Archive for March, 2009
Ion-based Acer Hornet nettop specs leak out: 1080p HDMI playback, Wii-like gaming, $299
by admin on Mar.31, 2009, under Media PC's
Well, well, what’s this? We just received a ton of information on that hot little Acer Hornet nettop we’d heard about a while back, and if this pile of documentation is as real as it looks, this thing could be the holy grail of cheap HTPCs — not only does it support 1080p video playback over HDMI, the “Media Center” version will indeed come with a Wii-like remote that can be used for gaming as well as media control. Specs look more than decent for the targeted $149-$299 price range: the low end model pairs what sounds like an Atom N230 with 1GB of RAM and an 80GB drive preloaded with Vista Home Basic, while higher end models get 2GB of RAM, a 160GB drive, and a “Boxshell” quickboot OS in addition to Vista Home Premium. All this plus super-quiet sub-26dB operation and a slick diamond-shaped chassis designed to hang off the back of your flatscreen? We’re potentially in love — when you gonna make our dreams come true, Acer? Full spec chart after the break.
P.S. We know that upper-right image is a ripped Nintendo press image, but this slide actually leaked from elsewhere a month ago — and unless someone’s decided to go way beyond the usual fakery by meticulously crafting the 20-page technical and supplier info document and lengthy presentations we received today, we’re thinking this is actually real and not some April Fools thing. Let’s hope!
Via Engadget.com
Zigzix Zemote Turns Your iPhone into a Wireless Keyboard / Touch Pad / Media Remote Control
by admin on Mar.31, 2009, under Apps, Media PC's, News, Software
Talk about a sexy iPhone app! Zigzix’s new Zemote ($3.99) is definitely going to be a must-have for any HTPC enthusiast running Windows XP or Vista (OS X version coming soon). The Zemote for iPhone and iPod touch provides users with a variety remote interface options that controls a user’s PC over Wi-Fi (requires an additional PC app to be installed called Zemote Receiver). As far as I can tell, Zemote provides four distinct interface mode options for people to choose from: touch pad with scroll and right/left-click buttons, keyboard (seen here), multi-function key remote, and a touch pad with basic media controls buttons. Zigzix even claims that you can control your PC’s mouse pointer via motion control. How do you like that?
Via Ehomeupgrade.com
Mini DisplayPort to HDMI adapter available, HDCP compliant
by admin on Mar.31, 2009, under Media PC's, News
A Mini DisplayPort to HDMI adapter is finally available from a third-party, allowing owners of Mini-DP equipped MacBooks and Mac minis to connect their machine to an HDTV.
If you’ve been waiting for a way to connect your Mini DisplayPort-equipped Mac to an HDTV via HDMI, Monoprice has got you covered. The company has begun taking orders for its $14 Mini Display Port to HDMI Adapter, which are expected to begin shipping this Friday.
The adapter is most significant in that it finally allows protected HD content, like that available from the iTunes Store, to be displayed on an HDTV. DisplayPort, mini or otherwise, supports the HDCP encryption schemedesigned to “prevent pirating” of HD content. Unfortunately for users of new Macs, most monitors don’t support the standard—but luckily HDTVs do. Gizmodo got a unit to test and they say it works as advertised.
The adapter will transmit audio data along with video if a device’s Mini-DP supports it, however Apple’s implementation on all current Macs does not. It should especially be useful to folks using a Mac mini as an HTPC, but also for folks hooking up a MacBook or MacBook Pro to watch occasional content as well (hello, Hulu). Monoprice is also known for its other display adapters that are usually far cheaper than Apple’s own options.
Via ARS Technica
Windows 7 series: NVIDIA and AMD Graphics and Gaming Performance
by admin on Mar.31, 2009, under Gaming PC's, Media PC's, News, Operating Systems, Software Review
A preview of Windows 7 gaming
Introduction
Though officially in beta, Windows 7 is probably the most talked about subject in the world of PC technology today. Released to the public on January 7th, 2009, Windows 7 has quickly found its way onto many computers including netbooks, laptops, virtual machines and even gaming and enthusiast PCs. Users that were once distrusting of Vista and even Mac-lovers have spent the last few months complementing Microsoft of their latest operating system and for good reason: it slick, fast, visually appealing and runs on all ranges of hardware quite nicely. Here in my office I have installed it on an Eee PC, a separate hard drive in my main system, my MacBook Pro (gasp!), the NVIDIA ION platform and a couple of benchmarking and testing rigs as well.
