Here at CEDIA, we were able to sit down with Microsoft and chat a bit about the newly unveiled Extenders for Windows Media Center. Initially, users will have a number of options, including a Niveus Media Extender, and boxes by Linksys and D-Link box. Reportedly, the devices will tout HDMI, component and composite outputs, an Ethernet port, and stereo / optical audio outs. Also, the boxes will support Full HD over 802.11n dual-band, but even the reps admitted that a wired connection was your best bet if you're looking to transmit HD. All of the aforementioned devices (save for Niveus' creation, which is already out of the bag) will be officially loosed at Digital Life later this month, and while we couldn't pry any hard pricing details out of 'em, it sounds like you'll need at least "a few hundred dollars" to pick up a low-ender.

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.