this program Microsoft announced during the Beta:

"When we get closer to the Windows Vista timeframe we will announce a program to make sure that early adopters who purchased a v1 Media Center Extender (from Linksys or HP) are accommodated."

Frank

Don't hate the messenger. I can't comment on this.

JessZahn:

Don't hate the messenger. I can't comment on this.

Ok, thanks anyway. If it happens, great. If not, oh well.

Frank

I'd argue that your best bet is to ebay the v1 extender now while you can
still get roughly $160-170USD for it. In my opinion, that is a surprisingly
good price for it.

--
Jason Tsang - Microsoft MVP

Read my blog for the latest in Media Center topics
(and other topics that interest me)
http://jtsang.blogspot.com

More information by me
http://jtsang.mvps.org
http://www.classicsunveiled.com

Find out about the MS MVP Program -
http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/default.aspx



wrote in message news:176548@10.240.6.244...
> JessZahn:Don't hate the messenger. I can't comment on this.
>
> Ok, thanks anyway. If it happens, great. If not, oh well.
>
> Frank
>

JasonT:

I'd argue that your best bet is to ebay the v1 extender now while you can still get roughly $160-170USD for it. In my opinion, that is a surprisingly good price for it. -- Jason Tsang

The problem with that is, I can't tell from Jessica's reply if MS still intends on "accomodating" V1 users, and if so what the nature of that accomodation is. If it involves some sort of upgrade or trade-in, then I'll need the old Extender.

Frank

JessZahn:

Don't hate the messenger. I can't comment on this.

I appreciate your participation, Jessica.  I also respect that you're not free to comment.

It would be wonderful, however, for someone at Microsoft to provide an answer such as:

1. We regret that upon further examination, no accomodation will be made for owners of v.1 MCX devices.
2. We're still working to offer v.1 MCX owners an upgrade path.  Details remain unavailable at this time.  We're sorry this is taking longer than we'd anticipated.
3. As a token of appreciation to our v.1 MCX customers, Microsoft would like to offer a [discount/rebate] on [360s/v.2 MCX devices].

Folks would still be somewhat in limbo until there are more VMC-compatible extenders, but at least they'd know more.

I would guess that Jessica can't give any more specific answers to you
because she is not in a position to give those answers.

Given that circumstance, you have the choice between
i) ebay'ing (or some other method) of recouping your investment
ii) waiting and hoping that Microsoft will have some kind of accomodation
for you (preferably one that is greater than method i.)

Of course the choice is up to you.

There hasn't been much information about v2 extenders released yet, except
for some publicly available information that I've linked to on my blog.

--
Jason Tsang - Microsoft MVP

Read my blog for the latest in Media Center topics
(and other topics that interest me)
http://jtsang.blogspot.com

More information by me
http://jtsang.mvps.org
http://www.classicsunveiled.com

Find out about the MS MVP Program -
http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/default.aspx



wrote in message news:176734@10.240.6.244...
> JasonT:I'd argue that your best bet is to ebay the v1 extender now while
> you can still get roughly $160-170USD for it. In my opinion, that is a
> surprisingly good price for it. -- Jason Tsang
>
> The problem with that is, I can't tell from Jessica's reply if MS still
> intends on "accomodating" V1 users, and if so what the nature of that
> accomodation is. If it involves some sort of upgrade or trade-in, then
> I'll need the old Extender.
>
> Frank
>

Hi folks.

I have an update for this thread - I can now be more specific. Here's the word: People can continue using their V1 Media Center Extenders with an XP-based PC, but for those who plan to buy Windows Vista compatible extenders in the future, there will not be any rebate program for the V1 devices. 

Weak, but expected from my angle.

How absolutely wonderful of Microsoft to accomidate the people who spent a significant amount of money on the promise of media center usability.

I'm  a home theater and automation builder and I sold many systems with extenders now I have to tell my customers that MS could care less about ability to upgrade Vista.

In the future I will only reccomend and use non-MS add-on home theater solutions to those customers that are still talking to me.

 

I always wondered if we were pointing the finger in the wrong direction.  so the original xbox is all microsofts fault but what about the hp and linksys extender.   Is there anything stopping them from offering an update to them to make them work in vista or even as a stand alone media player?  so they will have some limits but is there really any roadblock?

should we start a no more obsolete hardware buy other brands movement?

JessZahn:

Hi folks.

I have an update for this thread - I can now be more specific. Here's the word: People can continue using their V1 Media Center Extenders with an XP-based PC, but for those who plan to buy Windows Vista compatible extenders in the future, there will not be any rebate program for the V1 devices. 

Jess, I know you can only go so far,
but that's pretty much a grand total of "we're not going to do anything"

It's pretty disappointing that the V1 folks are pretty much abandoned. It wouldn't be that big of a deal if they hadn't made statements like:

"When we get closer to the Windows Vista timeframe we will announce a program to make sure that early adopters who purchased a v1 Media Center Extender (from Linksys or HP) are accommodated."

Unfortunately this is a reoccurring theme with MS and hardware, great ideas, 1/2 to 3/4 implementation, then completely abandoned.

MS Phone
USB Speakers
PMC V1.0

Diane

dianebrat:

Unfortunately this is a reoccurring theme with MS and hardware, great ideas, 1/2 to 3/4 implementation, then completely abandoned.

MS Phone
USB Speakers
PMC V1.0

Diane

I remember MS Phone, with the Creative Modem blaster. Under Win95/98 (and I did get it running under 2000) it was a great answering machine program, very easy to setup and worked really well. Another product that M$ made that was actually really good and they dumpped. (did they ever make a XP version ? if so how do I get it !!!???) I think I still have my CD somewhere....

Sorry, not to break into the subject....

accident:

I always wondered if we were pointing the finger in the wrong direction.  so the original xbox is all microsofts fault but what about the hp and linksys extender.   Is there anything stopping them from offering an update to them to make them work in vista or even as a stand alone media player?  so they will have some limits but is there really any roadblock?

should we start a no more obsolete hardware buy other brands movement?

Brand doesn't matter.  Microsoft provides the software side of things for the Extenders.  All HP/Linksys did was sign the agreements, get the code and hardware, and design their own case.

HP and Linksys can update theirs as soon as Microsoft gives them the update.  Microsoft is the roadblock.

Not to mention that placing the burden of complementary upgrades on the hardware manufacturers would pretty much decimate the pool of hardware manufacturers signing on for v2.  In fact, even without the prospect of having to upgrade, I would be suprised to see HP or Linksys produce v2 devices.  Burn me once, shame on you; burn me twice...

WRK