Here is my video review of the Linksys DMA 2100 Media Center Extender. The Linksys DMA 2100 does everything I expected it to do, but there are a few things I didn’t really think were that great. First, the included remote — it’s garbage. The included Linksys remote is a learning remote, you can program the power, volume and mute buttons however, I couldn’t get it to work with a sharp LCD TV. I highly recommend a Harmony Remote
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I really thought the V2 extenders would boot up faster… the Linksys DMA 2100 takes about 26 seconds, which is a bit faster than the Xbox 360, that took about 30 seconds to get to the main screen. Your numbers may vary due to network traffic and set up.
The other issue I’m still trying to figure out how to the unit from going to standby after 2 hours of no use… I think it’s a power saver feature, but there is no way to turn it off… I would like to have the unit always on so I don’t have to wait the 30 seconds for the unit to boot everytime I want to watch something.
Update: I think I figured out a way to keep if from going to stand by. One way is to keep it playing a live TV channel… another way is to turn on the “screensaver” that seems to keep it on as well.
Overall, I highly recommend the Linksys DMA 2100. At $249, it’s the same price as a XBOX 360 arcade, but the DMA 2100 is targeted for people that want a small, quiet media extender in a bedroom, bathroom or kitchen. I can’t wait to see the Samsung Extender which is reported even smaller.
Order now from Amazon.com — Linksys Media Extender
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1 2 3 … 6 Next »Great review, just about everything I needed to know before ordering one myself...
just one question, if you have two video cards on your Media center computer, can you watch different live tv channels in the extender and the computer?
Great review, just about everything I needed to know before ordering one myself...
just one question, if you have two video cards on your Media center computer, can you watch different live tv channels in the extender and the computer?
Hann,
Yes, you can can. I have four tuners and you can have 4 extenders connected watching different live programs while you watch recorded content on the computer. Just keep in mind you need a beefy machine to do this... I have a Q6600 with 4gb ram and 3tb of storage... and I don't have any problems.
Danny
Hann,
Yes, you can can. I have four tuners and you can have 4 extenders connected watching different live programs while you watch recorded content on the computer. Just keep in mind you need a beefy machine to do this... I have a Q6600 with 4gb ram and 3tb of storage... and I don't have any problems.
Danny
Hi Danny,
Thanks for your quick response.
Another question, I have a Lutron homeworks Lighting control system and I'm writing a Media Center application to control it.
can the extenders run applications that are installed on the hosting computer?
By the way, I just love to read about your projects, I got more ideas from your blog than any other source I read.
Thanks,
Hanan
Hi Danny,
Thanks for your quick response.
Another question, I have a Lutron homeworks Lighting control system and I'm writing a Media Center application to control it.
can the extenders run applications that are installed on the hosting computer?
By the way, I just love to read about your projects, I got more ideas from your blog than any other source I read.
Thanks,
Hanan
Hann,
Yes, you can run your MCE applications thru the extender. I use My Movies which can stream DVDs without any problems.
If you want to maintain full fidelity animations, make sure you write your UI using MCML rather than HTML, which will give you 3-5fps animations.
Keep me posted on your application... sounds like a great project!
Danny
Hann,
Yes, you can run your MCE applications thru the extender. I use My Movies which can stream DVDs without any problems.
If you want to maintain full fidelity animations, make sure you write your UI using MCML rather than HTML, which will give you 3-5fps animations.
Keep me posted on your application... sounds like a great project!
Danny
Danny,
I just love to read your blog and view your reviews. Keep up your good work.
1. I'm just curious to know , what's your media center configuration ?.
2.What's the possibility of streaming movies from windows home server to Media center extenders ?
Thanks
Baski
Danny,
I just love to read your blog and view your reviews. Keep up your good work.
1. I'm just curious to know , what's your media center configuration ?.
2.What's the possibility of streaming movies from windows home server to Media center extenders ?
Thanks
Baski