Using xbox 360 as media centre extender?

[colincliff]

Hi,

I am thinking of replacing my Topfield PVR with an Xbox 360 which will be used as a media center extender for my pc which has freeview tuners in (as well as the bonus of playing games!)

Does anyone have any opinions on this or already do this with their xbox 360?

I have heard that the console is quiet loud for playing games - what is it like in media centre mode?

any advice/comments appreciated!

thanks

[BigBry]

Media Centre mode (including DVD playback) is much more quiet!

As I'm sure you're aware there are limitations around what the Xbox 360 will playback but if you've got DivX files there are solutions.

[Bluecube]

I doubt you'll have any problem with what you're suggesting. I've got my 360 hooked into my server and stream music, HD video and pictures without any problems at all. The Media Center interface isn't brilliant but it's not bad by a long shot.

I can't comment on using the 360 to watch TV on but I don't think you'll have any problems.

[Lee H]

I personally recommend the use of VLC360 or transcode360 for playing DivX/Xvid files over the xbox360 when in media centre extender mode.

[colincliff]

Thanks for the feedback guys,

very glad to hear that its quieter in media centre mode!

one other question - do you know if it will wake up the main computer/server when you turn on the xbox? i.e. if the pc is in sleep mode and i want to watch tv or a recorded film will the xbox automatically wake the pc up from sleep mode?

thanks again

[Parm]

I can't answer your two main questions about TV viewing and Sleep Mode unfortunately, but I can offer my opinion.

I use my 360 to stream to my Windows MCE PC and it's fantastic.
Everytime relatives come round we do slideshows with music in the background and everyone loves it.

I stream videos too (wirelessly from upstairs to downstairs) and use Transcode 360 to stream DIVX's and other file formats.

[colincliff]

thanks parm,

looks like this could be a good option. Resale values for my topfield are over £200 so should go a good way to funding the xbox!

[colincliff]

oh, just noticed i can link my ipod to the xbox too - so it can all go through my amp! nice bonus. Also the only media centre extender supported by Vista seem to be the xbox.

It's all helping to persuade me....

[Parm]

Yeah my brother uses his Ipod on it at times too, I always just stream music from my PC.

It's great playing games with your own music on. Can't beat a bit of PGR3 with Queen's Don't Stop Me Now blaring.
Although, I did get caught one race with my microphone on singing Michael Jackon's Bad.

[Lee H]

Believe it or not - using the xbox360 as a media centre extender was one of the main things which influenced me to get it.

A close second was the fact that Dead Rising was planned to be released in September and the video that I'd seen was nothing short of funlooking and slightly appealing

[colincliff]

Thats my reasoning too... no way you can build a decent game playing media centre pc for £200!

Although i'm downplaying its gaming abilities to help pursuade the rest of the houshold that its a good idea... its all about recording tv for the moment!

[Agent]

Is there anyway to start the 360 in media centre mode from power on ?

[Parm]

Is there anyway to start the 360 in media centre mode from power on ?

I've never tried it, but what happens when you hit the Media Centre button on the remote control? Does that power it up?

[Bluecube]

I've never tried it, but what happens when you hit the Media Centre button on the remote control? Does that power it up?

If you press the green Media Centre button on the remote it does indeed turn on the 360 and put it straight into Media Centre so you don't see anything of the 360 dashboard at all.

[colincliff]

does anyone find the lack of subtitles or interactive services a real problem?
I have only just realised that they aren't supported by media centre and so won't be available through the xbox, which is a shame.

[ricflairandy]

what is the quality of these transcode programs like?

Im thinking for the likes of playing downloaded hd content, no point watching it if its transcoded and downscaled or anythying.