If recently upgraded my computer hard disk and wanted to get an enclosure from maplin for my old 80gig disc so that I can have a media centre. These cost about £60

Now, I've also been told that I can turn my current (unused) XBOX1 in to a great (the best) media centre.......but I don't understand how to do this.

I really just want to play avi and things I've downloaded from torrents without having to burn them to DVD first.

 

Hello

You need a Modchip (I use the Xecuter 2.6 from here: MrModchips The Number 1 Name In Console Modifications), replace the hard drive with a larger one and then install the XBMC on the hard drive (available from most Torrent sites).

You can then FTP to the Xbox and transfer the TV programs / movies etc..

Steve

 

No need to upgrade the hard drive if all you want ot do is stream the Avi's on XBMC via an Ethernet cable. The original is plenty for installing what you need.

 

I thought you could softchip them?

 

Yeah you can. xbox scene is your best bet for info and guides. I put a chip in mine which was pretty simple. various ways of doing it. Marcus did his pretty recently so may have the up to date info. it really does make a great media player though with XBMC installed so worth doing.

 

it's the best media centre by far hope you get it sorted, as above checkout xbox-scene.com for all the info.

 

How to Go from Xbox to Xbox Media Center in 30 minutes - ProductWiki, unbiased product reviews and information

 

It is still much easier to add a modchip to the console.

Steve

 

Saw that guide, but I still need a game and some hardware....?

 

I've got two Xboxs, one with a modchip running XBMC in my home-cinema and one 'original' for when I used to play on Live...

...I'd like to mod the other one now, to use it as a media player in the lounge - but having read that guide that I've just posted and found that it's not very easy even finding the exploited games any more I may well just get a chip fitted (if you can still get them!)

I had thought of buying an ActionReplay and then hiring the required game - but not even sure if any of the usual game hire places even bother with original Xboxs any more???

 

I'd imagine ebay is the place to look.

 

davyboy,
As you have found, even with softmodding, you still need to get a game and other bits to get this to work. A solderless adapter and modchip combo is probably the best way to go, if you want to do it yourself and aren't too handy with a soldering iron (I'm not). If you're good with the iron then you can solder the chip.

I went for a Xapt3r 1.6 solderless adapter and and X3CE chip. Was very easy to fit. As for XBMC, I went for the T3CH build (google and ye shall find)

 

Get the xbox on a wireless network and you can stream movies from your PC wherever it may be in the house. Better for quality is to get a 360 and stream (need fast network) or get usb drive and download the 8gig high definition movie rips and watch them on your telly. Excellent quality and saves buying HD drive and £20 a pop HD DVD's sweeeet!

 

There is a much easier way, which won't cost you a penny.

It involves removing the case of the xbox and your PC, using a linux live cd and hot swapping the IDE cables.

It is potentially risky, I have modded two xboxes this way. In fact, the second xbox was being a bugger (due to my own incompetence!) and I had to hotswap it 8 times.

Xbox Hot Swap Evox/install Guide - Updated! - Scenyx Entertainment Community

Google xbox hot swap.

One thing to note : Make sure the xbox hd is powered from your PC. There are alternatives, but thats the method I used and I didn't have a problem.

Also, make sure that the xbox IDE cable is easy to remove before booting your PC.

And, use the "unplug xbox dvd drive" method to ensure you get an error.

If you want anymore information, or want me to go into anymore detail about how I did it, let me know. It is easier than it sounds!