When we first took a look at the ASRock Vision 3D 137B with NVIDIA 3DTV Play last year, we were quite impressed with the machine. It offered excellent all-around performance for a system in its class and had an extensive feature set that included Blu-Ray and 3D video playback capabilities, all wrapped up in what we considered to be an attractive enclosure. So, when ASRock came to us with an updated model outfitted with a newer CPU, GPU, and other components, we were eager to check it out. Once it arrived we were pleased to see ASRock hadn’t messed around with the system’s aesthetics and after prepping it with an OS and various other apps, the system took residence in our home theater setup for some real-world testing. Since its arrival, the ASRock Vision 3D 252B HTPC we’ll be showing you here today has been our primary playback device for Blu-Ray discs—including 3D titles—, DVDs, a host of videos and movies stored on a multi-terabyte NAS array, and for streaming content from the web... ASRock Vision 3D 252B HTPC Review
This would make a great client for use with Plex!
True that camberry I have been thinking about building one myself as well but have not taken that dive as of yet this may actually be relative as well for the duty.
ASRock already had me as a believer; I have one of their X79 boards and it performs very well. This article just makes me want a small form factor so much more for portable LAN gaming, HD movies on the go, etc.
"I have the power!!"
So essentially this is a Mac Mini for Windows?
"You can't just ask customers what they want and then try to give that to them. By the time you get it built, they'll want something new."
I guess you could say that if a Mac Mini was easily user-serviceable, had a Blue-Ray drive, media center remote, discrete GPU with 3D TV capabilities, 8GB of RAM, a big, 7200RPM HD, USB 3.0 and a multi-format card reader.
Marco ChiappettaManaging Editor @ HotHardware.com
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While it's true that the product's pricetag isn't unreasonable considering the cost to build something similar, I think that a large part of the customer segment that would be interested in an HTPC solution is equally interested in building it homegrown.
Nevertheless, I welcome HTPC efforts like these as each one continues to push us further towards the promise of a digital living room.
I do alot of streaming so Ill pass on htpc's. Tv's now-a-days come with usb video support and dont forget about smart tv's with built in netflix youtube and facbeook. Obviously a smart tv has no comparison to a htpc but for most users I'm sure they will resort to a desktop or laptop PC.
That thing is brilliant, would make an awesome HTPC. Seems like a great option for people who don't want to mess with creating their own.
Marco C: I guess you could say that if a Mac Mini was easily user-serviceable, had a Blue-Ray drive, media center remote, discrete GPU with 3D TV capabilities, 8GB of RAM, a big, 7200RPM HD, USB 3.0 and a multi-format card reader.
LOL!
Don't part with your illusions. When they are gone you may still exist, but you have ceased to live.
(Mark Twain)
It is a very impressive little box. They're giving Zotac a real run for the money.
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