Engadget

TiVo shows off Pace-built XG1 six-tuner gateway DVR it plans to ship later this year

Richard Lawler — Thu, 24 May 2012 03:52:00 EST

New add-on boxes that extend and supplement the functionality of existing Premiere DVRs aren't all TiVo had to show off this week at the Cable Show in Boston, as it also demonstrated the fruits of its new partnership with Pace. The result is this XG1 gateway, a six-tuner DVR that's intended to be sold by TV providers and then hidden away in a closet, quietly distributing video to smart TVs or extenders located throughout the house. It runs TiVo's software with support for multi-room video, MoCA, mobile and tablet remote apps and at least 500GB of hard drive space inside. Since it hasn't announced any plans to bring this unit to retail we'll have to wait and see which providers decide to offer it when it becomes available in the Americas "later this year".

Continue reading TiVo shows off Pace-built XG1 six-tuner gateway DVR it plans to ship later this year

TiVo shows off Pace-built XG1 six-tuner gateway DVR it plans to ship later this year originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 24 May 2012 03:52:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ceton previews DVR companion apps on Android and iOS, teases Echo beta 'soon'

Richard Lawler — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 18:12:00 EST

A quick stop by the Intel pavilion here at NAB 2012 revealed our friends from Ceton hiding within, and even though we just saw the Q DVR and Echo companion extender on our last trip to Vegas a few months ago, there's a few new items to show already. As shown above, the mobile companion app that we had only seen so far on Windows Phone 7 is also up and running on Android and iOS. While the apps are still very early in their development they're already running smoothly with metadata provided by Rovi and the usual set of features for DVR scheduling and management. Each one is designed specifically for the platform it's running on, rather than pulling the same UI from one device to all. This seems like a good approach to us, but Ceton's looking for feedback from potential users about what they might prefer. Speaking of potential users -- all those interested in this hardware should keep an eye out as we're told that the plan is to have a beta for the DTS-compatible Echo extender "soon", likely within a few weeks.

Ceton previews DVR companion apps on Android and iOS, teases Echo beta 'soon' originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 17 Apr 2012 18:12:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ceton previews multi-room DVR and Echo extender (hands-on)

Ben Drawbaugh — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 15:01:00 EST

The company that has almost single handedly spurred the golden age of CableCARD has found a new way to deliver its technology to consumers with a 6 tuner multi-room DVR with a 2TB hard drive, codenamed Q, and its companion extender, codenamed Echo. No word on the price of either but both are expected to ship in 2012.

While the Q and Echo might look like Microsoft Media Center, they aren't. Based on the Windows 7 Embedded platform, the Q picks up where Microsoft left off but still leverages the great DVR functionality and free guide data. In addition to being used as an extender for the Q, the Echo is also a fully compliant Extender for Windows Media Center. The Echo will support both ethernet and MoCA for communication to the source and has HDMI-CEC for control as well as an included remote. When used with the Q, it will extend the entire Q experience, including streaming sources and enhanced search that facilitates content discovery. Speaking of the Q, that slot up front is a Blu-ray drive and in addition to being able to play Blu-ray Discs, the plan is to integrate as many streaming sources as possible (no partners to announce yet, though). The Q will also work with other Extenders for Windows Media Center, like the Xbox 360, but while the custom themes are there, the other streaming options aren't. Ceton has even developed a Windows 8 Metro and Windows Phone 7 app to extend the Q experience to the handhelds -- iOS apps are on the road map. These apps are primarily designed to be companions to the Q's search and discovery features, but will provide access to content via WiFi.

Gallery: Ceton announces multi-room DVR and Echo extender hands-on

Continue reading Ceton previews multi-room DVR and Echo extender (hands-on)

Ceton previews multi-room DVR and Echo extender (hands-on) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 10 Jan 2012 15:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Amped Wireless gives your WiFi 1.5-mile range: never lose signal in the garden again

Daniel Cooper — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 15:36:00 EST

Those of us stationed inside the Engadget compound are always wishing we had better WiFi signal at the outer reaches of the battlements. Thank heavens for Amped Wireless' range of professional networking tools. With a 600mW amplifier and a high-gain bi-directional antenna, its SR600EX Pro Smart Repeater can expand the range of your internet transmissions by up to 1.5 miles. The device also has two extra network ports for other devices and is designed for large buildings, boats, RVs or, you know... massive gadget labs. On the other hand, the AP600EX Pro Access Point can sit on the end of a wired network and do the same job for building-to-building connections. Both devices come with a 30-foot power-over-ethernet cable and are available today for $180.

