KETTERING, OH (WPI) – In a last-ditch effort to free
thousands of media files from the hard drive of Jon & Erica Calkey’s PC,
rescue workers announced a planned emergency deployment of the Linksys WMCE54AG Wireless Media Center Extender sometime within the
next week.
“We don’t know how much time we have left,” said Dennis Brunswick, local
director of the Fully Enjoy Media Agency. “The more the Calkeys watch recorded
movies and TV shows on their computer monitor, the more they listen to their
music on their crappy computer speakers, the closer they get to the day when
their ability to enjoy entertainment will die.
“With the ability to bring music, video, and photos from their PC to their
home entertainment system, the Linksys WMCE54AG may be
their only hope.”
Previous attempts to free the files with other media center extenders proved
unworkable due to the large masses of cables necessary. While it is also
compatible with wired Ethernet connections, the Linksys WMCE54AG can utilize A or G wireless networking, avoiding the
cable problem.
Outside the Calkey home, concerned friends and neighbors maintained a
candlelight vigil for the hostage files, with a local minister leading the group
in praying for a swift and safe release.
“We just want those MP3s and WMVs where they belong,” said neighbor Doris
Kreutz, “playing on a proper A/V system, so Jon and Erica can get on with their
lives.”
The Calkeys themselves declined to speak to the media, but a family friend
said they seemed optimistic and still liked movies and music – “for now. But if
this goes on much longer, well, I don’t even want to think about what might
happen. To lose your interest in recorded entertainment – that’s one of the
hardest things a PC owner can go through.”
Even the Linksys WMCE54AG is not a certain solution,
Brunswick warned. “We have some concern that it’s not compatible with Dolby
Digital 5.1, that it only works with the Microsoft Media Center OS, and that it
may require conversion of some video file formats,” he said. “But in a situation
this desperate, we can’t wait for something perfect. The Linksys WMCE54AG is our best shot. It just might be our only shot.”
Warranty: 90 days
Features:
- Connects your Home Entertainment Center to a Windows Media Center PC through
a Wireless-A, Wireless-G, or wired network
- Watch home or downloaded digital movies and browse your digital pictures on
your television. Also watch, pause, and record live TV shows
- Listen to your digital music collection and Internet radio through your
stereo system
- Select entertainment from on-screen menus with the easy-to-use remote
control
Specifications:
- Standards – 802.11a/g and 802.3u
- Ports/Buttons o Ethernet, USB, Video Out (Composite,
S-Video, Component), Audio Out (Analog R/L, SPDIF
Optical), IR Out o Power, Standby, NDI/MDI-X, Video Select, Enter, Back, Up, Down, Left, Right
- Cable Type – CAT 5 Ethernet, RCA
Audio, RCA Video, S-Video, Toslink Optical,
Component Video, USB
- Dimemsions – 17”(w) x 2”(h) x 12.25”(d)
- Weight – 5.71 lbs
System Requirements:
- Windows Media Center PC with Windows XP Media Center
Edition 2005
- Wireless-A, Wireless-G or a wired Network
- Television Set with RCA Audio and Video Inputs
- CD-ROM Drive
Package Contents:
- Dual-Band Wireless A/G Media Center Extender
- Setup Wizard CD-ROM
- Remote Control
- RCA Audio/Video Cables
- S-Video Cable
- Ethernet Cable
- User Guide
- Quick Install
