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Alternatives to Media Extender
Hi all,
I've heard that Media Extender is only really to be used with WMC.
If I decide to use a different browser for my media, are there any hardware solutions which could offer me the same facilities as a WMC extender?
Thanks
I've heard that Media Extender is only really to be used with WMC.
If I decide to use a different browser for my media, are there any hardware solutions which could offer me the same facilities as a WMC extender?
Thanks
1 - 20 of 26 Posts
You could use My Movies or Media Browser inside WMC - they bascially function as a fancier library viewer. But in terms of playback you still are subject to the same media format limitations.
Surely there is a piece of cheap hardware, or some method that I can access my HTPC (which will be in my study) from my tvs in the living room and bedroom?
The only 2 pieces of current hardware are an Xbox 360 or Ceton Echo for using as extenders. Most will agree the Xbox is the better solution for this purpose as the Echo doesn't appear to be supported anymore. Too many issues with it and no firmware updates in the past year to fix some major problems with it.
Toys
Toys
It depends on what you mean by "access your htpc" from your living room and bedroom.
If you actually want to get Windows Media Center in those places (complete with live tv, DVR, scheduling, etc) you need either another PC or an extender. Only an extender guarantees you will have access to all the recordings. That is because of DRM set by the cable companies. The 360 and the Echo are in current production. The HP x280n, Linksys DMA2100/2200, the DLink DSM750, the Niveus Edge, and a s
If you want to play archived bluray/dvd, home movies, HBO Go, Amazon Prime, then you probably want something that isn't a WMC extender. They have relatively poor file support and [outside the 360] next to no streaming media options.
If you actually want to get Windows Media Center in those places (complete with live tv, DVR, scheduling, etc) you need either another PC or an extender. Only an extender guarantees you will have access to all the recordings. That is because of DRM set by the cable companies. The 360 and the Echo are in current production. The HP x280n, Linksys DMA2100/2200, the DLink DSM750, the Niveus Edge, and a s
If you want to play archived bluray/dvd, home movies, HBO Go, Amazon Prime, then you probably want something that isn't a WMC extender. They have relatively poor file support and [outside the 360] next to no streaming media options.
My 4 Echoes work fine, always have. Folks with major problems don't know what they're doing, simple as that. Issues have been way overblown. It has a few very minor bugs. If you want a small, cheap, efficient extender, Echo is fine. If you want Netflix, file streaming, etc., go for an Xbox and pay M$ more money for using the Netflix you already pay for.Quote:
Originally Posted by Toys7505 /t/1517020/alternatives-to-media-extender/0_100#post_24346559
The only 2 pieces of current hardware are an Xbox 360 or Ceton Echo for using as extenders. Most will agree the Xbox is the better solution for this purpose as the Echo doesn't appear to be supported anymore. Too many issues with it and no firmware updates in the past year to fix some major problems with it.
Toys
You can use whatever you want, you can use RaspberriPi running client mode if you run XBMX on both host, and Raspberri Pi.
But, if your CableTV service is copyright protected, then your only solution is WMC, and associated extenders.
First you need to decide what you want to do with your system, and then you can decide what hardware/software you will need to use.
Quote:
Originally Posted by wristar /t/1517020/alternatives-to-media-extender#post_24336575
Hi all,
I've heard that Media Extender is only really to be used with WMC.
If I decide to use a different browser for my media, are there any hardware solutions which could offer me the same facilities as a WMC extender?
Thanks
You can use whatever you want, you can use RaspberriPi running client mode if you run XBMX on both host, and Raspberri Pi.
But, if your CableTV service is copyright protected, then your only solution is WMC, and associated extenders.
First you need to decide what you want to do with your system, and then you can decide what hardware/software you will need to use.
The live tv field won't be encrypted as it will be UK free to view tv.
The idea of using a client and a host did sound appealing to me, I'm just not technical enough to have known if it was an option.
I didn't know if I would need to have the client as powerful as the host machine (thus ruling out Pi) as I could lose quality and stability.
Or can I have a powerful machine, almost like a server, running in the study, with multiple 'thin' client style cheap machines in each room simply connecting and displaying what the more powerful machine can produce?
Thanks.n
The idea of using a client and a host did sound appealing to me, I'm just not technical enough to have known if it was an option.
