HTPC Reviews, Home Theater, Media PC Guide

HTPC Setup Demo

HTPC Reviews — Fri, 25 May 2012 17:30:54 +0000

Specifications Dell Optiplex 755 SFF (Refurb) Intel Core 2 Duo E8500 3.16GHz 4GB RAM AMD Radeon 6450 1GB 2TB Western Digital Green 2TB Western Digital Elements (Backup) Logitech Z623 THX-Certified 2.1 Panasonic BD-RE Drive Logitech Harmony One Windows 7 x86 + XBMC Frontend http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-D8zc7gg9UQ by tektraxm You might also like: Heimkino – Home Theater Old PC to HTPC Project HTPC Media Centre Browser with Antec Fusion Case Logitech Mini Controller for Google TV Released

Habey BIS-6763 Core i3 Mini PC by Fanless Tech

HTPC Reviews — Fri, 25 May 2012 09:26:30 +0000

Fanless Tech released the Habey BIS-6763, a new IPC model that is driven by a robust Core i3 “Sandy Bridge” dual-core processor. For starters, the tiny machine (7.5 x 7.5 x 2.6 inches) boasts an Intel Core i3-2367M, and it’s designed to be “indestructible”, according to the blog post announcing the computer. For graphics, the BIS-6763 runs on Intel’s integrated HD 3000 graphics, and it supports up to 4GB of DDR3-1066/1333MHz RAM (via a single SODIMM slot) with 2GB included. There’s also a 2.5-inch SSD drive bay; a pair of mini PCI-E slots; six USB 2.0 ports; and RS-232, HDMI, VGA, and Gigabit Ethernet ports. You can install either Windows or Linux on the VESA-mountable BIS6763, and the computer pulls [...]

Satechi ST-K100 mini keyboard

HTPC Reviews — Thu, 24 May 2012 15:48:23 +0000

Satechi ST-K100 is a wireless Bluetooth mini keyboard and integrated mouse. Sleek and slim design fits comfortably in your hands and allows for easy typing with its precise keys. Designed to work with your Bluetooth-HID-enabled iOS or Android SmartPhone, Tablet, HTPC or PS3 – no software installation – no cables to keep track of, simply turn on the Bluetooth on your device and connect via Bluetooth. The mini keyboard mouse makes control easy. Sliding Jog Mouse technology supports movement of cursor into all directions compared to joystick mouse that support 8 directions. Built-in rechargeable Li-ion battery give you operating time up to 30 hours . Bluetooth wireless technology provides long-range wireless control from up to 10 m (30 ft). Backlit [...]

Silicon Power T10: SATA II SSD

HTPC Reviews — Thu, 24 May 2012 09:31:24 +0000

Silicon Power, a major actor on storage solutions based on Flash memory, is launching a new entry-level SSD family called T10. Boasting a brushed metal case, the T10 SSD are likely to offer excellent performance with a SATA II interface with advertised data rates of 278MB/s. So they call themselves as an attractive alternative for users who want to offer a hardware upgrade to their machine while considering a budget low price. On product reliability, the T10 features a standard DDR2 cache which will ensure a regular performance and stability of flows in both writing and reading time. In addition, the T10 supports SMART technology and ECC error correction providing the best solutions for data protection. Like any new SSD generation, the new Silicon [...]

APC: VIA launches an Android PC for $49 with an ARM CPU

HTPC Reviews — Wed, 23 May 2012 09:45:38 +0000

VIA has announced the availability of the APC, a PC running Android OS and sold for just $49. If the manufacturer is one of the few to have a X86 license (Intel and AMD), it turns to the ARM architecture to realize it’s project. More than a PC, this is primarily a motherboard in a new ”Neo-ITX” format which measures 170 x 85 mm, is typically half of what offers the Mini ITX. The cases are compatible with the latter format will therefore be supported, as are those in micro ATX. By cons, they will not require power, since the manufacturer provides an external outlet delivering 15 watts. We can find on this board a Wondermedia chip, owned by VIA, which is based [...]

