Microsoft Xbox Media Center Extender

by Microsoft

Product Features

• Extend the Windows XP Media Center Edition experience to TVs throughout the house
• Turn your Xbox into the ultimate entertainment center
• Send and receive Xbox Live game invitations -- while watching TV or listening to Internet radio

Product Details

• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S. and to APO/FPO addresses. For APO/FPO shipments, please check with the manufacturer regarding warranty and support issues.
• ASIN: B00066FHM4
• Media: Personal Computers
• Average Customer Review: 3.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #39,562 in Video Games (See Top 100 in Video Games)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Wait for the new release, February 3, 2006

By 

SAM - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Microsoft Xbox Media Center Extender (Personal Computers)

This program is not available in retail in the latest revsion. Microsoft has made it necessary to subscribe to xbox live to obtain the updates necessary to play protected content and Microsoft will not address the issue in any other way PERIOD. Do a google search on "XBOX Media extender update issues" before you buy this program because the full functionality of the program will not be availble to you until Microsoft wakes up and takes care of its customers or you pay to join xbox live.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Does the job!, November 26, 2005

By 

C. Harper "Tech Dude" (PA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

= Fun:4.0 out of 5 stars 

This review is from: Microsoft Xbox Media Center Extender (Personal Computers)

Basically, I like it. It does what it is supposed to do.

Admittedly, I already had an extender in my bedroom, so if this one didn't work I wasn't pressed. It took a couple of times going back and forth between the extender and the media center, but it eventually worked. A couple of things though...1.) you cannot take the "game" or DVD out of the Xbox for the Extender to work. It is not like installing software to a computer. Also, you must have Media Center open on your PC, otherwise the Xbox will not connect. Thirdly, you will have to tell MacAfee to let the xbox connect with your computer. In the beginning, it will look at it as a hacker trying to gain access to your PC.

I do not have a wired connection, I have a wireless one. Therefore, there is some delay between your prompts and subsequent action on the television. But you really shouldn't expect any more than that anyway.

In essence, I have access to my digital music on all three floors of my home. I have an HP extender in my bedroom; the media center in my Great Room, and the xbox extender in my basement. The xbox was an inexpensive solution to the whole thing at about $89 for the wireless adapter (if you do gaming wirelessly...you already have this) and $32 for this thing. I am satisfied.

Just keep working until you get it to work.

12 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Great idea, but defective by design, August 23, 2005

By 

Martin Anderson "Martin" (Santa Ana, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Microsoft Xbox Media Center Extender (Personal Computers)

This product is supposed to allow you to use your XBOX video game system to watch programs recorded on your Windows Media Center Edition 2005 PC.

The package consists of a remote control, a DVD to install the extender software on your Windows MCE 2005 computer, an Xbox DVD (to put in your Xbox), and a remote control.

The only problem with it is that the audio on the right channel is noticeable lower in volume (and slightly distorted) than the left channel. Since my Xbox has no problem with any other software, I assume this is a software issue.

Xbox 360 will be out in December of 2005 and will have the same feature built in. Thus, save your money and wait for something that works right.

Note: I also have the Linksys Media Center Extender and it works just fine.