Windows Media Center Computers

[ribitch]

I was in bestbuy this weekend and was able to see a HP thats part of the media center lineup. I didnt like it. It seemed like a normal PC with the internet keyboard buttons moved to the tower, and instead of buttons to launch a browser or email client, the buttons launched a TV program or radio program.

The remote unit gets taped to the system and plugs into a USB port. I figured they would be putting the receptor into the case and making one less wire to plug in for the consumer. The reciever box on top of the case looked just lame. I understand that having it external allows you to move it, but is there that much of an advantage?

The case HP uses is fugly too. Its a shiny black plastic. It looks really weak and scratchable. They should have made the system a 17" wide unit in the colors scheme (black or silver) that most home stereo systems use. If they want to integrate the system into a home entertainment system, then they need to follow what the industry has been doing.

To top it off, the unit should use rf instead of ir. rf would allow the rmote to be able to change the channel through walls or cabinet doors that may hide the computer.

just my 2 cents

[i6s1]

I read this morning that Gateway and Alienware will be making them as well, maybe thier execution will be better. I wonder what the software's like?

Of course we all know that Apple is the only company that could get this concept right.

[Cantacuzene]

Originally posted by i6s1
Of course we all know that Apple is the only company that could get this concept right.

It doesn't sound like a market Apple would like to compete in. I can't see anyone shelling our the price of an apple just to use it as a tv/dvd/tivo. I dunno, just seems like Apple isn't interested in that niche at all.

[ribitch]

Originally posted by i6s1

Of course we all know that Apple is the only company that could get this concept right.

OS X is much better than XP in my opinion, but any company that can make a system that can ve easily joined to a home theather could get my vote. I would need to see:

optical outputs
RGB output
s-video outputs
DVI outputs
wifi
10/100
bluetooth
dvd-r
second optical drive
massive harddrive (optional second drive)
rf based remote
DTS capabilities
USB 2 & Firewire

basically, the system should be networkable where you plug it into your home network, turn sharing on, and it can share audio/video to any system in that house.
It should have bluetooth to allow copying of addressbooks, calenders, etc to movile phones and pdas
it should have a widevariety of outputs and inputs to connect to other components
2 optical drives to allow cd/movie burning or duplication
a massive HD for tivo like TV recording, and creation of DVD's from TV or home video
front usb2 / firewire inputs

It should eliminate legacy devices, no floppy, no serial, no parallel.

may be costly, but it would make one hell of a "media center"

[LPMiller]

Originally posted by Cantacuzene


It doesn't sound like a market Apple would like to compete in. I can't see anyone shelling our the price of an apple just to use it as a tv/dvd/tivo. I dunno, just seems like Apple isn't interested in that niche at all.

actually, Apple did this many years ago, with the Mac TV. It was, if I remember correctly, either an 040 or a 601 Power PC processor, about a 15 inch screen or so, and a built in TV tuner. It was cool as tech goes, but way before it's time. If I have time, I'll find a link to it.

[chadlnc]

You may be talking about the 20th anniversary mac http://www.everymac.com/systems/apple/20th_mac/index.html

[ribitch]

http://www.apple-history.com/aniversary.html

twentieth anniversary mac. Way ahead of its time. Very Very expensive
LCD's at this time were unheard of.
http://www.apple-history.com/images/models/aniversary.gif



Codename: Spartacus, Pomona, Smoke & Mirrors
CPU: PowerPC 603ev
CPU speed: 250 Mhz
FPU: integrated
motherboard RAM: 0 MB
maximum RAM: 128 MB
number of sockets: 2 -- 168 pin DIMM
minimum speed: 60 ns
ROM: 4 MB
L1 cache: 16 k data, 16 k instruction
L2 cache: 256 k DIMM
data path: 64 bit
bus speed: 50 Mhz
slots: 1 7" PCI, comm II, TV (filled), video i/o
SCSI: HDI-30
Serial Ports: 2
ADB: 1
Floppy: 1.44 MB SuperDrive
HD: 2 GB (ATA)
CD-ROM: 4x vertical mount
Screen: 12.1" active matrix 16-bit (thousands of colors) SVGA LCD (800x600)
Sound Output: stereo 16 bit w/SRS, built-in stereo speaker
Sound Input: stereo 16 bit, built-in mono mic
Ethernet: none
Gestalt ID: 512
power: 140 Watts
Weight: 14.9 lbs.
Dimensions: 17.25" H x 16.5" W x 10" D
Min System Software: 7.6.1
Max System Software: 9.1
introduced: Spring 1997
terminated: March 1998

Although officially produced in celebration of the Twentieth Anniversary of Apple, the 20th Anniversary Mac was released close to a year after the fact, in late Spring, 1997. And a truly unique Mac it was. The Motherboard was similar to that of the PowerMac 5500, and it was based on the same 603e processor, running at 250Mhz. The real innovation of the 20th Anniversary Mac was its unique shape, and advanced sound and video features. It came with an integrated TV/FM Radio System, an S-Video Input, and a custom sound system designed by Bose, with integrated stereo speakers, and a separate sub-woofer (it also included a 33.6Kbps GeoPort modem). The Twentieth Anniversary Mac was a limited edition, and sold for nearly $10,000. Its price was cut to as low as $1,999 and it was discontinued in March 1998.

[ribitch]

oh yeah, its fugly for todays standards

[hapoo]

Alienware Navigator Pro (http://www.alienware.com/main/system_pages/navigator-pro.asp)

http://www.alienware.com/main/images/navigator_with_remote.jpg http://www.alienware.com/main/system_pages/images/shot_navigator_big.jpg

Black Navigator Case (200-Watt PS)
Intel® Pentium® 4 Processor 2.66GHz 533MHz FSB w/ 512KB Cache
Hi-Performance Heatsink/CPU Cooling Fan
512MB DDR SDRAM PC-2700
120GB Western Digital UltraATA 7200RPM 8MB Cache
Pioneer DVR-A04 - IDE - DVD-RW
NVIDIA® GeForce4 Ti 4200 w/64MB Dual Monitor
5.1 Surround Sound w/Optical Digital Output
10/100Mb Integrated Ethernet Controller
Universal Media Card Reader
Remote Control with Infrared Blaster
Emuzed Maui PCI TV Tuner Card
Microsoft Internet Keyboard (Space Black)
Microsoft IntelliMouse Explorer USB 3.0 (Space Black)
Microsoft® Windows® XP Media Center Edition
Free Alienware® T-Shirt - Black
Bonus 12-Month Subscription to Computer Games Magazine!
Aliencare Toll-Free 1-Year 24/7 ONSITE Warranty
Personalized Owner's Manual
Optimized & Configured for High-Performance
FREE Custom Alienware® Mouse Pad

Price: $1999.00


Now this thing looks sweet. And the price is very reasonable.

[irwin]

Hey, one of them 20th anniversary macs are on ebay right now. :)
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2071331482

[Tommy Boomfiger]

that alienware box looks nice. looks compact enough for a clean suv/minivan setup