Ex-Softie Matt Goyer is trying to set up a Media Center Extender and can’t find the software for it. (Presumably, this is one of the older Linksys or HP models that works with Media Center 2005.)
The Linksys and HP boxes come with software on a CD, which requires a product key. But here’s a little secret I discovered sometime back: The free, unrestricted Xbox 360 download works just fine, enabling extender capabilities for all generations of extenders.
Get it here (requires Update Rollup 2):
http://www.xbox.com/en-US/pcsetup/mce05lite.htm
Updated to add: This software is already included with Windows Vista. Unfortunately, it doesn’t enable those first-generation extenders to work with Vista. There is no hack or workaround to make your old extender work with Windows Vista Media Center. An Xbox 360 will work with either XP Media Center Edition or Windows Vista, and a new generation of extenders, code-named Pika, is due out in 2007 and will offer extender capabilities with Vista using hardware that presumably costs less and does more (Media Center-wise) than an Xbox 360.
4 comments ↓
Any thoughts on whether or not this will allow my old HP extender and Xbox to work when/if I upgrade to Vista?
No, your old extender will not work with Vista, and there is no hack or workaround to make it so. Currently, you need an Xbox 360 if you want to use an extender with Windows Vista Media Center. In 2007, a new generation of extenders, code-named Pika, will be introduced.
But the old ones are for XP Media Center Edition only.
Hy Ed.
Any more news on the availability of these extenders?, the Pika 8622L kit from Sigma looks like it’s ready to go - just needs a box and some marketing 8-)… we dont want anything fancy you know, just something that looks … er… a bit like Apple TV.. How soon is that likely???
Mart.
thanks, great info! I am sure I’m not the only one being held up by the non-availability of a Vista Extender to upgrade or buy a new PC. We ahve an Xbox 360 in the living room which will work fine I hear, but the bedroom has the V1 extender which totally sux, its not even wireless G for pete’s sake! Any idea when in 2007 one will be available?
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