Using xbox 360 arcade as MCE Extender

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Regs

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Snowflake

#60547 27-Apr-2010 21:08

If i'm going to get an xbox to use primarily as an MCE extender, is there any reason why I shouldnt get an Arcade bundle as shown here:

http://www.noelleeming.co.nz/games-gaming/xbox-360-xb360/xbox-360-consoles-xb360/xbox-360-xbox360arcade-arcade-console/prod97975.html

This one has no HDD - do i even need one?

Obviously i'll need to grab an HDMI cable and remote seperately (will the regular MCE remote work with xbox?)

cheers
Regan

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#323891 27-Apr-2010 21:22

Yep, MCE will work fine without the HDD but the xbox would need to be connected to the internet/xbox live otherwise MCE will not start up.

Official MS MCE remote with a media center button (green color) will work fine with the 360.

ps - for $429 you can get Elite bundle (120GB) + 2 games (Lego batman, Pure) - Bond n Bond

or $449 same deal at Mightyape with free shipping.

Do whatever you want to do man.

Wise

Send money globally for less with Wise - one free transfer up to NZ$900 (affiliate link).

madad

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Master Geek

#323893 27-Apr-2010 21:25

No issue at all. I use 3 xboxes as extenders and the run fine, with or without a hard drive.

Also of interest is the new update for xbox 360 that allows you to use a usb device for storing system information (such as a usb stick) - thereby increasing the available space to about 16gigs on the stick.

There are of course issues with the xbox not playing some formats. I've found this quite frustrating and have recently moved back to a full blown media pc for the lounge. But for other rooms the xbox works well, giving you access to most of the functionality of the main media pc, like scheduling recordings etc.

Regs

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Snowflake

#323909 27-Apr-2010 21:42

i'm planning this for the bedroom extender. i have CAT5 through the house so internet connectivity and streaming from main MCE is no problem.

sure, i could 'upgrade' to the elite bundle, but is it going to do anything more with MCE? There is no HDMI cable or remote with the bundle.

fortunately i have a spare MCE remote - i run a harmony remote in the lounge.

getting the same prices as at noel leemings competitors (or better) won't be a problem - they're very negotiable. also, i have a bunch of noel leeming vouchers to spend which is why i was browsing their catalogs.

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gehenna

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#323947 27-Apr-2010 23:39

be aware that the xbox runs loud. check out one in action in the shop before you buy, i'm assuming for the bedroom you'll want something that is quiet. i've heard the newer xboxes run a bit quieter than the older ones but they still aren't anywhere near as silent as the ps3.

Regs

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Snowflake

#323952 28-Apr-2010 00:15

gehenna: be aware that the xbox runs loud. check out one in action in the shop before you buy, i'm assuming for the bedroom you'll want something that is quiet. i've heard the newer xboxes run a bit quieter than the older ones but they still aren't anywhere near as silent as the ps3.

from what i've found/read so far, they're fairly noisy when spinning a DVD for a game, less so when spinning a movie disc, but otherwise not too bad. i guess i can always try and replace some bits to quieten it if its a problem... but i'll check what its like instore first.

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gehenna

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#323956 28-Apr-2010 00:55

Regs:
gehenna: be aware that the xbox runs loud. check out one in action in the shop before you buy, i'm assuming for the bedroom you'll want something that is quiet. i've heard the newer xboxes run a bit quieter than the older ones but they still aren't anywhere near as silent as the ps3.

from what i've found/read so far, they're fairly noisy when spinning a DVD for a game, less so when spinning a movie disc, but otherwise not too bad. i guess i can always try and replace some bits to quieten it if its a problem... but i'll check what its like instore first.

Yeah very noisy when spinning a disc, but unfortunately pretty noisy when idle too which is what I'm mainly referring to, since I don't expect you'll be wanting to use the disc drive much as an extender.

rvangelder

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Ultimate Geek

#324010 28-Apr-2010 08:45

the xbox is noisy. that's why i went with linksys mce.

i kinda wish I'd gone with xbox, cause of the quality (and the games :D).

