Filed under: HDTV, Home Entertainment, Media PCs, Storage

Niveus Media came to this year’s CEDIA locked and loaded, and while most typical consumers won’t look too far past the sub-$2,000 Vail system, those with cash to spare and colleagues to impress will certainly appreciate the Core i7-powered $19,999 Pro Series n9 media center PC. The rig setup on the show floor had said HTPC connected to four dual-CableCARD boxes via USB ($1,500 a pop), giving it the ability to record eight HD shows simultaneously while streaming HD movie clips to eleven other Media Center Extenders (without a hiccup, might we add). The mid-range Denali was also on hand, and Blu-ray drives were found across the board. We also spent a tick with the new v1.5 Niveus Movie Library, which very neatly enabled us to surf to any media stored locally or on the networked 16TB Cargo Media Server. Even if you can’t afford it, this stuff is still worth a look — check it all out here at Engadget HD.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Filed under: CES, Desktops, HDTV, Media PCs

Not pleased with any of HP’s other offerings? Fret not, as we’ve got yet another one coming your way. The Pavilion Elite m9150f PC comes ready to handle those HD DVD / PVR duties, and it may even withstand a e-mail or two. Here’s the dirt:

• 2.4GHz Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 processor
• Intel’s G33 Express chipset
• 3GB of DDR2 RAM
• Dual 360GB (720GB total) 7,200 SATA hard drives
• HP’s Personal / Pocket Media Drive Bays
• HD DVD (read-only) drive
• LightScribe-enabled SuperMulti DVD burner
• Gigabit Ethernet / 802.11b/g WiFi
• NTSC / ATSC / FM tuners
• HP Media Center remote control with IR receiver
• Front-mounted 15-in-1 multicard reader

If you couldn’t already guess, this one also packs six USB 2.0 ports, twin FireWire sockets, audio in / out, a wireless keyboard / mouse combo and HDMI / DVI outputs. As with HP’s other newly announced media PCs, the m9100 series is set to ship this month and start at $1,159.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Filed under: Desktops, HDTV, Media PCs

Remember those tasty Phenom chips AMD loosed back on November? We sure hope so, because that’s the CPU HP’s relying on in its forthcoming Pavilion Media Center m8330f PC. Here’s the specifics:

• 2.2GHz AMD Phenom 9500 quad-core CPU
• NVIDIA’s nForce 430 chipset
• 3GB of DDR2 RAM
• Twin 320GB 7,200 RPM SATA hard drives
• HP’s Personal Media Drive Bay
• LightScribe-enabled SuperMulti DVD burner
• NTSC / ATSC / FM tuners
• HP Media Center remote control with IR receiver
• Front-mounted 15-in-1 multicard reader

Beyond that, you can expect six USB 2.0 ports, a pair of FireWire connectors, audio in / out, HDMI and DVI sockets and an HP mouse / keyboard combo. Like the s3330f PC already mentioned, this too will be landing real soon with a price tag starting at $959.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Filed under: CES, Desktops, HDTV, Media PCs

A slim PC destined to handle both of the major high-definition movie formats? Say it ain’t so! Turns out, HP is indeed doling out such a machine, and it’s so eloquently dubbed the Pavilion Slimline s3330f PC. Here’s a look at what this mighty mini-tower will be packin’:

• 2.8GHz AMD Athlon 64 X2 processor
• 2GB of DDR2 RAM
• 500GB 7,200 RPM SATA drive
• HP Pocket Media Drive Bay
• Single LightScribe-enabled optical drive that reads Blu-ray / HD DVD and writes to dual-layer DVDs
• NVIDIA’s 256MB GeForce 8500 GT
• 802.11b/g WiFi
• Built-in NTSC / ATSC TV tuners
• Front-mounted 15-in-1 multicard reader

Furthermore, you’ll find 6 USB 2.0 ports, FireWire, audio in / out, DVI / HDMI ports and a wireless keyboard / mouse bundled in along with a whole suite of software. Intrigued? Be on the lookout for this one to land later this month starting at $949.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Filed under: HDTV, Home Entertainment, Media PCs

The last time we heard from Moneual, it was showing off a funky fresh tubular HTPC at CEDIA, but now it seems the firm is putting its poker face back on for the thoroughly traditional 972 Home Media Server. This rig rocks a tried and true flat black chassis, built-in display (at least it sure looks like one), a minimalist feel and a built-in Blu-ray writer to boot. ‘Course, you’ll find all the usual media PC amenities here including PVR functionality, but mum’s the word on actual hardware configurations. Keep it locked for more just as soon as we find out.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Office Depot Featured Gadget: Xbox 360 Platinum System Packs the power to bring games to life!

Filed under: HDTV, Home Entertainment, Media PCs

Those keeping tabs on Niveus’ outdoorsy naming system shouldn’t be shocked to hear that it has chosen the Sierra Edition to follow the Rainier and Denali Edition Media Center PCs. Unfortunately, we’ve absolutely no information on what kind of hardware we can expect to find within this stylish box, but the firm has promised that it’ll deliver “impressive Media Center functionality, digital content management, and superior convenience for the whole family.” Keep an eye on this space for more, and feel free to join us in hoping for an HD disc drive of some sort to make an appearance when this thing gets official.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Office Depot Featured Gadget: Xbox 360 Platinum System Packs the power to bring games to life!