Xbox 360 download for Media Center PCs
by Vladimir Cole 
{ Oct 14th 2005 at 11:08AM }
If you've got a Media Center PC, head on over to Windows Update to grab a patch that is
designed to enable streaming content from your PC to an Xbox 360.
We've known for a good while now that the 360 will be able to play music, movies, TV shows, and even HD content stored on a Media Center PC in another room, but you won't be able to do any of that fancy stuff unless you patch your system.
Heck, you may even want to start relocating that ugly PC to a wired closet to make room for the new console. If you begin the painful recabling process today, you might just finish in time for the Xbox 360 launch five weeks from now.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Cem @ Dec 18th 2005 9:07PM
I think people do this already with their Xbox and PC, although you need to mod your xbox first. It's great that MS is pushing this for the Xbox 360.
spick @ Dec 18th 2005 9:07PM
Why can't I do this with my Windows XP Home Edition? I'm sure the 360 has the capability to stream from any networked device, why shouldn't I be able to pull content from my Win box?
Ladyfox @ Dec 18th 2005 9:07PM
The only problem is that this is'nt supporting playback of any MPEG4 based codecs including XVID and DIVX beyond the crappy Windows Media one. :(
Paul @ Dec 18th 2005 9:07PM
This is more than just a 360 update. This update adds lots of (much needed) stability/bug fixes to MCE 2005. Oh, and the HD experience is now MUCH improved.
My favorite new feature is the new panoramic zoom mode for 4x3 content.
OTAM @ Dec 18th 2005 9:07PM
So you need the Media Center version of Windows to stream stuff?
And if I don't,then what? I can fuck off and die?
Paul @ Dec 18th 2005 9:07PM
You don't need Media Center addition to stream music/pictures from your XP machine. If you want to view live TV (including HD) to your 360 you'll need XP Media Center Edition.
Chiablo @ Dec 18th 2005 9:07PM
Ok, if I already have the Windows Media Center OS, doesn't that tell you that I am already watching video files on my TV using the PC?
To put it into perspective, it's like giving a user the ability to stream video from his VCR over to his DVD player. Why not just watch it directly from the VCR?
Microsoft should have just had it stream from any networked interface. I have a modded Xbox and I use the Xbox Media Center that someone programmed. If that can do it, why can't the Xbox 360??
Scott @ Dec 18th 2005 9:07PM
Windows XP Home, Professional, and MCE can all stream music, pictures, and video. To get the MCE experience of recording and watching TV via the 360 you'll obviously need WindowsXP MCE.
spick @ Dec 18th 2005 9:07PM
Thanks for clearing that up. I can use my ATI All in Wonder to stream and record TV, though since I'm on ExpressVu, it's not really that useful.
Knowing I can stream my torrent vid downloads through the 360 is good enough for me.
Michael McGuire @ Dec 18th 2005 9:07PM
"You don't need Media Center addition to stream music/pictures from your XP machine. If you want to view live TV (including HD) to your 360 you'll need XP Media Center Edition."
Um, what?
So you receive the TV signal on your media center PC, which streams it to you Xbox 360 which displays it on your TV? Does anyone see the improvements that could be made to this process?
Scott @ Dec 18th 2005 9:07PM
Well, unless you a downloading WMV files I wouldn't get to excited spick. All indications right now are that Xvid and Divx formats aren't going to work. Mpeg1, Mpeg2, and WMV formats will though.
spick @ Dec 18th 2005 9:07PM
Geez Scott, you had to spoil my afternoon didn't you.
Time to hit happy hour, hard. :)
Jason @ Dec 18th 2005 9:07PM
Can someone please tell me the name of this download thing. Cause I just got my Xbox 360 in the mail today and cant figure out how to stream stuff from my computer to the 360 and then on my tv. I heard you need a patch so it can work. So if anyone knows what the name of this download patch thing is from Windows Update, please respond back in the next few hours. Im goin to play 360 now. BYE