Customer Reviews
Won't work with Vista 
2007-03-12
I've been using this unit for about 6 months, just upgraded my computer to Vista, only to find out that the WMCE54AG won't work with Vista. Argh!!!
Not Bad 
2007-02-23
I am always amazed at how some people cannot recognize the limitations of different kinds of technology. If this device has a lot of latency its because of these two problems. You are using a double hop wireless network (linksys states in the docs that this is not supported. Either your WMCE machine or the extender needs to be hard wired), or you have a WMCE machine that barely has enough processing power and memory as it is and you just added streaming video to the equation. I purchased this and while it is not perfect I find that it is a cheap alternative. It does not perform as good as the WMCE machine itself does but it is a lot cheaper then buying or building a new WMCE machine for a separate TV. If you download the new firmware update on Linksys's site it will resolve the protected tv content issue as per the release notes.
- Allows playback of CGMS-A protected TV content (e.g., HBO, Cinemax, etc)
Somebody made a comment that it takes a long time for the music to load if you have a lot of files. This only happens the first time when you tell it where to look for your music WMCE does the same thing when you first set it up. It appears to me that the new image updates are from Microsoft not Linksys so it is Microsoft that has failed in this regard not linksys. I would have to say all and all that this is not a bad device.
Just What I Wanted... 2007-01-20
It arrived in two days. It actually took me longer to hook it up to my bedroom tv than it did to connect it wirelessly to my pc. I turned on the extender and copied the serial code, went to the pc and popped in the disk, while it installed I used the remote to enter my wireless WEP code into the extender. Went back to the pc and entered my serial code. Went back to the tv and there it was! Hit the recorded TV button and up popped all my episodes of 'ER', 'American Idol', and 'The Apprentice'. It was that easy. So far I have only watched 3 hours but, not a flash, jump, pause, or lag yet ,of course my computer room is only at the end of the hall, that's where my linksys wireless g router is.\
For the price it is just what I wanted!
Know what to expect, and be a bit technically inclined... 
2007-01-04
Some of the previous reviewers have valid comments/concerns/complaints, but others appear to have specific issues not shared by all, do not have all the facts, or haven't put enough effort into getting the Linksys Media Extender to do all it can.
I've had the extender for at least 6 months and I bought it used on eBay for $150...not cheap, but I wasn't going to pay retail to stream what multimedia is possible and not knowing whether I may upgrade to an Xbox 360 or what lies in store with Vista down the road.
I'll address some complaints from previous reviews by commenting with my personal experience:
NETWORK CONGESTION: I have the extender in my living room connected to my 52" HDTV, digital optical audio out to my stereo and connected to my wireless G network. One user reported the EXTENDER to be plauged by network congestion. Hello! Network congestion is not the fault of the extender, it is YOUR network. I've personally had very little network congestion issues and my MCE PC is upstairs, extender is downstairs.
IMAGES: Another reviewer stated that the extender locked up every time they attempted to view photos and made it sound as if you could not direct the extender to locate image files in particular folders. My extender has NEVER locked up when viewing images and you CAN specify folders for images, video, music, etc. just like you can directly in Media Center. I do not know what this particular reviewer was talking about, but they don't have their facts straight.
VIDEO: While it's true the extender does not natively support a large number of video types, this is not a fault of the Linksys extender as it is Microsoft's. Even the Xbox 360 has the same limitation, thus the reason transcoding software (such as Transcode360) was developed by users much more intelligent than I. I have a mid-sized movie/video library and using transcoding software that works with the Linksys extender I've been able to stream many of them to my living room TV with satisfactory results, both with image and audio quality. Just as with the necessity to download codec packs to your PC in order to play many video types, you need to spend a little effort to successfully stream more than the base video types supported by the extender. It's well worth your time.
