Vista Media Extenders - which one?

[autopilot]

Looking to buy a Media Extender for my Vista 64 machine, for under £100, anyone got any recommendations?

I have my eye on the Linksys DMA2100 - anyone know if it's any good or can recommended something better?

Two features i really want are the WOL (wake on lan) and DVD ISO support.

[Agent]

I know it's a bit off the wall - but have you considered the 360. I use it as an extended and it's blinking good.

It does have certain limitations though that other extenders may not.

[Funkstar]

Originally Posted by Agent

I know it's a bit off the wall - but have you considered the 36. I use it as an extended and it's blinking good.

Is that the little brother of the 360?

[Agent]

Its the more reliable version

[dave87]

No 3RR on the 36 I hear?

I will second the recommendation of the 360, good piece of kit if a little loud. What about Popcorn Hour? I haven't looked at it in detail, but it may do what you require?

[Agent]

Extenders dont need the disk in the drive, which causes a huge amount of noise. The 360s in the last year are reasonably quiet.

[Funkstar]

360s are more than Autopilots budget, Popcorn hour is even more I think.

I'm not even sure if 360s do VOBs yet an ISO.

[autopilot]

Yeah, 360 too big, noisy and expensive.

I'm really surprised how lame the Media Extender market is still.

[s_kinton]

I've been looking at the options recently and for the money the Netgear EVA-8000 seems like the best choice. Recent sales on eBay range from £72 to £120.

This link below is a little out dated as recent firmware updates have added support for .mkv, iso, ifo and other files
http://www.netgear.com/Products/Ente...s/EVA8000.aspx

The Popcorn Hour A-100 looks to be the top product but the price to prohibitive, the 360 doesn't have enough functionality, the PS3 is good when used with PS3 Media Server but again the price is prohibitive if you only want an extender and it doesnt integrate with VMC.

[Funkstar]

I've read that media streaming is much better when using a 360 with Windows 7, you don't need a third party app to transcode video like Twonky.

[autopilot]

Originally Posted by s_kinton

I've been looking at the options recently and for the money the Netgear EVA-8000 seems like the best choice. Recent sales on eBay range from £72 to £120.

This link below is a little out dated as recent firmware updates have added support for .mkv, iso, ifo and other files
http://www.netgear.com/Products/Ente...s/EVA8000.aspx

The Popcorn Hour A-100 looks to be the top product but the price to prohibitive, the 360 doesn't have enough functionality, the PS3 is good when used with PS3 Media Server but again the price is prohibitive if you only want an extender and it doesnt integrate with VMC.

Interesting, does the netgear support WOL?

I have even been looking at the [shock horror] Apple TV and what hacks are available.

[s_kinton]

Originally Posted by autopilot

Interesting, does the netgear support WOL?

I have even been looking at the [shock horror] Apple TV and what hacks are available.

Yes, the EVA8000 can be setup to wake up your desktop PC to stream content. Its by far the best choice for the price imo.

[vrykyl]

what about the western digital mytv? doesnt have ethernet as standard - but a custom firmware + usb to ethernet adapter gives it network access....

Iv got one and wouldnt trade it for the world, its awesome - tiny, silent and remarkably powerful!

[autopilot]

Originally Posted by vrykyl

what about the western digital mytv? doesnt have ethernet as standard - but a custom firmware + usb to ethernet adapter gives it network access....

Iv got one and wouldnt trade it for the world, its awesome - tiny, silent and remarkably powerful!

Can it do WOL?