Windows Media Center brings together all your favorite entertainment for you to enjoy on your PC, on your TV or on the go.

Setting up the Windows Media Center Extender for Xbox Kit

The Windows Media Center Extender for Xbox kit contains software and hardware that turns your existing Xbox console into a Media Center Extender, which can pull entertainment content and functionality from the host Media Center PC over a home network. The set-up instructions below assume that you already have an Xbox connected to a TV display and a home network. The setup process will connect the Xbox to the Media Center PC, where all the entertainment content is stored, and recognize the Xbox as an approved user and give the console access to all the Extender supported media.

Setup instructions

Step #1: Check your network and Media Center PC

The PC running Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 and the Xbox console must be connected to either a wired (Ethernet) or wireless network. Before you continue, the network must be working. Below are the two supported options for home networking.

If you have a wired network:

Connect the Xbox to the network via the included Ethernet connection on the back of the console.

If you have a wireless network:

You will also require a wireless adaptor (sold separately) to connect the console to the home network. For the optimal wireless experience, ensure that this adapter and the home network router or access point are Xbox compatible. For more information on wireless hardware that is Xbox compatible, read. Xbox Live: Routers and Wireless Bridges.
Some wireless networks use security protocols such as Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP).
Additional information about your network might be required when you run the Media Center Extender for Xbox Setup CD on your Media Center PC.
For detailed information on how to hook your Xbox console to the Internet and the home network, see Wireless Connection to Xbox Live.

Step #2: Insert the batteries in the Media Center Extender for Xbox remote control.

Step #3: Insert the infrared receiver into a game port on the front of the Xbox console.

Step #4: Install the Media Center Extender for Xbox Setup CD on the host Media Center PC.

Step #5: Follow the set up instructions on the screen.

You'll need to write down your set-up key and have the Media Center Extender CD ready.

Setup for more than one Extender

Up to 5 Media Center Extender devices can be connected to the Media Center PC at one time depending on the PC configuration. The following table shows how many Extenders—including Extender for Xbox—different configurations support.

Extender devices	Media Center PC CPU speed	Media Center PC Memory
1	2.8 GHz	256 MB
2	2.8 GHz	512 MB
3 - 5	3.4 GHz	1 GB

For example, if you want to have 2 Extenders, your Media Center PC should have a CPU speed of 2.8GHz and 512 MB RAM. You may want to consider an Ethernet (wired) connection for a deployment that will use more than one Extender.