Ceton Demos Next Generation Media Extender (1 Viewer)

mattCR · Jan 10, 2012

http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/10/ceton-announces-multi-room-dvr-and-echo-extender-hands-on/

Fully Media Center Extender compliant with added function, quieter performance, more horsepower and team management.

While the Q and Echo might look like Microsoft Media Center, they aren't. Based on the Windows 7 Embedded platform, the Q picks up where Microsoft left off but still leverages the great DVR functionality and free guide data. In addition to being used as an extender for the Q, the Echo is also a fully compliant Extender for Windows Media Center. The Echo will support both ethernet and MoCA for communication to the source and has HDMI-CEC for control as well as an included remote.

Ka-pow!

Actually, there are now 3 other "new" Media Center extenders, and MS is rolling out new Media Center apps at CES.. good day for those who HTPC!

DaveF · Jan 10, 2012

I saw this over at AVS a few minutes ago (iPhone app, ahem, if any HTF Angels are reading along...). (just linked to it in in my thread then thought...Surely MattCR has something to say about this...). This could wholly change my HTPC plans.

I look forward to learning more about this, Matt. Keep us apprised

Ralphie_B · Jan 12, 2012

Yeah - I'm using Xbox 360s because they were in my house prior to the HTPC. But I will be watching the Ceton Echo with great interest!
I'd love to have an extender (or two or three) that can give me the live and recorded TV I've quickly grown to love, while also playing back high-bitrate files from a NAS or a networked HTPC. All the better if it can bitstream (or dare I ask, even decode) the lossless audio formats too -- though I'll happily accept even standard AC-3/DD.

mattCR · Jan 12, 2012

This is truly the potential to be a next generation extender with more extender "oomph" More native decoding of file formats (meaning full bitrate instead of transcoded for an XBOX), and really snappy performance in a small body. I will be watching this very tightly because it's a potential huge game changer. It's the big add on that Media Center really lacked since Linksys went out of the media center extender business, and this will be far better then any of those.

DaveF · Jan 12, 2012

Are these ready for market? Or are they 'still in development'?

DaveF · Jan 16, 2012

I'm too used to Apple...this nonsense of announcing non-existent products is annoying

No price, launch date or feature list yet. I don't now if I should pay attention to this or forget about it until the next demo at CES 2013.

mattCR · Jan 16, 2012

Ships this summer. Actually, Ceton (and SiliconDust) have been very good about it; they show a pre-production unit, and then once it gets CableLabs certified, they ship. I'm expecting pre-order sheets to go up soon.

The difference between these and say, Apple, is that slight matter of some tens of billions of dollars in manufacturing

DaveF · Jan 16, 2012

It's good to hear that Ceton is good about launching. Having never paid attention to Ceton before, all I saw was a vague "preview" with no info on their website or even in a press release. It felt more Microsoft-ian than Apple-esque.

mattCR · Feb 27, 2012

http://cetoncorp.com/products/echo/

Ceton's next gen media center extender one ups the XBOX as an extender in oh-so-many ways:

Full H264 acceleration and support

More Media Formats Supported

etc. etc. etc

DaveF · Feb 27, 2012

No price yet? Regardless, from my meager knowledge of these things, it looks really good.

The Q is also intriguing, with that built-in Blu-ray player.

mattCR · Feb 28, 2012

The Q will have 6 tuners and run Windows7MC Embedded Edition.. customized by them, it will be an ideal option for a lot of people who want an HTPC but want to do it on their own.

But for me, the Echo is where it's at. Rumor puts it at about $249/$299. If it's in that area, then it's a sure buy for me. Outside of better (full) CODEC support, there are other features they are building in that are really attractive. It's silent, small design will be something those who don't want to put an XBOX in the rooms will appreciate.

DaveF · Feb 28, 2012

Originally Posted by mattCR

The Q will have 6 tuners and run Windows7MC Embedded Edition.. customized by them, it will be an ideal option for a lot of people who want an HTPC but want to do it on their own.

But for me, the Echo is where it's at. Rumor puts it at about $249/$299. If it's in that area, then it's a sure buy for me. Outside of better (full) CODEC support, there are other features they are building in that are really attractive. It's silent, small design will be something those who don't want to put an XBOX in the rooms will appreciate.

Interesting that the rumored price has doubled. Previously, I was hearing 'less than the cheapest Xbox' and '$149'. At $299 it's affordable, but not obviously a no brainer over an Xbox to me. Curious to read the eventual reviews..

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