D-Link (finally) releases the DSM-750 media extender

It’s been a very long time coming--D-Link first unveiled the MediaLounge DSM-750 at CES in January 2007--but the company announced today that it is finally shipping the media extender.

The $329.99 DSM-750 is a Windows Media Center Extender that enables you to stream high-def video, music, and digital photos from PC to TV. Better yet, if you’re using the media streamer in conjunction with a Windows Media Center PC, you can also watch recorded television content that’s stored on your PC. D-Link says the next firmware addition will add support for the Rhapsody music-subscription service.

The DSM-750 links the TV and PC using 802.11n wireless or Ethernet. Its dual-band 802.11n Wi-Fi technology should ensure hiccup-free streaming of HD video at resolutions of up to 1080p. It also has a USB 2.0 port to play media stored on thumb drives or USB hard drives. The DSM-750, unlike Apple TV, supports an impressive range of audio, video, and digital image formats; it also includes support for digital surround sound.

The media streamer connects to your TV via HDMI, S-video, or component jacks. D-Link says it offers silent operation because it has no moving parts (that means no hard drive for local storage), which is essential for a video player.

To use Windows Media Center functionality, the DSM-750 requires Vista Home Premium or Windows Vista Ultimate. It also works with standard Windows Vista and Windows XP computers through Microsoft's Windows Media Player 11 or Windows Media Connect and other Universal Plug and Play (UpnP) media servers.