Media Centre Hardware
The XBOX360 Elite is actually my second XBOX in just over a year. That is because the XBOX360 PRO had some major issues. It had the problem with the three red lights on start up (Yes I am returning it to Microsoft for them to fix this), but it also had a problem with the CD Tray, which ejected all the time. It would take about 100 ejects/inserts to get the game to read. Eventually it just gave up the ghost. I am told the magnet that holds the CD in place has fallen down to the magnet that holds the CD from the bottom, and because it’s joined there is no way the CD can be read. It’s only a fluke when it catches and reads. Bloody annoying to say the least. The Elite was the obvious upgrade, and it thankfully doesn’t have this problem and has a few advantages over the PRO namely; a 120GB hard disk instead of a 20GB hard disk, a HDMI connector, and it’s black. I wish it had the HD-DVD, but it doesn’t. So at the heart of our media centre is the XBOX360. As mentioned above the PRO was the first console I have ever bought, as I have always played PC Games, because I didn’t like the idea of sitting to close to a TV screen, finger fiddling with a crappy joy pad and having the hassle of all those cables. The XBOX360 has changed all that because it has wireless controls, connects directly to your existing broadband, can play media (video, music, photos), other multimedia devices can connect to it (cameras, hard drives, digital cameras, memory sticks etc). Best of all it is a media extender, meaning that other PC devices can stream music / video / photos via the XBOX to your TV or HIFI with ease. That is what I like about it the most. 
I bought a media PC not so long ago (12/06) and reluctantly installed Windows Media Center 2005 onto it. There are a few frustrations or niggles, but overall it works really well, and we are very impressed. Our PC is only used for video, mp3 listening. Nothing else. I stream everything from my network via the Xbox360 to the TV. It’s an excellent option. To control the media center I bought a Snapstream Firefly Remote, although at the moment I also using the Microsoft XBOX 360 Remote control, which works better. But saying that, the Firefly’s Advanced RF Technology means that it works through walls and up to thirty feet away. It has tons of buttons and features and even has a mouse button, which is useful if you want to move around the screen in windows or click on your favourite programs. The Firefly PC Remote can control a wide range of third-party applications. As I said, there are loads of buttons on the remote, which can be programmed for other applications. I use it for PowerDVD, MSN Messenger, Media Player, and controlling basic windows movement. Their support site says it can support up to 80 applications. If you want to see a list of applications it supports then click on Firefly supported applications link. 
you don’t really want to be sitting on top of your LCD because the keyboard’s cable is too short or the wireless range is too short. So the solution was the Microsoft Remote Keyboard for Windows Media Center. It’s awesome, very light and thin, has loads of options on it for controlling the media center, it’s basically a 3 in 1 keyboard, remote and mouse. It has a range of 30 foot, which is roughly 10 metres. Even the biggest lounge should be able to cope with the distances. Some of it’s key features include: Control Media Center in the dark. Turn the lights down low without having to squint and peck to control your Media Center.
Enjoy single-touch start. Launch Media Center PC functions with the press of a single green start button.
Control your Media Center from the couch. Effortlessly control all kinds of digital entertainment from across your living room with thirty-foot wireless range.
Stow without worry. The Key Lock keeps this sleek, stylish keyboard from being turned on by mistake, so you can stow it without worry.
Toshiba 32WLT58 Owners Manual
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Click here to open the cable wizard. |
Online Links to Applications, Games, Movies, TV Series, Music, Console etc.
- For some of the best TV online, PeekVid has to be one of the best. A massive collection of TV Series. Makes you think what is the point of downloading them?
- For the ultimate newsgroup indexer look no further than Newzbin.com - It’s a pay site (£2 for eight weeks of downloads). Well worth it when you consider what they are offering (Apps, Console, Music, Movies, TV Series etc).
- If you downloading from Newsgroups then GigaNews.com is an excellent source. They are a pay site in the US. Very reasonable monthly prices.
- A great tool for downloading message id’s from Newsgroup sites such as GigaNews is Grabit by Shemes.com
- For all your codecs look no further than Free-Codecs.com - They have everything.
- Gizmodo - An awesome Media Center Gadget site.
My Wish List for 2007: I am looking for a Receiver or Amplifier (most likely a receiver because they are cheapest) that has the following extra functions / (future proof): HDMI input and outputs, Network RJ45 Jack (for Internet Radio, Sharing network music, connecting to existing broadband), USB port for extra options like flash cards, audio drives, High Definition upscale conversion.
- Home Theatre Networks and how to cable it?
- What to look for in a A/V Receiver? 01/01/07?
- A/V Amps/Receivers at discount prices from HiFiBitZ
- 7.1 Channel | A/V Receiver
- A fantastic Surround Sound / Receiver Review Site
Possible Options when I hit the jackpot, or some rich parent lends me the cash (hint hint).
Synology Diskstation Hacks - Note, if you hack your diskstation, you will lose the warranty and Synology will not support your hardware, so you have been warned!!!!
tomshardware.co.uk – Synology DS-106e - One very full-featured NAS.
User guide to set up popular applications on your diskstation. (also has instructions for initial set up of diskstation).
Hacking your Diskstation.
Synology Modding Forum - Some great links in this forum. Ikeke is the one I communicated with and he knows everything about these diskstations and how it all works behind the scenes.
If you type "IPKG status" in telet or putty it will tell you what is applications are installed on your diskstation.
To remove an application type "ipkg remove packagename".
Troubleshooting - when your XBOX360 fails to connect to Windows Media Centre 2005.
The first place to start if you are experiencing problems with Media Connectivity.
Configuring Windows Firewall for Media Center Extender.
Xbox360 Firewall Ports for Windows Media Connect. (these are different to above).
Microsoft .NET Framework 1.1 Service Pack.
Ensure the following Windows services are enabled and set to automatic startup:
Universal Plug and Play Device Host
SSDP Discovery Service
HTTP SSL
Determine which Media Extender to download based on your version of Windows and whether or not you are using Zune.
Onscreen instructions for setting up the Media Extender.
Media Center Quick Reference Guide.
Finally if all else fails there is one last web site at Microsoft called Sharing your media - This site tells you how to hack your registry and edit user permissions. (This link is courtesy of Richard Slater).
XBOX360 & XP Media Center FAQ:
Below you can find links that I have come across who answer quesions about the XBOX360 and Media Center.
Damo’s New World Order - Q&A.
XBOX360 media streaming & SYNOLOGY DS106e: 
I have actually got the two devices to work (pre Media Centre Patch 2 on a Windows XP machine). It worked briefly, but in order to watch DivX/Xvid movies, I have to run an application on my windows XP machine called transcode, and this app only allows you to stream one movie at a time. You are able to browse the video directory, but then have to run the app first to view the video. Frustrating to so say the least.
Don’t get me wrong, both these devices are amazing in their own way, but streaming media from the DS106e to the XBOX360 doesn’t work. I have tried everything to get it to work. There are various forums on this topic, but I guess the best one (Synology themselves) sums it up the best.
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