a 20gb , i put a 160gb in that i bought new for 40 dollars, do yourself a favor and change the HDD!!!!

CJLopez @ Apr 17th 2009 2:00PM

PS3 Media Server FTW!!!!

Looking H.264 coded videos since novemeber 2008

sn1per @ Apr 18th 2009 12:44AM

You only have to read the *title* of the article to see that they're bringing an ENcoder to the ps3. The ps3 already has DEcoders built right in.

shadowhowl1900 @ Apr 17th 2009 4:50PM

ok...so what does it do?

Laurens Holst @ Apr 17th 2009 8:01PM

Encode raw video input into compressed H.264 (MPEG4) encoded files that you can play on your PS3 or PC or cellphone.

Laurens Holst @ Apr 17th 2009 7:59PM

This sounds great for people who are encoding H.264 a lot, utilising the PPU in combination with the 7 SPUs should yield a lot of power. For encoding jobs, even if it is only twice as fast as a regular PC that would already mean that a 4-hour encoding task would now take only 2 hours. Installing Linux on their PS3 should not be a big problem for those that want to use this.

Jeff @ May 26th 2009 9:46PM

The "Flush" memory is flash memory and there is a flavor of Linux that image boots from a USB flash drive. You do NOT have to install Linux to the PS3 or format your PS3 HD.

I would guess the program is included as part of the Linux image and the file to be compressed is sent to the PS3 and returned to the PC when finished.

This then just requires plugging in the usb flash drive-booting the PS3 and then running the program on the PC. The PC program then treats the PS3 as a super-computing accessory.

Dale @ Apr 17th 2009 8:26PM

are we sure there needs to be a new linux distro? i was under the impression that the PS3 already ran a (albeit specific for the counsel) version of linux. That's why linux computer operating systems install fairly well on the PS3 to begin with.

NineT9 @ Apr 17th 2009 11:37PM

The PS3 news that excited me most are Linux related... still waiting for that article titled "RSX Access lifted!"

Brad Grenz @ Apr 19th 2009 8:43AM

It also appears from the image above that a linux install on your Hdd probably isn't needed. The PS3 can just boot Yellow Dog's Embedded Linux from a usb flash drive. You don't need a full desktop environment, just network access and the SPU stack. It probably comes with a custom distro in the form of an image, if not a preloaded flash drive itself.

ron @ Apr 20th 2009 11:03PM

Check out the fixstars website. It has more info on this technology. I guess they are giving out free cd's at the NAB show this week. I think I will pick one up. Cool that you can turn your PS3 into a video compression h.264 system. This allows everyone with a PS3 to upload HD quality video to the net ie: YouTube. Which we all know HD is the wave of the future. This could be a big deal.