I'm starting to really dislike .MKV files. Generally .MP4 files are just as small and just as good quality. I'm also starting to miss the HP Video Converter - that was a handy little tool.

Here is the question for all you giants whose shoulders I am trying to stand on: Transcode or Convert?

Do you have a solution that will allow you to view media on your XBOX 360 from your WHS 2011 that transcodes on the fly? Or do you convert your videos to a format the XBOX can show?

I've seen some threads about using the right CODECs on a desktop machine and using Windows Media Center, but to me that rather defeats the point of having a server. I've heard of installing an additional streaming solution, such as Subsonic, but I'd rather go by personal recommendation.

So which converters have people had success with? And which transcoders?

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Server: HP EX495 | E5200 CPU @ 2.5GHz | 4GB RAM | 4 x Seagate Barracuda 1.5TB 7200RPM
Backup: Mediasonic HF2-SU2S2 | 4 x Seagate Barracuda Green 2.0TB 5900RPM
Operating System: Windows Server 2012 Essentials | Media Server| Anywhere Access

I have tried a lot of media servers and transcoding options, but the only one I have found todate which handles all my needs flawlessly is Mezzmo. Runs on my quad core MSS and does well with my HR23 directv box. It does have a profile for Xbox but I have never used it. I use Air Video for my Apple needs (Ipad, Ipod touch and itunes for AppleTV), that also runs on the same quad core server. For my HP Touchpad I use Kalemsoft Server which also runs on the same machine.

By the way, all my movies are in .MKV format which suits me fine. Of course Itunes is different but I installed a converter in my MSS which was free from Tranquil and it does conversion to Apple formats in the background which I load to itunes.

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HP EX470, 4 GIG, 4200+ EE SFF, WHS V1, Production
HP EX485, 4 GIG, E5800, WHS 2011, Stablebit Drive Pool, Transfer Server, Backup Server
HP EX490, 4 GIG, Q9400S, WHS 2011, Stablebit Drive Pool, Mediaserver
HP EX485, 4 GIG, Q8200S, WHS 2011, ITUNES Server

I am a Mac user, but the open source software I use to transcode video is available for Windows and Linux as well: Handbrake and VLC. Handbrake will output both MP4 and MKV files. I can't say I've ever tried transcoding on the fly - I let my 8-core Mac Pro chunk through the file and copy the file to my NAS once it's done (and tagged, loaded to the iTunes library, etc.).

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Synology DS411: 2 * WD20EARX and 2 * WD20EARS
DIY Small Business Server 2011
MP 8-core 2.26GHz, 2012 MBA13 i7/8GB/256GB, AppleTVs, iPhone

Mezzmo looks pretty good, and Handbrake + VLC are converting rather than transcoding.

What I've also seen is the idea of installing the Zune software (which I love) on the WHS2011 box and letting that manage the streaming to any DLNA compatible device, including the XBOX 360. Anyone had any experience with that?

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Server: HP EX495 | E5200 CPU @ 2.5GHz | 4GB RAM | 4 x Seagate Barracuda 1.5TB 7200RPM
Backup: Mediasonic HF2-SU2S2 | 4 x Seagate Barracuda Green 2.0TB 5900RPM
Operating System: Windows Server 2012 Essentials | Media Server| Anywhere Access

The only thing about an xbox as a media player - you have to rip in AVI to get surround sound to work. no m4v, no mp4, i dont think it supports mkv. if your home theater supports it - i recommend a second device to playback your media. Dune, PCH (alot on here like em - I hate em), a HTPC, WD live...

The answer to your question may lie in the power of the CPU on your server. I really liked Mezzmo and once installed it allowed me to see and select from my entire collection of MKV files on an XBox 360. But... the playback quality was poor. An atom-based processor just won't cut it when it comes to transcoding on the fly. Until I undertake a major upgrade of server hardware, my playback options are restricted to streamers - basically any client device that has the capability to fetch and read the file format for itself. If you have a nice, gutsy CPU, all your options remain open.

Seems like converting MKVs into MP4s is the way to go! Thanks for the input!

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Server: HP EX495 | E5200 CPU @ 2.5GHz | 4GB RAM | 4 x Seagate Barracuda 1.5TB 7200RPM
Backup: Mediasonic HF2-SU2S2 | 4 x Seagate Barracuda Green 2.0TB 5900RPM
Operating System: Windows Server 2012 Essentials | Media Server| Anywhere Access

Based on the front page news that Serviio has been updated and has a WHS2011 console, I've installed it on my server.

I chose to install it by installing the add-in first, then accessing the Dashboard to install the Server and Console application. I am a bit reluctant to install a Java application on my server, but hey, I'll try anything once.

Will update this thread to say how I found the media server.

[edit]Woot! Just managed to watch a number of MKV files streaming on the XBOX360 with Serviio - very impressed so far![/edit]

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Server: HP EX495 | E5200 CPU @ 2.5GHz | 4GB RAM | 4 x Seagate Barracuda 1.5TB 7200RPM
Backup: Mediasonic HF2-SU2S2 | 4 x Seagate Barracuda Green 2.0TB 5900RPM
Operating System: Windows Server 2012 Essentials | Media Server| Anywhere Access