Record Voice Chat from Xbox Live to PC

This is my second instructable on how to record voice chat from your Xbox 360 onto your PC for further use. Such as evidence of abuse. Legal reasons. Or just for the fun of it!

It works much the same way as My First instructable

Step 1: What you need

You will need:

A Xbox 360
A Wireless or Wired Xbox 360 controller with the headset port on it
A voice chat converstation
A Audio Link up Cable
A Headphone adapter which fits the xbox controller
A Soundcard which allows LINE IN
And finally some audio recording software

Comments

[mpearsall]

from xbox live terms of use:

You should not expect any level of privacy concerning your use of the live communication features (for example, voice chat, video and communications in live-hosted gameplay sessions) offered through the Service. These communications may be monitored; however, we cannot monitor the entire Service and make no attempt to do so. You understand that these communications can be recorded and used by others, and communications in live-hosted gameplay sessions may be broadcast to others. Some games may utilize game managers and hosts. Game managers and hosts are not authorized Microsoft spokespersons, and their views do not necessarily reflect those of Microsoft. We do not routinely monitor your use of the communication features of the Service. However, to the maximum extent permitted by law, we may monitor your communications and may disclose information about you as set forth in this Section 9.

[Luk3A8]

can you show me a sight where I would be able to buy one in england please?

[thehumancat]

Speaking of Evidence of Abuse. It is unlawful abuse to record a third party without their knowledge. This is a private, closed network, NOT public domain. If you are recording people you might want to consider deleting your recordings and cease and desist. -Concerned Legal Council

[n0dna]

Perhaps before you start giving out legal advice, you may want to check your facts, or perhaps direct people to places they can check for themselves... like http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Telephone_recording_laws

Currently 39 states require "One-Party Consent" for recorded phone calls, meaning that as long as YOU know you're recording it, that's sufficient.

Now IANAL, but you may also want to consider that this is over a "public" chat system with no realistic expectations of privacy and that it is probably governed by the X-Box Live EULA and subject to Microsoft's policy, which may or may not be subject to actual criminal laws.

The short answer is it is not automatically illegal to record someone without consent.

[xACIDITYx]

Really? Unlawful to record a third party without their knowledge? So if I walk into a store with video cameras that doesn't have a sign up saying I'm being recorded, I can sue even if I stole something? Also, Xbox live is indeed public and not private. So I recommend you cease and desist with your false advice. :)

[rally9x]

Xbox Live is private, meaning its owned by a company not a government.
Playing online on xbox live is for Gold Members only so that makes in more of a "private club" just like how Sams Club is allowed to have stricter rules (bag checking etc) than Walmart.

[Th3H4rRy]

Where does this law apply?

[metaljonny666]

I assume by audio link up cable you mean 3.5mm male to 3.5mm male cable? Ive done everything here but my computer just isnt picking up the sound... can you please help? thanks

[Th3H4rRy]

yeah that cable, you set it to record from line in? Check if the volume is up on your audio settings

[radioactiv guy]

would goldwave or audacity be ok for recording software?

[theinterruptingcow]

Any audio editing program will do. I've never used goldwave but i use audacity to do this.

[radioactiv guy]

Would it be alright if I just put the line into my mic jack on my laptop? Please reply!

[Th3H4rRy]

I Belive so, the only problem i can see is it being to loud, as the mic jack takes unamplified signals in, (from a mic usually) It might be a bit fussy

[radioactiv guy]

I tried it, it works good enough for my purposes. Thank you for the tutorial, you saved me $50.00.

[CaptainFortyTwo]

Is there a way to tell if my sound card allows line in? I'm going to assume that this isn't a very common feature and that it's rare, so I'm expecting to have to purchase a new sound card if I have to do this, but is there some way of checking this? And, if so, would I have to crack open my case to see if I do?

[Th3H4rRy]

Buy go into the windows sound setting. Click advanced and tick the boxes that have line in. Or if its already enabled then unmute it from the advanced sound setting

[conrad2468]

can you say xbox live harrassment Ventrailo harrassment for all of you that dont get the joke!

[craig3]

one question, if the microphone plug on the controller is being used by the pc cable, then how do you connect the microphone to talk into?

[Th3H4rRy]

Thats the only problem. unless you can split the cable coming from the controller so one side is the microphone and the other is the speaker.

[Capt_Brute]

wtf is an Audio Linkup Cable and where can I buy one?

[Capt_Brute]

what size are they though? 1/8"?

[Th3H4rRy]

Its basically a standard headphone plug on each end of a cable. Can get them at a local eletronics store. Such as Radioshack or Maplins

[wiccan2]

Hi, I think this is a cool idea but I have an easyer option, rather than plug the controller into the pc why not just set the xbox to output voice through the tv & headset at the same time. Then all you have to do is hook up the sound output from your tv. This is what i would use as I have a LCD tv with a VGA port and audio pass through.

[MilotisX]

yea, but ud get the game's sound too ...

[Th3H4rRy]

Thats a good idea that would solve the microphone problem. I forgot you could do that

[GorillazMiko]

Such a smart idea. I always wondered how they did this, so thanks for showing.