AMD Maui

The thing I found most interesting was the 5.1 amp and the cpu cooler. Everything else was full of "meh"
 
meh, I will just use my PS3 to play blurays or stream content from my computer. IDK about that fanless cpu cooler, seems kinda sketchy. It would be nice for controling noise levels!
 
It's neat and all, but I don't see your average person using a computer as a media center. The PS3 does it great already, it doesn't have an amp built in like this but I'm pretty sure most people have one.

It might work for your average joe if they make it as simple as possible like eliminating the boot up, eliminate the mouse/kb, etc (I don't think the windows remote would cut it). For a lot of people I know, the last thing they would want in their living room is a computer.
 
It's neat and all, but I don't see your average person using a computer as a media center. The PS3 does it great already, it doesn't have an amp built in like this but I'm pretty sure most people have one.

It might work for your average joe if they make it as simple as possible like eliminating the boot up, eliminate the mouse/kb, etc (I don't think the windows remote would cut it). For a lot of people I know, the last thing they would want in their living room is a computer.

Uh... ever hear of Windows Media Center? Like the one myself and tons of others have in their living room? :p
 
It's neat and all, but I don't see your average person using a computer as a media center. The PS3 does it great already, it doesn't have an amp built in like this but I'm pretty sure most people have one.

It might work for your average joe if they make it as simple as possible like eliminating the boot up, eliminate the mouse/kb, etc (I don't think the windows remote would cut it). For a lot of people I know, the last thing they would want in their living room is a computer.

Woah, welcome to planet earth! :p:D

The PS3 isn't a great htpc because you can't record tv on it. You should check out some of the htpc projects just on these forums. Some people have like 4 tuners with 20TB attached to it for mad recording. I had a linux one running arch linux + mythtv for a long time, but the motherboard died.

Its a very good excuse to spend money on another computer. :cool:
 
Uh... ever hear of Windows Media Center? Like the one myself and tons of others have in their living room? :p

Yes I have. I'm not talking about anyone that posts on this forum, I'm talking about your average 1 finger typing people.

Woah, welcome to planet earth! :p:D

The PS3 isn't a great htpc because you can't record tv on it. You should check out some of the htpc projects just on these forums. Some people have like 4 tuners with 20TB attached to it for mad recording. I had a linux one running arch linux + mythtv for a long time, but the motherboard died.

Its a very good excuse to spend money on another computer. :cool:


Yeah I've been thinking about throwing one together myself.
 
the maui looks interesting. i could really clean up my living room with it. i can replace my amp, blu-ray player, and comcast dvr box with a single media center pc.
 
I thought it was a pretty good review giving some good detail on various pieces of supporting technology.

I also thought there were several good quotes regarding the platform.

...The critical test was the integration with the D-Link Media Center Extender I am testing as well. Setting up the link between it and the AMD Live! PC was a trivial exercise and it worked just fine streaming recorded content on the hard disk to the extender that was connected to another TV.

The real test was running everything at the same time. This included streaming content from the Internet to the PC, recording an HDTV channel in the background, and streaming content from the hard disk to the extender plus running SqueezeCenter for the Logitech SqueezeBox Boom at the same time. The system did not hiccup and it appeared to have plenty of performance left over for servicing even more devices. Talk about multitasking.

...Overall, I can definitely recommend this platform as Windows Vista media PC platform. It will blow away almost anything else except for perhaps custom gaming machines, and it will be easier to use than most alternatives.

...The MS-4240 5.1 100-W amplifier card is easy to use. It has screw terminals for 5 pairs of speaker wire, making hookup easy. It is on par with my amp and receivers I have used in the past. Sound quality with this amplifier and motherboard are top notch.
 
I just finished reading through about 24 pages(the good stuff starts around the 11th page :D) in the thread over at avsforums. I've always wanted to get an HTPC setup, and judging by those audiophiles over there, this solution is superb. They say video and sound quality are fantastic. I think this purchase will be in my near future! :)

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1003579&highlight=ms7411&page=11

[edit]

And here's another write up. :)

http://www.edn.com/blog/400000040/post/480037648.html?nid=3351&rid=1058658498
 
Hmm, could that be because that is the POWER STAGE of the amplifer so it is cooling down the voltage regulators and power rails?????

The D2Audio chip is down on the board. If you don't understand class D amplifier design, perhaps you should not be drawing conclusions regarding the technology.
 
Add underclocked, undervolted PII and passive HD 4650 and SHAWING!!

The 7.1 Channel preamp would be a nice option but seriously, how many people run more than a 5.1? Nice to know you have the option but seems like they won't be selling many.

Seriously though, how long till OEM's start selling these if ever?

After watching the above video on the AMP I think you may want to avoid the amp o_O. Does the PCB seriously get that hot? Why don't they cool the parts that heat it up ffs.
 
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Well, it disipates about 10-12W of power under load, however it is driving almost 50V across the power rail. That is what delivers the 100W out to the speakers.

Seriously, have you seen the heatsinks on a class A and AB amps?

Please, this tiny heatsink is nothing compared to the bricks on Class A and AB amps.
 
Where can I get one? I'd love to put one of those in my computer and get rid of this Pioneer amp I've been using for oh, say, the last 13 years.

(Yes, really.)
 
DIY? Board is available on Newegg.

Pre Built, check the blog...there was a write up a while back about vendors selling this system.

http//blogs.amd.com/Home
 
Why not?

This is not an "audiophile" solution, but it is pretty damn good audio for what you are getting. I already made the switch and very happy with the quality of audio from this. With the new f/w coming, it should be even better.
 
Yup, it's not bad at all. I demo'd one at the AMD tech tour two years ago when this was still a concept product. It's a good solution for someone just wanting a low cost home theater setup which would bridge the gap if they didn't want to dive in and spend a couple grand right away.
 
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