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Digital Media

Share Media from a PC with Xbox 360

 

Technical Support

To access media files, including video, audio, and pictures, from a Windows XP–based PC, you need a simple Ethernet connection from the Ethernet port on the back of your Xbox 360™ console to your PC. (An Ethernet cable is supplied with the Xbox 360™ video game and entertainment system; not included with the Xbox 360 Core system.)

Direct network connection between Xbox 360 and a PC

If your PC or home network is connected to high-speed Internet, you can use this connection to connect to Xbox Live.

Note

Your Xbox 360 console can deliver the ultimate integration of gaming and room-to-room entertainment—including watching or recording TV shows, viewing your digital photos, and listening to your digital music library—from a Windows Media Center–based PC to any TV in your home.

To learn about using Windows Media Center with Xbox 360, see Use a Windows Media Center–Based PC with Xbox 360.

Windows Media Connect

Windows Media Connect lets you connect your Xbox 360 console to a PC running Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2) or later—it doesn't have to be a Windows Media Center-based PC.

Windows Media Connect lets your Xbox 360 console stream music and pictures stored on an Windows XP–based computer anywhere in your home. View slide shows on your TV and play all your music—both your audio CDs and the unprotected music files on your PC—through one sound system.

To set up Windows Media Connect on a Windows XP–based PC:

  1. Connect your console to your PC as described above.
  2. Go to www.xbox.com/pcsetup and click Setup. You will be automatically redirected to the appropriate download for your operating system.

    Windows Media Connect download screen

    To manually select a download based on your operating system, visit the Xbox 360 Media Download Center instead.
  3. Click Next (or, if you followed the link for a manual download, choose your software from the drop-down menu and click Download).
  4. With your Xbox 360 console turned on and connected, run the executable download on your PC.

    Click Finish when installation is complete.
  5. From the Xbox Dashboard, select Media, then select your desired music and/or pictures from your PC.

Note

Windows Media Connect users: In the rare event that your PC and your Xbox 360 console are connected to a router and your PC is using a Windows ICS connection to a third device, Windows Media Connect (WMC) may not function.

WMC depends on the Xbox 360 console's UPnP traffic. This traffic may be blocked by a PC in this configuration. If this occurs, either turn off ICS to unblock UPnP traffic or rearrange your network.

For More Info

To learn more about Windows Media Connect, visit Windows Media Worldwide or check out the extensive Windows Media Connect FAQ.

To establish a wireless connection between your Windows XP–based PC and your Xbox 360 console using an Xbox 360 Wireless Networking Adapter or other Xbox Live Compatible device, go to Wireless Connection.

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