Picking up an original Xbox that errors...

[knave]

Give craigslist a shot... snag a used one.  Or just keep an eye on fatwallet and techbargains, they show up as good deals there from time to time.

Some of these aren't too badly priced.

I love CL... Mostly I like cheap toys.  I'm not sorry I picked up the Linksys but I feel a little dumb because while I was doing my reasearch on this unit I briefly thought about the wireless encryption but promptly let it slip.  I will eaither use it at home or use it to add a desktop for my mom on their network.

I looked at all of those on newegg then as well and there are a bunch in the $30-$40 range that would work. I'll have to look into it more.

[knave]

Just wanted to blab about my playtime this weekend...

I was able to hook up that Linksys to a separate network using a USB wireless adapter that I had in my box of "rejected hardware".  I used the ad-hoc mode on each and while apparently ad-hoc connections are limited to 11Mbps it played videos just fine.

The last thing I need to do is test out the range to see if the USB adapter can handle the distance to my main TV. I found it to be lacking when I tried to use it for my notebook. I also found that the antenna is loose on the Linksys so I get to practice some minor soldering.  Though it is working without it.

This whole thing has been really fun. I'm so close now. 

[ChadTower]

Ad-hoc isn't very secure... make sure to take a look at that.

[knave]

I've given some thought to that...but havn't reached a decision about it yet.

I initially was just  seeing if the crappy USB connector would work for me. Now, I may be able to juggle some things around and set up WEP. The ad-hoc network isn't going to be connected to the internet nor to my main infrastructure.  At least not directly.  One PC may be a host on both networks.

I also have the files set such that access requires the PC's profile name and password. so there is "some" security.  Plus the Xbox and host PC will only be "on" when I am actually watching something.

Am I overlooking something that is important?

[ChadTower]

The ad-hoc network isn't going to be connected to the internet nor to my main infrastructure. 

Am I overlooking something that is important?

How exactly is the Xbox going to be an effective client without having access to your server(s)?  XBMC is best used as a streaming client.

The internet isn't a threat to your ad hoc connections - someone physically within range of either device is the threat there.

[knave]

I'm going to use a spare PC as my server. This PC would be connected wirelessly to the Xbox which would play files from a shared directory. 


I'd be interested in a better way of doing it. 

[ChadTower]

Think forward a little bit - once you have one streaming client, you're going to want more.  Is this ad hoc setup going to prevent that?