How to Connect the Wii to Microsoft HomeGroup
Using Microsoft's HomeGroup software enables you to share document files and stream media content from a computer to other devices in your home network that are a part of an established HomeGroup. Though you can connect a Wii gaming console to your network, you cannot connect the Wii directly to Microsoft HomeGroup. The Wii is not set up to accommodate streaming media directly from a PC. You can, however, use third-party software to send media in your HomeGroup folders from your PC to the Web, then to your Wii. Before beginning, connect the Wii to your network.
Other People Are Reading
Things You'll Need
- Orb media server software
- PlayOn media server software
- TVersity media server software
Instructions
-
Set Up HomeGroup to Stream Media
-
1
Open the Start menu. Type “homegroup” in the “Search” box. Click “HomeGroup” in the search results.
-
2
Click “Create a homegroup” if you have not yet set up a HomeGroup on your network. Check the boxes next to “Pictures,” “Music” and “Videos.” Click “Next.” Record your HomeGroup password. Click “Finished.” Check the box next to “Stream my pictures, music and videos to devices in my network.” Click “Save settings.” HomeGroup is now set up to share your media libraries with other devices on your network.
-
-
3
Click “Join now” if a HomeGroup has already been created on your network. Check the boxes next to “Pictures,” “Music” and “Videos.” Click “Next.” Type the HomeGroup password in the provided box. Click “Next.” Check the box next to “Stream my pictures, music and videos to devices in my network.” Click “Save settings.” HomeGroup is now set up to share your media libraries with other devices on your network.
Stream From PC to Wii
-
4
Download and install a third-party media server application that supports the Nintendo Wii such as Orb, TVersity or PlayOn.
-
5
Launch the media server application on your PC.
-
6
Configure the media server’s settings to point to your HomeGroup music, video and photo folders. For example, to accomplish this task in Orb, go to the “Media” tab. Click the “Add” button, then browse to your HomeGroup folder. In PlayOn, go to the “My Media” tab, then click “Add.” In TVersity, click the green "Plus" icon, then select “Add folder.” You will have to add each HomeGroup music, video and photo folder from each of the computers that are joined to the group.
-
7
Select “Internet Channel” from the Wii menu. Select “Web Address.” Go to the MyCast Orb website and log into your account if you’re using Orb. Go to the PlayOn website if you’re using PlayOn. Or go to “xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx:41952/flashlib,” where xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx is the IP address of your computer, if you are using TVersity.
-
8
Browse your media library to locate the content you want to stream to your Wii.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
If you are using the Orb software, before streaming content from the PC to your Wii you will also have to set the stream format to Flash Player. To do this, go to the MyCast Orb website and log into your account. Click the “Settings” link. Select “Streaming Formats” from the “General” list. Select “Orb Flash Player.”
If you do not have the “Internet Channel” in your Wii menu, select “Wii Shop Channel.” Select “Wii Channels.” Select “Internet Channel” to install it on your Wii menu.
To obtain your computer’s IP address, open the Command Prompt. Type “ipconfig” and press “Enter.”
