Wired Editor in Chief Chris Anderson on XBox 360 as a Media Center Extender

By | November 21st, 2005 comments icon (7) Comments


microsoft xbox 360The Media Center Extender functionality of the new XBox 360 is to me the most exciting feature of all. As a non gamer (perhaps not for long) I plan on picking several of these up for my home shortly. Chris Anderson just got his and has a write up about the new box and also reflects on what this might mean for Microsoft’s chances to become the leader in in-home media distribution:

I never thought I’d say this, but by the standards in this industry Microsoft is actually looking relatively innovative (Apple is playing catch-up with Front Row, but until it comes up with its own version of the extender concept to distribute content easily to TVs around the house, it won’t have broad appeal).

What’s important about the Media Center is that it takes the DVR concept and extends it to all forms of content, whether broadcast or downloaded from the Web. By having a broadband-connected PC at its core, it’s by nature a full-featured connected device that can keep up with the pace of innovation in digital media online. If the Xbox 360 and the new content marketplaces of its associated Xbox Live service continue to take off, we really could have the beginnings of a Long Tail platform that could challenge broadcast TV.

Combined with CableCARD HDTV support in 2006, enhanced digital photography capabilities and indexing in Vista (tagging, photo sharing, faster music libraries, etc.), larger cheaper hard drives and 64 bit computing, the extender functionality (along with the ability to stream high def), and an open development platform for new and exciting internet based content, Microsoft finally has the killer home entertainment PC. There will probably still be bugs to work out and ways to fine tune this platform, but by next year we should be 98% of the way there and ready for mainstream Media Center adoption — exciting indeed.





Filed in: Streaming Media Devices

  • montego

    Can someone better explain to me the fetures and functions of an MCE extender? Does it allow me to schedule recordings, and use plugins that are on the main MCE box? In other words does it essentially offer the same functionality as an MCE PC, without having to hook the MCE PC to my entertainment center?

    Also, is the extender UPnP capable so that I could use other UPnP servers with it?

  • http://www.alexandergrundner.com Alexander Grundner

    On your last point: Windows Media Connect on your PC can detect UPnP compatible devices to stream content to, but a third party UPnP media server on your PC cannot directly connect to an Xbox 360, only Windows Media Connect can. More info from Microsoft: Windows Media Connect FAQ.

    This bites in my opinion because Microsoft is only using standards for its own benefit. But there are new apps coming out that convert media on your computer to be Xbox 360 compatible (i.e. Videora Xbox360 Converter).

  • matemple

    If I understand your reply correctly it sounds like the xbox can not function as a UPnP client device. In other words I will not be able to use my home NAS and Twonky Media with the Xbox 360.

  • http://www.alexandergrundner.com Alexander Grundner

    You got it! Unless someone can prove otherwise (which I doubt). The Xbox 360 is designed to work seamlessly only with Windows Media Connect. If you can network your NAS drive to XP, you should be able to tap into its content with WMC/Xbox, but you need to make sure the media is in the format that’s compatible with Xbox (see Xbox 360 Video FAQ)

  • brianworkman

    I wonder what to expect and when to expect this now infamous third version of the XBOX 360. I wonder if functional this device will be more stable than version made by pc vendors.

    Here is a link to an article to refresh anyones memory theinquirer.net

    I think that given the new advancements of the cable card support and hopefully unified next gen dvd, this device could be the version that Microsoft completely takes over the home media market.

    Also I wonder what price point Microsoft can get this thing down too.

  • matemple

    Stability is the question – Xbox PC sounds like the back door way to get the PC in the living room. Going through the front door hasn’t really taken off yet due to the lack of reliability in these media center PC’s and their operating system. As some one else put it the “Wife and kids Factor” is still too big a consideration.

  • twonky-christian

    Hi,

    it is true that the XBOX speaks a wired style of UPnP – but the TwonkyVision server has been adapted to this. You can connect the XBOX to any TwonkyVision server – even running on a NAS! You can stream music – and watch pictures. Video streaming is not possible – as it is also not possible with WMC.

    Thanks
    Christian