Windows 7 MCE with media extenders

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tr3v

234 posts

Master Geek

#236562 17-Jul-2009 21:37

Whatever happened to the so-called software extender? An xbox in the bedroom sounds like a bad idea.

Regs

4066 posts

Uber Geek

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Snowflake

#236569 17-Jul-2009 22:10

google up "softsled" and see what you find.... nothing coming from microsoft but some people are working on it...

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rvangelder

352 posts

Ultimate Geek

#236578 17-Jul-2009 23:00

I considered an xbox360, but the noise is an issue.
I considered building a new media center, but two versions of guides/schedules/recorded shows would be clumsy, and the cost...

I've just ordered a DMA2100 extender.
I know it's a discontinued product, lacks the menu animations, and apparently has washed out [menu?] colours, but at $350, it's the option that best fits.

If only WMC could re-use the guide/recordings of another box, then I'd consider saving up and building another media center with a single tuner.

RustyGonad

495 posts

Ultimate Geek

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#236630 18-Jul-2009 10:13

The noise issue is overrated. They're really not that loud. They only get loud when you play games, which puts them under load, or use the DVD drive. Plenty of stuff on google which list the actual dB ratings, in extender mode its only a couple of dB above ambient.

Really - unless you watch TV with no sound most people wouldn't notice the noise at all. Turn the volume to normal listening levels and believe me you won't hear it at all.

The biggest killer for the other extenders (I know they use 1/6 of the power, and are silent) is the lack of h.264 support. If you're interested in watching HD content (Freeview/Sky HD) of any kind this makes them a juicy ripe lemon.

rvangelder

352 posts

Ultimate Geek

#236651 18-Jul-2009 13:25

I mentioned last night that I'd have preferred to use the recorded tv of other computers.

Well... installed Windows 7 on my Media PC today. If you participate in a "Home Group", then media (including recorded shows) from the other PCs are available for watching - all from the remote control.
Looks like this issue is largely solved.

Slightly regreting purchasing the DMA2100 now :(

cldlr76

289 posts

Ultimate Geek

#240640 30-Jul-2009 16:39

Does the xbox play Divx /Xvid straight out of the box? I was looking at a mediagate media player buy DSE have got some good deals ($345 for Xbox 360 bundles) so that might be the go.
Also someone mentioned the other extenders uses less power, is the xbox quite heavy on power usage?

RustyGonad

495 posts

Ultimate Geek

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#240837 31-Jul-2009 08:47

Yep - the 360's play Divx out of the box.

Its not that the Xbox uses alot of power - just that the other dedicated Extenders tended to use alot less. I read an article detailing 10W (Linksys) vs 60W for an Xbox 360 in extender mode.

If you get a 360 make sure you get a Jasper, they use alot less power, run alot cooler, and are relatively quiet.

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Regs

4066 posts

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Snowflake

#241038 31-Jul-2009 16:37

lol. 60W is similar power consumption to a desktop PC - i'd say that was a high power draw :)

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RickD

280 posts

Ultimate Geek

#241097 31-Jul-2009 21:21

A software media center extender that could be installed on any Windows box would be awesome.

Xbox 360 might be quieter in the aftermarket Lian Li case?

Is anyone successfully using Sky with Windows7 MC and a media extender? (the only reason I am looking at getting one over building another small box with a tuner)

RustyGonad

495 posts

Ultimate Geek

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#241166 1-Aug-2009 11:00

Regs - what kind of desktop have you got that uses 60W - I want one... Most of my CPU's use that by themselves at idle :) But seriously I would expect a 360 extender to use the same amount of power as a very low end desktop - it, like the PS3 is just a repackaged computer after all...

RickD - Sky works fine, including HD, as long as you can tune into it on your media center, the extenders will view it.

I've run dual media center's in the past - it just becomes mess of cables, remote sensors etc etc etc. And thats before you try to manage the content. The extender concept eats it for breakfast...

If your that worried about noise you could easily hide one in a wardrobe. it will never be heard or seen...

mikehayton

45 posts

Geek

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Microsoft

#241455 2-Aug-2009 16:15

You can do HD streaming over a 802.11N wireless. Having said that, I went for the more reliable, cheaper wired solution.

xbox360 gives more benefits and it also renders more of the graphics on the unit instead of other types of extenders (so you see smooth scrolling between menus etc). However the xbox is more noisy than the dedicated extenders. The niveus extender (which costs a lot) is a quiet xbox hardware with a different shell (and it doesnt play games).

I'd recommend an xbox360 (wired) at this stage. Im not sure of the broadband options in NZ at the mo, but I'd go for 3Mbs or larger option.

This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.

Regs

4066 posts

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Snowflake

#241725 3-Aug-2009 11:21

RustyGonad: Regs - what kind of desktop have you got that uses 60W - I want one... Most of my CPU's use that by themselves at idle :) But seriously I would expect a 360 extender to use the same amount of power as a very low end desktop - it, like the PS3 is just a repackaged computer after all...
...

most of our office pc's use around 60-70w when you stick a power meter inbetween the wall socket and the power supply. of course most of them run onboard video, 1 hdd and 1 dvd with an intel dual core cpu.

the power draw at the wall may be different to the power draw in DC current within the computer though.. and i'm talking average draw while running, not peak

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