I didn't know if I would need to have the client as powerful as the host machine (thus ruling out Pi) as I could lose quality and stability.
Or can I have a powerful machine, almost like a server, running in the study, with multiple 'thin' client style cheap machines in each room simply connecting and displaying what the more powerful machine can produce?
Thanks.n
Listen to this man OP. Anyone who tries to tell you the echo is a viable extender worth buying is trying to sell you a bill of goods.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Toys7505 /t/1517020/alternatives-to-media-extender#post_24346559
The only 2 pieces of current hardware are an Xbox 360 or Ceton Echo for using as extenders. Most will agree the Xbox is the better solution for this purpose as the Echo doesn't appear to be supported anymore. Too many issues with it and no firmware updates in the past year to fix some major problems with it.
Toys
Listen to this man OP. Anyone who tries to tell you the echo is a viable extender worth buying is trying to sell you a bill of goods.
Did an Echo kill your dog or something? They work fine for plenty of people.Quote:
Originally Posted by staknhalo /t/1517020/alternatives-to-media-extender/0_100#post_24348311
Listen to this man OP. Anyone who tries to tell you the echo is a viable extender worth buying is trying to sell you a bill of goods.
Is an Echo holding you at gunpoint? I, and plenty of others have told you - they cause reliability/stability problems for far more people than for the very select few they work 'just enough' for. And Ceton apparently has no intentions of fixing said problems; based on the fact some of these issues have existed since the product launched, and there have been no firmware updates (to fix said issues) in just about a year.
Take a poll if you refuse to don't believe it.
Unless your plan is to scare people away from WMC by slyly recommending them a ****** extender (when perfectly stable alternatives are still produced/available. Hell, forget even the Xbox, the antiquated Linksys and HP extenders are better alternatives than the Echo); then continue on.
Quote:
Originally Posted by mdavej /t/1517020/alternatives-to-media-extender#post_24349111
Did an Echo kill your dog or something? They work fine for plenty of people.
Is an Echo holding you at gunpoint? I, and plenty of others have told you - they cause reliability/stability problems for far more people than for the very select few they work 'just enough' for. And Ceton apparently has no intentions of fixing said problems; based on the fact some of these issues have existed since the product launched, and there have been no firmware updates (to fix said issues) in just about a year.
Take a poll if you refuse to don't believe it.
Unless your plan is to scare people away from WMC by slyly recommending them a ****** extender (when perfectly stable alternatives are still produced/available. Hell, forget even the Xbox, the antiquated Linksys and HP extenders are better alternatives than the Echo); then continue on.
Yeah, WOL works great on Linksys, much better than Echo. I couldn't care less if others are too incompetent to set up and use the Echo. All I know is it does what it's supposed to do and does it pretty well in the smallest, most efficient package to date.
Sure I'd like to see a new firmware to squash the few remaining bugs. But I know Ceton busted the budget on the Android experiment. At least it was a valiant effort. I definitely got my $50 worth on all of mine and happily use them trouble-free every day. So every time you post how awful they are, I'll be right behind you posting my own actual, positive experience, not regurgitating what I've only read about.
If it's so important to you, start your own poll. I'm happy with mine, so I have nothing to prove.
Sure I'd like to see a new firmware to squash the few remaining bugs. But I know Ceton busted the budget on the Android experiment. At least it was a valiant effort. I definitely got my $50 worth on all of mine and happily use them trouble-free every day. So every time you post how awful they are, I'll be right behind you posting my own actual, positive experience, not regurgitating what I've only read about.
If it's so important to you, start your own poll. I'm happy with mine, so I have nothing to prove.
Feel free to be the odd man out screaming how great the Echos are. Others, and me, will just make sure you don't send people down the wrong track suggesting them. And you just said you're the only person out of all those with problems whO knows how to properly set up/use an Echo. That statement speaks for itself. You are either admitting the Echo is a difficult device to set up/maintain/use (and suggesting people buy/use that over far easier alternatives); or you are claiming everyone who has ever used an Echo and had an issue, besides you of course, is stupid. Lol. If the Echos were as good as you say, you wouldn't be so alone in your claims. That also speaks volumes
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So debates about the Echo aside....
