Microsoft debuts Extenders for Windows Media Center, adds DivX and XviD

Ok, we're gonna break this down, Microsoft really didn't do us any favors of simplicity this time. As you may remember, back in late 2004 Microsoft's hardware partners announced Windows Media Center Extenders, which were basically STBs that could replicate a cheesy version of Media Center's interface on your TV over your home network. Not surprisingly, people didn't want another box (let alone a box with a crappy UI that wasn't as good as a real Media Center) so those boxes never took off. But the best (and most frequently used) implementation came way later on with the Xbox 360, which was able to far better replicate the XP and Vista Media Center experience.

So today Microsoft is announcing a reinvigorated Media Center Extender effort called... wait for it... Extenders for Windows Media Center. Ok, the name totally sucks, but the important part is Microsoft upgraded its wayward Extender system with a new version that takes full advantage of Vista (including live HDTV streaming), supports 802.11n, and adds something that really blew our mind: codecs we actually care about, namely XviD and DivX. Niveus, Linksys, and D-Link will all be launching new devices based on this software platform, so watch out for those -- as well as DVD players, TVs, and all manner of other home theater devices Microsoft is apparently trying to get this new system built right into. Unfortunately this new Extender rev isn't being announced for the Xbox 360 (yet), so we'll all have to wait a while longer before playing XviD and DivX movies on that thing -- without transcoding, anyway.

Microsoft debuts Extenders for Windows Media Center, adds DivX and XviD

[(Unverified) Posted Sep 7th 2007 5:02PM]

I wish we'd seen this a long time ago!

[(Unverified) Posted Sep 11th 2007 7:33PM]

Here's the best link I was able to find from MS. No download available yet though...

http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/press/2007/sep07/09-05CEDIAExtendersPR.mspx

[(Unverified) Posted Sep 17th 2007 8:39PM]

Please please please somebody tell me these new extenders will support gigabit ethernet! I'm already all wired up for this and have both my media center pc and office PC on gigabit. All the talk about wireless N is great, but gigabit wired is still the king of home bandwidth.

[sdambrot Posted Sep 20th 2007 12:39PM]

Will the new Sony Vaio LT HD PC/TV be able to stream live Cablecard HD over 802.11n? My understanding is that this won't work due to Cablecard content protection.

[(Unverified) Posted Oct 10th 2007 10:03AM]

I need a link.

[(Unverified) Posted Oct 10th 2007 10:06AM]

test 2