Acer Aspire X1200 Series: Possible HTPC?

[bwoody2016]

Acer just released a new a new mini-pc and im kinda tempted to use it as a frontend computer for my new Sammy. Granted it has a NVIDA Geforce 8200, from what I hear it can output 1080P!! They have multiple version's, but here here are the specs:
Acer® Aspire X1200-U1520A: Available now for $449.99

* AMD Athlon™ X2 Dual Core 4850e Processor
* NVIDIA® GeForce® 8200 On-Board Graphics
* 4GB DDR2 Memory
* 320GB SATA II Hard Drive
* 16x DVD+R/RW, DVD-RAM SuperMulti, Double-Layer Drive
* 14-in-One Media Card Reader
* Windows Vista® Premium 64 with SP1


Acer® Aspire X1200-U1510A: Available now for $459.99

* AMD Athlon™ X2 Dual Core 5000+ Processor
* NVIDIA® GeForce® 8200 On-Board Graphics
* 4GB DDR2 Memory
* 320GB SATA II Hard Drive
* 16x DVD+R/RW, DVD-RAM SuperMulti, Double-Layer Drive
* 14-in-One Media Card Reader
* Windows Vista® Premium 64 with SP1

Acer® Aspire X1200-B1581A: Available for $699.99 starting on July 13

* AMD Athlon™ X2 Dual Core 4850e Processor
* NVIDIA® GeForce® 8200 On-Board Graphics
* 4GB DDR2 Memory
* 500GB SATA II Hard Drive
* 16x DVD+R/RW, DVD-RAM SuperMulti, Double-Layer Drive
* 14-in-One Media Card Reader
* 22-inch Widescreen LCD Display
* Windows Vista® Premium 64 with SP1

For 499.99 I dont think anything with those spec can be beat.

[Gatorfan123]

I am also tempted about these specs. I googled around but did not see these for sale yet. Please post if you find any sights. Also, does anyone have experience with that AMD processer?

[Arvy]

It's a little new and I'd like to see some reviews for it before buying but it does look promising. 9 USB ports seems like a lot, though. I'm also concerned with the HD playback. Will the onboard graphics be enough to support 1080p?

[Miles]

I'm also interested, but it doesn't seem to be for sale anywhere. Including the Acer.ca site.

[LegOfAhab]

Is that a modem in the back? Or is it just a stock photo. I see it from their web site to. (I can't post URLs yet but search on Google and you'll see.)

[Thund3r]

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage....=1212192194910

[henningh]

I noticed the modem (?) too. I hope the final machine has two slots available.

[bwoody2016]

Originally Posted by Arvy

It's a little new and I'd like to see some reviews for it before buying but it does look promising. 9 USB ports seems like a lot, though. I'm also concerned with the HD playback. Will the onboard graphics be enough to support 1080p?

Well heres the liunk to the Nvidia site, which talks about the GPU

http://sg.nvidia.com/object/geforce_8200mgpu_sg.html

From what I understand it offloads all HD decoding onto the processor, and they are fast enough to playback 1080P so I dont see a problem...

Here the link to Engadget, there's a post in the comments section, and the person talks about being able to play back 1080P fine and also outputting 7.1 audio fine. They are already in stores at Bestbuy and Circuit city

http://www.engadget.com/2008/07/08/a...ly-mini-pc-fo/

[StinDaWg]

If I didn't just buy a HP slimline I would for sure look into this! There's a lot in that box for $450! I paid $300 for my slimline but it is refurbished (looks new though). Hopefully more PC makers make smaller boxes for the htpc market.

[PostPCMan]

The box does look really nice. Two concerns though...

None of the descriptions that I've seem say anything about fans and/or noise levels. Am I missing something? Does anybody know anything about this?

I think I'd like to run MythTV / linux on my HTPC. However, according to http://www.phoronix.com/scan.php?pag...dia_8200&num=1 the linux driver available for the nvidia 8200 doesn't fully support some of its more important features.

