Linksys Media Center Extender DMA2200 - DVD player / digital multimedia receiver
Manufacturer: Linksys Inc. Part number: DMA2200
- More product information:
- Editors' review
- User reviews
- Specifications
- Manufacturer info
- Bottom Line:
- A bargain price and built-in DVD player distinguishes the Linksys DMA2200 from rival Windows Media Center Extenders, but we found the performance to be inconsistent.
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Where to buy
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CNET editors' review
Linksys Media Center Extender DMA2200 - DVD player / digital multimedia receiver price range: $259.00
- Reviewed by: Jeff Bakalar
- Edited by: John P. Falcone
- Reviewed on: 12/08/2008
- Released on: 02/15/2008
The good: Windows Media Center Extender with built-in upscaling DVD player; 802.11n Wi-Fi for streaming HD videos; various connection options.
The bad: Unreliable streaming bit rate; laggy interface; frustrating remote control; incompatibility issues with various movie file formats; only streams from Media Center-compatible PCs.
The bottom line: A bargain price and built-in DVD player distinguishes the Linksys DMA2200 from rival Windows Media Center Extenders, but we found the performance to be inconsistent.
With the introduction of Windows Vista, Microsoft hopes to get consumers one step closer to having a dedicated "family room" PC. Included in nearly all versions of Vista is Windows Media Center, a sort of multimedia portal that can access and play all kinds of digital media stored on a computer. Perhaps what's most attractive about the software is the built-in network streaming capabilities that allow you to stream that media to compatible Media Center Extenders (MCE) as Microsoft likes to call them. That includes photos, audio, and video--as well as live and recorded TV (if you've got a TV tuner card in the source PC.)
The current batch of extenders comes from the usual list of networking and PC luminaries, including D-Link, Hewlett-Packard, and Linksys. But the 800-pound gorilla in the space is Microsoft itself: its Xbox 360 game consoles all double as a Media Center Extender, too.
Linksys offers two versions--the DMA2100 and the DMA2200 reviewed here. With the exception that the DMA2200 includes a built-in DVD player, they're effectively identical. In our testing, we had varied success while using the DMA2200. But we're beginning to think that's more a reflection of the increasingly bloated Media Center experience (as dictated by Microsoft). Unfortunately, the Linksys boxes offer no network streaming capabilities outside of its MCE functions. By comparison, the Xbox, D-Link DSM-750, and HP MediaSmart Connect x280n can all stream media outside of the Media Center "ecosystem," so they offer a degree of flexibility not found on the Linksys.
At 5 inches tall by 9 inches wide by 13 inches long, the Linksys DMA2200 is longer than it is wide--sort of a stretched-out DVD player. The front includes the disc tray, LCD readout, and some basic controls. The rear is bristling with three Wi-Fi antennas, an Ethernet jack, plus all of the AV connections. In that regard, you'll find everything you'd expect on a new DVD or Blu-ray player: composite, S-Video, component and HDMI video connections, along with analog stereo and digital coaxial and optical connections for audio.
The DMA2200's disc player plays CDs and DVDs, and upscales the DVDs to HD-friendly 720p, 1080i, and 1080p resolutions. The advantage here is that you can get rid of the DVD player that's already underneath your TV, saving on space, cable clutter, and TV inputs.
Setting up the DMA2200 was relatively easy. After navigating through the device's setup screens, we were able to connect to our 802.11n wireless network. The 2200 prefers N-networks in order to stream HD content more easily. The setup screen will display an eight-digit number that you'll need for your computer setup, so we moved to our Vista PC where we added an extender in Media Center. Once we launched the program, Media Center instantly detected the 2200 on the network and then automatically began handshaking with the device. After entering our eight-digit code, our extender was officially connected. You may need to reconnect the 2200 with your Vista PC in between sessions, as ours became unrecognizable to Media Center various times.
Even though both devices are connected to an N-network, we immediately noticed a definitive lag in navigating through the Media Center on the 2200. A hard-wired connection seemed to slightly improve the stutter, but nowhere to the point that we'd recommend switching over. Overall, we had a really frustrating time trying to search through our digital media and selecting files to play. If something was playing in the background, with the Media Center menu on overlay, the experience drew close to a crawl.
