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I don't have any Windows Media Center setup, only a Windows Home Server that shares the media (Pictures, Music and Movies). Will a Xbox 360 be happy streaming this content from the WHS?
As far as I know, the Xbox 360 could act as a Media Extender, but that requires a Windows Vista/7 Media Center setup, but this is not what I have.

Edit: This is meant to be a replacement for an old Xbox classic. No interest in other software and/or hardware alternatives. What I'm really asking is; given a Xbox 360 connected to a Windows Home Server share, what features will I be missing compared to as it being a Media Center Extender?

GAThrawn
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Magnus
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2 Answers2

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Yes. The Xbox 360 will work with Windows Home Server. You can view photos and videos and play music. Here is a link to the Windows Home Server Technical brief on Media Sharing: http://download.microsoft.com/download/3/A/9/3A97EE0D-A268-42E0-A20C-B8C88E27BF84/Windows%20Home%20Server%20Technical%20Brief%20-%20Media%20Sharing.docx

Here is an excerpt from the brief:

"Windows® Home Server Media Sharing enables you to view, listen, and watch your favorite media stored on your home server by using digital media receivers and playback devices, such as the Microsoft® Xbox 360™."

RSMoser
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Simply put, share what you want with the HomeGroup system. The Xbox 360 can then see it. But only in the Music Player and Video Player "programs". Home Server 2011 not having a WMC implementation in it won't let me connect the 360's MCE method and see how it operates.

Its a mediocre way for the data to get there, but its better than nothing. I actually host all my media to my network through a entirely separate program. MediaMonkey now has Video support in its library system, as well as they have now added DLNA Server support. The Xbox sees it the same as it sees the WHS2011 shares for video and music.

But it lets me have a control of everything, plus I have the MediaMonkey program installed on all of my systems and each accesses the central database. I can add, remove, change, etc, any entries from any computer and all others see it.

Simon Sheehan
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Na5
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