Apple p44-49 Manuel D’Utilisation

W H I C H ?  

J A N U A RY

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49

The main difference that makes our Best Buy stand
out from other models is that it’s easier to set up and
use. But it’s important to remember that none of
them is very good at streaming video wirelessly
from your computer. Our Best Buy does stream
video effectively through an Ethernet cable, though.

Media
extenders

AUDIO

1 Roku

SoundBridge M1000

180

y

y

y

w

w

w

q

2 Apple

Airport Express

90

y

w

s

w

n/a

3 Terratec 

Noxon Audio

86

y

y

w

s

q

s

4 NetGear 

MP101

80

y

w

s

u

u

VIDEO

5 Elgato 

Eye Home

210

y

q

s

w

q

6 Pinnacle 

ShowCenter 200

167

y

q

w

u

s

7 Sitecom 

Wireless Media Player

120

y

q

q

u

s

(£)

iTunes

WMP

WMC

Custom Quality Versatility Set-up

Use

(%)

Price

Compatibility

Performance

Ease of use Score

84

83

67

49

73

58

50

This ignores price 
and is based on:
Set-up

35%

Quality

25%

Use

25%

Versatility

15%

w

q

s

u

d

Best

Worst

Best Buy 

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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When it’s
combined with the
Elgato EyeTV, you
can use the Eye
Home to record
programmes

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.

5

Elgato

Xbox