Chugging interface aside, the 2200 lets you stream picture, audio, and video files along with watching and recording live TV (to be used in conjunction with a PC TV tuner). You can also hook into specific Internet plug-ins that reach out to the Internet for additional content. In terms of local multimedia on our network, most of the MPEG-1, MPEG-2, and WMV videos we streamed performed well. We were most impressed with the picture quality of movie files encoded with the H.264 codec. While the 2200 claims to have compatibility with XviD and DivX encoded movie files, we found that only about 50 percent of the samples tested actually streamed over. We should also note that none of the problem files had issues playing on our Media Center PC.
Unfortunately, some of the high-res media that we were able to stream over to the 2200 did not play flawlessly, with hiccups occurring almost every 10 seconds or so. The low-res movie samples we tried however played with no interference. We got the same results after using the network tuner to improve quality settings, and we fell into the "good for HD streaming" category when we measured our network connection.
Since you can only control the 2200 with the included remote control, we were a bit disappointed when it proved tedious to use. The buttons are confusingly laid out and some of them aren't even labeled.
The picture quality of the DVD player was good, performing on par with most players you'd find in a home-theater-in-a-box. Unfortunately, you cannot play anything other than DVDs and CDs in the player. Any recordable data discs with multimedia files on them will not play.
The main competitor to the Linksys DMA2200 is the Xbox 360, which also has a built-in DVD player. Media Center features are identical, but the 360's interface is smoother (thanks to its extra graphical horsepower). The 360 can also play a huge library of games, as well as access media over the network (via PC streaming) and off a USB drive or CD/DVD. That said, the 360 lacks the Linksys's built-in wireless networking, it's got a ridiculously bulky power supply, and it's often as noisy as a jet engine. (The Linksys is basically silent.)
While the DMA2200 originally listed for $350, it can now be found for less than $130 online (closer to $100 for the DMA2100). And that's pretty much the saving grace here. As it's now available at a bargain price, the Linksys is a worthwhile alternative to both to the cheapest Xbox 360 (for non-gamers, at least) and the HP MediaSmart Connect x280n. But given its limited Media Center-only compatibility, only hard-core and tech-savvy digital media fans with the latest Windows Vista hardware should even consider taking the plunge.
User reviews
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Fantastic - Does exactly what Iwanted it to do
by Khubo on April 22, 2009
Pros: Silent
Handles all the formats I use
Silent
Not an XBox 360Cons: A bit on the slow side
Summary: I am totally into the Windows Media Center experience. I currently have a pc with multiple tuners but who wants to sit around a computer to watch last night's ...
Summary: I am totally into the Windows Media Center experience. I currently have a pc with multiple tuners but who wants to sit around a computer to watch last night's Survivor? I bought multiple XBox 360's to use as extenders and they worked very well but they were extremely loud and I couldn't stream DivX through the media center interface. (you have to use the media streamer in the XBox dashboard). Long story short, over a 2 year period I went through five XBox 360's (3 RRoD, 1 DVD Drive and 1 overheating/wouldn't connect a controller). I got so fed up with trying to keep them running that I bought this unit. My wife actually set it up without my help and it has performed flawlessly. The media center interface isn't quite as slick as it was on the 360 but the Linksys runs silently and does a stellar job with our DVD movies. The other plus is that these things can now be found fairly inexpensively.
In short, for $120 you get an upconverting DVD player that also streams all my recorded TV as well as my music, pictures and downloaded programs, and if I wanted to it would do it all wirelessly
A short P.S. as the digital TV transition looms over us, I will also be able to use this as my converter box since the tuners in my computer are both capable of ATSC and the Linksys will downconvert the signal for me. Yet another plus. -
Not what I expected
by mdbr1 on January 30, 2009
Pros: The design is sleek, and the output options are great.
Cons: Will not hook up to a home server.
Summary: I purchased this to connect to my HP Home Server, which I have now found out that it won't do.
