WHICH? JANUARY 2006 49
HOME NETWORKS

VIDEO MEDIA

EXTENDERS

The main difference thatmakes our BestBuy stand
outfrom other models is that it’s easierto set up and
use. Butit’s important to rememberthat none of
them is very good atstreaming video wirelessly
from yourcomputer. Our Best Buy does stream
video effectively through an Ethernetcable, though.
Media
extenders
AUDIO
1RokuSoundBridge M1000 180 yy y wwwq
2 Apple Airport Express 90 ywswn/a
3 Terratec Noxon Audio 86 yywsqs
4 NetGear MP101 80 ywsuu
VIDEO
5 Elgato Eye Home 210 yqswq
6 Pinnacle ShowCenter 200 167 yqwus
7 Sitecom Wireless Media Player 120 yqqus
(£) iTunes WMP WMC Custom Quality Versatility Set-up Use (%)
Price Compatibility Performance Ease of use Score
84
83
67
49
73
58
50
SCORE
This ignores price
and is based on:
Set-up 35%
Quality 25%
Use 25%
Versatility 15%
wqsud
Best Worst
KEY
Best Buy
Xbox 360
£287 in total from majorhigh-street stores
Xbox 360 console £210
WiFi adaptor£60
Remote control £17
On the tentative basis of the press sample we
tried, the Xbox 360 tramples all over every other
model on test. But we were unable to get a shop-
bought model in time for our tests, so it’s not in the
table and technically not a Best Buy.
The Xbox 360 is a games console; the media
extender function is essentially an added extra, but
it’s a brilliant one. And it’s the only video extender
media we recommend for use with a Windows PC
(it doesn’t work with Apple computers).
You select photos, video or music with
the remote control. And it’s the first extender
we’ve seen that lets you watch live TV, too – you
can use the Xbox’s remote to change channels on
a Windows Media PC, even if it’s in a different
room. Clever stuff. You can even instruct your PC
through the Xbox which TV programmes to record.
Once you factor in the WiFi adaptor and remote
control, it’s quite pricey – but remember you’re
getting a games console, a DVD player and a CD
player into the bargain. The Xbox price above is for
a basic model but you can buy one with a remote
control included, along with a hard drive, Ethernet
cable and wireless games controller for £289. Look
out for our full review of the Xbox 360 next month.
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COMPUTINGWHICH?
When it’s
combined with the
Elgato EyeTV, you
can use the Eye
Home to record
programmes
5ElgatoEye Home 73%
£210 from www.apple.com/uk
This is the best choice for Apple computers (but it
doesn’t work with Windows computers). The remote
control and interface are straightforward, so it’s easy
to select what you want to watch or listen to. And the
quality of the sound and video is good.
If you also have Elgato’s media computer box (see
p47), you can use the Eye Home to select which
programmes you want it to record. Despite such
advanced features, the Eye Home’s a doddle to set up.
Like all the other models, streaming video
without a cable doesn’t work quite as well, but
pictures and music are fine. The Eye Home works
only with iTunes for sending music, but for the
most part does so brilliantly. The only problem
is that it won’t play songs you’ve bought
from the iTunes website.

5Elgato

VIDEO EXTENDER

Xbox

GAMES CONSOLE AND
VIDEO EXTENDER