XBOX-HQ.COM - More Information Released: Xbox Media Center Extender Kit

More information about the kit to connect your Xbox with a PC running Windows Media Center Edition 2005 has been released on xbox.com. Media Center Extender for Xbox is a new Xbox title that streams the Media Center PC entertainment experiences onto your TV or display through your Xbox console. Media Center Extender for Xbox is a packaged software product from Microsoft that runs as an Xbox game. With a wired or wireless connection to the Media Center PC (sold separately), the Xbox console allows you to enjoy the digital entertainment media from the PC. Store all your digital media on your Media Center PC — photos, music, videos, live and recorded TV — and bring it all to life throughout your home through the Xbox console. The Windows Media Center Extender for Xbox also supports DVD movie playback.

Features accessible from your Xbox:
* Watch and record television shows.
* Enjoy a free integrated TV Program Guide with no fees.
* Access your Media Center PC’s digital media library music, videos, and pictures.
* Stay connected with instant messaging and Xbox Live™.
* Watch DVD movies.
* Listen to FM and Internet radio.

The kit will be released in USA somewhere in November with a retail price of $79.99 and will include the following components in the package: A remote control, An infrared receiver, Setup guide, Media Center Extender for Xbox DVD, Media Center Extender for Xbox setup CD (one time install on your Media Center PC), 2 AA batteries, Networking poster.

While 'Media Center Extender' can only stream content from a Windows Media Center PC (and not play content directly from the xbox DVD-ROM or HD or stream from another OS), it's an official (and expensive) alternative to XboxMediaCenter(info) and Gentoox Media Center(info) for those who don't want to modify their Xbox.Source: Xbox.com