Easy HTPC

Since the wave of affordable laptops hit the mainstream market, desktop PC sales have been on the decline. Many consumers have found that their obsolete desktop PC is just sitting there collecting dust aside from occasional gaming. One option to revive the desktop PC is to convert it to a Home Theater PC (HTPC). Armed with an HD Tuner card and an HDMI capable video card, we are well on our way to moving our old desktop PC to the Home Theater. With the last item to make the HTPC complete being a sleek case, today we are taking a look at Antec’s Veris Fusion Black Quiet Media Center Case.

The Veris Fusion Black arrived well packed with no signs of physical damage.  The case itself was well packed with styrofoam, including a special block of styrofoam protecting the more delicate volume knob. The drivers CD and manual were securely placed within the case so they were not loose in the box. All of the cables inside the case were also bound in zip ties or rubber bands to prevent them from rattling around in the case.

Features:

The exterior of the Veris Fusion Black consists of 0.8 mm cold rolled steel with an aluminum front bezel. The LCD display also has a built in IR sensor that should be compatible with most media center remotes. The volume knob worked great in controlling the application volume. Our optical drive tray did fit through the built in optical drive door on the Veris Fusion Black without a problem. The simple and elegant front bezel also includes 1 firewire, 2 usb, 1 headphone and 1 mic ports.

Read more about the review here.

Via Legit Reviews

Some gadgets have always had a way of surprising us in to noticing them. Some of them are designed in a surprising manner, in ways that you won’t expect. But even then they remain true to what they are originally meant to do. Others are just plain weird. So when I started noticing a few of the recent gadgets for their quirky natures, I couldn’t resist making a post about them.

iTwinge

iTwinge is a fantastic idea really and one that iPhone users have been demanding (in a way) for a long time. Yes, it is an iPhone gadget. That nifty little handheld device from Apple has a way of generating the most innovative and intriguing of gadgets. iTwinge fills a gap that would make many iPhone owners very happy. This is a physical keyboard that actually takes the place of the onscreen keyboard on the iPhone. Yes, it is a sleeve that you slide on to the iPhone and start typing.

On the flipside, do keep in mind that this is just a normal QWERTY keypad and it won’t adapt like the iPhone’s keyboard does. It will draw power from your iPhone and there is also the ‘ugly’ problem. I will not mince my words, it looks bad on the slim and sexy iPhone.

Gyration Air Mouse Elite

This is a mouse that works by moving in thin air. No mouse pads, no LEDs or Lasers, no hassle. This mouse solves the problem of users who want something to use with their HTPC or living room PC and do not want to use a conventional mouse with it. Those who make presentations frequently might also find it useful.

Okay, so this is not the first mouse to work this way but this one caught my attention because a) it is from a company called the Gyration (nudge nudge wink wink) and b) it looks pretty cool. You might think of it as a normal mouse with some special buttons looking from over the top but once you look at it in the profile you will realize that it is nothing like your normal mouse.

The Air Mouse Elite will behave just like Wiimote but instead of using IR and receivers, it uses an inbuilt gyroscope. That does not sacrifice the usability though. It will still be quite easy to move the mouse pointer from one point to the next.

Razer Naga

This is the second mouse to make this list and even though this is a short list, this is one of those recent gadgets that everybody’s talking about. This is the Naga from Razer, makers of high precision gaming mice. These mice are always something special in the sense that if you want precision, Razer’s got your back. This company is actually run a by a dream team of hardcore gamers who also happen to be engineers.

If you thought your 5 button mouse was cool, Naga completely pwns it with its 15+ mouse buttons! It has a 4×3 grid on the left side for using as macros within MMOs plus extras. If you had any doubts, then you should know that Razer calls this the MMO mouse. The backlighting and 5200dpi (!) just adds to the sweetness of this mouse.

Nokia 7705 Twist

This is one phone that most users will either hate or love or go meh at. We have all lived through the swivel phones and we have seen square phones too. But at what point Nokia thought that a square swivel phone would be cool, I have no idea. Okay, so I am kinda attracted by its uniqueness. Let the picture do all the talking here.

via 4 Quirky Gadgets For You To Feast Your Eyes On | Connected Internet.

There’s no press release or anything, but an eagle eyed blogger noticed that the FAQ for highly anticipated multi-stream CableCARD tuner for Windows Media Center on Ceton’s site has been updated. Among the new details is the fact that there will be multiple offerings — as apposed to just the one version announced at CES — which will include 2, 4 and 6 tuner versions. The card has also been adapted to work in a low-profile PCI-E form factor, but no word if all three iterations will be available in the shorty version. The bad news is that the new release date has been pushed back from 2009, until the first quarter of 2010. Of course the new tuners also won’t be restricted to the OEM requirement and will of course work with Tuning Adapters to add SDV support. The quad steam version is currently geting its stamp of approval from CableLabs so it’ll be out first, but we’re very saddened to tell you that there is still no word on the price. While we wait for price and availability though, you can look forward to our hands-on just as soon as we work our way to the Microsoft booth at CEDIA.

via Ceton CableCARD PC tuner details emerge.

Small form factor computers have been growing in popularity recently with the introduction of Atom-based nettops. These low cost systems have proven very compelling options for consumers with budget and space constraints, but for the most part are limited to basic computing tasks such as web browsing, document processing and some audio / video playback.

