Xbox 360 Media Streaming

[jcap]

Ok, I'm scrapping the other topic. Originally, I was looking for help finding a media streaming solution, but now I have more problems.

I decided to go with installing Windows Home Server, which, to my surprise, is based on Server 2003.

So anyway, I installed that, and the problems I have on Windows Vista/7 don't occur when the adapter is maxed. HOWEVER, one thing that has been bugging me still remains.

With some movies, the Xbox plays them back choppy. Monitoring the network usage, when the video starts, it uses 50% of the 100 Mbps network for about 5 seconds, then settles down to 0.02%. It sits between 0 and 0.02% for about 3 minutes, then it starts showing around 2.5% activity, still smoothly playing. After about 3 more minutes, it shoots back up to 50% and glitches for about 2 seconds. Then, it goes back down to 0 and the cycle repeats.

This has been happening on Server 2003, XP, Vista, and 7, and I've tested it with two separate Xbox 360 consoles.

Edit: Actually, I before I look any further into this, I'm going to format a spare disk as FAT32 and connect it to the 360. If it's the bitrate or crap, I'll know then.

[Futzy]

What streaming programs are you using?

[jcap]

I tried using the regular Windows streaming on all the computers, and I tried TVersity on just the WHS media server (which isn't transcoding...can't figure out why it refuses to either).

EDIT: Also, I want to add that it ALWAYS occurs at the same points in the video, regardless of the amount of time you start it at. [I was originally going to type something here, but as I was typing, something else came up...see below!]

OK, so I put it on a separate drive and plugged it straight into the Xbox. I tried doing this sooner, but I was too lazy to clear a drive so I can format it with FAT32 (fuck the Xbox with its shitty lack of support for modern filesystems that predate the console).

The stuttering happens at the same points. It has to be a problem with the video, which would explain why it happens with some, but not all videos. This is strange, though, since it plays back flawlessly on any PC...in any media player... WTF.

So I guess it's a problem that probably deals with the physical hardware limitations of the shitty outdated 360, I need a way to get around it. I was thinking of using TVersity to convert to another format to clear the current videos of any flaws, but I can't get it to convert, even if the conversion setting is set to "always".

[jcap]

Well, I came across one thread that seems to describe the exact problem I experience: http://forums.xbox-scene.com/index.php?showtopic=637983

The video I am discussing in this thread is encoded with AC3, but it's 2 channels only. Also, the thing is, several of my videos are encoded with Dolby AC3 5.1 tracks and they play fine.

[Futzy]

Utilizing the play to feature of wmp 12 on w7 with a dolby ac3 5.1 has always given me smooth results on my wired connection. Have you tried setting up windows media center on your xbox and pc?

[jcap]

When I first got my Xbox years ago, I tried using it as an extender. It seemed cool, but it performed like crap because it just took too long to get anything to play.

On New Year's Eve, I tried it again. It works OK, except for when the network connection maxes (which seems to happen with Media Center just from browsing the library) and the network adapter fails.

Big, get on AIM so I can let you try with the same video.

[Futzy]

don't have aim.
A friend of mine has my xbox right now, so I won't be able to do anything.

[paladin]

I just go to my xbox> my videos and stream. Works like a charm. Not sure why Media Center is needed.

[jcap]

I just go to my xbox> my videos and stream. Works like a charm. Not sure why Media Center is needed.
...that's what I'm doing right now, but apparently the 360 has major compatibility flaws with its codec.

And I still don't know why TVersity doesn't work.

[paladin]

The xbox doesnt support a lot of codecs, its quite annoying. I see your point

[jcap]

Well it does support Xvid...and I am getting playback...except some videos appear to have problems. I'm guessing there's nothing I can do about that, but I'd like to get TVersity (or some alternative) working for transcoding on the fly.