Easy HTPC

Medion has never really been our go-to manufacturer for new hotness, but we’re really digging this new X9613 all-in-one model it’s showing off. Even better than the sexy, the computer is fronting a 24-inch multitouch display, a miniature SideShow screen, a gloriously large physical volume knob, and a bunch of convenient media controls along the bottom. Internals aren’t bad either, with a Core 2 Quad Q9000 processor and GeForce GT240M graphics. The price range, unfortunately, is rather steep at 1,499 to 1,900 Euro (about $2,142 to $2,714 US). Lucky for us, US prices are usually quite a bit lower than straight-up conversion, though there’s no promised roll-out just yet to bank on.

Via Engadget.com

Lenovo has introduced a new HTPC, the IdeaCentre Q700. The system is comfortably nestled between the size and specifications of a nettop and full-blown HTPC. It should fit in perfectly with your other home theater equipment, and its hardware ought to chew through basic HTPC-oriented tasks.

The IdeaCentre Q700 is equipped with an Intel Pentium E5200 2.5GHz CPU and X4500 integrated graphics, 4GB of RAM, and the choice between a 320GB, 500GB or 640GB HDD. Although it’s not available with a Blu-ray drive at the moment, it does come with a DVD burner.

It also houses an HDMI and VGA-out, TV tuner, eight USB 2.0 ports (split between front and back), Firewire, an eSATA connector, a 4-in-1 card reader, 5.1 surround sound outputs, gigabit Ethernet and Wi-Fi connectivity. Models are available with a remote and USB receiver dongle, and all ship with Vista Home Premium 64-bit installed.

Granted, you won’t be playing high-end games on max with smooth frame rates but the Q700 crams a lot into its 2.36″ x 7.87″ x 9.84″ box. The offer only looks better when you consider its $499 asking price.

Via Techspot.com

Pundits may argue that the modern day HTPC has no place in the modern day living room, but we disagree. In fact, with the economy still struggling to regain its swagger, folks are staying in and finding entertainment at home more than ever. It’s that truth that spurred us to start this here project: building a fully capable, Blu-ray and TV tuner-equipped HTPC for less than a grand. And lo and behold, we made it happen. If you’re interested in seeing exactly how we pieced together a mighty fine entertainment box for less than the starting price of most pre-configured systems, hop on past the break with your notepad open.

If you’ll recall, we did a similar piece on HTPC building way back in early 2006. A format war and a digital TV transition later, we figured it was finally time to issue a revised edition. With disposable income becoming an increasingly rare commodity, we put a soft $1,000 cap on our model rig, and we did our darnedest to construct a solid, potent media PC that could easily be built by any DIY’er reading this now.

Read More.

Via Engadget.com

Back in May, Netflix officially was added to Windows Media Center–the Vista version, that is. The new app, which uses Microsoft’s Silverlight streaming video technology, should automatically show up in your Vista Media Center menu. But if you’re using any version of Windows 7? No dice. Sure, there are several work-arounds developed by the enthusiast community (there have been for years, in fact), such asMyNetflix and vmcNetflix. But even as Microsoft announced this, and a version for the Xbox, there was nothing for Windows 7. Until today.

Yesterday, during Steve Ballmer’s keynote at a Microsoft Financial Analyst Meeting in Seattle, Mike Ybarra (general manager of Windows Product Management at Microsoft) publicly demonstrated Netflix smoothly integrated in the Windows Media Center menu. The app will be completely touch-enabled, which I believe means it takes advantage of Windows Presentation Foundation, the new way programs are written for Windows to take advantage of the power of the GPU. No word on when it will be made available, or if it will roll out to beta, release candidate, or miscellaneous (read: Bittorrent) versions of the OS. I could only grab this blurry image, but if you’re curious, watch the demo yourself–I’d advise skipping past the bluster to the 1 hour, 2 minute mark.

What’s also interesting were Ybarra’s other comments: “Now we know that there’s a trend happening right now where people are using more and more media on the PC. In fact, there’s a lot of articles out there about a shift from people watching on the TV and coming to the PC. And as we approach Windows 7’s general availability on October 22nd, we’re going to have some more announcements around this particular area.” My guess: Hulu integrated in the online section of the Windows Media Center guide. Please? Pretty please??

Via Appscout.com

This time around I sought to one up the last Shuttle HTPC system in overall performance and appeal while reducing the price. The result is a liquid cooled quad core Intel processor, solid state hard drive, and a ATI Radeon HD4890 graphics card in a case that looks like a sexy glossy black AV Receiver.

I suffer from no delusions. I understand the fancy specifications may not interest many in the slightest. However, the less tech savvy crowd should take note at the possible everyday benefits that come with such a configuration. This particular computer is perfect for not only streaming high definition content (with the appropriate internet speed), viewing pictures, editing home video, and watching Blu-rays, it also is a fast gaming computer that can satisfy a PC gamer’s need with a better setup than a console gamer would have.

