Play To overview for Xbox 360

The PlayTo feature enables your Xbox 360 to play streaming content from other devices, such as a Windows-based PC.

• The most recent software update for your Xbox 360
• A Digital Living Network Alliance (DLNA)-compatible device such as a PC running Windows
• A local network connection between the Xbox 360 and the DLNA-compatible device

Note The Xbox 360 console plays streaming media only from DLNA-server compatible devices. Some mobile devices, such as tablets and phones support DLNA but only in a client mode and can't share media with an Xbox 360 console.

Xbox 360 supports the following video file formats:

• Windows Media Video (WMV) 7, WMV 8, and WMV 9
• Maximum resolution of 1920x1080 (1080p).
• Windows Media Audio Standard or Windows Media Audio Pro audio.
• WMV content may be Windows Media DRM-protected.
• VC-1
• Maximum resolution of 1920x1080 (1080p).
• Windows Media Audio Standard or Windows Media Audio Pro audio.
• VC-1 content may be Windows Media DRM-protected.
• MPEG-1 with MPEG-1 layer I or II audio
• MPEG-2
• Maximum resolution of 1920x1080 (1080i).
• AC-3 or MPEG-1 layer I or II audio.
• WMV Image 1 (Photo Story 1 & 2) and WMV Image 2 (Photo Story 3)
• H.264/MPEG-4

The following audio formats are supported:

• Windows Media Audio (WMA) 7 through WMA 9
• WMA Standard content may be Windows Media DRM-protected.
• WMA Professional
• WMA Professional content may be Windows Media DRM-protected.
• WMA Lossless
• WMA Lossless content may be Windows Media DRM-protected.
• MP3

Make sure PlayTo is turned on on your console. Here’s how:

1. From Xbox Home, select Settings and then System.
2. Select Console Settings.
3. Select Connected Devices.
4. Set PlayTo to “On.”

A console name helps identify your Xbox console on your network. This is helpful if you have multiple Xbox consoles on your network and need to identify which one you are connecting your device to. Here’s how to name your console:

1. Go to Settings and select System.
2. Select Console Settings.
3. Select Console Name.
4. Choose a name from the list. If you want to create a custom name, select Custom.
5. Enter a name for your console and select Done.

Once PlayTo is configured on your console you will be able to select it for playback from compatible apps and devices – typically your Windows PC. The exact details vary between apps and devices – for more information see your device or app provider.