DMA price drop?? Xbox drop

[alec]

As the XBox price is going to drop by $50 to $299 what is the chance that the DMA series kit will have to respond in an equal price drop

http://www.reuters.com/article/techn...technologyNews

DMA 2200 on Shopbot.com.au is approx AUS$290
XBox 360 pro is approx AUS$590

[bodogbodog]

Originally Posted by alec

As the XBox price is going to drop by $50 to $299 ....
http://www.reuters.com/article/techn...technologyNews....
XBox 360 pro is approx AUS$590

That articles in US$ for a start - who know what Microsofts "currency conversion calculator" will be into A$ - at the moment US$349 converts to $579.95 RRP - so thats around A$0.60 to the US$1 - when it reality it's current at around A$0.94 to the US$1 - how would you like a 360 Pro for A$318! - guess who's making some extra $$$$!

The XBOX 360 Arcade with HDMI and the updated 65nm processor is on special at Big W at the moment for A$283 - so if you're after an extender that's probably the best deal going (you don't need the 20gb HDD on the Pro for an extender)

Who know's whether CISCO will try and keep price parity - it's a death spiral - Microsoft make their money on the games - so where does CISCO make theirs?

[alec]

Originally Posted by bodogbodog

That articles in US$ for a start - who know what Microsofts "currency conversion calculator" will be into A$ - at the moment US$349 converts to $579.95 RRP - so thats around A$0.60 to the US$1 - when it reality it's current at around A$0.94 to the US$1 - how would you like a 360 Pro for A$318! - guess who's making some extra $$$$!

The XBOX 360 Arcade with HDMI and the updated 65nm processor is on special at Big W at the moment for A$283 - so if you're after an extender that's probably the best deal going (you don't need the 20gb HDD on the Pro for an extender)

Who know's whether CISCO will try and keep price parity - it's a death spiral - Microsoft make their money on the games - so where does CISCO make theirs?

Thanks, I was wondering whether a price drop over there meant a price drop over here.
I am hoping the DMA comes down in price because I keep hearing about how noisy the XBox is (even the Gen 2 models).
I also hear that apart from the slight delay in menu transitions the DMA 2200 is a great device with as much if not more flexibility / functionality than the XBox.

Am I missinformed (I like keeping things simple so would go for the easiest solution but don't really need games).

Alec

[bodogbodog]

Originally Posted by alec

I am hoping the DMA comes down in price because I keep hearing about how noisy the XBox is (even the Gen 2 models)

The earlier models of the XBOX 360 were noisy - I have two that were manufactured in Nov 2007 and they are quieter (not silent) - I don't find any issue with the noise when using it as an extender in the lounge

But as I understand it the DMA units are fanless and the DVD drive in the higher spec model doesn't make as much noise - so on that front they'd win - but you need to look at all the features you want...for example the built in wireless in the DMA would be good (although I'm a fan of a hard wired connection for media serving myself) - things we like about the XBOX are the great integration with VMC and other network devices and of course a little bit of gaming on the side!

[logifuse]

The biggest pressure on the DMAs will be the introduction of the Dlink DSM750 & the announced HP extender (slightly larger than the DMA2100, but media function outside of the extender interface).

Still, sub $250 for the DMA2100 is pretty good - I can't see any massive drops from there any time soon.

Justin

[alec]

Originally Posted by bodogbodog

The earlier models of the XBOX 360 were noisy - I have two that were manufactured in Nov 2007 and they are quieter (not silent) - I don't find any issue with the noise when using it as an extender in the lounge

But as I understand it the DMA units are fanless and the DVD drive in the higher spec model doesn't make as much noise - so on that front they'd win - but you need to look at all the features you want...for example the built in wireless in the DMA would be good (although I'm a fan of a hard wired connection for media serving myself) - things we like about the XBOX are the great integration with VMC and other network devices and of course a little bit of gaming on the side!

I am also going to use a hard wired connection. I am very interested in your comment "great integration with VMC" so does this mean the integration isn't as good on the DMA ??

I am hoping for simple i.e. as good and easy integration and use as possible.

By the way not too sure I see the value of the DSM 750 in terms of being able to play content direct from the networked disk because I would still need to play live TV from the Tuner card on the PC.

I would be interested when it is planned for release in Aus as I suspect that will push down the DMA 2200.

Also is there a side by side feature comparison of the 360 and 2200 (i.e. Xbox plays x,yz, content DMA plays y & z)?

All I have seen is a side by side user comparison on youtube

Alec

[Precisa]

http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/06/19...nder-shootout/
Has a good comparison of the xbox vs other extenders

e.g. XBox only plays Divx in the blade screen, not the extender screen
while other extenders play divx in the extender screen

[alec]

Originally Posted by Precisa

http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/06/19...nder-shootout/
Has a good comparison of the xbox vs other extenders

e.g. XBox only plays Divx in the blade screen, not the extender screen
while other extenders play divx in the extender screen

Hey that was a great link and I loved the video review segment.
I have just realised I haven't been using the full power of VMC !!!!!

On the video segment the demonstration showed something called overlays
There was also something that kept popping up called Advert Skip?

I am using VMC on PC with the mouse (no extender no a remote).

How do I get the overlays and Advert skip options?
I love both especially the ability to scroll through other content whilst the main screen still shows live or recorded TV and it is also cool when you minimise the recorded or live TV to a postage stamp and scroll through other content.

Please educate me !

[dgaust]

The overlays are just the terminology used when the start screen or guide comes up over the playing video (i.e press the green button in livetv). I don't know if these work on the extenders.

The advert popup is from the DVRMSToolbox ad skip plugin

[alec]

Originally Posted by dgaust

The overlays are just the terminology used when the start screen or guide comes up over the playing video (i.e press the green button in livetv). I don't know if these work on the extenders.

The advert popup is from the DVRMSToolbox ad skip plugin

Thanks for the information and I might have the terminology wrong. Also remember I only have mouse and keyboard (no remote)

I have found what I call the overlays. These are accessible via the right mouse click and choosing "mini guide" or "program info" whilst playing content from recorded TV or live TV :-)

I can't navigate the mini guide by clicking the arrows with my mouse and have to use the arrow keys on the keyboard:-(
I hope I can use the remote when I get one.

The program info minimises the playing output to a postage stamp (nice!)

Though I have noticed how to traverse all this content whilst TV output is maximised - BRILLIANT (never knew this function existed and that the Windows log on screen performed this)!!
VMC rocks! Shame they hide it there as I only ever used the back arrow that was next to it ! DOH!!


I saw that you can traverse you music library and almost anything whilst the minimised TV output is still being played in the small window and can't seem to get to that? :-(
Any ideas?