Hello all, I hope someone can help me with this issue?

I am unable to stream MP4 movie files from my Windows Vista Ultimate Media Center PC to my XBOX 360.

In the XBOX 360 Dashboard - Media Blade - Video - Computer I can see the folders but it says No video's were found. If I rename the movie file extension on the PC however from .MP4 to .WMV the XBOX then finds and plays them fine, but this means I am unable to add meta tags as they are lost when changing them to a .WMV extension.

I have created my .MP4 files using ImToo MP4 Convertor 3 software, to convert downloaded .AVI files. There are several output options in ImToo MP4 convertor 3 for MP4 files I have tried both:

MPEG-4 AVC Video Format (*.MP4) &
MP4 - MPEG-4 Video (*.MP4)

Can anyone recommend another Video file converter program that runs on Vista that might work better that ImToo MP4 Convertor?

I am using WMP11 on the PC with the Tag Support plug-in installed, I am also using the Klite codec pack. I am able to play all MP4 movies on the PC in both WMP11 and Media Center. I also added the registry keys to allow WMP11 to add MP4 files to its library.

The only time I have been able to play an MP4 movie natively on the XBOX was when using TVersity media server instead of WMP11 and at that time the XBOX installed the video codec update. It's as if WMP11 is not serving up the MP4 files correct for sharing with the XBOX Extender.

Also does anyone know when media center running on the XBOX is likely to support streaming MP4 rather than having to do it from the dashboard interface?

Has anyone else had similar problems?

Many Thanks

Stuart

 

Spring '07 Video Playback FAQ

22. How can I get Windows Media Player 11 to stream MPEG-4 Part 2 and H.264 to my console?
By default, Windows Media Player 11 does not support MPEG-4 Part 2 and H.264. You can either convert your MPEG-4 Part 2 and H.264 content to WMV or you can install a 3rd party MP4 DirectShow decoder pack to import MPEG-4 part 2 and H.264 files into your library. Once they are in your library they can be streamed to your console just like WMVs.

I'm using K-Lite Codec Pack (Full) 3.3.5 with the 21st of Aug update installed.

21. What are the different video codecs that Zune and Windows Media Player support out of the box for streaming?
The Zune software supports unprotected WMV, MPEG-4 Part 2 and H.264. Windows Media Player 11 supports protected and unprotected WMV.

Why does Zune support MPEG-4 Part 2 and H.264 for streaming and WMP11 does not by default.

12. Does Xbox 360 display embedded artwork for MPEG-4 Part 2 and H.264 files?
Yes. You can embed your artwork that is less than 400KB in the video files and they will be shown in the Xbox 360 video area when streaming from the Zune software.

And when streaming from WMP11, why does this not work?

11. Does Xbox 360 Media Center Extender support MPEG-4 Part 2 and H.264?
Not at this time. You must play these videos in the Xbox Dashboard.

Why??? When will it?

Does anyone use Zune over WMP11? Is Zune the answer to most of my streaming issues?

I've finally given in and installed the Zune software on to my Vista MCE. I really didn't like the idea of managing two media libraries one in WMP11 and the other in Zune but I will let you know what I make of it and if Zune will stream MP4 natively to the 360 with out breaking the rest of my setup.

Update:

Well Zune seems to work I can now stream MP4 and WMV to the XBOX dashboard.
I'm still very interested to know if anyone got MP4 files streaming from WMP11 ?