Continue reading Amped Wireless gives your WiFi 1.5-mile range: never lose signal in the garden again

Amped Wireless gives your WiFi 1.5-mile range: never lose signal in the garden again originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 24 Oct 2011 15:36:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Netgear's Universal WiFi Range Extender now available for balding home networks

Amar Toor — Wed, 08 Jun 2011 14:44:00 EST

Few things in life are more aggravating than WiFi dead spots -- especially when you've just settled in to stream the latest Game of Thrones episode, after a long and excruciating week of tech blogging. Good thing that Netgear's Universal WiFi Range Extender, first spotted at this year's CES, is now available for shipping. This discrete white cube promises to bring connectivity to remote regions of your lair by automatically mirroring the wireless signal emitted from your gateway. Just use the device's LED indicator to find the area where the extender would optimize its reach, plug it into any ol' AC outlet, and those ugly pockets of wireless death will suddenly spring back to life (think of it as Rogaine for your WiFi router). It also supports 802.11 b/g/n and is compatible with WEP, WPA and WPA2 security standards, in case you were wondering. You can find the extender at retailers located all over this green Earth, where it'll be priced at around $90. If that tickles your fancy, head past the break for the full PR.

Continue reading Netgear's Universal WiFi Range Extender now available for balding home networks

Netgear's Universal WiFi Range Extender now available for balding home networks originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 08 Jun 2011 14:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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AT&T U-verse Total Home DVR adds pause/rewind live TV feature on multiroom extenders

Richard Lawler — Tue, 17 May 2011 15:46:00 EST

Spring is usually the time we see AT&T refresh the features on its U-Verse Total Home DVR and the latest update gives users the ability to pause and rewind live TV no matter which TV they're watching. Previously, this was only available if you were watching on a TV connected to a DVR, but now users can control playback from any room even if the DVR is somewhere else. According to the press release it's only up and running in a couple of cities (Grand Rapids, MI and Mobile, AL) right now, but should roll out everywhere over the next few months. Check after the break for the press release with more details or on the UverseUsers.com forum thread about the Phase 3 rollout.

Continue reading AT&T U-verse Total Home DVR adds pause/rewind live TV feature on multiroom extenders

AT&T U-verse Total Home DVR adds pause/rewind live TV feature on multiroom extenders originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 17 May 2011 15:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Shaw Gateway DVR is the six tuner Canadian son of Moxi

Richard Lawler — Tue, 10 May 2011 08:31:00 EST

Shaw Cable in Canada unveiled its DVR of the future today, calling the Shaw Gateway Experience "a new world of entertainment." As it turns out, that new world is actually very familiar, consisting of an Arris six tuner DVR and multiroom companion box. The Gateway (pictured above) is a six tuner DVR with a CableCARD slot, 500GB hard drive, WiFi, DLNA and an HD guide that looks just like the Moxi DVR technology Arris purchased over a year ago. The Total Home Portal is the multiroom box that appears to be a refreshed edition of the Moxi Mate extender that lacks its own tuner or hard drive but can stream live or recorded video from the gateway. The cost of one Gateway and Portal is $600 up front or $17/month, while an extra portal is $178 or $5/month. They're currently only available in Calgary and are due to arrive elsewhere in Canada later this summer.

[Thanks, Daniel]

Shaw Gateway DVR is the six tuner Canadian son of Moxi originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 10 May 2011 08:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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YikeBike extender battery backpack keeps you riding in, um, style for six more miles

Christopher Trout — Sat, 12 Mar 2011 23:57:00 EST

Okay, so you'll probably still look like a circus bear on a penny-farthing when you hop on the YikeBike, but with the introduction of the new extender battery backpack, you won't have to stop every six miles to juice up. You heard right, this otherwise inconspicuous knapsack is actually packing a second YikeBike battery, which can be hooked up directly to the collapsible bicycle to keep you riding for another six miles -- and if you like riding high on a tiny bike for long distances, it's got room for more than one. So go crazy, pack this thing full of batteries and hit the road, but if your keister starts smartin', don't say we didn't warn you. You can get your YikeBike juice on for $229 at the source link below.

YikeBike extender battery backpack keeps you riding in, um, style for six more miles originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 12 Mar 2011 23:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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ASUS O!Play Mini player ditches the USB 3.0 but keeps the 1080p

Tim Stevens — Fri, 24 Dec 2010 20:03:00 EST

The O!Play HD2 may be the first media device to support USB 3.0, but we're guessing that hasn't exactly inspired too many of you to run out and buy the things -- assuming you can actually find one for sale. Maybe a slimmer, shapelier form factor would do the trick. That's the new O!Play Mini, a much more petite entry into the series that makes do with a single USB 2.0 connector along with an SD/MMC/MS/XD card reader up front. Around back are optical audio and an HDMI 1.3 connector, through which it will pump 1080p video and up to 7.1 audio in Dolby Digital AC3, DTS 2.0+, even TrueHD and DTS-HD, plus a variety of other formats. There are also RCA outputs if you prefer your digital steam in audio. File format support looks pretty legendary, including all the usuals plus less commonly supported extensions like MKV, MTS, OGG, and FLAC, even RighTxT subtitles. No word on price or availability yet, but with the HD2 clocking in at $129.99 we wouldn't be surprised to see this slotting in somewhere under $100.

