Impact Acoustics reveals diminutive HDMI repeater

It's not the first HDMI repeater you've seen, and it most definitely won't be the last. Impact Acoustics is pumping out its own tiny box in order to extend that HDMI signal of yours another 130-feet (or 200-feet if using two). Nothing too special going on with this one, just the obligatory HDMI 1……

For full content    click here

Samsung reveals $200 MediaLive Media Center Extender

Ever since we got our hands on Samsung’s Media Center Extender at CES last year, we’ve wondered how the CE giant’s rendition would stack up against the rest. Rather than build the Media Center Extender functionality into a TV the way HP has, or make a completely separate set-top-box like Linksys ……

For full content    click here

Octava unveils HDMI over Ethernet extender

If slinging HDMI signals over Ethernet sounds appealing to you, look no further than Octava's newest box. The HDMI over Ethernet extender enables users to transmit 1080p HDMI signals up to 150-feet over Ethernet (300-feet for 1080i), and while CAT6 is recommended, CAT5 should do the trick in a pinch. Of ……

For full content    click here

vmcNetFlix add-in enables Xbox 360 viewing of Netflix 'Watch Now' content

We’ve already seen Orb play nice with DirecTV’s HR21, but what about integrating Netflix’s “Watch Now” content into one’s Xbox 360? vmcNetFlix, a brilliant add-in for Windows Vista Media Center, enables users to manage their Netflix subscription, stream Netflix “Watch Now” movies directly fro……

For full content    click here

HP MediaSmart Connect brings digital media to your HDTV

Yeah, you may be burning that midnight oil, but your weariness isn’t the reason you’re certain you’ve seen this thing before. Touted at CES as the MediaSmart Receiver, the re-dubbed MediaSmart Connect is finally available for pre-order. Just as we heard before, this unit takes full advantage of E……

For full content    click here

The Media Center Extender shootout

Vista Media Center really sets itself apart from any other DVR solution out there, and the single greatest advantage Vista Media Center (VMC) has over the other options — like the TiVo HD — is the ability to have multiple Media Center Extenders. There really isn’t any better way out there that will all……

For full content click here

Linksys DMA2200 MC Extender available to buy in the UK

Our UK visitors might like to know that the Linksys DMA2200 MC Extender is in free stock as of 24th April 2008 at http://www.cd-writer.com/.

MC Extender Resources

References

External links

• Extender for Windows Media Center
• FAQ: Windows Media Center Extenders and Xbox 360
• New Extender for Windows Media Center devices
• Media Center Extender Support
• Media Center Extender for Xbox Review

See also

• Windows Media Center
• Windows Media Connect

Version 2 of MC Extenders

For quite a period of time, the Xbox 360 was the only Version 2 Extender available that could work with Windows Vista. When connecting an Xbox 360 to a Windows XP Media Center Edition PC, a free download is required to connect for the first time. When connecting an Xbox 360 to a Windows Vista PC, no download is necessary as all required components are built into Windows Vista.Microsoft eventually announced the v2 Media Center Extenders from partners (Linksys, D-Link and Niveus Media) on 5th September, 2007. ^[2] Version 2 capable Extenders boast animated transitions between screens and additional capabilities of Windows Vista to handle newer video formats, notably, DivX, Xvid, Windows Media Video HD and H.264. They can stream HDTV (including 1080p) through HDMI like the Xbox 360, can stream protected content and many incorporate draft 802.11n wireless connectivity.

In addition to these additions, Extender manufactors will be able to integrate Extender technology into other popular consumer electronics devices. Examples include DVD players, HDTVs, HD DVD players, Blu-ray players, etc. However, a major hindrance is that the V2 Media Center Extenders only work with the Windows Vista Media Center version. Windows Media Connect and Windows Media Player Network Sharing are able to connect to them on Windows XP, however they do not work with Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 as extenders. ^[3] Xbox 360 is the only device that can work as an extender with both Windows XP Media Center as well as Windows Vista.

• Xbox 360 (Works in MCE 2005 and Vista)
• Linksys DMA2100
• Linksys DMA2200 (Integrated DVD Player)
• D-Link DSM-750
• Niveus Media EDGE
• HP MediaSmart HDTV (Software upgrade to be offered in ‘08)

Version 1 of MC Extenders

• HP x5400
• Linksys WMCE54AG
• Xbox with Media Center Extender Add-On

All Version 1 Extenders have been discontinued and are not supported in Windows Vista.

Asides