How to use Xbox 360 as Media Center Extender

If you have an Xbox 360 connected to a home network that also has a PC running Windows Media Center, you can add your Xbox 360 as an Extender for Windows Media Center – so you can enjoy your digital media from your PC on your TV.

How to connect xbox 360 to your home network:

1. Turn on your PC running Windows Media Center and log on to Windows. Verify that your computer is connected to your home network.
   
2. Turn on your Xbox 360 and verify that it is connected to your home network. You can connect your Xbox 360 console to your home network router by using an Ethernet cable, or connect wirelessly.
   
3. When connecting with a Ethernet cable to your home network, your PC should automatically recognize that it is connected. You will get a message on your PC saying that it’s ready to set up your extender. If not, then in Windows Media Center, go to the Start screen, scroll to Tasks, and then click add extender.
   
4. On the Welcome to Windows Media Center Extender Setup screen in Windows Media Center, click Next.
   
5. On your Xbox 360, use your controller to scroll to My Xbox, and then select Windows Media Center. If you have the old Xbox 360 dashboard, you can find the Extender settings on the media blade.

Entering 8-digit Setup key into Setup screen:

1. On your Xbox 360, follow the instructions on the screen to obtain an 8-digit Windows Media Center Setup Key. Write down this 8-digit setup key. This is the key that you will use to affiliate your Xbox 360 with your computer that has Windows Media Center.
   
2. On the Enter the Setup Key screen in Windows Media Center, use the Windows Media Center remote control or keyboard to enter the 8-digit setup key that displays on Xbox 360, and then click Next.
   
   Don't forget to write down the setup key! Windows needs it to connect your Extender

Completing xbox 360 setup process:

Follow the steps in Extender Setup. Several changes are automatically made to your Windows Media Center computer during the Extender Setup, including changes to the Windows Firewall settings. During this time, the Windows Media Center Extender service (which is named mcx2svc) starts on your computer, along with other dependent services.

If you have a firewall running on your computer that is not the Windows Firewall, make sure that the firewall software is set up to allow Xbox 360 to connect to your PC running Windows Media Center. Some firewalls are already set up to allow Xbox 360 to connect to a Windows Media Center computer as an Extender. However, other firewalls will require you to make changes to how the firewall software is set up.

1. A new user account named mcx1 (by default) is automatically created to use the Extender.
   
2. After Extender Setup has finished, in Windows Media Center, click Finish.

The Windows Media Center user interface will appear on the TV connected to your Xbox 360. You can then enjoy live TV, recorded TV, pictures, music, videos, and other digital media on your Xbox 360 as you would in Windows Media Center.

Troubleshooting steps:

• Verify that both the Extender and PC are turned on. Also, make sure that the computer is not in Hibernate or Sleep mode.
  
• If you are using a wired connection, make sure that the Ethernet cable is plugged into the Ethernet port on the Extender.
  
• If the Extender is connected to the network using a wireless connection:
  • Make sure the Extender is within range of the wireless access point or router with as few obstructions as possible between the Extender and the access point.
    
  • Make sure that both the computer and Extender are connected to the same router.
    
  • If your wireless network uses a security key, verify that you have the correct network security key for the type of wireless network security method that your network uses.
• Try re-starting the PC running Windows Media Center computer, the Extender, and your network hub, router, or switch.
  
• You can try to determine where the problem is occurring by connecting your Xbox 360 directly to your Windows Media Center computer by using a regular Ethernet cable.
  
  If Xbox 360 can connect to your PC, then the problem might be occurring with the router, hub, or switch and the settings on them. However, if your Xbox 360 and PC still cannot connect, the problem might be associated with a setting on your router, hub, or switch alone or in conjunction with a firewall setting.
  
• Make sure that you know the user name and password for an account that has administrative privileges on your PC running Windows Media Center. You must be able to provide this information when prompted for Extender Setup.
  
• If you are using a fingerprint reader or another security program on your computer, you might need to change the program's settings before an Extender can be connected to the computer. If the security program does not include a setting that resolves connection issues, you'll need to uninstall the program to use an Extender.
  
• If you have Windows Live OneCare installed on your computer, select the Connect my Xbox 360 or “Media Center Extender to my Media Center PC” check box in the Windows Live OneCare Firewall Connection Tool.
  
• Make sure that your PC is not joined to a domain. If your computer is connected to a domain, remove the computer from the domain, and then go through Extender Setup again.