Windows 8 Bible

Using Shared Media

Shared media are different from shared files because they’re streamed to the local computer when played. This allows you to play the media files on non-computer network devices such as the Xbox 360 or a networked digital media player. Exactly how you work such a device depends on the device. You’ll need to refer to the instructions that came with the device for specifics. You also can use the new Windows 8 Xbox LIVE Games app from the Windows 8 interface to connect your Windows computer or tablet with a Microsoft Xbox device.

You can access the shared media by opening Windows Media Player normally. In the left pane, you should see each of the devices on the network that are sharing their media. Click the arrow next to a device to access its shared music, as shown in Figure 51.8.

FIGURE 51.8 Accessing a remote shared library

You can also browse for media devices (and computers that are sharing their music libraries) from the Network folder. When you open the Network folder, you’ll see a section named Media Devices that shows all of the streaming media devices on the network (see Figure 51.9). Just double-click a device to open its library in Media Player.

FIGURE 51.9 Shared media in the Network folder

For more information on using Windows Media Player, see Chapter ...