Linksys DMA2200 Media Center Extender
Sure you’re waiting for media-streaming devices to catch up to 802.11n, and the Linksys DMA2200 Media Center Extender does it in style, geek style, that is. The box isn’t particularly attractive, but the dual-band Wi-Fi radio inside that’s capable of operating on either the 2.4GHz or 5GHz frequency bands.
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The built-in DVD player that is capable of scaling standard-def DVDs to 1080i. The wireless connection stumbled when tried to stream HD video with 5.1-channel audio attached, however, and it broke down completely when moved the extender into a more enclosed area of the cabinet.
Aside from delivering the familiar Windows Media Center user interface, the primary advantages that devices like the DMA2200 offer are support for PCs equipped with CableCARD digital tuners and hooks to online media content offered by the likes of Comedy Central, Showtime, and the Discovery Channel.
Unfortunately, the user interfaces most of those services offer to be utter crap. The ability to pause playback on one media extender and resume it on another, on the other hand, is a slick benefit.
Unlike the less-expensive Xbox 360, this new class of extender freezes out Windows XP Media Center users altogether. Your host PC must run Vista Home Premium or Vista Ultimate. In fact, aside from the wireless feature and the consumer-electronics form factor, there is not a whole lot here that would lead to recommend the DMA2200 over Microsoft’s gaming console, especially if you’re into games.
Streaming 1080p video on a wireless network is compelling; being forced to use Vista to do it isn’t.
For more, click Linksys DMA2200 Media Center Extender
Tags: Wireless
