HD HTPC-1IntroductionWith introduction of Windows Vista we were expecting to see plenty of options for PC based home entertainment systems but it didn’t really happen. We have experienced no end of frustration trying products based on the Microsoft Media Centre software and learnt that many of our clients wouldn’t even consider purchasing a home theatre computer. To put it simply no single hardware platform or software package could provide all of the necessary features to build a proper high definition HTPC. Finally the solution arrived, let us present the first true High Definition Home Theatre PC (HD HTPC) that not only meets but even exceeds the most demanding expectations. HD HTPC presents a unique combination of software and hardware controlled by a custom built application that integrates advantages of many solutions into a high quality entertainment system we were all waiting for. This easy to use, reliable and silent performer sets a new benchmark for all HTPCs. Outside HD HTPC-1 uses a case manufactured by SilverStone. The photo below should provide you with a good idea of what the SilverStone case looks like and why it's obviously suited as a HTPC case.
One thing that catches your eye is the front of the case. It curves up giving the HD HTPC-1 a much different look that other HTPC cases. The front panels open to reveal the hidden compartments the first being the Optical compartment which holds the Blu-ray drive. The lower compartment houses the 52-in-1 card reader and USB and FireWire connections. On the left side of the front of the case is the LCD panel and below the LCD is a big power button and the power and hard drive LED.
At the back you fill find: mouse and keyboard ports, 8 USB ports (in addition to the 2 ports on the front panel), 2 FireWire ports (in addition to the single firewire port on the front panel), network socket, 2 DVI outputs, antenna socket and video input, audio outputs (4 dual channel analogue + spdif) and audio inputs (2 dual channel analogue + spdif). We were pleasantly surprised to find additional accessories and high quality connecting cables included with HD HTPC-1. Both Logitech diNovo Mini Bluetooth Keyboard and Harmony 785 Remote Control are great additions making this system even more convenient to use. It took some time to learn all combinations of buttons required to invoke certain features on the keyboard but overall its compact size, excellent wireless range and protective lid make it a desirable HTPC input device.
To take a full advantage of the features provided by the included universal control you need to upload IR commands for other audio/video devices you may have and wish to control. Inside Opening up the case is pretty simple, just remove 4 screws and take the top off.
Taking a look at the inside of the case there is a horizontal stability bar. Towards the front of the case is the 5.25" drive bay cage and the 3.5" drive bay cage. Both of these cages are also removable. The 5.25" drive cage can hold 2 drives and the 3.5" drive cage can theoretically hold up to 6 drives but you would struggle to install more than 4 drives. A lot of attention was given to the cooling system ensuring high efficiency while maintaining almost silent operation. It is hard not to notice the neat and tidy cable routing and overall quality of assembly. User Experience What sets HD HTPC series apart from other HTPC products is not only the quality of hardware and software but also the ease of installation and use. HD HTPC-1 is ready to use right out of the box, all we had to do is to connect it all together and push the power button. No hardware or software configurations were required and when the control screen appeared we were surprised how simple it was to use.
You will not find any useless features or confusing buttons, HD HTPC-1 has a simple and functional interface developed especially for this system. If you have an Internet connection hooked up to the system, it will download updated information about the show you are watching and what is coming up. If you wish to backup your discs on the hard drive for convenient and quick access you can do it with a couple of clicks. Managing your favourite movies with the included media database is quick and effective, you will be able to locate your favourite movie and start the playback within less than one minute.
The built in media database allows you to specify many parameters including which application should be used for playback and which files should be shared via the streaming server. You can also include picture of a cover and short description for each media file. To make the management even easier you can start a remote desktop session from any other computer connected to the same network as your HD HTPC-1 and use a scaled down version of the user interface to make any changes you wish. More over if your router has a static IP or dynamic DNS support you can log into your HD HTPC-1 over the internet to control your HD TV recording schedule!
You can also store all your CDs on the hard drives using lossless encoders and play them back via digital sound processor that extends the stereo signal into all of the surround speakers. Our audiophile friends were very impressed with the audio quality of HD HTPC-1 stating that “this system has no audible interferences or distortions delivering very clear and dynamic sound”. More over you don’t have to buy expensive external decoders to enjoy the new HD audio formats. HD HTPC-1 will take care of the audio decoding and pass analogue signals to your multi-channel receiver. If you have multiple TVs in your house you can stream the movies over the network to another computer or a game console (eg XBOX 360). All you have to do is to enable the media streaming server and ensure that the files you wish to stream are in one of the supported formats. You can also rely on the powerful quad core processor to trans-code the media files in real-time allowing you to stream high definition video files without any prior conversions. Normal users will find HD HTPC-1 simple and friendly whilst computer enthusiasts will be excited to uncover all of the advanced features and settings. Specifications Hardware:
Sheer convenience and pure luxury delivering a true High Definition experience HD HTPC-1 is a powerful and elegant solution that addresses the most common problem affecting many home theatre computers - It simply works! |
