I like Microsoft. I think we make cool products that make life better for folks. Despite my prejudice in this area, I do think that Microsoft often misses when it comes to first releases, especially when releasing things that involve hardware. I remember getting a Microsoft keyboard some years that had special features and buttons that did cool things...it was a neat update to the standard keyboard I had been using for years. But, all of the cool special features were not supported under Windows NT...which was the operating system I was running on my primary machine. Thinking from a cool, logical, strictly business perspective, I can see where it really didn't make sense making the thing work on an OS where it would seldom be used. In my mind though, I was trying to use a Microsoft hardware product with a Microsoft software product and it didn't work. The early editions of Windows CE required some hoop jumping to get to work with NT as well.
 
So, my past experiences have led me not to expect too much from new things, especially when they involve some geeky piece of hardware. Even so, I decided to spend a few dollars at the company store and pick up the XBox Media Extender. After leaving it sit for a couple of days, I had some time last night to hook it up. I didn't expect it to work right off, figured I was in for at least an hour of two of twiddling both with the XBox and the Media Center PC.
 
I popped open the box, scanned through the brief manual and proceeded to set things up. I was short places to plug things so the first task was 15 minutes searching for a power strip. Usually I have these laying everywhere, but, of course, when I really need one I can't find one. Finally broke down and stole one from the garage. Plugged it in, powered up the 10/100 hub, connected both the PC and the XBox, then realized I didn't have an ethernet driver loaded for my Media Center PC (it's been using a wireless card for it's network connectivity). Spent another 15 minutes locating the correct driver and getting it loaded. Now it was time to work my way through the actual Media Center Extender setup.
 
First step was to make sure the XBox and the PC where connected, preferably through a wired connection. Check. Next step was to put the XBox DVD in and let the XBox Media Center Extender software boot up. Check. Put the other CD into the PC and follow the setup wizard...couple of Next, Accept, etc clicks, entered a product key, entered the number from the XBox screen. Within about 5 minutes I was watching content via my XBox that was stored on my Media Center PC. I was amazed.
 
IMHO, Microsoft (specifically the guys in eHome) has really hit a home run with this one. It was simple to set up and it works first time. I'm sure that there are those out there that have had problems, but it was smooth sailing for me. If I don't see any problems with this in the next week or so, I'll move the Media Center computer to another room (get rid of the fan noise and such). There are additional features that I would like to see, the top one being the ability to use multiple Media Center boxes, but it works great as is. I can leave the XBox hooked up to the TV and watch recorded TV, listen to the radio, live TV, etc.
 
I'm really looking forward to the next advances for home entertainment from Microsoft. It's a cool time to be a geek.