ZAIREN'S BLOG about HTPC

Use WDTV LIVE as a Music Jukebox

2010-12-08T22:20:00.000-08:00

WDTV Live's USB input allows playback of media files from an external hard drives. I am not sure whether the USB input has an onboard DAC chip or not, but I use it to read my WAVs from my baffolo external drive and bypass them completely to my Yamaha 665 via HDMI for decoding.(correction-WDTV does not support bypass---files are still decoded by its internal decoder)

I have tried both sound output modes under the WDTV LIVE, i.e. Stereo (music decoded by WDTV LIVE itself) and Digital (music bypassed and decoded by receiver), I found that the sound quality is about the same. (correction - not correct)

You can do the same stuff by using a CD Player with a USB port, e.g. Marantz SA8003. According to http://www.enjoythemusic.com/magazine/equipment/0109/marantz_sa8003.htm, its USB input is powered by an NEC uPD63901 microcontroller, and it enables the SA8003 to play MP3, WAV, WMA and AAC files directly off a USB hard drive, pen drive, or iPod but the uPD63901 does its own D/A conversion, so files read from the USB input completely bypass Marantz' excellent CS4398-based digital section (and cannot be output via the Marantz digital outputs). Then this does not make sense to me, so I stick to a cheap WDTV LIVE solution for a Music Jukebox.

WD TV LIVE - new firmware 1.04.10 update again in 2 weeks' time

2010-11-23T19:14:00.000-08:00

What's in this update?

Release 1.04.10 (11/22/10)

Supports Facebook application.
Supports Deezer application.
Supports Flingo application.
Supports AccuWeather application.
Supports USB keyboards.

http://www.wdc.com/wdproducts/updates/?family=wdfwdtv_live

WD TV® Live™ HD Media Player firmware Version 1.03.49_V

2010-11-21T20:55:00.000-08:00

Latest official firmware update for WDTV LIVE is now available on http://www.wdc.com/wdproducts/updates/?family=wdfwdtv_live.

Release 1.03.49 (11/16/10)

Added DVD navigation support.
Added Mediafly application.
Resolved MP4 poor frame-rate and audio out of sync issue.
Resolved HDMI auto resolution selection issue.
Resolved playback issues related to mkvmerge.
Other bug fixes and product updates (see release notes).

Sleek, attractive External HD that can be positioned vertically or horizontally

2010-11-10T17:58:00.000-08:00

I have been looking for a reasonable priced external hard disk for my media library, now I have found one - Buffalo's DriveStation Axis USB 2.0 Hard Drive HD-LBU2. DriveStation Axis features a sleek, attractive chassis that can be positioned vertically or horizontally, adapting to the location it is used in for efficient use of space.

According to the manufacturer, DriveStation Axis comes equipped with Buffalo Tools, a feature-rich suite of tools designed to enhance computer performance and the day-to-day digital life of Windows® PC consumers. Users can boost file transfer performance by up to 180% using TurboPC, conserve energy and battery consumption by utilizing ECO Manager and perform PC backup with the easy to use Backup Utility. DriveStation Axis is the perfect solution for expanding storage or backing up your computer.

The capacity ranges from 1TB, 1.5TB to 2.0TB.

Western Digital TV Live Hub

2010-11-02T21:22:00.000-07:00

Western Digital has just added a new media player in their production line. The selling point here is it comes with a 1-tb built-in hard disk. A full review can be found from STORAGE REVIEW.COM at http://www.storagereview.com/western_digital_tv_live_hub_review_wdbabz0010bbk

HP 2309 with HDMI & Built-in Speakers

2010-10-30T16:48:00.000-07:00

Just bought a HP 2309 that comes with a HDMI port and built-in speakers. I think this is a decent buy. Happy with the tiny speakers, which are loud enough for MSN and occasional HD playback. My desktop is cleaner without the speaker wires now.

Dali Lektor 6 for HTPC

2010-10-09T00:19:00.000-07:00

I have got the DALI LEKTOR 6 for my HTPC recently. The LEKTOR front baffle features a silky matt dark grey finish with edge-mounted aluminum snap locks to secure the front grilles. All drivers are mounted with concealed screws, lending a timeless, minimalistic appearance. The 28 mm (1.1”) soft dome tweeter incorporates a powerful ferite magnet system. This innovative driver provides enhanced power handling - continuously and instantaneously - as well as lower power compression, for a more open, vibrant high end.

The pair of 6.5” mid/bass units incorporates lightweight coated woodfiber cones, low-loss suspensions and semi-shielded, double-magnet motors for a highly saturated magnet system. The cone drivers utilize inverted dust caps for improved phase response and structural integrity.

As far as the sound quality is concerned, nothing much to complain for this price range. I use the LEKTOR 6 as my front speakers and shift the original tiny front speakers to become the Presense Speakers with the Yamaha 7.1 setup. However, this setup has a flaw as the center speaker is a bit weak if compared with the LEKTOR and upgrade in future is essential.

XQBOX HTPC CASE

2010-06-12T07:25:00.000-07:00

Yamaha 665 vs 663

2010-04-12T15:38:00.000-07:00

Finally I got the yamaha 465 replaced with a 665, to my surprise it looks exactly the same as the 465. First impression is that it does not have the smooth aluminum front panel with contemporary touch like the old 663. Appearance-wise it lacks the 'high-class' equipment feel if compared with the old 663.

The 665 also comes with a smaller foot print and size, you don't have to read the manual to find out the differences - it is smaller and lighter, and... looks cheap! As expected, it supports HDMI video output which the 465 is lacking, and this is the only reason I upgraded it.

Yamaha Receiver Rxv-465 does not pass video through HDMI

2010-04-07T20:04:00.000-07:00

I just bought a Yamaha Rxv-465 receiver and only after that I realised it does not support HDMI video output. The manual did not say a word about it and even the vendor could not figure it out until they called the local distributor. I need to have the video output through the HDMI to my LCD TV as I want to use it as a hub for my other stuff such as dvd player, htpc, etc.

Too sad as this is a decent 5.1 receiver that does HD audio via HDMI. My only solution is to upgrade it to a 565 or 665.

EE, I really like you!

2010-04-04T21:47:00.000-07:00

EE, the flowers are for you, impressed?!

ATI Radeon HD 5450 focuses on HTPC features

2010-02-04T01:05:00.000-08:00

AMD has just announced the introduction of the ATI Radeon™ HD 5450 graphics card which delivers a state-of-the-art HD multimedia and game experience at a value price. The HD 5450's passively-cooled, ultra-quiet features is every HTPC builder’s dream. The home theater experience is enriched with features such as HDMI 1.3a with Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio for the ultimate media PC. According to the source the SRP is $50.

(source: http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/04/ati-radeon-hd-5450-focuses-on-multimedia-features-neglects-gami/)

Socket AM3 + DDR3 785G matx motherboard

2010-01-29T18:53:00.000-08:00

GIGABYTE GA-MA785GMT-US2H is one of the best value for money well-built 785G matx mobo on the market. It supports the latest AMD's Socket AM3 and the other specs are as follows:

AMD 785G + SB710 Chipset

Ultra Durable 3 Classic Technology with copper cooled quality for lower working temperature
Revolution energy saving design with Easy Energy Saver technology
Supports AMD AM3 Phenom II/ Athlon II processors
Dual Channel DDR3 1800+ for remarkable system performance
Integrated ATI Radeon HD 4200 graphics (DirectX10.1)
PCI-E 2.0 x16 interface with ATI Hybrid CrossFireX support for ultimate graphics performance
Features high speed Gigabit Ethernet and IEEE1394
Blu-ray playback supported by high quality 106dB SNR ALC889A HD audio
Integrated HDMI/ DVI interface for Full HD 1080 Blu-ray playback with HDCP
Patented DualBIOS with dual hardware BIOS protection
Compatible with Window 7 to deliver the best operation experience

source: http://www.gigabyte.com.tw/Products/Motherboard/Products_Overview.aspx?ClassValue=Motherboard&ProductID=3250&ProductName=GA-MA785GMT-US2H

Wireless For HDMI

2010-01-21T22:10:00.000-08:00

WHDI (Wireless Home Digital Interface) is a standard created by Israeli company AMIMON that can send HD video signals via 5GHz narrow band technology. But the wireless solution from Gefen is the 3Ghz bandwidth, also Offering Uncompressed Method of 1080p Full HD Wireless Connectivity up to 30 Feet in Distance.

The GefenTV Wireless for HDMI 60Ghz extender comes with HDCP compliance, support for CEC protocols, an RS-232 port for easy control or convenient Internet access to firmware updates and an IR remote for turning power on/off. Pricing is set for $999.

(source: http://hothardware.com/News/GefenTV-Wireless-For-HDMI-Connects-Sources-And-HDTVs-Without-Wires/)

HD 5670 brings Dolby True HD and DTS HD to the sub-$100 market

2010-01-16T16:36:00.000-08:00

Finally it comes - a budget card that can bitstrem Dolby True HD and DTS HD for about $100. According to Engadget, the Radeon HD 5670 can boast Direct X 11 and Eyefinity support are for a suggested price less than one Benjamin Franklin. But for HTPC users, low cost solution for bitstreaming HD audio to your amplifier for decoding is what has been lacking so far and the wait is over now.

(source: http://www.engadget.com/)

ViewSonic PC mini VOT530/550

2010-01-13T06:23:00.000-08:00

The ViewSonic PC mini VOT530/550 is not much larger than your palm, so it's extremely easy to install or move around. As the PC mini 550 also comes with a Blu-ray DVD drive and convenient remote control, you can enjoy high-definition video and the best audio entertainment right in your living room or bedroom.

The incredibly small ViewSonic PC mini VOT530/550 has the computing power of a PC ten times larger. With better performance than many low-power alternatives, the high-performance Intel Core 2 Duo processor in the PC mini 530/550 is ideal for both digital entertainment and daily computing.

Featuring a fast Intel Core 2 Duo processor and advanced power management, the ViewSonic PC mini VOT530/550 consumes only 18W of power even at full speed*, and is quiet at 22dB or less. Perfect for your entertainment center or den.

(source: http://www.viewsonic.com/vot530-550/)

MSI Wind PC Intel Atom 1.6GHz/ Intel 945GC

2010-01-03T06:29:00.000-08:00

The MSI Wind PC Intel Atom 1.6GHz/ Intel 945GC/ A&V&GbE Proprietary Barebone System is a mini PC setup which comes with a PCI-E slot if you want more horse power.

