http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?docname=c01197633&lc=en&cc=ca&dlc=en&product=3552382&lang=en

Now this is what I call a media center. Nvidia Geforce 8500GT should give smooth playback.

Hopefully we will start to see more systems with this feature.

Too bad there are no HD outputs

Too bad there are no HD outputs

From the site:

Video Graphics
GeForce 8500GT

* 512 MB DDR memory
* I/O Ports: HDMI, dual-link DVI , S-video

From the site:

Video Graphics
GeForce 8500GT

* 512 MB DDR memory
* I/O Ports: HDMI, dual-link DVI , S-video

OK. I missed it.

Methinks 8500GT should be fine for most mainstream titles, but it wouldn't have cost much more to make it an 8600GT for the trickier content.

The really interesting thing here is that the sale ad for CompUSA for this VERY machine says it burns HD DVD and Blu-ray. Yet I cannot find any spec anywhere that confirms this.

http://akimages.crossmediaservices.com/dyn_rppi/590.0.85.0/compusa/large/071021_P04NN_uufwi.jpg

it does do both we sell this at best buy, intrestingly enough the more expensive model that comes with 1 tb of storage and vista ulitmate does not do blu ray and hd-dvd, although it does come with an 8800 gts graphics card. the difference in price is 500 dollars

Do some checking on the other areas of AVS... some of these NVIDIA cards with nearly the same lettering aren't providing smooth playback just yet.

As an HP rep, I can confirm there is no recording capability for Blu Ray and HD DVD, only playback. SD DVD writing is supported.

The 8500GT works fine with a 30" monitor used to demo '300' at Future Shop this past weekend.

I was impressed with the system.

I like the 9080n as well, not sure why they didn't build the combo drive into that system too.

This probably belongs in the dual format player forum, but it's certainly pretty sweet looking.

The really interesting thing here is that the sale ad for CompUSA for this VERY machine says it burns HD DVD and Blu-ray. Yet I cannot find any spec anywhere that confirms this.

From the OP link:

This Blu-Ray Disc Writer and HD DVD-ROM drive introduces a player that reads current high-definition formats, Blu-ray Disc and HD DVD, enabling you to watch any high-definition movie. NOTE: This drive does not include write capability for either high-definition format.

http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?docname=c01197633&lc=en&cc=ca&dlc=en&product=3552382&lang=en

As an HP rep, I can confirm there is no recording capability for Blu Ray and HD DVD, only playback. SD DVD writing is supported.

The 8500GT works fine with a 30" monitor used to demo '300' at Future Shop this past weekend.

I was impressed with the system.

I like the 9080n as well, not sure why they didn't build the combo drive into that system too..

What about backing up to a hard drive legally with AnyDVD?

As an HP rep, I can confirm there is no recording capability for Blu Ray and HD DVD, only playback. SD DVD writing is supported.

The 8500GT works fine with a 30" monitor used to demo '300' at Future Shop this past weekend.

I was impressed with the system.

I like the 9080n as well, not sure why they didn't build the combo drive into that system too.

Just wondering, is this a full blown HD DVD player with IME and interactivity and is the BR side upgradeable to the next profiles as they become available? I'm asking because I'm seriously considering purchasing this HP to replace my current HP media center which is 2 years old. I especially like the fact that it also has the HD TV tuner built in.

Software is an HP branded version of PowerDVD ultimate. No HD audio playback, but the video support for both formats more than makes up for it.

As an HP rep, I can confirm there is no recording capability for Blu Ray and HD DVD, only playback. SD DVD writing is supported.

The 8500GT works fine with a 30" monitor used to demo '300' at Future Shop this past weekend.

I was impressed with the system.

I like the 9080n as well, not sure why they didn't build the combo drive into that system too.

What is fan noise like? With that much horsepower, I'd be worried about how it's cooled...

Software is an HP branded version of PowerDVD ultimate. No HD audio playback, but the video support for both formats more than makes up for it.

If I understand you correctly then, running a HDMI cable from the PC to my AVR won't give me HD audio. Is that correct? I was looking as this being my BR side as I already have a Tosh XA2 for the HD DVD. Since I have a Wii, I am not going to buy a PS3 or SA BR player. Since the PC would be on the internet, would the HD DVD side be able to use the internet functions of HD DVD?

If I understand you correctly then, running a HDMI cable from the PC to my AVR won't give me HD audio. Is that correct?See http://www.bit-tech.net/news/2007/10/08/powerdvd_ultra_audio_downsampling_explained/1

What is fan noise like? With that much horsepower, I'd be worried about how it's cooled...

With Future Shop being about as loud as your average Best Buy on a Saturday, I can't really tell much about fan noise.

The 8500GT does most of the processing, so CPU usage is minimal. 5 to 8% when I was playing 300.

As an HP rep, I can confirm there is no recording capability for Blu Ray and HD DVD, only playback. SD DVD writing is supported.

...

I was impressed with the system.

...

It's not surprising you say you like it since you're a rep!

Why isn't this in the HTPC forum?

See http://www.bit-tech.net/news/2007/10/08/powerdvd_ultra_audio_downsampling_explained/1

Thanks so much. I read the article and was very disappointed. Needless to say, HP gets to sell that product to someone else. I'm not going to buy a unit that has a BR and HD DVD and yet limits my enjoyment. This DRM is getting stupid. I'm not interested in making copies of anything. Yet innocent users get screwed because the content providers are so worried about the few that make illegal copies. Bottom line. NO SALE.

I think it would be stupid to buy a GPU now with the coming cards destroying everything before them with HD playback. when I put together my HTPC a couple of weeks back I got the cheapest Vista capable GPU knowing later this year the last card I'll need until we have a new HDM format will be available

I think it would be stupid to buy a GPU now with the coming cards destroying everything before them with HD playback. when I put together my HTPC a couple of weeks back I got the cheapest Vista capable GPU knowing later this year the last card I'll need until we have a new HDM format will be available

Do you have any links I can go to? I'm interested in the new GPU's as I was unaware of something new coming out. I hadn't even looked at new PC's until I saw the m9060n and it peaked my interest.

I bought the m9060n 1 week ago. I can say for sure the fan is quiet.
I was hoping to be able to use the built in ATSC tuner to pick up HD content from my comcast cable. No luck so far.

Nope, the tuner does not support QAM from what I recall, just OTA.

Buy a nice set of rabbit ears and you will be covered for HD again.

Yup - I have the m8100n and it doesn't do QAM tuning either. Disappointing I know but there it is. :(

Thanks so much. I read the article and was very disappointed. Needless to say, HP gets to sell that product to someone else. I'm not going to buy a unit that has a BR and HD DVD and yet limits my enjoyment. This DRM is getting stupid. I'm not interested in making copies of anything. Yet innocent users get screwed because the content providers are so worried about the few that make illegal copies. Bottom line. NO SALE.

Well, last week I decided to reverse my above decision and bought the unit. I have to say, this PC is fast and its growing on me very fast. It has the LG HD/Blu drive that blu/HD media DF forum is discussing. I already have a Toshiba XA2 HD DVD player. I bought this before the Warner news about the BD support. So if absolutely necessary, I can play BD disks. Don't yet own any as I've seen no BD disks I have to have. I don't know how the BD profiles will be supported in this PC. Its a great PC once it gets some Vista updates. At first I saw a number of blue screens but one of the updates seems to have cured that.