Today at Digital Life in NYC the eHome Division and partners together announced new Extenders for Windows Media Center. In combination with the new Extenders, we're also releasing a beta of a new feature for Windows Media Center called Internet TV.
Take a look at the new Extenders for Windows Media Center and you'll see that users are getting sleek and quiet devices that bring content to any room of their house. Upcoming this holiday season is an impressive line-up of Extenders:
- Linksys Media Center Extender DMA2100: In a small form factor, the DMA2100 offers dual-band Wireless-N and all the necessary features to take full advantage of Windows Media Center. Perfect for smaller bedrooms and offices where a small device is needed. Estimated street price is US$299.99.
- Linksys Media Center Extender DMA2200 with DVD Player: Bigger than the DMA2100, the DMA2200 offers dual-band Wireless-N with a built-in DVD player on top of its Extender capabilities. Estimated street price is US$349.99.
- D-Link DSM-750 MediaLounge HD Media Center Extender: The DSM-750 connects users to their home networks either via Ethernet or dual-band draft Wireless-N. It also includes a USB 2.0 port for access to music, photos and videos stored on removable USB flash drives or hard drives. Users of the DSM-750 can also enjoy HD videos at 1080i. Estimated street price is US$349.99.
- HP MediaSmart LCD HDTV: The HP MediaSmart LCD HDTV (available in 42-inch and 47-inch sizes) has embedded Extender capabilities allowing the HDTV to tap directly into a Windows Media Center PC on home network via wireless (802.11N) or wired connections. The HP MediaSmart HDTV supports HD resolutions up to 1080p as well. The HP MediaSmart LCD HDTV is expected to be available in Best Buys nationwide.
- Niveus Media Extender – EDGE: Supporting 1080p video, the Niveus Media Extender – EDGE takes in the 3D user interface found on the award-winning Niveus Media Center as well as the proprietary Niveus Glacier Passive Cooling System for quiet and cool operation. Pricing has not yet been announced for the Niveus Media Extender – EDGE.
These new Extenders, available to users of Windows Vista Home Premium and Ultimate, allow quick access to premium cable and HDTV and support popular video codecs such as DIVX, XVID and WMV. Users will be able to pause a recorded TV show and then resume watching that very same show in a different room.
The eHome Division is also launching a beta (currently for U.S. users only) of Internet TV for Windows Media Center users. On 28 September, users of Windows Media Center on Windows Vista Home Premium and Ultimate will see the addition of Internet TV under the TV + Movies section. Internet TV will deliver high-quality video content streamed over the internet to Windows Media Center. Users will be able to watch full episodes of TV shows, concerts from artists, high-quality movie trailers and clips from MSNBC. Internet TV is designed for both TV and PC screens and is accessible via Media Center Extenders (including the Xbox 360). Brandon will have a more in-depth look at Internet TV on the Windows Experience blog shortly.