Xbox 360 Streaming Setup

TV and Sound 
Toshiba 42ZV650U
Pioneer VSX-9040THX 7-channel amp
Main Speakers B&W 560
Surround Speakers Bose Acoustimass 10

Streaming Hardware:
BlackMagic Intensity Pro (BMI)
Sewell 2 Port 1x2 Powered Hdmi Splitter V 1.3b
Behringer 502 Input Mixer

Streaming Software:
Flash Media Encoder 3.1 (FME)
Black Magic Design 3.6.4 Drivers

Setting up the Hardware

When I began to research streaming methods, most streaming set-ups only used stereo sound in their How-To examples. Thus I was concerned that I would lose the 5.1 Digital Dolby sound output when I began streaming as well. I didn't want to lose my surround sound so I attempted to stream through HDMI.  My initial setup was a straight HDMI cable run between the components, unfortunately HDCP bit me in the ass. Any direct connection from the Pioneer receiver to the BlackMagic Intensity (BMI) card would cause the Pioneer to shut down the video and sound feed. As a way of removing the HDCP block, I added a Sewell HDMI splitter into the digital signal mix. Even with adding the splitter I still ran into one issue:
  • To get the receiver to recognize the 5.1 DD signal, I must unplug the cable from the splitter to the Streaming PC, before I power on the Xbox. Once the Xbox is powered and the receiver recognizes the DD signal, I can then plug the cable back in to the splitter.
The following diagram is my current working setup.

 
Please note that in all of my streaming configurations (Xbox, PS3, gaming PC), the Pioneer's Pre-Amp Out signal is routed through the Behringer 502 Input Mixer to allow for the microphone mix, then into the media computer's Line In. For a detailed explanation of the mixer setup read this page, Sound Mixer Setup.


Streaming Software Setup

My current streaming computer is too underpowered to stream a 720p feed at full resolution. A dedicated streaming / capture machine is being spec'd for future purchase, but for now I have to downgrade the video stream feed to keep a constant 30fps feed.  These are my current BMI streaming settings.


Note that the Select input processing value is set to "720 HD to SD Anamorphic 16:9" to allow for the reduction in capture resolution in Flash Media Encoder.

These are my current settings for FME. These settings give me a nice wide screen resolution and the stream looks ok considering the power of my PC. Also note that the Audio device setting is Line In to allow for the pc to pick up the audio mix.


If you have any questions, leave a comment, or email me.