Specifications

Mfr Part Number: 6667BB-003US
VESA-mountable Nettop Barebone without ODD Drive Bay
Processor: Intel Atom 330 Processor(1.6GHz, FSB 533 MHz, 1MB Cache), FSB 533MHz
Chipset: Intel 945GC & ICH7
Memory: 1x DDR2-533/400 SO-DIMM, Max Capacity 2GB
SATA: Support a SATA2 HDD
Audio: Realtek ALC888 Azalia 8-Channel Audio CODEC
Video: Integrated Intel GMA450 Graphics Controller
LAN: Realtek RTL8111DL PCI-E Gigabit LAN; 1x Wifi Antenna included
Drive Bays: 1x 3.5" Internal
Ports:

Front: 2x USB 2.0 Ports; 1x Card Reader Slot
Rear: 2x USB 2.0 Ports; 1x VGA Port; 1x RJ45 Port; Audio I/O Jacks

Expansion Slots: 1x CF Card Slot; 1x Half-Height PCI Express Mini Card Slot
Card Reader: 4-in-1 Card Reader (SD/MMC/MS/XD)
Power Supply: External 65W, Active PFC Power Supply
Operation System: Support Microsoft Windows XP
Form Factor: Proprietary, 27.5 x 17 cm
Color: Black
Dimensions (WxDxH): 297 x 60.2 x 223 mm
RoHS Compliant

The asking price is $148.99. Not a bad choice if you are looking for a small PC setup with a PCI-E slot.

(source: http://www.ewiz.com/detail.php?name=MB-6667-3#)

Slim Sound Bar And Sub-Integrated Receiver

2009-12-25T01:31:00.000-08:00

This is not something you can find easily on the market, a Sound Bar And Sub-Integrated Receiver- the Yamaha YHT-S400! This is the newest two-piece home theater package offered by Yamaha which should fit perfectly in cramped areas where space is at a premium. The YHT-S400 combines a super-slim sound bar with a subwoofer-integrated receiver, the latter of which looks nothing like anything we've ever seen.

The package provides three 1080p-compatible HDMI inputs, AIR SURROUND XTREME, UniVolume and Extended Stereo technologies for immersive audio for all kinds of music experiences. The sound bar stands 2" high and can easily fit in front of most LCD TVs. It does support the iPod dock and Bluetooth to stream A2DP audio from cellphones or computers. The SRP is $599.95.

(source: http://hothardware.com/News/Yamaha-YHTS400-Includes-Slim-Sound-Bar-And-SubIntegrated-Receiver/)

The only P55 mini-itx board on the market

2009-12-22T00:03:00.000-08:00

LANParty MI P55-T36 is the world's first Intel's P55-based mini-itx motherboard. DFI LANParty officially launched the board recently. The MI P55-T36 measures only 17cm x 17cm.

Unlike the J&W mini-itx 785G which runs on AMD chips, the Intel chip-based MI P55-T36 does not come with built-in graphics but it provides a PCIe x16 slot for graphics card.

MI P55-T36 comes with Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi technology on board which is a bonus for movie fans. It supports the latest Intel processors in the LGA 1156 package. There are also 2 DIMM sockets to support dual channel DDR3 memory and 1 power eSATA is on the real I/O. This is the most powerful Intel mini-itx board so far.

(source: http://www.tweaktown.com/pressrelease/2270/dfi_lanparty_mi_p55_t36_is_launched/index.html)

Top Value for Money mATX board - JW-A785GMT EXTREME

2009-12-18T18:34:00.000-08:00

The JW-A785GMT EXTREME is a low cost mATX board that features a great design and build quality that may outperform or at least on par with their counterparts that with a much higher price tags. It comes with 128MB of DDR3 side port memory, 12 USB 2.0 ports, HDMI/DVI/VGA output, Realtek ALC 888 8-channel HD audio, Realtek RTL8111D Gigabit LAN, IEEE-1394a via the JMicron JMB381 chipset, 16GB DDR3 support, six SATA 3G ports via the SB710, and on-board HD4200 graphics.

Below are the summary of the specifications:

2oz Copper Layer PCB
100% Solid Capacitors, 1394, DUAL BIOS ready
Support all socket AM3 processors up to 140W
Integrated ATI Radeon™ HD 4200 DX10.1® Graphics
Onboard 128MB premium DDR3 sideport memory
Support AMD Overdrive™ (ACC) and RAID
Built-in UVD 2.0, supports ATI Avivo™ HD
Gigabit LAN, 8CH HD Audio
HDMI/ DVI/ VGA outputs, HDCP Ready
Silent-Cool heatpipe cooling

(source: http://www.jwele.com/motherboard_detail.php?769)

Dell's OptiPlex 780 USFF

2009-12-11T17:08:00.000-08:00

Dell has just added a new USFF to its OptiPlex 780 series. The new model only measures 23.9cm x 6.5cm x 23.6cm but still offers easy serviceability, standardized configurations and advanced remote-management capabilities that are similar to the other models in the same series. It equips with mainstream components such as Intel Core 2 Duo processor, processing power should not be an issue.

The OptiPlex 780 USFF also features energy-efficient, environmentally conscious design that lets you estimate energy usage for multiple customized OptiPlex systems. It qualifies for an EPEAT Gold rating. Gold is the highest standard in the Electronic Product Environment Assessment Tool (EPEAT), a set of performance criteria for evaluating electronic products' environmental attributes in both public and private sectors.

(source: http://www.dell.com/us/en/business/desktops/optiplex-780/pd.aspx?refid=optiplex-780&s=bsd&cs=04)

ASUS Eee PC Seashell 1201N-PU17-BK 12.1-Inch Netbook

2009-12-05T18:52:00.000-08:00

A 12-inch ion-based Eee PC which is capable of HD playback will be released soon on January 15, 2010. The new Eee PC features a 1.6GHz Intel Atom Dual Core N330 Processor, 2GB DDR2 RAM (2 x SODIMM Slot, 8GB Max), 250GB SATA Hard Drive (5400RPM) + 500GB Free Web Storage; NVidia ION Platform, Bluetooth; Wi-Fi 802.11b/g/n; 0.3MP Webcam; Free Sleeve Case and Windows 7 Home Premium Operating System (32 Bit) pre-installed.

(source: http://www.amazon.com/Seashell-1201N-PU17-BK-12-1-Inch-Netbook-Black/dp/tech-data/B002ZLOR56/ref=de_a_smtd)

ProMedia 2.1 Wireless iPod/Computer Speaker

2009-12-02T20:32:00.000-08:00

Want dynamic, room-filling sound from your laptop or notebook without any wires tying you down? Meet the ProMedia 2.1 Wireless, a powerful speaker system that lets you enjoy your iTunes, Internet radio and more from anywhere in your room—wirelessly.

USB wireless transmitter streams audio up to 30 feet away
Robust 2.4 GHz wireless technology provides interference-free performance
Same award-winning sound as the original ProMedia 2.1
Easy plug-and-play design, no router or installation software required
Use Apple’s Remote Application to wirelessly control your iTunes

If you use your laptop or notebook to listen to music, watch movies or play games, but want to get away from your desk and still enjoy true-to-life sound, the ProMedia 2.1 Wireless computer speakers are for you.

The ProMedia wirelessly “talks” to your computer via a USB wireless transmitter. All you have to do is plug the transmitter into your computer’s USB port and you’re ready to move around your room and still experience the big, powerful sound that’s made Klipsch an industry leader. It’s that simple—no router or installation software is required.

The transmitter can stream audio wirelessly from your computer to the ProMedia up to 30 feet away. Plus, its robust 2.4 GHz wireless technology won’t interfere with other wireless devices, such as cordless phones, so nothing stands in the way of you and amazing sound. (source: http://www.klipsch.com/na-en/products/promedia-2-1-wireless-overview/)

iiyama releases eco LCDs

2009-11-29T02:34:00.000-08:00

iiyama has just released two low power consumption 27-inch LCD monitors, the B2712HDS and E2710HDS. Both come with light and dark color versions. These new LCD monitors come with a screen resolution of 1920 X 1080, 5 ms (2 ms GTG) response time, maximum brightness 400 cd/m2 and contrast ratio at 1000:1. The power consumption is at 45W in the active operation mode.

The B2712HDS is with a dynamic contrast 50000:1 and equipped with two 1.5W loudspeakers, while the dynamic contrast of E2710HDS is 20000:1 and paired with two 2W loudspeakers plus 4 USB ports.

(source: http://xtreview.com/addcomment-id-10726-view-iiyama-B2712HDS-and-E2710HDS.html)

LaCie Unveils Full HD Media Player: LaCinema Classic HD

2009-11-26T18:27:00.000-08:00

LaCie has released a new HD multimedia hard drive player, combining Full HD 1080p playback, unsurpassed format compatibility and DLNA media server functionality – LaCinema Classic HD, through HDMI on your HDTV. No matter the video, music or photo format and resolution, the LaCinema Classic HD will play it seamlessly with the highest sound and image quality. It’s compatible with all the most popular video formats on the market, from DivX, MKV, to AVC and H.264, and provides uncompromised Dolby Digital quality sound.

It’s easy to play your movie library on your HDTV: connect the LaCinema Classic HD to your computer to store your movies, then connect it to your TV for instant playback. No configuration is required.

The LaCinema Classic HD can also be turned into a powerful media server that will allow you to use it as a central location for all of your media. You can even share content with a Playstation® or Xbox®, with the LaCinema Classic HD functioning as your primary media player.

With up to 2TB of storage available, you can store your entire digital media library in one location. This user-friendly media player is quiet and fanless, and is designed by Neil Poulton, adding sophisticated style to your home. A user-friendly navigation and remote control have been designed to enhance your entertainment experience. You can even quickly connect a USB storage key to the front of your LaCinema Classic HD to instantly watch movies on your TV.

By using the included remote control and easy navigation interface, you have quick and convenient access to your media libraries. Additionally, the front USB port allows you to connect a USB drive or digital camera to instantly share your photos on your HDTV with friends and family.

The LaCinema Classic HD also features the option of connecting a USB WiFi 802.11N adapter (sold separately) for wireless access to the home network.

LaCinema Classic HD is available through the LaCie Online Store, starting at the suggested retail price of $249.99.

(source: http://www.lacie.com/us/products/product.htm?pid=11389)

Philips releases new LED Pro HDTVs

2009-11-21T18:27:00.000-08:00

Philips has added two new models in its LED TV series, the 40PFL9704 and the 46PFL9704. These TVs come with Philips’ next generation LED backlight technology which promise a better contrast ratio, faster refresh rate and more power efficient than the standard LCD TVs. They will be launched in December for the U.K.'s market.

(source: http://www.ubergizmo.com/15/archives/2009/11/philips_releases_new_led_pro_hdtvs.html)

MSI's Wind Top 21.5-inch AE2200 Multi-Touch All-in-One Desktop PC series

2009-11-20T00:54:00.000-08:00

Featuring a 21.5-inch screen with 16:9 widescreen display, full HD (1080p) resolution, Wind Top AE2200 series offers the touch screen function along with an easy and friendly user interface. You can simply touch the screen to access all PC functions. Wind Top AE2200 series also considers user's needs by four sorting categories: Work, Fun, Tool, and Web. You can browse all of the options through your finger tips across the screen and start programs by touching the graphic icons. The next-generation PC control won't get any easier than this.

The embedded high-pixel webcam, high quality microphone and 2 sets of surround sound speakers are all ready for the most popular instant messaging and quality video call.

