During Sunday’s keynote address at the 2008 International CES, Robbie Bach, president of the Entertainment & Devices Division at Microsoft Corp., announced that premier consumer electronics manufacturer Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. will include Extender for Windows Media Center technology in its Home Digital Media Adapter arriving this year for compatible Samsung HDTVs. In addition, HP is launching a new Extender device for Windows Media Center, the HP MediaSmart Receiver x280N, designed to work with any high-definition television.

Extenders for Windows Media Center allow viewers to enjoy digital entertainment, including live and recorded HDTV, Internet TV, music, movies and photos, from their PC running Windows Vista Home Premium or Windows Vista Ultimate on any TV in the house through wired or wireless home networks.

The Samsung Home DMA features playback of files including Windows Media Video, Windows Media Audio, MPEG-2, MPEG-4, H.264, MP3, AC3 and JPEG. The compact device can be easily mounted to the rear of select Samsung flat-panel HDTVs for a clutter-free home theater setup. Users can view content through the DMA using either the TV remote or an included remote control. The Extender connects to a PC using an Ethernet cable or 802.11a, b, g or n wireless module (sold separately).

Microsoft also announced Extender product availability and ship dates from initial partners D-Link Corp.; Linksys, a division of Cisco; and Niveus Media Inc. These devices allow people to extend their entertainment experience from their Windows Vista-based PC with Windows Media Center to any TV in the house.

New Extenders Now Available

Linksys announced the worldwide release of two new stand-alone Extenders. Available today, the Media Center Extender with DVD Player DMA2200 from Linksys is an elegant solution that combines an upscaling DVD player with a dual-band Wireless-N Extender for Windows Media Center at an estimated retail price of $349.99 (U.S.). For consumers seeking a smaller form factor, Linksys also offers the Media Center Extender DMA2100, which delivers all the appealing features of Extender for Windows Media Center in a device ideal for areas such as bedrooms and smaller entertainment cabinets. The Media Center Extender DMA2100 has an estimated retail price of $299.99 (U.S.).

Designed for high-end home entertainment enthusiasts and available for purchase today through select custom audiovisual installers, the Niveus Media Extender - EDGE offers a high-fidelity experience, uncompromised 1080p video, digital audio and the same amazing 3-D user interface found on the award-winning Niveus Media Center. In addition, the Niveus Media Extender - EDGE is built with the Niveus Glacier Passive Cooling System for near-silent operation in a sleek and stylish form factor.

D-Link announced the January 2008 availability of its DSM-750 MediaLounge HD Media Center Extender at an estimated retail price of $329.99 (U.S.). Housed in a sleek, 17-inch, black aluminum chassis, this device connects to a home network using Ethernet or dual-band 802.11n networking, which makes it easy to enjoy the Windows Media Center experience with friends and family on any TV in the house. The DSM-750 lets customers enjoy high-definition videos with resolutions of up to 1080i and includes a USB 2.0 port for instant access to music, photos and videos stored on removable USB flash drives or hard drives.

HP Announces MediaSmart Receiver

HP announced the upcoming availability of its MediaSmart Receiver x280N in the first half of 2008. The HP MediaSmart Receiver turns any TV into a next-generation connected TV, allowing consumers to enjoy photos, music, movies and videos — wired or wirelessly — from multiple PCs around the home on the “big screen” in the heart of the home. This compact digital media receiver has a stylish piano-black, high-gloss finish with HP’s exclusive “Zen” imprint pattern as well as embedded antennae, and offers advanced network connectivity options, including 802.11a, b, g and n and compatibility with other Universal Plug and Play (UPnP)- and Digital Living Network Alliance (DLNA)-compatible devices such as the HP MediaSmart Server.

HP MediaSmart TVs, available today in 42” and 47” sizes, include full HD 1080p resolution, support three HDMI inputs and deliver all the compelling features of Media Center Extender directly incorporated into a TV. HP MediaSmart TVs are available in Best Buy stores nationwide, a wide range of audiovisual specialty stores throughout the country and at hpshopping.com. Extender for Windows Media Center functionality is slated to be available in the first half of 2008 on both the HP MediaSmart TV and the HP MediaSmart Receiver. HP MediaSmart technology will automatically update all 2007 MediaSmart TVs (SL4778 and SL4278) over the Internet.