New Shuttle HTPC

F

FraGGleR

Limp Gawd
Joined
Oct 4, 2004
Messages
384
Anandtech has a preview/review of Shuttle's upcoming HTPC. I think it looks terrific, particularly with the creative audio chip with the spdif out as well as component, dvi, and svideo all available. I just hope that there is some alternate configurations available, or perhaps just the barebones sometime down the line.

http://anandtech.com/systems/showdoc.aspx?i=2568
 
It's a decent review, much better than the abomination from THG. It looks like a nice system, albeit pricey. A 500GB drive, PVR-500 and (optional) HDTV tuner would make it a much better buy in my eyes. A realtek 880D codec with dolby digital live instead of the creative live solution would just have been icing on the cake.

Did the review mention which functions the front VFD can do?

I see it as more 'testing the waters' from shuttle than hoping to see significant sales at that price. As nearly everybody else has said... I'd love to be able to get one as a barebones.
 
IanG said:
I'd love to be able to get one as a barebones.
Click to expand...

That's what I was thinking. I'd dig this as a client solution as opposed to a stand-alone media-box
 
1.) Why the 6600 LE? Couldn't they have atleast gone with the vanilla version instead? Sad to see that Shuttle only offers the LE (either with 128 or 256 megs of video memory).

2.) I'm not a fan of Avermedia's tuners.

3.) I wish they had either used VIA's Envy24 for the onboard audio like they do with the SN25P? Too bad they went with Creative, well atleast it has normal (read standard) SPDIF outputs.

4.) I wonder what they mean by "Versatile Front Display" when VFD means "Vaccum Florenscent Display." I wonder how "versatile" that display is?

5.) Does it really support the use of three IR blasters?

I think Anandtech is starting to understand what goes into an HTPC but I still think they have a ways to go.

I found the conclusion to be most interesting:
If there's anyone to fault for the problems with HTPCs, it's Hollywood, the MPAA, the RIAA, and the cable and satellite providers because while the ability to create our dream HTPC exists in theory, it can only be achieved with more cooperation among all of these parties. The hardware manufacturers would love to be able to sell new hardware that supports the necessary features, but those features are as yet undefined. This isn't the first or last time that we're likely to see casualties of the DMCA and content providers. Last we checked, CDs, DVDs, and movie theaters were all making money in spite of the "rampant piracy" occurring online. VCRs didn't kill off movie rentals or TV watching, CD and DVD burners haven't brought about the end of their respective markets, and there's little reason to think that HDTV and HTPCs would do any more than modify consumer patterns.
Click to expand...
 
I think i'll stick with what I have, man thats just too expensive for a bare bones.
 
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