News

Samsung Introduces Next Evolution in Home Networking (20/1/2004)

Extender Technology Integrates Home Entertainment Devices with PC-Based Media Center Companies to Debut Key Products in 2004

Two leading architects of the Digital Revolution - Samsung Electronics and Microsoft Corp. - have joined forces to create Windows Media Center Extender products, an evolutionary wireless gateway to home networking that extends the reach of PCs running Microsoft's Windows XP Media Center Edition, integrating the PC with TVs throughout the house.

Samsung announced it will launch the initial Windows Media Center Extender products by the holiday season 2004, with future versions offering expanded functionality and accessibility to debut in late 2004 and in 2005.

Devices running Windows Media Center Extender technology will allow consumers to use their Windows XP Media Center Edition PC as an entertainment hub to distribute integrated digital media experiences including live and recorded TV, photos, movies, and music throughout the home. Windows Media Center Extender products will be stand-alone, remote controlled devices that wired or wirelessly distribute this PC based content.

"The PC is a natural resource to store and manage all data, entertainment and digitized life experiences that a family will ever need," said C.K. Kim, Vice President of marketing, Samsung Electronics. "This treasure trove of information can now be shared throughout the home with an easy click or two of the remote, delivering Media Center PC content wirelessly in pristine digital form. The Windows Media Center Extender product will appeal to every member of the household - from the early technology adopter to the digital media enthusiast to the tech-savvy teenager to the on-the-go mom. We aim to launch a Media Center Extender product by holiday season 2004."

Windows Media Center Extender products will be broadly compatible with many AV technologies, including three audio formats - WMA, MP3 and PCM - and three video formats - MPEG-2, WMV8 and WMV9. The networking technology 10/100 wired Ethernet connects Windows Media Center Extender devices directly to the Media Center PC.

"Samsung is an ideal home networking partner for Microsoft: Both companies are committed to delivering innovative, easy-to-use solutions for accessing rich digital experiences throughout the home," said Brad Brooks, director of marketing, Windows eHome division at Microsoft Corp. "Windows Media Center Extender products are a great example of this, allowing consumers to access live and recorded television, photos, movies, and music that reside on their Windows XP Media Center Edition PC, from any room in the home regardless of wherethe PC is located."

www.samsung.com