Adding Xbox 360 as Media Center Extender for Domain Member Computer

Xbox 360 unfortunately cannot join a domain and thus domain members cannot find the Xbox 360 on the local network. This creates problems when you need to make the connection between your Xbox 360 and your Media Center on the domain member computer.

But fear not brave gamer (and Windows Server geek - I assume), the solution is pretty straight forward. Follow these steps and you are good to go.

  1. Make sure your local administrator account is enabled and that you know the password.
  2. Remove the computer from your Windows domain
  3. Log onto your computer as the local Adminstrator and make the connection to your Xbox 360
  4. Join the computer to the domain

Congratulations. You are now connected with your Xbox 360.

Adding Media Libraries

Your Xbox will not be able to access your media libraries before you make one additional change. The Xbox connects to your computer with a local account on the computer. You must grant that account access to your music libraries in your user profile before you can enjoy your music. If your music is placed in the public music folder you can skip this step.

1. Using the Windows Explorer. Right click your music library and expand the menu item "Share With" and select the menu item "Specific People"

Media-center-extender-2

2. Expand the drop down menu and select "Find People...".

Media-center-extender-3

3. Select the button "Locations..." and select your local computer from the list. Click the button OK.

Media-center-extender-4
Media-center-extender-5

4. Enter the name of the Media Center Extender account. It would be something like "mcx1-<your computer name>". My pc is called sjl-pc1, so the MCE account is named mcx1-sjl-pc1. I guess if you have more than one Media Center Extender they would be called mcx2, mcx3 and so on.

Media-center-extender-6

5. Make sure the account is granted "Read" rights. It does not need any more rights than that - and you make sure it cannot mess up your library. Click the button "Share".

Media-center-extender-7

That is it! You're done! Now head over to your Xbox 360 and add your music libraries.

Happy Xbox'in!

The New Windows 8 UI

Microsoft has started a series of videos showing the new Windows 8 user interface. I must say this is a very nice piece of artwork. As expected the touch user interface resembles the user interface used for Windows Phone 7 and is a very welcome feature. Windows 8 also features a new type of applications, that are designed for the touch user interface with a brand new and very sleak appearance.

Take a look at this video, showing the new interface and stay tuned on Youtube or the Windows 8 team blog for more updates. :-)

User Interface Highlights

  • Completely redefined start menu
  • Look and feel like the Windows Phone 7 Metro UI - the UI on the different devices becomes similar and consistent *thumbs up*
  • Completely touch aware
  • New possibilities for developing cool and sweet looking apps
  • A user interface you will want to explore
  • Switch between applications by swiping your finger to the right
  • Snap apps to the screen by swiping your finger half way to the right and let go
  • Run legacy Windows 7 and Vista applications

More Information

Microsoft posted a video on Youtube and an article in the Press Center.

More about the upcoming hardware