Summary: I purchased this to connect to my HP Home Server, which I have now found out that it won't do.
0 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
Specifications
- Manufacturer: Linksys Inc.
- Part number: DMA2200
- Description: Access movies, your music library, family photos and HDTV programming from your Media Center PC and stream it all to your living room TV or home theater. Linksys Media Center Extenders give you access to the entertainment content on your Microsoft Windows Vista Premium or Ultimate PC to enjoy in the comfort of your living room. Pause or rewind live TV, record sporting events or episodes of your favorite TV shows and save them for later viewing. Quickly navigate through elegant menus and programming guides. Access online movie, music and other Internet services to expand your entertainment options. The Linksys DMA2200 integrates the latest in 1080i upscaling DVD players with Windows Media Center and streams your digital music, movies and photos to any TV in your home without running wires. With elegant and easy-to-navigate menu screens, you can play DVDs, view family slide shows, browse your music collection by cover art, listen to entire playlists or choose from a vast selection of Internet Radio stations from all over the world. The Linksys Media Center Extender and your Windows Vista Media Center PC give you a complete PVR solution - allowing you to watch, pause, rewind and record live TV (PC-embedded or optional TV tuner required). In addition to traditional TV, you also have access to a broad set of popular Internet video services that enable you to download the latest movie releases or stream the latest releases from Showtime, Fox Sports, Nickelodeon, and more. Leveraging the robust bandwidth capacity of dual-band Wireless-N, the DMA2200 has been engineered to quickly stream rich, high-definition content directly from your Media Center PC to your HDTV and surround-sound system. Let the Linksys DMA2200 bring your digital media collection out into the living room for the whole family to enjoy.
General
- Product Type DVD player / digital multimedia receiver
- Width 9.1 in
- Depth 13 in
- Height 4.9 in
- Weight 4.9 lbs
System
- A/V System Recommended Use Home
- Parental Lock Yes
- Parental Control Type Password
- On-screen Menu Language French, English
- Features Progressive scanning (line doubling)
Audio System
- Output Mode Stereo
- Digital Audio Format DTS digital output, Dolby Digital output
Connectors
- Optical Digital Output Yes
- Coaxial Digital Output Yes
TV Tuner
- TV tuner type None
Recording Features
- Macrovision Copy Protection Yes
Network & Internet Multimedia
- Functionality Digital audio playback, Digital photo playback, Digital video playback, Internet radio playback
- Connectivity Wired, Wireless
- Connectivity Protocols IEEE 802.11g, IEEE 802.11b (Wi-Fi)
- Supported Audio Formats AAC, AC3, MP3, PCM, WMA
- Supported Video Formats WMV, MPEG-1, MPEG-2, WMV HD
- Supported Pictures Formats BMP, GIF, JPG, PNG
- Encryption WPA2, 64-bit WEP, 128-bit WEP, WPA-PSK (TKIP)
Remote Control
- Type Remote control
- Technology Infrared
Connections
- Connector Type 1 x Composite video output ( RCA phono ) - Rear, 1 x Component video output ( RCA phono x 3 ) - Rear, 1 x S-Video output ( 4 pin mini-DIN ) - Rear, 1 x Audio line-out ( RCA phono x 2 ) - Rear, 1 x SPDIF output ( RCA phono ) - Rear, 1 x SPDIF output - Rear, 1 x - Rear, 1 x Network ( RJ-45 ) - Rear
Miscellaneous
- Cables Included Component video cable - 5 ft, - 4 ft, Audio cable - 4 ft, Network cable - 6.6 ft, SCART cable - 4 ft
- Compliant Standards IC, FCC
Power
- Type Internal
- Power Consumption Operational 18 Watt
Manufacturer info
- Linksys Inc.
- Manufacturer profile
- Browse Linksys Inc. products on Shopper.com
-
- Website: http://www.linksys.com/
- Address:
17401 Armstrong Ave.
Irvine CA 92614 - Phone: 949-261-1288
- Email: support@linksys.com
- Fax: 949-823-3002








