Alienware's HTPC Launched

[KJake]

It's a Vista MCE box - but I wouldn't be opposed to getting it to put Sage on . I wonder which tuner they're using, it is a dual analog and digital (QAM?) tuner with an open slot. There's even some IR blaster hookups on the rear.

http://www.alienware.com/product_det..._overview.aspx

[jdamore]

interesting.. powered speaker outputs.

[KJake]

Yup, powered speaker outputs, HDMI, pretty much everything you'd want in a server that lives under the TV.

Operating Systems

• Windows® Vista™ Home Premium

Processors, Chipset & Memory

• AMD® Athlon 64™X2 Dual core processors (Low wattage, 65 watts)
• AMD® AM2™ chipset
• Up to 4GB Low Latency DDR2 at 800MHz

Graphics & Video

• Standard: NVIDIA™ integrated graphics, HDMI out (720p)
• Optional: NVIDIA Dedicated Graphics, HDMI out (1080p)
• Connectivity
  • 5.1 channel surround sound Audio Amplifier
  • Analog Audio in
  • Optical Audio out
  • Subwoofer out
  • Video out Standard:
    • HDMI Video
    • VGA
    • S-Video
    • Analog Video Out
  • Dual TV Combo Tuners ( 1 analog, 1 High Definition )
  • Up to 4 TV Tuners ( 2 analog, 2 High Definition )

Storage

• Standard 250GB HDD 7200RPM
• Up to 2 Terabytes at 7200RPM

Networking

• Wireless Connectivity
  • Standard Internal Wireless 802.b/g
• Wired Connectivity
  • Integrated Gigabit Ethernet

Audio

• Standard 5.1 channel Digital Surround Sound
• Direct Subwoofer connection

Peripheral Connections

• 4 Hi-speed USB 2.0 ports
• IEEE 1394a (4-pin) port
• 4-in-1 Memory Card Reader
  (SD / MS / MSPRO / MMC)

Case & Chassis

• Height: 4.2”
• Width: 18.4”
• Depth: 15.55”
• Weight: 18 lbs

[mohanman]

That thing is the biggest piece of crap. Too many lights for home theater use, form factor looks dumb. I bought an alienware DHS system back in the day. Worse tech support and customer service. Trust me, I bought 4 alienware computers because I thought they "were the best".. All along I was a FOOL!

Stay clear!!!!!!

Trying to save you guys trouble/headaches and grief.

Mo!

[mikesm]

Actually, this a a rebadged ASUS SFF system. They are showing it at Computex in Taiwan, so if you like the hardware and form factor, you can get that from Asus and install Sage on it...

thanks
mike

[KJake]

Sure enough! The DAV Center A33! It like the looks of the plain ASUS better.

http://www.anandtech.com/tradeshows/...spx?i=3002&p=4

[bhyman1]

Why on earth would I want a built in amp?

"Hey guys, let's add more heat to a perfectly good HTPC and then charge more for it!"

[jdamore]

Originally Posted by bhyman1

Why on earth would I want a built in amp?

"Hey guys, let's add more heat to a perfectly good HTPC and then charge more for it!"

Thats exactly what I was thinking when I mentioned it.

It seems to me, it would be better to package this "HTPC" with some satalite speakers and call it a "Home theater in a box". I wonder how well those little amps would power my Paradigm studio 100s

[KJake]

Yeah, I'd never use that feature, but it is a nice one for those that don't have super fancy setups like a lot of us

[dvd_maniac]

"STARTING AT """"$1999.00""""

FOR WHAT???
an old and almost outdated AMD 64 X2 4200
2GB of DDR2 (Low Latency) But what brand, and is low a relative term?
No Keyboard
Intergrated (Crappy) graphics
Small (at least for an HTPC) 250GB Hard Drive
No Speakers
Only 2 tuners
The only thing that seems good is the case and Gyration remote..


But for $1999???

[lobosrul]

Originally Posted by dvd_maniac

"STARTING AT """"$1999.00""""

FOR WHAT???
an old and almost outdated AMD 64 X2 4200
2GB of DDR2 (Low Latency) But what brand, and is low a relative term?
No Keyboard
Intergrated (Crappy) graphics
Small (at least for an HTPC) 250GB Hard Drive
No Speakers
Only 2 tuners
The only thing that seems good is the case and Gyration remote..


But for $1999???

Thats about $599 for components, and $1399 for the Alienware brand. They're the Sony of the PC world.

[dvd_maniac]

I typically find that all brand-name PCs are a rip-off and they usually dissapoint as far as performance too. I am always building a PC for friends and family just so that they don't get ripped off. Sometimes they see a "DEAL" on a refurbished/Open box and think they are saving but they always seem to regret it when the PC starts to act up or underperform.

If you can't build your own PC and do not have a friend or family member that can, then I guess buy a custom PC but be aware that you are getting screwed....

[teknubic]

Boy, you guys are going to lay an egg when this is announced as the new SageTV HD Extender...

[mattdcknsn]

Well Alienware is owned by Dell, and with their recent cash problems. No wonder they mark up that much.

Originally Posted by lobosrul

Thats about $599 for components, and $1399 for the Alienware brand. They're the Sony of the PC world.

[hemicuda]

I just added up a list of name-band components capable of full HD rendering and rather decent storage for less than Alienware's offering. And my specs are way better than theirs IM(not so)HO. The only pre-built systems I've ever bought were laptops for the company. I have over 15 custom-built machines under my belt over the years and rarely a disappointment.

[lobosrul]

I've been building my own since '98 (AMD K6-2). The worst thing with store bought PC's IMO is the crapware that they install, and then not including a full version of windows so you can just format.

I wonder how many format/re-installs I've done over the years.

The bad thing about building machines for friends/family is the lifetime free tech support that they seem to expect.

[sakker]

Alienware makes a living on the high end pc market. Nothing wrong with that, find a market that needs something, produce said thing, profit$$.

Most of us wouldn't buy it, but hey, we aren't the market they want.

Personally I think it's great to see more htpc stuff coming out, the more the better, the less people get hooked on cable/satellite companies, the better market there will be for things like sage and other markets.