ASUS O!Play Mini player ditches the USB 3.0 but keeps the 1080p originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 24 Dec 2010 20:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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AirFlick allows streaming of arbitrary media, DVDs, even screencasting to the Apple TV (video)

Tim Stevens — Wed, 22 Dec 2010 07:52:00 EST

If you've run out of things to do with your Apple TV and have been using it as a hockey puck now that the lakes are getting solid, you'd better go dig it out of the snowbank. Following up on her iOS AirPlay hacks, Erica Sadun has released an alpha version of a tool called AirFlick which enables the playback of any 'ol media files on an Apple TV. That's demonstrated in a video below. Things aren't perfect yet but already others are having a field day with the tool, the folks at TUAW figuring out how to not only stream whole DVDs to an Apple TV but their entire desktop image too by simply providing a VLC screen:// URL into the player. The quality looks a little iffy and, as you can see in the video below, it's not entirely error-free. But, if you have the smallest little bit of patience, it's sure worth a shot, eh?

Continue reading AirFlick allows streaming of arbitrary media, DVDs, even screencasting to the Apple TV (video)

AirFlick allows streaming of arbitrary media, DVDs, even screencasting to the Apple TV (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 22 Dec 2010 07:52:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rocketfish serves up 4-port WirelessHD kit, wireless headphones

Darren Murph — Mon, 08 Nov 2010 09:35:00 EST

Remember the FlyWire? Time to fuhgettaboutit it. While Belkin saw fit to kill the flagship wireless HDMI product of the last decade, a number of other firms have moved forward with similar ideas -- thankfully for far less cheddar in many cases. Take this guy, for instance. Best Buy's in-house Rocketfish label has just introduced a four-port WirelessHD kit, which consists of two separate pieces that work in unison to pipe 1080p content from up to four HDMI sources (one at a time, obviously) to a single HDMI-equipped display. It's utilizing the same 60GHz WirelessHD protocol that's been hanging around for years, and supposedly it can operate with around 33 feet of space between boxes. There's support for 3D video, CEC remote functionality and surround sound, and it'll even auto-sense which HDMI socket is active and change over to that one for you. At $299.99, it's definitely one of the cheaper ways to cut an HDMI cable from your setup, but only time will tell if artifacting is an issue. In semi-related news, Rocketfish is also debuting a set of wireless cans at $119.99, with the full details on those waiting just after the break.

Continue reading Rocketfish serves up 4-port WirelessHD kit, wireless headphones

Rocketfish serves up 4-port WirelessHD kit, wireless headphones originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 08 Nov 2010 09:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Extenders for Media Center aren't dead, they just seem like it

Ben Drawbaugh — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 12:00:00 EST

Many Windows Media Center enthusiasts were very disappointed by the fact that Microsoft didn't mention Extenders for Media Center at CES 2010. This anxiety started some time ago when both Linksys and HP let it be known that their current Extenders had been discontinued. Of course not every was shocked, as Extenders aren't as popular as many had hoped -- which is expected considering they left so much to be desired. Sure they were quiet, power efficient and easy to setup, but with a few new features in Windows 7 Media Center not being supported, the Extenders looked pretty antiquated. Not only do the existing Extenders not support H.264 in the new WTV container of Windows 7 -- commonly used for broadcast TV in the UK and other countries -- but even worse, the new internet streaming features included with Windows 7 require Flash and Silverlight, neither of which are supported by Extenders. Now although we understand the Media Center community's belief that Microsoft has given up on Extenders for Media Center, we think it is a little premature. In fact if you click through you'll not only find out why, but you'll also learn when we think new Extenders might make it to market.

Continue reading Extenders for Media Center aren't dead, they just seem like it

Extenders for Media Center aren't dead, they just seem like it originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 22 Feb 2010 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ask Engadget HD: Is there a good wireless HDMI option yet?

Richard Lawler — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 15:10:00 EST

In the yeeeeear two thousand... and ten, are we seriously still restricted to the demands of physical connections to get our HD fix? While wires have gotten it done for most of us so far, there's more than a few looking to make the jump to wireless HDMI solutions but unsure how to take the first step. We'll let Greg tell us about his situation:

"Currently my setup has wires running around the corner from my display to a media closet stocked with DVR, Blu-ray player, game consoles and the like, but I'd really like to shift my HDTV to a wall across the room without light shining directly on it. Unfortunately that would put it around 15 feet away from where all my HD sources are and drilling through the walls/ceiling is not a desirable alternative, and I want to know if any of the many wireless HDMI extenders or integrated TVs are worth buying. A Panasonic Z1 might be out of my price range, but one of the new HDTVs from Vizio, Toshiba or LG coming this year definitely an option. Otherwise, a dedicated streamer might be my best option, but is there one worth the money available now?"

