Windows 7 MCE with media extenders

Forums › Home Theatre (including HTPC and EPG Collector) › Windows 7 MCE with media extenders

jamesla

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Master Geek

#37638 16-Jul-2009 00:13

So the idea is that I install windows 7 (rc for now obviously) and configure media center with freeview hd. We then configure it for media sharing and then I use my xbox 360 in my room as a media extender to pull hd freeview from the media pc, anyone have any idea if this would work? I know that you can't do it with mediaportal as it doesn't support media extenders but surely windows 7 would right?

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#235928 16-Jul-2009 06:34

I have not done it myself but from what others on the forum that have 360 have said this works very well. I think Satch was one of the guys that has used the extender function a bit.

Media centre PC - Case Silverstone LC16M with 2 X 80mm AcoustiFan DustPROOF, MOBO Gigabyte MA785GT-UD3H, CPU AMD X2 240 under volted, RAM 4 Gig DDR3 1033, HDD 120Gig System/512Gig data, Tuners 2 X Hauppauge HVR-3000, 1 X HVR-2200, Video Palit GT 220, Sound Realtek 886A HD (onboard), Optical LiteOn DH-401S Blue-ray using TotalMedia Theatre Power Corsair VX Series, 450W ATX PSU OS Windows 7 x64

BigRWellington

31 posts

Geek

#235944 16-Jul-2009 08:35

Using the xbox 360 works perfectly.

One thing though is not to use wireless connections as they do not seem fast enough to support HD.

tr3v

234 posts

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#235954 16-Jul-2009 09:00

Does anyone know if the Linksys DMA2100 Media Extender will work with HD too?

CYaBro

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#235975 16-Jul-2009 09:35

tr3v: Does anyone know if the Linksys DMA2100 Media Extender will work with HD too?

As far as I know they don't support our Freeview|HD due to the audio codec used.
They do support other HD video though.

Opinions are my own and not the views of my employer.

paulspain

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#235990 16-Jul-2009 09:49

I have tried both, and CyaBro is correct that the Linksys Media Centre Extenders don't work with Freeview HD in NZ. The Xbox 360 though rocks and that's how we run our 2nd TV. Works brilliantly.

Paul Spain
Founder: Gorilla Technology, NZ Tech Podcast

jamesla

85 posts

Master Geek

#236060 16-Jul-2009 12:10

Awesome installing it all now, cheers for the help :D!

Satch

1985 posts

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#236064 16-Jul-2009 12:24

Nety: ...I think Satch was one of the guys that has used the extender function a bit.

Nope, not me. Always thought about it though.

I think you might be thinking of RustyGonad. He's got extenders running.

So is the general consensus that a 360 works the best as an extender? Is this true for wireless too? If I ever did get an extender, it would be for the bedroom TV, and wireless would be my only option.

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rhysb

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#236109 16-Jul-2009 14:02

Yes the 360 is the only extender that supports h.264. The others have been discontinued and will not be getting any firmware updates.

Wireless works for HD content, but you do need a good connection. The 360 has a good little troubleshooting graph to help with getting a good signal.

rvangelder

352 posts

Ultimate Geek

#236132 16-Jul-2009 15:16

I've been considering an xbox360 for the bedroom, connected to a spare VGA monitor I have.

Questions:
How much noise does the 360 generate? Distracting?
Is there a way to turn off the 360 via remote control?

rhysb

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#236142 16-Jul-2009 15:37

They are quite noisy. I believe the newer jasper ones are quieter. May be a bit distracting in the bedroom though.

Yes you can turn it off with the remote, there is a dedicated power button, or you can hold down the big X button and it will ask if you want to turn the console off.

RustyGonad

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#236371 17-Jul-2009 10:07

I use a Jasper as an extender - they're certainly alot quieter than the 1st generation, although not alot between the Jasper and Falcon's. I can hardly tell the difference from 4 feet away (got a Falcon in the lounge).

They're not too bad as long as you don't use the drive - then all bets are off, get your earmuffs out.

I find it perfectly acceptable in the bedroom - but then again I can also expertly tune out the wife, kids, and anything else I don't want to hear...

They also use the Microsoft Media Center Remotes as well. If your using HDMI or VGA it will also Power down the screen if it supports it. Only downside is no remote volume control.

I'm using mine with a 22" 1080p BenQ 16:9 HDMI monitor. Hole shooting match cost just over $600 bucks brand new. Think back to a few years ago and you couldn't even get crappy 21" CRT for that. Picture quality, useability and performance for the money are outstanding. There is no other way to move Sky around the house this easily.

Satch

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#236384 17-Jul-2009 10:28

RustyGonad: ...but then again I can also expertly tune out the wife, kids, and anything else I don't want to hear...

Ha ha ha ha.

I discussed the idea of having a 360 in the bedroom as an extender with head office, and looks like approval is going to be hard to achieve. Might have to keep working on it...

rhysb

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#236405 17-Jul-2009 11:09

Satch: I discussed the idea of having a 360 in the bedroom as an extender with head office, and looks like approval is going to be hard to achieve. Might have to keep working on it...

Did you remember to correctly fillout the necessary aquasition forms?

paulspain

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#236427 17-Jul-2009 12:04

Often it's easier not to seek formal approval upfront, but instead deal with the consequences later ;)

Paul Spain
Founder: Gorilla Technology, NZ Tech Podcast

Regs

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Snowflake

#236560 17-Jul-2009 21:27

tr3v: Does anyone know if the Linksys DMA2100 Media Extender will work with HD too?

i heard that this product was going end-of-life shortly due to the cheap price of the xbox and the high royalties that microsoft was charging on licensing the extender technology.

i have no idea which parts of that statement are true, but i'd be disappointed if microsoft was charging high royalties on the extender tech - and then undercutting the prices with their own kit.

the best use of extender technology that i've seen is the hp mediasmart lcd screens that have the extender tech built in. wouldnt it be great if every lcd/plasma screen on the market had this built in along with an ethernet port and wireless-n...

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