Configuring ccxstream for Win32

Originally authored by wmz

What is ccxstream?
ccxstream is a Streaming Server (for sharing files to Xbox Media Player over a network)
It uses the the XB Media Streaming Protocol (XBMSP)

These notes where originally compiled using...

- Complex version of XBMP 2.3.
- ccxstream-1.0.15-win
- Windows XP Service Pack 1
- A default config.xml file
- Tested with EvolutionX_beta_v1.8.3285 and D.6 BIOS

Notes recompiled on July 1st 2003 using...

- xbmp_2.4_cvs_compile_xbins_6-24-03
- ccxstream-1.0.15-win
- Windows XP Home (No Services Packs)
- A default config.xml file
- Tested with EvolutionX 1.8.3572 and X2 4976.02 BIOS

Why the guide?
It's an attempt to help someone that is new to XBMP and ccxstream.
Hopefully it will get you up and running with a minimum amount of fuss. :0]

Downloading and Installing ccxstream
This guide uses CcXStream Server 1.0.15 for Win32 which is available from...
XboxMediaPlayer.de or SourceForge.net

Using WinRar 3.1 or later unrar ccxstream-1.0.15-win.rar to you PC Hard Drive. ie;

C:\ccxstream-1.0.15-win\

How are Shares Set up With ccxstream?
Setting up shares with ccxstream is easy.
It's done using the executable ccxstream.exe via a Command Line Interface (CLI).
A DOS cmd window can be used to acomplish this.

How is a ccxstream Share Defined in the XBMP config.xml File?
A ccxstream share is a Network share and is defined as (XBMSP). ie;

<*share>
<*name>Network (XBMSP)<*/name>
<*url>xbmsp://192.168.1.2/mymusic<*/url>
<*cachesize>256<*/cachesize>
<*share>

NOTE: The *'s are used here to display the xml tags. The config.xml file doesn't have them.

Deciding on a Share / IP Address Naming Scheme
For ease of editing, we'll use the the default naming convention from the config.xml file.
As in the config.xml, are shares will be named as follows...

<*url>xbmsp://192.168.1.2/mymusic<*/url>
<*url>xbmsp://192.168.1.2/pictures<*/url>
<*url>xbmsp://192.168.1.2/videos<*/url>

The only thing we'll change is the IP Address.
The IP Address you use is the IP Address of your PC where ccxstream is running.
Be sure to edit the config.xml with IP Address of your Network Interface Card (NIC).

NOTE: It's necessary to edit the config.xml to point to the ccxstream shares you create!
Meaning, the IP portion of the (XBMSP) share is the IP of your PC (NIC).
The share name after the IP, is the share represented by ccxstream.
They're not actual folder names. Unless you happen you use the same name for both.

Make the ccxstream Shares
The files you'll be sharing to XBMP will be streamed from your PC Hard Drive.
For the sake of simplicity, we'll make a folder at the root of our PC Hard Drive.
This folder will be named Shares

NOTE: If you have more than one Hard Drive or use partitions.
Take note of the drive letter. You'll need it later.
That is, if you want to have your shares somewhere other then the C drive.
And be sure to put Shares folder at the root of whatever drive you do use.
You could put it anywhere, but it's easier if it's at a root directory.

Inside the Shares folder make 3 more folders
Name each one accordingly, Music, Videos and Pictures

Resulting in x:\Shares\Music, x:\Shares\Videos and x:\Shares\Pictures
You also have C:\ccxstream-1.0.15-win\

NOTE: "x" is the letter of the drive you decided to use.
For the remainder of this guide we'll just assume it's C.

The (CLI) option needed to make ccxstream shares is -S
Option -l defines the IP of your (NIC)
For more options see ccxstream README.

If you want your ccxstream shares automatically accessible when your PC starts,
you have to make a batch fle. To make one, open up notepad and type the following...

cd \
cd c:\ccxstream-1.0.15-win\
ccxstream -l 192.168.1.2 -S mymusic=c:\shares\music -S videos=c:\shares\videos -S pictures=c:\shares\pictures

Save it in C:\ccxstream-1.0.15-win\ as ccxstream.bat

Example (Batch file in ccxstream directory)

NOTE: Make sure you use your IP and not the one used here.
Not to mention the proper drive letter.

Now create a shortcut to the batch file ccxstream.bat Put it in the Windows Startup folder.
You can also change the run property of the shortcut to minimized.

Example (Shortcut in Windows Startup folder)

Example (Shortcut Minimzied)

Testing the ccxstream Shares
- Ensure that the config.xml properly.
- FTP or Copy it to the XBMP directory on the Xbox Hard Drive, ie;

E:\apps\xbmp\ or F:\apps\xbmp\

- Start the ccxstream server by using one of three options.
1. Rebooting the PC.
2. Running ccxstream.bat.
3. Running the shortcut to the batch file.

Now launch XBMP and test a share...My Music > Network (XBMSP)

Stopping the ccxstream Shares
Open the minimized DOS window that is running ccxstream.bat
Press the Ctrl and C keys simultaneously, or Ctrl+C if you will.
Whem prompted, type "y" for yes and press enter.

Example (Stopping ccxstream)

Troubleshooting
- If you get a "Can't bind server socket to port 1400" error
Try using the -p option to specify a different port, ie;

ccxstream -l 192.168.1.2 -p 1600 -S mymusic=c:\shares\music -S videos=c:\shares\videos -S pictures=c:\shares\pictures

Click here for an alternative method
if your using Windows XP.