[Tech] DVD & DivX movie watching sans X360

Ronin Storm

Ronin Storm

Administrator
Staff member
So, my X360 has RROD. Though its main warranty has expired, it is still within RROD warranty so I'll get a free repair. However, I won't get it back for 3 weeks...

I'm working away from home a lot over the next 6 weeks so the impact to me is relatively low but Rojaws is going to be home alone and the X360 provided access to all the various DVDs and DivX/Xvid/etc movies that I could play via the X360 Media Extender. No X360 equals no such entertainment, which won't be a lot of fun. :(

To add to the complexity, I have no TV. My X360 connects to a monitor with both DVI and VGA ports available (currently via VGA as I'm not aware of any X360-DVI cable).

This has set me off considering how I can fill this capability gap. I see two options initially:

  • Buy a "temporary" X360 Arcade unit, slap my spare 20GB hard drive on it, then fire that up as a one-for-one replacement. When I get my real unit back, sell the Arcade unit for the majority of the price I paid. Outlay ~£100, resale price ~£80.
  • Buy a PS3, with appropriate cables, etc, intending to use it as a media device and also with a mind to play Heavy Rain when it is released next year. Total outlay ~£250.

So, the question is...

Am I missing any other options?

Perhaps even...

Anyone local got a X360 or PS3 they'd lend me?
 
thatbloke

thatbloke

Junior Administrator
Do you not have a spare laptop that could be connected to said monitor and function as a replacement player (even as an extender itself) while the xbox is being repaired?
 
E

elDiablo

Guest
Do you have an old Xbox Original around? If so, install XBMC on it, and use a VGA box to connect to it to the DVI or VGA port. On a monitor, it will look a bit shit (due to the Xbox Original only having component cable out), but it's better than nothing and still standard TV resolution. It's quite easy to do, assuming you have the replay card and copy of Splinter Cell (which I have both of, and am happy to lend if you come get it).

Still, laptop would be easier.
 
Ronin Storm

Ronin Storm

Administrator
Staff member
I have a laptop for work. That's fine when I'm at home. But I'm going to be in Bristol Monday to Friday week on week for the next 5 weeks.

No other laptop. No Xbox Original. I have a Wii boxed in a corner but, from memory, that doesn't offer any mechanism to do what I want.

Does make me wonder about trading in the Wii...
 
BiG D

BiG D

Administrator
Staff member
The wii probably could do it, but getting that to work is troublesome. Look into TVersity if you're feeling adventurous.

Failing that, many cheap DVD players these days have an SD card reader and codec support for damn near everything. That's possibly worth a try?
 
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