TwonkyVision Adds Xbox 360 to List of Supported Devices

[Suhit Gupta]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.ehomeupgrade.com/entry/2245/twonkyvision_adds_xbox' target='_blank'>http://www.ehomeupgrade.com/entry/2245/twonkyvision_adds_xbox</a><br /><br /></div><i>"To say the least I was shocked when I spoke to TwonkyVision's CEO Angela Scheller at IDF, and she told me that as of version 3.1, TwonkyMedia now supports the Xbox 360 for audio and photo streaming (see device compatibility list). Why is this good news? One, because everyone likes alternatives to company issued products (i.e. Windows Media Connect). And, two, because TwonkyVision's DLNA certified, UPnP A/V media server is probably the best product on the market that offers support for formats that WMC doesn't offer."</i><br /><br /><img src="http://www.digitalmediathoughts.com/images/microsoft_xbox_360_twonkyvision.jpg" /><br /><br />The TwonkyVision folks do add this disclaimer - "Microsoft only allows to stream music and pictures. Microsoft neither allows video streaming from Windows Media Connect Servers nor from 3rd party UPnP servers." which seems fine because at least you are getting the music and picture streaming. TwonkyMedia, as most others have pointed out, needs fewer resources and is faster than most other UPnP Media Servers, but still provides the most features which help the user to enjoy large media collections.

[Felix Torres]

The TwonkyVision folks do add this disclaimer - "Microsoft only allows to stream music and pictures. Microsoft neither allows video streaming from Windows Media Connect Servers nor from 3rd party UPnP servers."

The Twonky folks are using the wrong terms; it is not a matter of what MS "allows". It is what the 360 UPnP playback client *supports* that limits video playback. The on-board media player supports audio and photos; that's it. The only client that supports video is the Media Center Externder client.

UPnP is just a way to export folders for streaming so there is no way for Ms to dis-allow anything.

If somebody (Twonky?) were to provide a different UPnP client or a different media player for the 360 it would work just fine. They could even make it a Marketplace download if they wanted to.

Would be nice if somebody *bothered* to do it, instead of just complaining.
(And no, MS would not stop it. They wouldn't enjoy it but they have enough legal troubles to go looking for more...) :wink:

[twonky-christian]

Hi,

the reason why we used the term "allows" is because of an umodified XBOX just not beeing able to do the job. But in fact it is right that it is the fault of the UPnP client implementation on the XBOX - the Mediacenter client can stream videos. Anyway - it is not easy (or possible) to create an own client for the XBOX 360 - as the development of software for the device is focused on "gaming" - and only allowed for the special gaming companies which partner with MS.
So - for now - no way to get a video via UPnP to the XBOX360 :cry:

ciao
Christian