Microsoft has new leg up in Home Media Serving. Actually Fairly Priced?

[Averry]

http://www.engadget.com/2009/09/22/x...marginally-ch/

I'm sure some of you stumbled on the news that Microsoft is going to release a Wireless N adapter. Which is the bomb dig if you're into Windows Media Center and streaming all of your DVR/Music/High Def Video/DVD's Rips/PIctures....everything.....all over your house to extenders including the Xbox.


Of course, the scorn of accessories forever has been Microsofts A/B/G adapter.

But the N adapter is supposedly replacing it at the $100 pricepoint, with the A/B/G moving to $80. Which is still expensive for the G...but.

I keep seeing hooting and hollering all about how expensive the N one is on Kotaku, and Engadget in the comments and can't help but wonder if they're hootering by default. Just because the G one has been over priced for far too long, the N one must be overpriced because it's the same former price.


I just bought a N router for my family's house, and was looking for N adapters, and dudes...They are expensive...

Honestly, between Amazon and Best Buy it's hard to find one below $70.

By the way, if you can find one cheaper as an arguing point to shove it in my face, thank you because I'll probably buy it.

Anyways, this is neat. I'll probably snag one eventually to take advantage of the new router.

Which also means I'll be selling my old one.

[Pyrelis]

http://www.engadget.com/2009/09/22/x...marginally-ch/

I'm sure some of you stumbled on the news that Microsoft is going to release a Wireless N adapter. Which is the bomb dig if you're into Windows Media Center and streaming all of your DVR/Music/High Def Video/DVD's Rips/PIctures....everything.....all over your house to extenders including the Xbox.


Of course, the scorn of accessories forever has been Microsofts A/B/G adapter.

But the N adapter is supposedly replacing it at the $100 pricepoint, with the A/B/G moving to $80. Which is still expensive for the G...but.

I keep seeing hooting and hollering all about how expensive the N one is on Kotaku, and Engadget in the comments and can't help but wonder if they're hootering by default. Just because the G one has been over priced for far too long, the N one must be overpriced because it's the same former price.


I just bought a N router for my family's house, and was looking for N adapters, and dudes...They are expensive...

Honestly, between Amazon and Best Buy it's hard to find one below $70.

By the way, if you can find one cheaper as an arguing point to shove it in my face, thank you because I'll probably buy it.

Anyways, this is neat. I'll probably snag one eventually to take advantage of the new router.

Which also means I'll be selling my old one.

Never had a problem with G, streaming HD files.

360 isnt a decent media center. Struggles on high bit AVC encodes, where the PS3 doesn't. Microsoft rates the capability of AVC playback around 5 mbits max, then drops in playback quality.

For DivX and WMV it does great, but that is kid's shit. I prefer HQ .264 only.

[Onslaught X]

I don't tend to use wireless adapters and routers so what's the big deal about this new one?

[CorruptedDragon]

I don't tend to use wireless adapters and routers so what's the big deal about this new one?

It supports the wireless N spec which is much faster than G. Its ideal for streaming of movies and large files, but most people are fine with G. You also need to own an N router as well, which while becoming more common, most people still dont own.

[Onslaught X]

It supports the wireless N spec which is much faster than G. Its ideal for streaming of movies and large files, but most people are fine with G. You also need to own an N router as well, which while becoming more common, most people still dont own.

I see. I'm more of a ethernet cable kind of guy.

[BBM128]

I don't tend to use wireless adapters and routers so what's the big deal about this new one?

It's the Onslaught X edition. It's awesome.

[Onslaught X]

It's the Onslaught X edition. It's awesome.

If you're trying to get back in my good graces, it's going to take a lot more than that.

[Blueguy]

$30 cheap enough?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16833166042

[CorruptedDragon]

$30 cheap enough?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16833166042

Thats the router, not the wireless adaptor to pick up the N signal.

The adaptors are like $15 though on Newegg. Average price seems to be under $20 though for a usb N adaptor. So its still overpriced on MS's part. I dont see why they insist on overpricing the adaptor.

[Averry]

Never had a problem with G, streaming HD files.

360 isnt a decent media center. Struggles on high bit AVC encodes, where the PS3 doesn't. Microsoft rates the capability of AVC playback around 5 mbits max, then drops in playback quality.

For DivX and WMV it does great, but that is kid's shit. I prefer HQ .264 only.

It supports the wireless N spec which is much faster than G. Its ideal for streaming of movies and large files, but most people are fine with G. You also need to own an N router as well, which while becoming more common, most people still dont own.

N is up to 12 times faster and 4 times the coverage.

According to the link to that router just posted.......

Which is nice.

[Blueguy]

Thats the router, not the wireless adaptor to pick up the N signal.

The adaptors are like $15 though on Newegg. Average price seems to be under $20 though for a usb N adaptor. So its still overpriced on MS's part. I dont see why they insist on overpricing the adaptor.

oops. Misread it. Ok, cheaper then.

sale price $20, and shipping of $5.

http://www.microbarn.com/details.aspx?rid=102214

[Averry]

oops. Misread it. Ok, cheaper then.

sale price $20, and shipping of $5.

http://www.microbarn.com/details.aspx?rid=102214

It might be worth mentioning that there are still more expensive ones on New Egg, and it does appear that not all are created equal.

The Xbox one has double antennae receivers.

For what it's worth...I don't think it's the same quality as the $20 one.


However, these may be absolutely perfect for my laptop....thank ya.

[twonunpackmule]

Never had a problem with G, streaming HD files.

360 isnt a decent media center. Struggles on high bit AVC encodes, where the PS3 doesn't. Microsoft rates the capability of AVC playback around 5 mbits max, then drops in playback quality.

That would be a network bottleneck.

The PS3 stutters quite often. If you direct connect them via ethernet, then the problems go away...well, at least the network ones.

Both aren't good at the job of "media streaming". They have far too many restrictions. Granted, the PS3 support AVC HD with 5.1., whereas, the 360 will only allow Stereo.

Overall, they both suck. Get a Popcorn Hour, HVX, or HTPC. These all support MKVs. That's where it's at, right now.

Personally, I think it's utterly pointless for MS to release this, unless, they plan on removing some of the restrictions on playback.

[Averry]

That would be a network bottleneck.

The PS3 stutters quite often. If you direct connect them via ethernet, then the problems go away...well, at least the network ones.

Both aren't good at the job of "media streaming". They have far too many restrictions. Granted, the PS3 support AVC HD with 5.1., whereas, the 360 will only allow Stereo.

Overall, they both suck. Get a Popcorn Hour, HVX, or HTPC. These all support MKVs. That's where it's at, right now.

Personally, I think it's utterly pointless for MS to release this, unless of course they plan on removing some of the restrictions on playback.

Not to mention that I would assume the PS3 obviously doesn't have 100% compatibility with Windows Media Center?

Plus, one would assume that the Xbox would get all of the Windows 7 upgrades when it launches?

[twonunpackmule]

Not to mention that I would assume the PS3 obviously doesn't have 100% compatibility with Windows Media Center?

Plus, one would assume that the Xbox would get all of the Windows 7 upgrades when it launches?

There's many alternatives to Media Center.