When we last considered this question a couple of years ago, the immature wireless HDMI market offered only expensive options that compressed the signal and didn't work very well. By now, prices have come down and technology has improved greatly. We haven't gone cable-free in our setups yet but we're sure someone out there has tested the wireless HDMI waters, any advice for our friend Greg is certainly welcome.

Got a burning question that you'd love to toss out for Engadget HD (or its readers) to take a look at? Tired of Google's blank stares when you ask for real-world experiences? Hit us up at ask at engadgethd dawt com and keep an eye on this space -- your inquiry could be next.

Ask Engadget HD: Is there a good wireless HDMI option yet? originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 10 Feb 2010 15:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BearExtender n3 grabs WiFi from afar

Nilay Patel — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 13:02:00 EST

We've seen a few WiFi extenders in our day, but the BearExtender n3 has a few critical advantages over the rest: it's cheap, effective, and, uh, legal. The $45 external WiFi adapter for Macs was developed by Roland Saekow, a Berkeley grad who wanted access to the campus "Airbears" network from wherever he was -- and it seems to do the trick, as TUAW's informal testing revealed stronger signals and higher throughput when using the BearExtender over internal WiFI. Sure, it's a little bulky, but that just makes you look hardcore, right?

BearExtender n3 grabs WiFi from afar originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 18 Jan 2010 13:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Alereon announces wireless USB NoWire laptop to HDTV extender

Donald Melanson — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 13:22:00 EST

Looking to keep your computer-to-TV extender setup as basic as possible? Then you might just want to consider Alereon's new NoWire wireless USB extender, which does away with the need for any software or drivers along with the wires. As you might have suspected, however, that means it simply uses the wireless USB dongle to mirror your laptop display on your TV, which itself must be outfitted with a shark fin receiver that connects via HDMI or VGA (with some help form a 3.5mm audio jack). That obviously limits your options a bit, but the good news is that the extender can also take advantage of some software and drivers for Windows for some more advanced functionality. No word on a price just yet, but it looks like the extender will be available sometime in March. Head on past the break for a quick video overview.

Continue reading Alereon announces wireless USB NoWire laptop to HDTV extender

Alereon announces wireless USB NoWire laptop to HDTV extender originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 04 Jan 2010 13:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Cables To Go Wireless USB Superbooster Extender might be as awesome as it sounds

Darren Murph — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 10:18:00 EST

We're not claiming to be experts on marketing or anything, but Cables To Go should really consider a name change. The outfit who's job it is to make your life one that's completely devoid of cables has pumped out yet another cord-free solution in the Wireless USB Superbooster Extender. Said device, which has an admittedly sensational name, is comprised of two pieces: a receiver that connects to your USB-equipped PC via a standard USB cable and a wireless dongle that connects to whatever USB device you'd like to make wireless (a printer, a scanner, a heated blanket, whatever). The kit provides cordless connectivity up to 150 feet (even through walls), though you'll be paying dearly to take advantage. How dearly? $189.99 -- yeah, that dearly.

[Via PC Launches]

Filed under: Peripherals, Wireless

Cables To Go Wireless USB Superbooster Extender might be as awesome as it sounds originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 12 Oct 2009 10:18:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Netflix Watch Instantly comes to Vista Media Center, not Extenders

Richard Lawler — Wed, 20 May 2009 01:45:00 EST

Good news, Vista Media Center PC users will soon find a new option under the TV+Movies tile, as Netflix Watch Instantly streaming access is added directly to the interface. The soul crushingly bad news? A post on The Green Button informs that this does not apply to Media Center Extenders, so cheapskates hoping to get around the Xbox 360's Gold Xbox Live subscription requirement are still going to need those plugins and workarounds. This should go over much better than the InternetTV beta 2, but we're disappointed Microsoft's vision of TV on Your PC (as pointed out on its accompanying blogs, videos and assorted paraphernalia indicates) doesn't allow users to stretch their PC back to the TV at will. 'til that changes, check the gallery and after the break to see what awaits in Media Center once the update rolls out over the next 48 hours.

