Extender for Windows Media Center. Crap name, great product

Not a million years ago, Microsoft were telling us that everyone living room would have a computer in it, merrily delivering your photos, music and the like to your home TV/monitor. In response, people like Logitech brought out a whole slew of gorgeous peripherals designed to look pretty in your living room - MX Air mouse, we're looking at you.

Now, Microsoft think they might have been wrong. Actually, they say, it's more likely you're going to keep your media on your computer somewhere other than your living room, and want to have it streamed to your home television. What could have given them that idea - Apple TV, we're now looking at you.

So, better late than never, they've partnered with Linksys to create a streamer which will replicate the Windows Media Center experience on your home TV. And it is hawt.

It takes the form of a discreet black box, which sits by your television and streams all the WMC stuff from your computer to your TV. Obviously this relies on you having a copy of Vista with the Media Center included, which, trust me, is worth the investment.

It also allows you to use it as a PVR, as it will record all your TV onto your computer's hard drive. There's an Electronic Programme Guide so you can see the upcoming programmes, and the menu lies opaquely over the programme you're already watching to cause minimum disturbance. As if that wasn't enough, there's the option to show only those programmes available in HD (more use if you're in the HD-friendly US, than the UK at the moment) and HD inputs which will support 1080p. Since it's got no hard drive, it's also as quiet as a mouse as there's no fan needed.

The simple version features just the streamer, which will set you back £199. Alternatively, you can get one with an in-built DVD player for £229. The DVD player will also upscale your DVDs to 720p, so you'll get a feast for the eyes. They'll both be available from the 3rd December.