MP3s Streamed to Xbox 360 via laptop
by Vladimir Cole 
{ Nov 19th 2005 at 5:30AM }
The Xbox 360 may very well be a decent all-round party machine. Take a standard visualization engine, add in the capability to stream MP3s from any household computer running a fully-patched version of Windows XP (we're doing it right now, by golly), and DJs can weave a playlist using the Xbox 360 remote or the controller itself, all without cluttering the decor with an ugly PC and without hunching over a laptop.
We'll test streaming additional content over the remainder of our 48-hour weekend play-a-thon, but for now, know that setting up MP3 sharing was relatively straightforward for fairly technical people. Less technical folks would never get it right, and that may ultimately inhibit popular uptake this feature. That's unfortunate, because features like this could (if implemented better) boost the Xbox 360 importance in the mess of devices sitting in the living room media cabinet.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
ivan roman @ Dec 18th 2005 9:06PM
what is the address for the XP pro update?
Rymix @ Dec 18th 2005 9:06PM
IE / Tools / Windows Update
vc @ Dec 18th 2005 9:06PM
Hi Rymix: http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia/devices/wmconnect/default.aspx
Rymix @ Dec 18th 2005 9:06PM
Cool, cheers vc
xBenDoverx @ Dec 18th 2005 9:06PM
Well, looks like there is another reason for those hot ass honeys to have us over their apartments. I don't mind helping people figure out how to connect it when the time comes. That means a free dinner for me =D
pr0cs @ Dec 18th 2005 9:06PM
this is probably one of the best features of the 360. I wish someone online would write a review of how media center 2005 works with all this (video streaming and how many of the win MCE2k5 features actually work on the 360 side)
ledorky @ Dec 18th 2005 9:06PM
Radio doesn't work for me but otherwise everything non-divx/mpeg/xvid/rm/obscure format related works using MCE 2005. You can even schedule shows via the Guide using your 360.
It's great. Looks much better than my TV out.
It makes the 360 so worth it for me (well I got it free thanks to Pepsi ;))
the remote is truly awesome to use and it's ideal.
Things I wish for:
slow-mo
better FF/RW
actual numbers on the remote so I can flip channels, I ended up using the TV guide to flip channels since it's faster :)
DrFinger @ Dec 18th 2005 9:06PM
Can you transfer MP3's to your 360 via networking or just stream them?
G-Man @ Dec 18th 2005 9:06PM
Shame it just doesnt just use, "Bonjour" and iTunes or alike, then everyone would be able to make it work.
Can you stream from a normal smb share?
Travis @ Dec 18th 2005 9:06PM
So, I'm testing an Xbox 360 myself this weekend and I'm having some problems. I can connect an iPod video and the 360 will recognize it, but it won't play any of the songs. Additionally, I connected the 360 to my PC, but it only sees about 10% of the songs in the folder. They are all the same format, so I don't know why it won't see them all.
Any ideas?
SurfMurph @ Dec 18th 2005 9:06PM
Travis, not sure why you're having problems without further troubleshooting. Did you buy all of the songs on your iPod from iTunes? The 360 will not play music protected by Apple's Digital Rights Management (DRM) licenses. Same could be for the music on your PC. If it is purchased music, instead of music that you ripped from your own CDs, then the 360 won't play those MP3s either.
What format are the music files in? .mp3, .wma, .aac, etc.?
Brymo @ Dec 18th 2005 9:06PM
so are you guys using media center, or just the windows media connect software?
Need both?
matthew bennett @ Dec 18th 2005 9:06PM
You can apparently use Videora to stream divx and vidx files to the xbox360 also. I bought one yesterday, but I haven't gotten Media Connect or Videora working from my wireless laptop. Gonna f with it a little more tonight.
http://www.pspvideo9.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=2625