We have many issues with people claiming they have problems playing back some of our files on their Xbox 360's and/or PS3's, along with their Mac's, so I'm going to clear up whatever I can in this detailed news article for everyone.
The PS3 and Xbox 360 has a set of unique standards for playback. A lot of people can usually never figure out the problems with video playback. Consoles are generally a bad idea for playing video due to these mixed limitations, but I'll provide you with some information I've come across through the power of the almighty Google.
Xbox 360 Video Playback FAQ
PS3 Video Compatibilities List
Read'em, bookmark'em, and learn'em. Note that the info given is still not 100%, as, like I stated before, the consoles have very odd limitations and unique standards even if you do follow them accordingly.
I'd also like to recommend to everyone a little program called TVersity, and PS3 Media Server(For PS3, obviously) which will help stream your files to your console, even if your console fails you. Click the link for a tutorial and information on it. It's compatible for both the PS3 and 360, along with many many more useful pieces of hardware and will literally re-encode the files for you to match the compatibility of your console, though this is also not 100%, and transcoding reduces the quality slightly more than streaming itself.
If anyone is interested in playing files downloaded from PC to their TV, and it's within your graphic card's capabilities, I suggest simply connecting something similar to the S-Video or HDMI + SVHS Audio PC-To-TV cables, as shown here. That way, there's no downgraded streaming involved, and you get a direct, natural connection allowing you to use your PC on your TV. It goes for very cheap, so go and buy it if you can. All you have to do is open your graphic cards console from your PC and change monitors after plugging everything in. It takes a click. In order to make it so you don't need to keep unplugging your audio each time you switch over to TV, I suggest an Audio Splitter, as shown in the link.
EDIT: Yes, we are fully aware of what works and what doesn't for the 93 releases and all their versions. Do not contact us regarding this further. If you wish to view the episode on your device, your best bet is to grab the V2 of the 480p release. We are currently enabling the playback of our releases for your devices in future releases. Thank you.
MAC:
Many of you have been complaining about the compatibility of some of our releases on your Mac. Well, I'm here to tell you to throw that thing out and get a PC. No, but seriously, I'll try to help out and give the best amount of information I can, even though our staff mostly has little experience with it.
If you're on a Mac, you should try using MPlayer/SMPlayer along side Perian. It supports QuickTime, NicePlayer, and QTAmateur to name a few and has additional h.264 support.
If you're still having issues, don't come to us, because we most likely won't have an answer.
480P/X264/MP4::
We're changing our format for this resolution to h264 Main Profile/MP4 for a nice quality release with a decent size for archiving. It's also easily playable on most ALL machines.
Xvid is crappy, and AVI is going out the door soon, so we're sticking to more modern standardization.
It doesn't take a lot to play our files at all. They're easily playable. At least the standard resolution(480p). The higher resolution(720p) requires a bit more processing power since it's set to a High Profile, includes larger frames, and is set to a higher bitrate. Both can be viewed now on various hardware devices, such as PS3's, Popcorn Hour, and Xbox 360 without issue though, so keep it in mind.
The files are also simple to convert. Just install the XviD codec, download AviSynth, download FFmpegsource dll, create an FFVideoSource AviSynth script directing it to our file, load it in VirtualDubMod(Or your encoder of choice), select XviD and set the settings as you wish, then save as AVI. It will take more-or-less a half hour or so to do all this. [Taka] member Florian made you guys a nice guide with more details and a different method in another article. There are also links in it. You can view it here.
If you want to convert the files to .vob for DVD's with menu's and such, there's always ConvertXToDVD. I will not tell you how to get this product without paying though, so DO NOT ASK.
It doesn't cost much to access anything coded with h264. We understand where everyone is coming from, but this is 2009. There's a new standard, and we don't think holding back on quality for those who care for it is smart, especially since this is just over a container. I'm sure most of you have an Xbox 360 or PS3 to use(The messages we get seem to suggest that), so just use that, or simply buy the chords mentioned prior in my article. It costs like 10-20 USD and you get to use those pretty HDTV's everyone has as the sexiest computer monitor you've ever seen. Of course, there are also other alternatives to do the same thing. Look it up!
For now, this decision will stand. It's possible change may come, but it's doubtful. We made a choice for a reason and are aware of everyone's position. We just don't want to hear it 50 more times, especially since we basically kill ourselves and bend over backwards for no moniezz, but for all of you. Deal with whats presented to you and adjust. We can promise you we arent going anywhere(Unless we are told to by the license holders of course), so it's about time to spend a little cash if you want your free Naruto.
I do not want to hear any complaints about the codec not being supported by your crapped out machine, or the format doesn't tickle your DivX player the right way and won't play. Like I said, I'm sure everyone has a console by now, and if not, use your PC or another means. We have given you many methods of watching our releases now, so DO NOT, by no means, message us regarding formats, consoles, or anything else of the sort unless you actually have something of importance to say to us that we may have missed, otherwise, you'll be banned from contacting us.
We work hard at a fast pace for everyone, and we care about everyone enjoying the true Naruto experience, which is why we give quality subs to you guys(Unlike a certain group who just steals and wraps them up, using Viz subs and then butchers them purposely for laughs... we're looking at you Horrible-SubsRips), so please just accept this everyone and enjoy. If you're having playback issues, make sure you visited our FAQ and your problem may be fixed.
I would like to mention that even while providing you with this information, we do not support streaming our files to your console, or streaming in general. Especially through sites such as Veoh and Youtube, and if you contact us asking about problems with your console or Mac, or ask for permission to upload our files to a streaming site, you will be banned from contacting us ever again.
Take care, and enjoy everyone! :)
-Secludedly
