Windows Media Center ExtendersSite SearchWhat is a Windows Media Center Extender? This wireless media technology released by Microsoft was a way for all devices in the home such as the PC and XBOX 360 to connect together and share media files. Bill Gates first talked about the Wireless Media Center extenders at CES 2004 where he explained that Microsoft is committed to "seamless computing". This was all part of the expansion to Windows Media Center which Gates called "a centerpiece product for our vision of what's going to go on in the home.". Dell, Gateway, Alienware and Hewlett-Packard were among the first to bring extender set up boxes to the market. HP's MediaSmart TV's even sold with the technology built in! It seemed that only about a third of Media Center PCs were being placed in the living room, so the Media Center Extenders bridged an important gap in the market for Microsoft. When the product was first mentioned it was apparent that Windows Media Center was still a niche product and didn't have a mainstream audience. Fast Forward to 2007 and Microsoft and the Windows Media Center technology have come a long way, the sales numbers of Media Center PC's are on the up and more and more people are turning to their extenders for their video and audio entertainment. Windows Media Center Extenders now supports Full HD video streams with surround sound in 5 rooms at a time. There was new expansion with the release of Windows Vista, now users will find more streamlined experience when browsing photo's,video and audio content on their Media Center PC. Microsoft also introduced new partners to the program with companies such as Linksys, D-Link and Niveus Media creating "Version 2" of the extenders. These new extenders support new video formats such as: These products also bought in new transitional effects between screens Pictures of some Media Center Extenders Linksys' DMA2100 Extender HP MediaSmart TV's
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