So, I guess we'll see.

[mikeinnj]

Circuit City has them in stock for $450.

http://www.circuitcity.com/ccd/produ....do?oid=214483

[pixelation]

I have seen them like 2 weeks ago in CC. I am surprised that they are not being covered until now. I really like the built-in HDMI interface. Which saves a slot for video card over the existing HP Slimline. The Acer box is also slightly thinner than the HP.

I believe the DVD-Writer can be replaced. So you can replace it with a blu-ray drive. No option for Core 2 Duo though.

[eyustfu]

Can anyone let me know how the mkv x264 playback is?

[bwoody2016]

A comment on engadet.com said "I had mkv's with bitrates of about 10,000kbps and they played without skipping....i havent had any problems with any of my files....if any files fail to play ill be sure to tell ya" So I believe it can play them without any problems..

[trabbic]

I don't see any IR port... I don't even see a serial port to connect any IR system to.

Otherwise, it looks like a very good home theater pc. Certainly the price is right.

[WinstonSmith]

Would love it, but it doesn't have a remote.

[bwoody2016]

I wouldnt worry so much about a remote, just add a IR receiver and your set. Same thing most people do with PS3's. This enables you to have a much better variety of remotes you can choose.

[WinstonSmith]

For my wife, I have to have one "with the green button on it."

[brianley]

Originally Posted by WinstonSmith

For my wife, I have to have one "with the green button on it."

You can buy a MCE remote (with green button) and a receiver for less than $30

[WinstonSmith]

Originally Posted by brianley

You can buy a MCE remote (with green button) and a receiver for less than $30

Where? I haven't been able to find them.

Would it then connect to this system?

[gunbunnysoulja]

While I am not a typical fan of acer products, the specs and features in this lil box at this price point is rather impressive.

[gunbunnysoulja]

Originally Posted by WinstonSmith

Where? I haven't been able to find them.

Would it then connect to this system?

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...4435&CatId=358

It says for XP, but AFAIK, it works fine on vista...

[brianley]

Originally Posted by WinstonSmith

Where? I haven't been able to find them.

Would it then connect to this system?

I purchased mine on ebay, (search for mce remote, you'll fine some true Microsoft ones buried in the mix)

although honestly I only use the receiver - I have a Harmony remote that can emulate the MCE remote so I can use a single remote for everything.

And yes, it would work fine with the Acer - I use it with a Dell laptop, works flawlessly with Event Ghost as the remote software.

[WinstonSmith]

Thanks. Makes it a bit more compelling.

Doesn't have a tuner card, though. Is there room for one?

[dvaz23]

I see the machine has HDMI which I can connect to my TV but what about connecting the machine to a surround sound system? I don't see the optical out or a digital coax out. Is there a different way for you to connect it to a Home threater system?

[sneakerx]

Without an HDTV tuner you're really missing out on one of the biggest advantages of having an HTPC, its video recording capability. You're not going to be making much use of the onboard 8200 just watching DVD's, either. And apparently no SPDIF? Hmm...really close, Acer, but just short.

[davdev]

I take it this will pass LPCM for HD Audio?

Also, the lack of S/P Dif is a bizarre omission. Anyone who does not have an HDMI reciever is going to miss 5.1/7.1 completely.

[trabbic]

looks like it has mini spdif, so you will need one of these (or similar) to connect it to a coax input on an AVR.

http://www.monoprice.com/products/pr...mat=4#feedback

[Jinjuku]

Originally Posted by trabbic

looks like it has mini spdif, so you will need one of these (or similar) to connect it to a coax input on an AVR.

http://www.monoprice.com/products/pr...mat=4#feedback

I called Acer and it indeed has mini spdif! Woo Hoo!

[trabbic]

Originally Posted by Jinjuku

I called Acer and it indeed has mini spdif! Woo Hoo!

SWEET! Thanks for the confirmation, this is on my wish list now!