Stream video to your PlayStation 3 or Xbox 360

Streaming video and other media to your Xbox 360 or PlayStation 3 is a lot easier than you might think. You'll want to start weighing your options with the help of a very detailed feature from CNET sister-site Gamespot, which lays out all of your video streaming choices. Things may get a bit dicey during the configuration of these programs, so don't forget Google is your friend.

When you stream content to a console, you'll need to use a network-connected computer to serve the media. For best results, we really recommend a wired connection as you'll need as much bandwidth as you can get your hands on. In terms of software, there are a few applications you can choose from--some free, some not so free. We've had a lot of success using TVersity with both consoles, but we'd recommend XBMC if you're more of an advanced user for its customization capabilities. There's even ways to get YouTube and other online content directly on your console.

Whichever setup you choose, serving video to your console just might get you a step closer to throwing away that satellite or cable box. For now, check out our slide show for an idea of how these media-serving programs operate and how your console will look once you've set everything up correctly.

Photos: Stream video to your game console

[eclipse31601]

of course the PS3 pretty much plays every type of media known. So to me there is really no point in streaming, just put the file on a flash drive and watch/listen away

[rnieves1977]

I was watching HULU and some YouTube on the PS3's web browser... It's pretty straightforward, in fact when you initially go to the browser YouTube is a set as an option on the launch page. Also it played well wirelessly.

[blusky08]

What a frickin' pain.
If you have to have computer involved anyway, why not just stream directly from the computer?

[abundantsnotbob]

Is this meant to be used in place of media center? I don't have the media center edition of XP. Can I use this to stream media to my Xbox 360?

[iconoclast04]

"For best results, we really recommend a wired connection as you'll need as much bandwidth as you can get your hands on. "

If you're going to use a wired connection anyway, why not hook your computer directly into the TV via a DVI connection? Then you can view everything on the TV.

[somone_else]

because ethernet cable is cheap, and you don't need to have the PC close to the TV.

I could have done that for my TV since it's in the same room, but I didn't because of the cost of the cable.

[kwyrt]

I use PlayOn by Mediamall to access Hulu on my 360. It works great. So simple to set up. And you don't have to have MediaCenter.