Update: We checked with Microsoft, and confirmed that, at least for now, this streaming only includes the same content as the browser experience - so no HD. As far as Windows 7 and / or RC1 support? No word yet.
[Via The Green Button]

Gallery: Netflix on Vista Media Center

Continue reading Netflix Watch Instantly comes to Vista Media Center, not Extenders

Filed under: HDTV, Home Entertainment, Media PCs

Netflix Watch Instantly comes to Vista Media Center, not Extenders originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 20 May 2009 01:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Netflix Watch Instantly comes to Vista Media Center, not Extenders

Richard Lawler — Wed, 20 May 2009 01:45:00 EST

Gallery: Netflix on Vista Media Center

Continue reading Netflix Watch Instantly comes to Vista Media Center, not Extenders

Filed under: Media PCs, Media streamers, Internet

Netflix Watch Instantly comes to Vista Media Center, not Extenders originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 20 May 2009 01:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Linksys discontinues Media Center Extenders, hardly anyone notices

Darren Murph — Mon, 18 May 2009 10:08:00 EST

Media Center Extenders -- remember those? Yeah, those things were all the rage at CEDIA 2008, and right around four hours after the show closed up, you and the whole world forgot about 'em. Honestly, the concept and execution was flawed from the start. These standalone boxes provided exactly what media loving consumers didn't want: yet another set-top-box crowding their space. Furthermore, most were priced at or above the cost of an Xbox 360, which -- lo and behold -- could be used as an MCE as well as a darn good gaming console. See the holes in this plan yet? Furthermore, most of 'em, particularly those that relied on WiFi, were utterly unreliable and offered disappointing streams. High prices plus lackluster results yields low demand, who woulda thunk it?

Essentially, manufacturers were hoping that those with loads of media on Windows-based PCs would jump at the chance to get all of that material on their HDTV with the addition of one little box. And in theory, at least, that does sound somewhat attractive. Unfortunately, only a few of these were announced in Denver, and almost all of them suffered from inexcusable delays. By the time they hit the market, all of the buzz generated at the trade show was extinguished, and early reviews were less than positive. It didn't take long to see prices begin to plummet, all while fence sitting companies realized that avoiding this niche would likely be most beneficial to their longevity.

Today, we're seeing Linksys' DMA2100 and DMA2200 listed as "Discontinued" at a number of legitimate e-tailers, and while D-Link's DSM-750 and HP's MediaSmart Connect seem to be hanging around at near-full price, we can't say the same for Samsung's discounted MediaLive Digital Media Adapter. Heck, Niveus Media doesn't even list its Media Center Extender - EDGE as a product on its website anymore. It shouldn't be any real shock that hardly any other companies have jumped in since these first few, and we're having serious doubts about the future of the dedicated MCE. Are you getting the same vibes? Do you think these things could thrive at the right price? Let us know in the poll and comments below!

[Via GeekTonic]

Update: Turns out HP is axing its MediaSmart HDTV / Connect lines as well. It's full statement sent to us is after the break.

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Continue reading Linksys discontinues Media Center Extenders, hardly anyone notices

Filed under: HDTV, Home Entertainment, Networking

Linksys discontinues Media Center Extenders, hardly anyone notices originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 18 May 2009 10:08:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Linksys discontinues Media Center Extenders, hardly anyone notices

Darren Murph — Mon, 18 May 2009 09:52:00 EST

View Poll

Continue reading Linksys discontinues Media Center Extenders, hardly anyone notices

Filed under: Industry, Media streamers, Other hardware

Linksys discontinues Media Center Extenders, hardly anyone notices originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 18 May 2009 09:52:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Linksys DMA2200 Media Extender plummets from $350 to $95

Darren Murph — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 13:12:00 EST

It was only a matter of time, really. Remember when Media Center Extenders were all the rage (yeah, for around ten minutes) at CEDIA 2007? Remember how everyone balked at paying $350 for one when you could just buy an Xbox 360 for the same amount and get two things in one? Apparently those "everyones" were right, as Linksys' slow-selling DMA2200 Media Extender has sunk from $349.99 on day one to $94.99 today at NewEgg. Quite honestly, this thing looks about 8.98 times sexier with its slim new sticker -- anyone thinking of getting into Extenders now that the barrier to entry is all but gone?

[Via Slashgear]

Filed under: Media streamers, Others

Linksys DMA2200 Media Extender plummets from $350 to $95 originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 27 Mar 2009 13:12:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Gefen's latest DVI extenders take things two whole kilometers

Darren Murph — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 21:40:00 EST

And to think -- we were gettin' all hot and bothered over the extension of signals to 1,000 feet. Gefen's latest DVI extenders aim to take things far longer than 99.5 percent of Earthlings will ever need, as both the DVI-3500HD and DVI-2500HD (dual-link DVI) can take DVI, USB, RS-232 and analog audio up to 6,600 feet (two whole kilometers) without any dropouts or distortion. Of course, you'll need four fiber optic cables to make it all come together, not to mention $2,679 / $1,599 (respectively) to bring those capabilities home. But hey, you can pipe the big game to your pal's house without actually having to step foot in his less-than-inviting abode.

