If you own an Xbox 360 or Xbox One console, you have the ability to view images on two screens (TVs or monitors) without the need to use a video splitter. The procedure described in the article allows you to view the same image produced by the console on two separate screens. This is an ideal solution if you need to play from a different point of the house. You can adopt this solution both on Xbox 360, by physically connecting it to two separate TVs or monitors, and on Xbox One by playing the image in streaming on any computer with a Windows 10 operating system. The original Xbox (the first console of the family Xbox produced by Microsoft) cannot be connected to two TVs at the same time, unless a video splitter is used.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Xbox 360
Step 1. Check your Xbox 360 model
There are three Xbox 360 models on the market: the original version (Core, Arcade, Pro and Elite), the slim version and the E models. Some Xbox 360 models (the older ones) are not equipped with an HDMI video port, instead the More modern console versions, including the Slim and E models, are equipped with an HDMI port. All Xbox 360 models can be connected to the TV via composite video cable (equipped with three connectors: red, white and yellow). The procedure described in this method cannot be applied in the case of an Xbox One console.
Step 2. Connect the video cables to the Xbox 360 console
You can connect an Xbox 360 to two TVs at the same time using a composite cable and an HDMI cable, or by using the six-connector component AV cable included with older console models.
- If you have a recent model of Xbox 360, use a composite video cable and an HDMI cable at the same time to connect it to the two displays.
- If you have an older version of Xbox 360, you can use the video connecting cable that came with your device. In this case there is a switch on the connector that connects to the console which must be set to the item "TV". Using this type of connection the sound will be reproduced only from one of the two TVs or monitors connected to the console. In this case, you will not be able to use a separate composite cable and component cable.
Step 3. Connect the yellow connector of the composite cable to the video input port on the display you want to connect the console to
You can use a regular television or computer monitor that accepts a composite video connection. If you want your device to reproduce the audio signal generated by the console as well, connect the white and red connectors of the composite cable to the corresponding inputs on your television or monitor.
Step 4. Connect the other high definition cable to the input port of the second TV or monitor
If you have chosen to use an HDMI cable, connect it to the corresponding port on the second display. If you have chosen to use the connecting video cable supplied with your console (high-definition AV component cable), connect the red, blue and green connectors to the corresponding video input port on the second monitor or television.
- If you are using an HDMI cable, you will not need to connect the red and white connectors that carry the audio signal.
- If you have chosen to use the high definition component cable, use the red and white connectors to transmit the audio signal to both displays.
Step 5. Turn on both screens and set the video source to the port you connected the Xbox 360 to
Set both TVs or monitors to the input channel to which you connected the console cables: if you used a composite cable select the AV channel, if you used a high definition component cable select the appropriate channel and if you used an HDMI cable select the HDMI port you connected the console to.
Step 6. Turn on the Xbox 360
The image produced by the console should immediately appear on both screens. If for some reason no image appears on one of the two video devices, most likely the TV or monitor in question does not support the video signal resolution set on the Xbox 360. In this case, try using a different TV or monitor that supports the video signal generated by the console and transmitted through the cable in use.
Method 2 of 3: Xbox One
Step 1. Check the system requirements
In order to use this method, you must have an Xbox One console and a computer running Windows 10 that meets the hardware requirements listed in this step. It is preferable to use a wired network connection, but it is not required. You can connect your computer (desktop or laptop) to the TV using one of the supported video connections, such as HDMI or VGA.
Windows computer hardware requirements: at least 2 GB of RAM, CPU with a clock rate of 1.5 GHz or faster, wired or wireless N / AC 802.11 network connection
Step 2. Connect an Xbox One or Xbox 360 controller to your computer
If you have chosen to use an Xbox One controller, you can connect using a dedicated wireless adapter for Windows or a USB to micro USB cable. Alternatively, you can use a wireless or wired Xbox 360 controller (in the former case you will need to purchase a wireless adapter for Windows that is compatible with the Xbox 360 controller).
Step 3. Enable streaming image streaming on the Xbox One
In order to stream images from the console to the computer's Windows 10 operating system, the Xbox One must be properly configured. Remember that the Xbox 360 does not have this feature and it is the reason why this method does not work with this type of console. Access the Xbox One configuration settings, choose the "Preferences" option and make sure the "Allow game streaming to other devices" checkbox is checked. At this point activate the SmartGlass connection by selecting the item "From any SmartGlass device" or "Only from logged in profiles".
Step 4. Launch the Xbox app on Windows 10 and log in
Access the "Start" menu by clicking the button in the lower left corner of the desktop, then select the Xbox app icon. Log into the program using your Xbox account, which must be the same one you use to log into Xbox One.
Step 5. Connect your Windows 10 computer to the Xbox One
Select the "Connection" option displayed within the left panel of the Xbox app on your computer. The application will scan the network for an Xbox One console. As soon as the console is detected you will be able to choose the system to connect to.
Step 6. Start streaming content from Xbox One to your computer
After establishing the connection between the console and the Windows computer, select the button to start streaming images.
Method 3 of 3: Use a Video Splitter on Any Xbox
Step 1. Determine what type of video connection to use
In this case, only one connection cable is required. This method works with any Xbox model, including the original Xbox, Xbox 360, and Xbox One. For the original Xbox and some Xbox 360 models, the HDMI connection is not supported. The Xbox One console, on the other hand, only supports HDMI connection.
Step 2. Purchase a video splitter and the cables needed to establish the connection
This device is able to "split" a single video signal in order to drive two separate screens. Depending on the type of splitter you have purchased, you may need to also buy two additional cables in order to connect it to the two monitors.
Step 3. Connect the console video output to the splitter input
In this case you will need to use only one video cable to connect the console to the splitter.
Step 4. Connect the two video outputs to their respective monitors or televisions and turn them on
In order to complete the connection, you will need to have two video cables: one for each display. On each monitor or TV, select the video input to which you connected the Xbox via the splitter (AV, component or HDMI). Both video devices will need to use the same connection type.
Step 5. Turn on the Xbox
The image produced by the console should immediately appear on both screens. If not, check that you have made all connections correctly, then try again.
