WMC Extender

BionicRasher

OK – sorry if this has been asked loads of times before but looking for some advice and thoughts on Xbox extenders for my set up – not sure if this should be posted here or in the Xbox forum (move as required)

Currently here is what I have
Asus EeeBox PC EB1501 – with 2TB attached HD (stores all movies, music, photos etc) in the TV room wired to router. This is attached to the LCD TV and I use WMC and sometimes Boxee to play music and watch video
Room 1 and Room 2 wired via Cat 6 to router.

Getting 1 DVB-S and 1 DVB-T USB TV Tuner to add to the EeeBox PC so I can use WMC to watch live TV (still shoping about for suitable DVB-S for HD sat TV and a suitable DVB-T that will get me Saorview)

I am looking at getting an Xbox to use as an extender in Room 1 and if it works well I will do the same for Room 2

Questions on Xbox and its set up

• Can I buy a second hand Xbox to accomplish this? I am a complete newbie on Xbox so not sure if I need a newer model or if something like this will do http://www.adverts.ie/xbox/xbox-360-console-for-sale/806626
• New Xbox is about €155 is it worth getting that for peace of mind – as per above question
• Can I use a WMC remote control with the Xbox or do I need a dedicated remote for the Xbox?
• Is the Xbox noisy?
• Can I watch live TV on the Xbox? (as I will have Live TV on the main PC via DVB-S/T)
• What will Xbox Live subscription do for me – do I need it to watch Live TV?
• I have a Sky subscription – do I need Xbox Live subscription to use this on the extender?
• I saw somewhere that the Kinect can be used to ‘swipe’ through your movie/music collection – is this possible or is it in the works for the future? http://youtu.be/g_txF7iETX0
• Do I need to get an Xbox with large HDD storage (I see 4GB and 250Gb versions available) to use it as an extender
• Not really in to gaming (we have a Wii for the kids) so is it worth getting the Xbox for extender proposes or anyone have any other suggestions

Wheeker

I was waiting to see if someone more knowledgeable jumped in to help you, but doesn't look like it :rolleyes:

Anyhow FWIW, I don't currently use an X-Box as an WMC extender, but I have been looking into doing it also. As far as I understand it:

• you would need an X-Box with HDMI-out to be able to display HD video. Buying 2nd-hand seems to be risky due to the Red Ring Of Death (RROD) issues that X-Boxes suffer, but it would certainly be cheaper.
• The X-Box is supposed to be fairly noisy, though the newer versions less so.
• Sky subscription- you can install Sky Go on an X-Box.
• AFAIK you can use Kinect to control the UI.
• I don't think you need much HDD storage at all, as all of your content is stored on your PC.
• The X-Box is about the only WMC Extender that is still produced. A lot of people rate the virtually silent (but discontinued & unsupported) Linksys DMA2100/2200. However I've read that it has issues with h.264 video which is what Saorview & DVB-S/S2 HD uses.

Hope that helps.....

PogMoThoin

I had an Xbox 360 and tried to use it as an extender, it's absolute crap. You got to use other methods to get it to play most h.264 encoded .mkv's therefore it's not worth buying one for this purpose.

If you're looking for a cheap option get an Apple TV and put XBMC on it

subway

I've a 360 as an extender. It plays h264 and divx fine. It doesn't support subtitles. Go for a wired network and expect some freezes if fast forwarding.

You could use an old one, they are noisy feck.
You don't need a live subscription. You can view live tv on it. You can access your channels that are on the main media centre. You don't need a hard drive in the xbox. There is no problem with saorview on xbox

Wheeker

Sorry, justy to clarify:

Wheeker wrote: »

However I've read that the DMA 2100/2200 has issues with h.264 video which is what Saorview & DVB-S/S2 HD uses.

subway

I guess the op isn't all that interested anyway

BionicRasher

subway wrote: »

I guess the op isn't all that interested anyway

Nope - still very interested
also posted some stuff in the Xbox forum and feedback is good
I am still watching and trying to do my research before I buy

The way I see it is the folks here in the HTPC forum are a little wary of the Xbox as a good extender but Xbox folk are a little more positive.

I don’t see any other real option as an extender really.

May dilemma is that we have a games console (Wii) and I don’t really want another as we are very light users as is. We have a nettop connected to main TV and will soon have Saorview and Sat feed to use in WMC. We want to have the ability to play movies/music and watch TV in a second room and I think my only other options would be to get a slew of equipment to accomplish this
i.e.
· feed in a TV aerial for Saorview
· get a Saorview compatible TV or buy a box
· feed in a Sat cable
· get a sat box
· get some kind of media streamer or player (I have an old Iomega Screenplay HD but it’s got an ugly OS and I haven’t used it in ages) and either stream from the HDD attached to the nettop or buy more storage for the second room

this also may mean the OS and user interface will be different in both rooms and the family will get even more confused.

Actually, do you know what, I think I may have just convinced myself there when I see the other options. I will however continue to accept any suggestions and tips on what I can do

If I do have any updates or questions I will certainly post here as it has been very helpful so far

gtg60

Can anyone confirm or deny if Saorview is viewable through an Extender.

Thanks

subway

it is, xbox downloads an update to enable it and then its fine

gtg60

subway wrote: »

it is, xbox downloads an update to enable it and then its fine

Ah, thanks but I'm at fault here I should have said can you view Saorview through a hardware Extender like the DMA2100?

subway

i dont know for sure, but it doesnt seem like it
http://homecommunity.cisco.com/t5/Game-and-Media-Adapters/DMA-2100-2200-Is-H264-Live-Recorded-TV-support-with-Windows-7-or/td-p/240235

gtg60

subway wrote: »

i dont know for sure, but it doesnt seem like it
http://homecommunity.cisco.com/t5/Game-and-Media-Adapters/DMA-2100-2200-Is-H264-Live-Recorded-TV-support-with-Windows-7-or/td-p/240235

Thanks, had seen that before but just looking for definitive confirmation from somebody who has tried it.

Wheeker

Another option could be be the (yet to be released) Ceton Echo:

http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/10/ceton-announces-multi-room-dvr-and-echo-extender-hands-on/

No definitive release date in US yet, never mind UK & Ireland. However, it does sound like a very promising development for a new WMC Extender. Apparently the Echo is pitched at being cheaper than the cheapest X-Box.