July 26, 2008

Samsung Pushing Out New MediaLive Windows Media Center Extender For 2008 Samsung HDTV's

TV makers must consider web video content these days when designing a television from a consumer point of view. As so-called "lean-in" media consumption continues to grow in popularity the TV maker who builts the most "connected" TV set will win the flat panel wars. Samsung's already on top and their latest announcement confirms they have no plans on losing the flat panel crown anytime soon.

The company's new MediaLive media center extender, available next month, enables Windows Media Center users running Vista Home Premium or Vista Ultimate operating systems on a PC to quickly and easily stream digital content from the computer to 2008 model Samsung HDTV's using an HDMI-CEC connection via either a wired or wireless home network. The MediaLive extender supports all types of multimedia codecs including AC3, H.264, JPEG, MPEG2, MPEG4, WMA, and WMV bringing virtually any audio, video or photographic content straight to your bigscreen.

MediaLive simply mounts onto the back of your 2008 Samsung HDTV with an included bracket, connects to an HDMI-CEC port and then to your PC with a RJ45 connected LAN cable for wired home networks or via a wireless 802.11 a/b/g/n receiver built right into the extender. Navigation is simple thanks to a Windows Media Center interface on your TV screen and an included remote, or thanks to CEC, your HDTV's remote.

MediaLive also gives users access to a bunch of online entertainment services including Vongo, MovieLink, Showtime TV, XM Radio, and FOX Sports and current news updates from Reuters and NPR. Sound interesting? Samsung's MediaLive media center extender will cost around $200 when it comes out next month.

Centre Daily via Engadget HD