Smart Home Blog

VIA launched ARTiGO 1150 – small nettop with can replace some big box near your TV. Compact (just 14.6 x 9.9 x 5.2 cm) and mere box is powered by dual-core Eden X2 processor clocked at 1GHz and a VX900H graphics which enough to support 1080p playback. Additionally up to 4GB of DDR3 RAM and one 2.5-inch SATA HDD or SSD can be installed inside it. ARTiGO 1150 has HDMI and VGA output to connect to TV or monitor, gigabit Ethernet, four USB 2.0 host ports, plus optional WiFi adapter and SD card reader.

The new VIA ARTiGO 1150 is available now and priced at $265 (barebone version). It can be good option as a media player or media client. But be carefully with Linux. Because VIA hardware had a big problems under Linux. Hope current stage is better.

ZOTAC recently launched its new product – ZBOX AD10. Its compact and stylish nettop based on AMD E-350 APU and a Radeon HD 6310. Additionally box sports 320GB HDD, 2GB DDR3 RAM, integrated 802.11n WiFi, Bluetooth 3.0 and a pair of USB 3.0 ports. Good news for audiophiles. The AD10 supports Dolby® TrueHDâ„¢ & DTS-HDâ„¢ (Master Audio bitstream ready) over HDMI. So, it can be used as High-End HTPC.

New ZOTAC AD10 is available at very attractive price – just $276! Together with XBMC it might bring your home theater experience to the new level!

If you prefer new AMD Fusion E-350 APU platform to nVidia Ion 2 for your HTPC the Giada MiniPC A50 might be interesting for you. It’s based on a AMD Fusion E-350 APU with integrated Radeon HD 6310 graphics and supports HD video and audio. The slim case – just 25 mm, has enough space for 2GB of RAM and 2.5″ 350GB HDD. The Giada MiniPC A50 sports HDMI output, USB 3.0 port, Gigabit Ethernet, 802.11n WiFi, built-in IR receiver and multi-card reader. The box is bundled with Media Center remote to control it the same way as the rest AV devices.

The Giada MiniPC A50 will be available in two colors – black and white, and in two configurations – ready-made with Windows 7 Home Premium ($449) and barebone ($299). Good to know this PC is compatible with Linux. So, you may install XBMC, Boxee, MythTV with a networked HDHomeRun tuner or VDR with USB DVB-S2 card and enjoy power and open source system on your quiet (just 26dB noise level) and energy efficient (30W power consumption) HTPC.

[via eHomeUpgrade]

Long time platform nVidia Ion didn’t have any competitor in case if it’s needed compact, noiseless HTPC with 1080p support. Maybe that’s why its second generation was mostly marketing ploy. But now situation changed. AMD launched its new platform AMD E-350 APU which combines CPU and GPU on one chip. And according to information Hot Hardware and AnandTech it beats Intel Atom D525 with ION 2 on all categories except gaming – productivity, music, PCMarks, communications, and movies. Moreover, AMD E-350 APU supports Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD MA bitstreaming over HDMI. So, looks like nVidia should know what new features and improvements will be in the third generation of Ion. If it’ll be released, of course.

[via eHomeUpgrade]

Compact, energy-efficient and inexpensive HTPC or media client can be built using Foxconn nettop NetBox-nT330i. It has Intel Atom Dual Core 330 1.60GHZ processor and nVidia Ion graphics which should be enough for 1080p video playback. The nettop includes gigabit Ethernet, HDMI and DVI outputs, 6 USB ports, cardreader and supports 2.5″ HDD and up to 4GB DDR2 RAM.

The price of barebone model NetBox-nT330i is about €160.