Windows Media Center Extender - Version 2 Extenders

Version 2 Extenders

For quite some time, the Xbox 360 was the only Version 2 Extender available that could work with Windows Vista. When connecting an Xbox 360 to a Windows XP Media Center Edition PC, a free download is required to connect for the first time. When connecting an Xbox 360 to a Windows Vista PC, no download is necessary as all required components are built into Windows Vista.

Microsoft eventually announced the v2 Media Center Extenders from partners (Linksys, D-Link and Niveus Media) on 5 September 2007. Version 2 capable Extenders support animated transitions between screens and additional capabilities of Windows Vista to handle newer video formats, notably, DivX, Xvid, Windows Media Video HD and H.264. They can stream HDTV (including 1080p) through HDMI like the Xbox 360, can stream protected content and many incorporate draft 802.11n wireless connectivity.

In addition to these updates, Extender manufacturers will be able to integrate Extender technology into other popular consumer electronics devices. Examples include DVD players, HDTVs, HD DVD players, Blu-ray players, etc. Windows Media Connect and Windows Media Player Network Sharing are able to connect to them on Windows XP; however, they do not work with Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 as extenders. Xbox 360 is the only device that can work as an extender with both Windows XP Media Center as well as Windows Vista.

Products available as of 2013:

• Xbox 360 (Works with MCE 2005, Vista, Windows 7 and Windows 8 Media Center)
• Ceton Echo (Does not work with Windows 8 Media Center)

Discontinued Products:

• D-Link DSM-750
• HP MediaSmart Connect - x280n
• HP MediaSmart HDTV (With software update from April 2008)
• Linksys DMA2100
• Linksys DMA2200 (Integrated DVD Player)
• Niveus Media Extender - EDGE
• Samsung MediaLive Digital Media Extender MR-00EA1