Wind Top AE2200 includes HDMI-in (Monitor Mode) and VGA-out (Dual Display) and comes with powerful graphic performance. Wind Top 2200 is the complete entertainment unit anyone can wish for. E-SATA input gives you the speed to transfer data in another level.

(source: http://us.msi.com/index.php?func=proddesc&maincat_no=654&cat2_no=655&prod_no=1904#)

Samsung 27" P2770HD widescreen HDTV monitor

2009-11-16T00:50:00.000-08:00

Samsung has added a TV tuner and a HDMI input to its latest Full HD display. The Samsung 27" P2770HD widescreen HDTV monitor features a digital TV tuner and digital device support, so you can connect it to your cable/satellite box, Blu-ray player, gaming system or computer. HDMI connections and 1080p support ensure that no matter what you’re doing, you’ll be doing it at the highest resolution possible. Dolby Digital Plus, SRS TruSurround HD, 5.1 optical SPDIF out and integrated speakers bring every sound to life. And the cabinets’ stunning Touch of Color rose-black gradation with glass-like finish is reminiscent of a fading sunset, while the crystal clear acrylic stands add style and sophistication.

The Samsung 27" P2770HD comes with a 5ms response time and a 50,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio. At 1920 x 1080 full high definition resolution, this monitor delivers sharp, crystal clear images with vivid color.

(source: http://www.samsung.com/us/consumer/office/monitors/premium/LS27EMNKUY/ZA/index.idx?pagetype=prd_detail&tab=features)

Dell's Inspiron Zino HD doubles as an HTPC

2009-11-12T19:38:00.000-08:00

Dell's most powerful mini PC so far, the 7.75- x 7.75- x 3.5-inch Inspiron Zino HD, is finally available. Designed to fit just about anywhere, the Inspiron Zino HD packs power and entertainment into a small package. And with the option to interchange a choice of 7 vibrant colors plus 3 unique designs, the Zino HD can either blend in or stand out. Choose the standard Piano Black finish or customize yours with one or more of these optional styles: Flamingo Pink, Formula Red, Tangerine Orange, Plum Purple, True Blue, Spring Green and a choice of 3 patterns by artists Derek Welch, Mike Ming and Brittany Waldner.

The gadget can be equiped with a AMD Athlon Dual-Core processors and integrated with a ATI Radeon^TM HD3200 graphics and optional ATI discrete graphics. It also comes with up to a 1TB hard drive.

(source: http://www.dell.com/us/en/corp/desktops/inspiron-zino-hd/pd.aspx?refid=inspiron-zino-hd&s=corp)

Aurora Micro Wireless KB008W-B 2-in-1 keyboard and mouse device

2009-11-07T18:38:00.000-08:00

Aurora Micro Wireless KB008W-B is a 2-in-1 keyboard and mouse device consists of a massive solid brushed aluminum body with diamond-cut edges. The KB008W-B is ideal for users who akin to products with unique design and appearance.

The specs are as follows:

Brushed aluminum with diamond cut edges： the utmost in keyboard design
2.4GHz RF wireless technology： up to 10 meters (30 feet) operating distance
Laser trackball with adjustable resolution (400/800/1200 dpi)： customize it to match your needs
Power saving management： power saving mode with on/off switch
Integrated mouse left / right keys and scroll wheel： speed up navigating through documents and web pages
7 Hotkeys： Home + Email + Search + Volume up + Volume down + Mute+ Play/Pause
Windows MCE remote control： easily access Media Center and play TV、DVD or music
“SCISSORS” key switch technology (patented): comfortable & responsive typing experience with 10 million keystroke lifespan
Two handed grips： ergonomic design for easy and firm hold with two hands
Extended wrist rest： reduce typing stress & typing errors, while increasing comfort to your wrists
Zero degree angle： increase your typing experience
Flat key caps： shorten key travel distance and reduce the finger pressure
Windows Vista support： integrated Windows Vista Start Button

(source: http://www.enermaxusa.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=28_48&products_id=199)

Viewsonic® VMP70 1080p digital media player

2009-11-06T06:00:00.000-08:00

The Viewsonic VMP70 is just yet another 1080p HD media player offers similar specs to the WD TV:

Sharing music, video and photos that are stored on your computer
Connects to either HDMI, component or the composite port in full stereo, supporting DTS, Dolby® Digital and SP/DIF interfaces
Offers the most complete video and audio formats including MPEG1/2/4, DivX/Xvid, H.264, VC1, RM/RMVB, WMA, MP3, DTS, Dolby digital, OGG, AAC and many more
Access multiple content sources simultaneously and preview digital collections easier

VIA Introduces New VIA Nano 3000 Series Processors

2009-11-04T06:48:00.000-08:00

VIA Technologies has confirmed the availability of its new VIA Nano 3000 Series processors which promise enhanced digital media performance and lower power consumption to Windows 7 thin and light notebook and all-in-one desktop PC markets.

Based on the 64-bit superscalar 'Isaiah' architecture, VIA Nano 3000 Series processors deliver the most compelling thin and light notebook computing experience with their rich HD entertainment capabilities, including support for smooth playback of 1080p video, as well as low power consumption resulting in longer battery life.

Available at speeds from 1.0GHz to 2.0GHz, VIA Nano 3000 Series processors deliver up to 20% higher performance using up to 20% less power than current VIA Nano processors and boast a number of new features including support for the SSE4 multimedia instruction set and VIA VT virtualization technology.

VIA Nano 3000 Series processor samples are currently available for OEMs and motherboard vendors, and will enter mass production in Q1 2010.

(source: http://www.via.com.tw/en/resources/pressroom/pressrelease.jsp?press_release_no=4247)

Acer TouchScreen display - T230H

2009-10-31T00:18:00.000-07:00

Acer, the third largest vendor in the worldwide PC market, has announced a new touchscreen display hot on the heels of the Windows 7 launch. The new T230H is Acer's first touch-activated display solution offering touch-enabled possibilities made available via Windows® 7. It boasts a 23-inch touchscreen encased within a sleek and clean cut height adjustable design, enabling full control and instant motion from your fingertip. Other technical specifications include a 2ms response time, a 80,000:1 contrast ratio and 300cd/m2 brightness.

The T230H is said easy to use and optimizes the speed of your scrolling, searching, and viewing of images. The large digital Widescreen delivers powerful graphic performance with Full HD resolution, fully compatible with the latest blu-ray devices, digital broadcasting and on line media. It comes with both Analog (VGA) and Digital (HDMI + DVI with HDCP) inputs.

(source: http://us.acer.com/acer/)

WHDI makes HDMI cables invisible for the Living Room

2009-10-26T00:00:00.000-07:00

WHDI (Wireless Home Digital Interface) is a standard created by Israeli company AMIMON. The company refers to WHDI as a video modem technology that can send HD video signals around the entire home, not simply within a room. WHDI bears similarities to 802.11n and uses 5GHz narrow band technology. AMIMON began shipping silicon in 2008, and has announced design wins with Sharp, Sony, and Mitsubishi for digital TVs.

While other big names are still taking a wait-and-see approach, GONBES TECH of China, has already started mass production and shipping their GBS-330 based on the WHDI technology for the Chinese audio-video market. The new GBS-330 promises wireless video transmission at 1080p/60Hz quality for multi-rooms up to 30m range with a lag time less than 1ms. It also supports HDCP 2.0 and encrypted content.

According to IT168, a well-known IT review site in China, the review on the GBS-330 looks all positive and promising. The review has covered the gaming on PS3 and Blu-ray movies playback and their conclusion is that the GBS-330 has brought the WHDI technology to reality and basically no manual settings are required as it works out of the box. The SRP of the GBS-330 is RMB4000 or US$550.

The main selling points of WHDI are that you don't have to invest in an expensive 10m~20m HDMI cable and you still can enjoy equivalent picture quality while reducing cable clutter.

(source: http://www.wirelessdesignasia.com/article-10558-wirelesshdvideotransmissionwhdi60ghzuwbandwifiinthemixforthenextgenlivingroom-Asia.html, http://mst.it168.com/a2009/1019/762/000000762814_5.shtml, http://www.gonbes.com/about.asp )

Acer releases S243HLbmii LED back-lit Monitors

2009-10-25T05:17:00.000-07:00

Acer has just released its newest 24-inch 1920 x 1080 FULL HD widescreen LCD display, the S243HLbmii. The new display's main selling point is the adoption of LED back-lit that promises a 65% reduction in energy consumption while providing a dynamic contrast ratio up to 8,000,000:1, a maximum brightness of 250 cd/m² and a response time of 2 ms (GTG). Display input connectivity includes one D-Sub and and two HDMI.

Good news is that it also comes with two 1W-speakers. It is now available in Japan for 33,000¥.

(source: http://lcd.it168.com/a2009/1023/789/000000789346.shtml)

ZOTAC's new ION ITX-F-E Mini-ITX

2009-10-24T02:23:00.000-07:00

ZOTAC has expanded its ION series of mini-ITX motherboards with the new ION ITX-F-E. The new ION ITX-F-E features an Atom N330 1.6GHz Dual-Core processors, a PCI Express x16 slot, MCP7A-ION Chipset, an integrated GF9400M graphics processor, Onboard 802.11n WiFi (mini PCIe), Coaxial and Optical SPDIF, etc. and supports up to 4GB 667/800 MHz DDR2 for high performance and energy efficiency.

Unlike the previous version which relies on a 90w external adaptor for power supply, the new ION ITX-F-E comes with a 20Pin ATX connector.

(source: http://global.hkepc.com/4175)

Benq LED back-lit LCD Monitors

2009-10-23T19:37:00.000-07:00

(pic taken from http://global.hkepc.com/4171)

BenQ, a top global display provider in both CE and IT industries, is trying to lead the charge in LCD revolution with their new V Series Eco LED Widescreen Displays starting with the launch of their 24” LED widescreen and the world’s first 21.5” LED widescreen, namely the Full HD 1080p V2400 Eco and Full HD 1080p V2200 Eco respectively. Both new V Series models feature "Eco" mode for 30% less power-consumption without compromising visual enjoyment and come with HDMI 1.3 and D-Sub input.

BenQ freshens up the design of the V2400/2200 Eco with a snow white ID that symbolizes purity in construction and calls to mind the purity of Nature. The shell is 28% recycled plastic, held to the highest standards set forth by EPEAT (a program of the Green Electronics Council) and PC3R (an organization that promotes reuse, reduction, and recycling of PCs and PC displays). To promote recycling, no chemical coating or printing of any kind taints the shell’s pristine whiteness. Instead, the BenQ logo and button markings are engraved, making the unit more recycle-friendly. Complimenting the avant-garde style of the V2400/2200 Eco is a cool multi-function round holder designed into the base of the monitor, offering a handy spot for knickknacks, an optional business card holder, or even serving as a mini plant pot.