When using a client and host set up over the home wired network... Would the tv/movies playback be limited by the power of the client?mif I buy a decent machine to use as a media server, will I still need to pay to have decent machines at each location playing the media, or could I get away with using something like a Pi and still get the benefits of the speed from the main box?
When using a client and host set up over the home wired network... Would the tv/movies playback be limited by the power of the client?mif I buy a decent machine to use as a media server, will I still need to pay to have decent machines at each location playing the media, or could I get away with using something like a Pi and still get the benefits of the speed from the main box?
If you're using Windows 7 you can use any of the legacy extenders from Linksys, HP, or D-Link as well as the XBox 360 and the Echo. You can usually find used ones on ebay for a decent price. If you're using Windows 8 then the XBox 360 is your only available option.
FYI - Newegg has the Echo on sale for $99 right now as one of their daily deals. I'd give it a try at that price as Newegg is pretty good about their return policies. However, you may have to pay a restocking fee if it is not defective but you still decide to return it.
As to the OP's original question, there are lots of ways to share videos between devices. Depending on who your cable provider is you may be able to use individual PCs at each TV that will allow you to share recordings. I'm on FIOS and that's the setup I use. I also have a server for sharing movies with each TV and extenders don't have the codec support for playback of these video files.
There are numerous media players that will allow you to map network drives for streaming videos. If you're trying to share recordings made in WMC you may need to convert them from wtv files to a different format that's more compatible.
I don't think it's as simple as you make it out to be. I went through two Echoes during the beta trial, neither of which ever worked correctly. The video would freeze and stutter and constantly have network issues. The network tuning utility would always pass when I ran it so it wasn't the network. In fact, the only devices that have ever caused me network problems are WMC media extenders. I sent the first Echo back and they replaced it with one that had the latest firmware. It did work better, but only marginally and it still had the majority of issues the first one had. Fortunately for me they extended the return window so I was able to get my money back. It could be that my network simply doesn't like media extenders for some reason. Clearly some people have had favorable results with them so I'd definitely give them a try before discounting them completely.Quote:
Originally Posted by mdavej /t/1517020/alternatives-to-media-extender#post_24347118
My 4 Echoes work fine, always have. Folks with major problems don't know what they're doing, simple as that. Issues have been way overblown. It has a few very minor bugs. If you want a small, cheap, efficient extender, Echo is fine. If you want Netflix, file streaming, etc., go for an Xbox and pay M$ more money for using the Netflix you already pay for.
If you're using Windows 7 you can use any of the legacy extenders from Linksys, HP, or D-Link as well as the XBox 360 and the Echo. You can usually find used ones on ebay for a decent price. If you're using Windows 8 then the XBox 360 is your only available option.
FYI - Newegg has the Echo on sale for $99 right now as one of their daily deals. I'd give it a try at that price as Newegg is pretty good about their return policies. However, you may have to pay a restocking fee if it is not defective but you still decide to return it.
As to the OP's original question, there are lots of ways to share videos between devices. Depending on who your cable provider is you may be able to use individual PCs at each TV that will allow you to share recordings. I'm on FIOS and that's the setup I use. I also have a server for sharing movies with each TV and extenders don't have the codec support for playback of these video files.
There are numerous media players that will allow you to map network drives for streaming videos. If you're trying to share recordings made in WMC you may need to convert them from wtv files to a different format that's more compatible.
Doing something like that won't allow you to view any copy protected TV recordings. Now, that aside: if using something to transcode like Plex or MB3 etc; the quality (and buffering) you see on screen would be determined by the server PC; so power there would help. If not transcoding; local/native playback only: it's all up to the individual machine doing the local playback itself (networking issues aside; strictly picture quality wise).
Quote:
Originally Posted by wristar /t/1517020/alternatives-to-media-extender#post_24351377
So debates about the Echo aside....
When using a client and host set up over the home wired network... Would the tv/movies playback be limited by the power of the client?mif I buy a decent machine to use as a media server, will I still need to pay to have decent machines at each location playing the media, or could I get away with using something like a Pi and still get the benefits of the speed from the main box?
Doing something like that won't allow you to view any copy protected TV recordings. Now, that aside: if using something to transcode like Plex or MB3 etc; the quality (and buffering) you see on screen would be determined by the server PC; so power there would help. If not transcoding; local/native playback only: it's all up to the individual machine doing the local playback itself (networking issues aside; strictly picture quality wise).
