HTPC Hardware (MB, RAM, Video Card etc)
I know this isn’t directly related to home theater anything, but here’s a very convenient chart if you are trying to get a grasp on the various differences in computer hardware. Tricky things like socket types and pin types for RAM are shown graphically, making it easy to remember if needed. Click the image for the link to the full […]
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No surprises from the other ION reviews you’ve read I’m sure, these things are great HTPC motherboards for those interested. Can easily handle HD content and is low power. TechReviews For 1080P testing we’ll be using a clip from ‘Taxi 3’ which was also a clip downloaded from Microsoft’s website. The Asus EeeBox struggled to play this clip. The Zotac […]
Read moreHow they decided on 5900RPM is anyone’s guess but look’s like Western Digital finally has some competition in the 2TB world of hard drives. Time to save up and replace those WHS drives eh? 🙂 To be fair, the reviewers didn’t have a WD to put directly against this, but for standing alone it seems to be pretty capable. Hopefully […]
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If you need a combo digital/analog tuner, looks like this is a fair option. Good price, pretty good quality, and it covers most of your tuning needs. Of course, if you have no need for analog, there are less pricey options to go with. The Digital Media Zone In comparing both HD and SD recordings from my Asus My Cinema […]
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Mini-ITX is just all the rage these days, so Intel sought it fit to release a new offering in the sub-$100 price range. This one offers less than the slightly more costly DG45FC board, but still has solid performance. A PCI slot though? Really??!? SilentPCReview Our DG41MJ-based system was fairly energy efficient, idling at 35W and using up to […]
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Not the most Media Center focused review in the world, but hey, it’s something! I am still amused that companies like ASUS continue to invest money into their own TV software. In this case it integrates to the Vista sidebar. With so many other HTPC software options, just curious why even bother with something so few people use. Think Computers […]
Read moreNot so much a head to head battle, as two reviews rolled into one…not surprisingly both are very comparable on performance, with flexibility going to the Zotac simply for all the added features the board has. But then again, it’s not a complete solution out of the box like the ASRock either. DriverHeaven Playback of MKV files requires a little […]
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With the plethora of rather blah-looking mini-itx chassis and systems being released, catching glimpse of this over at AVSforum was a breathe of fresh air. Take a look…I’m a fan… OriginAE Through the M10 enclosures support of the ITX motherboard form factor, you have the convenience of a widely available form factor. With ITX motherboards now supporting up to […]
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I know it was just the other day we posted a link to another review of this chassis, but I think SPCR’s perspective on detailed noise is unique enough that it’s worth another look. Enjoy! SilentPCreview Antec’s first mini-ITX case is a solid if not flawless entry into a sector that is new to the brand. The overall airflow design […]
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We just finished our review of an Atom board from Itox, which was good as long as you didn’t need HD playback. Now up is something a bit different, with an entire ION nettop device from ASRock. Unfortunately, the only video test they did was CINEBENCH so we’ll have to wait to get one in-house to complete our own real-world […]
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