Products, offered by UK based company Aleutia, can be good candidates to be HTPC or media client. They are tiny, noiseless and use very little power. However they have enough power for HD video playback thanks to nVidia Ion graphical platform.
Also you may peep inside the Aleutia’s PC using their Flickr photo stream. And even you won’t buy anything from Aleutia it might give you some useful ideas to build tiny and silent HTPC by yourself.
I wrote about HD networked media player Myka more then year ago. Since that time a lot of similar devices were released. Popcorn Hour is probably the best from them. But recently a new version of Myka was announced. And it looks exited! I cannot named it just player. It’s full featured HTPC!
The new Myka is based on nVidia Ion with GeForce 9400M and dual core Atom N330. It’s compact but has enough powerhouse for FullHD playback (thanks to Ion and VDPAU). It’s completely quiet because there is a passive cooling only. As the rest Ion based nettops Myka has VGA, DVI-I, HDMI, analog audio and coaxial/optical S/PDIF outputs, gigabit Ethernet, 6 USB and one eSata ports. It’s also sports optical drive and remote control with external USB IR receiver.
The Myka run the latest Ubuntu 9.10 as OS (yes, yes, it’s Linux-based!). However, Windows 7 can be installed as second operation system for additional $110. The Myka includes the most popular Linux media software such Boxee, XBMC and Hulu which allow to user watch video, listen music and see photos from internal HDD, USB storage, network shares or online services. I’d like to know if it’s possible to install software and modify configuration by user. If so the last feature can be added easily – possibility to watch and record satellite/terrestrial TV with VDR and USB DVB-S(2)/DVB-T tuner.
The Ion based HD player/HTPC Myka can be ordered from the producer web store at $379. Additionally Blu-ray drive ($255), 802.11 N card ($40) and 1TB HDD ($125) can be added. Good price for the good device in my mind!
See the Myka GUI screenshot and demo video after break
Read more »
AsRock is going to release a three new Ion based nettops: Ion 330HT, Ion 330Pro and Ion 330HT-BD. They will ship with a dual-core 1.6GHz Atom 330 processor, up to 4GB of DDR2 RAM, 7.1 channel audio, gigabit Ethernet, HDMI / VGA outputs, six USB 2.0 sockets and a powered eSATA port. The Ion 330Pro sports DVD RW drive and Ion 330HT-BD – Blu-ray. Both models are equiped with MCE remote controls (not sure with one IR or RF) which is very helpful in case of using those nettops as HTPC (in my mind this is their primary purpose).
The is no any information about availability and price. But I don’t think that AsRock will delay with release. I though to buy AsRock Ion 330 sometime ago. But I found in some review information about noisy fan on the back of nettop. So, I decided to build Ion HTPC by myself. Will post about it soon. Stay tune!
Good case mod demonstrated by modder drumboog. He made from the old NES console case the modern nVidia Ion based HTPC with Blu-ray drive. If you’d like to have details watch his videos which explain whole mod process.
Hardware list for that mod project:
The NES HTPC has enough horsepower for Full HD video playback and moder video games playing.
[via SlashGear]
Interesting nettop was demonstrated on the Computex Taipei 2009 by ECS. Except nVidia Ion graphic the elegant vase contains 1GB of RAM, a 2.5-inch HDD and a Blu-ray drive. There are a couple of USB ports, Ethernet and HDMI out on its bottom. Such uncommon form-factor definitely will enjoy wide popularity when it’ll be in production.
Watch clips below to see highlights of whats available with the digital tv box
© All Rights ReservedBT Vision is a digital tv service gives you access to Freeview channels, tv on demand and a great range of on demand entertainment.
There are a range of prices for broadband tv packages to suit everyone. Visit our website to find out more.
BT Phone line
BT Total Broadband
A TV and aerial
Freeview coverage
Want to see how fast your line is with a broadband speed test? Enter your telephone number or postcode in our broadband postcode checker below. You will need a minimum of 2MB speed to be able to get BT Vision.
Want to see check broadband availability in your local area? Enter your postcode in our broadband postcode checker below and find out what is available to you.
Check out our broadband and telephone packages and find out how much you can save in your bill with this BT exclusive deal.
