Echo FAQ
- What is included in the box with Echo?
- What do I need to use the Echo?
- When will the Echo support Windows 8?
- Can I use Echo on a WiFi network?
- Can I use a wireless keyboard adapter with Echo?
- I want to use Echo with an older TV that doesn’t have HDMI input or digital audio input. Is that possible?
- Does the Echo work with universal remotes, including Logitech Harmony?
- Does Echo support web browsing and Internet streaming services like Netflix?
- Does the Echo support Media Center Plugins like My Movies and Media Browser?
- Does the Echo support MKV files/containers?
- What codecs and file formats does Echo support?
- What are the Recommended Systems Requirements for the Media Center PC when using Windows Media Center Extenders like the Echo?
- What are the minimum system requirements for using more than 1 InfiniTV device and/or more than 1 extender?
What is included in the box with Echo?
The Echo includes everything you need to get started:- Ceton Echo
- Remote control (batteries included)
- USB power cable (2 m/6.5 ft.) and adapter (U.S. only)
- HDMI cable (1.5 m/5 ft.)
- Ethernet cable (1.5 m/5 ft.)
- Quick Start Guide
What do I need to use the Echo?
You will need:- Display with HDMI input
- Wired Ethernet network
- PC with Microsoft® Windows 7 with Media Center. A PC with a TV tuner is required for TV and DVR features.
When will the Echo support Windows 8?
The Echo is compatible with Windows Media Center on Windows 7 today. Unfortunately, Microsoft made changes in Windows 8 that result in all non-Microsoft extenders being incompatible with Windows 8 PCs. We have investigated alternative ways of being able to use Echo with Windows 8 systems but none have worked out. At this point we have no plans to support the Echo when used with Windows 8 PCs unless Microsoft makes changes in Windows, which we do not expect.Can I use Echo on a WiFi network?
Echo is only supported on a wired Ethernet network. WiFi simply isn’t fast enough to consistently deliver reliable HDTV signals today. If you don’t have a wired Ethernet network, we recommend using MoCa adapters to use your in-home coax cabling as an Ethernet network. In some cases you can also use PowerLine adapters to use your in-home electrical wiring as an Ethernet network; however PowerLine networking delivers lower bandwidth and is less reliable than MoCa so we recommend MoCa.Can I use a wireless keyboard adapter with Echo?
Yes, Echo works fine with wireless RF keyboards.I want to use Echo with an older TV that doesn’t have HDMI input or digital audio input. Is that possible?
Yes, you can use Echo with TVs that don’t have HDMI input by using an HDMI to Component & R/L Stereo Audio Converter. Please note that in some cases you will not get full high-definition output to your TV in this configuration.Does the Echo work with universal remotes, including Logitech Harmony?
Yes, the Echo comes with its own remote and supports universal remotes including Logitech Harmony remotes.Does Echo support web browsing and Internet streaming services like Netflix?
Web browsing and accessing Internet streaming services are not features of the Windows Media Center Extender platform on which the Ceton Echo is built. As a result the Echo does not support those functions.Does the Echo support Media Center Plugins like My Movies and Media Browser?
In the same way Microsoft can’t support third-party plugins like My Movies, Media Browser and such, we can’t support them in Echo either. That doesn’t mean they won’t work with the Echo, just like it doesn’t mean they won’t work with Windows Media Center.Does the Echo support MKV files/containers?
As a Windows Media Center Extender, the Echo is limited to containers that Windows Media Center can handle. In fact, a Windows Media Center Extender doesn't deal with containers at all, which is why they have not been included in our specification list. Out of the box, Windows Media Center does not support the MKV container; however, there are several third-party solutions available that add support to WMC for the MKV container. We’ve provided a list of codecs that the Echo will support at launch in the Tech Specs section of the Echo product page. If your Windows Media Center PC has been configured to handle the MKV container, and the codecs within the container are also supported by the Echo, it should be possible to play that content back on the Echo.What codecs and file formats does Echo support?
The Ceton Echo supports the list of codecs that are listed in the Tech Specs section of the Echo product page.What are the Recommended Systems Requirements for the Media Center PC when using Windows Media Center Extenders like the Echo?
Recommended Systems Requirements for your Media Center PC will vary depending on how many Extenders you are connecting. This applies to all brands of extenders, whether Ceton Echo, Xbox 360 or earlier-generation extenders:| 1 Extender | 2 Extenders | 4 Extenders | 5 Extenders | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Operating System | Windows 7 SP1 with Media Center (64-bit) | Windows 7 SP1 with Media Center (64-bit) | Windows 7 SP1 with Media Center (64-bit) | Windows 7 SP1 with Media Center (64-bit) |
| CPU | Dual-core @ 2.7 GHz | Dual-core @ 2.7 GHz | Dual-core @ 3.0 GHz | Quad-core @ 3.0 GHz |
| RAM | 3 GB | 6 GB | 8 GB | 12 GB |
| LAN | 100 Mbps Ethernet | 100 Mbps Ethernet | 1000 Mbps Ethernet (GigE) | 1000 Mbps Ethernet (GigE) |
| Storage (for 50 hours HDTV) | 350 GB | 350 GB | 350 GB | 350 GB |
What are the minimum system requirements for using more than 1 InfiniTV device and/or more than 1 extender?
The minimum system requirements change depending on the number of tuners and/or extenders you have connected to your Media Center PC. A properly-configured PC can support a maximum of 12 tuners (e.g. three InfiniTV 4 devices or two InfiniTV 6 devices) and 5 extenders. The table below shows minimum system requirements for Basic, Moderate and Maximum configurations.| Basic | Moderate | Maximum | |
| # Tuners | 4 | 6 - 8 | 10 - 12 |
| # Extenders | 1 - 2 | 0 - 3 | 0 - 5 |
| RAM | 4 - 6 GB | 6 - 8 GB | 10 - 12 GB |
| CPU | Dual Core @ 2.5 Ghz | Dual Core @ 3.0 GHz+ | Quad Core 2.5 GHz+ |
| Intel Core2 or AMD Athlon 2 |
Intel i3 / (Quad) Core2 or AMD Phenom |
Intel i5 or AMD FX |
|
| Low power processors are not
supported: e.g. Intel Atom and AMD Fusion |
|||
| Graphics | Nvidia: Geforce 200 series | ATI: HD 4000 Series | Intel: HD4000 | ||
| Hardware video decoding and HDCP support required | |||
| Hard drive speed | 7200 RPM | 7200 RPM | 7200 RPM |
| 350+ GB recommended for 50 hours of HDTV recording | |||
| OS | Windows 7 SP1 or Windows 8 with Media Center (64 bit) | ||