DHL dropped off my Linksys DMA2100 Media Center Extender yesterday, and I had it completely set up within 30 minutes.
My first impression was, “Wow, this is small.” The v1 extenders were the size of large pizza boxes, and an Xbox 360 has a certain chunkiness to it. I didn’t appreciate how small this device was till I unboxed it:
It’s a nearly perfect square, less than 7 inches from front to back and side to side, and about 1-1/2 inches tall. For contrast, that black Vista remote, which is included with the extender, is an inch longer than the box is deep.
The backside has most of the connectors you’d expect: HDMI, component, composite, and S-Video. It has stereo audio outputs (two RCA jacks) and a digital audio output. My Xbox had been connected using a digital optical (TOSLink) cable, but the DMA2100 only has an RCA-style digital output. (The manuals say the DMA2200, which includes a DVD player, has an optical connector.)
Although I could use HDMI and pass it through my receiver, I chose component video instead to connect to my 50-inch 1080i set and found a high-quality RCA cable for the digital audio. When I powered up the unit, I had to adjust a few system settings to let it know I was using a surround sound system and wanted output at 1080i. I also configured it to go straight to the Media Center interface
I’ve set up Media Center Extenders many times before, and this setup was typically simple. I did have to install an extender update on the Media Center box before I could complete the connection, but after that small detour everything worked perfectly.
I noticed right away that there was none of the glitching I had been seeing when using the Xbox 360 as an extender. That glitching was only on one or two channels (NBC HD programming was especially noticeable); the symptoms were a very slight jerkiness in fast-motion scenes. That effect is completely gone now. I’m not sure whether it was the extender update or the hardware that did the trick, but I’m glad to see it.
Performance on menus is fast, very fast. It takes about 10-12 seconds to go from a cold start to the Media Center interface. By contrast, the Xbox 360 had to first load its own interface, then log me in, and then finally connect to the remote system, a process that could easily take a minute or more. In operation, the system is faster as well. I’m using a Logitech Harmony remote to control the extender, and response to each button press is instantaneous. That wasn’t always the case with the Xbox 360.
And it’s gloriously quiet, unlike the Xbox. The Spousal Acceptance Factor for this unit is an 11, compared to maybe a 3 for the noisy Xbox 360.
The price should drop over time, but I’m thrilled with the performance and consider this unit worth every penny of its $250 price tag.
Update: Scott Williams asks what kind of network connection I’m using with it. I knew I forgot to mention something! I have a wired connection that goes through three switches to get to the living room. The extender has Wireless N capability built in, but I don’t need it (and don’t have an N-capable router/access point anyway).
And one more unboxing picture, to show which cables are included, from top to bottom, counterclockwise: RCA stereo, component video, composite video, Ethernet. No HDMI cable, no digital audio cable (although any decent RCA cable should do fine).
I’m happy to answer questions in the comments section and will continue updating this post as needed.
Thanks for the review Ed. I’m considering getting one myself. I’ve heard unconfirmed reports that it doesn’t play DivX or XViD as was originally promised. Have you had a chance to try that out?
What kind of network connection are you using with it?
Scott, I updated the post with details about the connection (wired, not wireless N).
Roman, I have a note in to Linksys to ask. I’m not a DivX user and don’t want to test on my main Media Center box but will probably install on a different Media Center machine when the second extender arrives.
Roman, Linksys says the box supports Xvid (with no further configuration required) but not Divx. I just download an Xvid file in 720p, saved it to my Media Center machine, and successfully played it back on the extender.
DivX will play too, both DivX and Xvid are MPEG-4 ASP. The difference is DivX is a registered trademark.
I just ordered one today from Dell. What cables are included?
Linksys has no info on their site.
Jim
Jim, the package includes component video, composite video, RCA stereo, and Ethernet cable. Not included: HDMI or RCA digital audio.
And thanks, Chris.
Thanks. I read that Linksys will have a firmware update to support ITUNES media. Do you know anything about that?
No, I haven’t heard that. I’ll sit down with Microsoft and Linksys and D-Link at CES and hopefully get some answers. A lot of this is, for some bizarre reason, still under embargo even though the products are shipping.
Thanks for your help. I look forward to using this. My wife will think I am a genius. (Hopefully)
wired or wireless? what type of network?
I plan to buy one and bring it back in Europe. It is still not available here (France) and the Dollar rate makes it cheaper for us to buy in US.
Can you tell me what voltage the AC adapter supports ?
Thks
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Herve, the manual says it supports 100-240V and includes a plug clip for the region in which it was sold. So you should be able to use a plug adapter and have it work immediately
Hey thanks for the write up. I have been thinking about one of these for awhile and was not sure if I should take the plunge – it seems almost worthwhile to spend a little more and get a full mac mini setup to an HDTV.
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Ed, Just got a Linksys BEFSR41 Cable/DSL router. I will have a wired network. Is there anything else I need to hook up the DMA2100 besides an Ethernet cable?
Jim
Jim, Ethernet cable is included. The other connections depend on your AV setup. If you want an HDMI connection or optical audio, you’ll need to get your own cables. Component and RCA audio are included
What media center are you using since you are viewing HD content on the extender?