RustyGonad

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#324029 28-Apr-2010 09:11

The Jaspers aren't silent, but they're not that noisy either.

If you are a pedantic type who likes to sit around and measure things with a noise meter, and listen to the delicate sound of your neighbours farting while your ring up noise control to complain, while indulging in some self loving about how quiet the PS3 is while its sitting on the shelf (cause you can't watch TV on it) then its gonna get on your wick.

Most normal people watching normal TV won't even hear it operating as an extender.

They get noisy when you use the drive or get they hot, neither of which happens when using one as an extender.

Satch

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#324132 28-Apr-2010 12:18

I can give you a million reasons why not to use an Xbox 360 as a media center extender. Both RustyGonad and Cyril are totally caught up in my pain at the moment...

Sorry I'm ranting but I just can't seem to get it up and running via a totally wireless network. As long as you are not intending on going down that track then hopefully you should be ok.

If anyone is using an Xbox 360 as an extender via wireless then please PM me...

Regs

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Snowflake

#324328 28-Apr-2010 17:20

just caught this link today:

http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/27/windows-7-media-center-coming-to-embedded-devices?icid=sphere_blo...

perhaps i can hold on *just a little longer*...... the idea of a windows 7 embedded device running on SSD and potentially fanless is promising

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k14

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#324333 28-Apr-2010 17:32

Satch: I can give you a million reasons why not to use an Xbox 360 as a media center extender. Both RustyGonad and Cyril are totally caught up in my pain at the moment...

Sorry I'm ranting but I just can't seem to get it up and running via a totally wireless network. As long as you are not intending on going down that track then hopefully you should be ok.

If anyone is using an Xbox 360 as an extender via wireless then please PM me...

You must be doing something wrong. I have used mine wirelessly since I bought it. Either stream off my laptop or desktop (desktop is plugged into router though). Since I have vista business on desktop I can't use windows media centre but can share the folders via WMP and access those folders on the xbox. Would be nice if they supported H264 but we can't have it all!

Satch

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#324345 28-Apr-2010 17:58

k14: You must be doing something wrong.

Oh wow, like I never even considered that...

k14: (desktop is plugged into router though)

Well that's not totally wireless then, is it?

k14: Would be nice if they supported H264 but we can't have it all!

You must be doing something wrong. Mine supports h.264.

Would you care to share your set up with me? That would be helpful for me. I don't want to hijack this thread so maybe you could PM me instead.

Cheers,
Satch.

billgates

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#324358 28-Apr-2010 18:33

Here is the story with WMC and Wifi on the Xbox 360. If using Wifi (G) and WMC on the 360, menu will be very sluggish to use and freeview HD will not run at all.

Wifi on 360 and WMP video sharing through your PC works fine though without any delay/lag. I used this setup for good 2 years with 360 atleast 30 meters away from my PC on a Wifi (G) connection. Now I have ethernet cord running and WMC on 360 runs perfect and plays freeview HD flawlessly.

Do whatever you want to do man.

madad

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Master Geek

#324655 29-Apr-2010 12:27

Just thought I'd mention, because last night I walked into my bedroom where my son was happily watching TV thru the xbox and it reminded me.. that it is so quiet I couldnt tell the xbox was acvtually on at all. My xboxes are recent (purchased about a year ago) and very quiet.

Not sure if anyone else mentioned but the xbox itself has a fan in it as well as the power brick. The brick can be hidden away, thereyby reducing noise significantly.

I love that I can watch half a programme in the lounge, the go to the xbox in the bedroom and hit resume on the same programme and it continues from where I just left off!

Satch

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#324664 29-Apr-2010 12:38

madad: I love that I can watch half a programme in the lounge, the go to the xbox in the bedroom and hit resume on the same programme and it continues from where I just left off!

Arrrgggghhh! Stop teasing me! I had to cable up my HTPC to my router last night just so I could use the Xbox extender in the bedroom.

I will write up my issue and post it on here at some stage, just in case anyone here has any ideas on how to resolve it.

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