Sharing files with Xbox or PS3

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Sharing files on the Xbox / PS3

There are many ways to enjoy multimedia content from computer and on a television screen. One is to use the so-called Next Gen consoles like Sony PlayStation 3 or Xbox 360 from Microsoft. Here's how.

Step 1: Windows Media Player

The method proposed here works only with Windows Media Player 11. Note that this installation can take place only on Windows XP SP2 and is installed by default on Windows Vista. Other point, the procedure that we describe is the same, whether the Microsoft Xbox 360 or Sony PS3, which must have firmware 1.80 or later.

1. Your Xbox 360 (or PS3) is to be switched on and connected to the same network as your computer.
   
2. Open Windows Media Player and click Library.
   
3. Select the "Sharing of multimedia files.
   
4. Check "Share my media files in".
   
5. Your console should appear in the list of available devices. Click your console and then click "Allow".

You can filter the content that will be shared by clicking the Settings button. Select media types to share (music, photo, video) and do show that the files you use most by imposing a number of stars "minimum (the latter increases with the frequency of use of a file ). Everything that is in your library and meet the criteria you set will be automatically shared with your console. No need to open Windows Media Player every time you want to take advantage of this division, but your computer must stay on course. Those who do not for some reason that escapes us, go to Windows Media Player 11, you can still use Windows Media Connect, which operates very similar to that described above for Windows Media Player. Finally, those who own a computer with Windows Media Center will benefit from an improved interface to the console from Microsoft. They benefit from the replication functions of Media Center on Xbox 360.

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Step 2: With PS3 Media Server

The solution we have just described is extremely simple and quick to implement, but suffers from some limitations:

• it only works on Windows;
• unable to play videos including subtitles;
• unable to read certain formats are not recognized by the Xbox 360 or PS3.

To circumvent these limitations, you can use a different program than Windows Media Player, as PS3 Media Server. As its name not stated, this software also works with the Microsoft console. The procedure is the same regardless of your device. Note that this software works on Windows, Mac OS X or Linux. It is available in english and has many options. Moreover, its interface is filled with small explanations very useful. Programmed in Java, PS3 Media Server encode on the fly to formats not supported by the console and add the subtitles, for example.

1. Connect your console to your network and turn it.
   
   
2. Launch the PS3 Media Server software. In the "Status", your PS3 should appear. This takes a time that depends on the size of your network. This tab also includes information on the progress of a possible conversion of your file and the speed of transmission from your computer to your console. For the Xbox 360, the recognition of the console requires you to scroll through menus on the Xbox and you choose the server PS3 Media Server. The console will then be recognized by the software.
   
   
3. The tab "General Settings" allows you to make enough adjustments for network configuration. Most of the time, however, you will not be forced to intervene here.
   
   
4. The "Navigation / Sharing Folders" is unavoidable, however: this is where you set the directories to share with your console, the method of sorting files, the type of files that can be explored how thumbnails will be displayed.
   
   
5. The tab "Settings transcoding" contains all the elements that control the conversion of a file that is not recognized by your console. Here you can adjust the sound quality or the number of processor cores that will be used to encode, among others. If you select the link MEncoder to the left of the window, you will have access to more settings for video on the HD or resizing the image.
   

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Step 3: Settings for the consoles

The choice of software used to act as server has no influence on the interface of the Xbox 360 or PS3. Whether you opted for Windows Media Player, PS3 Media Server, or Orb and Nero MediaHome, the procedure remains the same.

For Microsoft Xbox 360:

1. In the interface of the Xbox 360, go to the library of interest (video, music or images).
2. Select your computer from the list of sources that appear.
3. You can browse the content share.

If you want to play a video whose format is not natively recognized by the Xbox 360, it will suggest downloading a free update which might solve your problem. For this, you will be connected to Live.


For the Sony PlayStation 3:

1. In the interface of the PS3, scroll to the type of media you want.
2. Different sources appear, forming a column: select the one that corresponds to your computer (PS3 Media Server here.)
3. You can then browse your shared folders and launch the desired content.

Note that pressing the triangle button allows you to copy selected content on the hard disk of the PS3.