This article will be the first in a series of performance and feature reviews on Windows 7 that will be updated and added to up through the final retail release of the Windows 7 operating system; whenever that might be. As the title obviously suggests, today we are going to be looking at GPU and gaming performance on Windows 7 in comparison to Windows Vista. There are two primary goals with this article: first we would like to see how, in general, performance on this beta version of Windows 7 compares to the performance of gaming on a more mature Vista operating system with Service Pack 1. Secondly, we would like to compare how both NVIDIA and AMD are doing in terms of driver optimizations and performance for Windows 7 compared to each company’s support on Windows Vista.
Now, to assuage some obvious emails we will get from readers and trolls, let me add in a few points. Yes, I realize that Windows 7 is in beta and as such performance results we get today may not be what we see when the OS is finally released. It could be faster, it could be slower; that is the exact reason why this will be a SERIES of articles that is update continuously throughout the Windows 7 development cycle. Once the Release Candidate 1 version of Windows 7 is divulged we will definitely come back to these results to see what changes. Also, I realize that NVIDIA and AMD drivers might also be considered to be in a “beta” state as well – though not that both parties have WHQL approved drivers available that shouldn’t really be too much of an issue.
Read the rest of the story here.
Via PC Perspective
Shuttle shows Off Complete Mini PC with DVB-S tuner
by admin on Mar.31, 2009, under Media PC's
Shuttle is better known for its full line of small form factor barebones computers that require the buyer to add additional hardware to complete the computer. However, the company has announced a new complete SFF computer called the H7 4500H today.
The machine features Windows Vista and has an integrated DVB-S TV tuner card that allows time shifting of TV programs and offers an electronic program guide along with recording functions. Connectivity options on the system include HDMI, SPDIF, eSATA, FireWire, and six USB ports.
The operating system used is Vista Home Premium and the machine uses an Intel E2220 dual-core CPU at 2.4GHz. 1GB of RAM is offered and storage is to a 320GB SATA HDD. The base optical drive is a DVD writer, but Blu-ray is an option. The machine starts at EUR 775.
Via I4U.Com
Dell launches new customizable Inspiron desktop line
by admin on Mar.30, 2009, under Media PC's
Dell launched a new series of Inspiron desktops today geared toward personalization and style, with most aspects of the computer being completely customizable. With eight color choices, CPU options from AMD and Intel and a price point starting at $299, the systems are available in China today and the US later this spring.
The new Inspiron lines will be available in both minitower and slim/small form factor models, though each model will come equipped with one of eight different customizable fronts. Rather than introduce models with a single unique style, Dell is going in the complete opposite direction: the way the computer looks is up to the end consumer. The eight colors available are Piano Black, Pure White, True Blue, Formula Red, Tangerine Orange, Spring Green, Plum Purple, and Promise Pink. Dell teamed up with the Susan G. Komen foundation, so $5 from the sale of each Inspiron model with the Promise Pink option will go to fund breast cancer research.
Available processors run the complete gamut, with Celeron and Sempron options available on the low end and Core 2 Quad and Phenom X4 chips available on the higher end. Integrated Intel and ATI graphics are standard, with discrete ATI Radeons available as an upgrade. The systems max out at 8GB of RAM, with 750GBhard drives available in the slim tower and 1TB of storage available in the mini tower. Both models offer optional 19-in-1 media readers as well as HDMI out ports for use in HTPC situations in addition to six USB2.0 ports.
The slim tower is designed to run either horizontally or vertically, much like its smaller cousin, the Studio Hybrid, for home theater use; Blu-ray disc drives are also available (with an option for two units on the mini-tower). Much like the recent Studio One 19 launch, the new Inspiron desktops are available in China today, and the US later this spring. Configurations will start at $299.
New DVD Release: Slumdog Millionaire
by admin on Mar.30, 2009, under DVD, New Releases
| In Theaters: | November 12, 2008 | |
| On Video/DVD: | March 31, 2009 | |
| Starring: | Dev Patel Freida Pinto Irfan Khan Anil Kapoor Saurabh Shukla Raj Zutshi Jeneva Talwar Sunil Aggarwal Azharuddin Mohammed Ismail Ayush Mahesh Khedekar Tanay Hemant Chheda Ashutosh Lobo Gajiwala |
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| Director: | Danny Boyle | |
| Genre: | Drama Romance |
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| Synopsis: | SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE is the story of Jamal Malik, an 18 year-old orphan from the slums of Mumbai, who is about to experience the biggest day of his life. With the whole nation watching, he is just one question away from winning a staggering 20 million rupees on India’s “Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?”
