Media Center: Program or hardware?

[Javery]

Is media center something I can install on my computer to use with my xbox 360 or do you need a specific piece of hardware? I am running Windows XP so I think all I can do is stream music from my hard drive and view pictures, right? Is there any way to take advantage of the other features?

[daphatty]

Media Center is a version of windows designed to function as a TiVo. It is HEAVILY DRM'd.

[pimpinc333]

So if I have Windows XP Home, will it hurt me to upgrade to Media Center? Would I be losing anything or is Media Center just Windows XP with media center options?

[Javery]

Media Center is a version of windows designed to function as a TiVo. It is HEAVILY DRM'd.

So it's an operating system? I'm thinking since I already own an HD-DVR it's not worth it to try and use this feature for my 360 (if it's even possible). Streaming music and pictures is good enough, I guess.

[daphatty]

Media Center will function like XP (since that is what it is based on) but you might find that many of your hardware devices will need Media Center specific drivers to make them run. Media Center IS its own Operating System. Think of it as XP+ just as we thought of XP as Windows 2000+.

[daphatty]

So it's an operating system? I'm thinking since I already own an HD-DVR it's not worth it to try and use this feature for my 360 (if it's even possible). Streaming music and pictures is good enough, I guess.

Yes, exactly. And since you have an HD-DVR, stay with that. There are currently no worthwhile HD video capture options available for the PC since the cablecard standard has not been developed. You can do OTA (over-the-air) HD but it's not worth it. (I delved deeply into the HD on the PC world and am disappointed with it.)

[Javery]

Yes, exactly. And since you have an HD-DVR, stay with that. There are currently no worthwhile HD video capture options available for the PC since the cablecard standard has not been developed. You can do OTA (over-the-air) HD but it's not worth it. (I delved deeply into the HD on the PC world and am disappointed with it.)

Thanks a lot. I'm going to pass on it. If I have a wireless router then to set everything up I go:


Wall -> Cable Box

Wall -> Wireless Router -> Xbox 360 (wired) and laptop (wirelessly)

I'm using a splitter to go from the wall to the cable box and router. Is this right? Do I need to do anything extra to stream .mp3s to my Xbox 360 from my laptop?

[Technique]

I just installed a freash copy of Windows Media Center 2005 and I am about to hook it up to my Xbox 360. I will tell you how it turns out.

[daphatty]

Thanks a lot. I'm going to pass on it. If I have a wireless router then to set everything up I go:


Wall -> Cable Box

Wall -> Wireless Router -> Xbox 360 (wired) and laptop (wirelessly)

I'm using a splitter to go from the wall to the cable box and router. Is this right? Do I need to do anything extra to stream .mp3s to my Xbox 360 from my laptop?

You should be good to go other than installing Windows Media Connect 2.0 on your laptop.

[ryanbph]

I know you have to get the connect thing on the www.xbox.com/pcsetup, but where do you get the media center software. I just looking quickly on microsofts website, and under where to buy, it says comes on preinstalled software for pc's, and didn't see a download link. Also, if you can dl the software, what does it cost?

[clueless]

dont think its offered to the public separately as MS is worried about drivers and support. They worry about all the calls that this doesnt work or this video card is not supported...

so its an OEM only type deal because for a system builder to put it on a system they already confirmed that the drivers exist in this OS to work

[ryanbph]

dont think its offered to the public separately as MS is worried about drivers and support. They worry about all the calls that this doesnt work or this video card is not supported...

so its an OEM only type deal because for a system builder to put it on a system they already confirmed that the drivers exist in this OS to work

Son of a bitch

when did it come out, my notebook is I think just under 2 years old, or just under 3 years..how do you tell if you got it?

[Technique]

Son of a bitch

when did it come out, my notebook is I think just under 2 years old, or just under 3 years..how do you tell if you got it?

there are "places" on the internet that allow you to download WMC, but I don't think I am allowed to mention them. You can always buy the OEM CD. Here it is on newegg.com - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16832102357

For some reason, I can't get my PC to interact with my 360. I have a direct connnect cable connected to my computer to my 360 and my computer is connected via USB to my modem. I do internet sharing, but it still says on my 360 that is can't assaign an ip or something.

[ryanbph]

i am having problems with it as well, I haven't gotten a chance to play with it yet, but


quoted from saucey jack in thread Xbox 360 Hardware/Accessories Questions Thread , page 6 and 7

http://cheapassgamer.com/forums/showthread.php?t=75597&page=6&pp=20


My love for the 360 has grown by leaps and bounds...

I FINALLY GOT THE PICTURES AND MUSIC STREAMING TO WORK!

Here's what happened:

As you know, I got a new 360 from Microsoft after my last one crapped out.

Just for fun, I decided to try and connect to my computer. As usual, I got the "No Computer Found" message... but after a few seconds, I see the name of my comp flash on the screen. I select it.

"Firewall may be blocking access to your computer." I look and my new 360 is denied on WMC. I allow it, and the 360 won't recognize it.

I finally found a setup that worked after several tries. Here's what I did:

Instead of going to this site:

http://www.xbox.com/pcsetup/ (http://www.xbox.com/pcsetup/)

and downloading the file XboxXPSP2-ENU.exe (7.69 MB), I went to the following site:

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/wi...ct/default.aspx (http://www.microsoft.com/windows/wi...ct/default.aspx)

and downloaded the file wmcsetup.exe (6.44 MB).

I installed Windows Media Connect from that wmcsetup.exe file. I then went to the Control Panel and clicked on Windows Media Connect. It opened up the program and asked which devices I wanted to allow. The page was blank. I clicked Next, and chose which folders I wanted to allow (I picked the default ones, like My Pictures, etc.).

I checked Windows Media Connect in my taskbar. No devices found.

I opened the ports that Microsoft said to allow, in my router. I turned off Norton Firewall temporarily. I went to the Media blade and selected Pictures. The name of my computer popped up on the dashboard. I finally connected!

Then, I turned on Norton Firewall. A message popped up saying that Windows Media Connect was trying to access the internet. I put "Permit Always," and it's been working like a charm. Music and pictures stream perfectly now!

The only downside is that the 360 is listed in Windows Media Connect as "Unknown Device" (Allowed), but as long as my 360 can stream stuff, I don't care what it says.

Thought I'd write what worked for me because maybe it'll work for someone else who's having a similar problem.

Quote:
Originally Posted by zewone
What ports are you suppose to open?



Sorry for taking so long, Z. Haven't been here in a while.

Open these ports in your firewall/router:

2869 TCP, 10243 TCP, 1900 UDP, 10280 UDP, 10281 UDP, 10282 UDP, 10283 UDP, and 10284 UDP

[Javery]

Is there any way to select which folders of music you want to stream from your computer (besides creating a playlist)? I've got a ton of music and it is too much of a pain to scroll through using the 360 and definitely not all of it is stuff I want to hear while gaming.