Filed under: Cables, Other hardware, Ports, Switches

Gefen's latest DVI extenders take things two whole kilometers originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 12 Mar 2009 21:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Neothings LightSpider takes HDMI signals 300 feet over fiber

Darren Murph — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 03:51:00 EST

Gefen has already taken the wind out of Neothings' sails somewhat with its HDMI v1.3 Fiber Extender, but if you're not quite ready to drop the coin required to take HDMI signals 1,000 feet over fiber optics, this here device may be the perfect solution. Dubbed LightSpider, this bridge can take HDMI, RS-232 and analog audio around 300 feet on a single fiber cable utilizing OWLink's Digital Light Interface technology. The company is quick to point out that the unit's integrated support for HDCP is a big win for those passing along protected material, though it won't go so far as to provide a price. Reportedly, the company will be on hand at EHX Spring to showcase it to HD junkies and home theater installers, after which we fully expect to hear more details on how to actually procure this thing.

Filed under: HDTV, Home Entertainment

Neothings LightSpider takes HDMI signals 300 feet over fiber originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 10 Mar 2009 03:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Neothings LightSpider takes HDMI signals 300 feet over fiber

Darren Murph — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 02:18:00 EST

Filed under: Cables, Ports, Switches

Neothings LightSpider takes HDMI signals 300 feet over fiber originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 10 Mar 2009 02:18:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Gefen ships pricey HDMI v1.3 Fiber Extender

Darren Murph — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 08:21:00 EST

As if Gefen didn't have enough solutions for extending your HDMI signals, along comes yet another that's more expensive and more sophisticated than any of the others. The all new HDMI v1.3 Fiber Extender enables users to pass along HDMI 1.3 signals up to 330 meters (around 1,000 feet) without even a hint of signal delay or electromagnetic interference disturbances such as cut-outs and pixilation. The secret? Rather than using Ethernet or copper wiring, this box transmits the content over a single fiber optic cable, utilizing six lasers to serialize the HDMI 1.3 signal and pass along 1080p high-def video and audio to displays far, far away. 'Tis a shame this helpful little bugger is priced at $1,499 -- kind of puts it out of reach for the vast majority of those that could use it. Full release is after the break.

Continue reading Gefen ships pricey HDMI v1.3 Fiber Extender

Filed under: Cables, Other hardware, Ports

Gefen ships pricey HDMI v1.3 Fiber Extender originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 04 Mar 2009 08:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Toshiba integrating Extenders for Windows Media Center in new A/V products

Darren Murph — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 13:58:00 EST

Given that Toshiba still refuses to recognize and support Blu-ray, at least it's warming to streaming. Toshiba has quietly announced today that some of its future A/V products will have Extenders for Windows Media Center integrated in; additionally, certain items will also tap into Intel / Yahoo!'s widget channel. We're told that this functionality (dubbed Network Player) will eventually find its way into REGZA HDTVs and a still mysterious standalone player, but you won't see either until the second half of this year. Bummer. Full release is after the break.

Continue reading Toshiba integrating Extenders for Windows Media Center in new A/V products

Filed under: CES, HDTV, Home Entertainment

Toshiba integrating Extenders for Windows Media Center in new A/V products originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 07 Jan 2009 13:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Toshiba integrating Extenders for Windows Media Center in new A/V products

Darren Murph — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 13:58:00 EST

Continue reading Toshiba integrating Extenders for Windows Media Center in new A/V products

Filed under: Media streamers, Toshiba

Toshiba integrating Extenders for Windows Media Center in new A/V products originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 07 Jan 2009 13:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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GefenTV Ethernet over Powerline Extender does what it says

Darren Murph — Sat, 13 Dec 2008 11:41:00 EST

Pretty easy, right? Gefen's new $199 GefenTV Ethernet over PLC Extender takes regular ole Ethernet and passes information through your home's pre-installed power lines in order to nix those plans of running 200-foot strands of CAT5 down the middle of your foyer. The device enables up to four Ethernet connections to be extended over power lines, and everything can be sent without quality loss (and at up to 200Mbps) as long as the sender is within 1,000-feet of the receiver. Put down the Ethernet spool, and slowly back away.

Filed under: Cables, Other hardware, Ports

GefenTV Ethernet over Powerline Extender does what it says originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 13 Dec 2008 11:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Samsung MediaLive Digital Media Adapter review

Ben Drawbaugh — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 12:53:00 EST

One of the reasons why Microsoft's Media Center is so attractive is because of the extender functionality. It allows you to enjoy just about all the same content in every room of your house, without the need to buy more than one HTPC. But with variety sometimes brings hard choices, so this motivated us to start a quest to find the best Media Center Extender. While the Xbox 360 is the obvious choice for most, it isn't the best solution for everyone. So we started out by comparing it to every extender out there. But since our initial shoot out, a few more Extenders have made their way to market, and the most recent addition is the Samsung MediaLive Media Adapter. At first glance it seems that this is the perfect solution for anyone with a Samsung TV, and while the tight integration, great price, and diminutive size is attractive, you'll have to click though to find out why we're still on the hunt for the perfect Windows Media Center Extender.

