I was recently selected to become part of Microsoft’s TV Ambassador program. The purpose of the program is for Ambassadors such as myself to offer advice and assistance with integrating TV into your Windows Media Center experience.

This article will consist of two parts, in the first I’ll walk you through a step by step setup of your TV tuner via Windows Media Center (WMC). Secondly, I’ll walk you through linking your Xbox 360 to WMC, so you can stream all of the movies (though there are limitations) and music stored on your PC, to your 360.

TV Tuner Set Up

Please be aware that Windows Media Center is currently available with Windows XP Media Center Edition, Windows Vista Home Premium and Ultimate; and in Windows 7 Home Premium, Ultimate, Professional, and Enterprise. If you do not have one of versions of Windows mentioned, then this guide will not work.

For the purpose of my walkthrough, I’ll be using the AVerTV Hybrid Volar HX TV Tuner, with Windows Vista Home Premium. While I expect that the set up within WMC will be the same, it is possible that some steps may differ depending on your TV Tuner, and Windows version.

After installing your TV Tuner card, and the drivers that came with it, activate Windows Media Center (WMC).

1. From the main menu, use the arrow keys to navigate to the “Tasks” tab.
2. Scroll left, until you reach “Settings,” and press Enter.
3. Select “TV,” and hit Enter.
4. Select “Set Up TV Signal,” and press Enter.
5. Use the mouse to click “Next,” confirm your TV region, and click “Next” to continue.
6. Confirm that you wish to download the latest TV settings, and click “Next” to continue.
7. After downloading the settings, WMC will ask you which type of signal the TV Tuner is receiving. In most cases, this will be “Antenna.” Select your signal, and click “Next” to continue.
8. WMC will then ask you to select which type of signal is being received by the TV Tuner. With the advent of the digital switch over in the UK, all new TV Tuners will include some form of Freeview decryption. Select “Digital Terrestrial,” and click “Next” to continue.
9. If the signal that your TV Tuner is receiving is routed through a set-top box, then select “Yes” and click “Next” to continue. If it’s just a simple antenna wire, select “No“, and click “Next” to continue.
   • Note: If your TV Tuner contains a Freeview decoder, that does not mean you’re using a set-top box.
10. Select “Set Up Guide Listings,” and click “Next” to continue.
11. Click “Next” to begin setting up your program guide and channels.
12. Select “Yes,” and click “Next” to continue.
    • Note: If you do not download the guide, you will be unable to scan for any Freeview channels.
13. Carefully read through the Terms of Service, selecting “I agree,” and clicking “Next” to continue.
14. WMC will ask you how you wish to download future guide updates. For ease of use, I suggest “Download when connected.” Select either option, and click “Next” to continue.
15. Enter your postcode, and click “Next” to continue.
16. A list of TV signal providers will appear. Select one, and click “Next” to continue.
17. WMC will then download the latest version of the channel guide using the provider you selected. This will take less than a minute, depending on your region and internet connection speed.
18. Once the download is complete, click “Next” to continue.
19. Click “Start Scan” to scan for your regions Freeview channels & services. This will take about 5 minutes, depending on your region and internet connection speed.
20. Once the scan is complete, click “Next” to continue.
21. Click “Finish.”

Congratulations, you’ve successfully integrated your TV Tuner into Windows Media Center. To watch TV via WMC, return to the main menu (click the Windows symbol), navigate to the “TV + Movies” tab, and select “Live TV.”

Connecting your Xbox 360 to Windows Media Center.

For the purpose of this walkthrough, I will have to assume that your Xbox 360 and PC are connected via a home network. If they’re not, then I suggest following the information from Xbox.com before proceeding with the following steps.

To begin, you’ll need to find your Xbox 360′s unique Setup Key: -

1. On your Xbox 360, head to the “My Xbox” tab, scroll right until you reach the Windows Media Center icon, and press “A.”
2. Highlight “Continue,” and press “A.”
3. After the 360 has checked your network, it should present an 8 digit Setup Key. Make a note of this key, and press “A” to continue.
4. Leave the Xbox 360 on this screen while you configure WMC on your PC.

With the Setup Key close at hand, activate Windows Media Center on your PC: -

1. From the main menu, use the arrow keys to navigate to the “Tasks” tab.
2. Scroll right, until you reach “Add Extender,” and press Enter.
3. With your mouse, click “Next” to continue.
4. Enter the 8 digit Setup Key that you obtained earlier, and click “Next” to continue.
5. Click “Next” to continue.
6. Choose if you would like to use Away Mode, and click “Next” to continue.
7. Select if you would like to use the share the default media folders from your PC to your Xbox 360, and click “Next” to continue. (Make sure that your Xbox 360 is on, and at Step 4 of the previous list, before clicking “Next.”)
   • Note: You can configure which folders you wish to use at any time. Tasks → Settings → Library Setup.
8. Click “Finish.” If successful your Xbox 360 should have switched to the Windows Media Center interface.

Congratulations, your Xbox 360 is now configured to work with WMC on your PC, just select the WMC icon from your dashboard to access the service. You can now stream movies (remember, there are limitations) and music via your network, to your Xbox 360. If you’ve configured a TV Tuner as well, then you’ll be able to stream live (or recorded) TV through the 360. While this may not be useful for everyone, it is beneficial to those who do not have their 360′s TV connected to a TV source.

Problems?

If you have encountered any errors or problems while following the advice in this article, please feel free to contact me via this form, entering “Windows Media Center” as the subject line.

Alternatively, you can leave a comment here and I’ll address it ASAP.

Support Old School Gamer

You can help support Old School Gamer by purchasing an AVerTV Hybrid Volar HX TV Tuner from the following sites: -

Amazon: AVerTV Hybrid Volar HX.