Samsung MediaLive Extender launches

Remember the Samsung Media Center Extender I saw at CES? (see this video) well it finally due for release and has had a name change from Home Digital Media Adapter to MediaLive. This is the extender for Windows Media Center that is designed for 2008 model Samsung HDTVs using HDMI-CEC connection. It has all the normal Media Center extender functionality but can sit behind the TV as it used the TVs remote control and the control signals are sent over the HDMI cable.

According to the press release on eHomeUpgrade the unit will be available in August (US only) for $200.

Official Press Release:

Samsung's MediaLive: the Ultimate HDTV Accessory, Bringing Digital Content from the PC to the Big-Screen

   Combines Microsoft's Extender for Windows Media Center Technology with Samsung High Design and Cutting-Edge Functionality for a New Era                         of Home EntertainmentRIDGEFIELD PARK, N.J.--(Business Wire)--Samsung Electronics America Inc., the leader in the U.S. digitaltelevision market, lets consumers view PC-content on a Samsung HDTVwith the retail launch of the company's MediaLive adaptor. Samsung'sMediaLive delivers digital content (including HD content) in real-timefrom Windows Media Center on a PC running Windows Vista Home Premiumor Windows Vista Ultimate operating systems to the big screen of aSamsung HDTV via a wireless or wired home network. From photos, music,feature films, home movies, and live and recorded TV programs,Samsung's MediaLive is the ideal plug-and-play complement to most2008-model Samsung HDTVs.

   "The PC is quickly becoming the hub for entertainment in the homeand Samsung's MediaLive gives consumers the freedom to enjoy andmanage movies, photos, and music on the bigger screen of an HDTV,"said John Revie, Vice President of Visual Display Marketing at SamsungElectronics America. "Samsung's MediaLive opens up a constantlyexpanding world of content for consumers, adding yet anotherconnectivity option to the latest Samsung HDTVs."

   Easily connected to an existing wireless or wired Internetconnection, Samsung's MediaLive allows PCs running Windows Vista orWindows Vista Home Premium to stream a personal movie, photo, music,and video collection to any 2008-model Samsung HDTV in the home withan HDMI-CEC connection. With the ability to display content at up toFull HD resolution and support for a range of video, audio, and imagecodecs such as AC3, H.264, JPEG, MPEG2, MPEG4, WMA, and WMV, consumerswill be able to enjoy an impressive variety of video and audio filesusing Samsung's MediaLive. Instead of crowding around a 15-inch PCmonitor to share their latest music or movies, users can transfer thesame PC content in real-time and share it on a 50-inch HDTV with agroup of friends. One PC can stream content to up-to five SamsungMediaLive boxes connected to a TV through a home network - providingtotal access to entertainment from most 2008-model Samsung HDTV's inthe home.

   Beyond streaming personal entertainment, Samsung's MediaLive givesconsumers access to a wide range of entertainment options includingonline services such as Vongo, MovieLink, Showtime TV, XM Radio, andFOX Sports, as well as the ability to browse through top news storiesfrom Reuters and NPR. Additionally, in the U.S., Windows Media Centerfeatures the Internet TV beta program, which offers access to viralvideos, news stories, movie trailers, sports clips, cast interviews,movie concerts and more. For access to live and recorded TV throughthe Samsung MediaLive, a simple TV tuner can be connected to the PC,turning it into a powerful DVR with the ability to watch and recordfavorite television shows and movies. In conjunction with FOX Sports,consumers are able to access SportsLounge to quickly view up-to-datesports scores, statistics and schedules - a perfect tool for anyfantasy sports fan.

   "Microsoft is pleased to be working with an industry leader suchas Samsung, which shares our commitment to expanding TV entertainmentoptions through Windows Media Center," said Ron Pessner, GeneralManager of the Connected TV Division at Microsoft Corp. "We're seeingthe industry recognize the value of delivering these types ofintegrated solutions that allow consumers to extend pictures, musicand more from their Windows Vista Home Premium- or Ultimate-based PCto the TV."

   Employing the simple-to-navigate user interface and integratedelectronic program guide of Windows Media Center, content browsing andplayback is easily controlled using the arrow and enter buttonsavailable on either the included MediaLive Simple Remote, or theSamsung HDTV's remote control.

   Using the included mounting bracket, the compact device can beeasily mounted to the rear of select Samsung flat-panel TVs for aclutter-free home theater setup. Operational commands are sent to theMediaLive via the HDMI-CEC port for a high quality, single-cableconnection to the HDTV. The device connects to a PC via a RJ45connected LAN cable, or wirelessly through a built-in 802.11 a/b/g/nreceiver.

   The Samsung MediaLive will be available in August 2008.

-0-*TSpecifications----------------------------                                             MediaLive---------------------------------------------------------------------- Online Content               -- Windows Media Center online media                               content providers---------------------------------------------------------------------- Audio                       -- WMA, MP3, AC3---------------------------------------------------------------------- Video                       -- WMV, MPEG2, MPEG4, H.264                             -- HDMI-CEC output                             -- Replay                             -- Down & Play of recorded TV program In                              PC                             -- AV Streaming with PC (Server)                             -- AV Streaming with PC (Client) - WMV,                              MPEG2 file Streaming---------------------------------------------------------------------- Photo                       -- JPEG                             -- Zoom in/out, Rotation---------------------------------------------------------------------- Input and Output            -- DC Power                             -- USB 2.0 Slave                             -- USB 2.0 Host                             -- HDMI-CEC                             -- Ethernet (RJ45 LAN cable)----------------------------------------------------------------------Works With                   -- 2008-model Samsung HDTVs 450 series                              and higher, LCD, Plasma and DLP----------------------------------------------------------------------  Dimension (W X H X D, mm)  -- 270 x 48 x 155---------------------------------------------------------------------- Weight                      -- 1.8 kg---------------------------------------------------------------------- Estimated Selling Price     $200----------------------------------------------------------------------  Availability               August 2008---------------------------------------
-------------------------------*Subject to change without notice.