The parts are separated below with their various benefits described.

Read more.

Via Examiner.com

There was already little doubt that Google was aiming at Microsoft’s empire, but the announcement of a Chrome OS takes the competition to a new level.

For those who missed it, Google said late Tuesday that it plans to enter the operating system game in the second half of next year with a Linux-based OS that can run on both traditional PC chips and the ARM-based chips popular in cell phones. The idea behind Chrome OS is to create an extremely lightweight operating system that boots directly to the browser, in which all applications run.

In a blog, Google lists the advantages of such an approach.

“People want to get to their email instantly, without wasting time waiting for their computers to boot and browsers to start up,” Sundar Pichai, vice president of product management, and Linus Upson, engineering director, wrote in the blog. “They want their computers to always run as fast as when they first bought them. They want their data to be accessible to them wherever they are and not have to worry about losing their computer or forgetting to back up files. Even more importantly, they don’t want to spend hours configuring their computers to work with every new piece of hardware, or have to worry about constant software updates.”

Via Cnet.com

While Intel is proudly boasting about the sheer performance that their new Core i7 processors delivers, AMD has gone down a different route, choosing instead to expound about the value of their offerings. For example, their current Dragon platform, consisting of a Phenom II processor, AMD 790GX motherboard and an ATI Radeon HD 4870, is touted as a competitive yet value for money alternative to Intel’s pricey Core i7 offerings. Of course they both serve different needs of end-users.

Additionally, AMD also carved out a niche for themselves amongst HTPC builders. Ask any HTPC enthusiast what is their motherboard chipset of choice and chances are he would be using an AMD 780G. The main reason behind this is the board’s integrated Radeon HD 3200 GPU. This integrated graphics processor (IGP) is actually based on the older Radeon HD 2400 GPU, which barely even qualifies as an entry-level GPU by today’s standards. But as an IGP, however, it is one of the best, thanks to its ability to crunch high definition (HD) videos. It’s kind of like being the smallest fish in the ocean, but the biggest fish in the pond.

Read.

Via Hardwarezone.com

Our Download of the Day today is XBMC Media Center 9.04.1.

XBMC is an award winning media center application for Linux, Mac OS X, Windows and XBox. The ultimate hub for all your media, XBMC is easy to use, looks slick, and has a large helpful community. Try it now!

Media Management
XBMC supports viewing and playing a vast library of audio, video and image formats. XBMC has a sophisticated library management system that allows you to organize all your media to give you quick and immediate access.

Fluid Interface
XBMC provides a user friendly interface that’s intuitive, very flexible, and easy to use. The interface is completely customizable through user-created or downloadable skins.

Plug-ins and Extensibility
XBMC has a built-in Python interpreter that allows users and developers to write their own scripts and plugins that run inside XBMC using it’s own widgets and controls. It also has a built-in web server that allows it to be controlled remotely.

Visualisations
XBMC’s audio player supports many visualisations including ProjectM and Goom. In addition, it allows easy development of visualisations using a simple API.

Download.

Via Tweaktown.com

COMPUTEX 2009: Introduced by our friends at Zotac, Origen-ae has a long history of gorgeous HTPC cases often too expensive for many of us to buy. The designs are exquisite and the quality is truly second to none.

At $200 this little puppy isn’t cheap, but if you want one of the most beautiful mini-ITX cases money can buy for your new Zotac 9300-mini ITX or Ion motherboard, then this has to be it.

With a front LCD screen and built in 150W PSU, it’s got a great set of features and superb internal placements for the hardware: the DC-DC compnent is bolted to one side – the 2.5″ hard drive/SSD spot is on the other, and even though the slimline optical drive is above the motherboard and cooling-wise there’s enough space for them both.

It has two holes for some very thin 80mm fans to draw the airflow though and the two pieces of U-shaped 5mm thick aluminium that make up the chassis outsides are curved into a simply gorgeous shape. Inside the aluminium continues, but is now a more standardised 2-3mm thickness to save cost and weight, but it’s not as flimsy as the sheets often used on some case side panels.

Via Bit-tech.net

Hulu has introduced Hulu Desktop as part of its new Hulu Labs. The client allows Mac and Windows users to browse their favorite TV shows and movies on the desktop using an Apple or Windows Media Center remote. So far, we like it.

Hulu dropped a surprise on TV fans Thursday by introducing public beta of Hulu Desktop—desktop software for the Mac and Windows that works with the popular TV streaming site. The software finally removes Hulu from the Web browser in an official, Hulu-approved way and puts it into a very media-center-like format for browsing and watching your favorite shows. Though Hulu Desktop still keeps Hulu’s offerings largely on the computer, it offers some flexibility in the watching experience.

Read.

Via Arstechnica.com