The V2200 ECO and V2400 ECO are availabe in Asia immediately. The SRP for the V2200 ECO and Benq V2400 ECO are HK$1699 and HK$1999 respectively.

(source: http://www.benq.com/press/News.cfm?id=2471&cat=0)

HP releases Compaq L2105tm touchscreen monitor

2009-10-22T23:01:00.000-07:00

HP, the world's leading PC company, has announced a new multitouch display hot on the heels of the Windows 7 launch. This new touchscreen LCD monitor, Compaq L2105tm, boasts a 21.5-inch, 1080p multitouch screen with one finger scrolling and two finger mousing capabilities.

HP calls the Compaq L2105tm the first "Windows 7 certified" monitor, meaning that this is a plug-and-play gadget and its asking price is $299.

(source: http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/21/hp-unleashes-compaq-l2105tm-touchscreen-multitouch-monitor/#continued)

iMac All-in-one Desktops

2009-10-21T22:38:00.000-07:00

Apple has just anounced yet another new iMac series, the 21.5-inch and 27-inch Full HD16:9 displays. Both are with edge-to-edge glass covers nearly the entire front of the enclosure, all you see is the display, nothing gets between you and what’s onscreen. Movies, TV shows, websites and photos.

Unlike other All-in-one PCs, the new iMax All-in-one Desktops use LED backlighting that provides remarkable brightness and energy efficiency. And as the LED backlight doesn’t take up much space, the iMac enclosure remains thin even with all the high-performance components inside.

(source: http://www.apple.com/imac/design.html?cid=CDM-US-DM-P0008665-154238&Email_PageName=P0008665-154238-c1&Email_OID=685325&cp=154238&sr=em)

AMD's 45W-TDP 4-core processors

2009-10-20T05:43:00.000-07:00

AMD has just announced several new AMD Athlon™ II processors, including two 4-core series with a TDP of 45W, that offer outstanding performance and low power consumption solutions. The 45W-TDP 4-core CPUs are the Athlon™ II X4 (605e) at 2.3 GHz and Athlon™ II X4 (600e) at 2.2 GHz respectively.

These new processsors make perfect HTPCs that address the market shift to power efficient, and yet powerful enough for next generation of computing and graphics solutions at work, home and play.

(source: http://www.businesswire.com/portal/site/home/permalink/?ndmViewId=news_view&newsId=20091019006622&newsLang=en)

Panasonic's 85-inch TH-85PF12U plasma display

2009-10-19T02:37:00.000-07:00

Just when we think that the plasma display is losing out to LCD, Panasonic has released the 85-inch TH-85PF12U HD plasma display recently as the new flagship for their Premiere Plasma Series. It is only 3.9” thick, 286lbs, and energy efficient, while still delivering HD content with a dynamic contrast ratio up to 2,000,000:1. Included also is the ability to display approximately 6,144 steps of gradation, which is more than enough to account for deep-level blacks and the accurate colors representation needed to enjoy and appreciate modern video content. Signature to the TH-85PF12U is its multi-function slot architecture, developed to handle nearly any video input signal a user may desire to access: HDMI, component, PC, etc.

The 85-inch TH85PF12WK should be a hit with well-heeled videophiles who cannot accommodate a front projection system.

(sources: http://www.productwiki.com/panasonic-th-85pf12u/)

Samsung 24" LCD Syncmaster P2450H with HDMI (actual pictures)

2009-10-17T19:47:00.000-07:00

The Samsung's P2450H is made for multimedia and optimised for HD content with a fast 2ms rapid response time and 70,000:1 Dynamic Contrast. Below are some actual pictures:

(total white)

(total black-light leaks at the top and bottom edges)

(viewing from different angles)

(still pic looks good)

(HD movie playback)

(source: http://lcd.it168.com/a2009/0928/748/000000748893_10.shtml)

2009-10-16T20:56:00.000-07:00

Acer has just launched an upgraded version, the R3610-U9012, of the popular ion-based AspireRevo series for consumers in the U.S.

The AspireRevo R3610-U9012 is an extremely compact, one-liter tiny PC powered by a dual-core Intel Atom 330 processor (as opposed to an Atom 230 in the older version). This is an energy-efficient compact PC packs enough power to serve as an entertainment center and you can attach it to a TV or LCD for additional space savings.

Connectivity features of the AspireRevo R3610-U9012 include Gigabyte Ethernet and 802.11b/g/n wireless as well as an HDMI port, eSATA port, VGA port, and multi-in-1 digital media card reader. It also comes with HD audio support, a 160GB SATA hard drive and 2GB DDR2 memory.

The Acer AspireRevo R3610-U9012 Nettop is available for a MSRP of $329.99.

(source: http://hothardware.com/News/Acer-Unveils-AspireRevo-Nettop/)

Acer Aspire Z5610 All-in-One PC

2009-10-15T21:43:00.000-07:00

Acer, the third largest vendor in the worldwide PC market, has answered the all-in-one desktop demand via their Acer Aspire Z5610-U9072. The new series is an all-in-one desktop PC featuring touchscreen functionality and Windows7 Home Premium targets at the entertainment hub market for the home.

Engineered to eliminate clutter and maximize workspace, the Z5610 packs a stunning 23-inch HD display, ATI Mobility Radeon™ graphics and Intel^® Pentium^® Dual Core processing.

Featuring 1920x1080 pixel resolution, the 23-inch HD 16:9 TFT display enhances games, internet surfing and more with ultra-sharp, colorful imagery. With multi-touch, users can intuitively interact with the PC using multiple fingers as they would a mouse. They can open and close programs, browse online newspapers, flick through photo albums and shuffle files and folders, using nothing but their hands.

Besides, the Acer Aspire Z5610 provides a fast network connection with 802.11b/g/Draft-N wireless and Gigabit Ethernet. It also has a built-in HD webcam and microphone for videoconferencing with family and friends.

According to the source it will be available this Q4 at online retailers for an attractive price of $899.99.

(source: http://www.businesswire.com/portal/site/home/permalink/?ndmViewId=news_view&newsId=20091014006442&newsLang=en)

NVIDIA's Ion 2 may be available in Q4

2009-10-12T19:29:00.000-07:00

According to www.slashgear.com, NVDIA will unveil its Ion 2 chipset before the year's end. The second-generation platform is said to feature much faster graphics, over twice the shaders, a smaller die, and support the Intel-compatible processors such as Atom, together with the VIA Nano.

NVIDIA have confirmed that they plan to launch their second-generation Ion 2 chipset sometime in 2009. The confirmation is said came from NVIDIA’s head of chipsets.

So it is good news for those who wanted to have a faster Ion-based PC.

(source: http://www.slashgear.com/nvidia-ion-2-confirmed-for-2009-launch-0959788/)

Sony unveils new Touch-Screen HD PC/TV

2009-10-10T19:15:00.000-07:00

Sony just unveiled yet another new all-in-one touchscreen PC - the VAIO L-series HD PC/TV. The new series is equipped with a 24-inch Full-HD display and comes with a Blu-ray drive. And with built-in DVR capabilities and up to 500GB of storage, you can create a personal entertainment library with up to 50 hours of HD television.

The VAIO L-Series comes with an Intel Core 2 Duo Processor, a dedicated NVIDIA GeForce series graphics, 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi and other standard accessories. In short, you can use the VAIO L-Series as a multimedia hub for your PC, HDTV, Blu-ray player and DVR in one compact and stylish device. You can position the model virtually anywhere in your home and access the Internet, email or home network.

(source: http://smr.newswire.ca/en/sony/sony-delivers-new-touch-screen-hd-pc-tv)

Gateway One ZX6800 and ZX4800 all-in-one Touchscreen PCs

2009-10-07T01:37:00.000-07:00

'All-in-one' PCs with 'touchscreen' support are really getting more attention nowadays especially when Win7 is just around the corner. To me, 'All-in-one' PCs with 'touchscreen' support is the simplest way to set up a Media PC in the living room as you can use the touchscreen as your multimedia control panel.

Besides the DELL Studio One 19 which features a built-in 18.5" display with multi-touch screen functionality, Gateway also unveil two new all-in-one touchscreen PCs run Win7.

The ZX6800 comes with a 23-inch 1920 x 1080 touchscreen and runs an Intel Core 2 Quad 2.33GHz processor, 8GB of RAM, ATI Mobility Radeon HD 4670 1GB graphics card, a 1TB hard-drive and 64GB SSD (for apps and OS); there’s also WiFi b/g/n, gigabit ethernet, a DVD burner and eSATA port. A hybrid TV tuner and 5.1 surround sound outputs take care of entertainment.

Meanwhile the ZX4800 comes with a 20-inch 1,600 x 900 display and uses a Pentium dual core 2.1GHz CPU, 4GB of RAM, Intel GMA X4500HD graphics, a 750GB hard-drive and the same connectivity of its faster counterpart.

The Gateway One ZX6800 and ZX4800 will be available in late October or early November priced at $1,399.99 and $749.99 respectively.

(source: http://www.slashgear.com/gateway-one-zx6800-and-zx4800-multitouch-win-7-all-in-ones-0659424/)

O!Play HDP-R1 - The Easiest Way to Enjoy HD Content in the Living Room

2009-10-05T00:01:00.000-07:00

ASUS just popped up yet another standalone HD media player - the O!Play HDP-R1. This new device comes with an eSATA and LAN and is said can offer hassle-free multimedia playback with just one click. It supports almost all the popular codecs and file extensions you could find on the internet: MPEG1/2/4,RM/RMVB,VC-1,H.264, .mp4, .mov, .xvid, .avi, .divx, .asf,. wmv, .mkv, .rm,.rmvb, .flv, .ts, .m2ts, .dat, .mpg, .vob, MP3, WAV, AAC, OGG, FLAC, AIFF, JPEG, BMP, PNG, GIF, TIFF and subtitles in SRT, SUB, SMI & SSA formats, so you do not have to worry about the compatibilities of file format.

And you do not have to carry the physical storage from study room to living room as it can stream HD content from your PC or NAS.

(source: http://www.asus.com/product.aspx?P_ID=sPkRGUeRrpiVYl5K&templete=2)

Sharp's New LED AQUOS LX Series Unveiled

2009-10-04T01:43:00.000-07:00

According to http://www.sharp.co.jp/, their latest LED AQUOS series featuring LED backlit is scheduled to be released soon. The new LED AQUOS line-up includes 60”, 52”, 46” and 40” models offering a stunning 2000000:1 contrast ratio while providing up to 30% decrease in power consumption.

(pic taken from http://www.sharp.co.jp/corporate/news/090929-a.html)

NMP-1000

2009-10-01T20:59:00.000-07:00

QNAP has just launched a new NAS that combines the functionality of a HD media player. As the use of digital contents is becoming increasingly popular, this is an easier way to share and enjoy your video collection and favorite music on your home theater besides htpc. The new QNAP NMP-1000 NAS is capable of playback the videos, photos, and music on the internal hard disk. It also supports network playback of the digital contents from the PCs or NAS on your home network. The player can be seamlessly integrated with TV and stereo system for playing your digital collections in the living room or anywhere at home.