XBMC Beginners Guide: An Introduction and Tour

HTPC Reviews — Tue, 22 May 2012 21:41:29 +0000

Easily turn your TV at home into an amazing media hub to look at your photo albums, listen to your music, watch movies, TV, videos, YouTube, Facebook albums, Web Browsing, BBC iPlayer etc etc… XBMC is an award-winning free and open source (GPL) software media player and entertainment hub for digital media. XBMC is available for Linux, OSX, and Windows. Created in 2003 by a group of like minded programmers, XBMC is a non-profit project run and developed by volunteers located around the world. Get it from xbmc.org. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2O4fCGrwrqw by fredphoesh You might also like: XBMC Media Center @ Ubuntu 11.04 Natty Narwhal Enter the World of HTPCs with XBMC XBMC 11.0 EDEN stable release XBMC Running on a 120″ [...]

Raspbmc: Beta was launched

HTPC Reviews — Tue, 22 May 2012 09:13:43 +0000

Many of you are already aware of the development of a XBMC distribution for the famous Raspberry Pi, as the Raspbmc project. Good news, because the developer who takes the project, launched just a few days ago the first beta open to the public. We know that Sam has long hesitated to launch a first beta open to all, because of small stability issues, we can only be delighted to see this first draft finally deployed. Obviously, the indulgence is required, and many improvements will gradually expand future versions. However, we can see that despite some bugs and slowness, 1080p video pass with no problems. You may download the beta at raspbmc.com. You might also like: XBMC 10.0 (Dharma) Beta 3 Released OpenELEC: XBMC (Confluence-Lite [...]

Panasonic Viera TC-P55ST50 3D Plasma HDTV Review

HTPC Reviews — Mon, 21 May 2012 21:20:14 +0000

Panasonic‘s 2012 plasmas are beginning to hit store shelves. The line includes six series: (from top to bottom) the VT, GT, ST, UT, U, and XT Series. In the middle of the pack is the ST Series, which includes screen sizes of 50, 55, 60, and 65 inches. The ST Series lacks the THX certification found in the higher-end GT and VT models, and a few technological differences exist that I will highlight throughout this review. What you do get with the ST Series is the latest Infinite Black Pro panel with the new Louver filter, 2500 Focused Field Drive technology to improve motion resolution, built-in WiFi, VIERA CONNECT, DLNA media streaming, and 3D Real Sound with the new 8-Train [...]

Intel Core i3 Ivy Bridge Price

HTPC Reviews — Mon, 21 May 2012 14:49:36 +0000

Our colleagues from CPU World have just published the prices of future Intel Core i3 Ivy Bridge. These processors are expected this summer for recall the dual-core models. Source: CPU-World Note that the Core i3 3225 mentioned in the table should be equipped with the HD 4000. You might also like: New Sandy Bridge Processors Coming In February Intel Ivy Bridge: HD 4000 graphics made for HTPC Ivy Bridge Dual Core Processor in May Prices for Sandy Bridge-E Released?

New ViewSonic Pro8300 projector with DLP and Full HD

HTPC Reviews — Mon, 21 May 2012 14:33:08 +0000

ViewSonic has announced the release of a new Full HD projector, the Pro8300. This is a device that uses Texas Instruments technology, DLP to provide projected images of large sizes on a wall or a suitable display. Offering a 1080p Full HD, it also provides internal image processing and colorimetry. The new ViewSonic Pro8300 projector displays a native resolution of 1920×1080 pixels. It incorporates a Pixelworks 10-bit image processor, according to the manufacturer, to offer a richness of color and a high level of detail. BrilliantColor technology, according to ViewSonic, enables realistic colors, a contrast ratio of 4000:1 and a brightness of 3000 Lumens. The ViewSonic Pro8300 projector offers a 1.5x optical zoom. It has two 15-pin D-Sub VGA inputs, [...]