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First Impressions of the Linksys Extender

Tonight I had my first play with Linksys's DMA2100 Media Center Extender, so here are my first impressions.

I have been using an Xbox 360 as an extender for nearly two years now and am very happy with it so going to be hard for the new Extenders to match up to that. First thing you notice is how small the unit is, its about a quarter of the size of the 360 and has just a blue LED on the front to show its powered on (no fans here).

Included in the box is a Remote that is light and maybe feels a little on the cheap side but its a learning remote and worked with no problems. Also included in the box are Component cables, what is not included is a HDMI cable with is a shame as that is the best way of connecting the Extender. It also caused me a problem as they way I have mounted my TV on the wall I could not reach to get the Component cables connected, where as I can get a HDMI cable connected without to much trouble.  This meant that I could only use the standard def composite cable and not to experience it in HD. So I am off to buy a HDMI cable and will try it again.

As you will see in the video (out soon) when you power unit it it walks you through a series setup questions. Things like video output (50hz or 60hz hurray!), screen type, audio output etc. For my first test I connected it up with Ethernet, I will test wireless at a later date. Once I had completed the setup the unit gave me a code number that I could type in to my Media Center PC, just like the Xbox 360 setup. After entering the code my PC configured the Extender settings, over on the Extender it told me that my PC needed an update before it would work , it pointed me at a URL www.Microsoft.com/extender/update where there is a download for an Media Center update (32bit and 64bit). Once I installed the update I had to reboot the PC and then it connected.

The unit connected and I had the standard Media Center UI. I don't want to judge the picture quality to much yet as it was just over the composite cable. In use as I noted at CES the transitions and animations are not as smooth as the Xbox 360 but still acceptable. When watching standard TV it looked as good as the Xbox, but in the Media Center UI the blue was a little washed out and the text didn't look to good, but this could be the cable and I want to wait to see it with HDMI before I investigate that side of it.

I was asked about the Zoom modes, and it only has 3 zoom modes and not the 4 mode that Media Center has on the PC and the Xbox 360.

So watch the video and have a look at the unboxing, I am going to get the DMA2200 connected over the weekend and next week will have a more detailed video out. Please let me know if there are any aspects I should look at

Posted Jan 31 2008, 12:29 AM by Ian Dixon
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Comments

Matthias2007 wrote re: First Impressions of the Linksys Extender
on 01-31-2008 5:07 PM

Ian, is there anyway of connecting a DMA2200 to a VGA monitor?  My XBox 360 extender is connected to my projector using VGA and optical-out for sound but it is rather noisy!

Ian Dixon wrote re: First Impressions of the Linksys Extender
on 01-31-2008 5:11 PM

@Matthias2007 I don't think so, unless there is some way to use the RGB component cable and convert that to VGA.

I am like you I use my Xbox 360 via VGA

Matthias2007 wrote re: First Impressions of the Linksys Extender
on 01-31-2008 6:04 PM

After a bit of research...one of these should do it:

http://www.tvcables.co.uk/cgi-bin/tvcables/component-vga-hd15-3.html

Chris Lanier's Blog wrote Short Bits: HDMI Switch, Plug-ins, More
on 01-31-2008 9:07 PM

I just finished hooking up an HDMI switch because of a growing number of HDMI devices. If anyone is looking

Chris Lanier's Blog wrote Short Bits: HDMI Switch, Plug-ins, More
on 01-31-2008 9:07 PM

I just finished hooking up an HDMI switch because of a growing number of HDMI devices. If anyone...

Ian's Digital Lifestyle wrote Video: Linksys DMA2100 Unboxing and Setup
on 02-01-2008 2:16 PM

As promised on my "first impressions" post here is the video of the unboxing and setup of the DMA2100....

Ian Dixon wrote re: First Impressions of the Linksys Extender
on 02-01-2008 11:33 PM

Matthias2007 that looks a good option

Ian Dixon wrote re: First Impressions of the Linksys Extender
on 02-02-2008 7:33 AM

you can order them from TheDigitallifestyle.com store

http://thedigitallifestyle.com/cs/store.aspx

Hello wrote re: First Impressions of the Linksys Extender
on 02-02-2008 9:40 PM

Where is the video he mentions?

Ian Dixon wrote re: First Impressions of the Linksys Extender
on 02-02-2008 11:14 PM
Paul wrote re: First Impressions of the Linksys Extender
on 02-04-2008 11:10 AM

Any idea whether the DVD player in the DMA2200 is/can be made region free?

Ian Dixon wrote re: First Impressions of the Linksys Extender
on 02-04-2008 2:17 PM

@Paul - I will try that and let you know.

Rod wrote re: First Impressions of the Linksys Extender
on 02-05-2008 9:55 AM

Ian, you say it's a learning remote. Is this the tap in code type, the point each remote head to head type or a combination of both? Many thanks.

Ian Dixon wrote re: First Impressions of the Linksys Extender
on 02-05-2008 10:31 AM

Its a head to head type remote.

Paul wrote re: First Impressions of the Linksys Extender
on 02-05-2008 11:46 AM

Many thanks Ian - holding off buying one (only just!) until I hear conclusively; all the US forums and blogs I've come across aren't really interested (fairy nuff I s'pose) in this, to me, critical functionality.

Can't wait to see your unboxing video of the 2200!

Ian Dixon wrote re: First Impressions of the Linksys Extender
on 02-05-2008 11:56 AM

Rob - Wednesday or Thursday night I will test it. I think I have one US region DVD to test

Oliver wrote re: First Impressions of the Linksys Extender
on 03-14-2008 2:30 PM

Ian,

Have you had a chance to test the region code thing?

I would like to play region 2 DVDs on the 2200...

Thanks,

Oliver

Damian wrote re: First Impressions of the Linksys Extender
on 07-02-2008 2:59 AM

Have you been able to make the DVD Region Free?

Benny wrote re: First Impressions of the Linksys Extender
on 07-16-2008 4:27 PM

Any update on the Region Free issue -holding off buying one until its confirmed or denied.

Bob wrote re: First Impressions of the Linksys Extender
on 08-27-2008 11:59 PM

Ian

I'm using the DMA 2100 and although it has its limitations I think it was worth the effort and the price. I'm thinking of having a second one elsewhere in the house. Is it likely to work as well as the first?

normanhand wrote re: First Impressions of the Linksys Extender
on 09-08-2008 11:11 AM

Ian

Have you been able to animate slide show transitions on the DMA2100? The user guide clearly states that the extender has built-in slide show effects such as fades, pans and zooms. Whilst this slide show option is clear in the menu on my PC  (tasks>settings>pictures>transition type) and works well, I cannot find this option in the same menu or any where else on the extender. Can you Help?

Thanks

Norman Hand

moglodyte wrote re: First Impressions of the Linksys Extender
on 09-11-2008 6:39 PM

I absolutely has to be multi-region or I won't waste my money. Enough of the DVD region scam that is just another anti-consumer protectionist ploy.

Steve Whitehurst wrote re: First Impressions of the Linksys Extender
on 12-12-2008 7:10 PM

Ditto what Norman Hand said above - any info on slideshow transitions using the DMA 2100?

Ian Dixon wrote re: First Impressions of the Linksys Extender
on 12-13-2008 8:17 AM

i had to send the unit back as it was on loan so i didn't get to investigate this any more

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