Consider the cost of some of today's digital devices, such as high-definition satellite set-top boxes and HD-DVD players, and clearly you might not be buying more than one. You can share the devices via the tried and true "unplug, plug, and play" method. But a potentially better method being pitched by some companies is to use a media extender device that will allow for easy transfer of content to multiple devices.

One such device is the new Avocent Emerge MPX1000 HD Multipoint Extender, which lets you move HD content from one source to multiple destinations. Available as several components, the basic system requires the extender MPX100T transmitter ($1,095 list) and MPX100R receiver ($995), while an additional MPX1000MT-HDMI transmitter module and receiver are also available for $195 each.

Of course, this solution is almost as expensive--or even more expensive--than the devices you're trying to share; and if you can afford multiple plasma TVs you can probably afford another set-top box too. And as this system supports graphics only up to 1280 by 768 or HD video up to 720p, it does have some serious limitations. Maybe unplugging and moving your devices from room to room is really the way the go, at least for now.

Post by Peter Suciu