Question about media center extenders

[~~Alan~~]

My computer runs Windows XP-Pro and I have a lot of movies that are in mp4
and m4v format for my iPod. I would like to play these movies on my
Television. I have started seeing Media Center Extenders that via one's
home network can connect this unit to your TV and watch these movies from
your computer.

Most of the desciptions I've read seem to suggest I need WindowsXP Media
Center edition ((or Vista Home Premium/Ultimate) to do this.

Before I invest the money, will what I want to do work with WinXP-Pro? If
so, what do I need to turn on and/or set on my system?

Thanks,
~alan

 

[DL]

You can buy units that work with WinXP Pro, either Lan, wireless units or
combined Theyve been out for at least a year.
You simply need to ensure they play the formats you have
Linksys, Netgear, Pinnacle are amongst ones available
You install the software supplied with the unit, nothing to turn off/on in
winxp

 

[Twayne]

My computer runs Windows XP-Pro and I have a lot of movies that are
in mp4 and m4v format for my iPod. I would like to play these movies
on my Television. I have started seeing Media Center Extenders that
via one's home network can connect this unit to your TV and watch
these movies from your computer.

Most of the desciptions I've read seem to suggest I need WindowsXP
Media Center edition ((or Vista Home Premium/Ultimate) to do this.

Before I invest the money, will what I want to do work with
WinXP-Pro? If so, what do I need to turn on and/or set on my system?

Thanks,
~alan

I don't know what such extenders cost, but be sure to check ALL the
details. For instance, do they require a video card with a TV-out
connection, do you have a TV-out connection, what type of connectors do
they use, are yours compatible and do you have the right cables or will
you have to purchase them?

If you don't already have a TV-Out on your computer, this might be a
good opportunity to upgrade your video card in order to get the tv-out
feature. Most video cards these days provide it.

Read up on the differences between picture quality with s-video,
composite and block outputs to see which one might be best if it matters
to you. Some are good, some not so good but most people won't/don't
notice the difference.

HTH,

Twayne

 

[DL]

Nonsense

I don't know what such extenders cost, but be sure to check ALL the
details. For instance, do they require a video card with a TV-out
connection, do you have a TV-out connection, what type of connectors do
they use, are yours compatible and do you have the right cables or will
you have to purchase them?

If you don't already have a TV-Out on your computer, this might be a good
opportunity to upgrade your video card in order to get the tv-out feature.
Most video cards these days provide it.

Read up on the differences between picture quality with s-video, composite
and block outputs to see which one might be best if it matters to you.
Some are good, some not so good but most people won't/don't notice the
difference.

HTH,

Twayne

 

[Paul]

My computer runs Windows XP-Pro and I have a lot of movies that are in mp4
and m4v format for my iPod. I would like to play these movies on my
Television. I have started seeing Media Center Extenders that via one's
home network can connect this unit to your TV and watch these movies from
your computer.

Most of the desciptions I've read seem to suggest I need WindowsXP Media
Center edition ((or Vista Home Premium/Ultimate) to do this.

Before I invest the money, will what I want to do work with WinXP-Pro? If
so, what do I need to turn on and/or set on my system?

Thanks,
~alan

The first search I would want to do in a search engine, is

DRM m4v

In other words, what are the Digital Rights Management issues
with the iPod movies ? Are the movies designed to play anywhere,
at any time, with any playback device ? Or are there clever
restrictions in place ?

You may need to find a setup that

1) Plays a popular format
2) The format is not protected by DRM
3) A converter is available, to go from m4v to "popular format"

As with all these kinds of issues, I'm sure there is a
solution.

In terms of devices, I can see ones here that use Media Center,
and ones that don't. All sorts of different approaches.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=2002810484&bop=And&Order=PRICE

Even Apple makes one, of some sort.

http://www.apple.com/appletv/

There might be private forums, with people more knowledgeable about
this stuff.

http://www.videohelp.com/forum/archive/question-on-media-extenders-centers-t342721.html

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=955297

Paul