Streaming Video through the Xbox360

[savity]

Ok - I've finally got round to doing this - mainly because my other half got into Heroes on BBC2 - but couldn't wait a week between episodes. I have all the episodes on the PC - and it takes a while to convert and burn them to a DVD.

So I knew it was possible to stream to the 360 - but hadn't looked at how to do it.

The PC has XP and WMP11 so I followed the official instructions and set up sharing.

I could connect wirelessly to the PC fromthe xbox - but couldn't see any videos - I had no clue where they were supposed to be found.

Then I read that there might be a problem because most of my files are .avi divx, xvid, etc...

So I downloaded, installed and configured something called TVersity. It runs on the PC and runs as a media server. I uploaded my "video" folder to this server and it now presents this to 360 through the Video option on the Media blade.

It works for a large percentage of files - Heroes works fine and we only have 3 more eps to watch - perfect timing for the US premiere of Volume 2 at the end of September.

However there are some files that won't play - I get a generic message on the xbox that the file could not be played as it may be in the wrong format. - It crashes the TVersity media server when this happens too.

These files play quite happily on the PC through WMP11 - I know it's probably something to do with codecs and probably TVersity not able to convert for streaming in the correct format to the 360 - but I can't see what I need to do to get them to work.

So - after all that pre-amble - I have come here for advice on what you use to stream your video. Anyone use TVersity? - Any recommendations for getting the maximum compatibility for streaming?

As I say - I can watch the stuff I initially set streaming up for so I'm happy (and watching Heroes again in a short timespan has been fantastic) - but just seeing if there is something I could do better.

[G0rF]

Of course :)

Click me ---> http://www.myxbox.co.uk//Uploads/Images/cee83864-77a2-4b11-8f2e-7de6.gif (http://www.myxbox.co.uk/Topic66342-7-1.aspx#bm66357)<--- for coolness.

What you got there Sav, is pretty much what you should expect.

The unreliable performance of an ugly hack designed to circumvent the manufacturers restrictions on media formats and DRM.

[savity]

The fun police at this place stop me looking at that link - which is why I never really go there - even though I know I could find lotsa info there.

I'll take a look tonight when I get home. - Cheers

[G0rF]

AH crap, sry Sav.

Think it's probably too much to cross post.

Even we admins are for some reason restricted by the stupid post-length cap.

[Dragonstorm]

OR, click me--> http://img250.imageshack.us/img250/4384/thecasdotcomns8.jpg (http://ww.the-causality.com) <-- for even MORE coolness!


More on topic:

I found this annoying at first, but found a nice video server for my Wii instead and used that :P

I already use VLC for some things, so I'll give this a go on the ol' box, cheers for the link Mr.G!

[G0rF]

Ah... But I use our own logo over there, I don't hack RM's :), that'd be rude now, wouldn't it, seeing as they come here a lot :)

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a258/G0rF/causalityminibanner.png

[rYugen]

DragonStorm which one are you usin' for your Wii? ^^

PimpStreamer is the only one which "really" works without much hassle...but it's kinda laggy for me... so i just keep watching films on my computer....thru my graphix card directly into the TV

[Jekht]

... I had to throw my disgust for VLC. It's the equivalent to eating pudding with a garden fork. MPC is the best I've used so far, but I occaisionally get forced into using VLC as it seems to take ownership of codec packs.

Anyways thanks for the info G. I had it working for a few weeks then it suddenly got very fininicky about playing movie files on the tv. I'l have a look into this again.
(for sav:http://www.geekreviews.co.uk/guides/stream-avi-movies-divx-xvid-to-an-xbox-360-with-vlc360)

(NB to G: Normal user character limit is 10,000. Admins ~should~ be able to break this limit. I've never seen a reason for a post that large, but if someone did want to post a Master's essay up here, I'm sure we could accommodate it :p)

[G0rF]

Yeah... so that makes your average Eve guide at least 10 posts.

No, I can't break it, I get "Your post is too long waaaaaa"

[savity]

I looked at VLC360 J - but I only have XP and not a Media Centre Edition so I discounted it without trying it.

As I said - a lot of downloads work OK - but there is an occasional one that doesn't so I guess I'll just work around it for now and anything that won't stream will get burnt to a DVD-RW temporarily. I just have to plan to convert and burn before I need to watch

[G0rF]

Same here Sav.