Transcode and stream videos to your Xbox 360

Besides bricking some Xbox 360 consoles, the recent Xbox 360 Fall Dashboard update did provide a few positive benefits too. One bonus came in the form of enabling gamers to stream WMV files via Windows Media Connect from an XP PC to their Xbox 360. Previously only Windows Media Center could stream to the 360, but if you had a DivX or XviD file you wanted to play, you had the option of using Transcode 360 to convert non-WMV files on-the-fly. However, until someone updates Transcode 360 so that it will run over Windows Media Connect, you'll have to transcode your DivX or XviD files manually. It's a pain in the neck, but it'll do the job. But, thanks to our buddies at Joystiq, we've got a series of step-by-step instructions on how to transcode your DivX or XviD videos and watch them easily on your Xbox 360. We won't go over every single point, but basically, it involves using the free and open-source program VLC followed by the helping hand of a batch script. The script turns your video files into WMV that'll play nice with your Xbox 360, allowing you to enjoy your vids (in the example, a recent episode of "Lost") in full, converted HD. But as you probably already know, if you're starting out with a not great DivX file, you're going to end up with an even worse WMV file that won't look too hot, 1080p or not. So if you want to try it out, follow the read link for all of the step-by-step instructions.

[DM @ Nov 8th 2006 2:14AM]

cool

[Vexorg @ Nov 8th 2006 2:30AM]

Has anyone been able to get good reasults out of VLC for this? I tried it on some DivX videos and got no sound and poor framerates at the beginning of the video.

[David Scott @ Nov 8th 2006 2:46AM]

I found this program through www.lifehacker.com

From there site: http://www.videora.com/en-us/Converter/Xbox360/

"Videora Xbox360 Converter is a free video conversion application developed by the creators of Videora. It allows you to convert your regular PC video files (avi, mpeg, etc) into the proper video format that your Xbox360 understands.

When combined with Videora, Videora Xbox360 Converter + Videora allows you to download, convert and copy video to your device, automatically using BitTorrent and RSS technology."

[brendan @ Nov 8th 2006 3:08AM]

or just get an XBOX 1, use XBMC and play practically any file type you want.

[MJB @ Nov 8th 2006 3:10AM]

Would there be a way to stream live hd video (being captured by VLC over firewire or through an hdtv tuner) to the xbox 360?

[htiawe @ Nov 8th 2006 3:21AM]

Brendan: Xbox 1 can't handle HD-material.

[Greg @ Nov 8th 2006 3:40AM]

I want to play Divx, screw WMV files !!! I hate this... it's useless... I'm gonna get a PS3 !!!

[Adam @ Nov 8th 2006 3:52AM]

The PS3 won't play DivX either, dude. Settle down.

[apease @ Nov 9th 2006 1:47AM]

PS3 might not play divx out of the box (I thought it did, but oh well), but I do know it'll play mpeg and .ts files out of the box. And you can install linux on it without having to mod it, so anything mplayer or vlc can play natively it can handle. Amusingly, I think the only thing it won't be able to play is newer wmv files.

I will admit, Microsoft is getting less stupid about the whole media center thing, I always thought it was nuts that they required a special edition of the OS that you only get by buying a new computer just to share video files over the network with an xbox.

[Robotron @ Nov 8th 2006 5:12AM]

htiawe...yes it can.

It won't handle 1080p, but mine runs 720p or 1080i just fine.

[ThorzHamer @ Nov 8th 2006 8:34AM]

Ive tried this a few times now and it seems to work perfectly on any file other than an avi where it gives me zero sound..... anyone have any suggestions??

[citykids @ Nov 8th 2006 8:34AM]

"Xbox 1 can't handle HD-material."

I was thinking of turning my first xbox into a media player like Brendan suggested, but the xbox can't output progressive scan for DVD's - just the games. Is it possible to somehow hack the output to add those capabilities?

[Yoshimi @ Nov 8th 2006 8:49AM]

Looking forward to Connect360 (or similar app) enabling Mac users to stream video to their 360's.

[mike @ Nov 8th 2006 9:00AM]

"I was thinking of turning my first xbox into a media player like Brendan suggested, but the xbox can't output progressive scan for DVD's - just the games. Is it possible to somehow hack the output to add those capabilities?"

A hacked xbox with the latest XBMC makes the xbox an upconverting DVD player.

[Mike @ Nov 8th 2006 10:15AM]

now what about playing VOB files from a VIDEO_TS folder? I've got a whole library of ripped DVDs that I'd like to be able to play from the 360 but can't figure out how...

[Boostmx @ Nov 11th 2006 4:10AM]

Wow this is cool! Thanks Engadget for the info! just tried this out and works like a charm. Baller!

[Ernie Oporto @ Nov 25th 2006 11:52PM]

I'm running the test version of x360mediaserve on my RH9 system to serve a repository of WMVs for my Xbox 360. This transcoding is planned for an upcoming release, but for now it only does WMVs, which I'm happy enough to convert to just to get some of that online content to my big screen.

However, after seeing what the XBMC can do for XBox 1, I have to shake my head in wonder at how Microsoft can't provide us with the same direct access to YouTube, Google Video, and Apple Quicktime Trailers that XBMC does. Playing WMVs on a local repository is still behind the times when there are tools available to directly stream the online content.

[RafTor @ Mar 19th 2007 9:20AM]

I've found this method to be very helpful. There is only one thing that I'd watch out for when doing this. My PC was overheating whenever I was converting (61DegreesCelcius). So make sure you aren't running too hot. Also, some of the files when converted didn't have any sound. Does anyone know how to fix this?