few Xbox 360 questons.

RumbleBee

RumbleBee

RumbleBee

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I'm picking up an Xbox 360 console tomorrow. I'm pretty much a 100% PC gamer these days, but I'm definetly a litle excited. Just got a few quick questions.

I currently run Vista Enterprise through my home (3 PC's). Can I stream Media from these PC's to the Xbox 360? I've heard that AVI is a no no, but I've also heard of ways around that.

I guess my main concern is the streaming as a whole rather than the file formats that are permitted. Vista Enterprise does not feature the Media Centre software. It does have Media Player 11 though. I'd honestly feel a little peeved if I had to buy a new OS just to stream movies/music.

If this can't be done, can the Xbox just access my network drives on the PC's and copy content to the 120gb hard drive that is fitted into the Xbox. Does the drive act as a normal Hard Drive. As in it can be accessed from my PC's and files copied onto it. If not then what exactly is the hard drive for?
 
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WMP 11 will do it fine once you've enabled sharing.
Just use the Video, Music and Pictures tab in the media section on the xbox.
The videos have to be in WMV format.
 
Thanks for the replies. I'm thankfull I'll be able to stream at least. One further question I should have initially included.

After initially searching for an answer on this forum (and another forum) I've read there are applications that allow the streaming of additional formats such as Divx (via on the fly conversions and what not). Any Vista Business/Enterprise users confirm if these apps will work allowing more than just WMV, or are they for Media Centre owners only
 
RumbleBee said:
Thanks for the replies. I'm thankfull I'll be able to stream at least. One further question I should have initially included.

After initially searching for an answer on this forum (and another forum) I've read there are applications that allow the streaming of additional formats such as Divx (via on the fly conversions and what not). Any Vista Business/Enterprise users confirm if these apps will work allowing more than just WMV, or are they for Media Centre owners only
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Any transcoding etc is done by Windows Media Centre Plugins. Which only work on Media Centre OS's. So I would guess you are out of luck with Vista Enterprise.


rp2000
 
Thanks for confirming.

I'll get the Xbox up and running. Enjoy Gears of War. Play some more games then decide what to do about the streaming. I've got loads of home made theme park / rollercoaster videos from my past holidays and it would be nice to stream them my big TV. I know there are other ways to achive this. Namely copying them to a DVD but would be nice to stream away.

Will be visiting this forum more and more now I'm about to become an official console gamer. As always with overclockers the speedy response is awsome. Thank you all
 
Slightly off topic but seeing as you've mentioned that you are also a PC gamer, once you get used to the Xbox wireless controller, you won't look back.
I used to be a die hard keyboard and mouse user for playing first person shooters on the PC.
I recently bought the MS Crossfire receiver so I could try out my Xbox 360 controller on the PC (a friend challengd me to COD2 on the PC) and it works really well.
15 quid well spent in my opinion and once you are used to the controller, If you decide to try this as well google for 'xpadder'.
It's a free piece of software that allows you to map your keyboard and mouse keys / buttons to the controller.
 
Thanks for the tip hashcake.

Yep been PC gaming since my Amiga days inthe early 90's. I kind of avoided the PSX, PS2 and the original Xbox. Probably due to PC gaming been at it's peak during these periods with shooters, rpg's and most of all adventures coming out left, right and center.

I still think it's a great time for PC gaming. however less great than yesteryear. I'm sure the pendulum will swing once again for PC gaming, but right now in 2007 and for the 1st time a console has caught my eye. Besides the gaming on offer the whole media concept interests me, which was the reason for my initial post.

Addition to that I'd like to take a break from PC by day, PC by night. Sometimes all night when I feel like a bit of Warcraft. Sometimes all day when I feel like lazing about at work. My wrist hurts and I have a nice big comfy sofa thats bearly been sat on. :)

As for gaming with a joypad. I could defiently get used to that. Especially for particular games. Gears of War blew me away at a friends house and I have dabbled in the Resi Evil games many years ago at friends house, but I think the new Half Life game will get me back into WASD gaming. Untill then i'm going to sit back and see what I've missed before I get to old (I'm 30 by the way)
 
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RumbleBee said:
As for gaming with a joypad. I could defiently get used to that. Especially for particular games. Gears of War blew me away at a friends house and I have dabbled in the Resi Evil games many years ago at friends house, but I think the new Half Life game will get me back into WASD gaming. Untill then i'm going to sit back and see what I've missed before I get to old (I'm 30 by the way)
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You have not missed an awful lot, I have been a PC gamer since my pentium II and until I got myself an xbox 360, sitting infront of my PC was the way...

Now, coupled the 360 with a decent HDTV and surround sound (and a comfy sofa:P) - now that's what's missing from my PC gaming... Least, that's what I think anyway :)
 
you can use a piece of software called TVersity that will transcode your AVIs on the fly and allow you to watch them on your 360.

(I havent been able to get mine to work however, but i put this down to a pish PC)
 
Dr Jones said:
You have not missed an awful lot, I have been a PC gamer since my pentium II and until I got myself an xbox 360, sitting infront of my PC was the way...

Now, coupled the 360 with a decent HDTV and surround sound (and a comfy sofa:P) - now that's what's missing from my PC gaming... Least, that's what I think anyway :)
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I am inclined to agree with you.
IMHO 2006 was dire for decent PC games hence my purchase of an Xbox 360 as well and also, a HD TV recenty just for this purpose.
So far, 2007 hasn't been great for PC games either.
Like the OP I also bypassed consoles (except for a Sega Megadrive many moons ago).
I also feel that the PC games market is declining rapidly.
As part of my job I build PC's and although I do build a lot of PC's based on the Nvidia 8800 series GPU's.
Most of these customers are playing games I consider to be old, COD2, MOH etc.
Perhaps games like the new UT will change things but I don't think one game alone will turn things around.
There is also the fact that hardcore PC games tend to like high graphic detail so expensive high end cards are a major requirement these days.
 
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