Gallery: Samsung MediaLive Digital Media Adapter

Continue reading Samsung MediaLive Digital Media Adapter review

Filed under: Reviews, DVRs, Media PCs, Media streamers, Samsung

Samsung MediaLive Digital Media Adapter review originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 11 Dec 2008 12:53:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Gennum develops in-wire technology for 100-foot DisplayPort cables

Darren Murph — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 00:00:00 EST

Now that DisplayPort is becoming more of a household name (like it or not), we're thrilled to see someone making sure we can run an external monitor from more than a stone's throw away. Gennum has stepped in with its ActiveConnect DisplayPort solution, which embeds a small semiconductor within a DisplayPort cable to actively push signals up to 30-meters (around 100-feet) without the need for a costly, cumbersome extender box. There's no word yet on which interconnect companies have signed on to produce these sophisticated strands, but we'd expect to hear more by the time CES 2009 gets underway. Full release is after the break.

Continue reading Gennum develops in-wire technology for 100-foot DisplayPort cables

Filed under: Home Entertainment, Peripherals

Gennum develops in-wire technology for 100-foot DisplayPort cables originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 08 Dec 2008 00:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Gennum develops in-wire technology for 100-foot DisplayPort cables

Darren Murph — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 00:00:00 EST

Continue reading Gennum develops in-wire technology for 100-foot DisplayPort cables

Filed under: Cables

Gennum develops in-wire technology for 100-foot DisplayPort cables originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 08 Dec 2008 00:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SageTV launches HD Theater (HD200) media streamer

Darren Murph — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 08:56:00 EST

Ah, so this is a yearly treat? Almost a year to the day after SageTV's STX-HD100 HD Media Extender was revealed, in flies the unit's proper successor. The simply named HD Theater (or HD200, if you prefer), is launching for the same $199.95 and sports a slightly smaller footprint, the same remote as the HD100, USB ports on the front and rear, an Ethernet jack, HDMI / component / S-Video / composite video outputs, a S/PDIF audio port, network / local media streaming capabilities and the SageTV Media Center for Windows software bundle. Per usual, you'll find support for a cornucopia of formats (MPEG 1/2/4, H.264, WMV9, VC1, MKV, MOV, AVI, FLV, AAC, MP3, WMA, FLAC and JPEG just to name a few), and it looks as if it's ready to ship as we speak.

[Via GeekTonic]

Filed under: Media streamers, Others

SageTV launches HD Theater (HD200) media streamer originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 01 Dec 2008 08:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SageTV launches HD Theater (HD200) media streamer

Darren Murph — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 08:56:00 EST

Filed under: Home Entertainment

SageTV launches HD Theater (HD200) media streamer originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 01 Dec 2008 08:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Avocent's MPX1550 wireless HD video extender supports higher bit rates

Darren Murph — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 15:26:00 EST

First came the Emerge MPX1000, and this March, we were treated to the altogether upgraded MPX1500. Now, Avocent has introduced the (sort of) predictably titled successor, the MPX1550. This unit looks almost identical to the iteration that came out in March, though it does posses a new antenna on the front and now supports 802.11n for even snappier wireless HD transfers. Aimed at professionals needing to distribute high-def material onto digital signage displays, the box also supports bit rates as high as 110Mbps (compared to 20Mbps in the past), which pretty much guarantees that your up-to-1080i content looks as sharp as ever to prospective customers. 'Course, such a commercial device touts a commercial price tag too -- unless you consider $1,145 within most consumers' reach, that is.

[Thanks, Mufasa]

Filed under: Media streamers, Ports, Switches, Others

Avocent's MPX1550 wireless HD video extender supports higher bit rates originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 11 Nov 2008 15:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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HP exiting LCD TV biz, killing MediaSmart HDTV line?

Darren Murph — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 12:38:00 EST

Chalk this one up as rampant speculation for now, but word on the street has it that HP may be fixing to axe its LCD TV business and kill the MediaSmart HDTV while it's at it. In taking a step back, it's easy to see how logical this move seems -- HP has never been a giant in the LCD HDTV arena, and its MediaSmart line serves an even smaller niche. Couple those facts with plummeting LCD prices and diminishing margins, and you've got yourself a pretty strong case to hit the eject button. If all of this pans out, it'll surely hurt Microsoft's chances of getting even more TV manufacturers to sell sets with Media Center Extenders built in, but at least those still on the hunt for a MediaSmart HDTV on the cheap would have an opportunity to find just that.