But when the show breaks for the night, police arrest him on suspicion of cheating; how could a street kid know so much? Desperate to prove his innocence, Jamal tells the story of his life in the slum where he and his brother grew up, of their adventures together on the road, of vicious encounters with local gangs, and of Latika, the girl he loved and lost. Each chapter of his story reveals the key to the answer to one of the game show’s questions. Intrigued by Jamal’s story, the jaded Police Inspector begins to wonder what a young man with no apparent desire for riches is really doing on this game show? When the new day dawns and Jamal returns to answer the final question, the Inspector and sixty million viewers are about to find out. |
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| Rating: | R for some violence, disturbing images and language | |
| Length: | 120 Minutes | |
| Box Office: | $139.3 Million | |
| Studio: | Fox Searchlight | |
Via Videoeta.com
New DVD Release: Seven Pounds
by admin on Mar.30, 2009, under DVD, New Releases
| In Theaters: | December 19, 2008 | |
| On Video/DVD: | March 31, 2009 | |
| Starring: | Will Smith Rosario Dawson Michael Ealy Woody Harrelson Barry Pepper Bill Smitrovich Robinne Lee Elpidia Carrillo Gina Hecht Sarah Jane Morris Madison Pettis Judyann Elder |
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| Director: | Gabriele Muccino | |
| Genre: | Drama | |
| Synopsis: | Will Smith stars as Ben Thomas, a man at a crossroads. He embarks on a journey to help change the circumstances of seven strangers who deserve a second chance in life. But when he opens his heart to a beautiful woman who needs his help, he risks everything he’s planned for one last chance at love. | |
| Rating: | PG-13 for thematic material, some disturbing content and a scene of sensuality | |
| Length: | 123 Minutes | |
| Box Office: | $70.0 Million | |
| Studio: | Sony Pictures | |
Via Videoeta.com
New DVD Release: Marley and Me
by admin on Mar.30, 2009, under DVD, New Releases
| In Theaters: | December 25, 2008 | |
| On Video/DVD: | March 31, 2009 | |
| Starring: | Owen Wilson Jennifer Aniston Alan Arkin Eric Dane Haley Bennett Nathan Gamble Haley Hudson Lucy Merriam Finley Jacobsen Benjamin Hyland Bryce Robinson Clarke Peters |
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| Director: | David Frankel | |
| Genre: | Comedy Family |
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| Synopsis: | As the snow falls on their wedding night, newlyweds John and Jenny Grogan (OWEN WILSON and JENNIFER ANISTON) decide to leave behind the harsh winters of Michigan and head south to begin their new lives in West Palm Beach, Florida. They obtain jobs as journalists at competing local newspapers, buy their first home, and begin to make their way through the challenges of a new marriage, new careers and, possibly, the life-changing decision to start a family.
Unsure of his preparedness for raising children, John confesses his fears to his friend and fellow journalist Sebastian, who comes up with the perfect solution: John should get Jenny a puppy. “There’s nothing to it,” says Sebastian. “You walk ‘em. You feed ‘em, you let ‘em out now and then.” Then came Marley. The Grogans adopt the cute, twelve pound yellow Labrador, who in no time at all, grows into a 100-pound steamroller of unbridled energy that turns the Grogan home into a disaster area. He flunks obedience school, chews off dry-wall, takes a bite out of the sofa, overturns garbage cans, steals a Thanksgiving turkey, consumes pillows and flowers, drinks toilet water, and chases the UPS guy. Even a newly-purchased, expensive necklace isn’t safe from Marley’s voracious antics. Amidst the mayhem he generates through the years, Marley sees the Grogans through the ups and downs of family life, through job and home changes, and most of all, through the myriad challenges of a growing family. As John and Jenny come to realize, Marley – “the world’s worst dog” – somehow brings out the best in them. |
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| Rating: | PG for thematic material, some suggestive content and language | |
| Length: | 110 Minutes | |
| Box Office: | $142.3 Million | |
| Studio: | Fox | |
Via Videoeta.com
New DVD Release: Bedtime Stories
by admin on Mar.30, 2009, under DVD, New Releases
| In Theaters: | December 25, 2008 | |
| On Video/DVD: | April 3, 2009 | |
| Starring: | Adam Sandler Keri Russell Courteney Cox Teresa Palmer Guy Pearce Richard Griffiths Lucy Lawless Russell Brand Aisha Tyler Jonathan Morgan Heit Laura Ann Kesling Jonathan Pryce |
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| Director: | Adam Shankman | |
| Genre: | Comedy Family |
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| Synopsis: | A family comedy about a guy (ADAM SANDLER) whose life changes when the lavish bedtime stories he tells his nephews start to magically come true. | |
| Rating: | PG for some mild rude humor and mild language | |
| Length: | 99 Minutes | |
| Box Office: | $110.0 Million | |
| Studio: | Disney | |
Via Videoeta.com
