Linksys are set to roll out a brand new media centre extender that will allow users to stream content from a PC to anywhere in the home. Set to be popular with professional installers the device is already being tested by Digital Homeware - a developer of Windows based automation systems in Australia.
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The DMA2200 comes 18 months after Cisco the owners of Linksys purchased KISS a European Company that had spent several years developing a home media server that ran on a Windows based platform.
From the KISS acquisition Linksys were able to get access to middleware software which over the past 18 months they have developed further in association with Cisco programmers. This software can now be found in the new DMA2200.
Easy to integrate the device is a classic example of what is important with consumers today. Out of the box we were able to configure the DMA 2200 into a home network within minutes. In the first instance one has to load Linksys software that talks to the extender onto the host PC or home server. Once this has been done you enter an eight digit code which is generated when the extender is switched on and plugged into a TV or monitor screen.
Linksys DMA 2200 Media Center Extender with DVD
Linksys and Microsoft have partnered to present what they consider to be third generation of Media Center Extenders in the shape of two new devices, the DMA 2100 and DMA 2200.
The Linksys DMA 2200 Media Center Extender is a media player which allows you to stream your high definition video, digital music, digital photos and DVD files no matter where they are stored - on your Media Center PC, USB HDD or Network Attached Storage (NAS) drive. The difference between the DMA 2200 and the DMA 2100 is that the DMA2200 has a built-in up-scaling DVD player.
The Linksys DMA 2200 features both Ethernet and Dual-Band Wireless-N for smooth media streaming from a Media Center PC, including both standard definition and high definition content up to 1080p FullHD. Connectivity includes both Component and HDCP enabled HDMI. To make the most of this FullHD output use a LCD or plasma, capable of handling this very high resolution.
Naturally, you can also use the DMA 2200 for watching and recording TV, though this does rely on you having a PC capable of this linked to the network, eg Wimdows Media Center PC such as the Clever1750
What really sets the Linksys DMA 2200 apart, however, is codec support. Whereas previous versions of MCE would only support formats native to Windows, Linksys has added Xvid codec support to its devices.
The Linksys DMA 2200 Media Center Extender supports all the most popular formats including MPEG 1/2/4, WMV, DivX, XviD , DVD .ISO and .VOB as well as MP3 for audio.
Up-scaling DVD player
The up-scaling DVD player built into the Linksys DMA 2200 means that you can use your existing library of standard DVDs and play them in 720p/1080i HDTV resolution on your HDTV screen.
No LAN near your TV?
If you think that because you have no network point near to your TV, and the wireless transmission will not reach from your Windows Media Centre PC or music/movie storage device, you will not be able to use the DMA 2200, we have the solution for you. By using our HomePlug PL-200AV ethernet over mains plug-in devices you can create a stable hard wired network without the problems often associated with wireless. For more information go to our Solwise HomePlug section.
Linksys DMA 2200 Media Center Extender Features
- Next Generation 802.11n (2.4GHz) Wireless Device. Also supports legacy 802.11a/b/g products
- Supports DivX, and XVid Formats.
- Up-scaling DVD player, outputs up to 720p/1080i resolution
- Stream Media Content from UPnP™ AV Network Attached Storage
- Displays available album art
- Intuitive animated TV interface
- Setup Wizard for Easy Configuration
- Built-in Screensaver
Specification
- Video formats
- MPEG4 (advanced simple profile only)
- WMV
- DivX™
- XviD
- DVD .ISO and .VOB files
- (NB: We cannot guarantee full compatibility or proper playback with all such codec files due to modifications and/or other variations that may occur with your encoded codec files.)
- Audio formats
- MPEG 1: Layers I, II and III
- WMA
- AAC (stereo)
- MP3
- Picture formats
- JPEG
- BMP
- GIF
- PNG
- Connecions
- USB 2.0 Port for accessing content from an attached Flash or Hard Drive (not included). (NB: Certain file formats and/or features are not accessible from USB drives attached to the USB port).
- LAN (10/100Mbps) on RJ45
- Video outputs
- 1x HDMI
- 1x Component Video (YPbPr)
- Composite video
- Audio outputs
- Stereo output
- Optical SPDIF
- HDMI with embedded audio
- Video output resolutions
- Digital Television standards - 480p, 576p, 720p, 1080i, 1080p
- PC standards - VGA, SVGA, XGA, SXGA
- Plasma resolutions - 1366×768, 1280×768
At the heart of the CMC interface is the media access interface which allows you to play all of the media stored on your Media Centre PC(s). This feature provides the same functionality found in the “My Music”, “My Pictures”, “My Videos” and “DVD Library” sections of the Media Centre interface, including the ability to browse your content or by using a simple search function to find exactly what you are looking for without needing to be in front of your TV or monitor. Best of all these features are quite literally at your fingertips as the entire experience is designed to be controlled via a touch screen device.