Featured with HDMI 1.3 output, SATA HDD interface, Gigabit network interface, and network sharing features, the NMP-1000 supports various file formats including the high-quality H.264 MKV, M2TS, and FLAC. It claims it can deliver smooth playback of Full HD video and high-definition audio.

(source: http://www.qnap.com/pro_detail_feature.asp?p_id=117)

Silverstone's Grandia GD04

2009-09-29T00:04:00.000-07:00

Silvertone has just announced the availability of the new Grandia GD04.

The GD04 has a beautifully proportioned exterior and is shaped similarly to most receivers and the depth is a mere 323mm.

It can accommodate one 5.25” optical drive, two 3.5” hard drives, a 2.5” SSD, a standard ATX power supply, and two high-end graphics cards up to 10.5 inches.

Special Feature

Three silent 120mm fans included
Positive air pressure design for excellent cooling/quietness and dust-prevention
Thick 8.0mm aluminum front panel with premium styling
Incredible 323mm depth to fit comfortably inside home theater cabinet
Designed with cable routing for easy installation
Support power supply up to 180mm long
Support expansion cards up to 10.5 inches
Support 2.5” hard drive or SSD (Solid-state drive)

(source: http://www.silverstonetek.com/products/p_contents.php?pno=GD04&area=)

Lenovo's IdeaCentre Q Series Mini PCs/nettops

2009-09-28T00:24:00.000-07:00

(source: http://shop.lenovo.com/)

Meet the Q Series from Lenovo! If you are tight on space and on a tight budget, why not consider a mini PC? There are 3 models on sale now on Lenovo's website, all are based on the same Atom-ION platform.

Q100. Basic mini PC
The size of a book and just right for email, internet, music and more. They're quiet and consume less energy than standard PCs.

Q110. Premium Full-HD mini PC
As tiny as Q100 with upgraded graphics, more storage and Full hi-def support. Pair with your HD TV for an affordable media PC.

Q700. Compact home theater
Designed to double as your PC, home theater and sound room in a décor-friendly tower about the size of a DVD player.

Genius LuxeMate 810 Wireless Input Device

2009-09-27T19:04:00.000-07:00

(source: http://www.testseek.com/computers/input_devices/keyboards/genius_luxemate_810-p-05601034-bf13-796b-79bf-0d566527d5f0.html)

Genius LuxeMate 810 Media Cruiser is a 3-in-One wireless input device with integration of keyboard, mouse and remote control functions.

The combo set is specially designed for the Microsoft Media Center Edition, compatible with the OS Hotkey and provides full PC remote control function to TV, DVD, My Video, My Music and MSN. It utilises dual-way 2.4 GHz and that can work from a distance of up to 10 meters to ensure control and comfort to operate that make it perfect for your htpc system.

VIA VB8003 Mini-ITX

2009-09-25T00:12:00.000-07:00

(source: http://www.slashgear.com/)

It is good to know that besides the popular Atom-Ion platform, we now have an alternative from VIA for the mini-itx 1080p solution, the VIA VB8003.

The VIA VB8003 comes with a 1.6GHz VIA Nano processor coupled with the VIA VX800 media system processor and the S3 Graphics 435 ULP graphics processor offers stunningly smooth HD playback at resolutions of up to 2560 x 1600 pixels. The connectivity includes dual HDMI ports, a DVI port, a VGA port, dual gigabit ethernet, 4 USB 2.0, PS2 and serial ports, 2 SATA ports, an IDE connector and a CompactFlash slot.

VIA calls this new board as the "Ultimate Mini-ITX HD Multimedia Platform Combines DX10.1 and Dual HDMI through both Discrete and Integrated Graphics".

AMD ATI Radeon HD 5800 capable of bitstream Dolby True HD and DTS-HD

2009-09-24T00:02:00.000-07:00

(source: http://www.amd.com/)

ATI's new HD5800 series is ALREADY on the consumer market. According to AMD, the ATI Radeon™ HD5800 Series graphics processors are the most technologically advanced and feature rich GPUs AMD has ever created. AMD releases two new cards so far, i.e. HD5850 and HD5870, both cards are equipped with UVD 2 video engine, independent video gamma controls, Blue-Stretch processing for effectively brighter whites in video, and dynamic video range support.

But for the htpc users, most importantly the HD 5800 series now supports Dolby True HD and DTS-HD Master Audio besides the aged DD and DTS surround sound output with up to 8 channels of 192kHz / 24-bit audio. Hope the entry-level series, e.g. HD5300 (?) will be available soon then I can grab one.

Dell's New Full HD Widescreen Monitor Series

2009-09-23T00:10:00.000-07:00

(source: http://www.dell.com/)

Dell has just added 3 new models to its Full HD Widescreen Home Monitor series, i.e. Dell ST2210 21.5", Dell ST2310 23" and ST2410 24". All the 3 models come with 1920x1080 Full HD panel with antiglare coating, 50,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio, 250cd/m² brightness level, DVI (HDCP), VGA, HDMI. and tilt-adjustability of 4° forward and 21° backward. The 3 models share exactly the smae specifications and they claim that they could deliver true cinematic-picture quality and enhanced movie watching, game playing and web surfing experence.

Although they are not led-backlit, the new series consume less energy as they only use 2 CCFL lamps as opposed to the 4 lamps used by the conventional LCD monitors. A good choice for the budget conscious users who are looking for a stylish monitor with high contract ratio for movies and games and still want to save up some electricity bills in the long run.

Lenovo's A600 All-in-One IdeaCenter PC

2009-09-22T01:28:00.000-07:00

(source: http://shop.lenovo.com/)

Lenovo's A600 is a 21.5-inch All-in-One PC combines the power of a traditional PC with the style and simplicity of a TV. Besides the low cost All-in-One PC solution offered by the Ion-Atom-based platform and DELL's Studio One 19 which is also based on the same mainstream Intel Core 2 Duo processor, the Lenovo A600 features a 21.5" Full HD (1920x1080) 16:9 widescreen, Dolby® Home Theater™ surround sound plus a serious 2.1 speaker system with bass sub woofer and Microsoft Vista Media Center which allows you to watch, record and organize video and TV programs with an optional 4-in-1 remote. On top of it, it is also bundled with a slot-loading blu-ray drive enables you to enjoy HD movies and wireless keyboard and mouse to reduce cable clutter.

The Lenovo's A600 has a Full HD 1080p screen, but it is silent on whether it supports 'touchscreen' functionality or not. If you intended to link the A600 to your big screen TV in your living room, a touchscreen will be an added advantage as you could turn it into a multimedia control panel.

HP Pavilion MS200 All-in-One PC

2009-09-21T00:22:00.000-07:00

(source: http://www.hardwaresphere.com/)

All-in one PC is a new trend now and more PC manufactures join the party. HP has just added the HP Pavilion MS200 to their production line. The MS200 All-in-One PC is powered by AMD Athlon X2 3250e-1.5Ghz Dual-Core Processor, 2GB RAM, 320GB HDD, Ati graphics card, WiFi, DVD SuperMulti DL burner, 6-in-1 card reader and a 18.5-inch LCD.

Unlike the DELL's Studio One 19 Touchscreen PC and Asus Eee Top ET2002T, the MS200 uses AMD processor and does not have touchscreen functionality. And, it's bundled with wired keyboard and mouse to keep the price low. This is a stylish PC and surely it can easily blend into your living room without an issue. But on another hand, the lack of touchscreen functionality and wireless keyboard and mouse may make it not suitable for htpc in the living room.

Popcorn Hour C-200 - the ultimate digital media player

2009-09-20T00:54:00.000-07:00

I said I would recommend some '2-in-1' NASs double as Media Players on my earlier post, but now I have found one that is better than that: the Popcorn Hour C-200! It comes with a built-in LCD front panel, an internal hard disk, Gigabit Ethernet and optional Blu-ray capability.

Codec-wise it supports most of the popular codecs you could find on the internet. This is the most powerful alternative media player besides a proper htpc system or a high-end blu-ray player on the market so far. This is the one for serious users who prefer a simple all-in-one solution to a proper htpc system. This is not a portable media device like the Olevia's HD Media Player ZP-500 or Western Digital's WD TV which I mentioned in my previous post, instead it has everything you need for a standalone media player, you may use its internal hard drive to stream your video or just connect it to your NAS video library and sit back to enjoy your video out of the box. I only provide some ideas what this media player could do, actually it has far more features than you could imagine, for examples, download and stream content directly from YouTube, download utility without a PC, etc.. (source: http://www.popcornhour.com/)

BIG Shuriken CPU Cooler for silent htpc

2009-09-19T01:18:00.000-07:00

Mini-itx cases are usually small and compact. Dealing with small chassis is always a challenge for htpc users as you have to find a balance between adequate ventilation and fan noise, sometimes you may not be able to have the best of both worlds. Here comes an alternative solution from Scyther.

Scythe's new BIG Shuriken CPU Cooler is a compact and silent cpu heatsink. It measures 58mm high and can perfectly fit in any small chassis. The Scythe Big Shuriken heatsink features 4 copper heatpipes, a 10mm thick 119x119mm square aluminum cooling fins and a 120mm PWM fan that spins at 900-1600 RPM. It is compatible with Intel's Socket 478, 775/1156/1366 and the entire AMD processor family. (source: http://www.scythe-eu.com/en/products/cpu-cooler/big-shuriken.html)

Olevia HD Media Player

2009-09-18T00:31:00.000-07:00

(pic taken from http://www.coolest-gadgets.com/ )

Portable Media Players are getting more popular nowadays, the Olevia HD Media Player ZP-500 is another similar product after the Western Digital WD TV to the media player market.

Just like the WD TV, the ZP-500 only measures 101x146x30 mm which is about the same size as the WD TV's 100mm x 125.5 x 40mm, it is able to playback 1080p video clips on your LCD TVs or PC monitors. Due to its small size it does not come with an internal hard disk, that means you need to connect it to a portable USB flash drive or hard disk for content.

Codec-wise it supports MPEG1 (DAT/MPG/MPEG), NPEG2 (MPG/MPEG/VOB/ISO/IFO/TS/TP), MPEG4 (MP4/AVI/MOV), DivX 3/4/5/6, Xvid (AVI/MKV), h.264 AVC (TS/AVI/MKV/MOV), VC1 (TS/AVI/MKV/WMV), WMV9 (WMV), Real Video 8/9/10 (RM/RMVB), FLV (FLV) and almost all the common codecs you could find on the internet.

This is a portable media device to complement your existing AV setup, you can use it to get access to your video library on your PC or NAS via the Ethernet. In short, it has all the WD TV's features plus Network function and supports even more file formats.