[Via ElectronicHouse]

Filed under: Industry, Displays, Media streamers, HP

HP exiting LCD TV biz, killing MediaSmart HDTV line? originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 28 Oct 2008 12:38:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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VidaBox's RoomClientHD streams Blu-ray, other 1080p content to your HDTV

Darren Murph — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 19:00:00 EST

First things first: you'll supposedly need an actual VidaBox Media Server in order to work with the RoomClientHD. Granted, we imagine there are some workarounds out there, but we figured we go ahead and burst a few bubbles early before getting hopes up too high. That being said, the 2-inch tall RoomClientHD was designed to hide behind your HDTV and stream Blu-ray / 1080p multimedia from your server over CAT5e / CAT6 cabling. For those with VidaBox setups, you simply plug this thing in and mash go; everything is preconfigured for detection and streaming. You'll also be thrilled to know that DTS-HD / Dolby TrueHD audio support is there, and while pricing isn't available just yet, we do know you can pony up for an inbuilt BD drive if you prefer local playback.

Filed under: Media PCs, Media streamers, Others

VidaBox's RoomClientHD streams Blu-ray, other 1080p content to your HDTV originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 02 Oct 2008 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ask Engadget HD: What's the best HDMI splitter on the market?

Darren Murph — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 12:00:00 EST

Now that you know which cable(s) you're going to use, how's about giving Daniel a bit of advice on splitting up the signal?

"What is the best HDMI splitter on the market? I want to split my signal to a 42-inch LCD TV (about 9-feet away from the source) and a projector (through a 50-foot HDMI cable). Considering the distances needing to be covered, would a powered splitter be better than a passive one?"

We'll go ahead and assume Daniel's looking for one that can pass a 1080p signal without degradation, so recommending that Dollar Tree box you saw probably isn't the best thing to do. On the real, feel free to shout out any positive / negative experiences you've had with extenders and switches -- hopefully one of 'em will fit the bill here.

Got a burning question that you'd love to toss out for Engadget HD (or its readers) to take a look at? Tired of Google's blank stares when you ask for real-world experiences? Hit us up at ask at engadgethd dawt com and keep an eye on this space -- your inquiry could be next.

Filed under: Ask Engadget HD, Other hardware, Ports, Switches

Ask Engadget HD: What's the best HDMI splitter on the market? originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 01 Oct 2008 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Teq AV/IT's HDCP-friendly TPH372 extends HDMI over CAT6

Darren Murph — Sun, 28 Sep 2008 14:55:00 EST

It has been quite some time since we heard from Teq AV/IT, but for folks looking to extend HDCP-laden signals over HDMI, it's latest box couldn't have arrived soon enough. The TPH372 is completely HDCP 1.3 and DCC compatible and can pass along 1080p content over a single CAT6 cable up to 130-feet. If you're down with 1080i or 720p, you can make those runs 170- or 200-feet, respectively. Expect it to start shipping October 1st for $395.

Filed under: Ports, Switches, Others

Teq AV/IT's HDCP-friendly TPH372 extends HDMI over CAT6 originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 28 Sep 2008 14:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Samsung's MediaLive Digital Media Adapter really coming soon?

Darren Murph — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 11:51:00 EST

Hey, Sammy -- bet you thought we forgot about that little MediaLive Digital Media Adapter of yours, huh? For everyone that had, let us bring you back up to speed. After launching under a different name at CES 2008, this puppy was officially revealed in the summer. Unfortunately, the supposed August ship date has come and gone, and it doesn't seem like too many folks are up in arms about it. Nevertheless, the obviously delayed Media Center Extender has finally found itself a holding page over at Best Buy, where's it's listed in detail for $199.99. The "Coming Soon" bit doesn't really give us much to go on, but we'd suspect Samsung would want to get this out before the holiday shopping season kicks into high gear. Now would also be a wonderful time to shave $50+ off of the MSRP in order to make folks care once more -- just sayin', is all.

[Thanks, Lindsay]

Filed under: Media streamers, Samsung

Samsung's MediaLive Digital Media Adapter really coming soon? originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 19 Sep 2008 11:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Gefen reveals 1:5 Splitter for HDMI over CAT5

Darren Murph — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 11:47:00 EST

While Gefen tries to decide if it likes UWB or WHDI better, it's getting back to its bread and butter with the 1:5 Splitter for HDMI over CAT5. The rack-mountable unit allows any single HDMI source to be split and delivered to five displays simultaneously and can also extend four displays up to 45-meters over CAT5. At the aforesaid distance, 1080p content can be streamed, but if 1080i is sufficient, you can reach up to 90-meters. Unfortunately, these privileges don't come cheap, though it's available to pre-order this very moment if you've got the $2,249 to burn.

Filed under: Ports, Switches

Gefen reveals 1:5 Splitter for HDMI over CAT5 originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 11 Sep 2008 11:47:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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