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Useful FAQ for configuring an Xbox 360 as a Media Center Extender

MSDN Blogs > Aaron Stebner's WebLog > Useful FAQ for configuring an Xbox 360 as a Media Center Extender

Useful FAQ for configuring an Xbox 360 as a Media Center Extender

1 Apr 2006 4:41 PM
  • Comments 21

I have been asked several questions recently related to setting up an Xbox 360 with a Windows XP Media Center 2005 system for use as a Media Center Extender.  I recently found a pretty good FAQ page that is posted on the Media Center site that I wanted to link to here.  Specifically, the following topics are covered:

  • Networking issues, including wireless network configurations
  • Installation requirements on the Media Center PC
  • Supported video and audio formats that can be played back on the Xbox 360
  • Adding music, pictures and videos on the Xbox 360 console

There are also several other topics covered in this FAQ.  I encourage you to take a look at this page if you run into any questions about what features are available with an Xbox 360 Media Center Extender or about how to setup an Xbox 360 to act as an Extender.

There are also some useful links on the Xbox site related to Media Center and PC connectivity issues:

 

Comments
  • Heath Stewart
    3 Apr 2006 12:46 PM
    Setup should register the open ports and applications for Windows Firewall, and opening Windows Media Connect will allow you to click a button to do the same for playing content without Media Center (music and pictures).

    If you have Windows OneCare, though, this won't work. I have filed a bug with them to somehow allow for the same behavior, but for now follow the instructions at http://www.windowsonecare.com/support/help.aspx?querytype=keyword&query=PROC_HTA_MEDIA_EXTENDER.HTM and http://www.windowsonecare.com/support/help.aspx?querytype=keyword&query=TROU_MEDIA_DEVICE_CANNOT_CONNECT.HTM.

    For Windows Media Center make sure you let ehsched.exe (I believe - Aaron, correct me if I'm wrong but I don't remember off-hand and am not at home) access the Internet in order to download the guide.
  • 5 Apr 2006 8:57 PM
    Hi Heath - Thank you for adding this supplemental information about Windows OneCare.  You are correct that ehsched.exe is the executable that contains guide download code, so you will need to allow that EXE to access the internet in order for guide download to function properly in Media Center.
  • Tony N
    16 Apr 2006 8:04 AM
    I have Windows OneCare installed on my systems and found that my xbox 360 wasn't able to connect to it using Media Connect. Even before reading the blog and instructions in OneCare I went to the advanced options and enabled these options but it still did not work (this was before I new about the specific ports that need to be opened). My quick work around for fixing this issue was turning off the Onecare firewall for 1 minutes while I connected using the xbox then used the slider to put the firewall back up. This seamed to work for me...don't know how safe an approach this is though :-) But just thought I would share...just incase there are others of you who were frustrated as I was to get this all to play nicely.
  • Andy Knowles
    18 Apr 2006 5:29 PM
    Is the Media Center/XBox 360 functionality enabled in Vista 5342? I can get Vista to recognise my Xbox but not configure it, it just stalls with the rotating cursor, even with the firewall off.
  • 18 Apr 2006 5:43 PM
    Hi Andy - No, there is no Xbox 360 extender functionality available in Vista build 5342.  I'm sorry for the inconvenience.
  • Andy Knowles
    4 May 2006 2:49 PM
    Hi, me again.

    Thanks for the prompt response last time. Does the new Vista 5365.8 build have the Extender functionality?
  • 4 May 2006 4:40 PM
    Hi Andy - No, there is no Xbox 360 extender functionality available in Vista build 5365.8 either.  I'm sorry for the inconvenience.
  • Aaron Stebner's WebLog
    27 Jun 2006 12:29 AM
    This article is intended to serve as a central location for all links to troubleshooting documentation...
  • Satisfy Me
    31 Aug 2006 3:47 PM
    Over the weekend I talked about From the Expert Zone: Xbox 360 as a Media Center Extender. A quick...
  • Satisfy Me
    5 Oct 2006 11:51 PM

    Over the weekend I talked about From the Expert Zone: Xbox 360 as a Media Center Extender. A quick visit

  • 4 Dec 2006 12:12 AM

    Hello.  I am pulling my hair out trying to find a solutiong to my problem.

    I am trying to set up my XBox360 with my MCE05 PC.

    I make it to the xbox screen that directs me to www.xbox.com/pcsetup.  I then try to download and install Media Center Extender software.

    I then download and run this exe: XboxMCE05Lit-enu.exe.

    It looks like it's installing; then I get the following message:

    "Media Center Extender software does not support dynamic disks.  Do you want to install Windows Media Connect?"

    I click "Yes."

    Media Center pops up and says:

    "Unsupported Operating System- Media Center Extender Software requires Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005.  This computer is running an unsupported version of Windows XP."

    OK.  I've been at this all night.  I have checked every place I can to ensure I have right version.

    Media center/settings/about media center/software version says: Win XP MCE2005 version: 5.1.2715.3011 Update rollup 2.

    System Properties/General says Win XP MCE2002 SP2.

    HKEY_Localmachine_etc. . . say ident 4.0

    I cant get this extender loaded and this is keeping me from finishing the xbox360 setup.

    Any help or a point in the right direction would be greatly appreciated.

    Thanks,

    Carl

  • 4 Dec 2006 12:56 AM

    Hi Carl - I haven't heard of this issue before.  You can find a list of log files created by Xbox 360 PC Setup at http://blogs.msdn.com/astebner/archive/2006/03/21/556297.aspx.  Can you gather those logs, zip them up and send them to me so I can take a look and see if I can figure anything out?  You can send the logs to Aaron.Stebner (at) microsoft (dot) com.

  • 4 Dec 2006 5:41 PM

    Aaron- I sent you the logs you requested via email.  Thanks for your help.

  • 23 Mar 2007 1:04 PM

    Hello i am trying to figure out why i cannot use my 360 on my pc. i have the EXACT information as carl.morris has and i need to know if anyone can help. my email is aznk1d2(at)aol(dot)com HELP PLEASE

  • 23 Mar 2007 4:48 PM

    Hi Aznk1d2 - The issue on Carl Morris' system was that the system had the C drive configured as a dynamic disk.  Xbox 360 PC setup and Media Center extenders do not support that.  Carl had to update the partitions on his hard drive to allow installation of Xbox 360 PC setup to succeed.  This might help on your system as well.

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