Tech Spotlight

Back on August 18th I discussed the future of Microsoft’s Windows Media Center software and PC’s and why it has never gained mass exposure.  The article can be read here.  Microsoft realizing that most people don’t want a noisy and bulky computer in their living room, focused there attention on Media Center Extenders, which seem like a better choice.

Media Center Extenders are devices that will connect wired or wireless to your home network, that will serve your DVR programs, movies, music and pictures in a home theater style package, imitating a DVD-like or Tivo-like set-top box.  You must have a computer elsewhere setup with Windows Media Center software, that is turned on, so it can serve the media.  Another advantage is that you can have several Extenders throughout the house, serving the same media, that can be shared by your whole family.

The X-Box was the first Extender on the market, but for the people that don’t have or want a gaming console, I have listed 3 standalone devices below.