Customer Reviews

Microsoft Xbox Media Center Extender

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

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.

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.

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.

I purchased the Media Center Extender for XBOX to be able to play all of the 800 Gigs of recorded TV and other content that I have stored on my Media Center PC. None of my DIVX files will play. Numerous calls to Microsoft confirm that the Extender is not compatible with alot of codecs. Be careful before you buy.

It's great. I use it all the time to watch live and recorded TV. I like the guide better than Dish Network cable.

Great product, lets you get a lot out your XBox. My only beef with this is that you have to encode stuff into .wmv in order for the xbox extender to be able to read it. It doesnt read Divx and there's no way to update the codec on the XBox. Fortunately Microsft has a re-encoder that works well and is free.

It took a little bit to get past Mcafee, but after that it was a breeze. The xbox is now the center of my media experience right where I want it. I bought it to get the bugs out before the Xbox 360 comes out, so it would be an easy transition.

You can just buy an Ethernet cable and plug one end to the xbox and the other to the console. There, I just saved you $45

And none of the PC manufacturers who sold the system with a 2004 edition can?? or will upgrade to 2005. Bummer

UPDATE: Sony finally sent a free upgrade to 2005.

Media Center 2005 is for sale as a standalone software package at newegg and some place that starts with an d.. $130 gets you the CD.