PC CONNECTIVITY: One previous reviewer stated Linksys has not kept up with Windows updates, etc. This is very much the case, and since Linksys is no longer shipping their extender don't expect any updates down the road either. This is unfortunate, but it certainly hasn't prevented my extender from functioning and I just upgraded to a new PC with the most current XP and Media Center updates. You do have to check that the appropriate Firewall ports are open on your PC or the extender will not be able to connect to it. Also, note that installing some applications will reset the properties of these ports and the extender may not be able to connect until you renable them. For example, I installed Windows OneCare Live and it apparently reset the ports used by the extender...it could no longer connect to the PC even though it was on my wireless network. I re-enabled the appropriate ports and connection was re-established. The previous reviewer either had this or a similar issue, or a bad unit.
DVD VIEWING/INTERNET/ETC: True, you cannot put a DVD in your PC and stream it to the extender, but again, this is a limitation of Microsoft's own extender as well (though it has an internal DVD drive). It's a SOFTWARE issue. The extender doesn't allow you to natively browse the Internet - again, SOFTWARE!!! You cannot browse the Internet in Media Center, can you? This is a MEDIA CENTER EXTENDER people. However, you can find Media Center plug-ins on Microsoft's web site that will allow you to do much more than the base system, so look around and try some things out instead of just complaining or having unrealistic expectations. Now, I will say that it's pretty sad that Linksys couldn't even add a USB port to the extender so you'd have the option of hooking up a wired or wireless keyboard. Doesn't take a genius to think of that!
The common theme here is that many reviewers either are not spending enough time/effort or do not have sufficient knowledge to get the most out of the extender OR the issues are actually not the fault of the extender.
Overall, I've been quite happy with the extender's functions WHEN it works. I'll be perfectly honest in that I've had a number of issues with the extender appearing to completely reset itself...it loses all configuration settings and setup has to be done from scratch. I've spend an extra couple of hours reconfiguring the extender again after it had been working fine for weeks or months. VERY frustrating when that happens, but as I said...when it's working it's well worth the price you can find them for on sites like eBay.
Oh, and one last comment - a recent reviewer stated this is now "old" or "outdated" technology that's soon to be replaced by extenders to work with Windows Vista "right around the corner". Granted, Vista is set to roll out to the general public any day now, but it's unlikely to be something everyone will jump ship from XP to move to quickly...same for hardware and software. If you do not have a very beefy PC it's unlikely Vista will even run on your system, or if it does it will suck up huge amounts of RAM and not run as efficient as possible without 64-bit support from a dual-core processor. I bought a new system with an AMD x64 dual-core processor and 2GB RAM, but I won't be planning to move to Vista until it's well established (e.g. SP1). And what will the first extender units to work with Vista be? Xbox 360's. If you're hoping to wait for a new extender to come out from anyone other than Microsoft in the next 6-12 months, then best of luck. Otherwise, stay with XP Media Center for a while and watch these Linksys extenders fall to $99 (or less used), then pick one up - or splurge for the Xbox 360. Either way, I think they're worth the $. Of course, another option if you have the original Xbox is to search on eBay or elsewhere and find the Microsoft wireless extender add-on & turn your Xbox 1 into a media extender...that's a <$99 option, but you'll also want the DVD Remote/IR sensor to make use of the extender functions.
Certainly room for improvement and reliability on the Linksys...thus the 4 stars.
Do NOT buy this product!!!! You will regret it if you do. 2006-12-23
If you have any sense at all, you will not buy this product. Linksys support is the most pathetic organization you will ever come in contact with. They have 2 resolutions to any problem. The first is your device is defective and needs to be repaired or replaced. The second is that the problem is with Microsoft's software or operating system and you should contact them.
If you don't believe me, read the reviews of the Linksys WRT55AG Dual-Band Wireless A+G Access Point + Cable/DSL Router with 4-Port 10/100 Switch.
I purchased this extender in 2005, but apparently Linksys has not kept up with Windows updates and service packs, and it no longer will connect. I have spent hours on the phone with Linksys support to no avail.
They do have some products that work, such as their simpler routers and switches, but if you ever get anything more complex like a remote video camera, dual-band router, or Media Center Extender, you will ultimately regret your purchase, and like me, pulling your hair out in frustration.