However, the shortfall of this kinda media player is the lack of internal storage for content, I would recommend some NAS doubles as media player in my future articles. (source: http://www.olevia.com.hk/)

HP Mini 311-1011TU Notebook PC - a portable media player

2009-09-17T01:15:00.000-07:00

Upcoming HP Mini 311-1011TU Notebook PC is based on the popular ION platform. It features a 11.6” Diagonal HD LED BrightView Widescreen Display with a resolution of 1366x768 which makes it a good choice for a portable media player. HD-playback-wise, it is powered by the Nvidia GF9400 graphics engine with PureVideo HD capble of MPEG-2, H.264 and VC-1 decoding. With the HDMI output (which normally only comes with high-end notebook), connecting to a LCD TV is no longer an issue. Other features include Intel Atom N280, 1GB DDR3, 160GB HD, 5-in-1 card reader, 802.11 B/G, bluetooth, Altec Lansing speakers and Windows Vista/XP pre-installed.

You could use this netbook as a portable media player to complement your existing audio video system. It is a cost effective way to have a AV system which you could use it in your bedroom, living room or on the go. (source: http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?docname=c01868521&cc=us&dlc=en&lc=en&jumpid=reg_R1002_USEN)

Hitachi's New Hard disk series

2009-09-16T00:45:00.000-07:00

Hitachi Global Storage Technologies has just released its new line of CinemaStar hard drives, the new series is built on the 500GB/platter, boasting 7200RPM and ranging from 160GB to 1TB. The new drives are designed for multimedia solutions such as HD recording, editing and storage. With the new series released, Hitachi is in a better position to compete with Western Digital and Seagate who dominant the home pc mass storage market. It is believe Hitachi's entry will force its rivals to bring down the price of TB-based hard disks. We should see more competitively priced giant TB hard disks on the market soon. (source: http://www.hitachigst.com/)

Optoma HD20 - low cost 1080p projector solution

2009-09-15T05:01:00.000-07:00

(pic taken from http://www.pcmag.com/)

This is the first projector I write on my blog - the Optoma HD20 - because this is the only 1080p projector priced at US$999 I could find on the market. This new gadget definitely removes the high cost barrier of 1080p projectors and brings them to a more affordable level for most average users.

First impression, it's small. Measures only 324×234×97mm about half the size of its 1080p counterparts. This is the one meant for casual home cinema use and if you are used to high end models, the HD20 may not be the one you are looking for. Good choice for those who want to enter the 1080p field, but I would wait for a while for more options from its rivals.

DELL's Studio One 19 Touchscreen PC

2009-09-13T02:27:00.000-07:00

(source: http://www.dell.com/content/products/productdetails.aspx/desktop-studio-one-19?c=us&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs)

I believe 'All-in-one' PCs with 'touchscreen' support will be getting more popular amongst htpc users when Win7 is available later this year. Currently touchscreen PCs based on the Intel-Atom platform, e.g. the MSI Wind Top AE1900 series are already on the market, but a better choice would be the ones use the Ion-Atom-based platform such as the Asus Eee Top ET2002T which are capable of HD playback.

'All-in-one' PCs with 'touchscreen' support is the simplest way to set up a Media PC in the living room. What you need is just link your PC to your big screen TV, preferably via a HDMI, then you can watch your video collection in your living room. You can use the touchscreen as a multimedia control panel.

Besides the low cost solution offered by the Ion-Atom-based platform, DELL offers an alternative. The DELL Studio One 19 features a built-in 18.5" display with multi-touch screen functionality on a choice of 4 color fabric trim options or Solid Pure White trim border which can easily blend into your living room. It comes with an Intel desktop-based processor and upgradeable to Quad-Core, and, the package is bundled with wireless keyboard, mouse and WiFi to reduce cable clutter.

Fujitsu's Esprimo Q1500

2009-09-12T10:42:00.000-07:00

(source: http://www.engadget.com/2009/09/06/fujitsu-esprimo-q1500-core-2-duo-and-blu-ray-in-a-laughably-sma/)

If you want a powerful htpc system which comes with a mainstream Intel Core 2 Duo processor and Blu-ray drive, Fujitsu's new Esprimo Q 1500 may be what you are looking for. It is packed in a small chassis similar to those nettop PCs that use the Atom platform but with more power to do more jobs. The Esprimo Q 1500 also comes with 4GB of RAM, 320GB hard drive, 6 USB ports and will be available in September.

Akoya Mini E2076D world’s smallest Ion-based HTPC

2009-09-11T15:44:00.000-07:00

Acer Aspire Revo has been the world's smallest Atom-ION platform but it will be replaced by the new Akoya Mini E2076D which only measures 173mm high x 20mm thick. The Akoya is the product of Medion, a German company. According to the source, it will come with 2 GB Ram, 320GB hard drive and bundled with wireless mouse and keyboard. It will be available in September. Due to its ability of HD playback, you may consider this new gadget for your htpc setup. (source: http://www.sunrainet.com/)

Plasma TVs are not dead yet

2009-09-10T19:02:00.000-07:00

Plasma TVs are famous with their big screen displays and excellent picture quality, but they also suffers from the high price tag and unfriendly high energy consumption. The market is relatively small if compared with the LCD. Most TV manufacturers opt for LCDs rather than Plasma, but not the LG.

(source: http://www.lge.com/us/tv-audio-video/televisions/index.jsp?countryCd=us)

LG's new PS60 and PS80 series may give you some thoughts about what Plasma TVs are about. My first impression about the new series is that Plasma TVs are not dead yet, there is still a market for plasma if the price and energy consumption factors are well taken care of. As a matter of fact, if you are looking for something bigger than 50', plasma is still much better than LCD.

eTop-ET2002T as Media PC control panel

2009-09-08T19:57:00.000-07:00

(source: http://www.asus.com/product.aspx?P_ID=DPWRF5hdLVP5bqsQ)

If I remember correctly few years back Microsoft actually included a Windows Media Center in the Windows OS for those who wanted to set up their media pc in the living room. The concept was link your pc to your big screen tv and watch your video collection on your tv. At that time, Microsoft advised that a small pc monitor was still needed as a 'control panel' side by side with your big screen tv. However, the concept was not really accepted by the average users as setting up such a system was quite challenging during that time and imagine those pieces of hardware scattered here and there, e.g. pc lcd monitor, cpu chassis, wired keyboard and mouse, cabling etc. And, 'touchscreen' was still considered as something luxury few years back, even MS did not support it.

But what if you have an 'all-in-one' pc with the touchscreen display, cpu and all the necessary components built into a small flat panel which you could call it as a multimedia control panel rather than a pc? Don't you think it would be a good idea for a Windows Media Center setup?

The Asus Eee Top ET2002T is ideal for a Windows Media Center setup. It features a built-in 20-inch touchscreen display with a resolution of 1,600 x 900 and comes with a Dual Core Atom 330 processor on Ion platform, and of course, it also includes a wireless keyboard and mouse. I don't have to talk much about the Ion platform as I presume you already know it well and its capability of HD content playback.

Cooler master's Elite 100 htpc chassis

2009-09-07T06:33:00.000-07:00

Cooler Master's new Elite 100 is an another good choice of compact chassis for your htpc, it can fit either a micro-ATX or a mini-ITX motherboard. It has a simplistic front panel provides only the power-on button, USB and audio ports. The body is made of steel and plastic. Good thing is that the asking price is unbelievable low. From what I could see from the pictures, mind you, you may need a slim MATX for this chassis. A good choice if you are looking for something value for money from a reputable name, but definitely not for those high-end users. Other features of the Elite 100 includes:

Multi-device support:
- With micro-ATX board: Slim ODD x 1, 2.5" HDD x 2 or
- With mini-ITX board: Slim ODD x 1, 2.5" HDD x 2, 3.5" HDD x 1
Excellently cooled slim enclosure to support up to 65W CPU
Passive mini-ITX case with silent constructional design
Flex ATX 150W with Active PFC included

http://www.coolermaster.com/product.php?product_id=6623

ALU-830 HTPC mini-itx chassis

2009-09-06T02:09:00.000-07:00

This is another mini-itx case from Taiwan: ALU-830. The dimensions are 295 (W) x 257 (D) x 133.5 (H) mm. Judging from the included iMon remote and the following features, it won't be cheap:

Aluminum enclosure
Built-in iMON kits:
1. iMON software fully compatible with WXP MCE / Vista
2. iMON remote control fully compatible with WXP MCE / Vista
3. iMON VFD display panel fully compatible with WXP MCE / Vista
2 x air holes with metal grill for heat dissipation
WXP MCE / Vista compatible IR module
Mini-ITX MB compatibility
Front I/O for easy access
56-in-1 card reader built-in

(pics are taken from http://www.alutek.com.tw//)

Lian LI's PC-B25F

2009-09-05T04:18:00.000-07:00

Lian Li has just launched a new completely tool-free mid-tower case recently. This is not a HTPC case but I think it could sit beside your receiver without much problem as it is also in black. Furthermore, it's got plenty of space for your hard disks. (source: http://www.lian-li.com/v2/en/product/product06.php?pr_index=366&cl_index=1&sc_index=25&ss_index=62)

Sharkoon announces new Temptation mATX case

2009-09-04T05:10:00.000-07:00

(pic is taken from http://www.tcmagazine.com/)

Sharkoon, a Taiwan-based company, has introduced a new htpc case called the Temptation. The case dimensions are 245mm x 310mm x 445mm. The front panel is made of thick aluminum, but unlike my Silverstone Sugo SG01 (measures 263mm x 210mm x 393mm), this one gives you a rough feel impression. This case is not suitable for those do not have precious desk real estate for a big pc case like me. (my desk is only 440mm deep so obviously it can't take a 445mm-long-body case)

24.4cm x 21 cm 'slim' MATX board

2009-09-03T01:58:00.000-07:00

Silverstone LC16B - capable of mounting 6 harkdisks

You may have a very nice htpc case e.g. Silverstone LC16 and it claims that it could mount 6 hard disks inside. Sounds impressive but due to the size of your motherboard, you could only fit in 4 hard disks and leave another 2 slots empty. Big name Gigabyte has some 'slim' mATX motherboards with size just 24.4cm x 21cm (compared with the standard 24.4cm x 24.4cm), probably it would provide more room for your hard disks.

slim GIGABYTE GA-EG41M-US2H

standard GA-MA78GM-UD2H

The above pictures are for comparison only. Gigabyte and other vendors also provide slim mATX or even ATX boards for 780g. Look around you'll find one.

More ion-based htpc available

2009-09-02T00:38:00.000-07:00

More and more PC vendors rush into ION-based platform market. Previously we have Asrock, Acer and Asus, and now iChill N330 ION. It all depends on what you want, Aser's AspireRevo is cute but it does not have a DVD/BD drive, it comes with a 4-in-1 card reader instead. ASRock Ion is nice too but it lacks of an eSATA for your external hard disks. And mind you, most of these ion-based bared-bone platforms do not have the complete components inside, for example, RAMs and Hard Disk may not be included in the package.

(pic of Asrock black is taken from http://www.hkepc.com/)

On another hand some vendors would just release plain boards for the consumer market, e.g. ASUS AT3N7A-I and INNO 3D iChill N330 ION, both provide eSATA for faster excess to your external hard disk storage.

