So you want to use your computer as a true home theater PC (HTPC) for your entertainment needs, eh?
The folks at Ace Computers are ready to help you ace that test. And it won’t hurt your wallet too much, either.
The company will be showcasing some CableCard-equipped HTPCs at next week’s CES 2009 expo in Las Vegas, hoping some home theater buffs will be hitting the jackpot with these machines.
ZDnet says that Ace’s $999 CableCard LMS 250 systems will be ready to view and record your encrypted cable channels, with processing from AMD’s Maui entertainment platform (in this case the Phenom) or Intel Core 2 Duo.
Whether you go AMD or Intel, you’ll get 2 GB of RAM, a 500-GB hard drive, DVD burner and internal ATI digital cable tuner to hold your CableCard. You’ll be glued to the video on your PC with the aid of Windows Vista Home Premium and its built-in Media Center for easy recording and viewing delights.
There’s also an option for a $100 Blu-ray drive, ZDnet notes, which would still put Ace’s HTPC price way below market average. Plenty left over for a Media Center extender—Xbox 360, anyone?
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Finally, a company who’s bold enough to try to sell these systems as a computer rather than an exotic piece of CE equipment. Maybe this will get the Niveus and EI guys’ heads out of their butts trying to sell these things for $12K.
The AMD Maui platform is very capable too…just nobody had cablecard capability for an affordable price…I think Ace is taking the right approach.
I applaud Ace for the bold move and know from their rep with both the PC and CE sides that they’re a capable firm with proper support. For those going to CES, I looked up their booth as 21863 in the South Hall….there’s nothing on their website yet but I would expect they might be saving this for a CES debut but since the cat’s out of the bag, they should post more information now!
Steve Sanchez, KFI Radio