Samsung MR-00EA1 MediaLive Digital Media Adapter

Per embedded manual, will only output 1080i. Test confirms.

Works well with Nero MediaHome server. Works well well with WMC also.

The MR-00EA1 does exactly what it says it does: It adds Windows Media Center Extender functionality to your Samsung TV, so that you can access media (movies, songs, photos, etc.) stored on your Windows Vista PC without having to use something like an Xbox 360.

Setting up this product takes a matter of minutes and is very easy to do. And once it's installed, using it is very simple and you can even use your existing Samsung TV remote to navigate the Windows Media Center menus.

The only real complaint I have, and this is not the MR-00EA1's fault, is that streaming HD video content over a wireless network does not provide optimal results. I ended up getting a Belkin Powerline AV system to connect my MR-00EA1 to my home network; once I did that, my network speed is amazingly fast and there are no more networking issues.

I was going to give the Samsung MediaLive extender a 5 star review as it works wonderfully with my Samsung LN46A650 HDTV. However, after phoning up Samsung technical support and finding out that there is absolutely no way to get the device to output multi-channel sound (even with an AVR), I ended up giving it a single star instead. IMHO, a Media Center extender is absolutely useless if it can't output surround sound. With all of the HD content available these days, why limit the product like that (especially after putting all of the work into the video format support)??? It's a real shame as I really liked the MediaLive. Unfortunately, it has now been sent back to Amazon for a full refund.

If you don't need multi-channel sound, then the MediaLive is an excellent Media Center extender that you will be very happy with. However, if you want to be able to enjoy the rich surround sound experience that accompanies HD video content, then look elsewhere. Every other extender on the market will output multi-channel sound (Xbox 360, HP MediaSmart Connect, Linksys DMA2200/2100, etc., etc.) and so you'd be wise to pick up a different brand.

Pros
-Works as advertised
-Wireless 802.11g AND draft 802.11n (the N works great)
-Can be mounted behind your Samsung TV
-Small and attractive design
-Generates little heat
-Your existing Samsung TV remote can control the unit through the HDMI
-Firmware upgradeable over the internet

Cons
-Slow and sluggish menu navigation (compared to Xbox360)
-Slow and sluggish channel changing (compared to Xbox360)
-No number keys on the supplied remote
-The remote uses watch style batteries
-"Out of memory" error, forcing me to reboot the box. (this has happened once so far, hopefully this doesn't happen again)
-Nearly endless power-on time, I'd estimate over a minute. You're better off leaving the thing on all the time
-Only 1080i capable, not 1080p

After reading reviews of other Media Extenders, I was a little nervous before I purchased the Samsung MediaLive.. Just purchased two of them, installed it and wow - it works flawlessly! The included remote even turns on and off the TV without any setup. If you're intending on primarily using the Media Live on your tv, you can put your regular remote away!

It even contains an HDMI cable in the box!

Currently I have a Wireless-G network, and I do notice some lag due to the lower bandwidth, so I will be upgrading to Wireless-N shortly, but even with the Wireless-G, the MediaLive adapter works great and is still very usable. Recorded tv streams great, very little (if any) pixelation while watching a streamed tv show (due to the Wireless-G connection). Music & Photos work great, absolutely no problem hearing music.

I couldn't be happier with a product that works so seamlessly and smoothly with my network, computer and tv. Excellent job samsung!

It should be mentioned that I have a 26" & a 42" Series 4 LCD TV. According to the Medialive box & Samsung website the device doesnt work on Series 4 LCD's smaller than 32 inches, I have no problem using it on my 26" Series 4 TV.