the Samsung MediaLive Windows Media Center extender

Samsung recently announced the August availability of its new MediaLive Windows Media Center extender.  With this set-top box you can stream your music, videos, and pictures from a Windows Media Center PC to any 2008 model Samsung HDTV (or presumably any display with an HDMI port).  You can connect up to five of these to your Media Center through your wired or wireless (802.11a/b/g/n) network.

Other features separate from streaming media from a Media Center PC include access to Vongo, MovieLink, Showtime TV, XM Radio, and FOX Sports, and news from Reuters and NPR.  Support for TV tuners connected to Windows Media Center is also present.

To find your way around the menus, you can use the included MediaLive Simple Remote, or an existing Samsung TV remote.  Interestingly, with certain flat panel Samsung TVs, you can actually mount this box vertically on the back of the panel (bracket included).  This could provide you with a nice clutter-free set up for some wall mounted Samsung’s out there (specific models weren’t mentioned).  Priced at $200, this could be a good alternative for those looking to get in on the Windows Media Center action without an Xbox 360.  Anyone planning on grabbing one of these?