SageTV Introduces New HD Extender

SageTV, the providor of quite possibly the best HTPC software and total home media solution has done it again.  A year after the release of their first HD extender, the HD100, Sage is now releasing the HD200.  The unit is smaller and supposedly faster than the HD100.  There are no real reviews out for it but Missing Remote has an unboxing that shows the physical difference between the two units.

SageTV is the only HTPC product supplier that carries an end to end solution for HTPC integration.  They are also the only HTPC software providor that also supplies SD and HD media extender hardware.  The only thing close is Microsoft with their XBox 360 and Vista Media Center.

Personally, I plan on adding one of these to my SageTV setup in the house as I am tired of the full PC in the main HT and would like to get back to a much smaller and simpler setup and this unit fits the bill.

The biggest bonus item that I did notice on the specifications and features list is the ability to operate completely independant of any main HTPC/server.  This is totally new territory for Sage as not even their SDTV extender would do this.  This new unit allows for it and only it to be bought and connected to an external storage device so that you can play back downloaded or ripped content.  Before this, the only easy and portable device out there were the Popcorn Hour devices.  This, however, totally changes the story.  The only downer is that with the HD200, you have to use an external drive so you are carrying around two devices.  With the PH A-110, your storage drive is mounted internally so if you take it on a trip, it is the only box you are dragging around.

Where the portability of a Sage extender really shines is that you are able to bring the same familiar interface with you if you are already a SageTV user.  When we go to the cottage, we will now have a very easy way to transport media content and use it in a totally familiar way.

Go Sage!!!