News

SMC Networks Introduces Powerful New Wireless Multimedia Extender (15/4/2005)

SMC(R) Networks (http://www.smc.com), leading provider of networking solutions for the SMB/e and all the way home, today announced the newest in its EZ-Stream(TM) line of Home Entertainment Networking products, the new EZ-Stream 2.4GHz Wireless Multimedia Extender. Available this quarter, this new SMC wireless multimedia extender was designed for the ultimate in performance and compatibility -- supporting 802.11b and 802.11g wireless networking standards, and built to the Intel(R) Networked Media Product Requirements (NMPR) standard for interoperability. Available this quarter, the new EZ-Stream 2.4GHz Wireless Multimedia Extender (SMCWME-G), which distributes entertainment media throughout the home with or without wires, is being demonstrated in booth #322 at RetailVision this week at the Hyatt Grand Cypress in Orlando. The EZ-Stream 2.4GHz Wireless Multimedia Extender is a high-end networked entertainment receiver that streams, plays and shares audio (including MP3 and Internet radio), pictures, video -- even premium music and movie content downloaded to the PC from major online content vendors -- all from the comfort of the living room couch. Connected to the wired or wireless network for access to Internet resources on a networked PC, the SMC EZ-Stream Multimedia Extender provides access to music, photos and videos stored on a computer's hard drive via its link to entertainment devices, including televisions and stereo receivers, via high-quality composite video, S-video and digital-audio input connectors. Optimized for or demanding wireless applications like streaming video, SMC's EZ-Stream Wireless Multimedia Extender is at the center of the best performing home entertainment networking solution available, incorporating the latest in high-end wireless 802.11g technology for connectivity with 802.11b and g standards-based networks for compatibility, speed and bandwidth.

"Intel is committed to home entertainment networking with true interoperability. SMC's home entertainment networking solution, with the EZ-Stream 2.4GHz Wireless Multimedia Extender, demonstrates the same commitment," said Bill Leszinkse, director of Intel's Digital Home Group. "Wireless compatibility -- b and g -- and the company's commitment to Intel's NMPR standard for interoperability prove SMC's commitment. SMC's support for multiple wireless standards lets users optimize bandwidth on the network, while a PC based on a Pentium 4 Processor with Hyper-Threading makes it possible for consumers to enjoy even the most demanding multimedia anytime and anywhere they want."

Easy set-up and operation being as important as performance, the EZ-Stream 2.4GHz Wireless Multimedia Extender includes an EZ Installation Wizard that makes loading its Media Server software on the PC a breeze. User-friendly Web-based management provides additional easy set-up tools, and an intuitive TV user interface means users can do it all from the living room couch. Staying current is effortless, thanks to the Smart Box Management feature, which searches automatically for available firmware updates on power-up.

"SMCWME-G is a high-performance entertainment networking solution for homes, and EZ-Stream combines the best in networking with the best in consumer electronics," said Moon Kang, SMC's product manager for consumer home entertainment products. "Using a PC and SMC's Wireless Digital Multimedia Extender at the home entertainment center, be prepared for a change in the way consumers store, distribute, use -- and even purchase -- home entertainment content."

The SMC EZ-Stream 2.4GHz Wireless Multimedia Extender will be available in retail stores this quarter, priced to drive the networked home entertainment wave.

www.smc.com