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The Linksys DMA2200 Media Center Extender is another device that streams music, videos and photos from your PC to your TV and hifi but, unlike so many others, it gives a great first impression.
The setup process is simplicity itself and it holds your hand through the entire process, casting technical jargon aside in favour of plain-English instructions.
When hooked up to your network, things get even better, as the DMA2200 mimics the excellent Windows Media Center interface.
Watching videos, playing music while browsing your photos and even streaming content from the internet are a cinch. Everything is organised logically, with thumbnails to help you find what you’re after. The only complaint with the interface is that it’s less smooth than Media Center on a PC - the scrolling has a slight jerkiness to it and it can take half a second or so to respond to button presses on the remote.
However, its reliance on Media Center also has disadvantages, notably that you’ll need a Windows Vista (Premium or Ultimate editions) or XP Media Center Edition PC running in order to supply the DMA2200 with content.
Update: Since we posted this review, Linksys has told us the DMA2200 will only work with Vista Media Center PCs.
Although the DMA2200 will happily pick up media stored on a UPnP Nas (network-attached storage) device, it needs to be routed through the PC running Media Center. If your PC has a TV tuner, the DMA2200 will be able to access that, too.
You can hook the DMA2200 up to your network via a wired or wireless connection and it supports dual-band Draft-N wireless. If you have a Draft-N router, this makes streaming HD content (1080p via HDMI and component video) without wires a possibility but smooth HD streaming will depend on the strength of your wireless signal. Although it can operate on Draft-N’s 5GHz frequency, few routers in the UK support this.
All file formats supported by Media Center will playback fine, along with Xvid videos. We also managed to get some DivX files to play, but this format isn't officially supported by the DMA2200.
The physical design is also impressive. Housed in a slim, black chassis, it won’t take up much room under your TV, though you’ll need to make sure there’s room for the three aerials at the back. And with no fan, the only noise you’ll hear is the quiet whirr of the disc spinning when watching a DVD.
Basic navigation buttons sit at the front alongside an LED display, while at the rear you’re spoilt for choice in terms of connectivity. HDMI, Scart, component, composite and S-video are joined by analogue and digital audio outputs (both optical and coaxial). There’s also a USB port, but sadly it serves no function, so attaching USB hard drives is out.
The DMA2200 also doubles up as a DVD player; it’s not a Blu-ray or HD DVD drive, but it will upscale standard DVDs when output via HDMI or component video. It can’t magically produce true HD video from your old DVDs, but those with a keen eye will be able to see the improvement. Linksys also sells the DMA2100, which is basically the same device but with this DVD player stripped out and £30 off the price.
The DMA2200 is more expensive than most media streamers but you get a lot for your money, including the DVD player, Draft-N wireless and a truly usable interface. Its reliance on Media Center limits its appeal, but the DMA2200 is without doubt the slickest media streamer we’ve tested. If you’ve got a PC with Media Center, and don’t mind leaving it switched on, the DMA2200 is the perfect way to shift content from your study to your lounge.
See also:
This version brings HD video streaming, but no HDMI 09 Jan 2008
Stream your high-definition media with ease 06 Dec 2007
One of the cheapest media streamers available, but at what cost? 28 Nov 2007All Home Entertainment Tags: Media Streaming Device
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