Dare I say Pi with OpenElec works perfectly fine for copy free material?
As for the Echo, I have only a few more things to add, then will drop it. I acknowledge that the beta testers had big problems. I wasn't involved in any of that. I also acknowledge that Echo needs to do a much better job handling network issues. This is what I see as the biggest culprit in the problems that have been reported. When the rhetoric got nasty, I got pretty nasty too. If you have network issues, you're going to have lockups, freezes, and possibly a brick, no doubt. Ceton has no excuse for that. But if your network is solid, Echo can be trouble-free. In my case, Echo is the only option as it's the only device that satisfies all my requirements. Xboxes were simply too big and too loud for the rooms I had them in, and the IR reception is terrible. I don't notice the fan noise in my living room, but it's very distracting in a bedroom. My extender has to be silent, efficient and send WOL. I don't have a hackable router that can do it for me. So that eliminates the older extenders, and I am left only with Echo. Xbox's noise and poor IR performance are bigger nuisances to me than the Echo's zoom bug.
As for the Echo, I have only a few more things to add, then will drop it. I acknowledge that the beta testers had big problems. I wasn't involved in any of that. I also acknowledge that Echo needs to do a much better job handling network issues. This is what I see as the biggest culprit in the problems that have been reported. When the rhetoric got nasty, I got pretty nasty too. If you have network issues, you're going to have lockups, freezes, and possibly a brick, no doubt. Ceton has no excuse for that. But if your network is solid, Echo can be trouble-free. In my case, Echo is the only option as it's the only device that satisfies all my requirements. Xboxes were simply too big and too loud for the rooms I had them in, and the IR reception is terrible. I don't notice the fan noise in my living room, but it's very distracting in a bedroom. My extender has to be silent, efficient and send WOL. I don't have a hackable router that can do it for me. So that eliminates the older extenders, and I am left only with Echo. Xbox's noise and poor IR performance are bigger nuisances to me than the Echo's zoom bug.
There used to be a plugin (VMCPlayit) that acted as a DLNA client and enabled you to stream internet content through Playon media center, including on extenders. I don't know if there are still compatible options today.
Quote:
Originally Posted by pittsoccer33 /t/1517020/alternatives-to-media-extender#post_24346702
It depends on what you mean by "access your htpc" from your living room and bedroom.
If you actually want to get Windows Media Center in those places (complete with live tv, DVR, scheduling, etc) you need either another PC or an extender. Only an extender guarantees you will have access to all the recordings. That is because of DRM set by the cable companies. The 360 and the Echo are in current production. The HP x280n, Linksys DMA2100/2200, the DLink DSM750, the Niveus Edge, and a s
If you want to play archived bluray/dvd, home movies, HBO Go, Amazon Prime, then you probably want something that isn't a WMC extender. They have relatively poor file support and [outside the 360] next to no streaming media options.
There used to be a plugin (VMCPlayit) that acted as a DLNA client and enabled you to stream internet content through Playon media center, including on extenders. I don't know if there are still compatible options today.
It sounds like you don't want a Media Center extender since its main benefit is the ability to view DRMed cable card content remotely.
XBMC may be a good option. My understanding is that there are prebuilt Android-based clients available that you can use as extenders. The TV recording setup is a little circuitous though and I don't have a good sense for how hard it is to get it working stably. Maybe others can chime in.
Quote:
Originally Posted by wristar /t/1517020/alternatives-to-media-extender#post_24348015
The live tv field won't be encrypted as it will be UK free to view tv.
The idea of using a client and a host did sound appealing to me, I'm just not technical enough to have known if it was an option.
I didn't know if I would need to have the client as powerful as the host machine (thus ruling out Pi) as I could lose quality and stability.
Or can I have a powerful machine, almost like a server, running in the study, with multiple 'thin' client style cheap machines in each room simply connecting and displaying what the more powerful machine can produce?
Thanks.n
It sounds like you don't want a Media Center extender since its main benefit is the ability to view DRMed cable card content remotely.
XBMC may be a good option. My understanding is that there are prebuilt Android-based clients available that you can use as extenders. The TV recording setup is a little circuitous though and I don't have a good sense for how hard it is to get it working stably. Maybe others can chime in.
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