LED-based LCD TVs

2009-09-01T03:57:00.000-07:00

If compared with conventional LCD TVs, the LED-based LCD TVs turns off the back lights completely for dark scenes to deliver a near-perfect reproduction of black while leaving LEDs in other areas at optimum illumination. The result is reproduction of solid black rivals to those plasma TVs although it's still suffered from its narrow viewing angles which plasma TVs don't. But it would definitely consume less energy if compared with the plasma, you may need to consider the energy saving factor into account especially when most people are talking about green products nowadays.

There are only few big names produce LED-based LCD TVs at the moment, e.g. Sharp's XS1A series, Sony's KDL series, Philips's 42PFL9803H and Samsung's 8000, 7000 & 6000 series in which the Samsung 6000 series being the cheapest amongst them. LED-based LCD TV may be the perfect display for your htpc for time being but they have one thing in common i.e. they're all heavily over-priced.

AMD Phenom II X4 905e - first 65w-TDP Quad-Core processor

2009-08-31T02:19:00.000-07:00

Here comes the first 65w-TDP (Thermal Design Power) Quad-Core Phenom II X4 905e offered by AMD, featuring Socket AM3, Operating Frequency 2.5GHz, Hyper Transports 4000MHz, L2 Cache 4 x 512KB, L3 Cache 6MB, 45nm Manufacturing Technology, 64 bit System, Hyper-Transport and Virtualization Technology Support. Judging from its low TDP, it should fit in your list if you really want to have a Quad-Core processor for your HTPC.

But I would wait for a while for my next HTPC machine as Intel will be launching its Core i3 processor with GPU integrated inside and supports MPEG2, VC-1 and AVC (H.264) decoding and passthrough Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio and probably be available in Q4 this year! It's still not clear whether AMD would come up any solution for Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD at the moment.

Asus Bravo 9500 - home cinema Must-Have

2009-08-30T06:02:00.000-07:00

(pic taken from http://www.trustedreviews.com)

If you are a die-hard movie fan and like to watch films in a total darkness environment, then this Asus Bravo 9500 should be one of your Must-Have toys. The Bravo 9500 is a GeForce 9500 GT graphics card comes with all the necessary horse power for your HD content. But I believe the main selling point here is the accompanying light sensor of the card- With this card you can enjoy the cinema alike darkness without having your eyes strained! Imaging if this thing pairs with the Philip's 56″ Cinema 21:9 LCD TV!

ASUS AT3N7A-I best mini-itx ION-Based board so far

2009-08-29T01:29:00.000-07:00

ASUS has just joined the NVIDIA's ION platform with their first NVIDIA ION-based AT3N7A-I motherboard. Boasting a mini-ITX form factor, the board comes equipped with a dual-core Intel Atom 330 processor with a core speed of 1.6GHz and all the necessary hardware to run a HTPC. It has 2 memory DIMMs slot which can support up to 4GB of DDR2 memory, 1 PCI slot, 3 SATA 3Gbps ports. It also comes with HDMI, DVI-D & VGA, Gigabit Ethernet LAN, 8-channel HD Audio Codec at the back panel.

(pics are taken from http://news.softpedia.com/)

You can also find Express Gate on this small board, Express Gate is a simplified Linux OS which will enable you get access to your multimedia library or start surfing the internet almost instantly without log on the Windows.

The selling points of this small board are: mini-itx, ion platform, duo-core atom, express gate, e-sata (for your external hard disks) and low power consumption.

This is the FIRST mini-itx ion board from one of the world's few best motherboard manufacturers, personally I think it would outperform its counterpart Zotac ION 1680, still, it's cheaper than the Zotac.

Antec ISK 300-65 Mini-ITX Case

2009-08-28T04:03:00.000-07:00

'silent pc review' or 'spcr' has carried out an extensive review on the latest mini-itx case from Antec. This's what they said in their introduction: "When a case brand as big as Antec strikes out into a new sector, you have to sit up and pay attention." : )

This tiny case comes with an external 65-watt adapter, not quite what I want. The size is (H96mm X W222mm X D328mm) and is as small as the ALUMINIPC (H330mm W88mm D190mm). It is made of cold rolled steel instead of aluminum and it does have a slim optical 5.25" bay which the ALUMINIPC doesn't. Not quite apple to apple comparison except they are about the same price.

For full details please see http://www.silentpcreview.com/

Samsung 24" LCD Syncmaster P2450H with HDMI

2009-08-27T02:09:00.000-07:00

Samsung is famous with its wide range of computer monitors that cover both the entry and high-end market. But they don't have an entry model which comes with HDMI and Style so far. Now they have this P2450H which may fit in your list. This monitor comes with DVI-D, VGA-SUB, HDMI and with a resolution of 1920x1080, 24 inches in diagonal, TN panel, 2ms responses time, 70000:1 contrast ratio, etc.etc. etc.

However, it's a shame as it does not come with built-in speakers, it has an 'analog audio output' and an 'optical output' instead. So, what's the point of having the HDMI?

I don't doubt its picture quality as I am a Samsung monitor user, but this one is not my cup of tea except the price is quite attractive.

(source: http://lcd.it168.com/a2009/0928/748/000000748893_10.shtml)

Aluminum mini-itx case from Hong Kong!

2009-08-26T06:49:00.000-07:00

Quality HTPC cases made of thick aluminum metal always linked to big names such as Silverstone, Antec, Zalman or even Lian li. But recently I have found a very nice mini-itx HTPC case which is also made of thick aluminum panel but with a fraction of the price if compared with the other similar products offered by the big guys!

It's ALUMINIC, the company is based in Hong Kong and frankly speaking it's unknown to me. However, I've got their permission to re-post some of the pics taken from their site and please enjoy! You will be impressed this tiny case could swallow so many things. Based on my visual evaluation, it does its job well and justify the small asking price which is only HKD$580. The only downside which I could think of is it lacks of vent holes on the top panel. But it all depends on how much stuff you want to throw in it, if it's not too cramped inside then the ventilation should be ok.

(Source: http://www.aluminipc.com/

Don't forget to visit their site to view the video demo, it's worth to see it.

32nm + GPU Inside - The New Intel Core i3 processor

2009-08-25T19:08:00.000-07:00

32nm + GPU Inside - The New Intel Core i3 processor! Looks impressive. This will be the Intel’s first CPU/GPU integrated chip, and should be publicly available in Q1 2010 but it may be shipped in Q4 this year. According to Intel this new chip comes with the new 'Intel Clear Video HD' and could decode MPEG2, VC-1 and AVC (H.264) efficiently. And most importantly, it supports Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio! We have yet to see AMD come up any similar product so far although they take the lead in the HTPC field.

Philip’s new 56″ Cinema 21:9 LCD TV

2009-08-23T23:29:00.000-07:00

As one of the pioneers in the field of AV, Philip has just released its new 56″ Cinema 21:9 LCD TV or 'the world’s first TV to deliver a true cinematic viewing experience in the comfort of the home', for those who are interested you may want to check out the following:

1. none of the movies published nowadays is in 21:9 aspect ratio, the closest you can get is the 2.35:1.

2. for movies shot in 1.78:1 aspect ratio (16x9) or any other ratios, you would get black bars on the Left and Right instead of on the Top and Bottom, I would prefer the latter as would most people (?).

3. for a size of 56', the premium you have to pay is damn too high if compared to a full HD LCD projector which could project a 100' with ease with half the price. but of course, you would save up some cash for blackout curtains if you used this Philip's.

4. pixel-wise, it's a 2560×1080p. as i said before you don't have a single movie with this kinda resolution nowadays. if you scale it up to fill up the screen, then it's not 'pixel-to-pixel' anymore.

5. any graphics driver for this monster if you want to pair it with your htpc?

SilverStone Sugo SG06 mini-itx Case

2009-08-11T23:14:00.001-07:00

I found this little tiny cute mini-itx case at

http://www.sundialmicro.com/silverstone-small-form-factor-case-sstsg06_1920_1686.html

, and further details could be found at

http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/article/773
.

Just google around you'll find more info on this new case.

Give it a try if you are still looking for a really good looking mini-itx case. Mind you, this case is about US$30 more expensive if compared to its counterpart SG05 which comes with the exact form factor design and size but with a bare front finish.

Pictures are taken from

http://www.silverstonetek.com/products/p_contents.php?pno=SG06&area=usa

795GX and DTS-HD and Dolby TrueHD

2009-08-09T20:19:00.000-07:00

According to Turkish hardware site Donanimhaber.com, AMD will probably launch new chipset called 795GX in next weeks. The site mentioned that 795GX has higher igp core frequency than 785G, supports Crossfire X likes 790GX and also use SB750 southbridge. (Source: http://www.donanimhaber.com/AMD_795GX_yonga_setini_de_kullanima_sunabilir-15157.htm)

But my concern is, would this new chip support DTS-HD and Dolby TrueHD on your PC? At this moment, The Asus Xonar HDAV 1.3 is the world’s only solution capable of providing bit-to-bit exact lossless Blu-Ray audio output—without any down sampling to DVD quality—allowing users to enjoy next generation audio enhancements such as DTS-HD, Dolby TrueHD and Dolby Digital Plus on the PC. The Asus Xonar HDAV 1.3 also supports most Video Graphics Cards on the market, allowing delivery of both video and audio outputs through a single HDMI cable. (Source:http://www.guru3d.com/news/asus-xonar-hdav13-with-dolby-truehd-bitstream-bluray-/)

To me, 795GX is nothing great if it can't support DTS-HD and Dolby TrueHD, and the Asus Xonar HDAV 1.3 is damn too expensive for any average user. I think the ideal bargain would be an entry-level PCI-E card for example the ATI 4xxx series with the support of DTS-HD and Dolby TrueHD passthrough, I will definitely grab one if such thing available on the market.

DTS won't garble with HDMI

2009-06-15T21:54:00.000-07:00

The best thing about having a receiver is you can get it does the decoding of the audio instead of the PC for you. As most of the popular audio codecs on the market are of Dolby Digital (AC3) and DTS, it would be great if our receivers could take over the decoding job from the PC and do it for us. The reasons are: (a) reduce the CPU usage and it would help a lot if you have a slow PC, (b) since your expensive receiver is already there for you, why not?

There are 2 ways to do it, first you need either a SPDIF optical cable (or Coaxial cable, but most of the PC boards do not have it) or a HDMI cable.

Steps:

1. At the FFDShow Audio Decoder, disable the codecs for AC3 and DTS.

2. Install Spdifer (or you can call it AC3Filter or whatever), tick 'AC3' and 'DTS' to enable the 'passthrough'.

3. Do not touch any other thing.

4. When you play a file with sound encoded in AC3 or DTS, your receiver should show "Dolby Digital" or "DTS" on the display screen. BUT...

5. Sometimes, the settings would only work for "Dolby Digital", but not "DTS". Instead you would find the DTS sound is garbled, as if it mutes or distorts every half second or so. The problem may be due to the bandwidth of the SPDIF.

