Smart Home Blog

Zotac announced its new nettop ZBOX HD-ID11 based on the nVidia Ion 2 graphic platform. The rest spec includes a dual-core 1.66GHz Atom D510 CPU, HDMI 1.3a, six USB ports, integrated 802.11n WiFi, dual-link DVI, and a 6-in-1 media card reader. The box supports Full HD and offers flawless Flash 10.1 playback as well, thanks to powerful 16 cores GeForce G210 GPU. And the price is very attractive – $209.99 only for the barebone version in US! Hope that European version won’t be much more expensive.

[via Engadget]

It seems that Shuttle produces the first Ion2 based nettop. The only 3.3cm thick XS35 has enough power to playback Full HD media content. It sports Intel Atom D510 processor at 1.6GHz and includes HDMI out, five USB ports, VGA out, LAN port, memory card reader, 2.5″ HDD, and an optical drive. The Shuttle SFF XS35 looks nice to be near TV and it’s a compact enough for VESA mounting behind TV.

The Shuttle SFF XS35 will be available in Q2 2010 at an undisclosed price.

[via SlashGear]

Samsung joined to the Panasonic and LG announced Skype functionality on its HDTV series 7000 and 8000. But additionally a FREETALK TV Camera should be bought (on the Skype online store, for example) to have possibility make video calls. Samsung TVs with built-in Skype are already available in Korea and should be available in Europe soon.

Recently Philips joined to the 3D rush. They announced 3D HDTV lines which will include 8000 and 9000 series. The Cinema 21:9 will also get 3D compatibility. Additionally consumers should buy active shutter glasses to enjoy 3D content.

The 3D HDTV from Philips will be available this Summer. But the price for TV and glasses is not known yet.

Mvix expanded its media player family by producing Mvix UltioPro. That player offers a standard range of network media player’s features. It supports all well-known media codecs and containers and allows to play media content from internal HDD, attached USB storage or network shares. The player is ready for Full HD video (I didn’t find anything about HD audio in its spec). But in addition to that the Mvix UltioPro has possibility to record video from external sources via Composite input. That unique feature for such devices can help you convert your VHS library into digital format.

The Mvix UltioPro HD Media Center with PVR is available at $169 without HDD on the Mvix online shop. To be able connect the player to the LAN via WiFi it should be paid additionally $19.99 (802.11g) or $39.00 (802.11n). The price and PVR feature make the Mvix UltioPro is very attractive for buying.