How to improve streaming media to an Xbox

Thorin · April 22, 2010, 11:19:33 PM

My son got an Xbox360 from Santa this past Christmas. I've finally gotten around to running a network cable from my router to the Xbox, and I've now installed TVersity.

I've been trying to watch movies, but some of them don't play. I've updated the Xbox through Xbox Live, which made several of the movies start working.

So, some questions.

1. I want to transcode all my movies to the same video and audio codec. Which video codec should I aim for? Which audio codec should I aim for?
2. What program should I use to transcode them?
3. Any suggestions to make TVersity use less resources so the computer can still be used while actively sharing media?

I'm asking here because I know there are some real experts that frequent RW. Please, share your knowledge

Melbosa · April 22, 2010, 11:28:50 PM

H264 is pretty common for Hi-Def video, but for the most part, unless your computer is pretty bad ass, you can't do much else when transcoding HiDef on the fly. AC3 is pretty standard for most downloaded content, and using something like mencoder and avsynth for transcode is pretty easy to setup.

Basically download K-Lite Mega Pack (http://www.codecguide.com/download_mega.htm), answer the speaker question to match your desired audio output, fire up TVersity and you should be able to transcode most stuff out there.

The guides on TVersity's website are usually pretty good!

Thorin · April 23, 2010, 11:12:26 AM

Yeah, I'm considering actually transcoding all my files to a single format so that TVersity doesn't have to transcode on the fly. I've seen the recommendation to download the K-Lite Mega Pack before, but hadn't gotten around to doing it yet.

I've had a quick look at that MEncoder for doing the transcoding - it appears to be all commandline. Are there any GUIs for it? I've also seen some writeups on using VLC to transcode to a new file, which might be a little easier to do for a Windows user. Keep in mind that it might not be me making the files, if I can make a step-by-step guide to follow.

Lazybones · April 23, 2010, 11:38:32 AM

I on the other hand completely avoid the K-lite pack, you should install the pack that comes with TVersity. I have found other combinations crash it..

If you want to pre transcode, try a program called Handbreak... it is really easy.. Stick to XviD downloads if you want them to work with the 360. The problem with h264 files is that most of them are in mkv containers that the 360 will not support and H264 is intense on CPU use so it is hard for TVersity to do an on the fly conversion.

Melbosa · April 23, 2010, 12:05:09 PM

Handbreak is a pretty easy app for conversion, works with multiple OSs; although primarily used for making iPod versions, you can use it to convert to pretty standard formats at the same quality of source. Again this uses programs that come with K-Lite. MEncoder comes with K-Lite, but usually you need other software with GUIs to launch the program for the conversion.

VLC is ok as well, although I find it a bit buggy. Nero's ReEncode or is it Recode works pretty well, but you pay for that.

With PS3 Media Server (which can work with XBox 360 as well - but not as easy), the transcoding stuff is a joke... and the guilds for setup are phenomenal. It has features that I wish TVersity would employ, as I still think TVersity is more stable and robust, but they lack some features I really enjoy (from the perspective of my GF using it). The PS3 Media Server with a PS3 supports many more formats natively than does the X360 with TVersity. So way less transcoding on the fly, more streaming.

Melbosa · April 23, 2010, 12:07:15 PM

Quote from: Lazybones on April 23, 2010, 11:38:32 AM
I on the other hand completely avoid the K-lite pack, you should install the pack that comes with TVersity. I have found other combinations crash it..

Lazy has more experience with the 360 and TVersity than I, so I would trust his judgment.

Quote from: Lazybones on April 23, 2010, 11:38:32 AM
If you want to pre transcode, try a program called Handbreak... it is really easy.. Stick to XviD downloads if you want them to work with the 360. The problem with h264 files is that most of them are in mkv containers that the 360 will not support and H264 is intense on CPU use so it is hard for TVersity to do an on the fly conversion.

And this is one of the reasons why I switched to my PS3 for streaming video, as it natively supports H264 formats, as I also have a 360 wired in. PS3 also is a gig nic vs the 360s 100 mbps.

Tom · April 23, 2010, 12:25:44 PM

I'd also reccomend against K-lite. But not just for TVersity. But all together.

If you have to get a codec pack, CCCP is one I'd recommend.

Melbosa · April 23, 2010, 01:30:00 PM

Quote from: Tom on April 23, 2010, 12:25:44 PM
I'd also reccomend against K-lite. But not just for TVersity. But all together.

If you have to get a codec pack, CCCP is one I'd recommend.

I though CCCP was pay for.

And I'm not sure what you guys have against K-Lite... cause it has been working awesome for me for years.

Tom · April 23, 2010, 02:16:31 PM

Quote from: Melbosa on April 23, 2010, 01:30:00 PM
Quote from: Tom on April 23, 2010, 12:25:44 PM
I'd also reccomend against K-lite. But not just for TVersity. But all together.

If you have to get a codec pack, CCCP is one I'd recommend.

I though CCCP was pay for.

And I'm not sure what you guys have against K-Lite... cause it has been working awesome for me for years.

As far as I can tell, http://www.cccp-project.net/ does not charge you for it.

Thorin · April 23, 2010, 02:17:05 PM

Quote from: Tom on April 23, 2010, 12:25:44 PM
If you have to get a codec pack, CCCP is one I'd recommend.

Hah, that's a funny website, that. http://www.cccp-project.net/ But would you suggest the NEIN NEIN NEIN version or the Hero Of The Workforce version? :p

Tom · April 23, 2010, 02:50:09 PM

Quote from: Thorin on April 23, 2010, 02:17:05 PM
Quote from: Tom on April 23, 2010, 12:25:44 PM
If you have to get a codec pack, CCCP is one I'd recommend.

Hah, that's a funny website, that. http://www.cccp-project.net/ But would you suggest the NEIN NEIN NEIN version or the Hero Of The Workforce version? :p

Lol.

The latest version. I doubt "Insurgent" is up to date.

Mr. Analog · April 24, 2010, 10:22:21 AM

CCCP-Project is best, if you have a mish-mash of video like me it's practically invaluable when coupled with VLC

Tom · April 24, 2010, 01:29:21 PM

VLC should technically be capable of decoding everything without the CCCP pack afaik. But I'm not sure vlc does SSA subs all that well. I know XBMC doesn't even see them, which blows. Plain text subs, typically hard to read, over SSA

*sniff*

Lazybones · April 24, 2010, 06:45:52 PM

If you use MPC http://mpc-hc.sourceforge.net/ (new fork) or VLC the codecs are built in and you don't need to mess with your windows install for watching videos ON your computer..

If you are already using a windows PC to stream the content to your 360 is it running windows 7 ? And does it have Media Center? If so there are some extentions to Media Center that can help.. Also running as a media extender the 360 offers a much nicer UI and can be used for live TV control if you Pipe all the content through your PC.

Thorin · April 25, 2010, 05:02:39 PM

Nope, running XP still (still!).

So, if I were to want to transcode everything I have on our computers now, the suggestions have been MEncoder (completely command-line) and HandBrake. I like the queuing option of HandBrake, plus the UI seems a little more intuitive than command-line for a non-power-user such as my wife.

I wish there were just a simple "select the library, select the output, GO" tool with a decent UI.