From http://www.ehomeupgrade.com/entry/4564/samsung_and_hp

"The Samsung Home DMA features playback of files including Windows Media Video, Windows Media Audio, MPEG-2, MPEG-4, H.264, MP3, AC3 and JPEG. The compact device can be easily mounted to the rear of select Samsung flat-panel HDTVs for a clutter-free home theater setup. Users can view content through the DMA using either the TV remote or an included remote control. The Extender connects to a PC using an Ethernet cable or 802.11a, b, g or n wireless module (sold separately)."

I saw that on Chris's blog first, actually.  Could the lack of built-in wireless lower the price to a more consumer-friendly range?

Built-in wireless is probably not a major cost driver at this point, so I doubt it. Still, a major player coming out with a $150 extenders would do wonders for the market.

The Samsung extender will only work with Samsung TVs so hopefully it will be cheaper than a regular extender (and potentially more integrated)?  This may be a step closer to the extender TVs we were promised (and I'm waiting for before buying more TVs...)

bdo21:

The Samsung extender will only work with Samsung TVs so hopefully it will be cheaper than a regular extender (and potentially more integrated)?  This may be a step closer to the extender TVs we were promised (and I'm waiting for before buying more TVs...)

This is how I read it too, but looking back at the press release it isn't that clear.  I'm trying to find out exactly how it works.

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Chris Lanier
The Green Button Forum Moderator

bdo21:

The Samsung extender will only work with Samsung TVs so hopefully it will be cheaper than a regular extender (and potentially more integrated)?  This may be a step closer to the extender TVs we were promised (and I'm waiting for before buying more TVs...)

I don't believe that's correct.  I think the mention of mounting to the rear of certain Samsung models is "for a clutter-free home theater setup" but it will act like the regular V2 extenders.  The release also mentions you can use the TV remote (probably for the "select Samsung TVs") or the included remote control.

Samsung sets have a port to allow communication to an additional wall mount so you can adjust it from your couch.. I'm guessing this unit may also use that communication port so your TV remote controls the unit as well.

edited to add more info... see above.

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Vista Ultimate with TV Pack
Core 2 Duo E4500 @ 2.2GHz (OC'd to 2.9) / 4 Gigs Ram
c: 80 Gig d: 500 Gig SATA
Tuners: PVR-500 / HDHomeRun x 2 / WinTV 1600
Extenders: DMA-2200 / DMA-2100 x 2

Linksys V1 extender (for sale..anyone interested?)

It is hard to say.  Some quotes from the press release.

• Samsung DMA is..."arriving this year for compatible Samsung HDTVs" - Would appear to hook directly to the HDTV only.  Not standalone

• "The compact device can be easily mounted to the rear of select Samsung flat-panel HDTVs" - It "can" be, or must be because that's the way it works?

• "Users can view content through the DMA using either the TV remote or an included remote control." - So you don't need the TV remote, which would mean you don't need the TV at all?

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Chris Lanier
The Green Button Forum Moderator

Thanks surge.  I don't know anything about it - I'm just wondering why anyone would buy one of these if they only work with certain Samsung TVs and still cost the same as other, universal extenders.  You might as well buy the regular extender in case you change your TV?  I hoped the Samsung extender would not need so much functionality (and hence be cheaper) because it is more closely integrated with and can use some of the functionality from the TV whereas regular extenders must be standalone and connect to any TV.

Seems like Samsung would be severely limiting their market if it only works with Samsung TVs.   And I'm not even sure how that would technically work with older TVs, so that's even a smaller market just for newer Samsung TVs.  More competition in the extender market can only mean lower prices or better features (vob streaming FTW!)

Confirmed that it only interact's when hooked up to a compatible Samsung TV.  Doesn't work as a standalone Extender.

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Chris Lanier
The Green Button Forum Moderator

Chris - Moderator:

Confirmed that it only interact's when hooked up to a compatible Samsung TV.  Doesn't work as a standalone Extender.

Has anybody seen which TV's are compatible? A release date for this?  I'm seriously considering getting a Hi def TV for the bedroom & replacing the Xbox360 with one of the new quiter extenders so the Samsung combo would make sense.

I'm also interested in this and which models will be supported?
I have an existing Samsung HDTV in the lounge and looking to purchase a new smaller Samsung HDTV for the bedroom.

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Stu

aka C-Dub



The Windows Media Center Blog

Tips Tricks & News!

Just to add a confusing bit of heresay from Engadget:

"we've chatted up Samsung on this and they said it's not coming out -- which most likely means there aren't any concrete release plans, but you never know."

These "MS Pika" digital multimedia adapters are referred to on the Samsung website (http://www.samsung.com/global/experience/ices2008/index.jsp - see LCDTV650 specifications) so presumably they can't be vapourware?

According to this video from CES, it'll retail for $199 USD.  That's too bad, when you can get other extenders that work on other tvs for the same price or more.

http://thegreenbutton.com/blogs/ians_digital/archive/2008/01/22/237958.aspx

Has anyone heard anything about when these Samsung TVs are being released (particularly in Europe)?  I'm looking for a 26" or so version for the kitchen and like the concept of hiding the extender behind the TV which other extenders don't allow you to do - hopefully the range won't just be the larger sized TVs...