extender support possible ? (1 Viewer)

[jmerkx]

Hi there,

I've been a fan of Microsoft Media Center from the beginning. But as time goes by I think Microsoft doens't pay enough attention to the possibilities which are available with many other media appliances. There is only one thing that has kept me from switching to an other platform: The possibility to use extenders.

I'm using Linksys DMA2100 extenders behind every tv set in my house. I would only switch if it is possible to use them also, or to switch them for other hardware. I just love the possiblity to use my media center wherever I like.

When browsing the internet I just came up with this solution and it just looks great. It really does. But the first question for me (can I use my extenders of other extender) wasn't answered anywhere in the forum. I hope I checked it good enough.

Is there anyone in this forum who could answer my question ?

Regards,

 

[zicoz]

As far as I know there are no extenders for MP, but there is an unsupported hack to use one mediadatabase for multiple HTPCs if that's good enough. MP2 will be a more server/client friendly product but that's still some time away.

 

[jmerkx]

Thanx for the reply Zicoz.

So with a hack it should be possible to use 1 database and multiple HTPC's. I will dive into that to see if it is something to consider. Thanks for the quick reply.

 

[zicoz]

No problem, there is a wiki on the subject here:

Central Database - MediaPortal Wiki

 

[skaterpunk9063]

same thing as what i want to do, love the functionality, but want to use an extender device.
please keep me posted if anyone knows a solution or workaround?
surely someone techsavy can write an app to emulate the WMCE?
regards

 

[Jay_UK]

Hi there,

The use of "extenders" as such is not supported, but Mediaportal itself does support client/server.

This is where you can have a server with the TV tuners, and a central store of your content, etc, feeding to clients (these would be classed as your extenders), but would in theory have to be PCs (something like a small nettop) running windows with Mediaportal client.

The hack mentioned above is not directly supported, and can have problems (if two clients are performing updates/changes at the same time - the DB is only designed for single use). To get it to work correctly, you will have to ensure only 1 client is actually configured to manage/update the DBs (the other clients are purely configured to read from the DB only)

Another option (which I do) which is not as efficient (and will depend on you size of content and number of clients) is to run local DBs on each client, and let them manage their own DBs.

J.

 

[bishopy2j]

any roadmap to use XBOX 360 or PS3 as an extender? or we need to use a laptop or build another machine?

has anyone used a laptop for this type of thing? (use like an extender)
i wouldnt mind that. i have a dell laptop laying around with XP SP3 on it. i could throw MP Client on it.

how would 1080p streaming work though?

sorry for the multiple questions just excited about the idea of using an "exteder for MP"

 

[zicoz]

Well if I'm not mistaken Xbox can act as a UPNP client and MP2 as a UPNP server so it'll probably be possible but you won't get a UI.

 

[bishopy2j]

oh so i wouldnt get the pretty cover art and all that. where in the XBOX would i go to see my MP stuff? any experience with that?

 

[mbuzina]

MP2 will use UPNP, but it will be tailored to MP. So the dev team makes no promises about usage of upnp from other devices (currently).

UPNP / DLNA can use pretty cover art, so just put a upnp/dlna server (twonky?) on your box and your xbox should be able to receive your music, films & pics. Live TV will not work. There may be ways, but they are not pretty and not simple (maybe have a look at iPiMP).

Using a notebook should work, although the gfx card requirements of MP are hefty (all that pretty stuff needs some serious number crunching, sorry). As for 1080p, well your notebook has to be able to pull that one off, streaming over cable 100MB is no problem, wireless N is OK, wireless G is not a recommendation but may still work.