Topic: Using Vlc To Stream To 360 Via Mce (Read 258 times)

bmaltais · « **on:** February 15, 2006, 07:51:00 PM »

OK, here is a method I came up with to stream divx/xvid/h264 to the 360. It is much simpler that the WMV Encoder one.

Simply install VLC player (latest is currently 0.8.4a).

The tricky part is to properly configure the audio stream output in VLC.

1. Go under "Settings -> Preferences..."

2. Select "Stream Output -> Sout Stream -> Transcode"

3. Type "wma" without the quotes in "Destination audio codec"

4. Type "160000" in "Audio bitrate"

5. Click the "Save" button and close Preference window.

To manually stream a file do the following:

1. "File -> Open file..."

2. Click "Browse..." button and pick the file to transcode/stream

3. Check the "Stream Output" check box

4. Click on "Settings..." button

5. Check "MMSH" check box

6. Click on "ASF" radio button in "Encapsulation method"

7. Check the "Video codec" check box

8. Pick WMV2 as the video codec

9. Pick desired video Bitrate

10. DO NOT check the Audio codec check box!!!

11. Click the OK button

12. Click the other OK button

13. Go on you xbox 360 and pick the asx file previously created as per the WMV Encoder method... (note that VLC use 1234 as the default port and not 8080)

14. Watch the stream!

To start a stream via CMD simply issue something like:

"C:\Program Files\VideoLAN\vlc\vlc" -vvv e:\video\test\test.avi --sout & quot;#transcode{vcodec=WMV2,vb=4096,scale=1}:duplicate{dst=std{access=mmsh,mux=a
sfh,url=:1234}}"

and you will get the same result as in the manual method!!!

This should allow for some neat automation in MCE I hope!

This post has been edited by bmaltais: Feb 16 2006, 03:54 AM

bmaltais · « **Reply #1 on:** February 15, 2006, 08:40:00 PM »

OK, I came across something else that is quite interesting:

If you select "file" as the stream destination instead of MMSH VLC will start transcoding to the filename specified in the location specified. Let say you specify that it should be saved somewhere where MCE can have access too... the file produced by MCE can then be read immediatly by MCE/360 in real time. It can also be paused and restarted at will.

This is a big advantage over the stream method since it could not be easilly paused or restarted.

Another benefit is that when the transcode is completed the file can be fully controlled with skip functions. Also there is no need for a file.asx

Just make sure you name the file something.wmv and enjoy the realtime transcoded file!

This post has been edited by bmaltais: Feb 16 2006, 04:45 AM

bmaltais · « **Reply #2 on:** February 15, 2006, 08:53:00 PM »

And here is the command line example to produce a transcoded file that can be read in realtime:

"C:\Program Files\VideoLAN\vlc\vlc" -vvv e:\video\test\test.avi --sout & quot;#transcode{vcodec=WMV2,vb=4096,scale=1}:duplicate{dst=std{access=file,mux=a
sf,url="E:\video\test\testout.wmv"}}"

Note: the word quot; in the command line above should be replaced with a quote -> " The forum somehow does not display it properly!

This post has been edited by bmaltais: Feb 16 2006, 04:54 AM

Mr_Mo · « **Reply #3 on:** February 16, 2006, 10:13:00 AM »

Very Nice!!
A way too stream DVD's with subtitles!

Got to try it as soon as I find some time.

bmaltais · « **Reply #4 on:** February 16, 2006, 01:36:00 PM »

There is another avenue I will explore tonight. It involves using ffmpeg (or vlc) to convert divx to mpeg2 transport stream on the MCE HD. Couple this with the direcshow filter HDTVPump that can read MPEG2 TS files while they are being written to and this should allow xbox 360 to playback divx files converted to mpeg2 in real time with pause, ffw/rw capabilities.

I will post results once I have them.

bmaltais · « **Reply #5 on:** February 16, 2006, 05:48:00 PM »

OK, the HDTVPump way does not work... too bad!

Mr_Mo · « **Reply #6 on:** February 18, 2006, 09:00:00 AM »

I guess real time encoding is not an option for DVD. Anyone got it to work without lag and with sound?
Works fine with DivX though

bmaltais · « **Reply #7 on:** February 18, 2006, 09:45:00 AM »

I don't know why realtime would not work with DVD. I have been able to do realtime transcoding of h264 trailer of Ice Age 2. Higher res than what a DVD is. It should work. Mind you, I have tried it per say, just speculating.

Mr_Mo · « **Reply #8 on:** February 19, 2006, 04:34:00 AM »

Well it does work in lower bitrates. But if I set it up, then it lags. And for some reason I don't have sound.
Maybe I should try with other DVD's.

Or do I have a weak PC? (Athlon 3000+, 512MB RAM, Radeon 9700).

I just tried with a trailer from Ice Age 2 from Quicktime in 720p. And again I had no sound (I have sound with DiVX), furthermore it also lagged.

I will try experimenting with it later. Hopefully I get it to work.
Thanlks for the help.

lostboyz · « **Reply #9 on:** February 19, 2006, 04:46:00 AM »

well with DVD's im assuming your playing a backup of somekind, or else you could just use the 360s drive.

Mr_Mo · « **Reply #10 on:** February 19, 2006, 05:36:00 AM »

Yes, I'm playing a backup.

bmaltais · « **Reply #11 on:** February 19, 2006, 07:09:00 PM »

I know what the darn problem is with the apple mov trailers and DVD... the audio is 6 channels and apparently VLC does not downmix properly to 2 channels WMA audio... hence the no audio issue. I tried forcing the encoding to wmap 6 channels in VLC but it still does not produce any audio... unless... I just tought of something

Mr_Mo · « **Reply #12 on:** February 27, 2006, 03:44:00 PM »

Did you find a solution?

bmaltais · « **Reply #13 on:** February 27, 2006, 05:30:00 PM »

Unfortunatly not at this point. My best one so far is to use VLC for most file... Only problem are files with 6 channels audio. I would probably have to ask around on the VLC forum for more help.

Mr_Mo · « **Reply #14 on:** February 28, 2006, 09:00:00 AM »

Ok. This method is a really good one, works perfect for most files!

Author Topic: Using Vlc To Stream To 360 Via Mce (Read 258 times)