Xbox 360 slim wall mount/how to handle install with Kinect

[etc6849]

Anyone using one of these: http://www.hideitmou...t-xbox-360-slim ? Any comments on it are appreciated. It looks to be the best solution for now as I must leave an Xbox 360 (with Kinect) above a fireplace install.

If the Xbox 360 didn't have the Kinect attached, I'd move it to into a closet or rack, but...

 

[wuench]

I would be really worried about heat build up. My 360 generates a lot of heat, it is mounted at the top of my rack and I already had one fail with the red ring of death. If it helps, I have my Kinect connected with a 15' USB extension cable with no issues.

 

[etc6849]

Have you tried any of the fan mods? My fan has slowly become very loud, so I ordered this one (since I'm too lazy to modify it myself):
http://www.amazon.com/WHISPER-SLIM-Replacement-Cooling-your/dp/B006ID22P4/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1330798464&sr=8-4

However, in my searching I found a lot of posts where users swapped the fan out. There's also a mod where you cut one of the fan's wires to make it always go full speed.

 

[drvnbysound]

I dont own an Xbox, but I was thinking about buying a couple and using that exact mount when I was contemplating using WMC as my media center software. As I have (2) wall mounted LCDs with no nearby shelving or other furniture to place any external devices.

In the end, I realized that the Xbox was just too large (an expensive) of a device to use solely as an extender. So I scrapped the idea of using WMC all together :-\

 

[wuench]

My new 360 has been holding up fine for a couple of years now, no mods (fingers crossed). It actually worked out because I returned the dead one to Best Buy and picked up a new model with a larger hard drive as a replacement using the extended warranty.

 

[etc6849]

Yeah, the new slim version seems to run much cooler compared to the old one. I'd be suprised if you have any issues with the newer style 360. I think I just bought a dud as my fan bearing went out in a little over a year!

 

[etc6849]

Here's how everything turned out. For now, I'm running two cat 6 cables. I think this should future proof things as HDBaseT is coming down in price. The Xbox 360 is the video/PVR/Live TV source for now.

What I used:
3 gang arlington recessed mount box: http://www.amazon.co...31498171&sr=8-3

Leviton surge protecting outlet: http://www.amazon.co...31498218&sr=1-3

Decora 6 snap-in adapter for Cat 6 snap-ins: http://www.amazon.co...31498274&sr=1-7

Note: I also used a Leviton Decora outlet daisy chained on the "load" terminals of the surge protector, giving my 4 outlets with surge protection.

Wifi to IR Global Cache controller: http://www.amazon.co...31498654&sr=8-2

Kinect TV mount: http://www.amazon.com/Kinect-TV-Mount-Clip-Xbox-360/dp/B004XV6ST4/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1331499245&sr=8-3
Note: I recommend picking up one of the PDP mount clones for under $5 although the real PDP mount is $19 at BestBuy.

And of course the slim xbox 360 wall mount: http://www.amazon.co...31498313&sr=8-3 This is controlled by Premise and has two blinkies: one on the TV and one on the 360.

PS: Don't order Leviton stuff from Amazon, they are way over priced. I just linked to them since they never seem to remove or change product links...

 

[etc6849]

Another pic. Note that the xbox is mounted a little high and you can see the top of it. This is because I used a full-size hefty TV mount (that I already had) since I plan to upgrade to a 60" TV at some point (as pictured is an older 46" Samsung LNT4665F).

It should be clear if you chose your mount wisely, there's no reason you should see the Xbox 360 at all and best of all you can still use the Kinect