Alienware Does HTPC
Alienware, known best for their alien-head shaped gaming rigs, has just announced that they will be entering the home theater PC market with a slick looking new system called the Hanger18. The Hanger18 is a slim DVD-player sized HTPC and it will run Windows Vista Home Premium on an AMD LIVE! platform.
"Say hello to your new high-performance, digital living room. Introducing the High-Definition Alienware Hanger18: HD Entertainment Center that combines all of the following components into one box:
- High-Definition Digital Video Recorder (DVR) for recording and playing back your HD content (up to 1080p) via and HDMI output
- Up to 2 terabytes of hard drive storage
- Up to 4 TV tuners (two analog and two HD/digital TV tuners)
- Stereo receiver with built-in 1000 watt amplifier and subwoofer output (5 channels deliver 200 watts peak power output each)
- AMD Live!™ software applications running with Microsoft Vista OS
- Slim slot loading DVD/CD player/burner
- Bluetooth and wireless 802.11a/b/g
- Front inputs for Memory card: (Compact Flash I & II, SD, Mini SD, MultiMedia Card, Memory Stick, Smart Media)
From the available photos, you can clearly see the Hanger18's Alienware heritage, complete with a lighted Alienware logo. The Hanger18's case will be equipped with a vacuum fluorescent display, volume knob and various multimedia controls including what appears to be a D-pad. The Hanger18 starts at $1,999 and can be equipped with up to 2 terabytes of hard drive space and 4 TV tuners (2 analog, 2 HD) for some serious DVR functionality. With that many tuners, you can watch your
favorite
show while recording up to three others, or I suppose you could watch four different shows at once. Standard accessories include a Gyration RF wireless remote control that doubles as a mouse so you can change the channel and surf the web from your seat, although typing might be an issue unless you also get the optional Gyration wireless keyboard.
