Smart Home Blog

You already heard about Zotac ZBOX nettop with Blu-ray player and nVidia Ion 2 graphics, I suppose. Now it’s time to announce the new ZBOX Blu-ray AD03. It based on the latest AMD dual-core 1.6Ghz processor and 500Mhz Radeon HD 6310 graphics. It give you support of DirectX 11 3D, 1080p video, Blu-ray playback, and Dolby TrueHD / DTS-HD Master Audio over HDMI (remember that nVidia Ion 2 model doesn’t support HD audio).

The ZBOX Blu-ray AD03 sports USB 3.0 ports, Mini-PCI Express expansion slot, card reader, a slim Blu-ray drive, Gigabit Ethernet and built-in 802.11n Wi-Fi. It comes with two configuration – barebone and fully functional nettop with 250GB HDD and 2GB DDR3 RAM which can be extended up to 8GB. The ZBOX looks very attractive as a base for compact, quiet and power HTPC. You need just add IR/RF remote control and USB TV tuner or DVB card if you need. However, Linux folks should check the support of Radeon HD 6310 first. Sure, now ATI drivers for Linux are much much better then two-three years ago. But they’re still not so good as nVidia ones. In any case, thanks to Zotac to give us more then one choice.

The ZBOX Blu-ray AD03 should be available now. No any words about the price but we can expect something around €500 for model with HDD and RAM.

[via eHomeUpgrade]

Zotac recently launched a new nettop Zbox HD with Blu-ray drive. You may choose between barebone model HD-ID33 and full-functional one ID-34 with 2Gb RAM and 250Gb HDD. Both models use Intel Atom D525 processor and nVidia Ion2 graphic.

The new Zbox cannot bitstream DTS-HD MA or Dolby TrueHD. So, the big fans of HD sound won’t be happy with that fact. However, two USB 3.0 ports, slim and stylish design and very reasonable price – $399 for HD-ID33 and $400 for HD-ID34 can still make those nettops one of the best options for the noiseless and compact HTPC with Full HD support. Sure comparing with AsRock HTPC they leak IR receiver. But from another had ZBox doesn’t have any fans. And personally I like it form-factor more than AsRock one.

[via Engadget]

It’s possible to playback Blu-ray disks under Linux with an open source player lxBDPlayer. There is an Ubuntu/Debian package on the project web site. So, if you’re interested download and install it. It’d be nice to see the comments people who try the lxBDPlayer.

Next to Netflix another US online content provider VUDU comes to the AV devices. Its Apps will be added to the HDTV by Mitsubishi, Sanyo, Sharp and Toshiba. Toshiba will also integrate Vudu Apps in to their line of internet-capable Blu-Ray players. A list of applications is huge. Except VUDU Streaming Movie Service, it includes Flickr, Picasa, YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, Diggnation HD and much much more.

This is a good tendency when online services are integrated directly to TV or player. The bad thing for non-US citizens is that the either VUDU or Netflix is not available outside US. Just wondering about availability of VUDU Apps in Europe.

Good news for all PS3 fans. Last week the specs for 3D Blu-ray were finalized and as result PS3 will have support 3D. So, if you already have Sony Playstation 3 you’ll just update its firmware to enjoy 3D effects (sure, you should have a 3D compatible TV). Also Sony will be licensing RealD tech for use in consumer products in 2010. If you don’t know the RealD is company who is behind the 3D technology for many of the high-end 3D films in theaters like Avatar, for example. That new 3D technology will be added to the 3D Bravia LCD TV line. It’ll need 3D eyewear to view the content.

[via SlashGear]