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Microsoft plans another go at the media center extender concept, but it's unclear whether the new features will be enough to lure more buyers than it did with the first go-around a few years back. As in the past, the devices are designed to a TV in one room to access music, photos and video from a computer in another room. It's the same idea as the Apple TV, which even Steve Jobs says is more a "hobby" for Apple than a real business. A real question exists as to how many buyers are interested in these products.
Microsoft notes that it has shipped more than 60 million copies of Windows Vista with media center abilities--that is Windows Vista Home Premium or Windows Vista Ultimate. But, of those, how many are actually being used as media centers, storing the kinds of video and TV shows that would make one want one of these extenders.
More importantly, for those that want this feature, Microsoft already builds it into every Xbox 360, meaning that for as little as $279, you get a full fledged game console that can also download and store movies and TV shows, something these new extenders can't do (The $279 console doesn't have a hard drive, but the $349 version includes a hard drive). Also, the Xbox can serve as an extender for Windows Vista or Windows XP machines, while the new devices work only with Vista.
That said, the new devices, which will come from D-Link, Linksys, NiveusMedia and others, have a couple features not found in the Xbox incarnation Wireless 'N' and support for the DivX and Xvid media formats. Plus, Microsoft says, their sleeker and quieter than the Xbox.
Microsoft is promising the devices will be "low-cost," but isn't offering pricing details. More details on the devices, the first of which are due this holiday season, is expected to be announced at the Digital Life trade show later this month. Longer term, Microsoft also hopes the extender feature will start getting bundled into other products, such as TVs. When Microsoft released the first crop of devices back in 2004, they were none too popular. Among those lined up by Microsoft the first time around were Linksys, Hewlett-Packard and Dell.
A lot has changed since, argues Hakan Olsson, a senior product planner for Microsoft's eHome group. "Last time the media center extenders came around, in addition to (the fact that) HD wasn't that prevalent, it was not that common consumers enjoyed video over internet," he said. "When we launch these extenders, we will also be launching new feature called Internet TV." The new Internet TV option is something that is being added, not to the extenders, but to Windows Media Center. Code-named Newport, it adds a selection of Web-based news and entertainment content to the Media Center's remote-controlled interface.
hmm i wonder how "low cost" they are talking? $199 or less and id consider it, otherwise id just buy a second 360, atleast i could game in the other room too!
Oh well, about time! Wonder if these will 'skip' Australia?
probably, they did last time i believe
DivX & Xvid support is fantastic news, but i'm not going to buy one unless its integrated into something i care about (if Xvix & DivX support gets integrated into the PS3 & WMP then Microsoft have lost their chance)
I'm guessing thats why Microsoft are targeting Installers. I know they convinced Doug Barret (developer for Webguide) to drop his product and go with them. To me, this sounds like they want more resellers like Niveus in the market. I don't think however the home Automation angle will sell in Australia. They seem to be pushing that in the USA.
So, if we start to see professional products like the Niveus line being developed, they may actually snag more of the Un-Tech minded. Think about it, if you have a stable media center, then the extenders shouldn't be complicated at all.
I wonder how Home Server fits into all this? Really, with all this distribution architecture, i would have thought Home server would be tied into Extenders in some way?
I doubt that there is going to be much of a price difference between these and a core 360, extenders are going to be niche hardware for a while. MS is also going to do whatever it needs to with price on the 360 versus the PS3, the extender manufacturers aren't going to sell at a loss. The inclusion of 802.11n wireless capabilities versus buying the a/g adapter for the 360 also needs to be taken into account with the cost comparisons.
Add the complete lack of noise of the dedicated extenders, versus the noise of the 360, or at least the current generation, as well as the lower power consumption and heat output, and the extenders do have a few things going for them, if you don't play games of course.
It will be interesting to see how the manufacturers differentiate between each other. The first gen HP and Linksys units were cosmetically different, but no difference between the internals. If they differentiate with CODEC support within MCX that could get interesting, but if it's differentiation outside of the MCX environment it wouldn't excite me much.
This time around there are lots of Home Premium and some Ultimate users out there, but for the masses, I don't know how they would even find out extenders exist, but if someone has a good advertising campaign or retail presence, things could change.
I'm more than happy with a couple of 360's around the house for gaming and extender duties, and am happy to use transcode360 when needed. I wonder how many 360 sales have already been made to fulfill extender duties, effectively locking the buyers out of this market for a while?
At least there will now be an option when recommending to others who don't want a 360 in their bedroom, or in their kids bedrooms.
Last edited by imelda; 10th September 2007 at 09:11 PM.
Reason: forgot something
Add the complete lack of noise of the dedicated extenders, versus the noise of the 360, or at least the current generation, as well as the lower power consumption and heat output, and the extenders do have a few things going for them, if you don't play games of course.
I cant hear my 360 when its in extender mode, or HD DVD, or Dashboard, only gets noisy when loading a game up.
The 360 makes an all round good value for money device, however I disagree about buying a 360 for it's extender capabilities alone. I have not bought a 360 because I am not big on gaming, as much as I am desperate for extender capabilities. The reasons are:
a) Power consumption
b) External, big and messy power supply
c) Design (Looks like a game console, although the new elite in black suits better for hifi rigs)
d) Noise, (this doesnt seem to be such an issue in extender mode)
I just think the 360 is untidy. I want a compact, clean, sleek design that looks like any other set top device. I hope the esthetics by design are something to brag about. (Like apples attention to design)
Seems like the ones in the US will be released in November.
Check out the high res photos @ LINKSYS
Linksys Media Center Extenders Coming In November!
Bring your digital music, movies and photos
to your TV or Home Theater
It's great to store photos, music and movies on your computer. But it's hard to share them with friends and family. What if you could view digital photos, movies and high definition programs on your TV, and listen to downloaded music on your home theater sound system? With the Linksys Media Center Extender you can!
Access digital content and Internet services from your Microsoft Windows Vista Premium or Ultimate Media Center PC and wirelessly stream it to your home entertainment system.
Easily navigate menus with a single learning remote
As written by Ina Fried from 
