Browsing Tag

Extender

Vanco HDMI Over Coaxial (Coax/CATV) Cable Extender

DIY, Home Automation, Home Theater
August 16, 2010 2 Comments

Distributing HDMI signals in a retrofit situation is often a difficult task since the only real cost effective option is to run cat5e/cat6 to a location and use a Cat5e HDMI Extender.  That solution requires you to fish new cables (some cases 2 cat5e runs) as most homes do not have Cat5e cables in locations where you need a display. Vanco has announced a new HDMI extender that uses a single coaxial cable (this is your typical CATV cable). That’s right! It allows both HDMI Audio/Video signals to be transmitted using one coaxial cable. The transmission range for 1080p resolution is up to 328 ft (100m) over RG-6 coaxial cable (dual and quad-shielded) and up to 164 ft (50m) over RG-59 Coaxial Cable. The transmitter and receiver units can connect to two flat panel displays and up to 45 receiver units can be cascaded from one transmitter to connect to additional flat panel displays. This product is a custom installers dream device and a must for any retrofit project that requires HDMI distribution when only Coax cable is available.

For more information and to locate your nearest distributor please visit Vanco’s website.

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Netflix Now Officially On Windows Media Center

Home Theater
May 20, 2009 No Comments

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Netflix is now on Windows Media Center.  You can find it listed under the TV + Movies section, titled Netflix. The video part of the application is powered by Silverlight which means they are not using the native MCML architecture??  I never understood why there was a whole different UI markup language for MCE, but I digress, the great thing about this version of Netflix player is that it also allows you to search and queue!   

However, the biggest issue is that it does not work on Windows Media Extenders!  I guess that’s why all the manufactures are dropping out.   I just don’t understand the reasonings behind things like this…  MSFT creates a pretty cool architecture, gets manufactures to create the products, then on the software side there are all sorts of limitations.   First, it was you cannot stream DVD’s due to legal issues, fine.  Now, you cannot play Netflix via extenders… why?  Because it’s in Silverlight?

Here’s more on MCE supporting Silverlight – Windows Media Center Brings Netflix To Consumers Using Silverlight

[ Via Gearlive: Netflix officially comes to Windows Media Center ]

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R.I.P. – Windows Media Center Extenders [WTF?]

Home Theater
May 18, 2009 1 Comment

Linksys DMA 2100 Windows Media Extender

Oh the shock and awe… what is happening to my world?  Seems like I’m picking all the wrong technology lately.  First HD-DVD, now Windows Media Center Extenders.   Apparently, everyone (Linksys, HP, Niveus, D-LINK, Samsung) that makes an extender is dropping their product line.  That leaves loud, noisy XBOX 360’s to connect to our Media Center’s remotely.  Good thing I stocked up on these when they were down to $50.   

Does this mean CE devices (televisions and devices) will come standard with this technology or is MSFT killing this platform — please say it isn’t so!!!!  As Patrick Norton from Tekzilla would say, “I’m going to go weep softly in a corner now.”

Engadget – Linksys discontinues Media Center Extenders, hardly anyone notices 

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Samsung (MR-00EA1) MediaLive Windows Media Extender

Home Theater
October 27, 2008 5 Comments
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Samsung has finally released their MediaLive module which is essentially a Windows Media Extender. The great thing about this is that it works seamlessly with all Samsung Series 4 and up displays. It supports wired (Ethernet) and wireless (802.11b/g/n) networks and includes a remote, power adaptor and HDMI cable. And for $190, this is a great price, however, if you don't have a Samsung or don't care about the seamless integration, you can get a Linksys DMA2100 for about $100!

- Samsung Media Live MCX
- Linksys DMA2100 MCX
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