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Stream H.264-MP4/M4V/M4A from Windows Media Player 11 to Playstation 3 & Xbox 360

Sep. 5, 2008 Paul Thurrott | Paul Thurrott's Supersite for Windows

This should be of interest to Digital Media fans. I've been trying to work through the incompatibility issues with H.264 in native Vista apps. This might just fix most of it. From Red Herring:

This registry patch will tie MP4/M4V/M4A files into Windows Media Player [WMP11] and Windows Media Center [WMC]  allowing them to play this file type but also stream from WMP11 these file types to the Playstation 3 and Xbox 360  However there are caveats as it is not possible to tie a third party codec 100% into WMP without developing some sort of plug-in. Also available are patches for Flac, M2TS and MKV/MKA. I have moved M2TS off into it's own entry to keep it separate if you are looking for it click that M2TS link.

This process is compatible with 32/64-bit Windows XP/Vista with WMP11 present, Windows Home Server if WMP11 is installed should work as well. I would recommend though it is not necessary that you create a system restore point before applying these just so you have a point to return too.

Finally check out my H.264 video encoding guide for the Xbox 360/Playstation 3 as it will generate a compatible H.264 video & it covers pretty much all you need to know plus the limitations peculiar to each console though I primarily focus on cross compatibility in the guide. Also Windows media center extenders have the same H.264 profile as the Xbox 360.

Thanks Michiel

Discuss this Article 12

theCheez
on Sep 5, 2008
Paul, Just want to point out that your guide using handbrake with the ipod hi-rez guide allows to stream the video using the dlna sharing from wmp11 to ps3 just fine. I don't have a 360, so I can't vouch for that or from mediacenter. I don't have a large flat screen, and don't have a huge amount of storage space so the ipod hi-rez is plenty enough quality for me.
mcwilliams132
on Sep 5, 2008
Why not just use the Zune software that already does h.246? I agree with theCheez. Handbrake is great for crunching dvd's down. even has an option for optimizing for the 360 and it works and looks great. However I turn on Turbo first pass.
tayme
on Sep 5, 2008
@Paul - What's the deal with locking all of the comment threads? --tayme
Anna_T
on Sep 5, 2008
Nice guide! it works pretty fine :) ("What's the deal with locking all of the comment threads?" Quite obvious, this is what a moderator is supposed to do to stop the crap talk and whinning. Sadly, Paul has tons of tibetan patience to tolerate this stuff in his blog.)
tayme
on Sep 6, 2008
@Anna_T - You are correct. We asked for either a moderated comments section or the ability to ignore certain posters. This must be the answer. Of course, Paul going off the deep end on Apple and Apple fans was a little weird. Like somebody else said in another thread, he can dish it out, but obviously he can't take it. Paule began his all out assault a few months ago by using the term iCabal to describe the Apple fanatics that frequent his site. I thought it was a light hearted poke at them...all done in fun. Quite obviously, I was wrong. I think that he really feels like they are out to get him and Microsoft...and that is somewhat delusional. --tayme
shark47
on Sep 6, 2008
O/T: "I think that he reallay feels like they are out to get him and Microsoft...and that is somewhat delusional. " Actually, they are out to get Microsoft. There are a lot of people who pick open source alternatives or OS X because they HATE Microsoft and want to see it go down. (Yes, I know "hate" is a strong word, but I think it's appropriate.) And many don't stop at that. Who do you think spreads FUD about Windows Vista? It's definitely not the average user. The iCabal is real. It's not a creation of a delusional mind. Yes, there are Windows fanatics too, who hate Apple and the open source community, but I don't think there are as many of them and I don't think they're as powerful. Finally, I'd say 'iCabal' is less derogatory than 'WinJihadist',
subzerohitman721
on Sep 6, 2008
This is a great little patch that I will add to Vista when I get my Xbox 360 network adapter. It will be great to stream directly to the 360. I didn't even think about the adapter when I was at the store buying the router and network card. As I said in a previous rant, Internet overload! To the subject also at Hand: It's funny how many of our resident Mac supporters have somewhat suspiciously disappeared during the Google discussions and the non-Apple apps discussions. As soon as someone utters some criticisms of Steve Jobs, Apple, and OS-X, here come the storm troopers crawling out of the woodwork. I don't have to name them, we know who they are.
Waethorn
on Sep 6, 2008
OT: I did find the older WL videos. They're from the Wave 2 launch. They're here: http://www.windowslive.com/Content/video/53881.03_Messenger_500k.wmv http://www.windowslive.com/Content/video/53881.03_Live_Spaces_500k.wmv http://www.windowslive.com/Content/video/53881.05_MSConsumerPrefs_Parent... http://www.windowslive.com/Content/video/53881.05_MSConsumerPrefs_SkyDri... http://www.windowslive.com/Content/video/53881.05_MSConsumerPrefs_Parent... The link on the page for Windows Live Mail is broken - it links to the Parental Controls video instead. Yes, those are the ones I was talking about that give that "warm, fuzzy feeling for Microsoft". ;)
Waethorn
on Sep 6, 2008
Oops....posted the parental controls one twice...my bad
DRWAM
on Sep 6, 2008
That's pretty convenient. I have been lazy and cheap, so I just bought a DVD player that is DivX certified and plays several other formats. This one was $55 and has a USB2 port and will read from FAT32 formatted external drive or thumb drives. Even better since Bette and Wae showed how to format a 300GB drive all in FAT32 so I just copy the movies then plug and play. When the kids are older, I'll get them an Xbox.
Lindy
on Sep 6, 2008
@subzero. What do you want to hear? I think the 360 is good for one thing, playing Halo3 on Xbox Live. Other than that I think the PS3 is just as good as a Windows Media extender, is silent, does not have a big arse power brick, has user replaceable hard drives, has Blu Ray, has a free online service, gets 95% of the same games as the 360 at the same time, and for you especially, comes with WiFi inside the PS3. Have fun with your 360, and dont worry when it finally does RROD on you, it will only be 3-4weeks before MS sends it back to you.
lotsamystuff
on Sep 6, 2008
"What's the deal with locking all of the comment threads?" That's what dictators do to stifle free speech. But don't blame Paul or his corporate bosses. It's a perfectly acceptable response. They pay the bill, they can do whatever they want.

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