6. The solution is HDMI, it will solve the problem.

ATI has resolved the Yamaha non-compatible Issues

2009-06-14T05:52:00.000-07:00

I have successfully connected my ATI-78oG-based HTPC to my Yamaha RX-V663 and Sony LCD TV. That means I could use the full video features of my Sony under the TV/Video modes for my HD contents now. Previously I connected my HTPC directly to my Sony under the PC mode as the Yamaha could not talk to my ATI-based HTPC, and thus end up I could only get it worked under the Sony's PC mode by direct connection with a HDMI or D-sub. The disadvantages were that Sony do not allow you to use most of the video features under the PC mode, you are only allowed to switch between Text Mode and Video Mode (minimum video features) under the PC mode.

You need the latest Catalyst driver from ATI (or AMD) to enable your ATI-based PC to talk to the Yamaha. I used the "9-5_vista32_win7_32_dd_ccc_wdm_enu" vesion and it works perfectly for me. Remember, it is the ATI driver issues, not the Yamaha. I didn't update any firmware to my Yamaha. Now, I summarize my findings and results below for those who are interested:-

1. No firmware update is needed for the Yamaha.

2. You need the latest Catalyst driver (e.g. as at 14 June 2009).

3. Yor need two HDMI cables, one from your HTPC to the receiver and another one from the receiver to your LCD TV.

4. No optical cable is needed.

5. Your LCD TV will treat the source from your receiver as ordinary HDMI source (e.g. DVD players etc.), so do not try to read texts under this setting, it's too bright for your eyes (similar to viewing texts under the 'Movie Mode' under a typical LCD monitor). The TV should give you a resolution of 1366x768 now (with some fine tuning), no more 1360x768!

6. If you do want to use your LCD TV as a monitor occasionary, then use a D-sub to connect your HTPC to your TV (provided your TV has got one D-sub input, if not, use another HDMI input. But your HTPC may not have 2 HDMI outputs, and you already use one for the receiver). If you set the resolution at 1360 x 768 (for non-HD LCD TV), you should be able to work uner the PC mode. You can shift to this Text mode with your TV remote. Under the PC mode, you still do not need an optical cable for the audio. What you need is switch on the receiver for the audio (your TV speakers won't work under the D-sub, but your 5.1 speakers which connected to the receiver will work).

That's all.

New Home for Shuttle XPC

2009-05-04T20:22:00.000-07:00

This is the new Home for the Shuttle XPC and Samsung SW2233. My sister complained that some burning smells coming from the Shuttle. I had it checked and found that the power supply was the source. Still trying to figure it out whether it is normal or not.

THX certified Altec Lansinc MX5021

2009-04-26T04:11:00.000-07:00

For those who are on a tight budget I would like to recommend this excellent alternative to a high-end home audio system, i.e. Altec Lansinc MX5021. This may be the only THX certified 2.1 speakers in its price range.

March of Mice

2009-04-20T23:24:00.000-07:00

I still remember my first wireless mouse was a infrared track-ball mouse, it was almost 10 years something ago. However, after that mouse died, I moved back to the conventional ones. Along the time optical mice come and replace the track-ball ones...and today, finally, wireless mice which really practically work have come: 2.4Ghz wireless laser mouse! This kind of mouse is relatively cheaper, with longer battery life (easily last 2 to 3 months), and with wider working range (10m). On another hand, you can also get a Bluetooth mouse with a similar spec but at a price about 2 times of a 2.4Ghz, it's up to you. Laser is good if compared to Optical, it works on all type of surface, including glass. I have four 2.4Ghz wireless mice so far, 3 of them are laser and 1 is optical. I also have 2 infrared optical mice which I already put in my garage.

2.4Ghz wireless laser mouse is the answer to your HTPC system!

Shuttle with Samsung LCD

2009-03-21T00:45:00.001-07:00

This is the complete setup with a Samsung 2233SW, a wired 'Genius' USB keyboard, a 2.4GHZ laser mouse and a 2.1 Logitech speakers, of course, the main focus point is still the Shuttle.

I took the pics with my cellphone and then bluetoothed them to the Shuttle, this is what technology is all about!

The speakers are a bit weak in this setup, but it should be ok in a small room, I hope.

SFF: 'Silversttone Sugo SG01-F' vs 'Shuttle XPC SG31G2

2009-02-23T23:57:00.000-08:00

I bought a Silverstone sugo SG01-F and a Shuttle SG31G2. There are some similarities in the Spec and form factor. I did some comparisons and they are as follows:-

1. The price of the Sugo with a 780G motherboard & a decent PS is about the same as the Shuttle which comes with a motherboard and PS.

2. Sugo is bigger and more flexible and it offers plenty of space for your stuff, but you can also fit in two hard disks & a PCI-E card in the Shuttle!

3. Sugo is solid and heavy and with thicker steel materials, but its dimensions lack of accuracy - the case is with a noticeable gap when you close it. Shuttle is light and easy to handle and it's so neat when you close the case.

4. Sugo's front panel is made of solid aluminum, while the full exterior enclosure of Shuttle is of aluminum. The interiors of both are built with steel plates.

5. Sugo can take any typical MATX board you throw in and it would outperform a typical Shuttle's.

6. Shuttle is an absolute silent system if compared with Sugo which has 4 fans inside (including the one for the processor)

silverstone sugo SG01-F

2009-02-23T23:23:00.000-08:00

I have got my HTPC replaced recently, it's a silverstone sugo SG01-F with a Gigabyte 780GM-S2H board and a AMD5600+ processor. No complaint so far, perfectly output to my SONY (1366 x 768 resolution) including direct sound via HDMI. (the old 690G has problem with sound via HDMI, even Gigabyte support team could not figure it out and fit it)

The old 690G is also with a new suit now, I changed the case.

More Shuttle Pics!

2009-02-21T20:09:00.000-08:00

These are the pics I took from the Shuttle official web site.

Shuttle SG31G2 as HTPC?

2009-02-21T17:44:00.000-08:00

I just bought a Shuttle SG31G2 for my sister. It's a Shuttle barebone system came with a good looking case, a tiny mobo and a power supply, all together US$200, not bad, considering it's a Intel G31 chip system and does come with dual output (VGA & DVI). I added a E7400, a Pioneer DVDRW and a WD500GB Green Power and 4GB of RAM, so the total cost was US$450. Still quite worth it considering it's a small form factor system (300L x 200W x 185H) and the decent hardware. The processor runs at 2.80Ghz which is about 1Ghz faster than the Intel system I built for my brother 2 years ago and the new chip is even cheaper.

My only complaint is that Intel 'still' does not suppot 1360 x 768 resolution, it would be a problem for me as I am using my TV as a monitor. But it shouldn't be any problem for my syster. In summary, the shortfalls, as far as HTPC is concerned, are as follows:

1. No HDMI output,
2. No optical output,
3. Can't support 1360 x 768 resolution; bad for those who have a 1366 x 768 tv, and
4. The power supply is marked with 250w max, maybe a problem if you pop in a graphics card.

But, the good things are:

1. You can add in a PCI-E card if you want, plenty of space there for your card,
2. Two Hard Disk slots, should be enough for those who have a lot of HD contents,
3. An absolute quiet system, the CPU is cooled by pipes and heat sink, no fan,
4. Two DDR2 slots, supports up to 4GB of RAM,
5. Steel flush finish, looks so nice you may even mistake it as a aluminum case, and
6. The case is solid, cables inside are neatly arranged and clean.

That's ALL!

Yamaha RX-V663 + HTPC

2008-11-29T17:17:00.000-08:00

After one year of searching I finally got my very first receiver hooked to my HTPC, it's a Yamaha RX-V663. I chose it over other similar models simply because it has a smaller foot print and (is said) generates less heat. There is quite a number of reviews on this receiver on the internet so I won't write much about it.

I use a Yamaha NS-P110 which is a 5.1 for my system. I hook the RX-V663 to my computer with a optical cable and it sounds great in a 10x20 room. But I could not get it run on a HDMI cable as it looks like having a handshake issue (Answer.Com: An exchange of signals between two devices when communications begin in order to ensure synchronization) with the on-board graphics card. In short, It sees the computer as a DVI device but not a HDMI Device. Just FYI, the manual is silent on anything related to the hooking of the receiver to computers.

Besides that, it works fine and I love it very much.

How Much RAM is Enough?

2008-10-06T00:05:00.000-07:00

RAMs are dirt cheap nowadays, but how much is enough? I already got 2GB of DDR2-677 running on ‘dual channel’ mode on my PC, should I go for 4GB just for the sake of it? As I could not resist the low price attack I decided to go for it. Then another question arises: Would all RAMs in pairs support the so-called ‘dual channel’ mode? Could you mix the existing double sided RAMs with the newly single sided RAMs?

The answers are depending on your motherboards. Some motherboards would only support 4 single-bank (single sided chips) RAMs, if you already got 2 slots filled with 2 double sided RAMs then the remaining 2 empty slots might not be functional anymore. In this case you could only use 4 sticks of single sided RAMs if you intended to use up all the 4 slots. Now the next question is could you mix the single sided RAMs and double sided RAMs? Yes, you could but it would be on ‘single channel’ mode only, you won’t get the ‘double channel’ support.

I was quite lucky as my motherboard does support 4 sticks of double sided RAMs and it still could provide dual channel support, what I had to do was ensure that the 2 new RAMs I was going to buy were of the same brand, same capacity and double sided, that's it!

Lastly, how much RAMs would appear as the physical memory on your Windows? For 32 bits Windows, you might get roughly 3.25GB in total, including the shared memory for graphics. That means you might have 3.00GB reported by the System Information under the Windows environment. Yes, you lose roughly 800MB, but the improvement is quite significant and I personally feel that it is worth it.

Adding a Coolermaster Silent Fan to my HTPC

2008-10-05T21:38:00.000-07:00

I have just added a Coolermaster's silent fan to my HTPC. It works great and is really silent if compared to my previous one. Coolermaster produces good silent fan at low price, this one comes with led light and transparent blades.

Windows XP SP3 solves the HDMI audio problem

2008-05-10T17:45:00.000-07:00

The OS I used when I built my own HTPC was Windows XP, it never be a problem to me as I hooked it to my LCD TV with a D-sub cable which obviously cannot carry audio signal. I used analog audio output instead. But, when I have a HDMI cable, naturally I would expect my TV's built-in speakers would sing but unfortunately it didn't!

I know HDMI is kind of digital stuff and it provides superior sound quality directly from the source to the speakers, in this case the PC was the source, the HDMI cable as the bridge and the TV's speakers as the audio device, but they just didn't work under Windows XP (SP2, to be exact). So I started searching around and found that it might be due to the Microsoft UAA (Universal Audio Architecture) Bus driver problem, I downloaded it and installed it numerous times but it still didn't work due to some reasons beyond my knowledge.

You know what? I solved it immediately when I installed the SP3!