Thanks for the info. UPnP would be nice since I have a NAS device that can serve files, but couldn't may Vista computer access those files and share them to the Linksys device? Maybe that's slower since it has to go from NAS -> Vista PC -> Linksys, rather than NAS -> DSM-750. I'd rather keep my media files on the NAS device.
Thanks for the info. UPnP would be nice since I have a NAS device that can serve files, but couldn't may Vista computer access those files and share them to the Linksys device? Maybe that's slower since it has to go from NAS -> Vista PC -> Linksys, rather than NAS -> DSM-750. I'd rather keep my media files on the NAS device.
That's the point of the UPnP mode: You don't NEED a Vista MC computer. So, unlike other Extenders (except for the HP), it does not require you having an always-on Vista PC. Whether you can get the UPnP mode to work properly, is another question.
On my DSM-750, it has been flaky. I have not seen a single AVI file where it allowed me to FF/REW. So, if you watch a half of a 2 hour movie, you cannot get to the point where you stopped the next day. Routing it via the Vista PC solves this issue, but introduces another.
The bottom line is, I can't recommend the UPnP feature on the DSM-750. If you want the UPnP feature alone, and your DSM-520 works well, I would keep it. If you do need an extender capability and do not mind having your Vista PC on to route the content from your NAS, give a DMA2100/DMA2200 a try. If you need both UPnP and MCX, try the HP x280n.
I was going to go the HP X280N route, but it does not work with a non-HD TV. So, I have not tested one myself, although all the reviews I have seen were good. At this point, however, it is the most expensive MCX on the street.
There are several issues with MC extenders, starting with the MC part. If you don't understand why the MC portion is a problem, you will within 3 years, guaranteed, if MS get enough people to buy in. Fortunately, that has been a serious problem for them.
In short:
1) owned by MS, changed at will
2) proprietary - do you know what it's doing? (the answer - no)
3) requires DRM, not only in the software and recorded items, but also hardware, depending upon your setup.
Also, I doubt in 2 years you'll be able to sell this for $20 on ebay. There's a whole world of change coming down the pike regarding WiFi, video, DTV, etc, and these are last year's models.
If you keep a $95 technology item for 3 years, you can't really complain if it loses 100% of its value. At ~$30/year, you can get a lot of mileage out of it. With DMA2200, the Extender-related price premium is even less (if you were in the market for an upconverting DVD player).
How much does your TV, PC, Xbox and other similar items lose in value every year?
1) and 2) are true for pretty much any hardware and software. Do you know what Google does with all the data they collect. Or the MS with its other software/search engines and the cashback program?
I am not familiar with any DRM-related issues for recording SD TV. As far as I know, I can take my DVR-MS files and play them on any PC.
I bought one of these at $95.
I ended up having to ship it back to Amazon (and I've still got to find a UPS dropoff point...) - it has a few problems.
Key is that the unit hangs from time to time, starting about 5 minutes after powerup - it will not respond to any remote keypresses, but will keep playing whatever TV you had going for about 5 more minutes before rebooting.
Sometimes it just hangs with no screen at all - it shows a black screen with lines going across it.
It's disappointing....
I ended up having to ship it back to Amazon (and I've still got to find a UPS dropoff point...) - it has a few problems.
Key is that the unit hangs from time to time, starting about 5 minutes after powerup - it will not respond to any remote keypresses, but will keep playing whatever TV you had going for about 5 more minutes before rebooting.
Sometimes it just hangs with no screen at all - it shows a black screen with lines going across it.
It's disappointing....
Here's the latest ---
I now have two of them (original + replacement) and have elected to keep both.
When the units are wired, they work flawlessly. They really, really work well - they play .dvr-ms TV content perfectly from the Media Center and they also play some AVIs - enough for me.
When the units are wireless, and the router they connect to is not a Broadcom-based NIC, it has problems. My DLINK655 will crash the RMA2100 (and the router itself) within minutes of connection. I'm going to hunt for a compatible N router that will work with the RMA2100, increasing my costs by $80-$140, but it will also avoid having to string cable around the house, which I'd like to avoid.
So if you're wired or you have a Broadcom chipset router, go for it. If not, be cautious.
I now have two of them (original + replacement) and have elected to keep both.
When the units are wired, they work flawlessly. They really, really work well - they play .dvr-ms TV content perfectly from the Media Center and they also play some AVIs - enough for me.
When the units are wireless, and the router they connect to is not a Broadcom-based NIC, it has problems. My DLINK655 will crash the RMA2100 (and the router itself) within minutes of connection. I'm going to hunt for a compatible N router that will work with the RMA2100, increasing my costs by $80-$140, but it will also avoid having to string cable around the house, which I'd like to avoid.
So if you're wired or you have a Broadcom chipset router, go for it. If not, be cautious.
I wonder how well these work with a powerline adapter (an HD-kind). I am not expecting HD performance. I ned it for SDTV.
Alright folks. If you are into Vista Media Center and don't have a media center extender in your bathroom yet :Q, time to get one. See the edit in the OP. I just ordered a DMA2200 for $96.xx shipped.
P.S. No, it is not going into the bathroom.
P.S. No, it is not going into the bathroom.
As far as I know, these things use a proprietary protocol designed by Microsoft. But I really have no clue about the innerworkings of these things. With a high degree of certainty I make an educated guess that they are NOT hackable.
If I understand correctly, not necessarily. The extender's firmware(?) has BUILT-IN support for a limited number of formats, and it does not matter what codecs you have on your PC.
palswim
Golden Member
This doesn't happen to double as a DLNA client, does it? (I saw discussion about its UPnP abilities earlier, but from my understanding, DLNA has slightly stricter standards.)
This is neither a DLNA client nor a UPnP client. For that you have to go with a D-Link DSM-750 or an HP x280n.
Originally posted by: ric1287
not for $60
on ebay they 360 arcade's are 140...figure in the cashback and you're paying a hair over 100 for it...seems like a better deal in the long run.
Originally posted by: JeremiahASEC
Originally posted by: ric1287
not for $60
on ebay they 360 arcade's are 140...figure in the cashback and you're paying a hair over 100 for it...seems like a better deal in the long run.
You are a bit late to the party. We already had an Xbox vs. MCX debate on October 13th.
TRENDING THREADS
-
Discussion Zen 5 Speculation (EPYC Turin and Strix Point/Granite Ridge - Ryzen 9000)- Started by DisEnchantment
- Replies: 25K
-
Discussion Intel Meteor, Arrow, Lunar & Panther Lakes Discussion Threads
- Started by Tigerick
- Replies: 21K
-
Discussion Intel current and future Lakes & Rapids thread- Started by TheF34RChannel
- Replies: 23K
-
-
Facebook
Twitter