HTPC vx 360 extender

bbboy · **16th December 2007, 12:20 PM**

Hi

With the recent DivX update, I'm wondering what advantage a HTPC really offers over a 360 networked to a desktop PC with tuner cards and massive HDD storage?

Is there some kind of limitation with the 360 and HD TV playback? I've heard it alluded to on these forums, but am finding it hard to pin down what it is...

I just feel like I blew all these dollars on a HTPC and now the 360 could have done it all (minus some obscure codecs) with the help of a tuner card and a new HDD in my desktop...

And would have been a great gaming console to boot...

dgaust · **16th December 2007, 12:30 PM**

The divx update doesn't allow divx files to be played through the extender interface, it only works through the dashbaord.

The limitation with HD on the xbox360 is that it only does 60hz on HD playback, not 50hz (like it does with SD resolutions).

bbboy · **16th December 2007, 12:55 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by dgaust

The divx update doesn't allow divx files to be played through the extender interface, it only works through the dashbaord.

The limitation with HD on the xbox360 is that it only does 60hz on HD playback, not 50hz (like it does with SD resolutions).

How big of an issue is the 60hz thing? Doesn't SOUND like a big issue, but what are the real world implications?

I imagine there will be update to fix it at some point?

The divx business is an easy fix, just put all your divx files on your 360 HDD... Maybe an arcade + 120gb combo for $578...

CraigMBecket · **17th December 2007, 04:27 AM**

Hi bbboy

Quote:

How big of an issue is the 60hz thing? Doesn't SOUND like a big issue, but what are the real world implications

Depends on whether you enjoy jumpy/jerky TV or not. It tends to be as simple as that. Some people get away with it, some don't care others it drives to distraction.

Craig.

jvesey · **17th December 2007, 08:28 AM**

I wouldn't hold my breath waiting for an update from M$. They've known about the 50Hz issue for a long time now - but can't be bothered to fix it.

mich · **17th December 2007, 09:31 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by CraigMBecket

Hi bbboy

Depends on whether you enjoy jumpy/jerky TV or not. It tends to be as simple as that. Some people get away with it, some don't care others it drives to distraction.

Craig.

i've been running my x360 extender since the early days or RC1 and have never had a single problem with jerkieness.

running off a wirelss 54g network to mylaptop i get jerkieness every now and then, but never ever using a wired network to the x360.

mine runs direct ethernet from the pc to the x360. i guess if you were running via a router and had network issues that could effect the performance, but thats not a problem with the x360. also, i suspect that other peoples reports of jerkieness with it are due to the 60hz issue.

that said, my biggest (and well documented) issue with the x360 is the noise. the new ones are reported to be quieter if you get the right one, but even better than that, d-link and linksys are releasing dedicated extenders in the new year, if you can, its probably worth holding off until then.

Mysteron · **17th December 2007, 09:52 AM**

Quote:

just feel like I blew all these dollars on a HTPC and now the 360 could have done it all

Is your desktop running XPMCE Edition or Vista Premium/Ultimate?
Don't forget that the 360 will NOT be able to access TV unless you have it connected to a HTPC ie a PC running XPMC or VistaMC, a PC with plain XP/Vista basic and a TV tuner won't work the extender interface.

Auldar · **20th December 2007, 09:42 AM**

I'm very happy with my X360 working as an extender. It also has the added bonus of being a games machine

logifuse · **20th December 2007, 01:16 PM**

I went with the MCE2005/office PC backend with an Xbox 360 extender from the start because I had a CRT TV that only did composite or RGB & the 360 can do RGB via a scart cable. The result was great as it was set to SD @ 50Hz. Seriously though, divx/xvid aren't an option with it if you wish to remain sane. Transcode 360 is a good effort, but it's well short.

I upgraded to an LCD TV & it was then that the 360 started to become really annoying. The 60Hz HD is a huge issue with any panning - the result is that I can't use my X360 for HD output.

The noise really started getting to me too.

Stand alone extenders might be the solution, but we're waiting to see on that one.

I got so fed up that I put together a VMC & have never looked back. The once closed AVI world has been opened up, DVDs playback in VMC & I share recorded TV between the MCE2005 backend & the VMC (5 tuners spread across the 2 using recording broker). While not perfect, it's light years ahead of having a 360.

Sure, you'll save yourself some bucks now, but you'll be spending plenty of time asking yourself why you did.

Just my 2 cents.

jsbbs · **21st January 2008, 12:27 PM**

One other thing to consider is HDD space.

Using a dedicated HTPC (like logifuse is doing) means you can play DivX/XVid files onto your TV.

Using the XBOX360 as an extender (as I'm doing) means that all your videos will have to be one of two formats; MPG or WMV.

Comparing file sizes (DivX is approx half to third the size of an MPG; now don't quote on that as it depends on many parameters that you would set

) means that you'll need lots of more HDD space on the MCX path.

Oh, the noise. I'm over it now, especially since the Sydney flight path was changed to go over from the north..

If you asked me what I would do for my next HTPC, I would go for a slight variation of logifuse or GlenR; a minimalist HTPC with a NAS (added later).