The new SageTV HD Theater media center extender device allows you to enjoy your videos, music, and photos in full HD on your HDTV sets wherever they are in your home. As with previous SageTV extenders, the HD Theater will allow you to watch live or recorded HD broadcasts from the PCs or Macs running SageTV Media Center software. Digital content can be played off of PCs, Macs, network storage devices, or even USB storage devices. 

In addition to local content, the HD Theater extender will be able to stream online video directly from sources such as YouTube, Google Video, and major TV networks without the need of a PC.

Here’s a list of the SageTV HD Theater Specifications:

Video format supported: MPEG1, MPEG2, MPEG4, H.264 up to 1080p, AVI, MKV, MOV, ASF, VOB, WMV9/VC-1 up to 1080p

Audio format suppported: MP2, MP3, AAC, WMA, Vorbis (stereo only), AC3 (stereo down-mix/pass-through), FLAC, DTS (pass-through)

Video Outputs: 1 HDMI, 1 Component, 1 Composite, 1 S-Video

Audio Outputs: Left/Right audio output and optical S/PDIF

Maximum Number of SageTV HD Theaters: Limited only by your home network bandwidth, each HD video stream may use 20 Mbps or more of home network bandwidth.

TV Set Requirements:

• HDMI, Component, Composite or S-Video input (NTSC)
• Left and right audio input jacks, optical or HDMI audio input

Network Requirements:

• One 10/100 RJ-45 port on a Router, Hub or Switch network with DHCP server on network

  or

• Direct connect from SageTV HD Media Extender to PC running DHCP server via cross over LAN cable (not supplied)

You can purchase the SageTV HD Media Extender for $199.95 each.

[Check it out via eHomeUpgrade]

Technorati Tags: SageTV HD Theater Media Center Extender

The folks at ExtremeTech have published a review of the SageTV HD Media Extender device here on their website. The SageTV HD Media Extender plays back content from a SageTV enabled PC directly on a television set. The device connects to your home network via a Fast Ethernet connection and has connectors for component, composite, analog/digital audio out, and HDMI out. Supported video formats include MPEG1, MPEG2, MPEG4, H.264 up to 1080p, AVI, VOB, WMV9/VC-1 up to 1080p. The device in many ways is similar to what you’d expect from an extender device – especially if you’re familiar with Windows Media Center Extender devices. So what did ExtremeTech think of it?

The SageTV HD Media Center offers a simple connection to HDTVs, and works well under some conditions. But the playback glitches we encountered, plus lack of WMA Lossless or Apple Lossless support is problematic.

Here’s hoping SageTV will resolve some of the issues the publication encountered. The SageTV HD Media Extender has an MSRP of $199.95.

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Technorati Tags: SageTV HD Media Extender, ExtremeTech, Review

PC Magazine has published a review of the new SageTV HD Media Extender device here on their website. The SageTV HD Media Extender is basically a device that bridges content stored on your PC or Mac and your television set (HDTV). It’s basically the equivalent to a Windows Media Center Extender device – except for SageTV instead of MCE. The HD Media Extender connects to your computer via a network connection and then displays your content (television shows, videos, movies, digital images, music etc) on your television set/home theater setup. 

The box itself supports the following:

• Video: MPEG1, MPEG2, MPEG4, H.264 up to 1080p, AVI, VOB, WMV9/VC-1 up to 1080p
• Audio: MP2, MP3, AAC, WMA, Vorbis (stereo only), AC3 (stereo down-mix/pass-through), FLAC, DTS (pass-through)
• Video Outputs: 1 HDMI, 1 Component, 1 Composite, 1 S-Video
• Audio Outputs: Left/Right audio output and optical S/PDIF

You’ll need to get a license of SageTV on your PC or Mac to get the HD Media Extender to work of course. Here’s the verdict from PC Magazine:

Though it’s not exactly a cinch to use, the SageTV HD Media Extender offers an inexpensive way to stream high-definition video, music, and photos from your PC throughout your home.

The SageTV HD Media Extender is available for $199.95. You can get it in a combo package which includes a license for SageTV for $249.95.

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: SageTV HD Media Extender, PC Magazine, Review