Asrock wants to change the HTPC Game..

THX Certified HTPC.  Near Silent.  3D Bluray certified.  LPCM or DTS-MA/TrueHD over HDMI.   HDMI 1.4 compliance.  USB 3.0 spun all the way around.  Audio at 192khz per channel, 8 channel for those that must use analog outputs or will be using it to connect to PC speakers for their solution.  Integrated wifi.  Mobile I5/I7 for incredible cool performance with almost no fan noise, including the elimination of an internal powersupply.

This is some pretty incredible stuff if the price is right.

Yeah, nowhere near $300 :)  Most likely you're talking about $700.  Thats a guess.   But based on current models, I'd say a pretty good one.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sam Posten 

Then its dead to me and likely will go nowhere as a major product....  it will be a neat toy people who don't want a PS3 will fawn over but never use.  /rawr =)

You'd be surprised, Sam, seriously.. you know, on people who drop thousands and thousands on good home theater gear.  It's surprising.  But true

Sam will love this:

Asrock ups the game by bundling iPhone apps to allow the iPhone/Ipod Touch to act as a motion controller for Windows MCE and their interface, as well as a direct MB control input.

http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/03/asrock-aiwi-turns-your-iphone-ipod-touch-into-htpc-motion-cont/

Well, then, you'll appreciate that the app is free ;)

3 more weeks.  US availability in July (supposedly).  First THX certified HTPC, so for those that need the badge, there is that..

http://benchmarkreviews.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=543

Solid review.

Parker:  TMT3 Doesn't support HD-DVD... however, playback of HD-DVD is possible in MCE7 with that drive, and it's not -too- hard, but there is a bit of a "trick" to it. 

In the end, since HD-DVD released their key specs to the community (PD) it just became easier to do other things.  I can say something without in any way violating HTF rules:  If you have a HD-DVD disc, and you OWN it, the public keys provided will seemlessly archive it, in tact, to Hard Drive, and it is managable using tons of software like Media Browser, etc.

(Note: this does NOT NOT NOT apply to DVD or BD, while the methods may exist for those, the codes were NEVER released, and so doing digital archiving with them is a murky water that has yet to be tested).

But if it's HD-DVD, absolutely, archive away as long as you legitimately own.  This was made more open as the keys were released about the same time all HD-DVD was removed from rental shelves (Netflix, Blockbuster, etc.) so the industry is not battling prevention on this and thus the release.

Asrock makes another version of this with a slightly wider case that provides for 3 slots (PCI-E 16, 2x PCI-E x1)

If you let it auto-update the software, TMT3 support for HD-DVD goes away.. so don't update it ;)

I'm not sure I understand on the second part.

I feel the pain on HD-DVD.. I picked up quite a few when they were cheap.  :)

Released today.  It's $649 fully assembled, needs an OS (so everything but OS, basically) that's configured with a 500GB/BD/Wireless/Gigabit 

Great review here:

http://www.anandtech.com/show/3824/asrock-core-100htbd-bringing-htpcs-to-the-mainstream-market/1

While no slots, with SiliconDust prepping Prime (an Ethernet Cablecard solution, providing 3 cable card tuners) expected for release between now-October, there is a great way to add 3 tuners to this in a hurry.  And it's access to BD, a gyro-ready remote with mouse supports.. you could have a full functional everything you want in 1 box at sub-1k with full tuner supports, etc.

And, while this is something that doesn't come up here often, if you really want to be cheap, since this does to full 7 channel decoding (whether HDMI or other) those who are wanting a cheap all in one can find this is a HomeTheater in a Box all on it's own.

As drivers update, more features get added.  But as it sits, full decoding supports for DTS-MA, DD-HD, as well as bitstreaming of same.  Wireless supports.  Blueray. 

This isn't the "perfect" option.  High end BD players will perform better.. though in my tests, any BD that is Java heavy is a different story, this unit would eat my Oppo's lunch on those titles.. but for a home theater room HTPC?   This is goodness.  And it's compact, slim design with minimal power usage and low noise (about 25db unless full load.. please note: playing BD is nowhere close, about 25% load) is quiet enough that it won't stand out.

Good stuff.

Ordered one for the bedroom, will have results/review soon.

Patrick:  Product is the same, it's just that Intel hasn't certified it's 3D Driver space.  Notes on Asrock's website:

http://www.asrock.com/nettop/overview.asp?Model=Core%20100HT-BD

Big pros:

THX Certified

For Sam :)  :  Direct Connect with Apple iPhone including apps for remote connection and using it as a mouse

Apple Compliant Fast Charge ports for charging an iPhone... also fully iPad compliant

Low power usage..

I will have the BD version on Thursday, just got the shipment notice.  I'll use it in the bedroom so I'll try to get some thoughts ;)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zack Gibbs 

They should really include a tuner, and what happened to the sexy aluminum case? I need sexy case. 

They'll ship that version; I tend to prefer the brushed black.  But I know some people love them some silver.  It just doesn't match with anything anywhere I have so I'm cool.. Since I've got an HDHomeRun (Network Tuner) I'm set for a tuner, and I should have a cablecard SiliconDust within the next 60 days.

It just got here about an hour ago.  I'm installing Home Premium right now.  I'll try to get something together in a bit, I'll have to put some tweaks and link it to my WHS first.   But it is a lot smaller then it seems.  Really small in comparison to what I was expecting. 

Oh no *laugh*   I mean, when I set it up after I get Windows all on it, I've got to run the WHS connector so it starts seeing the TV recordings from my Media Center in the living room and then connect it to my Video storage on the WHS.. and since my WHS controls all my archvies for MyTV & Media Browser.

I started it doing a Home Premium Install, had to go back to work for a problem but once I get it done, I'll definitely start uploading pictures here.. :)