Roll Out The Red Carpet!!!! 2008-04-13
This is the most useful, cool, and slick looking electronic I have ever used. This works so great and FINNALY, Linksys came out with something people actually need. GOOD JOB Linksys and keep up the great work.
Love it... but has limitations 2007-12-31
Short review since this product is discontinued. Really like and use this product often. The Media Center PC with this is really been a useful, affordable concept for us. We don't pay for anything extra like digital or some other DVR monthly service and we have way more to watch than we have time for. I really like to play music on it too, although I wish there were some added features like a better screen saver.
If you are considering getting this be very aware that you are extremely dependent on the PC working more than the Extender working. If you have PC problems you will also have Extender problems. Network problems, same thing. The Extender may be working perfectly well and not working at all for you if you don't have a powerful enough PC, have a week wireless router, or have too much running on your PC or want to upgrade (subjective) to Vista, etc.
POS - DO NOT BUY THIS PRODUCT 
2007-06-18
I have one on my closet. I have never been so frustrated with a product. It plays my digital music collection very well, does photos very well, weather, and a lot of add on's, but it won't play 90% of HBO shows. Other than this it is a prety good concept. The Tv guide is faster and better than TIVO, but the fact that it won't play protected content HBO kills it for me. Mine is in the closet gathering dust and I now have a Tivo that plays any show I record. Now thats what it is supposed to do. Linksys support is terrible. I'll never own another product from them. I had 12 months of correspondence with them and they could never fix my HBO problem.
Works with Issues 2007-06-11
I originally bought this to work with my Windows XP media center PC. Setup was relatively easy. I use a wired connection, as I've found wireless does not do too well with Media Center Extenders. Though it has component output, it cannot put out anything beyond 480P. It connects well; however, it can't play any item that is coming through the Digital Tuner of my Media Center PC, nor can it play any of those items. The remote that comes with it is the older RC-6 Microsoft designed remote, it's functional but not very pretty. I believe Sony makes this remote, it looks like the same remote that came with my Sony-XL2 Media Center computer.
It also cannot stream any DIVx or H264 items. We recently upgraded the main computer to a Vista PC with a cable card tuner. This box will not work with Vista. I think if you are serious about a Media Center PC extender, then get the X-Box 360. It's a better solution: it gives the capability of playing Games and DVDs, plus can output HD; and Microsoft is constantly releasing updates for it.
Great Device -- Know Its Limits 2007-05-23
I have two of these in my house, and by and large am very satisfied with them. They do what I want them to, but they do have limitations.
Pros:
-Able to access XP Media Center media from a TV (particularly helpful for me as I have a huge CD collection and huge home video library loaded on my computer)
-wireless
-simple menu
-access to online media
-quiet and sightly device -- will not add noise or ugliness to your home entertainment center
-great sound; decent video
Cons:
-Does not play all video file types (AVI's and MPEG2, in particular)
I found an update for my first extender that allows me to play
AVI's without any extra steps -- unfortunately I can no longer locate
this update, and must use an app called "Transcode 360" to play AVI's
on my second extender. This introduces extra steps and delay in
playing AVI's on the extender
-online media access can be flaky -- not all sites play well; media libraries at many sites are less than impressive; many sites require installation of additional software (on your Media Center PC -- NOT on the extender)
-setup CAN be simple, but there can also be issues that take a bit to troubleshoot
-will not work with Vista (important if you plan to get a new PC anytime soon)
-not high def -- decent video (just fine for 480i TV's), but not high def or wide screen
-periodically lose connection to PC -- sometimes when I turn one on, it won't connect to PC. May need to restart PC or extender. Eventually it works, but is a pain when it happens.
Overall:
I know I wrote more cons than pros, but I am getting what I want from this device, so am mostly happy. I would love to see it be more seemless for me, and perform a notch or two better in terms of video clarity and reliability.
This is a decent device that will allow you to access PC-based home media on your TV. If you are considering this for online content, your mileage may vary. DO NOT CONSIDER IF YOU HAVE OR WILL SOON GET MS VISTA. Know what it is you want it to do and be sure that is possible before purchasing. And finally, shop around -- this is a discontinued device and prices can vary widely at different retailers.