If you are fond of the small footprint but not the low-end specs, however, you might be interested in Fujitsu’s latest addition to the Esprimo Q series. Dubbed Q1500, the top of the range model that was recently shown off at Germany’s IFA trade show sports a 2.8GHz Intel Core 2 Duo T9600 processor, 320GB Western Digital hard drive and 4GB of DDR2 RAM. Also inside were a Blu-ray optical drive and an accompanying HDMI port, making this 50mm tall system an ideal out of the box HTPC that uses a mere 19 watts of power when idle.

Intel’s GMA 4500HD graphics chip and Gigabit Ethernet complete the specification, with 802.11b/g/n wireless cards and Bluetooth available as optional extras. Although pricing for the model on display was not disclosed, Fujitsu said cut-down versions of the Q1500 will start at a rather pricey 699€ (about $1,000).

via Fujitsu unveils Blu-ray and Core 2 Duo packing mini PC – TechSpot News

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

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

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

We’ve covered Windows 7 from rumor to release candidate, which you can currently download and install for free. Now, it’s enchilada time: Here’s everything of value that we learned about Win 7, packed in a complete, easy-to-read guide.

Note: This is one awesome guide. If you have been sitting on the fence, deciding to install Windows 7 or not, this guide should help your decision.

Read the Complete Guide here.

Via Gizmodo.com

Netflix’s streaming service will appear on Windows Media Center within the next couple of days.

(Credit: Microsoft)

Microsoft has struck a deal to bring Netflix’s streaming movie service to Windows Media Center, the companies said Tuesday.

Netflix’s more than 12,000 “Watch it now” movies and TV episodes are only available to users of Windows Vista Home Premium or Ultimate. XP users won’t be able to access the service.

Owners of Windows Media Center will also be able to search the entire Netflix library, manage their DVD queues, and “filter searches by titles that are available to watch instantly,” Microsoft said in a statement.

Microsoft continues to try to boost the amount of content available on Windows Media. In March, the company launched a new sports channel, including replays of the past NCAA basketball tournament.

“We’re building on our broader vision to alleviate the need to jump from Web site to Web site to find TV shows, movies, sports and news,” Microsoft said in a statement. ” “With Windows Media Center, (users) can now find it in one place.”

For Netflix, the partnership offers the Web’s No.1 video rental service the chance to reach scores of of Vista users. Netflix’s deal with Microsoft’s Xbox videogame console proved to be a boon for the company.

Netflix has steadily been crossing the once wide chasm between the PC and the television by striking partnership deals with a wide assortment of set-top box makers, including Roku, and LG.

To access Netflix’s service, Windows Media Center owners must first subscribe to the rental service. Then, to stream movies, they can start Windows Media Center on their computers by selecting the new Netflix tile under TV+Movies heading.

Via Cnet.com

M4A78-HTPC Series are the World’s 1st Motherboards with an Independent Audio Power Connector—Delivering Pristine Sound Quality and Taking Multimedia Enjoyment to a New Level

Taipei, Taiwan, May 18, 2009 – ASUS, the world’s leading producer of motherboards, today released its new M4A78-HTPC Series motherboards that are developed specifically for use in Home Theater Personal Computers (HTPCs). HTPCs have become more prevalent due to the vast popularity of the Internet and the ease with which content can be found, downloaded and viewed. Also, the chipset technology that supports Full HD 1080p is maturing, and large-sized widescreen LCD monitors are becoming more mainstream—allowing users to download and watch HD videos directly on their PCs. M4A78-HTPC Series motherboards are based on the AMD 780G chipset, which fully integrates HDMI/DVI support to display HD videos smoothly. Together with audio innovations like the ASUS Absolute Pitch Hi-Fi and DTS Surround Sensation UltraPC™ Technology, audiophiles can look forward to pure, crystal-clear sound for the most exhilarating HTPC enjoyment. Furthermore, M4A78-HTPC Series motherboards come with a user-friendly media center dubbed Home Theater Gate and a low-noise, energy efficient Tranquil Mode that offer users greater convenience and a more conducive music environment respectively.

Crystal-clear Sound Quality with ASUS Absolute Pitch Hi-Fi
As power delivery is a key determinant of audio quality, high-end receivers often utilize separate power channels or analog/digital signal separation to ensure high sound quality. The M4A78-HTPC Series are the world’s first motherboards to be equipped with revolutionary ASUS Absolute Pitch Hi-Fi technology which dedicates an independent audio power connector solely to audio components. This effectively reduces electronic noise, ensuring purer sound quality. Additionally, the gold-plated RCA stereo audio connectors are compatible with amplifiers without requiring additional connectors—making it simple to link PCs to home theater equipment. Furthermore, the M4A78-HTPC supports DTS Surround Sensation UltraPC™ Technology for true high-definition home theater entertainment, delivering an exceptional surround experience through the most common PC audio setups—stereo speakers or headphones.

Your Gateway to True Home Entertainment!
The ASUS Home Theater Gate is a media center specially designed for the ASUS HTPC series of motherboards. With its user-friendly interface, users can easily launch the most common media applications quickly via an integrated menu that brings various media types together, including music, video, photos and Internet radio. The large icons and intuitiveness of the software make it easy for users to remote control their PCs up to 10 feet away from the monitor or TV. Furthermore, the bundled remote controller allows users to launch the music player and Internet radio, or to enter Tranquil Mode for a quieter environment, with just one touch.

Enjoy Perfect Music Environments with Lower Fan Noise
With the ASUS Tranquil Mode function, fan speeds are effectively reduced, lowering fan-generated noise by up to 28%—thus providing users with a perfect sound environment to enjoy movies and music while at the same time saving 25% power when watching movies.

Via 7thspace.com