What video formats will the X-Box play?

[admin_exported]

Hi,

Not sure of this is the right discussion, but it seemed the most relevant. I’m about to receive an X-box 360, and I’m wondering what video formats it will play, and what the quality will be like through an HDMI lead on my LVD TV. I have an Archos AV500 full of AVI files (Xvid and Dvix). And a few WMV.

And can I watch youtube, google video etc? I’ve heard of Tversity, is it safe for the Xbox?

thanks

 

[uniquexme]

previously i m thinking of storing my mp3 and video into xbox harddisk, but no luck, seems its almost impossible to do it.. and even if u use external HDD, it doesn't play any video files... the best is to pop in your original cd or dvd, that will have no problem.

 

[JamesOK]

bluelouboyle:
Hi,

Not sure of this is the right discussion, but it seemed the most relevant. I'm about to receive an X-box 360, and I'm wondering what video formats it will play, and what the quality will be like through an HDMI lead on my LVD TV. I have an Archos AV500 full of AVI files (Xvid and Dvix). And a few WMV.

And can I watch youtube, google video etc? I've heard of Tversity, is it safe for the Xbox?

thanks

I was going to suggest TVersity as I am unsure what formats you can use - although I would guess its wmv as tied to windows. I used to use Tversity, it allows you to stream video from your PC. Very good, and free too.

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks. I did another search and it seems there was an update in autumn 2007 which allowed the Xbox to support .avi files - xvid and dvix encoded. And people seem to be able to plug in a USB flash drive to their Xbox and play the .avi files.

So I should be ok. We'll see...

 

[SnowyJohn]

uniquexme:and even if u use external HDD, it doesn't play any video files

Does it not?! Can anyone else confirm this?? I was seriously considering buying the new slim 360 to access video files on my NAS and watch without stutter (the PS3 has a wimpy G-speed wireless card)... you may have just saved me from a disappointing purchase!

 

[SnowyJohn]

bluelouboyle:
Thanks. I did another search and it seems there was an update in autumn 2007 which allowed the Xbox to support .avi files - xvid and dvix encoded. And people seem to be able to plug in a USB flash drive to their Xbox and play the .avi files.

So I should be ok. We'll see...

ahhhh... anyone know if it plays M4V?

 

[Andy Grange]

SnowyJohn:
uniquexme:and even if u use external HDD, it doesn't play any video files

Does it not?! Can anyone else confirm this?? I was seriously considering buying the new slim 360 to access video files on my NAS and watch without stutter (the PS3 has a wimpy G-speed wireless card)... you may have just saved me from a disappointing purchase!

Maybe uniquemx is talking about the original xbox, but with the 360 you can definitely play MP3's and watch divx/xvid movies via an external HDD; wmv's are supported as well. The only caveat is that the HDD must be formatted as FAT32; it doesn't support NTFS formatted drives. I did this for quite some time before running everything through my LG BD-390, as that supports mkv's as well which the 360 doesn't.

I haven't had any experience of connecting a 360 wirelessly to a NAS, so couldn't comment on that.

 

[landzw]

It also plays mp4 files on disc or an external hard drive

Most NAS drives will say if its xbox compatible so look out for that when buying

 

[Anonymous]

Xbox will play back SOME divx files - however not all and is not divx certified so wont support divx vod.

However it is compatible with most MPEG-4 ASP codecs.

You really need to use a transcoder like Tversity if u want your xbox to play the majority of formats out there.

 

[uniquexme]

hmm. mine is xbox360... i have tried to play movie via usb hdd, somehow it keeps popping msg that its unable to play no matter what format it is, including wmv.. i googled, but no much info.. so i give up.. but how do u guys did it?

i think got to do system update but i m afraid to do it as i afraid it will remove the ability to play backups.

 

[Andy Grange]

You need to do the system update, it's been available for quite some time.