Connecting Xbox 360 to PC: What Actually Works (and What Doesn't)

You cannot "plug Xbox 360 into PC" like a peripheral. No USB/HDMI-in on PC accepts console video/input.

Goal	Method	Requirements
Stream Xbox 360 Gameplay to PC	Capture Card (Elgato HD60 S+, AVerMedia Live Gamer Mini) via HDMI → USB 3.0. OR Xbox App Streaming (Xbox One/Series only, not 360).	Capture card ($100+), OBS/Streamlabs.
Play Xbox 360 Games on PC	Xenia Emulator (xenia-canary.github.io). Requires legal game dump (disc → ISO via 360/PC drive).	High-end CPU (AVX2), Vulkan GPU. Best 360 emulation.
Transfer Saves / Profiles	Xport 360 / Horizon / Modio (PC tools) + Transfer Cable (USB ↔ Memory Unit) or FATX-formatted USB (configured on 360).	Modded 360 (RGH/JTAG) for full access. Retail saves signed.
Media Streaming (PC → 360)	Windows Media Player / Plex / Universal Media Server → "Play To" / DLNA. 360: Video/Music/Picture Library.	Same LAN. Enable "Media Streaming" in Windows Services.
System Link (LAN Multiplayer)	Ethernet cable: PC (ICS) ↔ 360. Or Router ↔ Both. Games: Halo 3, CoD, Gears.	PC shares internet (ICS) or both on router. No Xbox Live needed.

HDMI from 360 → PC HDMI port (input only on capture cards/laptops with HDMI-in).
USB from 360 → PC (360 USB is Host, not Device).
Xbox 360 disc in PC Blu-ray drive (XGD3 format, unreadable).

Xbox 360