07.25.2008 — Samsung is bringing PC content to their HDTVs with MediaLive.

MediaLive delivers real-time full 1080p HD content from Windows Media Center (on a Windows Vista PC) via a wireless or wired home network.

It allows users to stream movies, photos and music to any 2008 model of Samsung's HDTVs that have an HDMI-CEC connection. Samsung's recently-released Series 7 plasmas have four HDMI inputs with CEC and are compatible.

"The PC is quickly becoming the hub for entertainment in the home and Samsung's MediaLive gives consumers the freedom to enjoy and manage movies, photos, and music on the bigger screen of an HDTV," says John Revie, VP of visual display marketing for Samsung Electronics America.

One PC can stream content to five Samsung MediaLive boxes. MediaLive supports video and audio codecs including AC3, H.264, JPEG, MPEG2, MPEG4, WMA and WMV.

The media extender also enables access to the following online services: Vongo, MovieLink, Showtime, XM Radio, FOX Sports, Reuters and NPR.

Samsung's MediaLive comes with a mounting bracket to be mounted to the back of a flat-panel TV.

"We're seeing the industry recognize the value of delivering these types of integrated solutions that allow consumers to extend pictures, music and more from their Windows Vista Home Premium- or Ultimate-based PC to the TV," says Ron Pessner, GM of the connected TV division at Microsoft.

The device connects to a PC with a RJ-45 cable or the built-in wireless 802.11 Wi-Fi receiver.

The Samsung MediaLive will be available in August for $200.